Abstract: A combination manifold and nozzle closure system is disclosed. The closure system limits exposure of the nozzle outlets to air between dispenses or between uses. Manifold accommodates a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a nozzle outlet extending beyond an end of the manifold. An actuator shaft passes through the manifold and is connected to a plate at its distal end with a film disposed between the plate and the nozzle outlets. An actuator moves the actuator shaft from a closed position where the film engages the nozzle outlets and the plate is disposed just below the nozzles to an open position where the film and plate have been pulled upward beyond the nozzle outlets. The plate includes a plurality of openings and the film includes a plurality of valves each opening in the plate is in alignment with a valve and each valve is in alignment with one of the nozzle outlets.

Abstract: A dual chamber mixing pump is disclosed with two pump chambers. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections disposed at both ends. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of two fluids entering through two inlets and exiting through two outlets with reduced pulsations. Alternating pulses of the two chambers and joining of two outlets provide a common outlet stream which has small segments of alternating fluid from each inlet. Such segmented streams can become more thoroughly mixed through normal flow characteristics of the downstream flow path, providing more effective mixing.

Abstract: A combination gravimetric and volumetric fluid dispenser which includes a scale linked to a controller. The controller is linked to a plurality of two stage valves which control the dispensing of large quantities of base materials. The controller is also linked to a plurality of nutating pumps which together with the controller controls the dispensing of smaller quantities of additive materials. The base material dispensing valves include stepper motor actuators having multiple steps per revolution and are under the control of an analog signal from a controller. The base material dispensing valve is opened or closed via a rod that is slidably raised or lowered upon rotation of the drive shaft of the stepper motor actuator.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for adequately securing the currently available metal and plastic containers for paint and other fluids as well as other foreseeable containers in an automated fashion without crushing or damaging the containers, without using any special adapters for particular container types and without operator intervention. To avoid crushing a plastic container, the disclosed system and method takes advantage of the compressibility of these less rigid plastic containers. It has been found that a plastic paint container can be safely clamped in place without structural damage if the clamp plate travel after engagement with the top of the container is limited to a certain value, for example, about 5/16?. When the compression amount if limited or controlled, the plastic container will not move or will move very little during a three minute violent shake cycle. Some conventional containers are not readily compressible, such a metal cans, drums or the larger (five gal.

Abstract: A valve assembly for dispensing a plurality of flowable materials, such as viscous fluids or powders, comprising a valve member having a plurality of inlets for the plurality of flowable materials and dispense outlets communicating with the inlets and a closure having one or more openings in a pattern that corresponds to the pattern of at least some of the outlets. The valve member and the closure are movable relative to each other between a closed position in which the outlets are closed and at least one dispensing position in which one or more openings in the closure are at least partially in register with the dispense outlets thus clearing the latter.

Abstract: A pair of dual chamber mixing pumps are combined which allow for a constant dispense rate profile using motor speed modulation. Each pump is divided into two chambers, the proximal chamber and the distal chamber. The chambers are defined in part by a piston having proximal and distal ends and recessed sections. The pump utilizes one common driving mechanism to axially rotate and laterally reciprocate the piston to provide continuous pumping of fluids with reduced pulsations. Each fluid enters through its own pump inlet and outlet. The pumps are operated 90° out of phase with respect to each other.

Abstract: A clamping mechanism and method are disclosed for a mixing machine that detects when the upper clamping member engages the tops or lids of the containers loaded into the mixing machine. The disclosed clamping mechanism includes a lower base and an upper plate defining an adjustable clamping distance disposed therebetween. At least one of the lower base and upper plate is moveable to increase or decrease the clamping distance. The upper plate is pivotally connected to a cross member so the upper plate is at least partially pivoted away from the cross member when nothing is clamped between the upper plate and lower base. At least one of the cross member and upper plate is associated with a sensor. The sensor is linked to a controller, which controls the movement of the upper plate or the lower base (or both) for clamping and unclamping articles disposed on the lower base.

Abstract: An improved multi fluid dispenser for simultaneous dispensing of a plurality of fluids shown and described. The dispenser includes a controller that is linked to a coordinator board. The controller has a memory with a plurality of recipes stored in the memory. A coordinator board is linked to a first module. The first module may include one or two pumps, each connected to a fluid reservoir. The module is then linked in series to a plurality of other modules as well as a manifold module. Each module includes a module board for controlling the pump or pumps of that module. The controller, coordinator board and module boards are all programmed for the simultaneous or sequential pumping of multiple fluids from the reservoirs through outlet nozzles of the manifold in accordance with a recipe selected by the user and retrieved from the memory of the controller.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate.

Abstract: An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, a base that has been sufficiently aerated, and at least one flavor. The horizontal freeze plate rotates about its central axis. The apparatus also includes a spreader body for distributing the chilled aerated mix on the rotating freeze plate. The spreader body extends radially across at least a portion of the upper surface of the freeze plate. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a scraper blade with a leading edge that extends radially across the portion of the freeze plate and that engages the upper surface of the freeze plate. The scraper blade is directed opposite the direction of rotation of the freeze plate.

Abstract: A nutating pump is disclosed which has a modified piston and housing or casing that provides two distinct pump chambers or areas. Output from the first pump chamber is delivered during a first half of the dispense cycle or the piston movement cycle. A substantial portion of this output is held for delivery by the second chamber during a second part or half of the dispense cycle. Thus, the output generated by the pump is not altered or reduced, it is delivered over the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to prior art pumps which deliver all of the fluid during a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In this way, superior pulse modification is achieved as fluid is delivered across the entire piston movement cycle as opposed to a first half or first portion of the piston movement cycle. In additional embodiments disclosed, two distinct chambers are also provided but each chamber generates its own output as the piston includes two machined or flat sections for active pumping.

Abstract: A valve assembly comprising a housing and a valve member mounted within the housing rotatable about an axis and between at least a dispensing position and a further position, for instance a volume selection position during which a material can be withdrawn from a container, and, preferably, a seat for mounting and guiding the valve member within the housing, wherein at least one of said housing, valve member, and seat is made of a synthetic material and the assembly further comprises a spring, which urges at least two of said housing, valve member, and seat together.

Abstract: A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser manifold is disclosed. The manifold includes at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the sidewall and a distal end with an elongated slot disposed therebetween. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and the sidewall by a first pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall and through the elongated slot of the arm. The brackets also coupled to the sidewall by a second pin that extends through the lateral slot of the sidewall and laterally between the first pin and the manifold.

Abstract: An improved multi fluid dispenser for simultaneous dispensing of a plurality of fluids shown and described. The dispenser includes a controller that is linked to a coordinator board. The controller has a memory with a plurality of recipes stored in the memory. A coordinator board is linked to a first module. The first module may include one or two pumps, each connected to a fluid reservoir. The module is then linked in series to a plurality of other modules as well as a manifold module. Each module includes a module board for controlling the pump or pumps of that module. The controller, coordinator board and module boards are all programmed for the simultaneous or sequential pumping of multiple fluids from the reservoirs through outlet nozzles of the manifold in accordance with a recipe selected by the user and retrieved from the memory of the controller.

Abstract: An improved dispensing system and dispensing routine for multiple ingredient formulas is disclosed. The system includes a controller linked to an actuator, a scale and, a means for imparting movement to a plurality of pumps or conveyors and containers for dispensing the plurality of ingredients. After a formula is selected, the controller acts to at least partially load the pump with the first of said ingredients, reads the scale to account for the weight of the receptacle, calculates the motion of the pump required to dispense the target amount of said first ingredient, and either executes a percentage or portion of the motion of the pump required to dispense the target amount of said first ingredient, leaving a remaining amount or a safety factor in the form of a previously determined <maximum overshoot> value.

Abstract: A valve assembly for a fluid dispenser includes a housing having at least a first opening and a second opening, and a valve member fitted in the housing, the valve member being rotatable about an axis and comprising a first channel, extending along said axis and communicating with the first opening in the housing, and at least two outlet channels radially extending from the first channel to the circumference of the valve member, wherein each of the radially extending outlet channels can be brought in register with the second opening by rotating the valve member.

Abstract: An improved canister assembly for a multi-fluid dispenser is shown and described. The canister assembly comprises an annular outer shell with an outer cylindrical wall connected to a bottom which, in turn, is connected to an inner cylindrical wall that serves as a standpipe. The bottom includes an outlet connected to a pump A hollow agitator shaft slides over the inner standpipe and includes a plurality of outwardly extending blades for stirring or “agitating” the fluid. An annular screen element is disposed below the bottom end of the agitator shaft. Beneath the annular screen element is a lower agitator blade element The lower blade element and the lower end of the agitator shaft are snap-fitted together with the annular screen element sandwiched therebetween. The screen element includes a cylindrical shell with the annular screen disposed upwards from the lower end of the cylindrical shell so that the screen is spaced above the bottom wall and to make room for the lower blade element.

Abstract: A manually operated seal/closure system for a fluid dispenser manifold is disclosed The manifold includes at least one nozzle and, more typically, a plurality of nozzles ranging from more than one to twelve or more. The manifold housing includes a sidewall or other stationary structure. The stationary sidewall is pivotally connected to an arm. The sidewall further includes a lateral slot and a curved slot. The arm includes a proximal end pivotally connected to the sidewall and a distal end with an elongated slot disposed therebetween. The closure system also includes a bracket for supporting a cup and a seal. The bracket is coupled to the arm and the sidewall by a first pin that extends from the bracket through the lateral slot in the sidewall and through the elongated slot of the arm. The brackets also coupled to the sidewall by a second pin that extends through the lateral slot of the sidewall and laterally between the first pin and the manifold.