Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes an electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism, preferably by electromagnetic induction or electrochemistry. The electrical energy from the generator is utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly.

Abstract: An automated biological growth and dispensing system utilizing a modular growing tank which is removable for replacement by another growing tank. Mechanisms for the delivery of air, water and/or nutrients are adapted to permit the growing tank to be readily coupled and uncoupled for easy and inexpensive replacement. Mechanisms for agitation may be integral and removable with the growing tank or may be adapted for a quick connection and disconnection with the growing tank. The growing tank may be disposable and each new growing tank may be provided as a sealed container including a starting amount of a biomass and/or nutrient.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including a product dispenser in which product is dispensed by manual movement of an activation mechanism as, for example, by moving a lever with a person's hand, arm or foot. The dispensing apparatus includes an electrical generator for generating electrical energy as a result of the manual movement of the activation mechanism, preferably by electromagnetic induction, electrochemistry or piezoelectricity. The electrical energy from the generator may be utilized in the dispensing apparatus to power a data communication unit for receiving information about the product dispenser and transmitting the information to a receiver, preferably but not necessarily wirelessly. The relative amounts of electrical energy generated may be used to estimate the amount of fluid dispensed and the extent to which a fluid reservoir is full.

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive displacement rotary vane mixing pump in combination with a positive displacement rotary vane fluid pump. The mixing pump having an air inlet, an inlet for foamable fluid from the fluid pump, and an outlet from a discharge sector of the pump for discharging a mixture of air and liquid to a foam generator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing flowable fluids, particularly those which are high viscosity by passing a stream of fluid through an elongate discharge passageway and injecting air into the fluid stream to initiate severing of the stream between an inner portion inward of the injected air and an outer portion outward of the injected air.

Abstract: A piston pump dispenser in which a volume in a compartment defined inside a piston chamber-forming member and between axially spaced discs on a piston varies with movement of the piston in a cycle of operation due to the piston having a portion between the discs which varies in length.

Abstract: In a piston pump, the improvement of providing a locating disc on the piston extending radially outwardly from the piston to engage a chamber wall of the piston chamber and with the locating disc having an opening axially therethrough permitting fluid flow both in an inward direction and an outward direction.

Abstract: A piston pump with a piston coaxially slidable in a chamber for dispensing fluid out of a discharge tube which extends normal to the axis about which the piston is slidable in the chamber with a stroke stop member rotatably journalled on the discharge tube for pivoting between different positions in which the stroke stop member limits inward sliding of the piston into the chamber to different extents.

Abstract: A removable and replaceable keying component which is required for operation of a mechanism and which component includes a waveguide having a photochromic portion. A method of controlling operation of a mechanism, preferably a dispenser, having a removable component having the steps of measuring electromagnetic radiation passing through a waveguide carrying at least in part on the removable component and permitting operation of the mechanism only when the measured electromagnetic radiation corresponds with one or more pre-selected parameters. Preferably, the method involves directing emitted electromagnetic radiation with pre-selected input parameters selected from a plurality of input parameters.

Abstract: A piston pump in which the piston carries a valve and a control mechanism to change a characteristic of the valve, preferably, its tendency to open. The valve may preferably comprise a disc which extends radially outwardly from the piston to resiliently engage the wall of piston chamber. The control mechanism preferably provides an access port communicating axially through the piston and axially out an opening of the piston chamber. In a preferred embodiment, the control mechanism comprises a bladder with a flexible side wall which can be moved from an inherent uncollapsed position to a different position and which bladder is inherently biased to return to its uncollapsed position.

Abstract: A urinal discharge pipe assembly comprising a discharge pipe having a passageway therethrough from an inlet in communication with a urinal discharge outlet and an outlet in communication with a urine disposal system, a foam dispensing device having a foam outlet open into the passageway for discharge of an allotment of foam into the passageway between the inlet and the outlet adequate to form a temporary foam plug across the passageway blocking the passageway.

Abstract: A liquid soap dispenser having a permanent housing permitting simplified insertion and replacement of disposable fluid reservoirs. The housing includes an actuator assembly cycled by a lever between first and second positions. The actuator assembly is couple to a piston element of a piston pump carried on the reservoir so that when cycled, the piston element is actuated in sliding movement to dispense a quantity of fluid. The piston element includes resiliently deformable fingers which secure the piston element to the actuator assembly for sliding movement therewith. If, on insertion of a replacement reservoir, the reservoir is positioned uncoupled from the actuator assembly, on first cycling of the actuator assembly the fingers deform to permit movement of the actuator assembly relative to the piston element and move towards a coupled orientation. In the coupled orientation, the fingers return to an undeformed configuration securing the piston element to the actuator assembly.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a mechanism, preferably a dispenser, having a removable component comprises measuring electromagnetic radiation passing through a wave guide carrying at least in part on the removable component and permitting operation of the mechanism only when the measured electromagnetic radiation corresponds with one or more pre-selected parameters. Preferably, the method involves directing emitted electromagnetic radiation with pre-selected input parameters selected from a plurality of input parameters.

Abstract: A method of controlling operation of a mechanism, preferably a dispenser, having a removable component comprises measuring electromagnetic radiation passing through a waveguide carrying at least in part on the removable component and permitting operation of the mechanism only when the measured electromagnetic radiation corresponds with one or more pre-selected parameters. Preferably, the method involves directing emitted electromagnetic radiation with pre-selected input parameters selected from a plurality of input parameters.

Abstract: A piston pump having a piston forming element carrying at an inner end a removable member which becomes secured in a piston chamber forming member and detached from the piston forming element within the piston chamber forming member.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser, particularly advantageous for low viscosity solutions, such as, alcohol solutions, for dispensing from an upper open end of a reservoir out an outlet at a height above the level of liquid in the reservoir onto a user's hand disposed below the reservoir, advantageously by actuation of an actuator below a lower end of the reservoir.

Abstract: A piston pump is provided in which the piston-chamber forming member has a chamber within which a piston of a piston forming element is coaxially slidable. A locating member is provided on the piston forming element for engagement of the piston-chamber forming member externally of the chamber to assist the piston-chamber forming member and the piston forming element while sliding axially maintaining the piston centered and coaxial relative to the chamber.

Abstract: A universal wall plate which can be secured to a wall and to which a variety of dispensers can readily be secured and removed with minimal effort, without the need to remove the wall panel and without causing damage to the wall.

Abstract: These disadvantages of previously known devices, the present invention provides a vacuum released valve which closes an opening into a reservoir to passage therethrough until a sufficient vacuum is created with the reservoir as on initial dispensing of fluid from the reservoir. Furthermore a cap is preferably adapted to assume an inherent shape. The inherent shape is a shape such that when in the closed position; the cap will have an inherent bias to urge the female annular seat downwardly onto the male seat to form a seal and when deflected under vacuum conditions, to assume the open position; the inherent bias of the cap, on release of the vacuum, will cause the cap to reassume the position.