Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing liquid from a container, and for monitoring the level of liquid within said container, comprises a container for storing liquid to be dispensed; and a conduit, the conduit comprising: a feed tube extending from the container to an appliance; a dip tube extending in the container to the bottom of the container; a liquid supply channel extending through the feed tube and dip tube and having an open first end defined by a lower end of the dip tube, which, in use, is arranged to be immersed in said liquid in said container, and a second end arranged, in use, to extend outside of said container; and a pressure measurement channel branching from the feed tube at a point located between said first and second ends of the liquid supply channel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dispensing system comprising a self-gassing liquid to be dispensed and a dispenser for dispensing the self-gassing liquid, the dispenser including: a valve housing having an inlet for receiving the liquid and an outlet through which the liquid is to be dispensed; a valve chamber and/or passage extending between the inlet and the outlet, and a valve arranged to open and close the valve chamber and/or passage; pressure maintaining means arranged to maintain the pressure of liquid at the inlet to the valve housing at a constant pressure during successive dispensing operations; and control means for controlling the opening and closing of the valve, the control means being arranged to open and close the valve to commence and terminate each successive dispensing operation, wherein the period for which the valve is open determines the quantity of liquid dispensed.

Abstract: A container for self-gassing liquids, the container comprising a receptacle and an insert arranged to seat within a neck of the receptacle, the insert being further arranged to engage and seal directly or indirectly with a connector extending across the neck of the receptacle. The insert defines a void defined by a base portion of the insert and a peripheral side wall of the insert extending within the neck of the receptacle, the insert comprising a hole in the base portion. The container further comprises a dip tube extending from a lower surface of the base portion to, or towards, the bottom of the receptacle. The dip tube defines a passageway through the base portion, or is connected and sealed to the lower side of a passageway through the insert, the passageway terminating in said void such that the hole and the passageway are in fluid communication with each other through the void.

Abstract: A cosmetic applicator including: a cosmetic supply mechanism; a bearing member to carry the cosmetic supply mechanism; a housing for forming a closed cavity together with bearing member to enclose the cosmetic supply mechanism disposed therein, the housing and the bearing member being designed to be connected edge to edge. The bearing member and the housing respectively have a first connection part and a second connection part for magnetic connection, and the first connection part and the second connection part is positioned respectively at the end of the bearing member and of the housing; and the cosmetic applicator includes a elastomeric gasket, and the first connection part, second connection part and elastomeric gasket are configured so the elastomeric gasket can be extruded to deform and fill a gap between the ends of the housing and the bearing member when the ends are mutually attracted, thereby achieving the sealing effect.

Abstract: A concentrate dispensing system for dispensing a fluid for dilution, comprises a bracket (1) and a bottle (2). The bracket (1) is arranged to releasably hold the bottle (2). The bottle (2) is arranged to dispense a predetermined quantity of the fluid to a first receptacle type, which is freestanding, when the bottle (2) is in a freehand mode and is not held in the bracket (1). The bottle (2) is arranged to dispense a predetermined quantity of the fluid to a second receptacle type (3), which is received and guided by the bracket (1), when the bottle (2) is in a bracket mode and is held in the bracket (1).

Abstract: A dispenser mechanism 1 for a foamed product comprises a liquid chamber 9 and air chamber 10, each compressed by a common actuator mechanism 6a, 6b, wherein the liquid and air simultaneously enter a foaming chamber 15. The liquid is forced through a diffuser 18a defining a plurality of distributed channels 18e, each channel 18e having a predetermined cross section such that in use the liquid is forced through the channels and enters the foaming chamber as a plurality of jets. The dispenser mechanism 1 provides a particularly advantageous arrangement for producing foam and may be arranged to prevent the foam dripping from an outlet after the end of a dispensing cycle.

Abstract: The drive housing (26) of a bodymaker (20) carries a major ring (32) in stationary position and a planetary ring carrier (36, 46) for rotation on the central axis of the major ring. The planetary ring carrier (36, 46) carries a minor planetary ring (34) in internal engagement with the major ring (32) for rotation on its own axis in rolling orbit against the inside circumference of the major ring (32). A crank (54) is connected to rotate with the planetary ring and provides a journal (56) positioned at the circumference of the planetary ring (34) for drivingly engaging a ram (60). The diameter of the planetary ring (34) is one-half the diameter of the major ring (32), establishing a straight-line path of movement for the journal (56) along an axis (X-X) parallel to a selected diameter of the major ring (32). A frame (22, 72) supports ram (60) in suitable position with respect to drive housing (26) for straight-line reciprocation on the axis (X-X) parallel to the selected diameter.

Abstract: The drive housing (26) of a bodymaker (20) carries a major ring (32) in stationary position and a planetary ring carrier (36, 46) for rotation on the central axis of the major ring. The planetary ring carrier (36, 46) carries a minor planetary ring (34) in internal engagement with the major ring (32) for rotation on its own axis in rolling orbit against the inside circumference of the major ring (32). A crank (54) is connected to rotate with the planetary ring and provides a journal (56) positioned at the circumference of the planetary ring (34) for drivingly engaging a ram (60). The diameter of the planetary ring (34) is one-half the diameter of the major ring (32), establishing a straight-line path of movement for the journal (56) along an axis (X-X) parallel to a selected diameter of the major ring (32). A frame (22, 72) supports ram (60) in suitable position with respect to drive housing (26) for straight-line reciprocation on the axis (X-X) parallel to the selected diameter.

Abstract: A container bodymaker gearbox (20, 130) drives rams (60, 66) linearly by use of a hypocycloid drive that controls operation of a rotating and orbiting output shaft (40) by synchronizing the rotating and orbiting motion such that a tracking point at a predetermined radius from the shaft 40 tracks a straight line. A coaxial sleeve (124) is spaced around shaft (40) and carries an annular crank hub (140) on bearings (142). The crank hub (140) is eccentrically mounted on the sleeve (124) with the hub centerpoint positioned to track the straight line tracking point. A rotary ring (166) mounted around the periphery of the crank hub (140) supports diametrically opposed connections (176) to rams (60, 66). The ring (166) and rams (60, 66) translate on the straight-line path determined by the centerpoint, with the hub (140) rotating as required within the ring (166) to cancel rotary motion of hub (14) from the translational motion of the ring (166).