Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter comprises a pouch to house a pumpable product, a pouch fitment sealed within or outside the pouch, and a rigid dispenser for containing the pouch and fitment. In some embodiments, the system can further comprise a pump operatively connected to the rigid dispenser to dispense the pouch contents. The rigid dispenser is advantageously configured with a raised segment to support, center, and elevate the fitment sealed within said pouch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making a foam-in-place cushion in which a foam-forming composition is dispensed between two plastic film portions in a predetermined fashion to selectively control the distribution of the foam in the cushion. A foam dispenser can be moved in a transverse direction as foam is dispensed. A dispersion device can be employed to apply pressure on predetermined areas of the film portions towards each other so as to cause the composition to be redistributed in position in a predetermined manner while the composition is in a less than fully expanded state. The plastic film can then be sealed closed to form an expanding foam cushion that can be placed into a shipping carton where the cushion expands to fill void space, or into a mold where the cushion expands and is molded into a desired shape.

Abstract: A cleaning device includes an integral fluid dispenser therein that serves to dispense a fluid into the scrubbing pad of the device to improve the cleaning effectiveness of the device. The device includes a main body with a cleaning pad attached to one side thereof, an internal motorized assembly for rotating the cleaning pad upon depressing a button provided on a side of the main body and a fluid storage region that contains a cleaning fluid. A metered dosing pump is used to dispense a measured amount of fluid from the fluid storage region to cleaning pad upon actuation by the user. Further, the dispensing action and the rotation of the pad may be controlled by the same button or by separate buttons.

Abstract: A surface scrubbing device includes a pad base member that has at least one exit port with a connection structure provided on the pad base member. A surface engaging member is attached to the pad member. A storage chamber is provided within the scrubbing pad member with fluid stored therein. The storage chamber being positioned within the pad base member. A user manipulatable valve is provided in communication with the storage chamber so that depression of the button urges fluid the storage chamber through the exit port and to the surface engaging member. A wand is removably connected to the pad member via the connection means to extend the reach of the scrubbing device.

Abstract: The invention provides an insulated container having a temperature monitoring device that can be used to maintain an object stored in the container at a temperature that is below the normal operating temperature of the temperature monitoring device while still permitting the taking of measurements of the interior of the container. The container includes an RF transponder having an RF antenna, a temperature sensor, and a battery that is operatively connected to the transponder and the temperature sensor. The temperature sensor is positioned in the container so that it is in a temperature monitoring relationship with the interior space of the container. The battery is positioned at least partially in one of the walls of the container at a location that is spaced apart from the temperature sensor and that is selected so that the battery does not experience a temperature that is below an operating temperature of the battery.

Abstract: A heat-seal device generally includes a heat source, a thermal conductor, which encapsulates at least a portion of the heat source and is capable of transferring heat from the heat source, and a thermal insulator, which substantially surrounds the thermal conductor but leaves a portion thereof exposed, the exposed portion of the thermal conductor providing a heat-seal contact surface, which is adapted to be brought into contact with a material to be sealed.

Abstract: The invention is an inflatable mailer having a liner that can be inflated at the point of use. The liner includes a series of inflatable chambers that are in fluid communication with a common channel. A controlled volume of gas is disposed in the liner. The gas is sufficient to inflate the common channel but is not sufficient to appreciably inflate the inflatable chambers. As a result, the inflatable mailer is in a relatively compact state. The invention includes an apparatus for inflating the mailer. The apparatus includes a nip for moving the controlled volume of gas into the common channel; an inflation nozzle adapted to pierce the inflated common channel and introduce a second portion of gas into the liner until the liner is inflated to a desired level; and a sealing device to seal the inflated liner.

Abstract: A dispensing device is provided that includes at least two separate reservoirs therein and a dispenser for mixing and delivering a substantially equal metered dose of fluid material from the reservoirs with each dispensing operation. In one example, the present invention relates to a dispenser for mixing and delivering hair colorant that allows the user to dispense a metered dose of the hair colorant components in a manner that measures and mixes those components with each dispensing operation. An optional applicator may be provided for even distribution of the dispensed hair colorant material.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a storage container having an opening and dome pump assembly attached thereto substantially over the opening for metered dispensing. The dome pump assembly is integrally formed with a dome button, top portion extension and valve to facilitate manufacture and reduce costs of the pump while improving performance thereof. The valve is employed to pull liquid from the storage container into the dome for metering. An exit passageway formed from the extension and container wall serves as an output valve. The user squeezes the dome and the opposite side of the container pouch concurrently to seal the flapper valve to urge liquid out through the exit passageway for actual dispensing.

Abstract: An atomizing fluid dispenser for delivering, via a spray nozzle, a substantially equal metered dose of fluid material for each dispensing operation. The fluid dispensing device includes a container with an interior fluid storage region therein. A metering housing, when depressed, generates a one-way flow from the interior fluid storage region of the container that serves to fill the predetermined volume of the chamber within the metering housing. When the metering housing is depressed a second time a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the container, while upon release, the metering housing is refilled by drawing fluid from the fluid storage region. A spray nozzle or atomizer is attached to the exit port of the dispensing device so that the liquid is delivered in metered fashion in spray form.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a fluid comprises providing a container made from flexible material and having an outer surface, a first opening and an interior fluid storage region therein. The method further comprises providing a volume of fluid within interior fluid storage region and providing a flexible metering housing, having a metering chamber therein with a predetermined volume, disposed in fluid communication with interior fluid storage region. The method further comprises providing an intake valve disposed between container and flexible metering housing permitting unidirectional fluid flow from interior fluid storage region into metering chamber. The method further comprises providing an exit port in fluid communication with container with an output valve disposed between exit port and metering chamber, depressing and releasing flexible metering housing, and filling the metering chamber with a volume of fluid by vacuum force in an amount by the volume of the metering chamber.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter comprises a method and system for producing cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions using a replaceable cartridge system. Particularly, the consumables needed to electrochemically or chemically produce the cleaning and/or sanitizing solutions can be supplied in a cartridge in a quantity measured to last for the chosen design life of the cartridge. Alternatively, the cartridge can comprise cleaning and/or sanitizing precursors that can be pre-prepared and supplied in a highly concentrated form.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is provided that includes a multiple chamber fluid storage region, each having a dispensing pump of its own such that the dispenser can dispense the fluids from within the multiple fluid storage regions. Further, the multiple fluid storage regions may each contain the same or different liquids. The dispensing pumps include a metering housing, which when depressed, generate a one-way flow from the interior fluid storage region of the container that serves to fill the predetermined volume of the chamber within the metering housing. When the metering housing is depressed a second time a substantially equal volume of each of the fluids is dispensed from the container, while upon release, the metering housings are refilled by drawing fluids from their respective fluid storage regions. The fluids are mixed in the exit port as they are dispensed from the metering pumps.

Abstract: A machine for producing packaging cushioning generally includes a first feed mechanism for successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed, the first feed mechanism including a motor and a power supply therefor, a second feed mechanism for receiving the sheets from the first feed mechanism and feeding the sheets at a second speed, a control unit for controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, and a sensor to measure the amount of electricity drawn by the motor. The control unit modulates the amount of electricity that the motor draws from a power supply when a signal from the sensor has a value that is greater than or equal to a predetermined value.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a storage container and dome pump mechanism attached thereto for metered dispensing. A one-way valve is employed to pull liquid from the storage container into the dome for metering. An exit passageway serves as an output valve. Each time the dome pump housing is depressed, a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the container. To prevent accidental dispensing, the one-way valve in the dome pump remains normally open and unsealed to allow backflow of liquid back into the storage container pouch when pressure is placed on the dome. The user squeezes the dome and base plate together to seal the one-way valve to urge liquid out through the exit port for actual dispensing. The dome pump is integrally formed with a top portion of the exit pathway. Optionally, the base plate and bottom portion of the exit pathway are also integrally formed to facilitate manufacture and reduce costs of the pump while improving performance thereof.

Abstract: A device for producing a longitudinal seal between two juxtaposed plies of film that are conveyed along a longitudinal path of travel, the juxtaposed film plies including a series of containers therebetween, wherein the device includes a sealing mechanism that forms a sealing zone in the travel path in which the longitudinal seal is produced, and a pressure mechanism that forms a pressure zone in the travel path in which the juxtaposed film plies are compressed, the pressure zone being positioned between the containers and the sealing zone.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus wherein each product is packaged by enveloping the product in flexible packaging material. A programmed microprocessor calculates the length of flexible packaging material needed to package the product based on the physical dimensions of the product, calculates the weight of the flexible packaging material needed, and calculates a total package weight as the sum of the weight of the product and the calculated weight of the flexible packaging material. A printer prints information specific to the product that is being packaged onto a label that is then affixed to the flexible packaging material prior to the product being packaged. The information can be a function of the package weight, and the calculated total package weight can be communicated from the microprocessor to the printer. Finally, the product is packaged in the flexible packaging material having the label already affixed thereto.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming inflated containers from a film web having two juxtaposed film plies includes: a. a mechanism that conveys the film web along a path of travel; b. a first sealing device for producing one or more seals that bond the film plies together to form a container having at least one opening; c. an inflation assembly for inflating the container by directing a stream of gas into the opening thereof; and d. a second sealing device for sealing closed the opening of the inflated container.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing device includes a storage container and dome pump mechanism attached thereto for metered dispensing. A one-way valve is employed to pull liquid from the storage container into the dome for metering. An exit passageway serves as an output valve. Each time the dome pump housing is depressed, a substantially equal volume of fluid is dispensed from the container. To prevent accidental dispensing, the one-way valve in the dome pump remains normally open and unsealed to allow backflow of liquid back into the storage container pouch when pressure is placed on the dome. The user squeezes the dome and base plate together to seal the one-way valve to urge liquid out through the exit port for actual dispensing. Also, interior pouch force creates backflow through the exit port back into the containment chamber to further prevent leakage.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to mailers for shipping objects, and more particularly to mailers comprising an outer pouch and an inner inflatable liner and an inflation pathway through which a portion of gas can be introduced into said inflatable liner.