Abstract: A pressurized dispenser is disclosed herein having a container housing, a quantity of drywall texture material mixed with a binder, and a carrier such as aerosol. A manual pump or spray nozzle is included on the container for selective discharge of the drywall texture material onto a prepared patch which is a drywall sheet so as to match and blend in with the surrounding surface area to provide continuous and unbroken coextensive surface texture of mechanically and visually matched material.

Abstract: Ice cubes manufactured by the automatic ice maker of a household refrigerator are collected in a storage bin and conveyed towards the front of the bin and metered through an outlet opening at a constant rate by a longitudinal conveyor rotatably mounted between the front and back walls of the bin, and defined by spaced front and back helical sections of different pitches which convey the cubes forwardly at different rates and a propeller positioned on the conveyor forwardly of the front helical section at the outlet opening for breaking up frozen ice clusters and metering the cubes through the opening and past an upwardly angled ramp carried by an ice dam housing.

Abstract: An improved turret-type portioning apparatus (10) is provided which includes a selectively pivotal portioning assembly (14) for moving a pair of upright product-receiving cylinders (84, 86) between a fill position for receiving product and a discharge position for discharge of accurately sized portions. Cleanout of the apparatus (10) is facilitated by means of a selectively actuatable piston and cylinder assembly (158) which operates to elevate the portioning assembly (14) away from an underlying frame assembly (12). Operational control for the apparatus (10) is achieved by means of pneumatic control circuitry (18).

Abstract: An inlet valve for a toy water gun comprising an outer hollow sleeve molded from sythetic plastics material having an upstream end and a downstream end, water from a reservoir being arranged to be in communication with the downstream end, an annular seating at the upstream end, and a central plunger molded from synthetic plastics material, the plunger comprising a head having an annular sealing surface capable of engaging the annular seating and sealing thereagainst, an integral shaft slidably received within the hollow sleeve, a stop at the end remote from the head which together with the head retains the shaft in the hollow sleeve, and a passage between the shaft and the hollow sleeve to allow the passage of water past the plunger when the head is not engaged on the seating.

Abstract: A closure for a container such as a container of draft beer includes two sealing plugs having bores for receiving the gas and beer tubes of a tapping unit. Initially, the bores of the plugs are sealed by rubber membranes which are adapted to be pierced by the tubes as an incident to tapping the container. The bores and the membranes are constructed so as (A) to effect piercing of the membranes with a controlled tear so as to avoid punched-out rubber slugs, (B) to eliminate the need of flappers for re-sealing the bores, and (C) to reseal the container at moderate pressures while enabling venting of the container at extremely low and high pressures.

Abstract: A dispenser mechanism attachable to a plastic soft drink bottle to permit measured liquid quantities to be dispensed from the bottle. A cradle type support is provided for positioning the bottle in an inverted tilted condition within a refrigerator. Liquid can be dispensed from the bottle without removing the bottle from the refrigerator.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for resisting the removal of a fuel dispensing nozzle (12, FIG. 1) from a hose whose front end has a ferrule (16) coupled by a fitting with a nut portion (24) to the nozzle. The apparatus includes a tube (32) large enough in diameter and length to fit around the nut portion of the fitting and the ferrule, and a pair of spacers (36, 38) that lie between the inside of the tube and the ferrule. The spacers form segments of a hollow cylinder whose inside closely matches the outside diameter of the ferrule (16) and whose outside closely matches the inside of the tube (34). Set screws (40) in the tube are tightened against the outside of the spacers, to press the spacers firmly against the outside of the ferrule.

Abstract: A one-piece side dispensing closure for powdered, granular or particulate materials. The closure is molded from plastic and has a press-open dispensing lid.

Abstract: This invention describes a cap for use with a poppet valve of the type having a movable poppet plunger for controlling the dispensing of liquids from a bottle. The cap is a unitary molded member having a centrally located cylindrical opening at only one end. The inside diameter is adapted to contact a top portion of the movable poppet plunger whereby inserting or removing the cap over the poppet valve opens or closes the poppet plunger respectively. A circular ring attached to the top of the cap at a position located over the closed end of the cylindrical opening allows the user to remove the cap and open the poppet valve with a single movement. Similarly, replacing the cap on the poppet valve automatically closes the poppet valve in a single motion.

Abstract: A programmable volume dispensing apparatus having a positive displacement metering pump for dispensing varying amounts of high viscosity fluids such as soldering paste. The metering pump comprises a positive displacement metering pump and a digitally driven drive motor under programmable control. The drive motor is connected to the volume adjustment of the pump via a chain and sprocket mechanism. The chain and sprocket mechanism adjusts a stop which controls the stroke of the pump and the volume of fluid dispensed. In an alternate embodiment a flexible rotary drive shaft controls the stroke of the pump and the volume of fluid dispensed. Different volumes of solder can be dispensed to different areas and shapes of pads on a circuit board in accordance with preprogrammed dispensing commands.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with a method and apparatus for dispersing an active ingredient, such as a fumigant. The active ingredient is placed in a container and a pressurized solvent/propellent is subsequently introduced. The solvent/propellent expands to adopt a liquid phase and a gaseous phase. The liquid phase serves to absorb the active ingredient and the gaseous phase serves to propel the borne active ingredient out of the apparatus where further expansion takes place and the active ingredient is dispersed in a fog or mist.

Abstract: An apparatus is offered for controlling the discharge of granular or pelletized material from a tank, consisting of a movable grate (35) between two perforated stationary grates (27, 31), the openings (30, 34) of which are not in alignment. A plurality of scrapers (36) driven back and forth in essentially opposite directions scrapes off the material that has passed through the openings (30) of the first grate (27) and accumulated on the second grate (31) for its controlled discharge while permitting the complete emptying of the tank for easy and rapid cleaning.

Abstract: A liquid is dosed by an apparatus that has a housing formed with an inlet connected to a supply of the liquid, an outlet, a filling chamber, and a bypass chamber having an outlet side from which the outlet opens and an inlet side connected to the inlet. A pumping piston subdivides the filling chamber into an inlet compartment into which the inlet opens and an outlet compartment. A valve element in the housing can move between a filling position blocking the outlet and connecting the inlet through the bypass chamber with the outlet compartment and a feed position exposing the outlet and blocking flow between the inlet and the outlet compartment through the bypass chamber. The piston is alternately retracted through a back stroke while the element is in the filling position to draw liquid into the outlet compartment from the inlet through the bypass chamber and is advanced through a predetermined advance stroke while the element is in the feed position to eject the drawn-in liquid from the outlet.

Abstract: A spout, adapted for attachment to an oil can or the like, has a generally tubular configuration. A tubular sleeve permits partial or total occlusion of the flow of liquid by axially moving the sleeve portion. Thus the spout may be closed before turning the oil can over for pouring the oil into an engine, then releasing the flow of oil when the spout is safely engaged into the engine crankcase inlet. Six embodiments of the invention are disclosed.

Abstract: A detachable multi-unit dispenser and hanging support has detachable containers with cone shaped filling units therein. Each unit has a normally closed, operable valve which controls an outlet in each container. A removable platform for placing soap, brushes, sponges and the like is detachably secured to the bottom of the dispenser by suction cups. Hooks are provided for hanging razors, washcloths, swimwear and the like on the platform. An adjustable strap with securing buckle is provided for attachment to a support surface. In another embodiment said strap has mating hook and loop fasteners for looping around and attachment to the support surface.

Abstract: A metering actuator for dispensing the pressurized contents of an aerosol container through a tubular valve stem associated therewith, the actuator having a valve-opening member to receive the valve stem and conduct the contents of the container to a metering chamber formed between the valve-opening member and a surrounding finger-bearing member, which finger-bearing member has a conduit connecting the metering chamber and a discharge orifice; wherein a seal is effected between a dome shaped portion of the valve-opening member and a hub on the finger-bearing member to close off the conduit from the metering chamber to the discharge orifice, and wherein, there is a seal effected between a mating annual wall and recess disposed on the outer portions of the finger-bearing and valve-opening members.

Abstract: A metering dispensing cap is used in conjunction with an open-mouth container of granular food product, such as coffee, sugar or the like, and includes a hollow tubular body mounted in the cap to have its longitudinal axis located above and essentially parallel to a plane containing the open mouth of the container. An operating handle is mounted on the hollow body, and the body includes a transfer opening leading into the interior of the body, with the transfer opening being moved from a position to receive product from the container to a position to dispense that product via a product dispensing opening defined in the cap when the body is rotated about its longitudinal axis. A second embodiment of the device includes a locking feature which requires several different movements to operate the device whereby a child-proof feature is added.

Abstract: A wine dispensing device for dispensing individual portions of wine from a bottle while protecting the remaining wine in the bottle against contact with the ambient air. The device uses a source of a special inert gas/carbon dioxide gas mixture connected to a delivery assembly coupled to a bottle of wine through the bottle's cork for dispensing the contents and supply the blanketing gas mixture to the exclusion of undesired ambient air. The delivery assembly is so designed that is purged of ambient air prior to and during dispensing of the contents of the bottle.

Abstract: An integrated single dispenser assembly is disclosed for dispensing detergent and additive into the washing chamber of an appliance. A two-piece cover assembly is provided for covering at least one cavity of the detergent dispenser. The cover assembly is movable to effect dispensing of both detergent and additive by an actuator member isolated from the dispenser assembly but operably interconnected therewith. A labyrinth liquid seal arrangement is provided between the cover assembly and the detergent dispenser cavity.