Abstract: A device for protecting a liquid from oxidation inside a container includes a first element supplying the liquid inside the container, a second element supplying the liquid outside the container and a control unit. A pneumatic control system is configured to produce an overpressure inside the container and on the liquid when the liquid is supplied outside the container, such that, following a decrease in the volume of the liquid inside the container, the pneumatic control system increases its volume by an amount equal to the change in the volume of the liquid. The pneumatic control system includes a variable capacity tank and a pipe supplying and discharging a fluid for filling the tank. A system supplying and discharging the filling fluid is connected to the pipe and the supplying and discharging pipe communicates with the variable capacity tank through a connection placed inside the container at its lower end.

Abstract: A piston pump with a piston chamber-forming body and a piston-forming element relatively coaxially reciprocally movable to dispense liquid and air from a discharge outlet, which the discharge outlet is fixed relative to the piston chamber-forming body.

Abstract: A personal defense device which is easy to hold, target and actuate includes means for releasing attack repellant chemical from a canister in a direction in which the device is aimed. Further, the personal defense device includes an alarm, a flash light source, a battery indicator, a target pointer and a canister containing the attack repellant chemical to stun, disorient or disable an attacker and/or to attract the attention of nearby persons for assistance especially in an emergency.

Abstract: A beverage machine includes a valve that receives a base fluid and dispenses a mixed beverage comprising the base fluid and an additive fluid. The valve has a bore through which the base fluid flows, and the bore has a perimetral surface that defines a plurality of ports through which the additive fluid is injected to thereby mix with the base fluid. An injector is coupled to the valve and configured to radially inject the additive fluid into the base fluid through the plurality of ports as the base fluid flows through the bore such that the additive fluid mixes into the base fluid to form the mixed beverage.

Abstract: A material spreader which is suspended beneath an airborne helicopter and which includes a container for flowable materials such as seeds, fertilizers or chemicals. The container has a discharge opening formed in its lower end which has a vertically movable valve positioned therein. The valve is controlled by the pilot of the helicopter from within the cockpit of the helicopter so that the application rate of the material may be varied without the necessity of landing the helicopter.

Abstract: A depositing machine (1) comprising a removable component, a method for inserting the removable component (10) in a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine, a method for removing the removable component (10) from a machine frame (2) of a depositing machine (1), and a kit for retrofitting a depositing machine (1) with the removable component (10). The component (10) is fastened to the machine frame (2) by a substantially horizontally arranged plug-in connection (11), in particular, a bolt connection.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for dispensing small beads of a viscous, mixed fluid material formed by first and second viscous fluids. The apparatus includes first and second metering rods for moving in a reciprocating manner, such that the first metering rod extends into a first fluid passageway, and the second metering rod extends into a second fluid passageway. A mixing passage communicates with the first and second fluid passageways to receive the first and second viscous fluids from the first and second fluid passageways. A dispensing passageway is in fluid communication with the mixing passage, and dispenses a small bead of viscous, mixed fluid material formed by the mixed first and second viscous fluids. A control retracts the first and second metering rods to prevent drooling of the viscous, mixed fluid material from the dispensing passageway after a dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A system and method for the automated dispensing of bulk keg wine is provide having, in combination: integrated temperature control; pressure monitoring; automated purging; and integrated point of sale data acquisition for determining inventory usage statistics for each keg of wine dispensed. The system provides for precise measurement of each portion. An error alarm system warns an operator about beverage tank low level. A system for forcing the flashing of poor quality beverage. Recording of all delivery process events allows for operator or management review and control.

Abstract: A pump includes a collar, a cylinder and an elastic valve. The collar includes a wall, a tubular insert extending in the wall, and a connective portion formed between the wall and the tubular insert. The cylinder includes first and second open ends, first and second chambers respectively in communication with the first and second open ends, and a neck in communication with the first and second chambers. The elastic valve includes a ring, a plug extending in the ring, and elastic strips formed between the plug and the ring so that the plug is movable relative to the ring. The tubular insert is inserted in the first chamber via the first open end when the cylinder is connected to the wall, and the plug normally blocks the neck to form a first check valve when the elastic valve is connected to the second chamber.

Abstract: Container of a bag-in-container type, wherein a neck region of the container is provided with at least one opening extending substantially radially there through, into a space between the outer container and an inner container adjacent thereto, wherein: the neck region is provided with coupling elements, preferably at opposite sides of the at least one opening, seen in circumferential direction, for coupling of a connecting device to the container for introducing a pressure fluid through the at least one opening into a space between the inner and outer container; and/or the at least one opening is provided with or forming part of a first coupler for coupling a pressure fluid feed line to the opening, for pressurizing a space between the inner and outer container.

Abstract: An edible paste dispenser for applying decorative icing to cakes and other foods includes a tip assembly that connects paste containing chambers of a dual-chamber pastry bag and directs edible paste into a common extrusion nozzle. The tip assembly includes a pair of mating tubes secured via a locking nut to the extrusion nozzle. The tubes each have a sidewall portion that is generally S-shaped in cross-section and permits stable assembly and cooperative engagement of one tube with the other tube. After insertion of a tube into each pastry bag chamber, the tubes are attached to a common extrusion nozzle. The resulting extruded paste can include two different colored decorations, which can appear swirled S or other curvilinear shape provided by the two engaged cones. The tips of the cones, and paste containing bags, terminate just above the exit portal of the common nozzle.

Abstract: Tapping assembly for a beverage, including container including a first and second container, wherein the first container has a neck portion and the second container is suspended in the first container, from the neck portion thereof. A neck region of the container is provided with at least one opening in a side wall thereof, preferably in a neck region of the first container, opening into a space between the first and second containers. The assembly further includes a connecting device, connected or connectable to the neck portion, wherein the connecting device includes at least one connecting element for connecting to the at least one opening, wherein the connecting element is connected to a source of pressurized gas.

Abstract: The invention relates to a system consisting of a cap for fastening on a foam can, or generally on a container, that contains a pressurized or pressurizable medium, as well as a tilting valve and a dispenser. The tilting valve comprises a sealing part that can be connected to the container and a valve nozzle interacting with the sealing part. The cap can be fastened on the container in the area of the tilting valve. The dispenser has a fastening area by means of which it can be fastened on the valve nozzle through a central opening of the cap.

Abstract: An aerosol applicator system include a flexible tube that can be operably coupled to the valve of an aerosol container either directly onto a valve stem, or a valve actuator which is retained on the valve stem. The tube has one or more wires that run along the length the tube and which hold the tube in whatever shape it is configured by a user. The wire or wires are malleable and are disposed in the wall of the tube. A nozzle can be disposed at the terminal end of the tube to atomize the material being propelled out of the aerosol container into droplets of a desired size range.

Abstract: A system for manually dispensing liquid from bulk container assembly into a smaller container using a manually operated pump assembly comprising a bulk container for maintaining liquid being pumped from a sealed bulk container, a metering pump assembly having a fluid interconnection with the bulk container, a rack and pinion gear drive assembly for moving an interconnected handle between operating positions for filling and emptying a metering chamber with the accurate amount of the predetermined desired volume of fluid to be pumped. A nozzle is provided for emptying the metering chamber to a second container having a size comparable to the amount of desired liquid being pumped. A method for dispensing liquid from a bulk container to a smaller container is also provided.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an intermediate bulk container (IBC) and a valve opening/closing device therefor. The container comprises a base, side plates, and a valve installed at the bottom of the container. The valve opening/closing device comprises a handle, a motion-transferring device and a valve opening/closing mechanism. The handle is installed at the side plate and is connected with the motion-transferring device. The motion-transferring device is at least partially located in the cavity between two sidewalls of the side plate of the container or at least partially located in the groove provided on the side plate, and is used to transfer the actions acting on the handle to the valve opening/closing mechanism to open/close the valve.

Abstract: A stroke adjuster and an associated dispenser are provided. An example embodiment provides a dispenser configured to dispense a fluid or foam and comprising a housing and a stroke adjuster. The housing comprises at least one housing engagement surface and defines an adjuster receiving area. The adjuster receiving area is configured to receive the stroke adjuster in one of either a first orientation or a second orientation. When the stroke adjuster is oriented within the dispenser in the first orientation a first surface is oriented upward and, when the dispenser is activated, a lower pump engagement surface of the pump is engaged by the first surface of the stroke adjuster. When the stroke adjuster is oriented within the dispenser in the second position a second surface is oriented upward and, when the dispenser is activated, the lower pump engagement surface is engaged by the housing engagement surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a caulking gun for dispensing viscous material comprising a stock a cartridge keep a push rod longitudinally moveably mounted in the stock provided at its one end with a plunger which engages the piston of a cartridge placed in the cartridge keep, means for engaging the push rod to advance it, brake means hinged to the stock and provided with a clearance hole for engaging the push rod such that the push rod is moveable in a direction advancing the push rod towards the cartridge and is held in a direction retreating the push rod from the cartridge, which brake means are arranged to travel to a first position relative to the stock as the push rod advances and to a second position as the push rod retreats thereby defining the retreat of the push rod, the brake means being inclined relative to the axis of the push rod and adjusting means for varying the retreat of the push rod.

Abstract: A system is provided for selecting and dispensing a cosmetic material. The system includes a dispensing apparatus configured to hold a plurality of cartridges each having a different cosmetic material and to dispense at least one cosmetic material from at least one of the cartridges; a user interface configured to receive a selection of a color from a user; and circuitry configured to receive the selection of the color received at the user interface, determine an amount of each of one or more cosmetic materials to form the selected color, transmit the determined amount of each of the one or more cosmetic materials to the dispensing apparatus, and control the dispensing apparatus to dispense the determined amount of each of the one or more cosmetic materials from the plurality of cartridges.

Abstract: A hopper apparatus comprises a movable wall comprising opposing walls movably connected to a support assembly and oriented at acute angles relative to a central vertical axis of the support assembly, and movement control devices configured and positioned to move the opposing walls along the support assembly to control dimensions of a discharge outlet at least partially defined by converging ends of the opposing walls; a liner assembly comprising liner structures at least partially overlying inner surfaces of the opposing walls and configured to remain at least partially stationary relative to the opposing walls during movement of the opposing walls; and pressure sensors between the inner surfaces of opposing walls and portions of the liner structures thereover. A bulk solids processing system and a method of processing a bulk solid are also described.