Abstract: A portable beverage dispenser for use by a vendor. The dispenser comprises a tank worn on the back of the vendor and having an insulated internal chamber for receiving a carbonated beverage to be dispensed by a pressurized gas in the chamber, a filling conduit for filling the chamber with the carbonated beverage, a pressurized gas supply for pressurizing the chamber, and an outlet nozzle. The chamber has a concave bottom wall with a small concave recess at its nadir. The conduit extends into the chamber at an acute angle to the chamber's longitudinal axis and has a port centered on that axis immediately adjacent the concave recess. The conduit carries carbonated beverage into the chamber so that the beverage enters the recess and quickly fills it with minimal foaming and so that the level of the beverage in the chamber is above the port to ensure that further filling of the chamber is also accomplished with minimal foaming.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a measured volume of liquid from a body of liquid contained in a container, which includes a receptacle for receiving an unmeasured excess volume of liquid from the body of liquid and a conduit to connect the container to the receptacle. The conduit permits liquid to flow from the body of liquid into the receptacle when a reduced pressure is created in the receptacle. The device further includes a lid to fit over the receptacle so as to be displaceable relative to the receptacle from a closed position to a dispensing position, the arrangement being such that relative displacement between the lid and receptacle can create a pressure differential between the container and the receptacle to cause liquid to flow from the body of liquid in the container to the receptacle. A part of the conduit serves to adjust the unmeasured excess volume of liquid in the receptacle to the measured volume.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for beverage dispensing control and monitoring. A bottle control cap is attached to a bottle and a micro processor positioned in the bottle control cap is programmed with data to identify that control cap from others in a system of programmable control caps. The micro processor controls an electric motor which opens and closes a flow passage in the control cap on command in response to a command signal from a system control processor located at a remote location. The micro processor is also programmed to request the signal.

Abstract: A hopper for receiving and discharging product in a weighing machine has a construction comprised by a removable body shell and a supporting chassis. The shell has an opening at the top for receiving product to be weighed and an opening at the bottom for discharging the product after weighing. A discharge door cooperates with the opening at the bottom of the shell body to support the weight of product within the shell during weighing and to discharge the product after weighing. A quick-release coupling permits the hopper to be firmly installed on the weighing machine and to be quickly removed from the machine without tools. A toggle linkage is employed to operate the discharge door and locks the door in the closed position without further locking mechanisms. A bi-directional actuator moves the toggle linkage and door into and out of the closed position.

Abstract: The polyurethane foam metering apparatus comprises a mixing chamber bored out in a core (3) of self-lubricating synthetic material, which core is gripped tightly in a hollow metallic cylinder detachably mounted on a support, in such a manner as to form a demountable cartridge, and compressed at right angles to feed orifices, so as to improve the seal of the valve rod (8) and to prevent infiltration of reactants into the mixing chamber when the latter is closed off by the valve rod (8).

Abstract: In a control apparatus for measuring, mixing or regulating one or more liquids in some other way, the liquid or liquids is/are delivered to a vessel (1) through delivery pipes (3, 4). The vessel includes a container (2) having a spillway (8). Liquid which passes over the lid of the spillway is collected by a liquid-collecting device (9) connected to a container outlet valve (7) by means of an arm (12) which is subjected to the load of a spring (13). When the weight of the liquid collected in the device (9) exceeds the force exerted by the spring, the outlet valve will open. At the same time there is activated, for instance, a microswitch (17) which influences the supply of liquid through the delivery pipes (3, 4).

Abstract: A single use dispensing sachet (10) which is made up of flexible sheet sections (14,16) peripherally sealed (12) to define an outer envelope, and within the outer envelope is a sealed compartment containing the sachet contents. The compartment is ruptured to displace the contents into an expansion chamber within the sachet so as to retard the flow of the contents and prevent splashing. The sachet may have a baffle (32) defined by a line of sealing connecting the outer sheet sections of the sachet, the baffle forming an obstruction between the contents emerging from the ruptured sealed compartment to an outlet at the periphery of the sachet. Also described is a method and machine for manufacturing the sachets.

Abstract: An eyedrop dispenser uses the natural optical lens effect of a transparent droplet formed at the tip of the dispenser to focus the image of a target disposed inside the outlet of the dispenser. The target image is viewable by the user to align the droplet with the eye when dispensing eyedrops or other liquid medication. The target image is arranged so it comes into focus just prior to when the droplet being formed at the tip of the dispenser is ready to be released from the dispenser tip. The target image is formed by an image plane indicator device located inside the dispenser on the image plane of the droplet when the user is viewing the indicator through the natural transparent lens formed by the droplet. The indicator can be a pinhole through which the liquid contents pass prior to dispensing. The pinhole is focused by the lens and formed as a magnified image by the lens effect of the droplet.

Abstract: An applicator assembly is provided for concurrently dispensing plural flowable component materials in a mixed state. Moreover, the applicator assembly is more versatile and is particularly useful when one or more additional components are to be concurrently dispensed with the basic two component materials. The applicator assembly permits dispensing of additives with basic two part mixtures, and allows the application of three or more part chemical systems. A multi-component applicator assembly is described which is convertible between different component number multi-component arrangements, and includes a barrel assembly having at least one barrel detachably connected to the other barrels, at least two of which are fixed to one another.

Abstract: A method of reducing spillage when pouring liquid out of a container which includes the following steps. Firstly, place a free floating buoyant member into a resilient deformable container adapted for containing liquid. The liquid must be of greater density than the density of the member such that the member floats upon the surface of the liquid. The container has a fluid flow passage narrower than the dimensions of the member such that the member is prevented from exiting through the fluid flow passage. Secondly, exert a force to temporarily deform the container thereby reducing the volume of the inner cavity and causing the liquid in the container to press the member into a position sealing the fluid flow passage. Thirdly, invert the container thereby placing the container into a pouring position.

Abstract: An apparatus disposed within a pressurized container for enabling product contained in the container to be dispensed at a predetermined constant pressure, which apparatus includes a vessel having first and second enclosures housing pressurized gas and a member exposed to the pressure in the container. Fluctuations of the pressure in the container cause the member to move to a first position when the pressure in the container equals the predetermined pressure and to a second position when the pressure in the container is below the predetermined pressure. Pressurized gas passes from the first enclosure to the container when the member moves to the second position, the passage of which is prevented when the member moves back to the first position.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser having a flat carbonator along one end of an ice bank cooled water bath tank. A plurality of syrup coils are arranged along an interior surface of the carbonator. An evaporator extends around a central perimeter of the water bath tank creating a central opening through which an agitator shaft and blade extend for operation by an agitator motor. The agitator shaft extends at an angle into the tank for directing a flow of water towards the carbonator. The tank includes ridges on a bottom surface thereof for directing water upward towards the carbonator and syrup coils and away from a bottom perimeter of the ice bank.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling foaming and flowrate in a beverage dispensing system, such as a draft beer dispensing system. A flow regulating member is positioned within a faucet member, at the delivery end of the beer dispensing system, to balance the dispensing system to, in turn, further prevent the break-up of the beverage into foam.

Abstract: A hand-held grout-dispensing tool having a body portion defining a generally triangular envelope member made of a flexible and expandable elastic material, an open but sealable-by-folding top edge, a grip portion on one lower edge, and a spout portion enabling adjustable dispensing of grout.

Abstract: A versatile one-dimensional hopper is described as well as structures that result when the one-dimensional hopper is integrated with a conical bin and when the one-dimensional hopper is integrated with a V-blender. In combining the one-dimensional hopper with other structures, the diameter of the outlet is first specified, and then the slopes of the load-bearing surfaces are chosen to achieve specified flow characteristics. The load-bearing surfaces are then extended obliquely upward until, at some height their maximum dimension measured horizontally equals a value determined by the structure to which the one-dimensional hopper is to be attached. Where the surface of the bin or other structure is higher than this height, vertical surfaces that extend upwardly from the periphery of the one-dimensional hopper are provided for the purpose of connecting the one-dimensional hopper to the structure above it.

Abstract: A ram assembly is designed for evacuating "bag-in-a-box" square bulk containers of viscous materials. The ram cylinder is centered over the bulk container and mounted so as to float relative to the frame allowing accomodation of various containers. An inflatable wiper seal is used in conjunction with elastomeric corner seals to tightly seal the corners.

Abstract: A double sided primed circuit board is shown wherein one side is etched for receiving a plurality of surface mounted components constituting a control circuit. In one embodiment the control circuit provides for regulating the operation of a plurality to the beverage dispensing valves. An op-amp monitors the conductor for sensing the operation of the beverage dispensing valves as a function of a voltage drop there across. The conductor operates as a resistor, and any heating thereof that occurs as a result of the operation of the beverage dispensing valves is dissipated over the entire surface area of the circuit board. The control circuit also operates a dump valve for periodically dumping beverage if any of the valves have not been operated for a set period of time. The control circuit deactivates the operation of the dump valve during any sensed operation of one of the beverage dispense valves.

Abstract: A pressure build-up pump sprayer to be interconnected with a liquid filled container and having a poppet assembly including inner and outer coaxially aligned pressure chambers. The inner pressure chamber communicates with the orifice outlet of the sprayer, and the outer pressure chamber is initially filled with air. Prior to priming the sprayer, an air-tight seal isolates the inner and outer pressure chambers from one another. During the priming cycle, the air-tight seal is broken and air trapped within the outer pressure chamber is exhausted through the orifice outlet by way of the inner pressure chamber. The outer pressure chamber is then filled with liquid that is sprayed therefrom through the orifice outlet during a downstroke of the liquid dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A mouth-pressurized drinking bag comprises a collapsible inner bladder for holding a beverage, such as water. A long tube has a proximal end communicably attached to the lowest portion of the bladder, and a distal end extending away from the dispenser. A closure clamp is disposed near the distal end of the tube. A highly elastic outer case substantially and snugly surrounds the bladder. The bladder can be filled through a funnel temporarily disposed at the distal end of the tube. The filled bladder can be pressurized by blowing air through the tube, so that the bladder and the elastic outer case are expanded. After the bag is filled and pressurized, the clamp is closed. When a drink is desired, the clamp is released so that the beverage will be automatically forced by the pressurized inner bladder to flow outwardly through the tube and to the user's lips.

Abstract: A pouch for storing and dispensing liquid product in incremental amounts having a body portion and a pump tube portion, wherein the pouch can be held within a dispensing apparatus for squeezing the pump tube portion to release the incremental amounts. The improved pouch provides a pump tube portion made of thermoplastic polypropylene and butyl terpolymer rubber which can be readily sealed to the body without fitments or couplers. The improved pouch provides a built-in "duck bill" check valve assembly or alternatively an O-ring check valve assembly, which further reduces the number of parts required as compared to the prior art. The check valve assembly provides a socket connector for mounting a separate nozzle assembly to the check valve assembly. A break-off tab for initially opening the nozzle assembly for dispensing is provided.