Abstract: An agitating apparatus, especially but not exclusively for dispensing fruit juices from a bag-in-box arrangement, includes a connector (18) adapted for fitment to the bag and having an inlet (20) and at least one outlet (22) each connected to a pump whereby on operation of the pump the bag's contents are agitated, the contents being dispensed by way of a dispenser (32) either interposed in a line between the pump and inlet (20) or connected to a second outlet (46) from the dispenser.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package is provided that is suitable for dispensing a material into a body cavity. The package includes a container having a dispensing nozzle surrounded by a seamless sleeve that prevents contact between the container's dispensing orifice and body tissue without impeding material flow from the container. Preferably the nozzle is provided with a twist-off closure constituted by a cap joined to the dispensing nozzle by a frangible web that surrounds the dispensing orifice.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spray bottle having full circle, continuous operational capability. It includes a mouth and a bottom wall, a reservoir of contained liquid, a human-powered pump sprayer attached to the mouth of the container, a straw extending into the contained liquid and a full circle, continuous complementary operative feed system in operational contact with the pump sprayer through the straw. The feed system of the present invention alternately connects the contained liquid to first and second entry ports in parallel relative to the straw as a function of working position. Assuming that the container is full or nearly full of liquid and that the spray bottle is in a normal upright working position, a first valve associated with the entry port near the bottom wall, is made to be operative open to liquid flow. Similarly, a second valve associated with the second entry port near the mouth of the container, is operated in a closed condition.

Abstract: A resealable tube supporting cap, which is strong, translucent and lightweight for use on a tube with an extended dispensing nozzle. The cap is particularly useful for a tube that contains moisture-sensitive material and provides an air-tight seal to protect the tube contents from atmospheric moisture, as well as a stable support for upright display or storage of the tube.

Abstract: A dispenser for a dispensable fluid, such as, for example, a hydrocarbon fuel, is of the type comprising an outer canister containing a pressurized propellant, an inner bag containing the dispensable fluid, and a normally closed valve. The inner bag has a flexible wall with an orifice having a margin. Two clamping members, which may be snap-fitted to each other, clamp the valve to the inner bag at the margin of the orifice. A resilient washer is disposed outside the inner bag, in intimate contact between one of the clamping members and the margin of the orifice, so as to form a fluid-tight seal around the orifice.

Abstract: A toothpaste dispenser having a chamber which is operated by a flexible bag extending longitudinally alongside the chamber. A one way valve is provided at the bottom of the chamber through which air, under pressure, is introduced when the bag is compressed manually. A toothpaste pusher inside the chamber is moved vertically upwardly by the air under pressure introduced through the one-way valve. The toothpaste pusher takes the form of a bellows.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispenser and refrigeration system including a water filter/purifier disposed within a refrigerated water reservoir for filtering carbonated water output from the dispenser carbonator en route to being mixed with flavor concentrate. The water reservoir also has a rotary agitator blade immersed therein with apertures to increase agitation.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser operable between opened and closed positions is adapted for attachment to a flexible bag that contains a liquid, particulate matter or other fluid material, where an opening is provided through a wall of the bag into an interior of the dispenser. The dispenser is initially closed to fluid flow, for the purpose of storage and shipping, by a diaphragm that is cut the first time the dispenser is operated to its opened position. A specially designed diaphragm cutting track and cooperative knife shape cause a cut diaphragm flap to be pushed out of the fluid flow path through the dispenser.

Abstract: A coupling connecting an array of tubes to a barrel and a plurality of flow courses in the barrel, the coupling having a head with multiple flow passages and a bung with multiple flow passages and interfitting with the head portion to form sealed annular flow passages connecting selected passages in the head and bung, regardless of the relative orientations of the bung and head when assembled, the circular interfitting portions having radial seals to isolate the flow passages; and a rotatable code ring on the head to fit with a stationary code ring on the bung.

Abstract: A variable throttling feed apparatus, commonly known as a slice for breaking down clumps of fiber in various fiber processes, comprises a rotatable half round feed aperture bar which cooperates with the side of a cross flow feed chamber to form both a portion of the wall of that chamber when rotated in one direction to facilitate cleaning and a variable slice when rotated to partially open positions which permit the fiber to flow from the cross flow channel along its length.

Abstract: An ice handling and beverage dispenser includes an agitator assembly mounted within a downwardly sloping ice storage bin, the assembly including a rotor connected to an agitator with the agitator comprising a frame to sweep the ice and the rotor having a plurality of circumferentially arranged L-shaped ice moving scoops. The agitator assembly is rotatably driven by a motor adjacent a front wall of the bin whereby ice is lifted by the scoops from a location adjacent the bottom of the bin to an outlet chute thereabove. When used in a beverage cooling dispenser, the sweep arm "sweeps" the bin wall whereby ice is caused to fall onto a cold plate disposed therebelow.

Abstract: A microprocessor based control system including an electrical unit attached to a postmix beverage dispensing valve for performing the three functions of: portion control, reminding the operator to check the ratio, and adjusting the ratio. The portion control operation can be identical to known portion control devices. The reminder function can turn on a light every two weeks, for example. In the ratio adjusting function, the operator puts a single cup under the valve, pushes "Small" to dispense syrup for a predetermined time period which should result in the dispensing of a predetermined volume of syrup, measures the volume actually dispensed by comparing it to the desired volume, then adjusts the syrup flow control accordingly, and repeats the process until the exact predetermined volume is dispensed, and then repeats the steps for water using the same cup but a different predetermined volume indicia. The flow rate can accurately be set at the same time as the ratio.

Abstract: An actuator for a dispensing pump is disclosed that pressurizes air and releases the air into an internal fluid passage to mix with, and aerate, fluid dispensed from the dispensing pump and expels residual fluid. The actuator has a body portion, an actuating portion biased away from the body portion, and an air chamber formed between the two portions. Force applied to the actuating portion is transmitted to, and serves to operate, the dispensing pump and compresses the actuating portion toward the body portion, pressurizing the air in the air chamber. The pressurized air is selectively released into the fluid passage. Disclosed embodiments employ a dome-shaped resilient membrane and a piston as the actuating portion.

Abstract: A unit for dispensing products in cream, liquid or powder form, comprising on a container (2) with a flexible bag or with a follower piston, a push button (8) forming a pump body sliding on a hollow piston (10) capable of being closed by a first valve (13), the outlet opening for the product in the push button (8) being provided with a second valve (25) that only opens in the dispensing direction of the product.

Abstract: A metering dispenser for spirits or other potable liquids has an upper portion for reception of an inverted bottle, with an inlet passage leading to a valved metering chamber. A spool valve is positioned in the metering chamber and has a rod extending therefrom having a core of magnetized stainless steel to serve as the valve actuator controlled by a surrounding solenoid coil which is electrically energized to operate the dispenser. At least one channel is provided on or in the rod to allow the dispensed liquid to flow along the rod.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for fixation of valve (3) to a container (1); in this device, an annular collar (4) covers the flange (33) of the valve and assures the clamping of the valve gasket (7) by locking to the bead (23) of the container. A ring (5) surrounds the collar (4) and is screwed onto it, to prevent unlocking of the collar (4) under the influence of the internal pressure of the container.

Abstract: A problem which arises with dispensers for semi-liquid substances lies in there being an outlet channel which is permanently in communication with ambient air. After first use of the dispenser, the corresponding dead volume is filled with semi-liquid substance which quickly becomes spoiled; thereby making subsequent utilization at least difficult and possibly toxic or even impossible. The present invention avoids this difficulty by means of a pushbutton in which the outlet channel is defined by co-operation between a flexible part and a rigid part. The outlet channel extends essentially radially and its volume is reduced when the user applies axial pressure on the pushbutton. A motion transforming system for transforming axial displacement into radial displacement serves simultaneously to retract a plunger received in the outlet channel, thereby disengaging the delivery orifice of the pushbutton.

Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus is provided having an aluminum housing with an opening at its top surface, a cover for the opening, an outer enclosure disposed about the housing, a bag of food product disposed within the housing, a manually operated valve attached to a first end of the food bag and in fluid communication therewith for dispensing the food product, a bladder connected to a source of pressurized air and disposed within the housing for compressing the bag of food product for selective dispensing from the apparatus and a heating mechanism contained within the housing for inductively heating the food product for use.

Abstract: An adapter for use with a tap assembly for dispensing a product from a container wherein the adapter has a body portion having separate product and gas passageways with an abutment ledge within the body portion surrounding the product passageway and having a sealing gasket seated thereon and connecting apparatus for connecting the adapter to the container. Dispensing apparatus is secured to the adapter and has a product passageway formed therein and has an abutment surface for contacting the sealing gasket to form a fluid tight seal between the abutment ledge and the abutment surface and wherein the adapter has two differing types of sealing apparatus for sealing the gas passageway wherein a first sealing apparatus is normally in a closed position and is automatically moved to an opened position when the adapter is connected to the container and a second sealing apparatus is normally in an opened position and is moved to a closed position by application of a force thereto.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a squeezable insulated water bottle. In a preferred embodiment, the bottle has an outer shell of cylindrical shape with an opening at one end and a closed second end with an indented center shell portion dividing top and bottom shell portions, a layer of insulation material positioned about the inner surface of the top and bottom outer shell portions, and an inner liner of cylindrical shape having a neck opening. The outer shell, the inner liner, and the insulation layer are all made from flexible materials which allow the bottle to be insulated yet squeezable.