Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of energy efficient foam pumps and dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary foam dispenser included a housing, a reservoir for holding a foamable liquid, a motor, a motor shaft, and a turbine air pump. The turbine air pump is connected to the motor shaft. A cam is also attached to the motor shaft and is used for driving a liquid pump. Liquid from the liquid pump and air from the turbine air pump are mixed in a mixing chamber and dispensed through an outlet nozzle. The touch-free foam dispenser further includes a sensor for sensing an object, circuitry for receiving a signal from the sensor indicative of an object being present and circuitry for energizing the motor to dispense fluid in the form of a foam.

Abstract: A welding apparatus is configured to obtain values of one or more real-time operating parameters associated with the welding apparatus. Using the values of the one or more operating conditions, the welding apparatus is configured to determine a dynamic duty cycle of the welding apparatus, given the present/current operating conditions of the welding apparatus.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a fluid substance includes a manually operated pump with a hollow stem movable counter to a spring, the hollow stem coupled with a piston which slides in a sealed manner inside a cup body to define a compression chamber coupled with a first valve element for the inlet of the fluid substance into the compression chamber fluidly coupled with a second valve element for the outlet of the fluid substance from the compression chamber, there being a dispensing button equipped with a dispensing nozzle mounted on the hollow stem, the dispensing button featuring at least one channel for supplying the fluid substance to the nozzle; the nozzle is formed of an essentially rigid body which is secured, in a sealed manner, into a seat in the dispenser button, the rigid body being coupled with a deformable body defining a dispensing port so that during dispensing, the deformable body—at least in the vicinity of the dispensing port—deforms and then returns to its non-deformed configuration thereafter.

Abstract: Systems and methods for controlling volumes of droplets is provided herein. In some cases, the systems comprise: a plurality of first light sources, a second light source, wherein a first light beam emitted a first light source of said plurality of first light sources is configured to intersect with a second light beam emitted from said second light source at an intersection area, wherein said system is configured to measure a characteristic of said droplet as it passes through said intersection area. Systems and methods for measuring volumes of droplets and for distinguishing between bubbles and droplets are also provided.

Abstract: A discharge-type cap includes an outer housing detachably coupled to an inner surface of an upper opening of a container, a button portion hinged to an upper portion of the outer housing, and a tube having one end located in a lower portion of the outer housing and the other end located on a side of the button portion. The button portion includes an upper tube insertion hole which has a lower surface and a side surface communicating to each other and into which the tube is inserted, and the outer housing includes a lower tube insertion hole having a central portion into which the tube is inserted and inclined in a direction in which the other end of the tube is located.

Abstract: In a water purifier or other liquid dispenser, a sensor configured to transmit and receive a distance measuring signal is installed in a water discharge module moving vertically or disposed at the front of a main body, to sense a height of the inlet of a container accurately without a no-response duration of the sensor. Additionally, in the water purifier, the water discharge module discharges purified water at a point spaced a certain distance apart from the inlet of the container, to prevent the inlet of the container from contacting the lower surface of the water discharge module.

Abstract: A management apparatus MA includes a pressure sensor 12 configured to detect a pressure of a gas cylinder 110 that supplies carbon dioxide gas to a beverage barrel 120 so as to supply the beverage from the beverage barrel 120 to the beverage server 150, and a control unit 20 configured to notify exchange of the gas cylinder 110 based on an output from the pressure sensor 12.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a liquid can include a housing. The housing can have a top wall, a base, and side walls, which form a substantially cuboid shape and a substantially uniform rectangular cross-section. The housing further includes a reservoir forming a portion of an interior of the housing. The reservoir can be configured to store the liquid. An outlet can be formed in the housing and fluidly coupled to the reservoir. A pump can be disposed in the interior of the housing. The pump can be operable to transfer the liquid between the reservoir and the outlet. A method of operating the container for dispensing a liquid includes providing the container. The liquid reservoir portion can be filled. The container can be transported to a predetermined location. The hose can be positioned and the pump can be actuated. The container can then be stored.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a water purifier including a coolant tank configured to store coolant, a partitioning plate configured to partition an internal space of the coolant tank into an upper space and a lower space and having a grid rib formed therein to enable coolant of the upper space and coolant of the lower space to circulate, a cold water pipe disposed in the lower space, an evaporator disposed in the upper space, and an agitator disposed inside the coolant tank, wherein the partitioning plate includes an outer water flow guide sleeve extending downwardly from a bottom surface thereof.

Abstract: A compact gravity-driven distribution mechanism for spherical objects comprises a spherical objects container, a deflector inside the container, and a spherical objects regulator with a rotary plate attached at the bottom. Spherical objects are pre-loaded or dynamically flow into the spherical objects container and the deflector in the container guides spherical objects into the spherical objects regulator underneath the container. The spherical objects regulator regulates the spherical objects into three chambers where the spherical objects are ready for discharge. Spherical objects flow out of the spherical objects regulator in three streams. The rotary plate can be rotated to shut or open the channel of spherical objects flow. Spherical object flow is driven solely by gravity, which makes the mechanism energy efficient. The compound structure of this mechanism can be small and compact, making it easy to be deployed.

Abstract: A carbonated water dispenser comprises a carbonator with a water inlet and a carbonated water outlet. A backflow preventer module is fluidically coupled to the water inlet and comprises a check valve and a thermal mass flow meter. The thermal mass flow meter is configured to communicate a first signal based on a measured amount of heat transferred from a heater to a temperature sensor by a flow of a fluid through the backflow preventer module. A shut-off valve is fluidically coupled between the carbonated water outlet and a nozzle. The shut-off valve is configured to allow or prevent fluid flow from the carbonated water outlet to the nozzle base on a control signal. A controller is configured to detect a backflow condition based on the first signal and generate the control signal to configure the shut-off valve to prevent dispensing carbonated water upon detection of the backflow condition.

Abstract: A system and method for guiding the assembly of a food or beverage item including a number of components is disclosed. The system includes a starting point device having a controller. The starting point device is operable to receive the details of the food item, which includes the components required to create the food or beverage item. The controller is in communication with multiple dispensers and bins that each include one or more of the components and an indicator. The controller activates the indicators associated with each of the components of the food or beverage item either sequentially or simultaneously to indicate to the staff member all of the components that need to be added to the food or beverage item. As each component is added, the indicator is deactivated until all of the components have been added. Once the food or beverage item is created, the controller indicates that the next food or beverage item can be created.

Abstract: A wobble plate for a sequentially activated multi-diaphragm foam pump includes three or more wings, a wobble plate shaft, and an aperture located in each of the three or more wings. A first wing is configured to have a first distance from first contact surface of a first pump diaphragm. A second wing is configured to have a second distance from a first contact surface on a second pump diaphragm, and a third wing is configured to have substantially the second distance from a first contact surface on a third pump diaphragm.

Abstract: Various liquid dispensers are disclosed. Certain embodiments include a portable liquid dispenser configured for consumer use in dispensing soap, sanitizer, or ingestible liquids. The dispenser can comprise a housing, a reservoir having an interior configured to store a liquid, a fluid pathway having an opening in fluid communication with the interior of the reservoir, a pump comprising a plurality of rollers, each of the plurality of rollers being configured to contact a portion of the fluid pathway in a flexible tube such that each of the plurality of rollers compresses a portion of the flexible tube that is in contact with the roller, a nozzle, a fluid damper in communication with the pump and the nozzle, an electronic control unit in electrical communication with the pump, and a rotation-tracking feedback system in electrical communication with the electronic control unit.

Abstract: An beverage mixing device is may comprise a controller in electronic communication with a sensor, the controller configured to: determine a drink type based on receiving sensor data from the sensor, and mix a pre-mixed composition with a carbonated water or a non-carbonated water based on the drink type.

Abstract: A post-mix beverage dispensing tap valve to dispense a beverage into a vessel. A connection and mounting assembly is configured for mounting the post-mix beverage dispensing valve a wall and connecting with a source of a beverage product and a source of water. A drafting head is formed as an elongate cylindrical body with an internal bore. A piston shaft is operable by a tap actuator to selectively block and permit a flow of the beverage syrup and the water through the internal bores. The piston shaft carries a seal, a flow guide, and a spring. The seal abuts and seal with the facet to prevent flow through the internal bores. A slight gap between the flow guide and the inner surface of the bore to obtain a desired mixture rate between the beverage syrup and the water source by regulating the area of flow around the flow guide.

Abstract: A dispenser system includes a first container configured to contain a first fluid, a second container configured to contain a second fluid, a faucet coupled with the first container and the second container via first and second hoses, respectively, and including first and second switches installed on the faucet, and a controller configured to control dispensing of the first and second fluids through the faucet. When the first switch is turned on while the second switch is turned off, the controller dispenses the first fluid to the faucet through the first hose. When the first switch is turned off while the second switch is turned on, the controller dispenses the second fluid to the faucet through the second hose. The dispenser system is configured and dimensioned to prevent cross contamination between the first and second hoses.

Abstract: A platform for onsite creation of consumable liquids is provided. The platform includes a liquid generating machine, a set of cubes, compatible bottles, and a user interface device. The liquid generating machine may include a water storage module, a cube module, a liquid making module and a bottle filling and cleaning module. The platform decentralizes the production of consumable liquids, such as drinking waters, enhances the consumer's experience, significantly increases consumers' choices, all while simplifying the consumption process (buying the water, carrying it, getting rid of/recycling the plastic bottle, etc.). The platform includes customizable liquid generating recipes associated with the cubes that may be provided through a network or local database and a security feature that allows the authorization of users to generate and access controlled liquids.

Abstract: Cartridge loaders for fluid mixture dispensing systems are disclosed. One disclosed fluid mixture dispensing system comprises an interface surface, a cartridge receiver carriage, and an actuator configured to depress the cartridge receiver carriage towards the interface surface to load a cartridge. The fluid mixture dispensing system is configured to apply continuous downward pressure on the cartridge towards the interface surface when the cartridge is loaded and is in contact with the interface surface.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of dispensing systems, dispensers, refill units, methods for autonomously updating firmware and/or software in dispensers are disclosed herein. An exemplary dispenser includes a processor, dispenser memory, firmware for controlling one or more operations of the dispenser and a receptacle for receiving a refill unit. A reader for reading information from a near field communication tag is also included. The refill unit includes a near field communication tag secured thereto. Memory is located on the near field communications tag. Data stored on the memory. The data contains firmware update instructions. When the refill unit is installed in the receptacle, the reader reads the data. The processor causes the dispenser firmware to be updated by the firmware update instructions read from the near field communications tag on the refill unit.