Abstract: A device for dispensing metered dosages of a substance from a container includes a dispenser housing and an indicating device. The indicating device includes an indicator housing, at least one engagement member disposed in the indicator housing, a plurality of indicator members coaxially mounted in the indicator housing, and an actuator coupled to and moveable with the container relative to the plurality of indicator members and the dispenser housing. The actuator member is selectively engaged with at least one of indicator members and is operative to advance the at least one indicator member an incremental amount. The at least one engagement member is selectively engaged with an advancement member so as to bias the advancement member into operable engagement with at least one of the indicator members and move the at least one indicator member an incremental amount. A method for dispensing metered dosages of the substance is also provided.

Abstract: A refillable container adapted to facilitate the purchase and use of larger volumes of consumer products and the selective discharge thereof. The refillable container includes a refill-discharge cap assembly allowing ease in filling the container while permitting the selective discharge of lesser quantities of substance therefrom. In one embodiment, a refill-discharge cap is threadably connected to a container body portion wherein the refill-discharge cap includes a relatively small orifice for the selective discharge of the contents of the container therefrom.

Abstract: A dispensing pump for a fluid product, including a pump body (10) in which at least one piston (20, 30) slides, wherein a pump chamber (40) is defined between an input valve (50) and an output valve (60), and the pump body (10) extends towards the inside of a tank (2) through a plunger tube (70), the input valve (50) being sealably connected to the plunger tube (70), the pump having a return spring (5) which brings the pump back towards its rest position, and characterized in that the spring is positioned out of any contact with the fluid product.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly for dispensing a substance from a receptacle is provided. Preferably the collar therefore comprises outwardly projecting and elongated angled ribs for forming complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule. A method of assembling such a dispenser assembly upon a receptacle is also provided and comprises the important step of allowing the collar to rotate over the outer surface of the ferrule and towards the receptacle, such that the elongated ribs form complementary elongated grooves in the outer surface of the ferrule thereby forming an airtight seal between the dispensing assembly and the receptacle.

Abstract: A device for the metered delivery of a viscous liquid has a pump body with a drill hole accommodating two pistons which connects a first chamber serving as an intake chamber and a second chamber serving as a discharge chamber. Two swivel arms driven by two cam discs are foreseen as the drive mechanism for the back and forth movement of the two pistons. For the metered delivery of an adhesive which contains flakes of silver the drill hole is designed such that it serves for guiding the pistons as well as for sealing the pump path.

Abstract: The device for generating a multi-component compound, in particular for dental purposes, by pressing out and mixing its components from cartridges (5), which open into a mixer (10), is characterized in that the advance speed of the motor (15) is regulated by the pressing-out behaviour of the components, which pressing-out behaviour can be determined by sensors (III-VIII).

Abstract: A dispensing canister and method for reducing dose fluctuation and improving evacuation in the dispensing of a pulverulent material such as beverage-forming or food-forming powder. The dispensing canister has a reservoir having an inlet and an outlet and defining a volume for retaining the pulverulent material therein, a dosing member operatively associated with the reservoir outlet for receiving and dispensing the pulverulent material; and an agitator wheel located in the reservoir and arranged to periodically rotate to assist in dislodging pulverulent material in the reservoir so that it can move to the dosing member. The agitator wheel preferably includes agitating members for transversing a significant portion of the volume of the reservoir to contact and dislodge pulverulent material therein.

Abstract: A handle device for manually grasping an airless dispenser of the type including a drawing-off member provided with a dispensing head and fitted to a flexible pouch by means of a cylindrical fitting, wherein, at the top of the fitting, under the head, the fitting is provided with a set of fins whose bottom faces serve to receive and to be pressed by the fingers of the user.

Abstract: A coupling device is provided for allowing one wearing a protective mask to drink fluids from a standard drinking fluid container. The device includes a punch at one end, a central body, and a capture port at the other end of the central body. The punch punctures a wall of a fluid container. Drinking fluid flows into the central body. The drinking tube is inserted into the port to allow one to drink fluid from the container. The device allows one wearing a protective suit in a contaminated environment to obtain drinking fluid from a standard, commercially-available container.

Abstract: A manually-actuated fluid dispenser pump including a pump body (10) and a piston (50) mounted to slide in leaktight manner in the pump body (10) between a rest position and a dispensing position. The piston is provided with a top sealing lip (52) in leaktight contact with the pump body (10). The pump includes an abutment member (80), fitted into the top edge of the pump body (10) and co-operating with the piston (50) to define its rest position. The top lip (52) of the piston (50) is made up of a first lip portion (53) co-operating in leaktight manner with the pump body (10) and of a second lip portion (54) co-operating in leaktight manner with the abutment in the rest position, and wherein the first and second lip portions (53, 54) are substantially parallel and spaced apart radially from each other.

Abstract: A valve for an aerosol container including a valve body, a valve stem having a dispensing passage, and a sealing ring contacting the valve stem. The valve stem is slidably moveable relative to the sealing ring from a valve-closed position to a valve-open position in which the interior of the valve body is in communication with the dispensing passage. The sealing ring includes a flexible component and a rigid component. The valve is preferably a metering valve.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus for a residential refrigerator. The beverage dispensing apparatus of the present invention includes a drink supplier including a drink supply canister holder for holding a plurality of drink supply canisters, a plurality of valve actuators for causing the drink supply to be selectively released from the drink supply canisters, a water supplier for selectively supplying carbonated water and non-carbonated water for producing the beverages, a gas supplier for supplying CO2 gas to carbonate the carbonated water provided by the water supplier and for supplying CO2 gas or other gas for pressurizing the drink supply canisters to provide a consistent flow rate of the drink supply from the drink supply canisters, and one or more beverage requesters for enabling users to request one of a plurality of beverages.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a container providing a cavity and a discharge opening at one end. A piston in the cavity has a peripheral wall portion sealing against the inner wall of the container and a centrally disposed passage therethrough. A sealing plug of resiliently deformable material is seated in the passage and has a peripheral flange about the front end adjacent the discharge opening. The flange bears upon the surface of the front wall of the piston about the passage to effect a seal therebetween. A filler push rod bears upon the surface of the sealing plug is movable to move the flange of the plug away from the surface of the piston to allow air to vent through the passage about the periphery of the plug.

Abstract: A dose-measuring device designed to be inserted in the neck of a flask (1) includes a first metering compartment (A) and a second reserve compartment (B) communicating with the outlet of the measuring device and the metering compartment (A). The device also includes an outer tubular element (5) nested in the neck (2a) of the flask (1), closed at its lower end and open at its upper end and an inner tubular element (5) nested sealed in the outer tubular element (5), including an intermediate body (16), delimiting inwards, the metering compartment and a lower part forming a transfer conduit (23) extending downwards emerging into the metering compartment (A) and in the reserve compartment (B).

Abstract: A device for holding and dispensing a fluid for decontaminating a condensate drip pan of an air conditioner includes: (a) a vessel at one end of the device for holding the fluid; and (b) at least one fluid line having a first end inserted in a lower end of the vessel, and an opposite, lower, second end inserted in the drip or drain pan; (c) a flow control device on the fluid line for controlling a rate of fluid drip from the fluid line into the drip or drain pan; and (d) a drip chamber in the fluid line.

Abstract: A sealing probe for injecting a sealant into a sealant-receiving region between a pair of members. The probe includes a hollow, sealant-releasing section, for insertion into the hole in the upper member into at least a portion of the sealant-receiving region. The sealant-releasing section has a plurality of apertures disposed about an outer wall of such section. The aperture passes through the outer wall from a hollow region within such section to the sealant-receiving region. The sealant-receiving section also includes an entrance adjacent a top portion of the sealant section for receiving a sealant and passing such sealant to the hollow region and then from the hollow region, through the apertures, to the region external the sealant-receiving region. The probe includes a first seal disposed about an upper portion of the outer wall.

Abstract: A metering device that includes a housing defining a cylindrical chamber containing a reciprocating shuttle. The two opposed end parts of the chamber are interconnected by fluid flow ducts to a cylindrical valve bore. Contained with the valve is a rotary valve rod driven rotationally by a stepping motor. The valve rod has part cut away to form channels or recesses. In one rotational position of the valve rod a flow path is established from an inlet to one end of the chamber and a separate flow path is established from the other end of the chamber to an outlet. In an alternate orientation of the valve rod a flow path is formed from the inlet to the other end of the chamber and the first end of the chamber is connected to an outlet.

Abstract: A colorant dispenser having a modular design includes a colorant pump with abrasion resistant coating and needle bearings for a long pump life. The pump also includes a stepper motor for accuracy in pumping the colorant. The pump is mounted in the dispenser cabinet with colorant canister modules suspended in the cabinet. Valve modules dispensing colorant from the canister are packed in groups of four for easy installation. Nozzles from the valves are made of stainless steel with no joints to prevent separate colorants from leaking and mixing. The suspended canisters and the small stepper motors for each pump provide a cabinet with an open architecture conducive to easy repair and replacement of modular parts. A locking mechanism allows for easy transition of the pull-down shelf from resting flush against the cabinet, to being adjacent to the cabinet.

Abstract: A dispensing unit for a hot melt adhesive system has a manifold centrally located within the dispensing unit to permit commonality between heated hoses of substantially the same length used to supply adhesive guns at either side of the dispensing unit. The dispensing unit also includes a manifold that is thermally isolated from the adhesive tank. The manifold has a heater that is independent of the tank heater for more precise temperature control of adhesive flowing through the manifold. A pump coupled to the manifold is located external to the tank and is heated by the manifold heater.

Abstract: A method and device for closing a container provided with a neck including a pourer and a cap and an element carried by the pourer and a sealing membrane carried by the pourer so as to interposed between the element and the neck. The element is secured to the membrane by sealing after the device is applied to the neck and the element forced to urge the membrane against the neck.