Abstract: A beverage dispensing system including at least one beverage container assembly. Each beverage container assembly includes a beverage container, a gas container, and a regulator cap assembly. The regulator cap assembly has a beverage coupler for receiving the beverage container and a gas coupler for receiving the gas container. The gas coupler includes a first channel which is connected to a regulator valve for regulating the gas through a second channel such that it fills the beverage container enabling the contents of the beverage container to flow out through an outlet valve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise one-part elastomeric valves which are manipulated after molding to preload the valve seal. The valves maintain positive seal until a fluidic pressure or mechanical force is applied to open the valve. The valves return to a closed state after the pressure or force is removed.

Abstract: A counter for counting delivered doses from a spray dispenser of a type having a main body holding a fluid substance to be dispensed and a cap with a pump and nozzle mounted on the main body, the counter including: a counter body having an upper recess for receiving the main body; a button in an arcuate lower depression on the counter body for actuation by a person's thumb when a dose is dispensed; a display on the counter body for displaying a number of doses dispensed from the main body; a circuit which changes the number of doses display each time that the button is depressed; a set button for setting a starting number which is displayed on the display, corresponding to a predetermined number of doses remaining in the spray dispenser; and a sound generator which generates an audible sound upon each depression of the button.

Abstract: An automatic fluid soap dispensing apparatus and method comprising a dispensing spout, housing operatively connected to the dispensing spout and the housing adapted to removably receive and hold a fluid soap containing reservoir module in communication with the dispensing spout. The reservoir module has a central axis, and includes a pump mechanism and delivery tube mounted on the reservoir module in alignment with the central axis. The dispensing tube is adapted to move in the dispensing spout when the pump mechanism is actuated.

Abstract: The electromagnetic valve actuator has an armature (22) of ferromagnetic material fixed to the stem of the valve, springs are provided to hold the valve at rest in a middle position between a fully open position and a closed position, and a single coil (38) is mounted on a ferromagnetic circuit. In combination with the armature, the magnetic circuit presents two stable magnetic flux paths both of which correspond to an airgap of small size.

Abstract: A filler-tube assembly for a fuel tank has a filler tube having an upper end formed by a tubular inner wall defining a fill passage and having an outer surface and a concentric outer wall fixed relative to and defining with the inner wall an annular and upwardly open space and having an inner surface and an end surface. A cap adapted to fit over the outer end has a tubular extension fittable in the space and having inner and outer surfaces and an end surface bridging the respective inner and outer surfaces. A seal ring in the space is engaged between one of the surfaces of the cap and one of the surfaces of the filler tube.

Abstract: A feedstock feeder for supplying feedstock to a system operating at a level of pressure. The feedstock feeder includes a pressure vessel having a pressure which is higher than the level of pressure; a mechanical feeder portion which meters the flow of feedstock to the system, the mechanical feeder portion located within the pressure vessel; a feedstock supplier which supplies feedstock to the mechanical feeder portion, the feedstock supplier located within the pressure vessel; a drive mechanism for driving a dynamically moving portion attached to the drive mechanism, the dynamically moving portion coupled to the mechanical feeder portion for moving the mechanical feeder portion; and wherein all dynamic seals operating to seal about the dynamically moving portion are positioned within the pressure vessel.

Abstract: A valve structure that includes a housing, a valve, and an actuator. The housing includes a first portion, a second portion, and an intermediate portion. The first portion extends along a first axis from a first port, the second portion extends along a second axis from a second port, and the intermediate portion connects the first and second portions. The first and second portions partially define a fluid communication path between the first and second configurations. The valve is movable with respect to the housing between first and second configurations. The first configuration permits substantially unrestricted fluid flow between the first and second ports. The second configuration substantially prevents fluid flow between the first and second ports. The actuator displaces the valve from the first configuration to the second configuration. The actuator partially defines the fluid communication path between the first and second ports.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling a ventilation damper unit utilizing a direct coupled two-position rotary damper actuator with a DC solenoid is disclosed. The actuator acts to rotate the output coupling, and in turn, the damper shaft to open the damper. After approximately 95 degrees +/−3 degrees of output coupling rotation, a limit switch is activated and a DC solenoid equipped with a full way bridge rectifier extends to a brake rotor to lock the damper into position. Simultaneously power is shut-off to the actuator motor assembly to reduce electrical consumption. Upon complete power failure to the actuator unit, such as during a fire and smoke emergency, the DC solenoid is spring returned allowing the damper to be spring returned to a closed position, thus preventing flow of air and smoke through a building and starving a fire of oxygen.

Abstract: Gaming apparatus and methods of conducting a wagering game of chance. A gaming machine is disclosed which is configured for mutually concurrent play of a plurality of games of chance on a single display screen. A method of conducting a wagering activity includes providing a player with a plurality of differing games of chance, at least some of which are mutually concurrently playable on a single screen display of a gaming device and enabling mutually concurrent play of the plurality of differing games of chance on the single screen display. Various other gaming machine configurations and methods of play related to multiple differing games of chance on a single display screen are also disclosed herein. Networked gaming machines are also disclosed.

Abstract: A container system for dispensing flowable materials includes a prefilled, disposable bag, a reusable outer support and a reusable cap. The bag fits into the outer support and has a flat top with a collar that is held between the cap and outer support. The cap includes a tube for dispensing the material. The tube punctures the top of the bag when the cap is assembled to the outer support.

Abstract: A method and a system for retrieving information from an IMD so that a physician may better use the time allotted to a patient. In an example embodiment, a method for communicating between an implanted device and a medical data processing system occurs via a communications module coupled to an antenna member and to the medical data processing system. The communication module and the antenna are arranged to transmit and receive radio frequency signals within a given range or space such as in a room. The method includes broadcasting interrogation requests in the range via the communications module and antenna arrangement and establishing a communications link between the implanted device present in the range and the communications module. A set of patient diagnostic data is then transmitted from the implanted device to the communications module in response to an encoded radio frequency signal from the communications module.

Abstract: A fuel dispenser receiving fuel from a fuel source and dispenses the fuel to an output device while metering the quantity of fuel dispensed to the output device. The fuel dispenser includes a housing. A inlet port in the housing couples the housing to the fuel source. An outlet port in the housing couples the housing to the output device. A meter chamber in the housing has a chamber inlet, a chamber outlet, and a chamber opening. An inlet passage extends from the inlet port to the chamber inlet for conveying fuel received from the fuel source from the inlet port to the meter chamber. An outlet passage extends from the meter chamber outlet to the outlet port for conveying fuel from the meter chamber to the outlet port. A nutating disk meter disposed within the meter chamber of the housing is for measuring the quantity of fuel flowing through the fuel dispenser. A chamber cover covers the opening and seals the nutating disk meter in the meter chamber.

Abstract: This application describes a method of constructing a surface for drainage, and a kit of parts forming components required to produce such a drainage surface.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fuel injection valve including a stationary core and a movable core having one end opposed to one end of the stationary core, the movable core being movable toward the one end of the stationary core upon magnetization of the stationary core and a valve on the other end of the movable core and movable with the movable core, the valve being supported by a valve seat base and a cylindrical body extends from at least the stationary core to the base.

Abstract: A container having a body, a male element, a female element and a plug. The female element comprises a body having an axial bore which extends through the body from an insertion opening outside the container body, to a seat inside the container body. The plug is positioned in the seat of the axial bore to close off the bore. The male element has a closure means and a tubular part which fits into the axial bore. The tubular part has a head and is designed to interact with the plug in order to press the plug off the seat. A passage extends through the tubular part of the male element to the closure means. The container body and the male element are provided with interacting coupling means which provides resistance to the male element being pulled outwards out of the bore.

Abstract: A dispensing valve is shown that controls the flow of a fluid, the valve having a housing containing a cylindrical/tubular passageway between an inlet and outlet of the valve. A rod like closure member is operable to move through the passageway from a first position in which the valve is fully closed, to a second position in which the valve is fully open. The exterior surface of the closure member engages the interior surface wall of the passageway to seal the passageway and the interior surface wall and/or the exterior surface of the closure member have helical/spiral grooves therein. A spiral flow passage is defined through which the fluid can flow on its passage from the inlet to the outlet when the closure member moves away from its first position. Further movement of the closure member towards the second position regulates the flow rate of the fluid through the passageway.

Abstract: A tear-off opening device for drink cans by means of a tab (1) with grip device (2) for tearing, comprising, underneath the tab (1), a shaped lamina (4), secured underneath the lid (6) for a segment (41) which partially surrounds the edge of the opening (3), whilst at least a remaining segment (42) stays free, the lamina (4) having a conformation that is able to vary from a first stable configuration in which, with the can closed, it is drawn up underneath the tab (1), to successive and transitory configurations that take place during the extraction of the lamina (4) through the opening (3) and to a final stable configuration in which, with the extraction completed, the lamina (4) constitutes a stable spout (8) with related opening (9) whose free edges belong to the free segment (42) of the lamina (4).

Abstract: The film packing for a pasty substance comprises a film tube bag (12) having a peripheral wall (14) and two ends (16), and a cover portion (22) fastened to one of the two ends (16) of the film tube bag (12). The cover portion (22) comprises an end face (24) having a passage opening (32) for the passage of pasty substance from the opened film tube bag (12), a peripheral face (26) joining the end face (24), and a sealing element (52) abutting to a receiving headpiece (36) attachable to the end (16) of the film tube bag (12) carrying the cover portion (22), which receiving headpiece surrounds at least the end and peripheral faces (24,26) of the cover portion (22) and comprises an outlet piece (44) which is in fluid connection with the passage opening (32) of the cover portion (22) when the receiving headpiece is attached (36). The sealing element (52) is arranged on the peripheral face of the cover portion.

Abstract: A quick-connect coupling for opening a valve to allow discharge of a liquid. The coupling is particularly suited for discharging motor oil from the oil pan or oil filter of an internal combustion engine. The coupling includes at least one latching element which engages the valve in order to open it. The other end of the quick-connect coupling is preferably connected to a hose that leads, in turn, to an oil collection vessel.