Abstract: A fluid dispenser device having a fluid reservoir (10), a pump (20) mounted on the reservoir (10) for selectively dispensing the fluid, and a dispenser head (30) connected to the pump and incorporating a dispenser orifice (31). The device includes at least two laterally-actuated elements (40, 50) distributed around the dispenser head (30), the laterally-actuated elements (40, 50) being displaced simultaneously in a direction that is approximately transverse to the central axis of the device, and each co-operating with a peripheral edge (11) of the reservoir (10) so as to exert an axial force thereon.

Abstract: A fluid-dispenser pump having a pump body (10) containing a measuring chamber (20) defined between an upper piston (30) sliding in an upper portion (11) of the pump body (10), and a lower piston (40) sliding in a lower portion (12) of the pump body (10). The lower piston (40) co-operates with a spring (50) disposed in the lower portion (12) of the pump body (10). The spring (50) is isolated from any contact with the fluid, and the lower portion (12) of the pump body includes an air-intake (15) enabling air to be admitted and/or expelled during actuation of the pump. Isolation is provided to prevent fluid from penetrating into the air-intake (15).

Abstract: A portable water cooler is designed to accept the placement of bagged fluid therein, leading to the connection of the bag of fluid to a fluid flow pathway, thereby allowing the fluid to be dispensed in a manner such that the fluid is segregated from the internal surfaces of the cooler. The portable water cooler generally includes an internal spike and external spigot through which fluid may flow. Systems and method for dispensing bagged fluid from such a cooler, including various multi-bag systems and methods allowing for improved thermal control of fluids being dispensed, as well as increased selection of fluids dispensed from the same portable water cooler provide a high level of convenience.

Abstract: A nozzle includes a top portion projecting in the same direction as an opening of a container, and a plurality of liquid-medicine passages formed at an outer periphery of the top portion. When the container is inclined, a liquid medicine in the container leaks out therefrom via orifices of the individual liquid-medicine passages communicated with the opening of the container, so as to form a droplet on an outside surface of the top portion, whereby the liquid medicine is applied in a droplet.

Abstract: The invention has application to dispensing dessert products from pre-filled containers. The container (11) has an outlet (12A) and a moveable portion (13) which is engageable to reduce the container internal volume and cause product to be extruded from an outlet. The container is located on a support (15) during dispensing and there are elements (48–51, 53) for detecting whether the product is extrudable and/or whether dispensing is complete. In addition, there is a detector (35–37) for detecting a container in a discharge position on the support.

Abstract: A caulking gun has a tubular chamber to surround sleeve-like rigid tubes and compressible sausage type containers containing viscous materials including sealants, adhesives, caulking, mastics and the like. When rigid tubes are loaded into the chamber, compressed gas is allowed to surround the sleeve and a plunger loaded within the rigid tube to equalize pressure around the outside of the rigid tube. If a sausage type container is loaded into the chamber, a removable plunger is also provided to form a tight seal between the perimeter of the plunger and the inner surface of the chamber. Compressed gas introduced into the chamber preferentially acts on the plunger and an underlying end wall of the sausage to expel the material, without imparting any significant pressure to other parts of the sausage. The caulking gun includes a variable flow rate nozzle which may be removed from the device. The nozzle may be replaced with similar or different nozzle pieces of various shapes and sizes, if desired.

Abstract: A spout assembly for enhancing self-standing force of a flexible container includes a fitting portion for attaching on a portion of the flexible container, and a supporting member assembled on or integrally formed on the fitting portion and extending to contact at least more than one portion of front, rear, bottom and top portions of the container, thereby maintaining a predetermined shape of the flexible container.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing system includes separate valves for controlling the flow rate of a diluent and a concentrate. Various concentrates of different viscosities can be used and the selected concentrate is identified. The flow rate of the concentrate is determined based on temperature and pressure and on information related to the identified concentrate. The valves are controlled so that the concentrate and diluent reach target flow rates. The target flow rates satisfy a target ratio of diluent to concentrate. If the actual flow rates cannot reach the target flow rates, then the target flow rates are modified to satisfy the target ratio. The structure of the concentrate valve is designed to accommodate proportional metering of any one of the various concentrates.

Abstract: A safety can for storing flammable liquid is disclosed. The safety can includes a receptacle and a valve mechanism. The valve mechanism can include a body assembly, a fill cover assembly, a pour valve assembly, a trigger assembly, and a handle. The body assembly of the valve mechanism can be mounted to the receptacle. The body assembly can include a fill spout and a separate pour spout. The fill cover assembly can be pivotally mounted to the body assembly about a fill cover axis. The pour valve assembly can be movably mounted to the body assembly and be disposed therein. The safety can includes a trigger assembly for convenient multi-functional operation of the safety can. The trigger can be positioned to allow the can to be filled, to pour from the can, and to place the container in a safety position.

Abstract: Bottled water or other liquid is supplied via a bottle connector 5 for releasable sealing engagement with a neck formed on the bottle, and a transfer tube 6 to a reservoir 7 wherein the water may be cooled. The bottle connector 5, the transfer tube 6 and the reservoir 7 are all moulded of a plastics material containing silver bound in a ceramic ion exchange resin so that the silver ions (Ag+) are slowly released to prevent microbial growth on the surface of the components. The bottle connector may include a feed tube 21 or a dip tube which also releases silver ions. Furthermore, the transfer tube 6 may be connected to the reservoir 7 via a reservoir connector 29 which may incorporate a draw tube 31 and one or more outlet tubes 14, 36, e.g. leading to a discharge outlet, all of which release silver ions.

Abstract: A container closure includes an adapter formed from a first thermoplastic material and a valve formed from a second thermoplastic material. The adapter and valve are bonded together in a multi-material molding process to form an adapter and valve assembly. The adapter and valve assembly is directly fastened to a base to form the closure.

Abstract: A control valve for controlling the flow of fluent material from a machine, the machine having a frame including a hopper and a tube mounted to the hopper, an auger within the tube and a hose mounted to the tube. The control valve has a clamp, which has a first arm mounted to the frame on a first side of the hose and a second arm mounted to the frame on an opposite side of the hose. The first arm is movably mounted to the frame in a direction toward the hose. A prime mover is drivingly linked to the first arm and the frame for displacing the first arm toward the hose, thereby clamping the hose between the first and second arms for restricting the flow of fluent material through the hose.

Abstract: A tamper-evident cap for a threaded outlet includes a top and a cylindrical side. The tamper-evident cylindrical side is initially engaged with threads of a valve outlet to prevent axial displacement of the cylindrical side with respect to the valve outlet. The cylindrical side includes a plurality of undercut barbs to prevent manipulation of the cap to an open condition. The cylindrical side includes a frangible tear strip connected to a pull tab and connected to the remainder of the cylindrical side by lines of weakness, which tear strip arranged to be torn to facilitate displacement of the cylindrical side to permit manipulation of the cap to an open condition.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for dispensing a beverage comprising a mixture of liquid, e.g. water, and at least one liquid concentrate, comprising at least two liquid nozzles connected respectively to at least one liquid source for producing a first jet of liquid in air along first path and a second jet of liquid in air along a second path, at least one concentrate nozzle connected to at least one liquid concentrate source for delivering a stream of liquid concentrate in air along a third path, wherein the liquid nozzles and the concentrate nozzle are oriented with respect to each other so that the first, second and third paths intersect above a container at a common intersection point, whereby the mixture is formed by collision of the respective jets and the stream(s).

Abstract: A foam forming unit particularly suitable for a liquid container, comprising a pump for liquid and a pump for air, which are each provided with an inlet and an outlet, the foam forming unit further comprising a mixing chamber which is in communication with the outlet of each pump, a dispensing part provided with an outflow channel with a foam opening, the channel being in communication with the mixing chamber, and valves in respectively the inlet and the outlet of each pump for drawing in respectively delivering air and liquid, wherein one or more valves are formed integrally with the air pump or liquid pump into a single construction element.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid material onto a substrate including a base body with a flow channel for receiving the fluid material and a movable valve body positioned in the flow channel. The valve body is movable in a downstream direction into an open position to release a flow of the fluid material into the flow channel and is movable in an upstream direction into a closed position to interrupt the flow of the fluid material into the flow channel. A drive device moves the valve body between the open position and the closed position. A cylindrical chamber is positioned in the flow channel and the valve body includes a piston movable within the cylindrical chamber. The piston is sealed within the cylindrical chamber in such a way that when the piston moves in a first direction within the cylindrical chamber, the fluid material is displaced from the flow channel and when the piston is moved in a second direction opposite to the first direction, the fluid material is drawn into the flow channel.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus including a rotating carousel to feed material from an inlet to a discharge outlet. In the illustrated embodiments, the carousel includes a cone shaped portion to facilitate material flow to dispense a metered quantity of material. The apparatus described has particular application for dispensing a glutinous particulate or material. In an illustrated embodiment, a scale is used to control metered quantities which as described includes cantilevered beams supporting a floating tray for measuring a dispensed quantity.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided for delivering a controlled quantity of a granular material. The dispenser includes a container assembly, a diffuser and a metering cup. The container includes a reservoir which supports a disposable cartridge of granular material. The cartridge is supported in the reservoir so as to define a passageway therebetween. A nozzle is defined for the outflow of material from the cartridge. The diffuser is disposed on one end of the container and includes a plurality of apertures. The metering cup is disposed on the opposite end of the container and has an open end adapted to receive granular material. Adjustment of the axial spacing between the nozzle and metering cup varies the quantity of granular material collected in the cup. The granular material is dispensed by inverting the container to a second orientation, such that material flows out of the metering cup, through the passageway and out of the diffuser.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for a tap handle for beverage dispensing comprising a ceramic, porcelain or stoneware handle filled with a foam, preferably polyurethane foam which renders the tap handle more resilient and resistant to sharding. Ideally, polymeric diphenylmethane diisocyanate foam is injected into a tap handle shell in lquied form, which solidifies and is capped with a glue, an internally threaded cap and a protective plastic cap.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns packaging and dispensing of fluid products. The disclosed device comprises at least two sealed flexible bags arranged in a single common rigid container, associated with at least a pump or valve, actuated by an actuator, wherein the bags cooperate with at least a ring for being fixed to the container and with the pumps or valves. The device is designed to dispense fluids separately or mixed.