Abstract: A drip cup for catching fluid dripping from the end of a spout is disclosed. The drip cup clamps securely on to the end of the spout. A spring biased clamping pin passes through the wall of the cup and contacts the spout contained within the drip cup. The spout is clamped between the end of the clamping pin and the opposed part of the inner wall of the drip cup. There is a hand manipulated actuator located near the handle of the drip cup that is grasped by a person's hand in order to move the clamping pin and thereby facilitate clamping and releasing of the spout.

Abstract: The invention relates to a feed device for bulk material, comprising a more particularly funnel-shaped storage tank 4, which is borne freely movable by measuring members 3 as a weighing tank of a mass throughput weighing system and is disposed with its outlet 11 over a conveyor system 6 for the removal of the bulk material. Disposed below the outlet 11 is a conical or pyramidal damming and supporting member 14 for the bulk material which is borne by the storage tank 4 and whose conical or pyramidal apex faces the outlet 11. The conical or pyramidal surfaces 29 cooperate with the edge 28 of the outlet 11 to form a gap on all sides.

Abstract: Assembly (1) for dispensing at least one liquid product or a product in the form of a cream. The assembly comprises a container (2) to which is fixed a distributor head (3) comprising at least one delivery channel. The end of the delivery channel is closed according to the invention by means of a closure system (F) comprising a valve (51) of flexible material which cooperates in the rest position in a non-sealed manner with a fixed rigid seating (41). The valve (51) moves away from the said seating (41) during dispensing by elastic deformation as a result of the pressure of the product to be dispensed, then moves into a position allowing for air recirculation when dispensing is completed. The assembly (1) may comprise, upstream of the closure device (F), a safety device for interrupting the communication between the container (2) and the closure device (F).

Abstract: Automatic dispensing apparatus for accurately dispensing preselected amounts of material. The apparatus includes a paddle wheel assembly having multiple compartments for holding selected amounts of material to be dispensed. The apparatus further includes an agitator assembly to break down the material, and a flexible skimmer element for removing excess material from the compartments before dispensing to ensure precise measurements. The paddle wheel assembly and the agitator assembly are driven by a linear actuator. A shutter shields the dispensing mechanism and the material from external elements. The shutter is automatically activated to open and tightly close in sequence with the dispensing cycle. The apparatus further includes a programmable microprocessor for controlling and monitoring the dispensing cycle.

Abstract: A valve for a fluid pressurized dispensing container that is useful for the low pressure dispensing of medium and low viscosity fluids at controlled rates and is actuated by merely inverting the container and in which the flow of the dispensed liquid begins practically instantly as soon as the container is inverted.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispensing device for storing and dispensing pressurized fluid, such as water, to athletes during the performance of their particular activity, particularly endurance events such as a bicycle tour, biathlon, triathlon and the like. The pressurized fluid dispensing device may be mounted to the frame of a bicycle between the vertical and diagonal supports above the center bracket or crank assembly to provide as low as possible center of gravity. The device includes a support cage, fluid vessel, tubing and an actuateable valve. The fluid vessel may be pressurized and slidingly inserted into the support cage to supply fluid through the tubing to the valve. A check valve extends from the bottom of the vessel which is sealingly engageable with a recess formed in the bottom of the support cage through which the fluid may flow. The actuateable valve is actuated to dispense fluid by being bitten.

Abstract: The lift valve comprises a body (1) in which is formed a cylindrical chamber (2) provided with a lateral inlet (14) and with an outlet (3). This chamber contains a piston (4) on which acts a spring (22) and which is solidly fixed to a rod (6) whose end constitutes a valve seal. The rod (6) is further provided with a cross-section reducer (9) formed, for example, by a perforated cylindrical bearing surface. The inlet aperture (14) opens out between the piston (4) and the cross-section reducer (9). The difference between the forces acting on the piston and on the cross-section reducer causes the piston to retract, thus opening the lift valve. The cross-section reducer seals the inlet aperture (14) to a greater or lesser extent.

Abstract: A bag in squeeze bottle fluid dispenser capable of dispensing substantially all of the fluid product contained therein. A suitable bag support element is inserted inside the flexible bag to prevent substantial axial movement of the bag in the direction of its discharge orifice and to encourage radial collapse of the bag instead. The internal bag support means, which in a preferred embodiment comprises an extruded plastic helix, has an internal fluid passage formed within the coils of the helix and fluid communication to allow fluid contained within the bag to access the internal fluid passage along substantially the entire length of the internal bag support element. Thus, radial collapse of the flexible bag does not block the passage of fluid remaining in the bag through the discharge orifice in the bag until substantially all of the fluid contained within the bag has been dispensed.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus (1) comprises a housing (2) defining a chamber (3) receiving liquid (4) to be dispensed and comprising a perforate membrane which defines a front wall of the chamber. A vibrating device (8) is connected to the housing and is operable to vibrate the perforate membrane to dispense droplets of liquid through holes (25) in the perforate membrane. The housing comprises an annular member (11) having a relatively thin inner annular portion (68) connected to the perforate membrane and a relatively thick outer annular portion (66) connected to the vibrating device. The apparatus is suitable for dispensing pharmaceutical products as an atomized mist and provides a hand-held inhaler for oral inhalation.

Abstract: A pour spout carton for extended shelf life paperboard containers, such as those of the gable top type. A first barrier layer lines the carton interior and a second lines the carton exterior surface. A dispensing opening is formed, as by die cutting, in a panel of the carton. The two barrier layers span the dispensing opening, except for a concentric dispensing hole through them, with the two barrier layers sonically sealed together along an annular zone radially intermediate the dispensing opening and the dispensing hole. The pour spout carries a flange extending from the edge of the dispensing hole to a location radially beyond the dispensing opening, the flange sonically bonded to the outer barrier layer at three radially spaced, concentric zones. The spout screw cap is of a different polymer than the spout, to prevent bonding between the cap and spout.

Abstract: A tank of soluble powdered compound for the preparation of beverages comprising a container (10) the mouth of which is connected to a union (11) for supply of the compound to an automatic beverage preparation and dispensing machine, said container comprising near its mouth a circumferential shoulder (17) in complementary engagement with the union. The engagement is irreversible, and the shoulder itself is breakable from the container by engagement with a blade (15) in the union (11) upon rotation of the container (10) therein so as to permit separation of the container (10) from the union (11).

Abstract: A paper handling apparatus 10 includes a plurality of paper receiving trays 12, 14, 16, 18 arranged vertically in close proximity to one another with a single paper feeding mechanism 20 provided to operate with all of the trays 12, 14, 16, 18. The paper feeding mechanism 20 moves vertically to selectively engage any selected one of the plurality of trays 12, 14, 16, 18. The vertical arrangement of the trays 12, 14, 16, 18 dictates that the trays are horizontally moveable between a first unselected position, where the trays are substantially vertically aligned with the one another, and a second selected position where the tray is horizontally moved to intersect the vertical path of the paper feeding mechanism 20. Horizontal movement of the trays 12, 14 16, 18 is effected by a single electric motor 28 rotatably attached to a shaft 30, which carries a series of gears 32, 34, 36, 38 that interact with a corresponding rack 40, 42, 44, 46 disposed on each of the trays 12, 14, 16, 18, respectively.

Abstract: A pump is mounted in one end of a cylindrical container for storing a liquid, for drawing the liquid stored in the cylindrical container and discharging the drawn liquid out of the cylindrical container. A piston is slidably disposed in the opposite end of the container in keeping the liquid sealed in the cylindrical container. The piston is movable toward the pump as the amount of the liquid stored in the cylindrical container is reduced when the liquid is discharged from the cylindrical container by the pump. The piston has a slanted surface facing the pump for contact with the liquid stored in the cylindrical container, the slanted surface being inclined progressively toward the second axial end. The piston also has a cylindrical surface defining a communication hole defined axially therethrough and having an inner end opening at the slanted surface. The communication hole provides communication between the interior and the exterior of the cylindrical container.

Abstract: A valve has a body fixed to an aerosol can which projects towards the interior of the can. An actuating rod is provided accessible from the exterior of the can, and adapted to be displaced by the action of a user in order to open the valve. The valve is combined with a seated valve adapted to be located in the interior of the can. The seat valve has a moveable closure element subjected to the action of a calibrated spring in such a manner that when the pressure in the can falls below a predetermined limit, the seated valve remains closed and prevents spraying even if the valve rod is actuated. The seated valve only opens for a pressure in the interior of the container at least equal to the above mentioned predetermined limit.

Abstract: A collapsible bag for use in containing and dispensing a liquid, such as in a bag-in-box arrangement, and a method for making the bag. Prior to sealing together two bag walls to form the bag, a one-piece spout and evacuation strip unit is attached to the outside surface of one bag wall and one or more openings are provided through the bag wall in liquid communication with a plurality of liquid channels in the strip. The two bag walls are then sealed together to form the bag and the evacuation strip provides liquid passageways for the liquid in the bag to flow to the spout to achieve complete withdrawal of the liquid from the bag as the bag collapses.

Abstract: A pouring spout for a container has a tubular body to be mounted on a container wall, the inner surface of the tubular body having a guiding recess therein extending parallel to the axis of the tubular body, the recess having a greater width at the portion thereof toward one end of the tubular body and a shoulder at an end corresponding to another end of the tubular body; a tubular blade movably mounted within the tubular body and having a longitudinal projection on the outer surface thereof and an outward projection at the end of the longitudinal projection corresponding to the one end of the tubular body, the longitudinal projection being slidably engaged in the recess for guiding movement of the tubular blade into the tubular body in a direction from the one end toward the other end, the shoulder having a notch portion in an inner peripheral edge having a cross-sectional shape different from the cross-sectional shape of the longitudinal projection for blocking movement of the tubular blade in the direction

Abstract: A disposable container in the shape of a bottle made of molded polyethylene plastic serves as a reservoir for a photographic development liquid, that is circulated between the container's reservoir and a machine. The container has large planar sides to which good thermal contact is made by electrical heating pads for the purpose of heating the liquid within the container's reservoir. A substantially planar top surface of the container defines a central outlet aperture. This aperture connects to a feed tube which extends into the container's reservoir. The container is mounted upright to the machine's bottom surface by a screw collar. The machine's bottom surface is complementary to, and mates with, the container's top surface. A fluid-tight compressive seal is made in a first annular region about the container's central aperture by means of an O ring or gasket.

Abstract: The T-shaped join formed by a crossbar and a sideplate of a forklift truck fork carriage is improved by interposing a joint insert member between the crossbar and sideplate. The joint insert member comprises a flange for attachment to the crossabar and, arranged transverse to the flange and projecting beyond the flange, a stem for attachment to the sideplate. The transitions from stem to flange are comprised of strong cast or forged material in the form of smooth, large radii to improve strength and reduce stress concentration.

Abstract: A container for successively dispensing substantially uniform volumes of a plurality of liquid ingredients such that the liquids are simultaneously dispensed in a desired proportion to form a mixture. The container has a plurality of separate compartments; each compartment being adapted to house a different liquid ingredient. Each compartment has a tubular metering device located therein. The metering device dispenses a previously metered volume and meters a second volume by controlling the venting of air within the compartment each time the container is tilted and uprighted as in a normal dispensing operation. A continuous lip surrounds the dispensing opening of each metering device. The continuous lip prevents a liquid ingredient from entering the dispensing opening of another liquid ingredient compartment and contaminating that compartment. In addition, a flip top cap is attached to the upper end wall. In the closed position the cap seals the dispensing openings of each metering device.

Abstract: A pouring plug for a container having two members, namely a tubular body for mounting on a container wall and a lid mounted or threadedly mounted internally of the tubular body, a tubular blade is connected to an end of a mounting portion or threaded mounting portion of the lid by an easily rupturable connecting portion or portions, and a separating structure is provided between the tubular blade and the mounting portion or the threaded mounting portion. Rotation-stop elements for the tubular blade are provided between the outer wall of the tubular blade and the inner wall of the tubular body.