Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of refill units having foam pumps and non-collapsing containers are disclosed herein. In some exemplary embodiments, the refill unit includes a non-collapsing container and a foam pump. The foam pump includes a compressible air chamber. The foam pump includes a passage between the interior of the compressible air chamber and the interior of the container. A regulating valve regulates flow of air from the interior of the compressible air chamber to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A system and control method for an electronic liquid dispenser utilizes a motor to drive a pump mechanism from a home position in a dispense cycle for dispensing a metered dose of liquid from a reservoir. Upon initiation of the dispense cycle, the motor is started to operate the pump mechanism. Motor work performed by the motor during the dispense cycle is calculated as a function of motor current, motor voltage, and run time of the motor. Upon the calculated motor work exceeding a set point value during the dispense cycle, the motor is stopped and reversed to return the pump mechanism to the home position.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dosing device for dispensing and/or receiving a dosed amount of a liquid, comprising a piston device being disposed in a housing and a device for determining the stroke of the piston and/or the position of the piston, wherein the device for determining the stroke of the piston and/or the position of the piston features at least one scalar element and at least one measuring device, wherein the scalar element is fixedly disposed at the housing of the piston device and the measuring device is directly or indirectly connected to the piston and can be moved together with the piston, or wherein the scalar element is disposed at the piston so as to be movable with the piston and the measuring device is fixedly disposed at the housing, and wherein the scalar element is designed as an absolutely coded scale.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing a product, the dispenser comprising a base unit (2) into which a refill (1) containing the product is removably insertable in a fixed position. The refill has a taggant ink (12) on part of its external surface. The base has a light source (13) to illuminate the ink. The light source has a first wavelength and the ink is arranged to cause the ink to emit light at a second different wavelength. A sensor (14) receives light emitted by the ink upon illumination by the light source. A control circuit receives signal indicative of the wavelength of the detected light from the sensor, compares it with stored data, and prevents operation of a dispensing mechanism unless the refill is authentic.

Abstract: A dispensing device as well as a dispensing head and use thereof are proposed. Through depression of the dispensing head, an associated dispensing valve is opened and the product to be delivered can escape or be dispensed through an outlet space and via a downstream outlet valve. In order to prevent or at least minimize subsequent dripping or foaming, the volume of the outlet space is initially reduced upon actuation of the dispensing head and enlarged again upon completion of actuation, particularly after closing of the dispensing valve, whereby the product is suctioned away from the outlet or outlet valve back into the outlet space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a dispensing module for two liquid products, comprising: a first chamber (20) having a first wall, said first chamber having a first opening; a first piston (61) which can be displaced while resting on the wall of the first chamber; a second piston (64) which can be displaced while resting on a wall of the second chamber, and coupling means (62) for coupling both pistons while the product is being dispensed are provided. According to the invention, in order to prevent functional dysfunctions in the event of a distortion of the shape of container and to freely select the shape of the container, said dispensing module comprises a second chamber, the wall of which can be displaced while resting on the second piston, said second chamber comprising a second opening. This is achieved by virtue of the fact that the distortion of the container no longer leads to functional dysfunctions of the dispensing module. Also, the outer shape of the container can be freely selected.

Abstract: A venting system for a filler pipe coupled to a diesel exhaust fluid tank in a vehicle is provided. In one example approach the venting system comprises a plurality of cut-outs in an interior surface of the filler pipe along the interior diameter of the filler pipe in a top surface of the filler pipe.

Abstract: A precompression system for a liquid dispensing device is presented, that prevents liquid from being discharged until a predetermined pressure has been built up. The system comprises a pump for drawing liquid through an inlet and discharging it through an outlet, and a precompression valve disposed between the pump and the outlet. The valve allows liquid in the pump to reach the outlet once the predetermined pressure is established, and stops liquid from reaching the outlet once the pressure falls below it. The precompression valve comprises an elastic diaphragm normally closing the valve opening, with a concave surface facing the valve opening and in fluid communication with the pump and a convex surface in fluid communication with atmospheric pressure. The diaphragm may be stretched around a valve seat. Methods of assembling such a precompression system in a dispensing device are also presented.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a container for dispensing a liquid from the container. The container includes a flexible body having a closed top and an open bottom and a base attached to the open bottom of the body. The body and base define a chamber for holding a liquid. The base includes a floor and a peripheral rim extending below the floor. A nozzle extends from the floor. A closure slidingly engages with the nozzle. The closure includes a panel-cap having an aperture through which the liquid is dispensed.

Abstract: A mixing chamber for two fluid constituents is disclosed which provides improved mixing before the mixture is pushed through a mesh insert for the production of foam. Foam production using air and liquid is the basis of the exemplary embodiment though the disclosed mixing chamber could be used for any two fluid constituents. A single stream of air is diffused into a plurality of smaller streams of air. The single stream of liquid is directed into an annular sleeve resulting in a thinner wall of liquid flow as compared to the entering liquid stream. This annular sleeve of a thinner wall of liquid flow surrounds the plurality of smaller streams of air. In a second embodiment, there are individual streams of liquid which are directed inwardly toward the individual streams of air. The mixing chamber construction is disclosed herein can be used for any two fluid constituents which would benefit for more thorough mixing.

Abstract: A tip for dispensing liquid for mounting on a container. A valve includes at least two elements that are mobile in relation to one another, each mobile element including a bearing zone against the other mobile element. One of the mobile elements bears anti-microbial material on or in the immediate proximity of a part of its bearing zone forming a blocking barrier and all surfaces of the dispensing tip in contact with the inside are free of anti-microbial material.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing assembly is adapted to dispense fluid from a container. The fluid dispensing assembly includes a manifold configured for receiving the container, a piercing member slidably coupled with the manifold, and a nozzle configured to be attached with the manifold, and to engage the piercing member and move the piercing member into piercing engagement with the container.

Abstract: A closure (20, 20A) is provided for a container that has an opening to the container interior wherein contents may be stored. The closure (20, 20A) includes the following: (A) a closure body (30, 30A) defining (i) a pour aperture (50) that can communicate-with the container opening and that can accommodate pouring out of the contents through the pour aperture (50), and (ii) at least one vent aperture (60) that can communicate with the container opening and that can accommodate the in-venting of ambient atmosphere through the vent aperture (60) into the container, and (B) a lid (32, 32A) for closing the closure (20, 20A). The pour aperture (50) has an elongate configuration oriented along a central axis line (A) that bisects the pour aperture (50) and closure body (30).

Abstract: A dispenser device for dispensing a fluid or powder composition, including a dispenser outlet, an air expeller, and a reservoir containing a dose of a composition. The reservoir includes an air inlet connected to the air expeller, and a composition outlet connected to the dispenser outlet. The air inlet includes a composition retainer member for retaining the composition in the reservoir until the composition is dispensed, and the composition outlet being closed by a closure element that is force fitted in the composition outlet of the reservoir. The device includes a mechanical opening system that co-operates with the closure element so as to expel it mechanically from its closed position while the device is actuated. The closure element is an element that is not spherical, including a rounded portion, in particular a hemi-spherical portion, that faces towards the inside of the reservoir in the closed position.

Abstract: A storage and measurement container for retaining a quantity of particulate material and dispensing a measured serving thereof. The container comprises an interior volume that is dividable into an upper volume and a lower volume via a slide, a sliding member that selectively occupies the lower volume, and a bottom lid for dispensing the contents of the lower volume. Pulling the slide and the sliding member out from the container causes granular material, such as flour or spices, to fall from the upper volume to the lower volume that is vacated by the sliding member. Measurement indicia on the slide corresponds to the amount of volume vacated by the sliding member. Once the desired amount of material has been deposited into the lower volume, the slide can be closed to seal the upper volume from the lower volume, and the contents of the lower volume can then be dispensed therefrom.

Abstract: A connector for a self sealing fitment that includes a body, a lower flange, and a locking mechanism. The connector is configured to sealingly engage with a cap coupled to a spout of a flexible bag by sealingly engaging with a sealing membrane of the cap. The locking mechanism facilitates the maintaining of the same in the inserted configuration. A lockout collar is provided to preclude inadvertent and undesirable coupling between a connector and a sealing membrane of a cap.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a flexible pouch for bottom-dispensing a liquid. A dock for holding the flexible pouch is also provided. Further disclosed herein is a system for dispensing a liquid. The system includes the pouch for placement in the dock.

Abstract: A container providing improved features. The container prevents uncontrolled dripping of a liquid and directs a liquid drop present on a cap which closes the spout back into the container when the cap is open. The container includes a series of measuring indicators on the base for measuring a volume of material, such as a liquid. Also, the cover includes a further series of inverted measuring indicators for measuring a volume of material. The invention likewise includes a measuring device for measuring two or more liquids or dry ingredients such as by providing volume measuring indicators on a cover for a container as well as on the container. The measuring device may be a single measuring device which measures two or more liquids or dry materials, and may be configured for mixing the measured materials together in the same measuring device.

Abstract: A piston-operated dispenser unit for confectionery food products, comprising (I) a door (4) mountable on a dispensing mouth (5) of a machine (2) for making and instantaneously dispensing confectionery products; (II) at least one dispensing tap (9), in turn comprising a main body (10), extending frontally from the door (4) and forming, inside the door (4), an outflow duct (11) for the product to be dispensed, and a piston (13), slidably mounted inside the duct (11) and mobile between an open position and a closed position of the duct (11); (III) a manually operated lever (17), connected to the piston (13) for moving the piston (13) between the open position and the closed position of the duct (11), and vice versa; and (IV) a spring (24) operating on the piston (13) to apply an action for keeping the piston (13) in the closed position.