Abstract: A lid body of a lid apparatus includes a spout opening defined in the lid body; a handle opposite the spout opening; and a vent opening defined in the lid body between the spout opening and the handle. The lid apparatus also includes an elongate pin slidably received in the body and translatable between a closed position and an open position. The elongate pin includes a spout sealing end in sealing contact with the lid body to close the spout opening in the closed position; an actuating end opposite the spout sealing end; and a vent sealing portion in sealing contact with the lid body to close the vent opening in the closed position. A resilient member biases the elongate pin into the closed position. An actuator disposed on the handle and connected to the actuating end may be pulled to pull the elongate pin into the open position.

Abstract: An ice delivery device includes a bin for storing ice, a rotatable helical auger for delivering ice, and a rotatable agitator wheel with multiple flexible arms to help break up agglomerations of ice. The agitator wheel is mounted such that as the auger is rotated the auger successively engages arms of the agitator wheel to rotate the agitator wheel. If the agitator wheel encounters an obstruction, such as a mass of agglomerated ice, the auger displaces the flexible arm out of the plane of the agitator wheel thus permitting the auger to continue rotate to deliver ice. The agitator wheel is mounted on a pair of flexible liners, which are displaceable by agglomerated ice.

Abstract: A slit valve (10) to selectively restrict the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15) and a method for forming the valve (10), the method including the steps of providing at least one layer of film material and permanently deforming the film material to define a valve (10) for selectively restricting the passage of a fluent substance between an interior environment (17) and an exterior environment (15).

Abstract: A resealable spigot for a coconut that provides easy access by consumers to the sterile coconut water within a coconut includes a valve seat positioned within a coconut aperture and a plunger sleeve positioned within the valve seat. The plunger sleeve has a based positioned membrane that seals the coconut aperture, A plunger-stopper is tethered to the plunger sleeve for shipping and storage and is used by the consumer to pierce the plunger sleeve membrane to gain access to the coconut water. The plunger sleeve is also used to reseal the coconut aperture to preserve any remaining coconut water for future consumption. Further provided is an additional embodiment for a spigot comprising a conduit having a spike-tip on one end and a spout on the other with a through bore therebetween.

Abstract: A liquid crystal dropping apparatus and a heating thermos device are provided. The liquid crystal dropping apparatus includes a heating member configured to heat a liquid crystal in the liquid crystal dropping apparatus, a detecting member, configured to detect a temperature of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal dropping apparatus, and a control unit respectively connected to the heating member and the detecting member. The control unit controls the heating member according to the temperature detected by the detecting member to keep the temperature of the liquid crystal in the liquid crystal dropping apparatus being a predetermined temperature value.

Abstract: A closed-loop refillable dispensing system may include one or more reusable or refillable product packages configured to dock with an automated filling station. The automated filling station automatically mixes concentrated chemical product with a diluent and dispenses the resulting chemical product solution. The product package may include a fitment insert configured to mate with a docking connector at the automated filling station. When the product package is removed from the docking connector, the fitment insert provides a positive, leak-proof seal for the product package.

Abstract: A beverage distributor includes a reservoir having a reservoir first end and a reservoir second end. The reservoir first end and reservoir second end are open. A valve is connected to the reservoir second end. The valve throttles a flow of fluid from the reservoir. A plurality of passage tubes are connected to the valve. Each of the plurality of passage tubes has an inlet and an outlet. Each inlet of the plurality of passage tubes receives a flow of fluid from the reservoir through the valve. The plurality of passage tubes includes a first passage tube that includes a first diameter and length, a second passage tube that includes a second diameter and length, and a third passage tube that includes a third diameter and length. A base is connected to at least one of the first passage tube, the second passage tube, and the third passage tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing an adhesive having a base component and a hardener component that when mixed produce a curable adhesive is disclosed. The apparatus includes a compliant exterior wall enclosing a first volume for containing the base component and a second volume for containing the hardener component, the first and second volumes being separated by a membrane within the exterior wall. The apparatus also includes a frangible region formed in the exterior wall and being operable to rupture to provide at least one outlet in response to an increase in pressure caused by a force applied to the exterior wall, the at least one outlet permitting respective portions of the base component and the hardener component to be expelled to facilitate mixing of the curable adhesive.

Abstract: A squeeze tube includes a fluid-discharge container and a fluid-discharge closure mated to the fluid-storage container. The fluid-discharge closure is coupled to one end of the fluid-storage container and configured to discharge selectively fluid stored in a product-storage region formed in the fluid-storage container.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid from a fluid container, the device capable of being set to different discrete and repeatable/equal dispensing amounts, depending on the amount of fluid required to be dispensed by the user for various applications and uses. The device may also be set to an “off” or “closed” position to prevent accidental dispensing of fluid when not in use. The device is preferably configured to be affixed to the outer surface of a fluid container, which fluid container is preferably a flexible bag or pouch.

Abstract: The feed rate of a supported particulate catalyst through a unit body rotary disc catalyst feeder may be controlled by controlling the feed of nitrogen to the upper surface of the rotary disc.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and dispensing a viscous product. The product and a propellant are stored in a container on a base, and the propellant forms a head space. In a storage configuration, the container rests on the base, the base rests on a surface, and the propellant in the head space and the product tend to move toward positions wherein the propellant in the head space is at a higher elevation than the product and the product is at a higher elevation than an inlet to a dispenser. In one aspect, the base comprises a first portion, a second portion comprising a lid, a sidewall comprising a window, and an interior. In a second aspect, the method comprises storing the container in the storage configuration, removing the lid to expose a dispenser, dispensing the product, and viewing an interior of the base through the window.

Abstract: A liquid dosing device for a container includes a dosing chamber having a front end and a back end. An outlet passage is located at the front end. A plunger is located in the dosing chamber, divides it in a front and a back space, and is moveable between a forward position in which the plunger closes off the outlet passage, and a backward position, in which the front space has a maximal volume. An inlet passage provides fluid communication between the front space and the container. A timer passage provides fluid communication between the container and the back space. A release passage, being greater than the timer passage, provides fluid communication between the back space and the container. A valve assembly at the release passage includes a valve seat located at the back end of the dosing chamber.

Abstract: A drinking water bucket comprises at least one base, at least one base plate and at least one bucket structure. The bucket structure comprises a bucket, a cover body and a pipe. The bucket comprises an accommodating space, a convex portion and an opening. The cover body comprises a through hole and a water outlet hole. The pipe penetrates through the through hole, and two ends of the pipe are respectively positioned in the accommodating space and in the air outside the cover body, such that when a user switches on the drinking water bucket and water in the bucket flows into a teacup, the sound caused by air flowing back to bubbles in water can be eliminated, and the water in the bucket can be allowed to flow evenly into the teacup.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing nozzle including a liquid dispensing opening and a removable cap designed to cover the recess. The cap has an exterior envelope and an interior envelope that are coaxial, mounted mobile relative to one another in an axial direction and each have a sealing surface and able to assume a before first use storage configuration, in which the sealing surfaces of the exterior envelope and the interior envelope are in hermetically sealed contact with one another. The cap further includes a safety envelope mounted mobile relative to the exterior envelope between a configuration for unscrewing the cap when a bearing force exerted on the safety envelope has an intensity greater than a predetermined threshold, and a safety configuration when the bearing force has an intensity less than a predetermined threshold or when no bearing force is exerted on the safety envelope.

Abstract: A delivery system for flowable substances includes a squeezable container having a sealed proximal end, a sealed distal end having a dispensing neck, and an outer wall that surrounds a storage reservoir. The delivery system has a container support frame assembled with the squeezable container having a proximal edge secured to the sealed proximal end of the squeezable container, a distal edge secured to the dispensing neck of the squeezable container, and first and second lateral edges extending between the proximal and distal edges and overlying opposing sides of the squeezable container. The proximal and distal edges and the first and second lateral edges define a central opening of the container support frame that provides access to the outer wall of the squeezable container. The container support frame has an elongated handle that extends proximally from the proximal edge of the container support frame.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a liquid medium (26) from a container (1), comprising a housing (13), a metering drum (2) accommodated therein and a sealing disk (14), the housing (13) having a drum outlet (3) and a system air admission structure (22), and the sealing disk (14) having an admission opening (12) and a drum inlet (4). The metering drum (2) comprises a metering chamber (5), a chamber outlet (6) and a chamber inlet (7). The metering drum (2) further has a rotary valve (8), said rotary valve (8), in a first working position, connecting the drum inlet (4) to the chamber inlet (7) while closing the chamber outlet (6), thereby admitting air to the container (1) and removing air from the metering chamber (5). In a second working position, The metering drum (2) closes the chamber inlet (7) while connecting the drum outlet (3) to the chamber outlet (6), thereby further admitting air to the metering chamber (5) and the air admission channel (11) being connected to the system air admission structure (22).

Abstract: Various systems, devices, and methods are provided for facilitating communication between a forecourt controller and a fuel dispenser. In certain aspects, a fuel controller translator is provided for translating commands transmitted between the forecourt controller and the fuel dispenser. For example, where the forecourt controller transmits commands that are compatible with the payment terminal, but not with the fuel controller, the fuel controller translator can translate the commands received from the forecourt controller into a format compatible with the fuel controller. Conversely, the fuel controller translator can translate commands received from the fuel controller into a format that is compatible with the forecourt controller.

Abstract: The outlet of a flowable material container has a flow cutoff device, which is slidably supported in a frame assembly that comprises two, spaced apart perforated side rails and a perforated end rail. No accumulation shield is used.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a fluid dispensing system that includes modularized components such as a flow-out member from which fluid dispenses, fluid displacement mechanism, including electronics associated therewith and a reservoir for storage of fluid. The flow-out member, fluid displacement mechanism, and components constituting the fluid dispensing system including the reservoir may have one of a linear or nonlinear cooperative relationship in terms of connectivity and operation, and may be positioned in one of a close proximity or remote locations from one another. Flow out member is provided that may moved in more that one direction to refill reservoir.