Abstract: An automated dispenser for dispensing spices, condiments, herbs, teas, ground coffees, or powdered beverages, having a plurality of cartridges mounted on a carrier respectively containing the items, having a dispenser with relative movement capable between the dispenser and the cartridges. A look-up table is provided for operation of the dispenser to dispense a particular variety of mixtures and quantities from the cartridges. When a spice blend and associated dispensing program is selected by a user, the dispensing program aligns the dispenser relative to the cartridge carrier and cartridge, to dispense a particular quantity and, in the case of a mix, to subsequently align with other selected cartridges to provide, from the cartridges, the mix of spices, herbs, condiments, powdered beverages or ground coffees. A specialized cartridge for use in the automated dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-compartmented storage container for storing two or more flowable materials in separate compartments so that the materials may be poured from the container individually or combined.

Abstract: A container and dispenser apparatus for sliced fruit stores, cools, and dispenses sliced wedges of fruit such as lemons. The apparatus includes a housing. A first interior wall extends through an interior space of the housing defining a fruit holding chamber. The fruit holding chamber is configured for holding a plurality of fruit wedges therein. An output opening is formed in the fruit holding chamber. The output opening is configured to receive the fruit wedges therethrough. A base is coupled to the housing. An input opening is positioned in the base. The input opening is aligned with the output opening such that the base is configured to receive the fruit wedges from the fruit holding chamber.

Abstract: A container for dispensing a liquid concentrate comprises a container body with top edge and a cap base sealed relative to the top edge. The cap base includes a wall having an inner thread, a funnel surrounding an opening, and a spout. The container includes a cap top with a shoulder including a flange having an outer thread and depending downwardly from the shoulder to define a channel being open toward a bottom edge of the cap top and located between an interior of the flange and the sidewall of the cap top. The cap top can be threadingly engaged to the cap base to form an outer seal between at least one of the shoulder and the flange of the cap top and the wall of the cap base and form an inner seal between the bottom edge of the sidewall of the cap top and the funnel of the cap base.

Abstract: A hopper apparatus (100) provides a conveyance passage (150) equipped with a nitrogen purge system. In operation, the hopper apparatus (100) is installed over an opening of a process vessel (200). Chemical matter may be conveyed through the conveyance passage (150) to land within the process vessel (200). The hopper apparatus may have a flap valve (141) that serves to isolate the interior space of a process vessel (200) from the ambient environment outside the process vessel (200). The hopper apparatus (100) may also inject nitrogen at various rates into the falling stream of chemical matter as it is conveyed into a process vessel (200). The hopper apparatus (100) may also provide a ventilation sleeve (180) providing ventilation and extraction of dust and vapors emitted from the falling stream of chemical matter.

Abstract: A reusable fluid dispensing system comprising a fluid dispensing head with a descending dip tube having an end and a container for holding fluid that is detachably connected to the fluid dispensing head. The container has a bottom that has a single lower recess region to receive the dip tube end, a detachable base member defining at least one region and, within that region, at least one accessory. The accessory is from a group consisting of a funnel for use in dispensing fluid concentrate and dilution fluid in to the container, a reusable non-paper sheet-like or pad-like element for smoothly spreading dispensed fluid onto a surface or scouring or polishing the surface, and concentrate for making the fluid when dissolved in dilution fluid. In addition, methods of use are taught.

Abstract: A foam dispensing mechanism (100; 600) comprises: a top (113); a cylindrical wall (112; 612) extending from a peripheral edge of the top; a piston member (170) arranged within the cylindrical wall; a dispense head (120) axially displaceable with respect to the top; a resilient bias member (130) for biasing the dispense head. The piston member has a first opening (176) and a coupling cylinder (178) arranged coaxially around said first opening. The dispense head has a cylindrical seal member (150) positionally fixed with respect to the dispense head (120), the seal member (150) having a first passage opening (156) with a valve seat (151), wherein the seal member's lower portion (157) is sealingly and axially slidably coupled to the coupling cylinder. An axially displaceable valve member (190) for blocking or releasing said first passage opening has a valve stem (192) having its end (193) coupled to the piston member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a liquid medication dispenser that can be removably attached to various types of bottles or containers. In one embodiment, the dispenser includes a cylindrical reservoir that tapers from a lower end to an upper end thereof. The lower end includes a cap that can be removably attached to a bottle. The upper end includes a lid that can open and close when actuated via a lever on the exterior of the reservoir. The interior of the reservoir includes a spherical valve having a port that extends the diameter thereof. The valve can be rotated via a knob so that the port can be aligned vertically or horizontally, wherein the interior of the bottle is in fluid communication with the reservoir when the port is aligned vertically and the interior of the bottle is blocked from the reservoir when the port is aligned horizontally.

Abstract: A loose material measuring and dispensing system including a container and dispenser. The tea container serves to store the tea leaves or grounds in a storage bin prior to activation of the system. Upon activation, the dispenser measures and loads a selected amount of tea into a hopper for dispensing, such as into a waiting cup or a tea infuser. The amount of tea may be selected based upon user operation of one of a number of quantity indicating/selection buttons provided in a user interface. The container is a sealed canister, such as a bag or jug, which is preferably impermeable to light. Furthermore, the dispenser is able to operate to load a desired amount of tea (e.g. by weight), specified by the user, into the hopper. Once the desired amount of tea is loaded into the hopper, the tea may be dispensed, such as into a waiting cup or infuser below.

Abstract: An apparatus for controlling a fluid flow may include a flow channel, a housing, a flow restrictor, and a housing adjustment member. The flow channel defines a fluid pathway for the fluid flow. The fluid pathway includes an inlet and an exit. The housing surrounds the flow channel. The housing comprises an exterior surface defining a first threaded portion. The flow restrictor is located within the housing and proximate the exit. The housing adjustment member includes a second threaded portion in contact with the first threaded portion. Embodiments may include a method for controlling a fluid flow. The method comprises: causing the fluid flow to pass through a flow channel having an inlet and an exit; restricting, via a flow restrictor, the fluid flow, the flow restrictor located proximate the exit; and adjusting a position of the flow restrictor to further restrict or unrestrict the fluid flow.

Abstract: A fastening ring (1) for fastening a pouch (2) in a container (4) made up of a bottle (42, 43) provided with an upper opening closeable by extraction means (3) optionally mounted on a cup (5), an upper tubular portion, preferably cylindrical, provided at its upper end with an outwardly projecting flange dimensioned to bear against the upper opening of a bottle and to be clamped between the upper opening of the bottle and the outer edge of extraction means or the outer edge of a cup (5) equipped with the extraction means (3) during packaging of the container, a tenon positioned in the extension of the upper tubular portion, on the side opposed to the flange, for fastening anti-collapse means (6) or an immersion tube, and a portion for fastening the pouch (2), which portion can be formed by the tubular portion.

Abstract: A pouring dispenser for pouring liquid from a bottle comprises a sleeve adapted to be removably attached with the neck of the bottle and extend from the neck of the bottle. The sleeve comprises a cork portion to be inserted into the neck of the bottle. A pouring nozzle with the sleeve is formed with the cork portion as an integral component, such that the pouring nozzle is in fluid communication with the interior of the bottle. There is a removable breather tube that fits in the cork portion.

Abstract: A medical fluid injection system may include a powered injector and a fluid reservoir that contains a simulated contrast medium. The simulated contrast medium may exhibit a fluid flow property substantially equal to that of an active contrast medium but be devoid of any active contrast agent that provides contrast during diagnostic imaging. During operation, a syringe in the powered injector may be filled with the simulated contrast medium and then evacuated to discharge the simulated contrast medium from the syringe. The simulated contrast medium may be used to test and evaluate the performance of the powered injector prior to use in a medical procedure without exposing personnel to an active contrast agent or creating medical waste that contains the active contrast agent.

Abstract: Water distributor comprising: a first hot water inlet pipe with two outlets; a second pipe with first inlets, each of them being connected to the corresponding first outlet by means of a third pipe, said second pipe further comprising several second outlets; a rod having at least one narrowing and sliding within said second pipe by action of some actuating means; and water tightness means situated on both sides of each of the second outlets. The positioning of the narrowing of the rod with respect of the water tightness means of each outlet determines whether water will be allowed to flow through said outlet or not. Advantage: guaranteeing that the opening and closure of the different water outlets correspond with the selection made by the user.

Abstract: An air removal and wine dispenser device for a wine bottle has a bottle seal and a balloon. The balloon is inflated with a pump to displace air from the bottle. Additional inflation forces wine through a dispensing tube. Wine flow is controlled by a wine valve. In one embodiment, a single control valve is used to vent air and dispense wine, and a cam lever is used to expand a cam seal and to operate a balloon deflation valve.

Abstract: A mixing device which can be connected to a discharge unit and is provided to mix one or more substances together as they are discharged from the discharge unit. The mixing device has a base element with a circumferential side wall and an insert which can be inserted into the base element in such a manner that at least one circumferential zone of said insert lies against the side wall of the base element in a sealing manner. A mixing structure with mixing channels is formed on the insert, through which mixing structure the substances can be discharged from the discharge unit.

Abstract: An ice dispenser is disclosed herein. The ice dispenser may include an ice chute and an ice gate mechanism positioned about the ice chute. The ice gate mechanism may include a downwardly opening ice gate operated by a pivoting lever system.

Abstract: Dispenser for the delivery of liquid media, having a base unit and a delivery head with a delivery opening. The delivery head includes a first portion which includes a fastening device by means of which the first portion is fastened or fixed in position with respect to a media storage unit on the base unit, and which includes the delivery opening. The delivery head includes a second portion realized so as to be movable in relation to the first portion and includes an actuating handle which is operatively coupled with the coupling piece such that a displacement of the actuating handle in relation to the first portion leads to a displacement of the coupling piece in relation to the first part portion.

Abstract: A method and system for managing the dispensing of beverages from an automatic beverage dispensing unit. The beverages may be comprised of a single or multiple ingredients, including a first plurality of liquids, a second plurality of liquids, and/or a combination of one or more first and second plurality of liquids. In addition, garnishes and sides may be included in the beverage. The beverages are dispensed according to a pouring schema. The pouring schema may be a beverage recipe and may be preprogrammed by a system manager, or alternatively, be chosen by a consumer during operation of the system. The first plurality of liquids may include liquors and the second plurality of beverages may include mixers which are mixed with the liquors to create the beverage.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising a body (1), a fluid reservoir (2), a dispenser member, such as a pump or a valve, mounted on said reservoir (2), and a dose indicator device for indicating the number of doses of fluid that have been dispensed or that remain to be dispensed from said reservoir, the dispenser being characterized in that said dose indicator device includes a first safety system for actuating the dose indicator device once the dispenser has performed a predetermined incomplete actuation stroke, even if the dispenser does not perform the complete actuation stroke.