Abstract: A feeding apparatus for feeding at least one ingredient of a free-flowing bulk material to a proportioning apparatus, the proportioning apparatus having a separate hopper scale for each ingredient, the feeding apparatus being disposed above the proportioning apparatus and being composed of a number of assembled modular units corresponding to the number of hopper scales in the proportioning apparatus, each modular unit including an ingredient feed spout and a shutter for opening and closing the spout.

Abstract: A revolving hair coloring chemical dispensing carousel utilizes an identical pair of rounded, generally spaced apart support plates or racks which are rotatably mounted on a stationary base member. The support racks contain a series of passageways that are sized to accommodate either a large diameter container of developer solution or a smaller diameter container of colorizing pigment solution. More particularly, each cylindrical developer and pigment solution container is formed of a generally transparent material, such as clear plastic, and includes a plunger shaft which extends upwardly from the top portion of the container. The end of the plunger shaft positioned within the container housing includes a piston which facilitates the pushing or plunging of fluid confined within the fluid reservoir area of the container housing. The bottom end of the container housing includes a valve fixture, which is preferentially biased in the closed position by a helical biasing spring.

Abstract: A dispensing system for dispensing a quantity of material includes an inlet port to receive the material, an outlet port from which the material is dispensed from the dispensing system, a housing having an inner chamber with an adjustable volume, a first valve operable in one of an open mode of operation and a closed mode of operation. The first valve is disposed between the inlet port and the inner chamber in such a manner that when the first valve is operating in the open mode, material may flow from the inlet port into the inner chamber, and when the first valve is operating in the closed mode, material is prevented from flowing from the inlet port into the inner chamber. The dispensing system also includes a second valve operable in one of an open mode of operation and a closed mode of operation.

Abstract: A portable applicator for dispensing flowable material from a container, the applicator comprising a carrying frame for wearing by a user and for supporting a container such that a valve of the container faces substantially downwardly; an inlet mounted to said carrying frame for sealable engagement with a valve of a container for receiving material from the container when the valve thereof is in an open condition thereof; and a dispenser outlet communicating with said inlet for dispensing material received via said inlet.

Abstract: A novel container having an internal pour spout is provided, the sealed container carrying a pour spout having a central platform, a first side panel connected by hinge to the platform on a first side and a second panel connected by hinge to the platform on a second side, the two side panels having a substantially triangular shape. The hinged connection of the panels to the platform permit each pour spout to be provided in a flattened configuration in which the side panels permit subsequent processing of the flattened carton stock. When the carton is folded, the panels move passively in response to the carton folding steps and assume an assembled configuration as the carton is assembled.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying spray texture to a wall or the like. The apparatus comprises an aerosol can containing pressurized spray texture material. The spray texture material is released from the can by a valve and passes through a nozzle passageway, out of a discharge opening, and on to a surface to be textured. The apparatus further comprises an outlet member that can be placed over the discharge opening to vary the effective cross-sectional area thereof. This outlet member can be in the form of a straw or tube that is inserted into the nozzle passageway or a disc or other member having a plurality of outlet orifices formed therein. The outlet member having a plurality of outlet orifices can be attached directly to an actuator member in which the dispensing passageway is formed.

Abstract: A method and system for maintaining a uniform volume of powder in a powder feeder provided. The system includes a supply hopper that is spared from a powder feeder. The powder includes a receiving opening and a discharge opening. A rotatable brush is in communication with the supply hopper for causing powder withdrawn from the supply hopper to be transported to the powder feeder and disposed uniformly across the receiving opening of the powder feeder. The brush is immersed within the powder and extends across the receiving opening of the powder feeder, and maintains a filled level powder feeder.

Abstract: A closure for a container opening including an end cap member having a base portion and a spout portion integrally formed therewith and upstanding therefrom, where the spout portion includes a first aperture therethrough for directing the contents out of the container. A connecting member is included for connecting the base portion about the container opening as well as a plug member for closing off the first aperture where the plug member is upstanding from the spout portion and is secured about the periphery of the first aperture by a severable wall. A cover member also is included which is mounted to the end cap member for rotational movement with respect to the end cap member where the cover member includes a second aperture for receiving the plug member therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing soft serve frozen confections such as ice creams and yogurts. A collapsible container is adapted to contain a frozen confection and is formed to include an outlet of sufficient size to permit extrusion of frozen confection into an outlet conduit. The apparatus also includes a cold storage locker to cool the container and any frozen confection contained therein and maintain the frozen confection at a predetermined tempered subfreezing temperature to preserve the frozen confection in a soft serve condition. A compressive force, such as may be applied by a piston moved in a cylinder, causes extrusion of the frozen confection from the container into the outlet conduit. A dispensing spigot is connected to the outlet conduit to permit service of the frozen confection at the predetermined tempered subfreezing temperature.

Abstract: A flow control apparatus for controlling the flow of a material from a container valve comprises a flow control member adapted to be mounted on the valve for rotation relative to the valve for adjustably positioning the flow control member relative to the valve and container and thereby adjustably setting a maximum permissible flow rate of material which can be dispensed from the container through the valve. A trigger is mounted on the container and pressed for moving the flow control member and valve stem to dispense material from the container. A ring is rotatably mounted on an annular rim of the container. The rim mounts the trigger so that it can rotate the the flow control member. Rotation of the ring rotates the trigger, and in turn, the flow control member in an easy, safe manner without risk of possible injury to the fingers from contact with a stationary trigger support.

Abstract: A dual liquid spraying assembly comprises an outer container containing at least two separate compartments for two different liquids, a spray pump dispenser for mounting on the outlet of the container, and a valve assembly mounted between the compartments and the spray pump dispenser for controlling the proportions of the different liquids dispensed. The valve assembly comprises an inner valve member having a discharge outlet for connection to the spray pump dispenser and at least two inlets for connection to the respective compartments, and an outer, control sleeve rotatably mounted on the inner valve member for controlling connection of the inlets to the outlet. Both the inner and outer valve members are releasably secured on the outlet of the container to extend co-axially with the outlet opening.

Abstract: A paste dispenser includes a dispensing pump for dispensing metered amounts of pasty substances, such as toothpaste or the like, from bottle-like or can-like paste containers which have a bellows made of an elastic material. The bellows are arranged between two housing parts which are made of a dimensionally stable material, guided telescopically resiliently one with another, so as to establish communication between the housing parts. One of the housing parts is provided with a tubular discharge orifice which shapes a strand of paste, and communicates with an annular duct formed by two inner and outer sections which are formed on one of the housing parts and are concentric to one another and coaxial to a bellows axis intercommunicating the housing parts. The inner tube section is surrounded by a radially elastic annular wall member or portion of the bellows which forms a valve seat. The annular wall section joins a wall of the bellows in a sealing fashion between the outer and inner sections.