Abstract: An object is to smoothly clean a nozzle portion of a beverage dispenser, the beverage dispenser discharges and supplies beverage ingredients from beverage supplying nozzles, and comprises a cleaning device to clean the beverage supplying nozzles, and this cleaning device executes a cleaning operation including: a steam jetting step of jetting high-temperature steam to the beverage supplying nozzles; a water jetting step of jetting water or hot water to the beverage supplying nozzles; and a drying step of drying the surfaces of the beverage supplying nozzles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a metering valve comprising a valve stem (11) co-axially slidable within a valve body (14), the metering valve comprising a metering chamber (13), wherein the metering chamber is constructed wholly from rigid components.

Abstract: Low height precompression pump. The pump includes: a cylinder (1) consisting of a pump chamber (3), and an inlet valve (5), a piston (7) with a lower outwardly flaring lip seal (9) and an inwardly flaring lip seal (19), which rims a central aperture (17) of the piston (7), a hollow pump plunger rod (21), which is in sliding engagement with the central aperture (17), and which has a passage for communication (23) between the pump chamber (3) and the exterior, a securement device (37), with an upper retention cover (39), which attaches the cylinder (1) to a container, a first elastic member (31) housed in the cylinder (1) and a second elastic member (47), which has an upper bearing point (49) applied directly on the plunger rod (21), and which is above the upper retention cover (39).

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a body having an inner cavity for containing liquid, and an aperture providing access to the inner cavity. A push pump is fitted within the aperture. At least one height adjustable mount is connected to the body for releasably attaching the body to a surface. Preferably the body is conformingly shaped. An adapter can connect the liquid dispenser to a liquid container for filling the liquid dispenser.

Abstract: A metered dispenser includes a housing including a reciprocable piston drive stem including an inlet opening at a first end thereof, a floating piston at a second end, and a passage between the first and second ends. An inlet valve is provided adjacent the first end for permitting entry of liquid product into the passage. A biased cocking mechanism is reciprocally disposed substantially within the housing. A biased loading mechanism is movable in a second generally opposite direction by the cocking mechanism, and is engageable with the piston drive stem to move the drive stem in the second direction. When the cocking mechanism is moved from an initial rest position toward the second direction, a series of operations allow the loading mechanism to project the drive stem in the first direction to dispense a metered dose of liquid product through a discharge orifice provided adjacent the second end.

Abstract: An orienting skirt joined to an aerosol can, the orienting skirt having a generally arcuate rim extending outward such that when the can is placed on a flat surface, the rim urges the can into a predetermined generally stable horizontal configuration with the discharge nozzle oriented in an upright direction. A full release actuator is disposed adjacent to the valve stem of the aerosol can and has a trigger and a discharge nozzle such that when the trigger is pressed the contents of the aerosol can are dispensed through the discharge nozzle. With the discharge nozzle in an upright direction, the contents of the can are dispersed more evenly on the interior surfaces of the trash can.

Abstract: A dispenser includes an actuating section having a first moveable member and a hydraulic section coupled with the actuating section and having a second moveable member. The hydraulic section is adapted to dispense a liquid from an outlet therein and the actuating section is adapted to control dispensing of the liquid. An actuator assembly operatively couples the first moveable member with the second moveable such that the first moveable member is operative to move the second moveable member between open and closed positions for respectively starting and stopping flow of liquid from the outlet. The actuator assembly may include a pivoting lever arm having a first end operatively coupled with the first moveable member, a second end operatively coupled with the second moveable member and defining a fixed pivot point therebetween.

Abstract: A snap on, drain back fitment closure for a container, wherein the drain back pour spout fitment has a snap fit structure overlaying a container or bottle neck finish and which may be secured thereto with adhesives. The snap fit structure has an outer annular skirt with an internal, radial inwardly facing bead engaging a radial outwardly facing surface of the bottle finish. Spaced from the outer annular skirt by a horizontal upper flange, the spout fitment includes an inner annular skirt with internal threads on the fitment to receive an externally threaded closure. The closure has a plug seal above the threads engaging the fitment. Further the pour spout has a radial outwardly extending drip-less pour spout at an end thereof.

Abstract: At least one collapsible tube for containing at least one product, comprising: external flexible thread form on flexible throat coupled to flexible shoulder. The flexible throat and flexible shoulder flatten to dispense essentially all the contained product. The flexible shoulder may include a raised detent for stopping a cap and/or raised flexible ribs to control the direction of flattening the flexible shoulder. At least one cap for the collapsible tube including an interior bulge or an interior rim, both for urging an included interior thread form to engage with an external flexible thread form included in the flexible throat, and further including a lower surface to engage with the raised detent, and/or internal ribs and/or internal posts to engage with the raised flexible ribs. Manufacturing methods for the collapsible tubes and caps, and these items as products of the manufacturing processes.

Abstract: In another aspect the invention is a (drink bottle or container) closure assembly as a unit having an occlusion region providing first component, the first component being adapted for a closing engagement with a complementary bottle or container, and having a liquid passageway to be open from the bottle or container to an outlet below at least part of the occlusion region, as a second component, a spout or top with a dispensing outlet capable of being occluded by the occlusion region to provide a substantially liquid tight environment from an engaged liquid bearing bottle or container unless the second component rises from its dispensing outlet occluding condition, and a third component, rotation of which controls the rise and fall of the second component relative to said occlusion region.

Abstract: Dispensing apparatus is primarily intended for dispensing product from product containers (12) by extrusion. In controlling discharge of product a flexible tube (25) is connected to the container outlet and the tube is engageable with drive means (29, 31) for deforming the tube and controlling product discharged along the tube to an outlet nozzle (26). Usually there will be valves towards the entry (27) and exit (28) of the flexible tube and the drive means engages the tube between the spaced positions.

Abstract: A tamper-evident outer cap for a tube spout fitment with push-pull cap for a flexible pouch is provided. The tube spout fitment is sealed to the pouch body, and includes a base portion having a seal-engaging surface disposed within the pouch body and a centrally located passageway. An internal tubular spout projects upwardly from the base portion and has a centrally located passageway. A push-pull cap is slidably retained on the internal tube spout, and is a generally cylindrical member having an outer wall, an inner wall parallel to the outer wall, and an upper wall having a central opening formed therein interconnecting the outer wall to the inner wall. A tamper-evident outer cap is disposed over the push-pull cap, and includes an openable portion, a collar portion permanently retained on the tube spout fitment, and a first connecting member interconnecting the openable portion and the collar portion.

Abstract: A personal water and additive apparatus includes a first container; a manifold having a water passageway and an additive passageway, the water passageway and additive passageway intersecting to form a single mixing passageway; a first tube connecting the first container to the water passageway of the manifold, the combination of the first tube and the water passageway defining a water channel; a second container; a second tube connecting the second container to the additive passageway of the manifold, the combination of the second tube and the additive passageway defining an additive channel; an outlet tube having one end connected to the mixing passageway of the manifold; a check valve disposed in the water channel; and a flow regulator that controls flow in at least one of the water passageway and the additive passageway.

Abstract: A discharge container that discharges an appropriated amount of a creamy cosmetic, medical supply, or the like. The discharge container may include a cylindrical body and a cylindrical lid with a top. The lid covers an opening, and is rotatably engaged with the opening. A top wall portion of the top is brought into sliding contact with an upper end surface of a rotatable partitioning plate such that any contents in the discharge container are pressed by relative rotation between the container body and the lid, resulting in the contents being discharged through a discharge opening provided on the top wall.

Abstract: A dispensing closure for viscous fluids contains a closure body, a closure lid and a living hinge structure hingeably connecting the closure lid to the closure body. The closure body includes an upper deck, a skirt configured and arranged to mount to a product container, and a flow conduit extending through the upper deck to provide a flow path from an interior of the closure to an exterior of the closure. The flow conduit includes an entrance orifice and an exit orifice, and an inner wall extending between the entrance orifice and the exit orifice. To provide the desired flow effect, the inner wall includes at least one flow inhibitor structure, such as helically threaded flights extending at least partially inwardly from the inner wall into the flow path to define an unobstructed central flow path and a partially obstructed peripheral flow path.

Abstract: An actuator cap for a container of product includes a base having an outer wall and a substantially immovable pillar and an actuator member to actuate a valve of the container. The actuator member includes an actuator arm and a central engagement member. The actuator arm extends from the central engagement member and includes a contact surface that extends outwardly from the pillar. A flexible web is flexibly coupled to the base of the actuator cap and the actuator member. An actuator cap may also include a guide member disposed adjacent the actuator member that is configured to guide movement of the engagement member.

Abstract: An extendable pour cap includes a base adapted for attaching to a neck of a container. A flexible spout extends from the base, and is adapted for communicating with an open mouth of the container. The flexible spout has integrally-formed bellows designed for converting the spout between a compressed condition and an extended condition. A first closure element is designed for removably securing a first closure cap over the flexible spout when compressed. A second closure element is designed for removably securing a second closure cap over the flexible spout when compressed.

Abstract: A turbine wheel and gear system rotate an output shaft in response to flow, where the output shaft is connected to a clutch cup that engages a clutch and valve disk. The disk cooperates with a valve seat formed on a piston to permit/prevent flow within the piston. During flow, the clutch clamps to the disk, and the piston and disk move downstream until an associated control member hits a stop, opening the valve (as the disk stops), while the piston continues downstream. The clutch rotates the disk and control member, and if a maximum flow volume occurs, the control member rotates to an interrupt position and is released from the stop, closing the valve. Passages allow restricted flow to disengage the clutch and permit a spring to move the piston and valve upstream until engaging a reset cam that rotates the control member back to an initial position.

Abstract: A heated air manifold of reduced physical dimensions for heating process air for use in dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The heated air manifold includes at least one heating element and an air plenum having an air inlet and an air outlet. The dimensions of the air plenum are optimized for providing a compact heated air manifold for use in various adhesive dispensing systems, such as systems assembled from modular adhesive manifold segments, while retaining the ability to heat the process air in the air plenum to a desired application temperature. The heated air manifold may include a thick film flat heater disposed in the air plenum. The air plenum may have multiple individual segments winding throughout the volume of the heated air manifold.

Abstract: A heated air manifold of reduced physical dimensions for heating process air for use in dispensing heated liquids, such as hot melt adhesives. The heated air manifold includes at least one heating element and an air plenum having an air inlet and an air outlet. The dimensions of the air plenum are optimized for providing a compact heated air manifold for use in various adhesive dispensing systems, such as systems assembled from modular adhesive manifold segments, while retaining the ability to heat the process air in the air plenum to a desired application temperature. The heated air manifold may include a thick film flat heater disposed in the air plenum. The air plenum may have multiple individual segments winding throughout the volume of the heated air manifold.