Abstract: An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that may allow access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: An electronic trading marketplace (ETM) communicates with interfacing modules interfacing directly with order management systems (OMS's) at trading institutions. The interfacing modules automatically transmit orders from the OMS databases to the ETM and update the OMS databases in response to orders executed at the ETM. Traders can communicate with the ETM to anonymously negotiate trades of securities.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that allows access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that may allow access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A trading platform and trading method that may allow access to additional pools of liquidity is described. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A pinch valve that includes a holder and an insert that fits in the holder. The pinch valve receives a dispensing tube for liquids and controls the flow of liquid in the dispensing valve. The insert defines an inner wall portion against which a plunger assembly pushes the dispensing tube to stop liquid from flowing through the dispensing tube. The insert and the holder define a throttle portion that throttles the flow of liquid when the plunger assembly is moved from the pinch position, where is pushed the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion of the insert, to a flow position.

Abstract: A product case for receiving a fluid bag used in gravity based fluid dispensing systems. The product case has a floor and sidewalls that form a rectangular enclosure for the fluid bag, and a bag supporter in contact with the fluid bag. The bag supporter includes a notch formed in a top edge of one sidewall to facilitate receipt of material of the fluid bag, a slot in the one sidewall extending from a bottom of the triangular shaped notch and configured to receive and retain the material of the fluid bag, and a removable retaining wall held by support structures on a pair of the sidewalls opposing each other to divide the rectangular enclosure into a smaller enclosure. The sidewalls and the removable retaining wall constrain the fluid bag within the smaller enclosure, while the triangular shaped notch and the slot minimizes fluid bag material from covering the outlet nozzle as the fluid bag empties and provides for repeatable flow characteristics for portion control applications.

Abstract: An optical liquid height determination system of the present embodiments includes light sensors capturing different amounts of light, based on level of liquid in the tank that blocks or limits light to particular sensors. The tank is enclosed in a container with a light source and the light sensors are installed on walls of the container. Light emitted by the light source is transmitted to the light sensors by passing through the liquid product, scattered, diffused, diffracted or reflected by the dairy product, through the tank walls which may be transparent or translucent, or from other surfaces in the container within which the tank is enclosed by. The set of electrical signals received from all the light sensors are compared against sets of calibrated signals corresponding to known liquid levels in the tank. The known height corresponding to the nearest set of calibrated signals is determined as the measured liquid height in the tank.

Abstract: A product case for receiving a fluid bag used in gravity based fluid dispensing systems. The product case has a floor and sidewalls that form a rectangular enclosure for the fluid bag, and a bag supporter in contact with the fluid bag. The bag supporter includes a notch formed in a top edge of one sidewall to facilitate receipt of material of the fluid bag, a slot in the one sidewall extending from a bottom of the triangular shaped notch and configured to receive and retain the material of the fluid bag, and a removable retaining wall held by support structures on a pair of the sidewalls opposing each other to divide the rectangular enclosure into a smaller enclosure. The sidewalls and the removable retaining wall constrain the fluid bag within the smaller enclosure, while the triangular shaped notch and the slot minimizes fluid bag material from covering the outlet nozzle as the fluid bag empties and provides for repeatable flow characteristics for portion control applications.

Abstract: A pinch valve has an insert housed in a holder. The insert and the holder are shaped to receive a dispensing tube and the insert can rotate within the holder and around the dispensing tube. The insert can be rotated to have the pinch valve in a release configuration where the insert can be moved downward and out of the holder to allow for cleaning of the insert and holder.

Abstract: An optical liquid height determination system of the present embodiments includes light sensors capturing different amounts of light, based on level of liquid in the tank that blocks or limits light to particular sensors. The tank is enclosed in a container with a light source and the light sensors are installed on walls of the container. Light emitted by the light source is transmitted to the light sensors by passing through the liquid product, scattered, diffused, diffracted or reflected by the dairy product, through the tank walls which may be transparent or translucent, or from other surfaces in the container within which the tank is enclosed by. The set of electrical signals received from all the light sensors are compared against sets of calibrated signals corresponding to known liquid levels in the tank. The known height corresponding to the nearest set of calibrated signals is determined as the measured liquid height in the tank.

Abstract: A pinch valve for a liquid-dispensing unit or machine has a pinch valve body to which is pivotally secured a closure in a clamshell arrangement. The valve body and the closure define a passageway that can hold a liquid-dispensing tube when the pinch valve is in a closed configuration. The axis about which the closure pivots is perpendicular to the passageway.

Abstract: A pinch valve for a liquid-dispensing unit or machine has a pinch valve body to which is connected a pinch bar assembly. The pinch bar assembly has two axes of rotation and can easily be moved by a user from a pinch position, where the pinch bar is the displacement path of a plunger, to an open position where it is not in the displacement path. A liquid-dispensing tube can be installed in the pinch valve between the pinch bar and the plunger.

Abstract: A pinch valve that includes a holder and an insert that fits in the holder. The pinch valve receives a dispensing tube for liquids and controls the flow of liquid in the dispensing valve. The insert defines an inner wall portion against which a plunger assembly pushes the dispensing tube to stop liquid from flowing through the dispensing tube. The insert and the holder define a throttle portion that throttles the flow of liquid when the plunger assembly is moved from the pinch position, where is pushed the dispensing tube against the inner wall portion of the insert, to a flow position.

Abstract: A pinch valve for a liquid-dispensing unit or machine has a pinch valve body to which is connected a pinch bar assembly. The pinch bar assembly has two axes of rotation and can easily be moved by a user from a pinch position, where the pinch bar is the displacement path of a plunger, to an open position where it is not in the displacement path. A liquid-dispensing tube can be installed in the pinch valve between the pinch bar and the plunger.

Abstract: A pinch valve has an insert housed in a holder. The insert and the holder are shaped to receive a dispensing tube and the insert can rotate within the holder and around the dispensing tube. The insert can be rotated to have the pinch valve in a release configuration where the insert can be moved downward and out of the holder to allow for cleaning of the insert and holder.

Abstract: A pinch valve for a liquid-dispensing unit or machine has a pinch valve body to which is pivotally secured a closure in a clamshell arrangement. The valve body and the closure define a passageway that can hold a liquid-dispensing tube when the pinch valve is in a closed configuration. The axis about which the closure pivots is perpendicular to the passageway.