Abstract: A mountable vent, comprising: a first hollow portion with a seal groove; a second hollow portion in fluid communication with the first hollow portion; an extension of the second hollow portion in fluid communication with the second hollow portion; and a fastening portion with a compression limiter for at least one fastener to attach the mountable vent to a housing, where the fastening portion radially extends from the first hollow portion or the second hollow portion and is positioned between the seal groove and the extension.

Abstract: A fixed nozzle pump appropriate for food service and dispensing of other fluids of varying viscosities is contemplated. The components are modularly connectable for easy assembly and cleaning. A piston and sealing ring cooperate with the chamber extension formed in the pump body to facilitate reciprocating pump action while minimizing the number of components disposed in and exposed to the fluid flow path. A novel, injection-moldable valve is integrated on the dispensing nozzle. The entire assembly may be disposed within a container shell which itself includes a replaceable pouch filled with the fluid to be dispensed.

Abstract: Based on orders fulfilled by shoppers of an online concierge system, the online concierge system identifies items in an order that are difficult to find in a warehouse in which the order is fulfilled. When a shopper obtains a difficult to find item from the warehouse, the online concierge system prompts the shopper to provide information for finding the difficult to find item in the warehouse. The online concierge system stores the information for finding the difficult to find item from the shopper in association with the difficult to find item and with the warehouse. Subsequently, when a different shopper is fulfilling an order from the warehouse including the difficult to find item, the online concierge system displays the information for finding the difficult to find item in the warehouse to the different shopper.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for determining a concentration of cells of a given size in a sample of fluid, the sample comprising a plurality of cells, comprising: a light source arranged to emit light along a central axis to illuminate the plurality of cells in the fluid sample; a detector arranged to receive light at a plurality of displacements from the central axis, the light having passed through the plurality of cells in the fluid sample, and to produce a plurality of signals, each associated with, and indicative of an intensity of the received light at, a respective one of the plurality of displacements; and a processor arranged to determine a concentration of cells of a given size, based on the plurality of signals from the detector, wherein the processor is arranged to compare the plurality of signals from the detector with one or more pre-stored thresholds or profiles, indicative of a particular concentration.

Abstract: A pump dispenser comprises an actuator head (100) having a dispensing channel communicating with a nozzle outlet (122), a closure body (20) having a top facing (203), at least one engagement feature extending axially upward from the top facing, and a recess (210) formed in the top facing. The recess has a cylindrical sidewall (212) with a plurality of axially-aligned stoppers positioned along the cylindrical sidewall and an annular ledge (220) defining an inlet port at a bottom end of the recess, said ledge including a cylindrical abutment (240) extending axially upward within the recess (210). An internal plug (40) is positioned within the annular recess, and includes an annular disk (400) with at least one axially-aligned stopping flange (410) positioned at or around a periphery of said disk and a plurality of axially-aligned engagement flanges (420) positioned toward a center of said disk.

Abstract: A biasing member for use in reciprocating dispenser pumps is contemplated. The member is made completely of polymeric materials and is suitable as a direct replacement for metallic coil springs. The biasing member includes spiral shape defined by inner and outer helix traces, with a series of perforations provided along one or both of those traces. These perforations, in conjunction with thinned channels, the size and shape of holes, and the size and shape of apertures, all cooperate to allow for a spring with sufficient resilience and greater spring force in comparison conventional, all-polymer biasing members.

Abstract: A biasing member for use in reciprocating dispenser pumps is contemplated. The member is made completely of polymeric materials and is suitable as a direct replacement for metallic coil springs. The biasing member includes spiral shape defined by inner and outer helix traces, with a series of perforations provided along one or both of those traces. These perforations, in conjunction with thinned channels, the size and shape of holes, and the size and shape of apertures, all cooperate to allow for a spring with sufficient resilience and greater spring force in comparison conventional, all-polymer biasing members.

Abstract: A pump constructed entirely from a polymeric material is described. The pump includes an internal sealing plug and adaptable insert coupled to a resilient bellows structure. The plug includes a keyed feature that allows for selective sealing at the lower end of the pump chamber depending upon the rotational alignment of the actuator head and closure, owing to stopper mechanisms appropriately positioned along the peripheral interfacing surfaces of these components.

Abstract: A framing optimization method and framing optimization system that generates a plan using concepts of a genetic algorithm. The framing optimization method first receives a boundary of a framing task then generates a plan having at least one primary frame member and at least one secondary frame member. Generating the plan includes generating at least one primary frame member which defines at least one zone in the boundary. Each primary frame member has respective first values of length, width, and location. Further, the method generates at least one secondary frame member. Each secondary frame member has respective second values of length, width, and location. The method further optimizes, using a genetic algorithm, the plan by repeatedly generating preliminary plans using the at least one primary frame member and the at least one secondary frame member.

Abstract: A “smart” closure system, apparatus, and method are described. The closure includes mechanical solution, used in conjunction with wireless technologies and/or web-based or remote authentication, verification, and serialization via a mobile computing device, to provide information about the closure and the contents concealed within that closure. Further, the construction of the closure allows for any and all non-recyclable components of the wireless technologies to be removed so as to enable the closure to be recycled and/or converted to post consumer resin.

Abstract: A dispenser pump has a plunger operable in a body including an outer cylinder body having a vent opening in its sidewall and a body insert fitting into the top of the body cylinder and providing an external collar through which the plunger stem operates. The body insert has a lock-down thread to lock down the plunger for shipping. The insert also has an undulating annular vent-control bead extending right round its cylindrical outer surface, engaging the cylinder wall with interference for either blocking or unblocking the vent opening, according to whether the vent-control bead lies above or below the interior vent opening, by rotation between the body cylinder and body insert. The rotation can be driven by rotation of the plunger head, which makes a catch engagement with the top of the body insert. Blocking the vent during shipping reduces leakage.

Abstract: A pump dispenser has a pump body and a reciprocable plunger with a lock-down mechanism, comprising internal or external lock formations of the plunger and body, such as thread formations, by which the plunger can be locked down for shipping and released subsequently by a rotational release movement. To supplement security for demanding shipping conditions the dispenser also has a supplementary catch mechanism in which respective catch formations of the plunger and body engage selectively in the locked-down position to inhibit the rotational release movement. The catch formations may have circumferentially-directed surfaces which engage between the underside of a plunger head having a shroud and a nozzle and the top of the body beneath the plunger head. They can be released by resilient deformation of one or more of the catch formations.

Abstract: A universal closure for a dispenser is contemplated. The closure seals to the container neck along three separate surfaces with sufficient force to enable the use of lockdown and/or anti-rotational features to secure the dispenser for e-commerce shipments. Provision of frictional projections secures a sufficiently tight fit between the container neck and the body insert of the closure so as to eliminate the need to force separate engagement features on the container itself.

Abstract: A fixed nozzle pump appropriate for food service and dispensing of other fluids of varying viscosities is contemplated. The components are modularly connectable for easy assembly and cleaning. A piston and sealing ring cooperate with the chamber extension formed in the pump body to facilitate reciprocating pump action while minimizing the number of components disposed in and exposed to the fluid flow path. A novel, injection-moldable valve is integrated on the dispensing nozzle. The entire assembly may be disposed within a container shell which itself includes a replaceable pouch filled with the fluid to be dispensed.

Abstract: A trigger sprayer is made from a single grade of polymer capable of being reused as post consumer resin. The design allows for upright and inverted actuation. A pre-compression diaphragm ensures that dispensing stroke delivers a complete and uniform amount of fluid.

Abstract: A reciprocating foamer pump avoids problems encountered when conventional foamer pumps are exposed to freezing temperatures. In particular, the inventive pump provides an extra-secure connection between air and liquid piston members (200,300). Additionally, a tortuous air inlet (210) is provided to the foamer chamber (136) so as to prevent melted liquid from draining and accumulating in the air chamber.

Abstract: A dispenser pump has a plunger operable in a body including an outer cylinder body having a vent opening in its sidewall and a body insert fitting into the top of the outer body and providing an external collar through which the plunger stem operates. The body insert has lock-down threads to lock down the plunger for shipping. The insert also has formations for blocking or unblocking the vent opening by rotation between the outer body and body insert, driven by rotation of the plunger head which makes a catch engagement with the top of the body insert. This plunger head rotation is the locking or unlocking action for the plunger lock-down. Blocking the vent during shipping reduces leakage.

Abstract: An all-plastic, continuous trigger sprayer is contemplated that avoids the use of metal parts, elastomers, or other disparate and non-recyclable materials. A reservoir diaphragm is provided within the sprayer head, interposed between the actuation mechanism and the outlet, so as to ensure a steady flow of dispensed fluid is delivered even after actuation has ceased.

Abstract: A dispenser pump is constituted by a closure body (2), a diaphragm body (3) which forms a pump chamber with the closure body and optionally a top actuator (4) for pressing the diaphragm body (4). The diaphragm body has a deformable wall (35) formed integrally in the same polymer as its annular mounting portion (31). An inlet valve (5) through the floor (21) of the closure body has a flap (52) which is formed and hinged integrally with that floor (21). An outlet valve may also be formed in the same polymer, either integrally with the diaphragm body or as a separate component. The deformable wall of the diaphragm body is shaped to generate a restoring force itself without a separate spring, so that the entire pump may be made from the same polymer e.g. polypropylene and without metal components.

Abstract: A “smart” closure system, apparatus, and method are described. The closure includes mechanical solution, used in conjunction with wireless technologies and/or web-based or remote authentication, verification, and serialization via a mobile computing device, to provide information about the closure and the contents concealed within that closure. Further, the construction of the closure allows for any and all non-recyclable components of the wireless technologies to be removed so as to enable the closure to be recycled and/or converted to post consumer resin.