Abstract: A non-surgical bone conductive hearing aid that provides an in-the-ear, vibration transducer that vibrates the Mastoid bone, in which the middle ear and cochlea are embedded. The bone vibration bypasses the outer and middle ear and stimulates the inner ear. The cochlear within the inner ear convert the sound to electrical impulses that travel to the brain allowing the recipient to hear naturally.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing apparatus for dispensing through a nozzle a preestablished volume of a syrup and a preestablished volume of a soda to be intermixed within a nozzle prior to being dispensed into a collecting container such as a glass. The syrup side is connected to the soda side with the dispensing operation always occurring simultaneously in the preestablished ratios. The soda side includes a drive piston which is driven by the pressurized soda. The soda drive piston is physically connected to a syrup drive piston which controls the flow of the syrup to the dispensing nozzle. A single dispensing valve such as a low-power solenoid is to be used to cause the dispensing of both the soda and the syrup.

Abstract: A fluid flow regulator has a housing with a cylindrical chamber. A member in the form of a ball having a diameter slightly less than the diameter of the chamber can move within the chamber. In one embodiment, a bypass channel in the chamber extends around the ball. Fluid flow in the inlet passes through the orifice created between the ball and the channel, creating a pressure drop so that the fluid on the inlet side of the ball is at a higher pressure than the fluid on the other side. The resultant pressure force urges the ball against a spring. Fluid on the other side of the ball exits the chamber through a radial outlet slot positioned near the ball. When the inlet pressure and flow increases, the ball moves toward the outlet slot to cover a greater percentage of the outlet slot, which raises the pressure drop into the outlet, thereby compensating for the increased inlet pressure. A second longitudinal channel terminates on the downstream side of the ball.

Abstract: The quick opening and closing valve of the present invention has a main chamber. An inlet from a source of liquid and an outlet extends into the chamber adjacent to and at right angles to each other. A ball or other type of plunger chamber moves (a) from a closed position seated on the outlet (b) to an open position spaced from the seat formed where the outlet and chamber meet. When the plunger is on the seat, the plunger blocks fluid flow from the inlet to the outlet, and the valve is closed. When the plunger moves off the seat, the inlet and outlet communicate so that fluid flows directly from the inlet to the outlet. A control port extends into the chamber on the other side of the plunger from the outlet. The control port is alternatively opened or closed by a control gate. When the control gate is in its closed position, the control port is closed. The pressure at the outlet is approximately atmospheric, but some fluid flows to the other side of the plunger which elevates the pressure there.

Abstract: An improved nozzle for beverage dispenser assures a high flow rate (for example, approximately 6 oz/sec or more), while maintaining a high quality beverage. An accumulator chamber reduces the turbulence of the incoming liquid to reduce carbonation loss. The nozzle converts high upstream liquid velocities to very low liquid velocities within the nozzle without an attendant high pressure loss across the nozzle. The nozzle is provided with a syrup accumulator chamber and a wide orifice syrup diverter which allow syrup to gently mix with a first portion of soda water substantially simultaneously during the dispense cycle and at substantially the same relative velocity. Thereafter the mixture of syrup and the first portion of soda water is mixed with a second portion of soda water.

Abstract: A liquid mixing and dispensing nozzle for a beverage which is to combine a concentrate (syrup) with a non-viscous liquid in a manner to increase the amount of carbonation leaving the soda yet achieving even mixing of the soda and the syrup. These advantages are obtained at a high flow rate, such as approximately six ounces per second of the beverage. The nozzle discharges the soda in an annular pattern with the syrup being discharged centrally within this pattern.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a measuring chamber in the housing connected at opposite ends to both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a member in the chamber movable between opposite ends of the chamber, and a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through the housing. The valve assembly is movable between a first position in which it cuts off one end of the chamber from the outlet so that fluid in that end of the chamber acts on the movable member to urge it to the other end of the chamber, and a second position in which it cuts off the other end of the chamber from the outlet so that the member is urged back in the opposite direction. The member oscillates back and forth at a rate proportional to the flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a measuring chamber in the housing connected at opposite ends to both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a member in the chamber movable between opposite ends of the chamber, and a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through the housing. The valve assembly is movable between a first position in which it cuts off one end of the chamber from the outlet so that fluid in that end of the chamber acts on the movable member to urge it to the other end of the chamber, and a second position in which it cuts off the other end of the chamber from the outlet so that the member is urged back in the opposite direction. The member oscillates back and forth at a rate proportional to the flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid flow sensor comprises a housing having a fluid inlet and a fluid outlet, a measuring chamber in the housing connected at opposite ends to both the fluid inlet and the fluid outlet, a member in the chamber movable between opposite ends of the chamber, and a valve assembly for controlling fluid flow through the housing. The valve assembly is movable between a first position in which it cuts off one end of the chamber from the outlet so that fluid in that end of the chamber acts on the movable member to urge it to the other end of the chamber, and a second position in which it cuts off the other end of the chamber from the outlet so that the member is urged back in the opposite direction. The member oscillates back and forth at a rate proportional to the flow rate.

Abstract: A device for installation on the auger filler cone of dry product dispensing equipment which comprises one or more ultrasonic resonators arranged so as to measure the acoustic impedance of the product within the auger filler cone without interfering with the flow of the augered product. The acoustic impedance can be calibrated to give a density measurement. The device is particularly well-suited for measuring the density of a dry product in the dispensing equipment used in the packaging industry, where a specified amount by weight must be dispensed into containers. Since an auger-type filling machine dispenses a precise volume for each degree of rotational movement of the auger, constant monitoring of the density of the product within the auger cone allows the weight of the dispensed product to be rapidly and accurately determined during the filling process.