Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

Abstract: A motor-driven fluid, semi-fluid, or semi-sold material dispensing apparatus including a housing; a plunger/drive rack; an electric motor mounted transverse to the plunger/drive rack; a gear system mechanically coupled to the electric motor and configured to drive the plunger/drive rack, wherein the gear system includes a rack drive gear operatively engaged with the electric motor, the rack drive gear includes a plurality of saw tooth type gear teeth, the rack drive gear teeth being configured to engage with corresponding teeth disposed on the plunger/drive rack; and wherein, the electric motor and gear system are housed in a main body portion of the housing.

Abstract: A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: A collapsible boundary delineator includes a base for placement on a ground surface and a divider member that is movable relative to the base between a raised, operative position and a lowered, inoperative position. The base includes a pair of base members that are engageable with each other, and the divider member includes a pair of spaced apart ends secured one to each of the base members. When the base members are engaged together the divider member is in the raised, operative position and when the base members are disengaged from each other the divider member is in the lowered, inoperative position. A selectively releasable latch arrangement carried by the base members is movable between a latching position for selectively maintaining the base members in engagement with each other and a release position for selectively enabling the base members to be moved apart from each other.

Abstract: A motor-driven fluid, semi-fluid, or semi-sold material dispensing apparatus including a housing; a plunger/drive rack; an electric motor mounted transverse to the plunger/drive rack; a gear system mechanically coupled to the electric motor and configured to drive the plunger/drive rack, wherein the gear system includes a rack drive gear operatively engaged with the electric motor, the rack drive gear includes a plurality of saw tooth type gear teeth, the rack drive gear teeth being configured to engage with corresponding teeth disposed on the plunger/drive rack; and wherein, the electric motor and gear system are housed in a main body portion of the housing.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus for dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient from a pod. The dispensing apparatus comprises a pod support region configured to support a pod, an actuator configured to engage with a corresponding actuator engagement region of the pod, and a rotation mechanism for rotating the pod. The apparatus is configured to cause the actuation member to cause an opening to be formed in a pod supported by the pod support region. The apparatus is further configured to cause the rotation mechanism to cause the pod to rotate about an axis of rotation during a dispensing operation, so as to cause the beverage preparation ingredient to be released from the pod via said opening.

Abstract: A pod for storing and dispensing a beverage preparation ingredient during a dispensing operation. The pod comprises a body defining a cavity for storing the beverage preparation ingredient, said body comprising a dispensing side and a closed side, and at least one side wall extending from the closed side to the dispensing side; and an actuation member contained within said cavity. The actuation member is configured to cause an opening to be formed between said cavity and a region outside the pod when actuated. The opening is formed around a perimeter of a dispensing surface of the pod at a junction formed between the at least one side wall and the dispensing surface, the dispensing surface being provided at the dispensing side of the body.

Abstract: There is provided a system for filtering liquid. The system comprises a liquid storage reservoir and a liquid inlet reservoir. The system further comprises a filter receiving portion configured to receive a filter, such that, in use, a filter is provided between said liquid inlet reservoir and said liquid storage reservoir and is, in use, configured to filter liquid passing from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir along a first liquid flow path. The system further comprises second liquid flow path from the liquid inlet reservoir to the liquid storage reservoir which by-passes said filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: A collapsible boundary delineator includes a base for placement on a ground surface and a divider member that is movable relative to the base between a raised, operative position and a lowered, inoperative position. The base includes a pair of base members that are engageable with each other, and the divider member includes a pair of spaced apart ends secured one to each of the base members. When the base members are engaged together the divider member is in the raised, operative position and when the base members are disengaged from each other the divider member is in the lowered, inoperative position. A selectively releasable latch arrangement carried by the base members is movable between a latching position for selectively maintaining the base members in engagement with each other and a release position for selectively enabling the base members to be moved apart from each other.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.

Abstract: Provided herein are improved solid phase micro-extraction (SPME) devices, systems comprising such devices, and methods of use and manufacture thereof. In particular, SPME devices provided herein are configured to prevent damage (e.g., to the device and/or to a system in which they are employed) incurred, for example, through user error.

Abstract: A system and device that supplies an alternative to bottled water and other water based ready-to-drink (RTD) beverages. The invention offers a convenient, reliable, and cost effective Point of Use solution to the consumer's hydration and beverage needs which includes a single-serve beverage system that can produce unlimited chilled filtered water as well as single serve unique beverages through a capsule-based system. The invention can provide cold, hot, still (not sparkling), flavored, enhanced, ultra purified filtered waters and flavors. The capsules contain a powder or a liquid which is mixed into the filtered water to produce the beverage. The drinks can be “house formulas” or common mass market branded beverages licensed from the manufacturers. The system opens a beverage capsule, sprays mixing fluid into it, rotates it, and then sprays finishing fluid into it which causes the contents to empty into a drinking cup.

Abstract: The present invention relates to dispensing of a substance from a container by means of a dispensing apparatus. Specifically, the exemplary embodiment of the present invention relates to (1) a container and (2) the automated method for opening such container and (3) the automated method of dispensing of the contents from such container into a customer receptacle or glass.