Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pump comprising a housing including first and second housing sections and a gasket between the first and second housing sections. The housing has a first pumping chamber, an inlet, an inlet passage in the housing leading from the inlet to the pumping chamber, an outlet and an outlet passage in the housing leading from the pumping chamber to the outlet. A pumping member is movable in the pumping chamber to pump fluid through the pump. Inlet and outlet check valves are provided in the inlet and outlet passages, respectively with each of the check valves including a movable valve element. The gasket forms a seal between the first and second housing sections and includes at least one of the valve elements for the check valves.

Abstract: New valves to allow or prevent material flow through a conduit are disclosed. Such valves comprise a valve seat having a longitudinal axis, defining a through opening and including a seating surface which defines a portion of the through opening. A valve body, operatively coupled to the valve seat, is located at least partially in the through opening. A valve element is secured to and movable relative to the valve body. The valve element includes a sealing surface which is curved in at least one plane parallel to and including the longitudinal axis of the valve seat and is adapted to contact the seating surface to prevent material flow through the through opening. Pump assemblies and condiment dispensing systems employing such valves are also disclosed.

Abstract: An electrical connector for connecting first and second conductors of a cable to first and second electrically conductive leads comprising first and second connector members with each of the connector members including a connector body and first and second conductive members carried by the connector body. Each of the conductive members has a terminal. The conductive members of the first connector member are coupled to the first and second leads, respectively and the conductive members of the second connector member can be coupled to the conductors of the cable, respectively. A flexible, elastic inner sleeve snugly receives a proximal region of the connector body of the second connector member and a distal region of the cable. A flexible outer sleeve, which is less flexible than the inner sleeve, snugly receives the inner sleeve. The connector bodies have a projection and recess so that they can be interconnected to place the terminals in electrical contact.