Abstract: A product dispenser includes an outer housing and a shell disposed within the outer housing. The shell defines a product dispensing chamber, wherein the product dispensing chamber is climate controlled, for receiving a product, portioning the product, storing the portioned product, and dispensing the portioned product upon a dispense command. The product receptacles are stored in a dispense buffer disposed within the product dispensing chamber, and then are dispensed into an airlock for retrieval by a customer. The product dispenser further recognizes demands to keep the dispense buffer slots filled, and demands to dispense a filled product receptacle. The product dispenser may seal the product receptacles to ensure a sanitary product. The product dispenser may further include a vend interface unit to interact with a controller and consumers, whereby the consumer are able to place a demand on the vend interface unit, and await a dispensed filled product receptacle.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: A mixer assembly includes a mixer body and a mixer cover coupled to the mixer body. The mixer body includes an inner wall defining a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inner wall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed on top of the inner wall that form a plurality of passes therebetween. The mixer body further includes a shell disposed around the inner wall that forms a diluent chamber between the inner wall and the shell. Diluent entering the diluent chamber flows through the plurality of passes and into the mixing chamber for mixing with product entering from the inlet of the mixing chamber. Mixed product exits the mixer body from the outlet of the mixing chamber. The mixer cover includes an angled shelf that closes out the diluent chamber and extends over the plurality of passes such that diluent entering the diluent chamber moves through the plurality of passes along the angled shelf and into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: A product dispenser includes an outer housing and a shell disposed within the outer housing. The shell defines a product dispensing chamber, wherein the product dispensing chamber is climate controlled, for receiving a product, portioning the product, storing the portioned product, and dispensing the portioned product upon a dispense command. The product receptacles are stored in a dispense buffer disposed within the product dispensing chamber, and then are dispensed into an airlock for retrieval by a customer. The product dispenser further recognizes demands to keep the dispense buffer slots filled, and demands to dispense a filled product receptacle. The product dispenser may seal the product receptacles to ensure a sanitary product. The product dispenser may further include a vend interface unit to interact with a controller and consumers, whereby the consumer are able to place a demand on the vend interface unit, and await a dispensed filled product receptacle.

Abstract: A mixer assembly includes a mixer body and a mixer cover coupled to the mixer body. The mixer body includes an inner wall defining a mixing chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The inner wall includes a plurality of protrusions disposed on top of the inner wall that form a plurality of passes therebetween. The mixer body further includes a shell disposed around the inner wall that forms a diluent chamber between the inner wall and the shell. Diluent entering the diluent chamber flows through the plurality of passes and into the mixing chamber for mixing with product entering from the inlet of the mixing chamber. Mixed product exits the mixer body from the outlet of the mixing chamber. The mixer cover includes an angled shelf that closes out the diluent chamber and extends over the plurality of passes such that diluent entering the diluent chamber moves through the plurality of passes along the angled shelf and into the mixing chamber.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping and dispensing are provided in which a peristaltic pump (16, 64) pumps liquid from a package (12), and may be integrated in a dispenser (10). The peristaltic pump (64) is adapted for improved accuracy, cleaning, and maintenance. Also provided are improved tubes (18) for peristaltic pumping that are coupled to self-sealing dispensing valves (92, 104, 110, 120).

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which an evacuation device (26) and a fitment (20) are attached to a sheet of flexible material (16). The sheet of flexible material (16) is formed into a package that is filled and sealed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming and filling a flexible package are provided in which an evacuation device (26) and a fitment (20) are attached to a sheet of flexible material (16). The sheet of flexible material (16) is formed into a package that is filled and sealed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for pumping and dispensing are provided in which a peristaltic pump (16, 64) pumps liquid from a package (12), and may be integrated in a dispenser (10). The peristaltic pump (64) is adapted for improved accuracy, cleaning, and maintenance. Also provided are improved tubes (18) for peristaltic pumping that are coupled to self-sealing dispensing valves (92, 104, 110, 120).

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: An information display device illuminates a light pipe, and includes a controller to regulate the power levels delivered to a light source, thereby regulating the amount of light delivered to the light pipe. Alternatively, the information display device delivers visual data, including alpha-numeric characters, predetermined images, or a controlled phasing. The information display device may be utilized to illuminate information associated with the structure. The illumination system provides the ability to phase between different colors, as well as blended colors. Accordingly, an information display device phases between varying colors, and may blend colors to create color schemes. The illumination system includes a control module disposed within the structure to control device parameters.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for mixing are provided in which a dispenser (10) is used to dispense liquid from a disposable package (12) that is combined with a disposable mixer (14) and a tube (18). The mixer (14) includes tamper evident seals (60 and 62) over its mixing fluid inlet (50) and discharge outlet (54). These tamper evident seals (60 and 62) are removed before dispensing.