Abstract: A machine for dispensing an individual portion of a frozen dessert may include a cartridge cart having walls forming a cavity having a longitudinal central axis and configured to accommodate a cartridge. The cartridge may include a tube having first and second ends, a nozzle disposed at the first end, and a piston disposed between the nozzle and the second end and configured to slidably move along the tube. The individual portion of the frozen dessert may be contained within the tube between the nozzle and the piston. The machine may also include a plunger, a drive source operably coupled to the plunger and configured to drive the plunger along the central axis, and a support configured to support the first end of the cartridge such that actuating the drive source causes the individual portion of frozen dessert to dispense through the nozzle.

Abstract: A heat pump dispenser includes a housing having a handle portion and a barrel portion. A feeder section is coupled to the handle portion. The feeder section includes a feeder mechanism and a dispensing trigger assembly operably coupled to the feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes a gear assembly having a drive gear operably engaged to a plunger housed in the barrel portion. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a ratchet portion. The ratchet portion selectively engages and rotates the drive gear to move the plunger toward a dispensing opening provided in the barrel portion and into engagement with an adhesive/filler stick. The feeder mechanism is selectively actuated by the dispensing trigger assembly to advance the adhesive/filler stick into a heater section of the barrel portion.

Abstract: A multi-chambered bottle includes first and second chambers, a metering stage, a pour spout and a cap. The metering stage includes first and second metering stage sections connectable to respective mouths of the first and second chambers. Each metering stage section comprises a nozzle having a liquid inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice, and a vent tube having an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice at opposite ends of the vent tube, the air inlet orifice to be disposed outside of the respective chamber and the air outlet orifice to be disposed inside of the respective chamber, the vent tube disposed relative to the nozzle such that a line crossing a center of the air inlet orifice and a center of the liquid outlet orifice forms an acute angle with a normal axis of the bottle.

Abstract: A heat pump dispenser includes a housing having a handle portion and a barrel portion. A feeder section is coupled to the handle portion. The feeder section includes a feeder mechanism and a dispensing trigger assembly operably coupled to the feeder mechanism. The feeder mechanism includes a gear assembly having a drive gear operably engaged to a plunger housed in the barrel portion. The trigger assembly includes a trigger having a ratchet portion. The ratchet portion selectively engages and rotates the drive gear to move the plunger toward a dispensing opening provided in the barrel portion and into engagement with an adhesive/filler stick. The feeder mechanism is selectively actuated by the dispensing trigger assembly to advance the adhesive/filler stick into a heater section of the barrel portion.

Abstract: A multi-chambered bottle includes first and second chambers, a metering stage, a pour spout and a cap. The metering stage includes first and second metering stage sections connectable to respective mouths of the first and second chambers. Each metering stage section comprises a nozzle having a liquid inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice, and a vent tube having an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice at opposite ends of the vent tube, the air inlet orifice to be disposed outside of the respective chamber and the air outlet orifice to be disposed inside of the respective chamber, the vent tube disposed relative to the nozzle such that a line crossing a center of the air inlet orifice and a center of the liquid outlet orifice forms an acute angle with a normal axis of the bottle.

Abstract: A portable cart is convertible between a collapsed state for improving storage and transportation, and an expanded state for deploying a modular workstation that may be used for remote medical care. The cart includes a collapsible frame having support members that are pivotable between an open and closed position, and a central upright frame that guides a strut member from a retracted position to an upright extended position. The strut member is lockable in the upright position, and the workstation module is configured to mount to and dismount from the extended strut member. The workstation module may include an interface assembly that enables a patient to communicate with a doctor that is remotely located from the cart. A power module may also be mounted to the cart for powering the workstation module. The cart may easily be transported or stored by dismounting the workstation module and collapsing the frame.

Abstract: A multi-chambered bottle includes first and second chambers, a metering stage, a pour spout and a cap. The metering stage includes first and second metering stage sections connectable to respective mouths of the first and second chambers. Each metering stage section comprises a nozzle having a liquid inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice, and a vent tube having an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice at opposite ends of the vent tube, the air inlet orifice to be disposed outside of the respective chamber and the air outlet orifice to be disposed inside of the respective chamber, the vent tube disposed relative to the nozzle such that a line crossing a center of the air inlet orifice and a center of the liquid outlet orifice forms an acute angle with a normal axis of the bottle.

Abstract: A medical cart includes an interface assembly including a display, a speaker, a camera and a microphone. The interface assembly is operatively connected to an enclosure at a connecting portion that is operable to reposition the interface assembly from a transporting configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed inside the enclosure to a deployed configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed outside of the enclosure. The medical cart also includes a set of wheels operably connected to at least one of the enclosure or a pivoting assembly operable to pivot from the transporting configuration in which only the set of wheels makes contact with a transporting surface to the deployed configuration in which a portion of the cart in addition to the set of wheels makes contact with the transporting surface for stabilizing the cart in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A medical cart includes an interface assembly including a display, a speaker, a camera and a microphone. The interface assembly is operatively connected to an enclosure at a connecting portion that is operable to reposition the interface assembly from a transporting configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed inside the enclosure to a deployed configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed outside of the enclosure. The medical cart also includes a set of wheels operably connected to at least one of the enclosure or a pivoting assembly operable to pivot from the transporting configuration in which only the set of wheels makes contact with a transporting surface to the deployed configuration in which a portion of the cart in addition to the set of wheels makes contact with the transporting surface for stabilizing the cart in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A multi-chambered bottle includes first and second chambers, a metering stage, a pour spout and a cap. The metering stage includes first and second metering stage sections connectable to respective mouths of the first and second chambers. Each metering stage section comprises a nozzle having a liquid inlet orifice and a liquid outlet orifice, and a vent tube having an air inlet orifice and an air outlet orifice at opposite ends of the vent tube, the air inlet orifice to be disposed outside of the respective chamber and the air outlet orifice to be disposed inside of the respective chamber, the vent tube disposed relative to the nozzle such that a line crossing a center of the air inlet orifice and a center of the liquid outlet orifice forms an acute angle with a normal axis of the bottle.

Abstract: A medical cart includes an interface assembly including a display, a speaker, a camera and a microphone. The interface assembly is operatively connected to an enclosure at a connecting portion that is operable to reposition the interface assembly from a transporting configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed inside the enclosure to a deployed configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed outside of the enclosure. The medical cart also includes a set of wheels operably connected to at least one of the enclosure or a pivoting assembly operable to pivot from the transporting configuration in which only the set of wheels makes contact with a transporting surface to the deployed configuration in which a portion of the cart in addition to the set of wheels makes contact with the transporting surface for stabilizing the cart in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A medical cart includes an interface assembly including a display, a speaker, a camera and a microphone. The interface assembly is operatively connected to an enclosure at a connecting portion that is operable to reposition the interface assembly from a transporting configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed inside the enclosure to a deployed configuration in which the interface assembly is disposed outside of the enclosure. The medical cart also includes a set of wheels operably connected to at least one of the enclosure or a pivoting assembly operable to pivot from the transporting configuration in which only the set of wheels makes contact with a transporting surface to the deployed configuration in which a portion of the cart in addition to the set of wheels makes contact with the transporting surface for stabilizing the cart in the deployed configuration.

Abstract: A portable cart is convertible between a collapsed state for improving storage and transportation, and an expanded state for deploying a modular workstation that may be used for remote medical care. The cart includes a collapsible frame having support members that are pivotable between an open and closed position, and a central upright frame that guides a strut member from a retracted position to an upright extended position. The strut member is lockable in the upright position, and the workstation module is configured to mount to and dismount from the extended strut member. The workstation module may include an interface assembly that enables a patient to communicate with a doctor that is remotely located from the cart. A power module may also be mounted to the cart for powering the workstation module. The cart may easily be transported or stored by dismounting the workstation module and collapsing the frame.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispenser includes a base unit and a reservoir. The base unit includes a pump and a battery compartment including electrical contacts electrically connected with the pump. The reservoir is supported by and selectively removable from the base unit. The reservoir includes an internal compartment that is in fluid communication with the pump when the reservoir is connected to the base unit. A female panel mount for an electrically operated unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispenser includes a base unit and a reservoir. The base unit includes a pump and a battery compartment including electrical contacts electrically connected with the pump. The reservoir is supported by and selectively removable from the base unit. The reservoir includes an internal compartment that is in fluid communication with the pump when the reservoir is connected to the base unit. A female panel mount for an electrically operated unit is also disclosed.

Abstract: A self-propelled vacuum cleaner includes a base having a suction inlet. An upright housing is pivotally mounted to the base. A suction source is disposed in one of the base and the upright housing to generate an airflow at the suction inlet. A dust collection chamber is mounted to one of the base and the upright housing and communicates with the suction inlet and the suction source. A drive motor is mounted to the base. A driven wheel is operatively connected to the drive motor. A handle assembly is mounted to the upright housing, wherein the handle assembly includes an upper handle, a handle grip assembly slidably mounted to the upper handle, and a neutral return spring fastened to the upper handle and engaging the handle grip assembly to urge the handle grip assembly to a neutral position.

Abstract: An autonomous vacuum cleaner includes a first module, a hose connected at a first end to the first module and a second module spaced from the first module and connected to a second end of the hose. The first module includes a suction source. The hose is in fluid communication with the suction source. The second module includes a drive housing including a drive system to propel the second module and a nozzle section pivotally mounted to the drive housing. The nozzle section includes a suction opening in fluid communication with the hose.