Abstract: A resonator provided for air system that includes a body defining a passageway. A wall is disposed within the chamber and the wall and the chamber are movable relative to one another to define a length and a volume of the cavity. The length and the volume of the cavity define a noise attenuating frequency. By moving the wall and chamber relative to one another the noise attenuating frequency may be changed as the frequency changes during the engine operation. The drive mechanism moves the wall in the chamber relative to one another to change the noise attenuating frequency. The chamber may be a branched type resonator or an inline type resonator. Accordingly, the above described invention provides a resonator that may be adjusted during engine operation to attenuate noise over a variety frequencies.

Abstract: An elevator car door opening and closing apparatus is taught having a clutch assembly carried by each car door for coupling with a landing door locking and unlocking assembly whereby the car and landing doors open and close simultaneously. The clutch assembly includes a four bar mechanical expanding and collapsing parallelogram linkage which engages, unlocks, and opens the landing door. Mechanical linkage is also attached to the parallelogram linkage whereby the elevator car doors may only be forced opened a limited amount if the car is stalled between landing sites.

Abstract: An elevator installation with multiple deck cars serves several floors simultaneously with one stop is controlled such that the travel requests are allocated to the most suitable elevator car of the elevator group and the allocation of a travel request from a starting-point floor to a destination floor to a car deck of the elevator car takes place shortly before reaching the starting-point floor. A travel request can also be redistributed or allocated to another deck at any time up to shortly before reaching the starting-point floor. The allocation of the travel request is carried out in dependence on general criteria and/or in dependence on allocated travel requests for the region of the starting-point floor and/or in dependence on allocated travel requests for the region of the destination floor.

Abstract: In a destination registering apparatus for an elevator, a hall operating panel includes with a hall display device and a ten-key numerical input device. Information, i.e., the layout of a destination floor and a route to a destination point, stored in a storage device are selected by a selection circuit and displayed on a hall display device by inputting information, such as a room number or the like, to the ten-key numerical input device.

Abstract: An omni-directional wheel is provided which includes a frame having an upper portion for affixing the frame to an under-side of a weight bearing surface, at least two side walls, and a central cavity defined by the side walls for receiving at least one spherical wheel, at least two wheel bearings connected in axial alignment to the side walls for rotation of the wheel about a fixed axis, at least two wheel seats each having one side in axial connection to the wheel bearings and an opposite conical face wherein the conical faces are disposed in opposite axial alignment for mounting the wheel between the faces and a force of static friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about the fixed axis and a force of kinetic friction is exerted relative to the conical faces and the wheel when the wheel is rotating about an axis perpendicular to the fixed axis, and an upper load bearing connected to the frame which bias against an upper surface of the wheel.

Abstract: A disc brake assembly includes a stationary member, a rotating member defining an axis of rotation, a plurality of stationary discs spaced axially along the axis of rotation within the stationary member, and a plurality of movable discs interspaced with the stationary discs. A brake coupler supports the movable discs. During non-braking vehicle operation, the movable discs and the brake coupler remain stationary relative to the stationary discs. During a braking maneuver, the coupler couples the movable discs to the rotating member such that the movable discs are caused to rotate with respect to the stationary discs. Once the coupler and rotating member are interconnected a piston moves the stationary and movable discs together to reduce rotation of the rotating member and brake the vehicle.

Abstract: A clutch assembly having multiple separator plates and friction plates. The separator plates include springs for causing sequential engagement of the friction plates and/or a gradual engagement of friction plates by tipping one of the separator plates during the initial clutch engagement. This allows for a controlled gradual engagement of the clutch in a relatively short time.

Abstract: A disc brake (10) comprises a disc (12, 14), friction material pads (26) arranged on opposite sides of the disc, and an operating mechanism (50, 52) operable to bring the pads into contact with the disc so that the pads apply a braking force to the disc. The brake (10) also comprises a slideway (72a) on which at least one of the pads (26) is suported for sliding movement towards or away from the disc (12, 14). The slideway (72a) is formed by a guidance member (72) which defines at least two parallel grooves (72b) in a surface (72c) of the guidance member. The grooves (72b) extend parallel to the direction of the slideway (72a). The guidance member (72) is supported by parallel rods (70) which are received in the grooves (72b).

Abstract: A shoe clearance over-adjustment prevention apparatus employable to various types of automatic shoe clearance adjustment devices and drum brakes and designable to have a common thermo-sensitive member suitable for mass production. The thermo-sensitive member 60 is sandwiched between the strut 20 and the brake lever 30 to cause a functional engagement, and if the brake temperature reaches a predetermined value or range, the strut 20 is pushed toward the brake shoe 12 so as to disable the automatic shoe clearance adjustment operation.

Abstract: A disc brake system (10) comprises a disc (12, 14), and a hub (16) which is arranged to rotate about an axis (18) thereof. The hub (16) comprises a mounting portion (16d) which is generally in the shape of a hollow cylinder. The system (10) also comprises grooves (20) and teeth (22) by which the disc (12, 14) is mounted on the external surface of the mounting portion (16d) for rotation with the hub (16) as a unit about the axis (18) and the disc (12, 14) can perform axial sliding movement on the hub. The hub (16) carries vanes (62) arranged so that, during rotation of the hub (16) about the axis (18), the vanes act to force air into the interior of the mounting portion (16d). The mounting portion (16d) has openings (60) therethrough arranged so that air forced into the interior of the mounting portion (16d) passes through the openings and flows over said disc (12, 14).

Abstract: A device provided with a pedal arm (2) having pawl teeth (12), a latch pawl member (4) having a latch pawl (15) engageable with the pawl teeth (12) for maintaining and releasing a stepped-on position of the pedal arm (2), and a position changing member (5) for allowing the latch pawl member (4) to maintain the position of the pedal arm (2) when the pedal arm is further stepped on from a maintained position. The above constitution realizes a function of setting a braking force by a stepping operation, a function of releasing a braking force by a stepping operation and a function of increasing a braking force by an additional stepping operation.

Abstract: A damper assembly is provided including a telescopic damper having a piston rod extending from a first end. A mount assembly is mounted on the piston rod. A dust tube is provided the damper assembly including a substantially closed end, the closed end positioned between the telescopic damper and the mount assembly. The closed end of the dust tube includes an opening for receiving the piston rod and a rate surface for contacting a bumper portion of the mount assembly when the damper assembly contracts.

Abstract: A vibration damper little depending on temperature, capable of damping plural resonance vibrations over a wide frequency region as well as damping a specific frequency vibration is provided. The vibration damper comprises a housing formed of a rigid material, having an internal space and fixed to a vibration transmitting member, an elastic body inserted in the internal space not bonded thereto with a gap in a direction of vibration of the housing, and a weight integrally supported by the elastic body so as not to touch the housing. The elastic body and the weight form a dynamic damper.

Abstract: A handle structure for turning and adjusting the direction of a luggage handle includes a handle located on the top end of the luggage to fasten to extensible pulling bars of the luggage. The handle includes a handle section which has a bottom rim to fasten to a support section. The support section includes a control section which has a bottom end engaged with a turning section. The turning section has two sides coupled respectively with a left coupling elbow and a right coupling elbow of a coupling section.

Abstract: A lockup clutch for a torque converter includes a pump extension, a receiving plate connected to the pump extension defining a hydraulic pressure chamber communicating with a portion between a pump impeller and a turbine impeller, a pressing plate opposed to the receiving plate for movement toward and away from the receiving plate, an annular friction clutch plate interposed between the receiving plate and the pressing plate and connected to the turbine impeller, a return spring for biasing the pressing plate in a retracting direction, and an escape bore permitting the inside and outside of the receiving plate to communicate with each other on the side of an inner periphery of the friction clutch plate. When the rotational speed of the pump impeller is increased to a value equal to or higher than a predetermined value, the pressing plate clamps the friction clutch plate in cooperation with the receiving plate under the action of a centrifugal hydraulic pressure within the hydraulic pressure chamber.

Abstract: A torque converter assembly 10 includes a clutch assembly 36 having a sealed chamber 39 into which oil is selectively communicated, effective to cause a piston 40 to selectively engage a plate assembly 30.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a clamping roller switch gear (1) whose drive element (10) can be displaced in opposite directions out of an idling, initial position by actuation of a pivoting lever (3). A driven element (coupling ring 15) of the clamping roller switch gear (1) and the drive element (10) define, together with opposing clamping surfaces, wedge-shaped clamping gaps (37, 38) that taper in opposite directions. In these clamping gaps (37, 38) are arranged clamping rollers (39) that, in the initial position of the drive element (10), are kept out of clamping engagement with the clamping surfaces by a first housing-fixed stop (42).

Abstract: A transmission unit for a hybrid vehicle has a single-shaft structure wherein the input from an electromagnetic clutch to a motor and a CVT is effected through a single input shaft. The input shaft is supported by first and second bearing members on both sides of the CVT, and a third bearing member provided between the input shaft and a first partition wall. Each of the first and second bearing members is fit in a hole of the housing in a manner to prevent radial motion of the input shaft, whereas the third bearing member is surrounded by a clearance for allowing radial motion of the input shaft relative to the housing. In the clearance, there is provided a seal member for preventing passage of foreign objects from the clutch chamber into the motor chamber.

Abstract: A parking meter includes a vault and mounting plate inside the vault. The plate and vault have contacting metal surfaces such that corrosion tends to occur in a region at and in the vicinity of the contacting metal surfaces in response to electrolysis induced electric current having a tendency to flow between the contacting metal surfaces. A spider attachment bolt passing through openings in a base of the vault is threaded to a bore in the mounting plate and a spider having legs engaging the interior wall of a hollow pole connecting the vault to a concrete structure in the ground so the vault is secured to the pole. A metal structure electrically and mechanically connected to the region and inserted into the earth in the vicinity of the parking meter shunts to the earth the current having a tendency to flow between the contacting metal surfaces.

Abstract: A conveyor system includes a diverter positioned between an upstream conveyor and a pair of downstream conveyors and splits or switches a procession of objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to one of the two downstream conveyors where both downstream conveyors are provided with a plurality of sensors along their lengths that detect the presence or absence of objects on the downstream conveyors at different positions along their lengths and supply signals to the diverter to control the diverter to switch between the two downstream conveyors to direct the objects conveyed by the upstream conveyor to the one of the two downstream conveyors having fewer objects being conveyed by the conveyor and also controls the speed of the upstream conveyor.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for orienting a flexible walled article, such as a pillow type bag. With the method and apparatus, the article is presented to a pattern detector which detects a pattern on the surface of the article. The detected pattern is compared with at least one of a number of predetermined patterns representing respective orientations of the article, to identify the orientation of the presented article. When the identified orientation is not a required orientation, the article is automatically turned in a manner dependent on the identified orientation so that the article takes up the required orientation.

Abstract: The stack of flat mail pieces that are arranged adjacent to one another on a support can be portioned with the aid of at least one displaceable holding support containing a conveyor belt because the support is divided into a horizontally oriented, stationary section and an adjacent section that can be pivoted about a pivoting axis positioned at the end of the pivotable section in the stacking direction. During the portioning process, the pivotable section extending downward at an angle from the stationary section is pivoted downward into a horizontal position. A holding support with a conveyor belt that is driven downward during the pivoting process is arranged underneath the stationary section at its border with the pivotable section. An additional support is arranged on the frame of the pivotable section of the support above the mail pieces. This additional support holds the stack remaining on the stationary section of the support.

Abstract: Conveyor systems are disclosed including a chain conveyor for carrying a predetermined load, a frame for the chain conveyor, a track, wheels for supporting the frame for movement along the track from a predetermined reference position, the chain conveyor being movably supported on the frame for movement from the predetermined reference position, and sensors for detecting the position of the conveyor along the track with respect to the first predetermined reference position without direct contact, or for detecting the position of the chain conveyor with respect to the second predetermined reference position without direct contact, the sensors delivering a train of pulses corresponding to a predetermined distance of movement of the conveyor along the track or of movement of the chain conveyor with respect to the frame, whereby the position of the conveyor along the track or of the chain carrier can be determined.

Abstract: A belt used in conjunction with at least one pulley, said belt capable of cooperating with an oppositely facing endless belt to contact and convey articles, said belt comprising: a first layer comprising a first flexible material, extending longitudinally of the belt and comprising a driving surface of said belt; a second layer comprising a second flexible material, spaced from and generally parallel to said first layer and possessing a first surface, and a second surface disposed opposite said first surface and defining an article conveying surface of said belt; a tensile section of high modulus material disposed between said first and second layers, wherein at least one of the first and second flexible materials comprises a polychloroprene and ethylene alpha olefin elastomer blend composition. The belt exhibits improved conveying properties, including long-term frictional properties and hardness characteristics, particularly suitable for utilization as a topping layer in bowling-pin conveying applications.

Abstract: A jewelry box includes a box body having a first side panel and a second side panel defined an inner cavity therebetween wherein a holding slot is provided in the inner cavity for holding a display in position, a ring-shaped supporting frame for rigidly supporting the display thereon detachably disposed in the holding slot, and a security locker including an elongated locking groove extended from the first side panel to the second side panel of the box body, an elongated locking member adapted for slidably inserting into the locking groove, which is penetrating through the supporting frame, and a stopper mounted on the locking groove for locking the locking member in the locking groove in a forward slidably movable manner, in such a manner that the display is securely locked up in the holding slot of the box body.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for holding and carrying two or more receptacles. The apparatus may be comprised of first and second openings and first and second ridges, wherein a top portion of a first receptacle can be inserted into the first opening, slid along the first and second ridges, and slid into the second opening. In at least one embodiment, third and fourth ridges, and a third opening, may be provided wherein a top portion of a second receptacle can be inserted into the first opening, slid along the third and fourth ridges, and slid into the third opening. The apparatus may further comprise a first central portion and a second central portion, wherein the first and third ridges are connected to the first central portion, and the second and fourth ridges are connected to the second central portion. The first and second central portions may each include curved portions for allowing an individual's fingers to grip the first and second central portions.

Abstract: A fold package formed of a shell has closing members connected to the shell. One of the closing members and the shell have a slot cut in a portion between the one closing member and the shell. A pressure-sensitive hanging element adapted to be adhesively attached to the shell is provided. When the hanging element is adhesively attached to the shell and the one of the closing members is folded against the shell, the hanging element extends through the slot to facilitate hanging the package.

Abstract: A bag dedicated for carrying baseball, soft baseball or lacrosse equipment essentially comprised of a bag and two detachable partitioning boards. An inner bag and a bottom pocket provided inside the bag. The inner bag has three zippers connected flap covers and two U-shape guide tracks to respectively receive the insertion of the partitioning board for segregating three compartments. Felt tapes are provided at both internal sides of the inner bag at where corresponding to positioning felt tapes provided at, the bottom of each partitioning board to reinforce the supporting strength of the partitioning board. The bottom pocket has a zipped opening at its front end. The bag allows respective accommodation of baseball, soft baseball or lacrosse equipment depending on the size and quantity of the object to achieve effective arrangement of accommodation space with improved lateral supporting strength from the partitioning boards and permits one-time carriage or transportation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a golf bag, comprising a housing (1), the bottom of the housing having several stationary feet (7) and wheels (8), the top of the housing having a cap (12), and at least a first hand-carrying strap (3A) for pulling the bag, wherein the housing (1) is generally rectangular in shape and encloses a storage rack (2), which includes a plurality of storage compartments (21) close to the front portion of the housing and opened to the front and a plurality of compartments (28) close to the rear portion and opened upward; and an openable access portion (11) is arranged in the front side of the housing (1) in the position corresponding to the compartments (21) of the storage rack (2).

Abstract: A socket suspension rack includes a U-shaped guard and a suspension rod attached to the guard to form a space to hold sockets. The suspension rod has multiple holders extending toward the guard to be received in a square hole in the socket to hold the socket in place. Each holder includes two resilient plates facing each other. A boss extends outwardly from the resilient plate and engages to a detent defined in the sidewall of the square hole in the socket. An inverted U-shaped strip is integrally formed between the two resilient plates to provide a restitution force to the two resilient plates to hold the socket in place and prevent the socket from detaching from the suspension rod.

Abstract: A personal identification method and system for improving personal hygiene in which provision is made for identifying a beverage, food product, or the like, with a particular person so that another person does not inadvertently access the identified item unintentionally. Identifying indicia such as numbers or alphabetical letters are selectable and conditioned by the user to be prominently displayed on the item so as to identify it with the individual involved. For necked beverage containers, in one embodiment, a re-usable snap-on display device, or assembly, is configured to snap onto the neck of the container, in another embodiment, the existing conventional cap-attaching ring is modified to include alpha-numeric indicia and/or to receive a cooperating indicia-indicating display element.

Abstract: A hinged flexible polyurethane foam protective packaging element is formed from a flexible polyurethane foam laminated to a polyethylene, polypropylene or urethane film. The flexible polyurethane foam has a density in the range of 0.7 lbs/ft3 to 2.8 lbs/ft3 and IFD25 in the range of 25 lbs to 270 lbs. The film has a thickness from 2 mil to 125 mil. The foam is cut through all or substantially all of its thickness without cutting through a portion of the film. The uncut portion of the film creates a repeatably bendable hinge.

Abstract: A slurry container includes an outer surface and a cavity within the outer surface. Slurry is deposited in the cavity of the container and subsequently used for a variety of different purposes. Air pockets occurring within the cavity of the container are reduced in order to regulate particle size of the slurry.

Abstract: A sieving device and the operation of a sieving device are proposed. The sieving device has a supporting frame which can be made to vibrate and a vibration frame which is held so as to be able to vibrate freely in relation to said supporting frame. A simple, compact design which provides good sieving and conveying performance is achieved in that the vibration frame is spring-elastically coupled to the supporting frame by helical springs, with the main spring axes of the spring elements extending in the direction of vibration of the tension waves. Furthermore, guiding elements for movable bearing arrangement of the vibration frame on the supporting frame are provided. The sieving device is operated in particular at a vibration frequency of at least 850 vibrations per minute at an average speed of approx. 11 m/s and at an average acceleration of the vibration frame relative to the supporting frame of approx. 2.2 m/s2.

Abstract: This invention overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a method of removing mail from the mail stream using a mail sorting apparatus. The foregoing is accomplished by providing a method that can determine whether mail is wanted or unwanted. Thus, the present invention is directed to, in a general aspect, a method of removing unwanted mail from a mail stream using an incoming mail sorting apparatus comprising the steps of: obtaining information from a mailpiece using the mail sorting apparatus; evaluating the information obtained from the mailpiece to determine whether the mailpiece should be delivered; delivering the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should be delivered to an intended recipient or out-sorting the mailpiece if it is determined that the mailpiece should not be delivered to the intended recipient.

Abstract: Hydrocyclone device including at least one hydrocyclone having at least one feeding connector, at least one accepted stock connector, and at least one rejected stock connector. The device also includes at least one distribution and collection device arranged for feeding fluids into and removing fluids from the at least one hydrocyclone, and at least one flange coupled to at least one of the at least one feeding connnector, the at least one accepted stock connector, and the at least one rejected stock connector, which is removably couplable to the at least one distribution and collection device.

Abstract: A photocatalytic oxidation purification system includes an ultra violet light source and a filter that comprises a pleated wire mesh substrate with a nanophase metal oxide oxidation catalyst suspended on the substrate, wherein the catalyst is applied without an adhesive using an electromechanical plating process. As a fluid containing organic contaminants is directed through the filter in the presence of ultra violet light from the light source, the catalyst oxidizes and decomposes the organic contaminants into environmentally harmless components. Methods of making the purification system including preparing a solution of catalyst and applying the catalyst without adhesive binding material to the filter substrate electromagnetically.

Abstract: A system for removably securing kitchen utensils over a kitchen sink comprises a generally planar board for cutting with a rotatable spit and an elongated frame with a recess for receiving removably securable kitchen utensils, including the generally planar board for cutting.

Abstract: A display stand for use with sprinkler nozzles has a top frame and a bottom frame. The top frame has multiple retainers detachably mounted in through holes defined in the top frame, and the bottom frame has multiple blind holes adapted to accommodate handles of the sprinkler, such that the sprinklers are able to be transported and displayed easily.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting modular and cooperating components which includes a base assembly, a work surface, a vertical support pole extending upward from the work surface, at least one bushing concentrically engaging the vertical support pole at a particular axial location, at least one support arm extending radially outward from the bushing, and at least one support surface secured to the support arms in a position substantially orthogonal to the support pole, which minimizes the space requirements for supporting modular and cooperating components, particularly in an office environment. The support apparatus according to the present invention increases the functionality of the modular and cooperating components without exposing the modular and cooperating components to unnecessary risk of harm.

Abstract: A jib is supported for its luffing movement by a luffing rope mounted to a longitudinally intermediate portion of the jib. The jib has a truss structure with upper and lower beam members respectively overhanging upward and downward of load action line which connects a lifting point with a support pin.

Abstract: A method for using a revolver crane, comprising the positioning of a ballast on a platform ring in accordance with the repositioning of a load which is supported by a boom, is repositioned in relation to the platform ring as well, so as to cause a balance of moments. A revolver crane for performing this method comprises ballast hoisting elements for hoisting said ballast and repositioning it in relation to the platform ring.

Abstract: A child resistant container and closure package includes a container of one-piece integrally molded plastic construction having a cylindrical finish, a shoulder connecting the finish to a side wall, a ring externally extending around the finish, and a tab extending from the ring and separated from the finish by a tangential slot. A stop lug is cantilevered from the tab and has oppositely oriented stop and cam faces. One or two ribs extend tangentially along an undersurface of the tab. A closure has a base wall with a peripheral skirt and an internal thread for securement to an external thread on the container finish.

Abstract: A fuel cap fuel system and method establishing a common electric potential and preventing escape of fuel vapors as used with a fuel system. The cap includes a fuel port closure for engaging a fuel receiving assembly, and an electrically conductive retainer carried on the fuel cap. An electrical charge is passed from an operator of the fuel cap, through the cap, and to the electrically conductive retainer and to the fuel receiving assembly. As the cap is removed from the fuel receiving assembly, the conductive retainer maintains a conductive contact with the fuel receiving assembly to convey a charge therethrough. As fuel vapor escapes from the fuel receiving assembly, the electrical contact is maintained. The seal is disengaged from the fuel port after the cap and fuel receiving assembly achieve a generally common electrical potential.

Abstract: A container and closure package includes a container having a body with a finish surrounding a fill/dispensing opening, and a closure having a perpherial skirt removably secured to the container finish. The closure has a base wall with a fill opening aligned with the fill/dispensing opening in the container when the closure is secured to the container and a recessed ledge surrounding the fill opening. A seal is provided at the underside of the base wall in sealing engagement with the fill/dispensing opening of the container. A disk has an electrically conductive underlayer that is induction fusion welded to the closure.

Abstract: A hanging file basket having a bottom panel, a shorter first side panel, a taller second side panel, a front panel, and a rear panel, the shorter side panel being pivoted to an upright rack at one side of the bottom panel so that a receiving space is defined between the shorter side panel and the bottom panel to receive the taller side panel and the front panel and the rear panel in a collapsed condition after the shorter side panel has been turned to horizontal, the front and rear panels having vertical and horizontal barrels detachably coupled to respective vertical angle rods and horizontal angle rods at the side panels and the upright rack of the bottom panel.

Abstract: A multiple-sectional garbage container for providing a safer and less strenuous manner of removing a trash bag from the garbage container. The multiple-sectional garbage container includes a base member including a bottom wall, a side wall, and an open top; and also includes an elongate tubular member including a side wall, an open bottom, an open top, and an opening therethrough and being removably fastened upon the base member with the opening being adapted to receive a garbage bag; and further includes a lid member being removably disposed upon the open top of the elongate tubular member; and also includes a plurality of handle/latch members being pivotally attached to the elongate tubular member and being fastenable to the base member.

Abstract: The tank type container of the present invention comprises a long, horizontally placed, drum-shaped tank 3 and a parallelopiped container frame 5 surrounding the tank 3. The tank 3 is provided with a charging tube 20 at the top of the longitudinal front end, a discharging tube 21 at the bottom of the longitudinal back end, and, at the outside, an air-supplying apparatus for supplying compressed air into the tank to discharge polycarbonate resin pellets. The tank 3, the charging tube 20, the discharging tube 21 and the air-supplying apparatus are accommodated in a space surrounded by the container frame 5. The container frame 5 is provided with metal fitting members 6 for locking engagable with a locking mechanism possessed by the bed of a trailer. Therefore, the present tank type container is usable as a large-capacity container for land transportation and sea transportation, allowing for improved efficiency in transportation of polycarbonate resin pellets.

Abstract: A leak-free drinking beaker comprises a container as well as a lid closing the container, a drink opening which opens into the interior of the container, and a valve extending over the drink opening, which valve is held in the closed position under a certain pretension and can be released against said pretension under the influence of a pressure difference. The valve is a double-acting non-return valve and comprises a flexible valve element and two separate valve seats, the valve element and one of the valve seats has a blocking action in a direction opposed to the direction in which the valve element has a blocking action with the other valve seat.

Abstract: A dispenser (1) for dispensing strip elements (4), having a supply chamber (3) for accommodating a strip-element stack (St), and having a discharging pusher (14) with a nose (16) for interacting with a first strip element (4′) of the strip-element stack (St), via a discharging slot (15) which is adapted to the thickness (y) of a strip element (4). In order to achieve a more functionally advantageous solution, the discharging pusher (14) has a pusher nose (16) which is made of elastically compliant material and, in the uninfluenced state, projects by more than the thickness (y) of the strip element (4).