Abstract: The invention proceeds from a product-stream-transfer apparatus (10a) for transferring at least a first product sub-stream (12a) and a further product sub-stream (14a) into a main product stream (16a) or for separating a main product stream into at least a first product sub-stream and a further product sub-stream along a product-stream-transfer route (18a), having a first side route (20a) with a multiplicity of transporting elements (22a) for transporting products (24a) of the first product sub-stream (12a), having at least a further side route (26a) with a multiplicity of transporting elements (22a) for transporting products (24a) of the further product sub-stream (14a), and having a main route (28a), which is adjacent to the product-stream-transfer route (18a) and is intended for transporting the products (24a) of the main product stream (16a).

Abstract: A conveying device includes a carrier which includes a holder side member; a conveying passage which guides conveyance of the carrier; a spirally-shaped spiral member which is arranged below the carrier and extends along the conveying passage, the spiral member causing between the spiral member and the holder side member a first force which acts in a direction away from the holder side member or a second force which acts to draw in the holder side member; a partition wall portion which is provided between the carrier and the spiral member and partitions the carrier and the spiral member; and a rotary unit which rotates the spiral member axis-wise thereof.

Abstract: A silo, a chemical delivery system, and a method. The silo includes a housing and a vessel positioned within the housing and configured to contain a mud chemical. The vessel includes a discharge port and a discharge valve that controls discharge of the mud chemical through the discharge port. The discharge port is configured to connect to a skid by placing the silo on the skid, and the silo has a plurality of configurations for different types of mud chemicals.

Abstract: Dock leveler safety supports and related methods are disclosed. An example method includes raising a front end of a deck above a platform, where the front end is elongate in a lateral direction and the front end extends laterally between a first side and a second side of the deck. The method includes manually pulling a first deck obstruction in the lateral direction out from the first side so that the first deck obstruction extends out over a perimeter of the platform. The method further includes lowering the front edge of the deck until the first deck obstruction descends upon and engages the platform.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus which prevents degradation of sheets stacked in a stacking unit. A sheet feeding unit has a first stacking unit and a second stacking unit. When sheets stacked in the first stacking unit have run out, sheets stacked in the second stacking unit are moved to the first stacking unit. A remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding unit is indicated on a display unit. When sheets are stacked in the second stacking unit, the display unit provides an indication that a remaining amount of sheets in the sheet feeding unit is the largest.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus including a movement mechanism includes a first arm assembly including a first arm configured to pivot about a first pivot axis between a retracted position and a protruding position, the first arm being biased toward the protruding position and extending away from the first pivot axis in a first direction and a second arm configured to rotate between a restriction position in which the second arm engages the first arm, and a releasing position in which the second arm is separated from the first arm, the second arm configured to rotate from the restriction position to the releasing position in a direction away from the first arm, and a guide including a guide surface extending in the first direction, the guide surface configured to contact the first arm situated in the protruding position and a protruding guide configured to contact and move the second arm.

Abstract: A second tray is movable along a first direction, relative to a first tray, between a first position and a second position. The second tray includes a rail extending along the first direction, and engagement portions disposed along the rail. The rail includes an overlap portion which overlaps a sheet support surface of the first tray when the second tray is at the first position. A guide member is supported by the rail and movable along the first direction to contact an edge of a sheet supported by the second tray. A contact portion of the first tray disengages the guide member from one of the engagement portions upon contact with the guide member during movement of the second tray from the second position toward the first position while the guide member is supported at the overlap portion of the rail.

Abstract: A sheet storage apparatus includes a sheet storage portion and a regulating member configured to regulate positions of a sheet that is stored in the sheet storage portion. The regulating member includes a regulating portion configured to abut against the sheet. The regulating member is moved to a first regulating position on which the regulating portion regulates an end portion in a first direction of a first sheet having a first size. In addition, the regulating member is moved to a second regulating position on which the regulating portion regulates an end portion, in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction, of a second sheet having a second size different from the first size.

Abstract: A stacking device which stacks a sheet includes a stacking unit on which the sheet is configured to be stacked, a regulating member, a moving member, and a restricting member. The regulating member is provided to be movable in a first direction and a second direction, which is a direction opposite to the first direction, and to regulate a position of the sheet stacked on the stacking unit. The moving member moves in a direction that is the same as a moving direction of the regulating member in accordance with the regulating member. The restricting member restricts movement of the moving member. So that the regulating member moves independently of the moving member, the restricting member restricts the movement of the moving member in a partial range of a range in which the regulating member moves.

Abstract: A sheet feed cassette is a sheet feed cassette in which a sheet is stored, the sheet feed cassette being mountable to and detachable from an image forming apparatus, the sheet feed cassette including a mounting portion and a cover. The mounting portion is formed so as to be recessed in a front surface of the sheet feed cassette. One or a plurality of information display members on which information concerning the sheet is described can be inserted to and pulled out from the mounting portion. The cover is capable of opening/closing relative to the mounting portion and has a surface flush with the front surface of the sheet feed cassette in a state where the cover is closed.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus includes a storing-device body that is drawable from an image-forming-apparatus body, a supporting member attached to the storing-device body and that supports a stack of recording media from below, a feeding member that feeds a top one of the recording media on the supporting member into the image-forming-apparatus body, a moving mechanism that moves the supporting member such that the top one of the recording media on the supporting member comes into contact with the feeding member, a connecting mechanism that connects the moving mechanism to a drive source in conjunction with attaching of the storing-device body to the image-forming-apparatus body, an image forming section that forms an image on the recording medium fed by the feeding member, and a disabling mechanism that disables connection between the drive source and the moving mechanism in conjunction with pushing of the storing-device body into the image-forming-apparatus body.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyance apparatus including: a conveyance roller; a plurality of driven rollers; a plurality of roller holders; an biasing member biasing each of the roller holders toward a first position; and a movable member having a plurality of cam portions. Each of the cam portions has: a first inclined surface abutting against one of the roller holders from a side of one of the driven rollers, during a movement process of the movable member from a third position to a fourth position, to thereby move one of the roller holders from the first position toward a second position; and a second inclined surface arranged upstream of the first inclined surface in a moving direction, and abutting against one of the roller holders from the side of one of the driven rollers, during the movement process of the movable member from the third position to the fourth position.

Abstract: Provided are a sheet feeding device and an image forming apparatus which can feed a sheet by an electrostatic adsorption with a simple configuration and with low noises. One end of a flexible adsorption member (29) is fixed to a holding member (24) rotating in a sheet feeding direction, and comes into surface contact with a sheet (P) stored in a sheet feeding cassette (20) while being elastically deformed when the holding member (24) is rotated, and adsorbs the sheet (P) by an adsorbing force by static electricity. Then, the sheet (P1) adsorbed to the adsorption member (29) is delivered to a registration roller (15) while winding up the adsorption member (29), and then the holding member (24) is stopped at a position where the adsorption member (29) is separated from the sheet.

Abstract: There is provided a conveyance unit including a conveyance roller; a nip member movable between a contact position and a separation position; a tray movable between an installation position and a pull-out position; and a lever. The lever is configured to have a first state, a second state and a third state. The lever in the first state can make contact with the tray moving between the installation position and the pull-out position. The lever pivots from the first state to the second state when the tray moves from the installation position to the pull-out position, and the lever pivots from the first state to the third state when the tray moves from the pull-out position to the installation position. The conveyance unit further includes an interlocking mechanism.

Abstract: A sheet conveying device includes a first conveyance roller, a sheet conveyance path, a second conveyance roller, and a pair of bearing portions. The first conveyance roller is provided in an apparatus main body. The sheet conveyance path has a guide surface that guides a sheet member in a sheet conveyance direction. The second conveyance roller is rotatably attached to the guide surface via a shaft and abuts on the first conveyance roller by a predetermined pressing force. The bearing portions are provided on the guide surface and support the shaft. Each bearing portion includes a concave groove portion and a bush member. The concave groove portion is formed on the guide surface such that a groove depth direction is perpendicular to the guide surface. The bush member is attached to the concave groove portion so as to be slidable in the groove depth direction and support the shaft.

Abstract: A first roller is driven, by a conveying motor rotating in a normal direction and in a reverse direction, to rotate in a forward direction and in a backward direction, respectively. The first roller and a second roller convey a sheet in a conveying direction by rotating in the forward direction. The transmission unit transmits a driving force of the conveying motor to the second roller and includes a first rotary member. The transmission unit has such play that when the conveying motor is switched from rotation in a normal direction to rotation in a reverse direction, rotation of the second roller in a backward direction is delayed by a predetermined time period from rotation of the first roller in the backward direction. The predetermined time period is greater than a time period corresponding to one tooth of the first rotary member.

Abstract: A control system for pressing an abutting object against an abutted object includes: a mechanical device including a motor and causing a force from the motor to act on the abutting object to displace the abutting object toward the abutted object, a driving device driving the motor according to an inputted operation amount, a measuring device measuring a physical amount related to displacement of the abutting object, and a controller. The controller executes: a position control process to calculate the operation amount to be inputted to the driving device, a reaction force estimation process to estimate a reaction force acting on the abutting object, and a compliance control process to correct the operation amount which is calculated in the position control process and to be inputted to the driving device by a compliance control based on an estimate value of the reaction force estimated in the reaction force estimation process.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus having a controller and capable of forming images in double-face printing is provided. The controller conducts a measuring process to measure a time period corresponding to a sheet length; a comparison process to compare a measured value with a switch threshold value being a value in a range of a measurement error allowed to the measured value; and one of a first conveying process, in which a conveying unit is driven to convey a predetermined number of sheets circulating in a conveying path, and a second conveying process, in which the conveying unit is driven to convey a greater number of sheets than the predetermined number circulating in the conveying path. The controller conducts the first conveying process when the measured value is greater than the switch threshold value and conducts the second conveying process when the measured value is smaller than the switch threshold value.

Abstract: A sheet feeder includes: a feed roller; a shutter movable between a restricting position restricting a leading edge of a sheet and a non-restricting position releasing the restriction on the sheet; and a controller configured to control rotation of the feed roller and movement of the shutter. The controller is configured to perform: a first feeding process of controlling the feed roller to rotate at a first rotational speed while the shutter is at the restricting position and of controlling the shutter to move to the non-restricting position from the restricting position no earlier than rotation of the feed roller at the first rotational speed: a reduction process of controlling a rotational speed of the feed roller to be less than the first rotational speed; and a second feeding process of controlling the feed roller to rotate at a second rotational speed.

Abstract: A paper conveying apparatus includes: a driving device which rotates a driving rotating body by driving force; a conveying device which conveys a paper along a conveyance path according to rotation of a driven rotating body; an endless drive transmission belt which is stretched to the driving rotating body and the driven rotating body; a conveyance amount detecting device which detects a conveyance amount of the paper; an abnormality detecting device which detects abnormality of the paper; a stopping device which stops the driving device when the abnormality is detected; a calculating device which calculates the conveyance amount in time before conveyance stops after the abnormality is detected; a degradation detecting device which compares the calculated conveyance amount and a threshold and determines that the drive transmission belt is degraded if the calculated conveyance amount is larger than the threshold; and a reporting device which reports a determination result.

Abstract: A rotation control mechanism for controlling of unrolling of the curling strip rolled on a drum is disclosed, which includes an escapement gear wheel fixed at the drum rotation axis, an anchor, and an electromagnet. The anchor is pivotably mounted at a distance closer to the gear wheel than the distance between the first anchor arm and the second anchor arm so that the arms alternately come into contact with the gear wheel. The rotation of the gear wheel causes swinging motion of the anchor striking the gear wheel alternately with the first anchor arm and second anchor arm reducing the rotation speed. A clamp is connected to the anchor so that turning the electromagnet on enforces movement of the clamp, pressing the first arm of the anchor against the gear wheel. A return spring connected to the anchor counteracts the force exerted on the anchor by the electromagnet via the clamp, the spring tension force being less than the electromagnet force.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses an adhesive tape cartridge includes an adhesive tape roll with a double-sided adhesive tape wound around. The double-sided adhesive tape has, in cross section, a transparent or semitransparent film layer, a first adhesive layer, a second adhesive layer, a separation material layer, and a pigment. The first adhesive layer is disposed on one surface of the film layer. The second adhesive layer is disposed on an opposite surface of the film layer. The separation material layer is disposed on one surface of the second adhesive layer. The pigment is added to at least one of the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer.

Abstract: A film transfer tool 10 has a case main body 5 and a head unit 30 that is provided at a distal end of the case main body 5. The head unit 30 includes a head main body 31 and a head support member 32. The head main body 31 supports on the head support member 32 so as to rotate back and forth. A transfer projecting portion is brought into abutment with a rear surface of a transfer tape T to thereby transfer a transfer layer of the transfer tape T on to a transfer receiving surface. The head main body 31 includes side rollers rotatable back and forth that are positioned individually at two locations lying outwards of both side edges of the transfer tape T. A support shaft of the side rollers is provided so as to be spaced apart from the transfer tape T.

Abstract: A film dispenser for use in unwinding film from coreless film rolls. A first dispenser member is selectively matable with a second dispenser member. The first and second dispenser members can be mated together in at least two angular positions. The position of a radially outward facing surface of the dispenser can be adjusted based on the angular position of the dispenser members so that the dispenser can firmly engage and support film rolls of varying internal dimensions. Each of the dispenser members can have a radially extending support wall. The support walls define complementary interlocking formations. When the dispenser members are mated together, the complementary interlocking formations engage one another to form a rigid connection between the dispenser members. The engaged support walls radially support a central region of the film roll.

Abstract: A roller has knit fabric at its surface and which is employed in an apparatus permitting achievement of conservation of resources, conservation of energy, and low cost, and an apparatus employing such a roller. Roller 1 covered with covering 3 including knit fabric at its surface causes conveyance, supply, or other such movement of an object, or uses an to dry or cool an object as it is moved, or rotates while causing an object to be subjected to suction. Knit fabric 3a covering the roller surface has gaps having air permeability and steps 6 comprising stripes in a pattern of bands at the front and back surfaces; the stripes in the pattern of bands are perpendicular to the direction of rotation at the surface of the rotating support body 2. Loops making up knit fabric 3a have domains of small loops 4c and large loops 4b.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a bi-modal roller configured to rotate about a longitudinal axis of the bi-modal roller. The bi-modal roller includes two ends and a rolling outer surface. The rolling outer surface is divided into a convex portion and concave portion. The concave portion includes at least one concave curve extending longitudinally between the two ends. The concave portion is configured to, when a film physically contacts the concave portion, affect translation of the film in response to a stick condition or a slip condition. The convex portion includes at least one convex curve extending longitudinally between the two ends. The convex portion is configured to, when the film physically contacts the convex portion, affect translation of the film in response to a stick condition or a slip condition.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, comprising: a housing having a sheet discharge tray, a first opening, and a second opening disposed on an upper side of the first opening; an image forming unit; a sheet discharge path communicating with the first opening; a re-conveying path communicating with the second opening; and a swinging member having a first surface facing the first opening and a second surface, wherein the swinging member has a first end area swingably supported by the housing, a second end area, and a rib; the swinging member is disposed to be movable between a first position and a second position at which the second end area gets higher; and the rib is formed on the second surface opposing the first surface facing the sheet discharge tray in a state where the swinging member is disposed at the second position.

Abstract: An image forming apparatus, having a housing with an opening, an image forming unit, a path to guide a recording medium toward the opening, a reversible roller disposed in the path, and an intermediate reversible roller disposed between the image forming unit and the reversible roller, is provided. A rotating direction of the reversible roller is switchable between a first rotating direction and a second rotating direction opposite from the first rotating direction. A circumferential speed of the reversible roller is switchable between a predetermined circumferential speed and none. A rotating direction of the intermediate reversible roller is switchable between a third rotating direction and a fourth rotating direction opposite from the third rotating direction. The circumferential speed of the reversible roller in the first rotating direction is reduced to be lower than the predetermined circumferential speed while the intermediate reversible roller is rotating in the third rotating direction.

Abstract: In a method for forming product stacks of folded or unfolded product blanks made of paper or chemical pulp, product blanks are supplied consecutively to a stacking surface and placed in an upright position. A separating element is inserted between two consecutive product blanks as the product blanks are moved against a channel wall of a discharge channel for temporary support of a rear side of the product blanks, to thereby form a first product stack with a predetermined number of product blanks between the separating element and the channel wall. The channel wall is opened to thereby allow the first product stack to be transferred to the discharge channel, and a sliding element is inserted between the product stack and a subsequent second product stack, as the first product stack is moved to the discharge channel.

Abstract: Tape dispensers with an improved wetting system are disclosed. The tape dispensers include a holder for a roll of liquid-activatable tape, a wetting system that has a reservoir of liquid and a roller having an absorbable outer surface to absorb and dispense liquid, and a manually operated feeding mechanism. The roller is at least partially immersed in the reservoir of liquid and the wetting system includes a roller adjustment mechanism to simultaneously adjust an upward force applied by the roller to the liquid activated tape and an immersion depth of the roller into the reservoir of liquid. The wetting system may also include a pressure mechanism to adjust a downward force applied to the liquid activated tape as it passes over the roller.

Abstract: A braking system for a welding machine is provided. In one aspect, the braking system includes a brake surface, a spool hub shaft, a spool hub, an adjustment knob and an expandable and compressible member. The spool hub shaft is capable of engaging against the brake surface. The expandable and compressible member is provided between the spool hub and the adjustment knob to apply varying levels of force on the spool hub. The spool hub shaft has at least one tab which is capable of engaging with a recess in the adjustment knob to adjust the force applied by the member on the spool hub.

Abstract: In order to increase safety, a computer-implemented method is proposed for determining the position of a lift cabin in a lift shaft with the aid of a coding device, which comprises a code band as a marking, wherein the position is determined analytically by means of an algorithm on the basis of the code of the marking, wherein an extrapolated position is determined from the stored positions and the instant of the recording and, in turn, a coding pattern to be compared in relation to the recording is calculated by inverting the algorithm.

Abstract: A passenger conveyance system includes a depth-sensing sensor for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view adjacent a passenger conveyance door.

Abstract: An passenger conveyance system includes a depth-sensing sensor within a passenger conveyance enclosure for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view that includes a passenger conveyance door. A processing module is in communication with the depth-sensing sensor to receive the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data to track an object and calculate passenger data associated with the tracked object. a passenger conveyance controller receives the passenger data from the processing module to control operation of a passenger conveyance door in response to the passenger data.

Abstract: A passenger conveyance special loading system includes a depth-sensing sensor for capturing depth map data of objects within a field of view. A processing module in communication with the depth-sensing sensor receives the depth map data, the processing module uses the depth map data calculate passenger data associated with an object to determine a special loading condition. A passenger conveyance controller receives the passenger data from the processing module, the passenger conveyance controller controls a passenger conveyance dispatch control function in response to the special loading condition.

Abstract: A safety brake for an elevator includes a brake element or a brake wedge, a guide element, and a setting device. The brake element or the brake wedge is borne movably on the guide element. The safety brake has an activating element, which, upon activation of the safety brake, can be brought into mechanical engagement with the brake element or the brake wedge to act on a guiderail to stop an associated elevator car.

Abstract: A magnetic device (100) for lifting and/or holding ferromagnetic work-pieces comprises a ferromagnetic housing block (10) and a switchable magnet arrangement accommodated within a cavity of the housing block (10). The housing (10) is formed to define two longitudinal sides that are substantially decoupled magnetically from one another. The switchable magnet arrangement comprises a series of interleaved dipolar magnet units (40, 42) arranged along a longitudinal axis of the housing block (10) between the two sides. The magnet units (40, 42) comprise a series of fixed permanent magnets (40) and rotatable permanent magnets (42) that are cylindrical, or more particularly annular in shape, and traversed by an actuation shaft (24) that rotates the rotatable magnets (42) with respect to the fixed magnets (40) about the longitudinal axis of the housing block (10).

Abstract: A system and method for positioning a movable crane counterweight is disclosed. In the method, a boom orientation is determined, a first counterweight position is determined, a first crane capacity at the first counterweight position is determined, a second counterweight position is determined corresponding to a second rearward stability associated with the boom orientation. A second crane capacity at the second counterweight position. A load on the crane is determined and the counterweight is positioned at a third position between the first counterweight position and the second counterweight position dependent on the boom load, and the first crane capacity.

Abstract: There is shown a mounting system for a crane that utilizes frictional engagement to a wall surface and does not use counterweights or conventional methods to resist crane forces.

Abstract: A system and method for retaining a linear actuator on a crane component such as a mast is disclosed. In the system a retaining mechanism is mounted on either a body of the linear actuator or the crane component and a catch is mounted to the other of the body or the crane component. Retraction of a rod of the linear actuator causes a cap on the rod to contact the retaining mechanism, which causes the retaining mechanism to move into a latched configuration securing the linear actuator.

Abstract: An apparatus for a crane comprises a large-cavity pressure sensor, a small-cavity pressure sensor, a controller, a telescopic oil cylinder, and a telescopic oil cylinder regulator. The large-cavity pressure sensor can measure the oil pressure in a large cavity of the telescopic oil cylinder. The small cavity pressure sensor can measure the oil pressure in a small cavity of the telescopic oil cylinder. The controller can control an output electrical signal according to a large-cavity oil pressure fed back by the large-cavity pressure sensor and a small-cavity oil pressure fed back by the small-cavity pressure sensor, and, by means of the electrical signal, control a change of the amount of hydraulic oil flowing into and out of the large cavity and the small cavity of the telescopic oil cylinder so as to regulate the oil pressures in the large cavity and the small cavity.

Abstract: A crane includes a base, an upperstructure rotationally mounted on the base, a boom pivotally mounted to the upperstructure at a front attachment location and having a distal end supporting a load line for raising a payload, and a gantry mounted on the upperstructure and supporting a boom line coupled to the distal end of the boom. The gantry includes at least one front leg mechanically coupled to the front attachment location and inclined in a direction away from the boom to apply, to the front attachment location, a horizontal force component towards the boom that is opposed by a horizontal force component applied by the boom towards the front leg. The upperstructure includes a circular turret, and the front attachment location is aligned over a circle of the turret.

Abstract: Disclosed is a draw-works and a method of operation. The draw-works includes a first drum configured to store and reel in an elongated hoisting member, such as a hoisting cable, a second drum configured to store and reel in the elongated hoisting member, and a rotation device configured to rotate the first and second drums, wherein at least one of the drums is selectively connectable to and disconnectable from the rotation device.

Abstract: A winch assembly is described and shown herein. The winch assembly may include a first housing member having a first retaining member formed therein and a second housing member having a second retaining member formed therein, the second housing member secured to the first housing member forming a winch housing. The winch assembly may further include a drive system generally positioned within the winch housing, and a winch drum operatively coupled with the drive system and rotationally secured with the first and second retaining members.

Abstract: Provided is an electric winch device including: an electric motor; a winch drum; a brake; an operation lever; and a controller. The controller includes: a first torque derivation unit which derives a value of a first torque applied to the winch drum due to a load of an object; a second torque derivation unit which derives a value of a second torque generated in the winch drum by a drive torque of the electric motor; and a brake control unit which determines a timing for releasing a braking action on the winch drum after the operation lever has been operated, on the basis of a differential between the second torque value and the first torque value, and which causes the brake to release the braking action on the winch drum by transmitting, to the brake, a control signal instructing release of the braking action on the winch drum at the determined timing.

Abstract: A forklift includes a variable displacement traveling hydraulic pump driven by an engine, a hydraulic motor that forms a closed circuit with the traveling hydraulic pump therebetween and is driven by hydraulic oil discharged from the traveling hydraulic pump, and driving wheels driven by the hydraulic motor. A control device of the forklift determines an increase speed of an inching rate, based on at least one of an accelerator opening, a brake opening indicating an operation amount of a brake pedal, a change speed of the brake opening, and a vehicle speed detected by a vehicle speed sensor.

Abstract: Controlling a functional system of a materials handling vehicle includes monitoring a current delivered by an energy storage system for powering the functional system, wherein the energy storage system may include at least one of a battery and a fuel cell. When the current delivered by the energy storage system exceeds a first predetermined amount, performance of the functional system is reduced from a first operating level to a second operating level for at least one task of the functional system to attempt to reduce the current delivered by the energy storage system.

Abstract: A clip for a fork lift attachment that includes a clip wear indicator that provides a visible indication of wear.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for dispensing a flavoured, optionally alcoholic, beverage, is housed in a cabinet (16) and comprises a dispensing outlet (12) connectable to a beverage supply and a plurality of different liquid beverage flavourings, the dispensing outlet being configured to dispense the beverage and one or more of said flavourings into a drinking container. An actuating member (44) is operable to initiate dispensing of the beverage and one or more of said flavourings from the dispensing outlet. The apparatus includes a selector (42) configured to receive a user input selection of one or more of the beverage flavourings to be dispensed and a control unit (40). Upon user operation of the actuating member (44), the control unit (40) operates a pump (24a-f) to supply a selected one or more of the flavourings to the dispensing outlet based on the user input selection.

Abstract: A caddy for use in supporting a flexible bag of a substance to dispense as well as a system for dispensing a substance include a front wall and a back wall. A floor extends between the front wall and the back wall and angles from the back wall in a direction towards the front wall a cradle is connected to the floor and the cradle opens in a downward direction and a rearward direction. A dispenser includes a cabinet, a load cell, a valve, and a processor. The cradle engages the load cell and the processor calculates a valve open time at least in part based upon a measurement of a load impressed upon a load cell and a requested dispense volume. The processor operates the valve to open for the calculated valve open time.