Abstract: A fluid receiver fitting (FRF) for supporting aseptic fluid transfer between enclosures, as well as methods for forming the fluid receiver, is disclosed. The FRF includes a unitized seal section (226) and channel section (228) formed together by 2-shot injection molding, thereby eliminating or minimizing modes of fluid contamination where the seal section and channel section are separate members. The channel section may comprise one or more channels (286) for insertion of a needle (N) therein and a respective penetration zone (266) in a corresponding section of the seal section for the needle to penetrate and thereby extract a fluid sample from a liquid stream against which a portion of the seal section is exposed. An angled interface (288) between each channel and its corresponding penetration zone provides a liquid stream pressure concentration zone which applies pressure to close a core (C) in the seal section formed by removal of the needle.

Abstract: A refillable bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a body in which a container for packaging the product is formed, the bottle including a device for dispensing the packaged product, which is mounted in a sealed manner on the body, the bottle being equipped with a valve for refilling the container arranged to enable a product source to be placed in communication with the container in order to refill the latter, the valve including a passage for communication between the source and the container, the passage having a seat equipped with a valve element that is mobile with respect to the seat between a closed position and a open position, the valve element being arranged so as to be mobile between its closed and open positions under the effect of gravity by the positioning of the bottle in an upright position and in an overturned position, respectively.

Abstract: A fillable bottle for dispensing a fluid product provided with a relief valve for filling the reservoir and putting a source of product into communication with the reservoir for filling, the relief valve including a passage for communication between the source and the reservoir, the passage having a seat provided with a valve which is mobile relative to the seat between a sealed closed position and an open position of the passage, the valve being mobile between its closed and open positions under the effect of the gravity induced by the positioning of the bottle respectively in an upright position and in a turned-over position, the bottle including at least one bell in the reservoir, the bell being in communication with the reservoir in the upright position and isolated from the reservoir in the turned-over position in order to not be filled by the product coming from the source.

Abstract: A refillable bottle for dispensing a fluid product including a body in which a reservoir designed for conditioning the product is formed, the bottle including a dispensing device of the conditioned product that is mounted sealed on the body, the bottle being fitted with a reservoir filling valve arranged to enable communication of a product source with the reservoir to refill it, the valve including a communication passage between the source and the reservoir, the passage having a seating fitted with a check valve that is free to move relative to the seating between a sealed closed position and an open position of the passage, the bottle including a device for locking the check valve in the closed position, the device being arranged to be deactivated leaving the check valve in the closed position to release subsequent displacement of the check valve into the open position.

Abstract: A liquid container includes a liquid chamber, and a liquid supply chamber at least partially defined by at least one wall having a first opening, a second opening, and a third opening formed therethrough. A method of filling such a liquid container includes the steps of closing the third opening, positioning the liquid container in a predetermined orientation, and introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber via the second opening. The method also includes the step of introducing liquid into the liquid chamber after the step of introducing liquid into the liquid supply chamber.

Abstract: A relief valve (60) for a liquid container, the valve comprising a substantially conical body (50) extending into the container, and tapering inwardly away from an external wall of the container, at least one air inlet passage (62) through the substantially conical body; and a flexible diaphragm (53) extending over the conical body, being attached at its outer periphery around the substantially conical body and having a central opening surrounding the substantially conical body above the air inlet passage so as to seal the air inlet passage until the pressure within the container falls below a predetermined level.

Abstract: A food dishing robot system capable of dealing with dishing operations of foods of various characteristics. Trays are supplied to vicinities of food dishing robots RB1–RB3 by food supplying lines L1–L3. Four food conveying containers are placed on each tray. Each of the robots RB1–RB3 handles a food conveying container containing a food on the tray to move the food conveying container over a lunch box supplied by a lunch box supplying line L4 at a predetermined position, and dishes the food on a predetermined space in the lunch box. The food contained in the food conveying container is discharged through a cutout or an opening formed at a side thereof by inclining the food conveying container. The food conveying container may have a bottom plate to be opened/closed or the robot may have an auxiliary member in the form of scoop to forcedly discharge the food from the food conveying container. After completing the dishing of the food, the food conveying container is returned on the tray.

Abstract: A method of filling bags with bulk material and of closing the filled bags, wherein, for filling purposes, the bags are suspended from a filling sleeve 16 connected to a filling cone 15 and filled with a measured quantity of bulk material. For closing purposes, the bags, after having been filled, are folded-in at the bag flap in a bag flap folding device 20 and, after having been closed, are gripped by a takeover device 26 for the purpose of being transported further. The filling sleeve during or after the operation of filling a suspended bag and the bag flap folding device during or after the operation of folding an attached bag are synchronously moved in a bag transporting direction at a fixed distance from a respective starting position P1, P2 by the amount of the distance x1 between the filling sleeve and the bag flap folding device 20 into a respective hand-over position P2, P3.

Abstract: A refillable bottle constructed to be capable of holding fluids above atmospheric pressure has a threaded cap. The top of the threaded cap has at least one valve having a single resealable passageway for filling, pressurizing and emptying the container. The valve is capable of being opened by a probe which engages the valve and pushes into the cap, the valve being closed when not acted upon by the probe. A plurality of vent holes are positioned in the top so as to be adjacent the mouth of the bottle when the cap is placed thereon. A releasable sealing ring is sized and positioned between the mouth and the cap so as to close the vent holes when the cap is fully threaded onto the neck and allow gas within the container to escape through the vent holes when the cap is loose.

Abstract: A closure device (4) and a method for sealing an opening of a vessel (6), while providing access to the interior of the vessel. The device also provides a method for automatically releasing gas and/or toxic vapor from the sealed vessel to protect the operator from harmful vapor without requiring the operator to manually actuate a valve or other mechanism prior to removing the vessel from the closure device. In addition, the device provides a method for pressurizing the interior of the vessel while maintaining a pressure seal against the vessel opening and a method for cannulating the vessel without overpressurizing the vessel interior.

Abstract: A container includes a fill cap, with a delivery conduit directed exteriorly of the fill cap, with a lower distal end within the container adjacent a floor of the container. The delivery conduit is arranged to include a delivery tube end member that includes a forward portion with a collar thereabout, including an outer conduit adjacent an inner central conduit, and the outer conduit is vented rearwardly of the collar for venting of fumes within a delivery fuel tank. A pressurizing squeeze bulb is in pneumatic communication interiorly of the container to effect pressurizing of fuel and fluid contained therewithin for direction through the delivery conduit, wherein the delivery conduit may further include a shut-off valve to cease fuel flow therethrough.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for handling carbon dioxide and excluding it from contact with the atmosphere while carbonating and storage, transfer, and dispensing of the carbonated beverage. The apparatus includes one or two vessels and a valve assembly for each vessel. Each valve assembly has a pressure relief valve and an outlet tap, which are normally closed to isolate the interior of the vessel from the atmosphere, and a pump for transferring and dispensing air and liquid from or to its vessel, all without bringing the carbon dioxide in contact with the atmosphere.

Abstract: A removable batch-type diluent tank for use in connecting to a rigid gas coupling in a beverage dispenser has a tank body for containing a supply of diluent having an opening and a removable cover for covering and sealing the opening. Also included is a relief valve for relieving pressure in the tank prior to removal of the cover. A quick disconnect coupling is rigidly connected to the tank and adapted for sliding connection with the rigid coupling of the dispenser, permitting the tank to be slid into the dispenser for connecting a source of pressurizing gas to the tank. Also included is a connection for conducting diluent from the tank.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device utilizing a rotatable value assembly attached to two hollow core needles, which employs atmospheric air pressure to assist with the withdrawal of fluid from a first rubber stoppered container and during instillation of fluid into a second rubber stoppered container, permits air displaced from the second container to be evacuated therefrom. The device enables fluid to be withdrawn from a stoppered bottle with ease by eliminating the build up of a negative pressure in the bottle. Conversely, during instillation of fluid into a stoppered bottle, the device eliminates the build up of a positive pressure therein by the venting of displaced air.