Abstract: A container for dispensing a laundry agent rests on a shelf adjacent the clothes washer, with a portion of the container extending over the edge of the shelf, having a measuring device removably positioned on the portion. The container is easily refillable through a large, closeable opening in the top thereof.

Abstract: A pouring spout assembly removeably fitted inside the mouth of a supply container includes an elongate spout for pouring liquid from the supply container to the target container through a spout exit opening. This spout further includes a tubular vent extending from the interior of the supply container to a vent opening adjacent the spout exit opening. A cap is threaded on to the mouth of the supply container and provides an air tight seal between the inside of the supply container to the atmosphere. A valve is provided, which valve is resiliently biased to a normally closed position to prevent fluid flow through the spout and to prevent air from being drawn through the vent. Structure is provided so that a user may manually open the valve by the act of inserting the spout into the target container.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus for a toner container has a toner cavity over which the containing portion of the container is slid. To prevent skiving of toner into the workings of the machine, a guide forces at least the leading part of the containing portion through a higher path with respect to the cavity as it moves over the cavity than the path it takes moving back to a position beside the cavity. A toner container for such a receiving apparatus includes a flange with extensions of the flange away from the container for cooperating with the guide of the apparatus.

Abstract: A heat insulated coffee carafe for placement at the brewed coffee outlet of a coffee maker is provided with a securely fitting lid through which the coffee passes directly into the carafe without removal of the lid. When the carafe and its lid are placed in the coffee maker, mutual pressure between the lid and the coffee maker causes seals in the lid to open and permits the coffee to enter the carafe without removing the lid and with a minimal loss of heat and coffee aroma. Removal of the carafe and lid from the coffee maker automatically closes the seals to retain the heat and aroma in the carafe for long periods of use. In another embodiment a positive drip-stop seal in the coffee maker is closed automatically when the carafe is removed, whereby dripping from the coffee maker is prevented. In a further embodiment, a drip-stop seal in the coffee maker and a seal in the lid are both opened when the carafe is installed in the coffee maker.

Abstract: A system for supplying liquid in large bottles from a point where they are filled to a dispenser having a reservoir for receiving the liquid. The bottles each have a neck which carries a cap unit for closing the spout thereof. Each cap unit has an outlet valve that is normally closed. The reservoir has means for supporting another normally closed inlet valve in a neck-receiving socket. When the neck is slipped into the socket the outlet valve of the cap unit is opened and substantially simultaneously the inlet valve for the reservoir is opened thus allowing flow of water from the bottle into the reservoir. When the bottle is removed from the reservoir as the cap unit is withdrawn from the neck-receiving socket, the outlet valve in the bottle neck cap unit is positively closed and the inlet valve of the reservoir automatically closes.

Abstract: A dispensing unit is adapted to be attached over a dispensing spout or neck of a bottle containing a liquid, such as water, therein. The dispensing unit includes a shroud having an extension adapted to be inserted into a receptacle defined on a standard dispenser stand. A cylindrical passage is defined through the shroud and is sized to receive the spout of the bottle therein. In one embodiment of the invention, a valve member functions to close communications of water from the spout, through the passage and into the receptacle of the dispenser stand when the bottle is inverted and the spout and the extension of the shroud are initially placed within the receptacle. When the bottle is lowered the shroud engages the dispenser to communicate water from the bottle into the receptacle of the dispenser for consumption purposes.

Abstract: A heat insulated coffee carafe for placement at the brewed coffee outlet of a coffee maker is provided with a securely fitting lid through which the coffee passes directly into the carafe without removal of the lid. When the carafe and its lid are placed in the coffee maker, mutual pressure between the lid and the coffee maker causes seals in the lid to open and permits the coffee to enter the carafe without removing the lid and with a minimal loss of heat and coffee aroma. Removal of the carafe and lid from the coffee maker automatically closes the seals to retain the heat and aroma in the carafe for long periods of use. In another embodiment a positive drip-stop seal in the coffee maker is closed automatically when the carafe is removed, whereby dripping from the coffee maker is prevented. In a further embodiment, a drip-stop seal in the coffee maker and a seal in the lid are both opened when the carafe is installed in the coffee maker.

Abstract: A valve assembly is attached to the spout of a water bottle which is used in liquid dispensing devices common in households and offices. The assembly combines a sleeve-like housing and a valve for preventing water spillage particularly when the bottle is being hoisted and inverted onto the dispensing device. An elongated actuator stem unseats a valve head section from sealing engagement with the housing as the bottle is lowered into the device. The valve assembly is releasably attached to the bottle spout and can be reused repetitively.

Abstract: A system for serving a pre-mix beverage and making and serving a post-mix carbonated beverage in outer space including a special drinking cup structure and individual serving flavor concentrate modules. The drinking cup includes a disposable bag liner within a rigid outer container and a disposable drinking tube attached thereto. The flavor concentrate module is either a serving of concentrate within the bag or a separate module in-line between a source of carbonated water and the drinking cup.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming and packaging, within a suitable container for the dispensing thereof, an unstable product produced by intimately mixing at least first and second ingredients, the resulting unstable product remaining stable following the mixing of the ingredients for a relatively short period of time under normal ambient conditions, the method including the steps of providing streams of the ingredients, intimately mixing the ingredients in a filling head, ejecting the mixture from the filling head into a container, and sealing the container prior to the elapse of the relatively short period of time.

Abstract: A coupler adaptor is provided for use in operative association with a container and a valve. The container houses relatively high pressurized carbon dioxide gas for use in carbonating a beverage. The valve is actuated in order to release the gas to an interface passage formed in the coupler adaptor. The coupler adaptor also has a pair of grooves formed on opposite sides of the interface passage for receiving O-rings. The coupler adaptor is also in operative association with a pressure regulator. The pressurized gas enters the pressure regulator from the coupler adaptor interface passage. In one embodiment, the coupler adaptor remains operatively joined to the pressure regulator without retaining structure due to the balanced gas pressure which results because of the O-rings positioned adjacent the coupler adaptor interface passage.

Abstract: A bottle filling device which is intended to reduce oxidation of the liquid being filled by venting gas displaced from the bottle as filling occurs. If desired, the device can be used to fill bottles under a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: In a fluid supply and dispensing system including a fluid dispenser for carrying a working supply of fluid at working surface level, and a reservoir which is connected in fluid flow communication with the dispenser for carrying a replenishing supply of fluid at a surface level which establishes the working surface level of fluid in the dispenser, there is provided with an improvement for lowering the working surface level to prevent spillage of fluid from the dispenser when the system is not in use. The improvement includes providing the reservoir with a movable, fluid displacement member, which is normally lowered into the replenishing supply of fluid, and providing means for raising the displacement member at least partially out of the replenishing supply of fluid, when the system is not in use, for lowering the surface level of the replenishing fluid supply and thus the working surface level of the dispenser's working fluid supply.

Abstract: A signal device comprising a balloon, a balloon adaptor attachable to the balloon and having a hollow extension with a seat at one end thereof which end is extendable into the balloon, a sealing or valve member spring-biased on the seat of the balloon adaptor, and a supply adaptor. The supply adaptor includes a hollow stem which can be inserted into the hollow extension of the balloon adaptor so that the end of the stem lifts the sealing member from the seat against its spring-bias, so that ports formed in the hollow stem communicate with the interior of the balloon.