Abstract: An herb storage assembly for storing herbs within a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a chilled chamber and a dispensing assembly including a water supply port for selectively discharging a flow of water. The herb storage assembly includes a lower housing defining a water reservoir and a docking port mounted to the lower housing, the docking port being configured for engaging the water supply port to receive the flow of water into the water reservoir. An herb container is seated at least partially within the water reservoir and defines a storage volume for receiving and storing herbs.

Abstract: A bottom fill, fluid dispensing system is provided having a dispenser capable of being mounted to a countertop and a container. The container may be placed onto the dispenser and the dispenser may be moved to a first position, to allow the dispenser to fill the container with a fluid. The container may be filled through a one way valve in the container wall. Once the container is filled to a desired level, the dispenser may be moved to a second position and the container may be removed from the dispenser without the fluid leaking from the one way valve in the container wall.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes refrigerator cabinet, a door attached to the refrigerator cabinet, an ice and water dispenser mounted at the door for dispensing ice and water through the door, the ice and water dispenser including a multifunction dispensing actuation pad having a plurality of actuation points and wherein ice or water is dispensed upon selectively applying a pressure to one of the plurality of actuation points on the dispensing actuation pad. A method of operating a refrigerator includes the steps of providing a refrigerator and selectively applying pressure to at least one of a plurality of actuation points on a dispensing actuation pad of the refrigerator to select an ice and water dispenser function.

Abstract: A fluid transfer assembly and methods of fluid transfer is described. In one aspect, the fluid transfer assembly includes a fluid container having an opening in a bottom, a coupling device attached to the fluid container at the opening, and a filling device. The coupling device may include a valve biasing the coupling device in a closed fluid-tight position via magnetic attraction of opposing first and second components, each of the opposing first and second components including a magnetic material.

Abstract: A purge apparatus is provided which can purge with clean gas even in a case where an in-use state is selected after a long period of a non-use state. The purge apparatus includes a nozzle which is connectable to a container and through which gas passes, a detection unit which detects a connection state between the container and the nozzle, and a flow rate adjustment unit which allows the gas to flow at a first flow rate when the container and the nozzle are in a connected state, and allows the gas to flow at a second flow rate, which is lower than the first flow rate, when the container and the nozzle are in a disconnected state.

Abstract: The invention relates to a liquid dispensing system. The system includes a liquid dispensing apparatus (10, 50) having liquid dispensing nozzles (18) and containers (12, 52) that each have a one-way valve (30, 70) located in a charging opening defined in the base region thereof. A container is positionable on the apparatus with a dispensing nozzle penetrating the container via the charging opening and the one-way valve thereof, providing for bottom filling of the container and sealing of the charging opening by the one-way valve when the dispensing nozzle is retracted from the container.

Abstract: A system for charging and/or recharging containers with fluid is provided. The system includes a bottle assembly having a body portion defining a cavity therein, and a valve assembly configured and adapted to open and close a fluid path into the cavity of the body portion; a fluid supply valve assembly for supplying fluid to the valve assembly of the bottle assembly to deliver fluid to the cavity of the body portion; and a fluid supply assembly fluidly connected to the fluid supply valve assembly for delivering fluid thereto. Accordingly, when the bottle assembly is operatively connected to the fluid supply valve assembly, the valve assembly of the bottle assembly actuates the fluid supply valve assembly to the open condition to permit fluid flow into the cavity of the body portion of the bottle assembly.

Abstract: A discharge box capable of transporting and then dispensing a high bulk density of solid product with substantially no human intervention. The discharge box includes separable/replaceable components allowing for a low cost, low maintenance, and long-term package and includes a tamper-evidence site window, and desiccant pockets, in a lid portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device which enables nozzles to be changed without changing the pressure conditions in the container or device associated therewith. According to the invention a connector piece support (2) is fixed to a pressurised container (1) wherein a medium (20) is guided into said container through a nozzle (8) by means of a lance (7). Said connector piece is connected to a sealing housing (5) by means of a locking device (3) in order to receive the lance (7). Sealing rings (13a, 13b, 13c) are arranged in the sealing housing (5) thereby ensuring pressure-tightness in relation to the container (1) and the surrounding area when the lance (7) is inserted into the sealing housing (5).

Abstract: The present invention has for its object to provide a mechanism for preventing a liquid from splashing from a liquid tank, and a component mounting apparatus with this liquid splashing prevention mechanism. The liquid splash prevention mechanism has a first seal member with a circumferential outer face attached to a first driving lever in a lubricating oil tank, and a second seal member with an arc face set in the lubricating oil tank correspondingly to the first seal member so that a sealing gap for preventing lubricating oil from scattering is formed between the first seal member and the second seal member. Moreover, the lubricating oil is filled in the sealing gap. Scattering of the lubricating oil is more surely prevented by this arrangement. Quality degradation to be caused by adhesion of the lubricating oil to printed boards and the like can be prevented, and productivity can be improved.

Abstract: A needle foot assembly for a dispensing system includes a needle nut, a rotatable bearing, a friction brake, and an end piece holding the needle foot. The needle foot assembly attaches the needle to a dispensing head of the dispensing system. Rotation of the bearing alters the orientation of the needle foot and needle. The needle foot is removeably attached to the end piece and can be adjusted with respect to height.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling device for oil level regulation on oil pans in engines and transmissions, with an opening 1 in the base of the oil pan 2 which is closable with an oil drain screw 10, an oil filling collar 3 being arranged over the opening 1, the oil filling collar 3 projecting into the interior 4 of the oil pan, and a filling pipe 5 as an extension of the oil filling collar 3 being releasably attached to the oil filling collar 3, the free end 6 of the filling pipe 5 representing an overflow opening 7; the invention also relates to an oil pan containing the inventive filling device.

Abstract: A refillable container includes a filling valve, and a pressurization station having housing at which a needle is coupled to a compressor. The needle includes an enlarged frustoconical head, a reduced diameter neck, and a larger diameter base. The filling valve has an upper split portion, a frustoconical section expanding downward and terminating in a barb, and a lower flared flange, and defines an interior space having a first portion sized to accommodate the head of the needle, a reduced diameter neck portion, and a flared third portion providing an entrance for the needle. Upon compressor actuation, air is forced into the valve and causes the bills of the valve to flutter open to pressurize the container. As pressure within the container increases, force against the valve from within the container increases, locking the container on the needle. The container may be guided onto the needle with minimal effort.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage is furnished from a source at a first pressure to a reservoir in which a quantity of the beverage is held a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure and greater than atmospheric pressure. When it is desired to dispense the carbonated beverage into a serving container, the reservoir is vented to the atmosphere so that the beverage is dispensed at substantially atmospheric pressure. The amount of carbonated beverage in the reservoir is sensed and when that amount drops below a first level, carbonated beverage is added from the source while the reservoir is vented to the atmosphere. The venting terminates when the amount of beverage in the reservoir reaches a second level. The beverage continues to flow into the reservoir thereafter for a predefined period of time causing the pressure to increase to the second pressure level.

Abstract: A carbonated beverage is conveyed from a source to a closed reservoir at a first pressure level. The pressure in the reservoir is controlled by selectively venting gas and adding pressurized gas to the reservoir to maintain the carbonated beverage at a second pressure level that is less than the first pressure level and substantially greater than atmospheric pressure. The carbonated beverage is dispensed from the reservoir into a serving container by reducing the pressure in the reservoir to substantially atmospheric pressure and then opening an outlet valve. During prolonged periods when dispensing is not occurring, the pressure in the reservoir may be increased to prevent degassing of the carbonated beverage. In that case, the reservoir pressure is reduced to the second pressure level before another dispensing operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure, by slightly enlarging the nozzle volume.

Abstract: A pressurized system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. The carbonated beverage is maintained in a pressurized state within the nozzle and the remainder of the system, until immediately prior to opening a valve to dispense the carbonated beverage into the open container. Prior to opening valve, the pressure of the carbonated beverage nozzle is reduced to an appropriate dispensing pressure, preferably slightly above atmospheric pressure. The system also precisely controls the temperature of the carbonated beverage, preferably using an in-line zero&Dgr;T chiller. In addition, specialized valve configurations and operation techniques, as well as container positioning techniques, are implemented in order to achieve a desired presentation of the carbonated beverage in the open container.

Abstract: An automated open container holder automatically raises and lowers an open container in a carbonated beverage dispensing system. The holder is preferably a cantilevered horizontal platform which is driven vertically relative to an outlet port of a dispensing nozzle via an electronically controlled actuator during the dispensing cycle. The dispensing nozzle is designed to bottom fill the open container, and it is desirable that the outlet port of the nozzle be located proximate to a bottom of the open container at least until the outlet port is submerged. The container holder as well as the open container are selectively positioned in accordance with a preselected pouring profile such that for a given dispensing temperature, pressure and flow profile, the container holder selectively positions the open container. This allows the vendor or supplier to program a preferred or several preferred presentations for the beverage depending on the timing of preselected turbulence during the pour.

Abstract: A system for dispensing carbonated beverages into an open container uses a bottom filling technique in which the outlet port of the nozzle is proximate to a bottom of the open container when dispensing is initiated. Specialized valve configurations and operation techniques are implemented in order to achieve enhanced flow characteristics of the carbonated beverage dispensing into the open container. Preferably, the valve head has a distribution surface in which a portion of the distribution surface near a proximal end of the valve head slopes more steeply downward than the portion of the distribution surface that is located towards the distal end of the valve head. With this configuration, the valve head gently redirects the flow trajectory of the carbonated beverage existing the nozzle from a substantially downward trajectory to a more horizontal umbrella like trajectory. It has been found that such a trajectory provides particularly favorable results.

Abstract: The pot of a paster, such as a paster which can apply a flowable adhesive to a series of coherent blanks or to successive discrete blanks in a cigarette packing machine, receives a suitable adhesive from the discharge end of a suction nozzle. The latter has an intake end which can be introduced into supplies of adhesive in successive vessels of a series of two or more vessels. The suction nozzle carries a container which is at least partially filled with adhesive while the intake end of the nozzle draws adhesive from a vessel, and the thus at least partially filled container supplies adhesive to the intake end of the nozzle during transfer of the nozzle from an emptied vessel into a filled vessel. This ensures that the nozzle can supply adhesive to the paster while its intake end dips into the supply of adhesive in a vessel as well as while the intake end is being advanced from an emptied vessel into an at least partially filled vessel.

Abstract: A water and drinking device for pets which includes a water container, a flexible valve assembly removably secured to the outlet end of the container and a lapping pan. The water container is pivotally secured to the lapping pan by the valve assembly thereon such that the water container can be moved from a folded storage position wherein the container is partially encased within the pan to a serving position wherein the container is disposed in an inverted inclination above the pan. The valve assembly comprises a flexible valve member, an actuating arm projecting from the valve member and a water outlet slit disposed in a concave end wall of the valve member which is aligned perpendicularly with respect to the actuating arm.

Abstract: A closure on a bottle is adapted to be activated by surfaces of a cooler well to move a plunger from a closed position to a position at which water is adapted to flow out of the bottle. Selected tolerances of the plunger and sleeve in which it moves provide a seal at the closed position and prevent the plunger from being fully withdrawn from the sleeve.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing melted butter into a container of popcorn is provided having a mechanism in which the melted butter will be sprayed evenly throughout the popcorn.

Abstract: A base supports a hopper for the storage of the particulate material to be dispensed in measured amounts. A stationary discharge tube in place in the base defines an opening for the entry of hopper stored material. A control tube is slidably mounted within the discharge tube and defines a second opening which upon control tube elevation registers with the discharge tube opening to admit material flow into the control tube. Said control tube carries, in a removable manner at its lower end, a measuring tube which is interchangeable with other measuring tubes, each of a different length, to enable dispensing of various amounts of material from a measuring chamber defined by the joined tubes. An O-ring couples the control tube and the measuring tube in a removable manner. The control tube additionally includes an insert or plug shaped member so as to prevent bridging and voids in the particulate measured.