Abstract: A postmix beverage dispensing valve for a beverage dispenser, including a volumetric ratio control device incorporated therein to provide positive ratio control. The device includes a syrup piston and a soda piston linked togeher, syrup and soda chambers, and flow control values for controlling the flow to and from the chambers. The soda pressure drives the pistons.

Abstract: A unitary mounting bracket for a gas-pressurized canister. The canister includes a paste to be dispensed onto an elongated object, and at its top end includes an elongated nipple actuator extending along the longitudinal axis of the canister. Movement of the actuator causes the paste to be dispensed from the tip of the actuator. The bracket has an elongated base which extends along a first longitudinal axis and has a spring portion and a pair of arms to support the canister along a second longitudinal axis parallel to the first longitudinal axis. The bracket also has a ring portion connected by a flexible arm to the base at a point below the arms. The ring portion defines an aperture which is disposed along the second longitudinal axis and the nipple actuator extends through the aperture when the canister is positioned in the base.

Abstract: A refrigerator/freezer has an external service area with an ice/water dispenser disposed in a freezer door with color coordinated control levers for controlling the dispensing of ice/water. Each of the control levers includes a main shank portion that is pivotal to actuate the ice/water dispenser and a saddle portion that defines the area of the lever to be pressed in order to pivot the lever. The saddle portion has a three piece construction that includes a back-up saddle integrally formed with the main shank of the lever; a color coordinated main saddle mounted on and overlying the back-up saddle; and a resilient cushioning pad mounted on the back-up saddle so as to cushion a glass or the like pressing against the saddle portion of the lever to actuate the ice/water dispenser.

Abstract: An ice cube and cold beverage dispenser has a cabinet with a single inside bin chamber for ice cubes. A cold plate beverage chiller is located in the bottom of the chamber. A ice cube agitator and outlet is spaced above the cold plate. A false bottom is located under the agitator and outlet with the false bottom being spaced above the cold plate and having cube ports for passing cubes downward upon the plate and for precluding dispensing of cubes dropped on the plate, with front and rear walls and the agitator and the cold plate and the false bottom all being canted forward. The agitator is of lesser diameter than the width of the cube bin and is located on one side of the bin and a feeder driven by the agitator in an opposite direction of rotation feeds ice cubes upwards and towards the center.

Abstract: A dispensing and metering device for liquids has a valve arrangement controlling the dispensing so that a metering chamber can be filled with a quantity of liquid and this quantity of liquid can then be drained. To ensure suitable metering, parts of the valve arrangement may remain in suitable sockets at inlet and outlet ends of the chamber so that liquid cannot flow continuously from the inlet to the outlet, in use. The outlet is provided below the chamber and an air bleed hole opens into the device between the chamber and outlet to allow air to enter the chamber to replace liquid being dispensed. The bleed hole can be valveless. In order to attach the device to a bottle, the device may have a resiliently deformable sleeve expansible radially into engagement with the interior of a bottle neck by axial compression of the sleeve. The device thus fits many bottles.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for dispensing granular material from a storage box container. The device includes a housing, having substantially vertical side walls and a receiving base, the receiving base having three planar surfaces all of which are located substantially within the vertical side walls and at right angles to the vertical side walls being located so as to retain a storage box container at an adequate angle to permit gravity flow of granular material. The apparatus also contains a main rail connected to the underside of the mentioned housing, the main rail having sliding structure capable of receiving a main slide so as to permit forward and reverse movement of the main slide within said main rail, the mail rail also having an opening therein coinciding with the dispensing opening of the housing and having a recess therein around its opening for receiving a gasket, with the gasket being fixedly located within the recess.

Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chilis, etc., with equal facility. A motor-driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food products therein. A dial configuration further includes a plurality of selectively insertable strainer structures which are removably mounted flush with the upper surface of the dial over one or more of the measuring chambers to control the ratio of garnish to broth in each dispensed container of soup and the like.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly has been devised for the transfer of flowable materials from one container to another and is characterized in particular by the construction of a dispenser spout which is adapted to be releasably secured to a tubular extension projecting from the access opening of the supply container. The spout is comprised of an end closure having an open support adapted to be releasably inserted into the tubular extension such that the closure is spaced from the end of the tubular extension and the open support permits the passage of materials from the supply container. A movable sleeve in telescoping relation to the tubular extension is normally urged in a direction closing the passage formed by the open support outwardly of the tubular extension.

Abstract: Nails, screws and the like, referred to as fasteners, are automatically supplied into the magazine of a driver for the fasteners from a supply chute. A slide pusher may extend out of the free end of the magazine and cooperates with a gate at the discharge end of the supply chute, whereby the gate is opened when the free end of the magazine is inserted into the discharge end of the supply chute. In this position the magazine slide pusher is located in a recess to permit the fasteners to freely pass by the slide pusher into the magazine guide channel. When the magazine is full it is withdrawn from the supply chute, whereby a spring closes the gate and the slide pusher is moved back into the magazine guide channel to push the fasteners toward the magazine discharge end under the force of a spring in the magazine.

Abstract: A dispenser for drawing toothpaste from a squeeze-tube container and applying it to the top of a toothbrush with a vacuum pump of piston-cylinder construction which is so operated that the pump draws the toothpaste out of the squeeze-tube container when the toothbrush is pushed into the dispenser and discharges the same when the toothbrush is withdrawn. The toothpaste is pumped through a passage which is provided with an inlet valve which operates in cooperation with an elastic adapter used for mounting and sealing the neck portion of the squeeze-tube container, an outlet valve which operates in cooperation with a port formed in the cylinder, and an elastic discharge nozzle which opens when the toothpaste is being pumped and closes by its own resiliency when the toothpaste is being drawn out of the squeeze-tube container. The amount of toothpaste supplied each time by the dispenser can be adjustably predetermined as desired.

Abstract: A liquid measuring and dispensing device comprises: a flow tube providing an inflow duct and an outflow duct; an upper valve seat provided at the lower end of the inflow duct; a lower valve seat provided at the upper end of the outflow duct; a measuring chamber axially slidable relative to the flow tube; and a valve carrier connected to the measuring chamber for movement therewith; an upper valve member and a lower valve member carried by the valve carrier; the measuring chamber being movable between an upper and a lower position through an intermediate position; in the lower position of the chamber, the lower valve member seating on the lower valve seat to close communication between the chamber and the upper end of the outflow duct but the upper valve member being unseated from the lower end of the inflow duct to provide communication between the inflow duct and the chamber; in the upper position of the chamber the upper valve member seats on the upper valve seat closing communication between the inflow duc

Abstract: A toothpaste extruder capable of automatically supplying a toothbrush with toothpaste extruded from a tube fixed to a suction port of the extruder through a reciprocating movement of an incorporated piston imparted by pressing a toothbrush to a toothbrush receiver provided on the housing of the extruder, the amount of supply being predeterminable so that the extrusion amount can be increased or decreased in conformity with the need of the user.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser, for dispensing discreet amounts of a liquid, such as a mouthwash, comprised of a container for a supply of a liquid and a base member which may be attached to the container in a horizontal position to provide for a free standing condition of the assembly, or, in a vertical position for suspension from a pair of screws preset in a wall. A double acting valve, provided with a laterally extending release bar, is disposed at the bottom of the container, said valve being normally spring urged into a closing relation with a discharge port in the bottom of a dose cup, fixed relative to the bottom end of the container. When the top edge of a receptacle such as a drinking glass or paper cup is pressed upwardly against the release bar, the valve is moved from the discharge port of the dose cup permitting the liquid therein to flow into the drinking glass or other receptacle, and the valve is moved into a closing relation with a discharge port opening from the container into the dose cup.

Abstract: An attachment for a beverage faucet, the faucet comprised of a normally closed valve, a handle for opening the valve, and a delivery nozzle in fluid communication with the valve, which prevents the handle from opening the valve until a drinking glass is positioned beneath the faucet. The attachment consists of a bracket connected to the handle and means connected to the bracket, engaging the delivery nozzle to prevent the handle from being moved until a glass is placed below the faucet.

Abstract: The spout of an ice dispenser has an anti-jamming rod. The auger motor causes the rod to move in the spout. A means is provided to stop the motor in response to interference with such movement of the rod.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an improved apparatus for dispensing paste or the like from a collapsible tube. The apparatus comprises a case having an electric motor enclosed therein which, when actuated, moves a pair of rollers downwardly on both sides of the tube to thereby force paste therefrom. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the case is provided with a movable closure member at the bottom thereof which seals the exit nozzle of the toothpaste tube. A motor actuation switch is positioned with respect to the closure member so that the motor is automatically actuated when a toothbrush is positioned so as to move the closure member to uncover the outlet nozzle of the tube and at the same time cause the closure member to abut the switch.

Abstract: Liquid dispensing apparatus particularly for beverages has a transparent measuring chamber capable of receiving in mounting engagement an inverted bottle in communication with the measuring chamber. The chamber includes a liquid inlet port, a liquid outlet port and a downwardly resiliently biased sliding tubular valve member mounted in the outlet port. A pivotal operating member serves to urge the valve member upwards to close the inlet port, present lateral triangular apertures in the valve member to the interior of the chamber to permit liquid to pass therethrough and out through the outlet port, and open an air valve at the upper end of the valve member to permit air to enter the chamber displacing liquid leaving the chamber. An electric motor and associated gearing may be provided for raising the valve member.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a freezer compartment with a primary door and an automatic motor-driven ice dispenser within the freezing compartment. The ice dispenser includes an ice mold, an ice ejecting arrangement, a receptacle for receiving ice pieces from the mold, and a rotatable dispensing means positioned within the receptacle for moving the ice pieces through the receptacle and discharging the ice pieces from an opening in the receptacle. There is provided a passage through the primary door for receiving the ice pieces from the receptacle outlet when the primary door is closed. A recess is in communication with the passage and has an opening in the exterior surface of the primary door. The recess has a secondary door hingedly secured to the primary door that seals the opening on the exterior surface of the primary door.

Abstract: A dispensing and metering device which can be attached to the neck of a bottle has a housing defining a chamber having an inlet and an outlet. The chamber can be filled through the inlet with liquid from a bottle secured to the device by an attachment element and can be drained through the outlet. A valve arrangement which includes an outlet nozzle extending generally away from the outlet, is movable from a first condition in which it closes the inlet and opens the outlet, through a second condition in which it closes both the inlet and the outlet, to a third condition in which it closes the outlet and opens the inlet. A flow path is defined at least partly within the valve arrangement for introducing air into the chamber via the nozzle and the outlet. The air replaces liquid flowing from the outlet when the outlet is open. The valve arrangement is resiliently biassed to the third condition to keep the outlet closed until the valve arrangement is operated.

Abstract: A dispensing device for toothpaste or other paste-like material, comprising an elastically deformable duct arranged within a housing and connected at one end to a container of the material to be dispensed and at the other end to a delivery mouth. Parallel to the duct there is movable a carriage having a member capable of engaging the duct to squeeze it in a given direction, thus causing dispensing of a controlled amount of the material contained in the duct, while simultaneously sucking up therein a substantially equal amount of material. The carriage is operable by a toothbrush or other receiving member which is insertable into the housing below the delivery mouth. The material is dispensed directly on the bristles of the toothbrush or other receiving member while the same travels below the delivery mouth during return of the carriage and toothbrush under the action of a return spring.

Abstract: This dispensing device is for use with a mixing bowl having a discharge port. The device is connected to the bowl below the discharge port to receive mix from the bowl and includes a horizontal dispensing chamber having a discharge port at one end. A plunger mounted within the chamber includes a one-way valve passing the mix through the plunger head when the plunger moves away from the dispensing port and urging the mix out of the dispensing port when the plunger moves toward the dispensing port. The plunger is actuated by a piston and cylinder assembly which includes an adjustable stop predetermining the travel of the plunger and hence determining the quantity of mix dispensed.

Abstract: A refrigerated beverage dispenser particularly designed to handle perishable beverages such as milk wherein the bowl has an opening in the bottom wall through which a spout extends that is part of the outlet tube mounted in the bowl and submerged in the beverage. The outlet tube is made of a good heat conductive material such as brass and the refrigerated beverage in the bowl is circulated over the surface of tube to maintain the tube temperature at the temperature of the beverage. A valve is mounted in the outlet tube, and a port is provided in the outlet tube upstream of the valve through which beverage in the bowl may discharge through the spout. A push handle mounted outside the bowl is connected to a push rod that extends through a tubular support in the bowl, and the push rod is coupled to the valve.

Abstract: A container and dispenser for dry particulated chemicals, such as agricultural pesticides, in which the container has two walls forming a corner at one end of the container, and an opening in the corner for discharging the chemical in the container therefrom. A removable closure seals the opening while the container is being shipped and stored and a retractable closure is disposed within the container for closing the opening when the closure has been removed in preparation for discharging the chemical into the dispensers. The dispenser is so constructed and designed that it holds the container in the position where the opening is at the bottom for discharging the contents from the container, and a projection is provided on the dispenser for retracting the closure disposed in the container when the container is placed in the dispenser. A spring may be provided for urging the closure in the container to its closed position so that the container is automatically closed when it is removed from the dispenser.

Abstract: A disposable tamperproof shipping valve for containers of fluids, especially those under pressure. The valve of unitary, one-piece construction incorporates a tamperproof, hermetic seal and includes a means for opening a check valve in an external dispenser for fluid flow control. It is amenable to ready insertion into the filling opening of a fluid shipping container. There, the valve remains sealed until the sealing ring is broken for fluid dispensing and consumption or use.

Abstract: The invention pertains to an improved tap, having a tap body provided with a liquid supply passage leading into a chamber which communicates with the outside of the body; an element which acts as a valve in the chamber and can move axially within the latter, this element comprising an axial passage, curved laterally towards the liquid supply passage; and a control part, pivotingly fitted to the body and linked to the valve element in order to move the latter.

Abstract: A water squirt toy apparatus including a combination of a water squirt toy and a special filling valve which function together cooperatively.The water squirt toy includes a resiliently expansible tubular member serving as a water reservoir and encased within a rigid tubular support member, and a manually operated, lever-type normally closed valve mechanism operatively associated with the expansible member for permitting or preventing fluid discharge therefrom by compressing or pinching the same. The forward end of the expansible member is fixedly, but removably, secured to a discharge opening. The filling valve is particularly structured for fluidically mating with a conventional hose bib or hose as well as with the discharge opening in order to permit easy and rapid filling and refilling of the expansible member with water. The discharge opening may also mate directly with the hose bib or hose without the special valve.

Abstract: A machine for dispensing a beverage into a container formed from a mixture of a dry granular base food product and water. The machine has a product metering unit carrying a food product storage container. The metering unit has a rotatable auger driven by a drive mechanism including an electric motor to dispense food product into a mixing bowl. A solenoid control valve operates to control the flow of water to the mixing bowl when the electric motor for the dispensing unit is actuated. An adjustable means restricts the size of the water carrying hose from the valve to the bowl to regulate the flow rate of water to the mixing bowl.

Abstract: A beer dispenser includes a timer-controlled automatic lever-operating mechanism which is mounted on a beer faucet by means of a quick-disconnect coupling. A lock is provided for preventing unauthorized removal of the lever-operating mechanism. When the lock is released, the device is quickly removed from the faucet for manual operation of the faucet or for cleaning the faucet. A trip lever behind the faucet spout actuates a timing circuit which opens the faucet valve for a preselected period. A manual switch in the device permits addition of a single small portion of beer, to replace head spillage.

Abstract: An apparatus for intermittently dispensing the contents of aerosol spray cans includes a pivotal actuator for opening and closing the valve of the aerosol can and a rotatable drive wheel for intermittently pivoting the actuator. The drive wheel carries a plurality of pins for pivoting the actuator as the wheel rotates, and the position of selected pins can be adjusted so that one or more pins do not engage the actuator. The wheel is rotated intermittently by an arm which reciprocates in a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation and which engages one of the pins during each reciprocation.

Abstract: A device for use with a restaurant faucet of the type which is turned on with the positioning of a pitcher for receiving water, which device shifts the pitcher when full to one side for shutting off the faucet.