Abstract: An apparatus and method for operating and calibrating a paint mixture delivery system includes a positive displacement fluid cylinder and a linear transducer that monitors operation of the positive displacement fluid cylinder. A controller is connected to a servo drive whose operation manipulates the performance of the positive displacement fluid cylinder. Operation of the fluid delivery system is controlled such that the ratio of paint or resin to catalyst or hardener can be accurately controlled and calibration of the discrete fluid flow sensors can be quickly and conveniently calibrated to assure delivery of the respective fluids are the desired mixture ratio.

Abstract: With a view to providing an accessory preparation toy which can prepare accessories of various sizes, colors, patterns and shapes easily and simply with joy, a storage container includes a main material storage portion, an auxiliary material storage portion and a mixing chamber. A main material and an auxiliary material which make up a mixed curable resin material are stored separately in the main material storage portion and the auxiliary material storage portion. Opening portions of the main material storage portion and the auxiliary material storage portion are formed so as to be opened by pressing the main material or the auxiliary material stored therein with fingers. Lamé flakes which represent a decorative material are mixed into the main material.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide for spraying systems, methods of disposing a layer of matrix onto a sample, and the like.

Abstract: A container having an first chamber; a second chamber; an upper seal forming a lower portion of the upper chamber; a lower seal adjacent the upper seal, the lower seal forming an upper portion of the lower chamber; a plurality of upper seal apertures in the upper seal; and a plurality of lower seal apertures in the lower seal, the upper seal apertures and the lower seal apertures rotatable between an open position with the upper and lower seal apertures aligned and a closed position with the upper and lower seal apertures nonaligned.

Abstract: A multi-part sterilant system (12) comprising: a first part (4) comprising a first reagent in a carrier medium in a first container (6); a second part (8)comprising a second reagent in a carrier medium in a second container (10); wherein the first reagent and the second reagent will react to provide a sterilising composition when the first part (4) is mixed with the second part (8); a pump head (2) having a peristaltic pump member (22); the first container (6) having a first-part dispensing tube (16) extending from its interior and disposed through the pump head (2); the second container (10) having a second-part dispensing tube (18) extending from its interior and disposed through the pump head (2); wherein the peristaltic pump member (22) when actuated acts on both the first-part dispensing tube (16) and the second-part dispensing tube (18) so as simultaneously to pump substantially equal volumes of the first part (4) and the second part (8).

Abstract: An exemplary foam dispenser includes a housing, a plate located in the housing, a first dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The first dispensing wheel has a plurality of pinch members and is rotatable about an axis. The exemplary dispenser includes a second dispensing wheel located proximate the plate. The second dispensing wheel having a plurality of pinch members and rotatable about the same axis as the first dispensing wheel. Rotation of the first dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a first flexible tube against the plate and to move a first liquid through the first tube; and rotation of the second dispensing wheel is configured to pinch a second flexible tube against the plate and to move a second liquid through the first tube. The exemplary dispenser includes a motor for rotating the first and second dispensing wheels and a motor controller for starting and stopping the motor.

Abstract: The present invention is a two-component fluid dispensing system. In particular, the present invention relates to a two-component fluid dispensing system that uses a dual rotor pump for precision ratio metering and precision fluid flow shut off of a mixed fluid.

Abstract: A method of preparing compounds comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising providing a modular dye meter, introducing component into one or more than one modular batching member of the modular dye meter, where the compound to be prepared comprises the one or more than one component, activating the internal rotor of one or more than one of the batching and delivering devices, thereby causing the internal rotors to rotate in the first direction, where rotation of the internal rotor moves component through the progressive recesses of the batching and delivering device through the corresponding delivery duct and through the dispenser, and thereby into a vessel for containing the compound, causing the rotation of the internal rotor in the first direction to cease, causing the internal rotor to rotate in a second direction, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction, thereby moving component back through the delivery duct into the corresponding batching and delivering device, and

Abstract: A method of preparing compounds comprising a plurality of components, the method comprising providing a modular dye meter, introducing component into one or more than one modular batching member of the modular dye meter, where the compound to be prepared comprises the one or more than one component, activating the internal rotor of one or more than one of the batching and delivering devices, thereby causing the internal rotors to rotate in the first direction, where rotation of the internal rotor moves component through the progressive recesses of the batching and delivering device through the corresponding delivery duct and through the dispenser, and thereby into a vessel for containing the compound, causing the rotation of the internal rotor in the first direction to cease, causing the internal rotor to rotate in a second direction, where the second direction is opposite to the first direction, thereby moving component back through the delivery duct into the corresponding batching and delivering device, and

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.

Abstract: Dispensing systems and refill units are disclosed herein. One exemplary refill unit includes a liquid reservoir and a rotary liquid pump having a liquid inlet in fluid communication with the liquid reservoir. The rotary liquid pump includes a housing, wherein at least a portion of the housing is resilient and a rotor that has one or more apexes. During operation, the one or more apexes contact the resilient portion of the housing and deflect the resilient portion of the housing resulting in the movement of a liquid. A mixing chamber having a liquid inlet and an air inlet is also provided. The liquid pump outlet is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber liquid inlet and the air inlet if in fluid communication with an air pump. An outlet nozzle is in fluid communication with the mixing chamber outlet for dispensing foam formed by mixing the liquid and air together.

Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.

Abstract: A container to contain fluid products, installed in a dispensing machine for fluid products, which is provided with a pair of delivery stations which have respective axes of delivery (X1) arranged at a determinate distance (D1) from each other. The container comprises an outer wall shaped so as to define an inner compartment consisting of two cylindrical zones connected by an intermediate zone. The distance (D2) between the longitudinal axes (X2) of the two cylindrical zones is substantially equal to the determinate distance (D1) between the axes of delivery (X1).

Abstract: The present invention provides a positive displacement rotary vane mixing pump in combination with a positive displacement rotary vane fluid pump. The mixing pump having an air inlet, an inlet for foamable fluid from the fluid pump, and an outlet from a discharge sector of the pump for discharging a mixture of air and liquid to a foam generator.

Abstract: A system, device and method for dispensing a product includes a delivery system that includes at least one auger with internal flighting that is either integral with or attached to an internal wall of a barrel portion of the auger. The auger rotates and the spiral flighting within the auger transmits a product from a bulk loading station to a product dispensation area. Thus, products can be bulk loaded into a device rather than having to be loaded one-by-one into a dispensing device. The spiral flighting reduces pinch points associated with conventional auger systems.

Abstract: A feed dispensing machine for delivering ready access feed to farmers, horse owners and the equivalent. The feed dispensing machine having a controller, a storage container, a surge container, a first conveyor system, a level sensor, a weighing mechanism, and a second conveyor system. The first conveyor system connects the storage container to the surge container while the level sensor is positioned within the surge container to signal capacity of bulk material within the surge container. The weighing mechanism includes a scale and connects to the controller. The second conveyor system connects the surge container to the weighing mechanism, and is positioned above the scale.

Abstract: Dry powder inhalers include: (a) a first generally planar spiral travel path in an inhaler body, wherein the first spiral travel path has a plurality of adjacent curvilinear channels forming lanes with upstanding sidewalls, including an inner lane and an outer lane; and (b) a plurality of discrete sealed microcartridges with substantially rigid bodies disposed in the first travel path, each comprising a pre-metered (typically dose) amount of dry powder, the microcartridges being configured to slidably advance along the first travel path toward an inhalation chamber that merges into an inhalation output port. In operation, at least one microcartridge is held in the inhalation chamber to release the dry powder therein during inhalation.

Abstract: A volume-based, rather than time-based, system for dispensing fluid incorporates a microprocessor-based controller, software, pump, and positive displacement flow meter. The volume being pumped and the time it takes to pump that volume is calculated and tracked by the software, giving a flow rate. This rate is then tracked by the software for any changes. Any conditional changes that occur, affecting this rate, are tracked, and if the rate becomes too excessive outside of the normal rate established at initial calibration, then an alarm or other indication is provided to the operator.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to dispensing system configured for dispensing a food product. The invention also relates to a peristaltic pump that has a pumping member configured to move along a path through a pumping position and a loading position. The pump also includes a motor in drivable association with the pumping member to move the pumping member along the path and a backing member having a surface configured to cooperate with the pumping member to pinch a conduit therebetween when the pumping member engages the conduit to establish peristaltic association in the pumping position to peristaltically pump a fluid therethrough. When the pumping member is in the loading position, the pumping member is disposed to allow the conduit to be received in and removed from a pumping space. The present invention also relates to a method for dispensing a food product using a peristaltic pump.

Abstract: A food dispensing apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispense aperture, a hopper, an accumulator assembly, a weighing system, and a flap door. The hopper is positioned in the cabinet and configured to hold food articles. The accumulator assembly is positioned vertically below the first hopper and includes an accumulator bin and a door assembly. The accumulator door is positioned in the cabinet and arranged to receive food articles dispensed from the first hopper. The door assembly is configured to retain the food articles in the accumulator bin and is actuatable between an open position and a closed position. The weighing system is configured to determine an amount of food articles held in the accumulator bin. The flap door is positioned adjacent to the door assembly and is movable between a closed position substantially sealing closed the cabinet dispense aperture, and an open position. The flap door automatically closes upon actuation of the door assembly into the closed position.

Abstract: A handheld storage and mixing device is disclosed. The device can include first and second separate containers each defining a distinct internal cavity. The first container can be movable (e.g., rotatable) relative to the second container between a first position and a second position. In the first position, the cavities can be substantially sealed from one another. In the second position, a first gas forming ingredient in one of the cavities can mix with a second gas forming ingredient in the other cavity to form a gas, such as chlorine dioxide gas. The device can have one or more filtered openings to allow gas generated by mixing the first and second gas forming ingredients to escape into the ambient environment.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a granular product. The system includes a refillable, sealable receptacle, having a neck at its lower end, a rotatable and flexible impeller within the neck, with the shape and size of the impeller conforming generally to the shape and size of the neck, providing sealing for maintaining the freshness of the granular product. Preferably the impeller comprises a hollow central core, and a shaft extends through the hollow core into at least one through-hole formed in the neck. A handle is present for turning the shaft to rotate the impeller. A base is provided with a retaining arm for removably receiving the receptacle. The system is capable of easy disassembly for cleaning, by removal of the receptacle and impeller from within the receptacle. Also provided is a multi-system for dispensing a plurality of products; having several receptacles and associated dispensing mechanisms mounted on a single support.

Abstract: A liquid metering system is disclosed for pumping two components of an adhesive into a mixer. The liquid metering system uses gear pumps of certain dimensions to pump each component into a manifold which delivers the components to a mixer where the components become an adhesive. A fixed mass flow ratio related to the size of the gear pumps is automatically established because the gear pumps are driven by the same motor at a fixed speed ratio. The self-metering system eliminates the complexity of known adhesive pumping systems.

Abstract: A flexible impeller pump includes first and second component housings. The first component housing includes a first flexible impeller and the second component housing includes a second flexible impeller. As these impellers rotate within their respective housings, they draw in and expel individual components into a common receiving chamber. In a particular application, one component is a foamable liquid, and the other component is air, and a mixture of foamable liquid and air is thus created in the common receiving chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a system for pumping of fluid by a single pump from a plurality of storage tanks in situations where some of the tanks should be pumped simultaneously at predefined, equal or unequal flow rates, and where some of the tanks should be pumped sequentially, in an orderly manner. The system needs no restrictors or valves to determine the flow rate or the sequence of pumping. In some embodiments, the rate of flow out of the pump does not change when one tank becomes empty before another.

Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.

Abstract: A dispensing jar including an inner component forming a pair of chambers in which ingredients can be stored, and an actuating cover having a recessed well for receiving the ingredients dispensed into the well through a pair of orifices by imparted rotation of the cover, and with the cover having a pair of offset paddles downwardly extending into the chambers such that rotation of the actuating cover dispenses the ingredients from each chamber simultaneously up through the orifices into the well for admixture.

Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.

Abstract: The present invention includes a spinning valve having an inner valve portion and an outer valve portion, and having multiple inlets and multiple chambers at different heights along the longitudinal axis of the inner valve portion. The present invention also includes a spinning valve having an inner valve portion and an outer valve portion, with multiple inlets at the same height along the longitudinal axis of the inner valve portion with single or multiple chambers at that location along the longitudinal axis. In each of these valves, the inner valve portion is adapted to spin within the outer valve portion. Additionally, the present invention includes an apparatus for dispensing two or more discrete streams of fluid into a series of containers by using one of the aforementioned valves.

Abstract: A system for metering and dispensing single and plural component liquids and solids as described herein. The dispensing system has a microprocessor-based control system and progressive cavity pumps which provide a very accurate control of component ratios, shot sizes, flow rates and dispense durations. The system has numerous feedback components for accurately controlling the pressure, flow rates, fluid levels and amounts of fluids dispensed. Where a valved nozzle is used, the pressure in the flow system is used to control the pumps rather than the valve. Such a system may be used as a sprayer with compressed air added. Drum rams are associated with the supply drums and the progressive cavity pumps may be placed on the drum ram. Maintenance of a steady state in the system is accomplished with back and forth movement of the pump, with compensation for pressure changes. Absolute rotational position of the pump can be monitored when a set pressure is maintained, to diagnose system conditions.

Abstract: The present invention relates in general to a portable laundry detergent dispensing system. This unit is divided into three holding containers, one for liquid detergent, one for powdered detergent and one for liquid fabric softener. The center back compartment is a storage compartment for a measuring cup, a mixing rod and other laundry accessories. The storage compartment also includes a coin-holder for nickles, dimes and quarters in the rear wall. The powder dispenser is a cylindrical dump cup having an opening therein which allows a fixed amount of the the solid detergent to flow into a measuring cup. Liquid detergents and softeners are dispensed with a fixed volume hand pump assembly connected to retractable hose assemblies.

Abstract: A dispenser for viscous liquids in which a hollow cylindrical body is provided with stationary walls. A rotatable member with vanes is situated within the body so that rotation of the vanes will cause the liquids contained within the body to be squeezed out through a nozzle in one end of the main body. The other end of the main body is provided with a rotatable cap to turn the vanes within the body.

Abstract: A controlled method of, and apparatus for, continuously processing initially dry, particulate, cementitious material and fly ash solids and mixing them with a liquid to provide a liquid slurry of consistent proportions. The method and apparatus are concerned with a bin system for the fly ash solids and dry cementitious solids, opposed conveyor flight elements within the bin system leading to a metering valve system, a conveyor system for receiving the fly ash and cementitious material solids in metered proportions and then mixing them with a liquid to form a slurry, a conduit for pneumatically supplying solids entrained in an airstream to the bin system, a pressure controlled system for egressing air from the bin system and separating remaining solids from the air while maintaining the bin system under less than atmospheric pressure, and controls for monitoring the volume of material in the bin system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mixing and delivering plural liquid components in a selected volume ratio. For each component, a separate motor drives a separate rotary gear pump that delivers the component to a common mixing and delivery device (spray gun). The speed of each motor, and correspondingly the volume of fluid delivered by that pump, is determined by a respective programmable computer. The individual computers are interlinked, with one master computer and the rest slave(s). Desired motor speeds are input into the computers in a selected ratio. A change in the speed of the master motor therefore produces a corresponding change in the speed of a slave motor according to the ratio. Actual motor speed is monitored and transmitted to the respective computer for feedback control. A simple manual ratio test is provided for calibration of the system. Each pump is magnetically coupled to its respective motor drive shaft.

Abstract: The present invention is a container for codispensing two or more semi-solid products which is operable by outside manual motion. It includes a main body which is divided into at least two compartments by a divider wall so as to form a plurality of compartments with at least a first compartment and a second compartment. It also has an outlet connected to each of the plurality of compartments. There are one or more fins located within the first compartment, this first fin having an inner edge, and being rotatably connected to the housing at the inner edge, and a second fin located in the second compartment, this second fin having an inner edge, and being rotatably connected to the housing at the inner edge. There is a component for simultaneously rotatably moving the plurality of fins so as to decrease the volume within the compartments and so as to push material therein out simultaneously for codispensing.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a semi-frozen confection of the present invention has a freezing cylinder for main ingredient of the semi-frozen confection, and a syrup refrigerating cylinder installed in the vicinity of both a semi-frozen confection dispensing conduit and the freezing cylinder. Accordingly, when preparing a semi-frozen confection composed of, e.g., ice cream and syrup to be served in a cone, rise in the temperature of the ice cream caused by the syrup may be restrained, thereby enabling the semi-frozen confection produced to retain its shape. The apparatus further has a microcomputer for controlling the rotating speed of at least one of the mixers respectively housed in the freezing cylinder and in the syrup refrigerating cylinder. This permits the proportion of, e.g., the ice cream and syrup composing the semi-frozen confection to be varied as desired.

Abstract: An apparatus and process are provided for mixing and dispensing high viscosity, multiple component reactive liquids into a mold. The apparatus and process are particularly suitable for mixing and dispensing highly viscous intumescent fireproofing materials. Each reactive liquid component is stored in a separate pressure tank. The liquid components flow through separate conduits leading from each pressure tank, and are metered by a gear pump located in each component conduit. A gear linkage synchronously links the gear pumps together, and a self-locking motor is adapted to drive the linked gear pumps. When the motor is turned off, the gear pumps act as a valve to stop flow of the component liquids. The metered components flow into a common conduit, which has therein a static mixer for thoroughly mixing the components. The mixed components are then dispensed through an orifice.

Abstract: A material dispensing apparatus in combination with a tipping body, such as a tipping truck, the body of which is tiltable between a horizontal position and an inclined position includes at least one removable module mounted on the tipping body and provided with two passages. The tipping body includes a container filled with a material and divided into two storage regions communicating with the two passages, respectively, of the container. The module also includes a storage tank and two screw conveyors located at the ends of the passages to convey the material in the passages to respective outlets.

Abstract: A dual temperature beverage dispenser for providing a variety of beverages, both hot and cool from a small, high capacity, coin-activated unit. The dispenser includes a removable operating module which can be stored for safekeeping separate and apart from a water storage unit which becomes inoperative when the operating module is removed. The water storage unit includes a hot water heater including a tank and a storage tank for ambient water oriented above the hot water heater tank for gravity flow of ambient water to the hot water heater tank when required and for gravity flow to a discharge point in the operating module to enable ambient or cool water to be obtained without payment or beverage to be obtained from the dispenser by use of an appropriate coin or token.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a selectively variable measured quantity of granular material from a container includes a cup-shaped first member and a hollow cylindrical dispensing member having a sidewall disposed concentrically within the first member. The dispensing member includes a handle, an open bottom, a closed top panel, and a pair of radially extending side panels depending from the top panel to define a measuring chamber. The volume of the measuring chamber may be varied by means of an adjustment member having a lateral panel disposed in a recess in the top of the dispensing member and a depending panel which forms a sidewall of the measuring chamber. The dispensing member is rotatable about a tubular projection extending from the first member, so that the measuring chamber may be moved from alignment with an intake port in the bottom panel of a reservoir supported above the first member to alignment with a discharge port in the bottom of the first member.