Abstract: A system for discharging product from a bag, the system including: a vibration unit arranged to support the bag and to vibrate so that the product exits an opening of the bag; a conduit having an inlet that is located below the vibration unit to receive the product; a downstream equipment connected to the conduit to receive the product from the conduit; wherein a protective cage is arranged around the inlet of the conduit, the protective cage having an open position to allow access to the inlet, and a closed position to restrict access to the inlet.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing soap and sanitizer includes a back plate, a container insert removably securable to the back plate, and a cover pivotally engaged to the back plate and the container insert. The container insert includes a first side defining a first container receiving feature and a second side, opposite the first side, defining a second container receiving feature that has a different configuration or size than the first container receiving feature.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide foam skin care product (e.g., soap) dispensers and corresponding compositions. An example foam skin care product dispenser includes a reservoir that holds, under pressure, a skin care product composition, including one or more propellants. During a dispense, a dispense valve is opened to release some of the skin care product composition from the reservoir into a dispensing (e.g., flow) path. Once released, the skin care product composition at least partially foams to form foamed skin care product (e.g., foamed soap).

Abstract: A conduit weighting device has a container to contain ballast. The container is formed from flexible sheet material and has a top opening to receive the ballast. The device has flaps extending from respective opposite edges of the top opening of the container. The container forms an underside channel sized and shaped to receive a conduit for conforming placement of the conduit weighting device on the conduit to weight the conduit. The flaps are sized and shaped: when in an open arrangement, to extend beyond edges of a trench containing the conduit to hold open the top opening while receiving the ballast material; and when in a closed arrangement, to close the top opening of the container. The weighting device may be placed on an entrenched conduit before filling, and then filled in place with locally-available backfill. The device may be transported to the site in a collapsed compact form.

Abstract: A method of formulating a personal cleansing product that will adhere to skin, includes: combining a cleansing composition with from about 18% to about 70%, by weight of the composition, of a surfactant; wherein the composition has a low shear viscosity of 100 Pa*s or more and a high shear viscosity 5 Pa*s or less; and a package with an orifice, wherein the package has a dispensing velocity of 50 cm/s or more.

Abstract: Reusable, flexible, lightweight, low cost flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBCs) for the delivery of granular proppant material for fracing that will allow the transport of higher weights of proppant, such as sand, per truck load. The invention includes a container made of a high strength, flexible material with a top opening for loading and deploying the proppant. The container can be lifted and deployed with a fork truck or crane. Alternatively, proprietary deployment systems, such as a conveyor system, can be used to quickly and efficiently deploy the proppant from the container at a desired site.

Abstract: A lotion pump includes an internally threaded sleeve; a spring-loaded dip tube including an annular first flange on an outer surface, and an internal shoulder; a first housing including a tapered head, a chamber spaced from the tapered head, a tunnel communicating between the tapered head and the chamber, overflow openings on the tunnel, and first external threads on an outer surface of the chamber; a check valve; a second housing including an open first chamber member, an open second chamber member, a channel communicating between the first chamber member and the second chamber member, second external threads, and an annular second flange on an outer surface; a support including an annular third flange on an outer surface, and an second opening; a spring-loaded valve; and an internally threaded cup including an annular fourth flange on an outer surface, and a second hole through a second end.

Abstract: Intelligent dispenser of disinfectant gel for connection to disinfection habits monitoring system that includes a disinfectant gel dispenser, a user recognition device and an electronic device. The dispenser also includes a communicator device to transmit at least the user identification data and dispenser identification data to a computing device member of a disinfection habits monitoring system. The computing device can process the transmitted user identification data linking them to the individual dispenser transmitter of the identification data, permitting to determine the disinfection habits of each user individually, and the computing device can transmit to an information emitter information related with the users identified by the recognition device and information relevant to tasks performed or omitted by the users and/or in accordance with the sanitation protocols, or area information corresponding to the physical position of the individual dispenser.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing flowable fluids by dispensing the flowable fluid through a passageway leading to a discharge outlet in one stroke of a piston pump and, in a second opposite stroke of the piston pump, discharging air into the passageway to displace the fluid from the passageway through the outlet.

Abstract: A counter-mounted dispenser for dispensing a skincare product includes an above-counter spout and a below-counter drive housing for engaging a replaceable refill unit. The refill unit includes a reservoir configured for holding a volume of skincare fluid, a pump assembly for pumping skincare fluid from the reservoir, and a dispensing tube for delivering the pumped skincare fluid. The reservoir defines a central axis and includes a handle positioned on an outer perimeter of the reservoir. A pump assembly is mounted on the reservoir in a position that is offset from the center of the reservoir in a direction opposite the reservoir's handle.

Abstract: A wiping solution dispenser utilizes a motorized dispenser mechanism that moves a nozzle back and forth along a stroke to dispense a wide band of wiping solution onto toilet tissue. A motor may be coupled with a nozzle that moves back and forth or rotates about a pivot point to dispense a band of wiping solution. Wiping solution may be within a solution container that is configured for insertion into the dispenser housing and may be automatically ruptured by a puncture feature. A pump may force the wiping solution from the nozzle, or the solution may be gravity fed. A motion detector may be incorporated to control the actuation and dispensing of the solution. A near field communication transceiver may be used to receive payment before solution is dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a dispenser body and a base, wherein the base is attached to the dispenser body and a piston in the base is seated in a fluid passage of the dispenser body to define a dispensing chamber which may be filled by movement of the dispenser body relative to the base and emptied by the return of the dispenser body to the original position relative to the base.

Abstract: An automated product dispenser for dispensing a product from a supply of product is provided. The automated product dispenser includes a chassis assembly, a drive assembly, and an isolation member. The chassis assembly includes a chassis frame, and the drive assembly includes a motor, a drivetrain, and a drivetrain housing. The isolation member mounts the drive assembly to the chassis assembly such that the drive assembly is substantially spaced apart from the chassis frame. A related method of inhibiting vibration transmission in an automated product dispenser also is provided.

Abstract: An improved bulk bag for containing dry bulk, granular, and/or pulverized materials designed to prevent dust cloud escape and migration during discharge/emptying of the materials in bulk bag using an integrated dust barrier skirt affixed to the exterior of the bulk bag and telescopable to create a dust cloud curtain prior to content discharge.

Abstract: A bulk bag includes a bulk bag body that is configured to have a varying circumference with a reduced circumference between the top and bottom of the bulk bag body to reduce bulging when the bulk bag body is filled with content.

Abstract: A discharge apparatus for use with a bulk container of the kind having an outlet through which product is to be dispensed. The apparatus has an inlet end, an outlet end and a wall extending between said inlet end and said outlet end. The apparatus is configured for directing a flow of product from an outlet of a bulk container, and is further configured to permit relative movement between said inlet end and said outlet end between a retracted position and an extended position. The outlet end may take the form of a plate for supporting the lower end of the bulk container. The plate may be vibrated for assisting discharge of product from the bulk container.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a material feeding bag which comprises an inner bag. The inner bag has: an inner bag upper port portion, an inner bag main receiving portion and an inner bag lower port portion. The inner bag upper port portion has an upper port; the inner bag main receiving portion is connected to a lower end of the inner bag upper port portion along an axial direction; the inner bag lower port portion is connected to a lower end of the inner bag main receiving portion along the axial direction and has a lower port for controllable communication with an external hopper entrance. It doe not need to shear the material feeding bag by a scissors when materials is fed, so that it avoids generation of metal debris, and the mating and feeding material operation is fast and simple, and the working environment for an operator is improved.

Abstract: An energy storage device, like for example a supercapacitor, is used to provide power to activate a motor for dispensing a dosed amount of hand care product. The energy storage device or supercapacitor is recharged from an energy supply source, e.g. batteries, integrated into the replaceable refill reservoir and/or mounted into the dispenser housing. A controller directs energy discharged from the energy supply source(s) at one of a plurality of discharge energy rates for recharging the energy storage device. Depending on the number of dispense events that occur with a given time interval, the controller may vary the rate at which the energy is discharged from the energy supply source(s) to recharge the energy storage device.

Abstract: A dispenser assembly capable of dispensing gel, liquid, and foam products includes a container to be filled with the product, a pump connected to the container and configured to control dispensing of the product from the container, and a pump actuator assembly configured to actuate the pump and retain the container and the pump. The pump actuator assembly includes a first actuator including a lower ramp, and a second actuator comprising an upper ramp engaged with the lower ramp. The lower ramp of the first actuator and the upper ramp of the second actuator cooperate to actuate at least a portion of the pump along a first axis in response to a force applied along a second axis.

Abstract: A transport bag for a conveying apparatus includes a first bag wall, a second bag wall, and a suspension apparatus arranged at an upper end of one of the bag walls. Closing elements, which can reversibly be coupled to each other, are arranged at a bottom end of the bag walls remote from the suspension apparatus, with which the bottom ends of the bag walls can be connected to each other to form a bag base. The closing elements are latching strips oriented in parallel with respect to each other and can be latched onto each other. The latching strips are formed in such a way that they are displaceable from a transport position closing the transport bag at the bottom end and latches them together by displacement relative to each other in the direction of the longitudinal axis of the latching strips into an unlatching position in which the latching strips are releasable from each other, for opening the transport bag at the bottom end.

Abstract: An improved bulk bag for containing dry bulk, granular, and/or pulverized materials designed to prevent dust cloud escape and migration during discharge/emptying of the materials in bulk bag using an integrated dust barrier skirt affixed to the exterior of the bulk bag and telescopable to create a dust cloud curtain prior to content discharge.

Abstract: Provided are animal containment systems and components, including single-use animal containment cages and modular rack units. Also provided are methods for assembling and using components of the animal containment systems.

Abstract: A weighted bag support including a plurality of rectangular rigid support frames comprising a right support frame, a left support frame, a front support frame, and a back support frame. Each of the plurality of support frames has a top flap. The top flap has a lower edge and an upper edge. A plurality of covers comprising a right cover, a left cover, a front cover, and a back cover are continuously disposed within the right support frame, the left support frame, the front support frame, and the back support frame, respectively. A plurality of weighted rods comprising a right weighted rod, a left weighted, rod, a front weighted rod, and a back weighted rod are disposed within the upper edge of the top flap of the right support frame, the left support frame, the front support frame, and the back support frame, respectively.

Abstract: A piston of a piston pump adapted to be selectively coaxially slidably coupled to a complementary actuator mechanism by a keying arrangement utilizing one or more key elements engaging with one or more keyways, to place the piston and actuator mechanism in rotational alignment about the axis and with keying involving complementary circumferential location of keying elements and keyways, complementary radial extents of key members and keyways relative the axis, and/or complementary shapes for the key elements and keyways normal the axis.

Abstract: A tamper-proof and ligation-resistant apparatus for dispensing a liquid from a liquid container contained within a dispenser. The apparatus includes a back housing, a cover pivotally coupled to the back housing, a liquid cartridge coupled to the back housing, and an actuator coupled to the cover. The apparatus includes plates coupled to the cover and back housing to strength the apparatus or reduce gaps to prevent ligation. The actuator includes a dispensing hole small enough to prevent ligation. A pump nozzle insert compressibly fitted inside the pump nozzle reduces the liquid stream diameter and extends the pump nozzle so that the liquid stream passes through the dispensing hole unimpeded.

Abstract: A shield for a fluid dispenser includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure defining an interior flow passage. The mount structure is configured to be attached to an actuator of a fluid dispenser. Fluid dispensers and fluid dispenser systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispense mechanism that provides for increased mechanical advantage. The dispense mechanism includes a lever member and an actuator. The lever member includes a first lever section that receives application of an input force and a second lever section that applies an output force to the actuator. The lever member and/or the actuator are configured to provide at least two contact points between the actuator and the second lever section during the course of a dispensing stroke such that the mechanical advantage provided at a first one of the at least two contact points is greater than the mechanical advantage provided at a second one of the at least two contact points.

Abstract: A shut-off system for a dispenser includes a pinch member that moves relative to a guide and which is normally biased against a flexible outlet tube that is disposed therebetween. The flexible outlet tube that carries material, such as soap, supplied from a pump to an outlet nozzle. The pump and the pinch member are in operative engagement with an actuator, such that when the actuator is not engaged, the pinch member closes the outlet tube to prevent residual material retained in the outlet tube from flowing or drooling out of the outlet nozzle. Correspondingly, when the actuator is engaged, the pump is compressed, and the pinch member is moved away from the outlet tube, allowing the material to be pumped through the outlet tube and dispensed from the outlet nozzle.

Abstract: Apparatuses and techniques are provided for dispensing fluid from a dispenser that includes a flexible membrane having different levels of pliability according to a voltage applied to the flexible membrane. According to some embodiments, a biasing device, such as a spring, is disposed on a first side of the flexible membrane and is configured to apply pressure to the flexible membrane. When a first voltage is applied to the flexible membrane, the flexible membrane becomes sufficiently pliable to enable the spring to flex the flexible membrane, pushing the flexible membrane into a pumping chamber disposed on the opposite side of the flexible membrane relative to the spring. The fluid is stored in the pumping chamber and the flexing of the flexible membrane causes the pumping chamber to compress. Such compression of the pumping chamber forces the pumping chamber to dispense the fluid through a pump outlet.

Abstract: Described is a mountable thermos adapted to be secured to a tree or other vertical support surface. The thermos includes a container having a bottom end, sidewalls, and an open upper end having a removable lid thereon. The sidewall of the container includes a spout that allows a user to easily dispense the substance held within the container. The container further includes a handle to allow a user to grasp the thermos, and a mounting attachment that can be removably engaged with a fastener that can be inserted into a tree or other surface. The container may further include a tray assembly on the bottom end thereof, wherein the tray assembly can be extended so as to support a cup below the spout. Further, a cup can be removably secured on the upper end of the container in an upside-down configuration for storage and travel.

Abstract: A shroud cover for a dispenser comprising in a first aspect a flexible sheet disposed about an open framework. Preferably, the flexible sheet is resiliently stretchable and stretched over the frame work.

Abstract: A wall mounted dispenser for dispensing a mixture of water and liquid chemicals which may be used as a separate dispenser or in combination with other like dispensers. The dispenser of this invention includes several backflow preventers to ensure that the water supply will not become contaminated during backflow problems.

Abstract: A piston pump dispenser having a reciprocating piston pump arrangement in which in a dispensing stroke in which fluid is pressurized in a chamber to dispense fluid, a piston slide member is urged into a sealing disc of a piston sleeve member to increase the extent to which the sealing disc provides a seal with a wall of the chamber against fluid leaking out past the seal disc.

Abstract: A hybrid dispenser incorporating structural elements providing the ability to alternatively dispense soap or other liquid from a container either by an electric motor or manually including a pivoted actuator member having cam surfaces spaced from one another on opposite sides of the pivot location, a rotatable member rotated by the motor engaging one of the cam surfaces, and a manually operable member engaging the other cam surface.

Abstract: A wall-mounted metering dispenser for liquids, comprising a wall mounting element, on which a reservoir is detachably mounted, which can be actuated by applying compressive force to the reservoir wall. The reservoir and removal device form an exchangeable refilling unit, detachably connectable to the wall mounting element at two fastening points, the first fastening point is a connecting element detachably mounted on the wall mounting element and the second fastening point engages at the end face area of the reservoir facing away from the connecting element such that the refilling unit is secured against forces acting in the longitudinal and transverse directions. The second fastening point has a fastening hook. In the mounted position of the refilling unit, the fastening hook is inserted into a depression on the end face area of the reservoir facing away from the connecting element so the refilling unit is secured against swiveling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for dispensing flowable fluids, particularly those which are high viscosity by passing a stream of fluid through an elongate discharge passageway and injecting air into the fluid stream to initiate severing of the stream between an inner portion inward of the injected air and an outer portion outward of the injected air.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for a liquid container includes a hollow flexible dispensing portion and a dispenser. The dispensing mechanism includes a first lever arranged to pivot about a first pivot axis and a second lever arranged to pivot about a second pivot axis and includes a user operated portion. The first lever includes a first sliding surface and the second lever includes a second sliding surface. The first and second sliding surfaces bear in sliding abutment against each other at an abutment point. The first and second pivot axes are substantially parallel to each other, and a first plane extends through the first and second pivot axes. In a non-actuated position of the dispensing mechanism, the user operated portion of the second lever and the abutment point are arranged on a first side of the first plane.

Abstract: The E-Z Drop Liquid Dispenser is a battery powered automated dispenser for shampoos and hair conditioners mountable by suction cups to a bath shower wall. E-Z Drop is equipped with motion sensors and dispenses preset portions of shampoo or conditioner in response to the presence of a bather's hand beneath the appropriate nozzle Compact and rectangular in shape, E-Z Drop is box-like device having two reservoirs. E-Z Drop's casing is fabricated of injection molded thermoplastic that is scratch resistant, impact resistant, lightweight and durable.

Abstract: A soap dispensing assembly includes a soap container and a universal dispenser. The soap container is capable of having a liquid pump or a foaming pump attached to it. The universal dispenser is adapted to house and dispense soap from the soap container regardless of whether the container has a liquid pump or a foaming pump. Using this assembly, a manufacturer may sell the universal dispenser and offer to sell the consumer liquid and foamable soap for use with the same dispenser.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes an adjustable dosing mechanism that permits adjustment of the amount of fluid to be dispensed. An adjustable dosing mechanism may be inserted into the dispenser in either a high dose orientation or a low dose orientation. The body further includes pair of dose adjusting flanges. When the adjustable dosing mechanism body is received into the dispenser in the high dose orientation, a relatively larger quantity of fluid product is dispensed. When the adjustable dosing mechanism body is received into the dispenser in the low dose orientation, a relatively smaller quantity of fluid product is dispensed.

Abstract: A dispenser housing has a closure mechanism that serves to hold the dispenser housing closed. A key either can be carried by an individual to be employed to override the closure mechanism to permit the opening of the dispenser or can be selectively mounted to the dispenser housing to position a release mechanism appropriately to permit the release mechanism to be manipulated to override the closure mechanism. When the key is not mounted to the dispenser, the release mechanism cannot be appropriately manipulated to override the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) dispenser is configured to communicate with an RFID tag provided by a refill cartridge utilizes a multi band pass filter to convert the radio frequency identification into a digital signal. The digital signal read by the dispenser is processed by a controller to enable a dispensing function that is representative of the code associated with the RFID tag. In addition, the dispenser includes a pair of transistors that write to the RFID tag provided by the refill cartridge. The dispenser may also be configured to communicate with the RFID tags that are disposed upon cartridges utilized by the dispenser. In addition, the dispenser may be configured to utilize cartridges that include adjustable or telescoping partitions that allow the size of the cartridge to vary.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser includes a pressing unit is pivotably connected to a base received in a body. A guiding tube in communication with a container is movably connected to an engagement cap. An inner tube includes a passage in communication with a passage of an outer tube. The inner tube further includes at least one hole in communication with the passage of the inner tube and a passage of the guiding tube. A mouth includes a tube and an end cap having an aperture. The tube includes two rods movably engaged in two sliding grooves of the pressing unit. The tube is coupled to the outer tube, with the aperture of the end cap in communication with the passage of the outer tube. When the pressing unit is pressed, the transverse rods are driven by the sliding grooves to move upward, causing dispensation of a fluid via the aperture.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus that provides for selectively controlling discharge quantity. The dispensing apparatus may include a pump and a housing. The pump includes a first portion and a second portion linearly movable relative to the first portion, and the housing is for securing the portion of the pump. A distance of movement of the second portion toward the first portion is the pump stroke, and the pump stroke may be selectively varied. A dispensing module may include a pump, a rotatably mounted stroke selector including a plurality of arms that allow movement of a stop member associated with a moveable portion of the pump for predetermined and different distances depending on which arm of the stroke selector, if any, engages the stop member, with the distance of allowed movement of the stop member being variable depending on the angular position of the stroke selector.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes a dispense mechanism that provides for increased mechanical advantage. The dispense mechanism includes a lever member and an actuator. The lever member includes a first lever section that receives application of an input force and a second lever section that applies an output force to the actuator. The lever member and/or the actuator are configured to provide at least two contact points between the actuator and the second lever section during the course of a dispensing stroke such that the mechanical advantage provided at a first one of the at least two contact points is greater than the mechanical advantage provided at a second one of the at least two contact points.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser includes focused location of antimicrobial resins to one or more high touch surfaces of the dispenser. In one example, an antimicrobial resin is incorporated into a first contact receiving surface, such as a push bar of a manually operated hand soap dispenser. In another example, an antimicrobial additive is incorporated in a second contact receiving surface, such as a cover release mechanism of a hand soap dispenser. In another example, an antimicrobial additive is incorporated into one or more high touch points on the dispenser.

Abstract: A thin walled collapsible container having an outlet end and a closed base end intermediate which there are provided walls extending longitudinally of the container from the outlet end to the base end, the walls including at least a front wall and an opposite wall opposite the front wall and walls joining the front wall with the opposite wall, and in which an inwardly extending medial groove is provided between the front wall and the opposite wall, the groove extending downwardly within a bottom wall forming the base end inwardly towards the outlet end. Visible indicia such as a printed label may be provided on the front wall which label, in an uncollapsed container held by its outlet end, is disposed to be directed in a particular direction for viewing by a user and in which during collapse of the collapsible container by withdrawing fluid therefrom, the container collapses with, to a large extent, the front wall carrying the labelling to continue to be directed roughly in the same direction.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system is provided that includes a motor, a processor, and a computer-readable medium. The motor is mounted to an ice chute door. The computer-readable medium is operably coupled to the processor and comprises computer-readable instructions configured to control opening of the ice chute door by energizing the motor at a first voltage for a first time period after receipt of an ice dispense request; after energizing the motor at the first voltage for the first time period, control energizing of the motor at a second voltage at least as long as the ice dispense request is received to maintain the ice chute door in the open position; and after energizing the motor at the second voltage, control de-energizing of the motor to allow the ice chute door to return to a closed position. The second voltage is less than the first voltage.

Abstract: A shield for a fluid dispenser includes a mount structure and a fluid-deflecting structure defining an interior flow passage. The mount structure is configured to be attached to an actuator of a fluid dispenser. Fluid dispensers and fluid dispenser systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A dispenser for a liquid or pasty media contains an exchangeable container which is arranged upside down on a holder. A dosing pump is provided on the bottom of the container in an especially non-detachable manner, and an actuating element for the dosing pump is provided on the holder retainer. A first return valve is provided at an upper inlet to the dosing pump and a second return valve at its lower dispensing opening which second return valve can be lifted, thereby reducing the delivery space. The actuating element is displaceably mounted in the retainer and has a ramp displacing a catch guided upwards by the retainer, the catch being associated with the lower return valve.