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: A horizontal bulk material container has a cylindrical shell having a horizontal axis. Disposed within the shell intermediate the end walls thereof is a bulkhead follower. In one embodiment, a manhole is located at each end of the shell to provide access to the shell. The bulkhead follower has a cylindrical cross-sectional area slightly less in diameter than the diameter of the cylindrical cross-sectional area of the shell. The forward end surface of the bulkhead follower has a convex configuration conforming to the concave contour of the forward end wall of the shell.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing a product includes a first chamber configured to initially contain at least one of a first composition and a mixture of the first composition and a second composition, a second chamber configured to contain the second composition, a flow passage for providing flow of the second composition from the second chamber to the first chamber, and an actuator configured to be actuated to cause an amount of a product to be dispensed from the first chamber. The product dispensed includes at least one of the first composition, the second composition, and the mixture of the first composition and the second composition. The device is configured such that in response to the product being dispensed from the first chamber, an amount of the second composition flows from the second chamber to the first chamber via the flow passage.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for controlling the type and brand of a product dispensed therefrom, so that only authorized products are dispensed from the apparatus. A container inserted into a housing case stores the product, the container having an exit port. A chute directs the flow of the discharged product. A drive assembly causes the product to move from the container through the chute to be dispensed therefrom. A magnetic sensor is attached to a support surface of the housing case, and a wafer is attached to the container. The wafer has a magnet embedded therein, and the container is inserted into the housing case so that the wafer is received by and mates with the housing case to align the magnet with the magnetic sensor. A location of the magnet embedded in the wafer of the container is detected by the magnetic sensor of the housing case so that the container is identified. The drive means is only activated when the container is identified as an authorized container based on the location of the magnet.

Abstract: A dispensing device for dispensing powder foods or liquids has a scoop for containing the powder or liquid, and levelling means for levelling off the scoop contents, wherein the levelling means co-operates with a counter such that operation of the levelling means is adapted to advance the counter, the counter being characterised in that the counter may be reset to zero in a single step process.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and dispensing powder into hard gelatin capsules or the like. The apparatus has a metering disk that rotates in advancing steps, with bores disposed in its base. The bores which cooperate with tamping plungers that move up and down. The tamping plungers are disposed on a common tamping plunger support and when inserted into the bores, compress the powder into compressed pellets. In order to detect breakage of the springs and in order to be able to make a statement as to the mass of the compressed pellets, means are provided which detect the spring path of the tamping plungers immediately preceding the ejection plungers.

Abstract: A stopper is provided which is intended to replace the lid fitted at the production stage, for the screw closure of bottles for liquids, with a device for drawing up metered amounts of the product. A stopper includes a capsule (9) with internal thread for screwing onto the threaded neck (1A) of the bottle. The capsule (9) forms coaxially and in one piece a cylinder (12) of a syringe metering device (10). The syringe metering device(10) has a control rod (16) which is graduated to allow measurement of the suction stroke of the plunger and hence to allow measurement of the amount of liquid drawn up.

Abstract: A device for dispensing liquid medicaments in a spray form includes a container for liquid to be dispensed, an outlet nozzle which breaks up a flow of liquid under pressure into a spray, a piston for forcing liquid out of the container under pressure and through the nozzle, and a drive for moving the piston a predetermined distance to dispense a predetermined quantity of liquid from the container. A cap fits over the outlet nozzle when the device is not in use, and interengaging elements are provided on the cap and the drive to allow rotation of the drive by the cap during use of the device.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to dispense a product out of a receptacle by moving a free-floating piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized gas is used to move the piston toward the product, thereby forcing the product out of the receptacle. The pressure on the piston is released by exhausting the pressurized gas out of the receptacle through a release valve. To retract the piston away from the product, the pressurized gas is sent through a venturi that connects to the receptacle via the same aperture that is used to deliver the pressurized gas to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized gas through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle that pulls the piston away from the product.

Abstract: A liquid dosage dispenser includes a bottle and a dispenser apparatus supported on the bottle having a housing or sleeve extending into the bottle and a plunger device having a through passageway extending into the housing for longitudinal movement therein. The housing includes an opening through which liquid in the bottle can be drawn into the housing. A helical channel and one or more vertical channels are provided in the housing. The plunger device is rotatable within the housing to permit a follower extending from the plunger device to ride in the helical channel to move the plunger longitudinally in the housing. As the plunger moves upwardly within the housing, a preselected amount of liquid is drawn into the housing. When the follower is positioned in a vertical channel associated with a desired dosage level, the plunger may be forced downwardly to deliver the desired dosage through the passageway and out of the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to force a frozen food product out of a receptacle by moving a piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized air is used to move the piston toward the frozen product, thereby forcing the frozen product out of the receptacle. To move the piston away from the frozen product, the pressurized air is sent through a venturi that also connects to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized air through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle. The vacuum pulls the piston away from the frozen product.

Abstract: The bottle top dispenser has a piston-cylinder unit, the piston (12) and cylinder (10) of which can be activated in an axial stroke movement relative to one another, in order to draw liquid from a bottle on which the dispenser is set, and dispense it. The maximum axial elongation of the piston (12) and cylinder (10) relative to one another is adjusted with a limiter. The dispenser has a volume display proportional to the limiter setting. The dispenser can be adjusted, by setting it, in a condition where the limiter and the volume display are independent of one another, in order to bring the displayed volume and the volume actually dispensed into agreement.

Abstract: A refrigerating cabinet for the distribution of liquid foodstuffs, such as spring water, is provided with an insulated housing (1) for reception of a receptacle (2) of such liquid foodstuff. The receptacle (2) has a valve (3) provided with a closure in the form of a piston that is pulled to open it. The cabinet has a base (4) enclosing a refrigeration group (5) and supporting the insulated housing (1), and a front door (6) closing the housing (1). A device (7) distributes the liquid, this device having a direct actuating device (9) for the valve (3) of the receptacle (2).

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a viscous material includes a removable tank 1 and a device 10 for storing and dispensing the material, whereby the viscous material may be dispensed while an empty tank has been removed for refilling. The apparatus is useful for dispensing a hot-melt material.

Abstract: A feeder containing animal feed uses feed removal equipment to remove feed at a known constant rate. This feed metering apparatus is used to indicate the amount of feed remaining in the feeder at any time. This apparatus is operated to move a pointer indicating feed quantity only when feed is actually being removed from the feeder. The movement of the pointer is adjusted to correspond to feeder rates for different feeder equipment either by adjusting the duty cycle of a motor driving the pointer to different percentages of the feeder equipment operating time, or by adjusting the motor rpm rate, either by using an adjustable frequency changer to drive an ac motor, or by changing the power from ac to dc and using dc to drive a speed adjustable dc motor.

Abstract: A container comprises a tubular body having a one end closed by an end member provided with a discharge opening receiving a cap and the other end being closed by a flattened second end. The end member is subdivided into a first portion containing the projection having the discharge opening and a second portion more pliable than the first portion so that the second portion can be collapsed into the first portion to applied pressure on the remaining contents in the end member during emptying the contents of the tube. Preferably, the tubular body has a pair of weakened zones extending the longitudinal length from adjacent the flat end member flattened into the end member to subdivide the body into two elongated portions which are aligned with the first and second portions of the end member. The container is particularly useful in a dispenser having a flattening member which progressively flattens the container to cause discharging of the contents thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed to force a frozen food product out of a receptacle by moving a piston back and forth within the receptacle. Pressurized air is used to move the piston toward the frozen product, thereby forcing the frozen product out of the receptacle. To move the piston away from the frozen product, the pressurized air is sent through a venturi that also connects to the receptacle. The flow of pressurized air through the venturi creates a vacuum in the receptacle. The vacuum pulls the piston away from the frozen product.

Abstract: The travel toothbrush with incremental toothpaste dispenser comprising: a main housing with open inboard and outboard ends, the main housing having an inner surface with diametrically spaced detents, a toothbrush having a brush head and a reservoir affixed to the open inboard end of the main housing, the brush head having a base including a plurality of bristles and a central channel extending therein, the channel being in communication with the reservoir, a plurality of bores being positioned in the base and in communication with the central channel; and a plunger formed in an elongated configuration with inboard and outboard ends, a rubber piston being rotatably coupled to the inboard end, the plunger having an outer surface including a plurality of diametrically opposing pairs of indents, the plunger being positioned within the main housing with indents being coupled to detents of the main housing to lock the plunger in a stable orientation, in operation the main housing being filled with toothpaste and a

Abstract: A system for purifying water and washing and filling a container with the purified water is disclosed. The system includes an appartus comprising a water inlet system, a water purification system, a container washing system, a container filling system, an auxiliary function system, a mineralization system and an ozonating system. The apparatus includes compartments, where a container is washed and filled within a single compartment. The apparatus also includes a cap washing system.

Abstract: A device as provided for the inflation of a container or a floating body of an item of lifesaving equipment with compressed gas. A compressed gas container sealed with the aid of a diaphragm is provided which, within the region of the container neck, possesses an external thread that can be screwed into a receiving aperture in a housing which is provided with a corresponding internal thread. The gas content of the container is released by opening the diaphragm with the aid of an opening striker disposed in the housing, which can be moved against the diaphragm by a hand lever and/or by the force of a spring. An indicating part indicates the screwing-in state of the compressed gas container, i.e., whether the compressed gas container is screwed-in so far into the receiving aperture that reliable operation of the device is guaranteed.

Abstract: A warning announcer for a gasoline dispenser having a pump flow counter, a pump bar switch and/or a nozzle position sensor, a dispenser nozzle, and a nozzle receptacle, including a logic unit, a timer, a speaker, a voice alarm unit for providing a message to the speaker, a circuit for connecting signals from the pump flow counter and the pump bar switch or position sensor to the logic unit for controlling the timer to produce a message signal, and a circuit for connecting the timer to the voice alarm unit for initiating a message when the timer produces a messages signals.

Abstract: In a fluid container comprising a container main body, a first piston member which defines a fluid containing chamber of a variable internal volume in cooperation with associated walls of the container main body, and a content expelling tube for conducting the content of the fluid container to a content outlet, a second piston member is placed inside the content expelling tube so that the second piston member may be moved inside the content expelling tube to take out the content from the content outlet when the first piston member has reached its stroke end and the content inside the fluid containing chamber has been all taken out. Thus, the content expelling tube may be conveniently employed for guiding the movement of the first piston member without reducing the inner capacity of the fluid container.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser is disclosed for dispensing a fluid from a pouch having a discharge passage that extends along a tortuous path. The dispenser has a dispenser station and dispenser mechanism in the dispenser station. In one aspect the dispenser mechanism comprises a backstop on one side of the dispenser path and a cam operated cylindrical roller confronting the backstop located on the other side of the dispenser path. The roller is attached to a roller bracket which is pivotally attached to the interior of a hollow pushbutton. The pushbutton is mounted in an opening in the dispenser front cover. Springs are attached to the bracket and the front cover which maintain the roller against the flexible dispenser compartment of the pouch.

Abstract: A disposable applicator for introducing medicine into a body cavity is disclosed including a barrel and a plunger slidably positioned within the barrel. The barrel and plunger are preferably formed of a plurality of spirally wound paper layers. The plunger includes first and second opposing ends. The first end of the plunger is completely closed and serves as the working surface of the plunger. The second end of the plunger is substantially closed by inwardly crimped portions to prevent the accidental or inadvertent filling of the hollow plunger with a gel-like medicine rather than the barrel. A predetermined number of applicators, such as seven, are preferably packaged within a tubular container.

Abstract: A device for dispensing pre-measured volumes of both liquid and granular fluids attaches to a standard container (44) and is provided with an internal measuring chamber (56). The volume of a measuring chamber (56) is adjusted when its floor (32) is moved vertically by turning a volume selection knob (72). Fluid fills the measuring chamber (56) and is measured as the device is tilted back and then returned to the vertical orientation. The measured fluid is dispensed out a chute (60) as the device is subsequently tilted forward.

Abstract: A cap and tube assembly comprising a tube having a neck ending in a discharge end having an outwardly extending stem frangibly supported at a point recessed from the outer terminal end of the neck to define an outlet when the stem is removed. A cap sized to slightably fit the neck and including an inwardly facing stem engaging the socket is provided, positively locking the stem in the socket in a predetermined position. The cap is located at a first position where the stem and socket are spaced apart and at a second position defined by the predetermined position of a stem locking device. The stem is frangibly supported on the discharge end by an annular thin wall and a plurality of axially extending bridges for resisting axial movement of the stem and permitting rotational movement to rupture the thin wall to form an outlet for the tube.

Abstract: A cap comprising of a cover (2) and a tubular body (1) for use on an aerosol can (5). The tubular body (1), fitted onto the aerosol can (5), contains a perpendicular bar (10), horizontal bar (6), ducts (30) to release the contents on the can. To activate the ejection valve stem (14), a lever mechanism is incorporated in the cover which can be disposed in an open and close position. In the open position, the upper portion of the cover (26) depressed, activates the ejection valve stem (14), releasing the contents. When upper portion of cover is moved to a close position, it is not possible to accidentally activate the ejection valve stem. Audible sound is created when the cover reaches the open and close position.

Abstract: A material dispensing monitor including an encoder and sensor adjustably mounted to a securement and a pump as a function of specific gravity to produce a series of pulses per cycle of the pump as a function of specific gravity and capacity of the pump so that the pulses provide a direct measure of weight. An all pneumatic system monitors and displays the weight of material dispensed and can provide annunciation when a predetermined weight of material has been dispensed.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger and a piercing pin are movably mounted within a housing and are movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. A force generating mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to forcibly move the plunger and the piercing pin to pierce the canister to release the pressurized gas therefrom through the housing to an inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes mounted in the housing provide a signal to a control device indicating that the housing is immersed in water. The control device activates a release mechanism which rotates a cam to release a spring-biased ram in the force generating mechanism from a first, retracted position such that the ram engages the plunger and urges the plunger and the piercing pin under force into the sealed end of the gas canister.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger is movably mounted within a housing and is movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. An internally resettable automatic actuator mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to move the plunger to pierce the canister to release the pressurized gas therefrom through the housing to the inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes mounted in the housing provide a signal to a control device indicating that the housing is immersed in water. The control device activates the automatic actuator mechanism to release a spring-biased ram from a latched position such that the ram engages and urges the plunger under force into the sealed end of the gas canister.

Abstract: A dispenser apparatus for dropping paste onto a substrates, etc. including a syringe having a nozzle, a motor which moves the syringe up and down, a controller which controls the rotational stopping positions and rotational speed of the motor, and digital switches for inputting a setting program into the controller. The setting program sets the rotational stopping positions and rotational speed of the motor so that the position at which lowering of the nozzle stops and the speed at which the nozzle is raised are controlled through the setting program.

Abstract: An inflator for automatically inflating an inflatable article, such as a personal flotation vest, upon immersion in water. A plunger is mounted in a housing and is movable with respect to a pressurized gas canister attached to the housing. An actuator mechanism, mounted within the housing, acts on the plunger to move the plunger to pierce the canistor to release the pressurized gas through the housing to the inflatable article attached to the housing. A pair of spaced water sensor probes provide a signal to a control device mounted within the housing when immersed in water. The control device automatically activates the actuator to drive the piercing end of the plunger into the canister. A manual lanyard is extensibly mounted within the housing and is connected to a link and lever to drive the plunger into the canister when the lanyard is pulled outward from the housing.

Abstract: A dispensing pump means has an operating pusher for effecting a pump stroke and a control means for selectively varying the length of stroke. The control includes a neck on a base for receiving the operating pusher, cooperating grooves and abutment shoulders guiding the pusher and setting its maximum stroke. At least one projection positively slides in a selected one of a plurality of grooves of different lengths, the projection being positioned out of the grooves and in front of the ends of the grooves in an initial position of the pump, i.e., prior to the pump stroke. Axially preceding the ends of the grooves, an arched path extends around the pump axis and guides the projection during manual rotation of the operation pusher as the projection is positioned over the selected groove.

Abstract: A device for determining the direction of a fluid spray pattern issuing from a fluid nozzle prior to flowing through the nozzle includes a body in the form of a template or a jig releasably attachable in a predetermined orientation to the nozzle tip. The body includes a pair of angularly related adjustable arms having axes which intersect the nozzle aperture and which extend such that the central axis of the nozzle bisects the angle between the arms. By applying the device to the nozzle tip in predetermined orientation, the arms define the lateral extremities of the spray pattern.

Abstract: A dispenser for flowable materials in which the flowable material is moved from a reservoir for such materials into a variable volume measuring chamber, the volume of which is adjustable only by an external key, and thereafter to a discharge opening remote from the measuring chamber, which opening has a closure to control dispersion of the granules.

Abstract: A gas cylinder coupling and weighing mechanism useful in a carbonated drink dispenser having a gas cylinder. The coupling and weighing mechanism supports the cylinder rotatably within a hood, the hood forming a lever which is biased upwardly by a spring. A full cylinder will pull the hood all the way down. As the cylinder is emptied, the hood will begin to move upward and when the cylinder is empty the hood will be fully upward. Mounted inside the hood is a fitting engaging with a mating fitting on the gas cylinder. The mating fitting is equipped with a pair of arms which are aligned with locking slots contained within the mating fitting which are used to engage pins on the fitting inside the hood when mounting the gas cylinder.

Abstract: A pump for delivering precisely metered discrete quantities of solvent containing suspended solids in rapid cycles. The pump ejects the solvent from a cylinder in amounts proportional to discrete longitudinal movement of a piston inside the cylinder and eliminates internal valves that may become clogged.

Abstract: A spreader particularly adapted for manual operation over a residential lawn includes a one-piece hopper made of corrosion resistant material. Lugged wheels connect with a shaft which is rotatively carried by and extends through a lower part of the hopper. On the shaft inside the hopper is an agitator bar having outward extending projections. The bar projections align with a series of slots in a rear wall of the hopper for a discharge of material in the hopper to the ground below. To regulate this discharge a movable gate is positioned on an outer side of the hopper slots. Gate movement is effected by a control bar carried in a flow control housing of a handle assembly having an extension attached to the hopper. The degree of gate movement, which affects the size of the slot openings, is regulated by a position of a stop operatively connected to a rotatable dial in the flow control housing.

Abstract: Portable liquid measuring and dispensing device comprising a main reservoir for containing oil and to which a chamber is connected for metering a predetermined quantity of oil, this chamber being solid with the main reservoir and having a visual indicator showing the quantity of liquid contained in the chamber. The device includes a liquid moving assembly solid with the reservoir and the chamber, this assembly being formed of a rotary pump brought into rotation by a D.C. motor connected to a power source including a polarity inverter switch having a pair of buttons, each actuatable to cause rotation of the pump in one of its two directions of rotation.

Abstract: A servo controlled actuator for an automated liquid dispenser for dispensing reagents or diluting samples with reagent automatically in accord with a programmed local microprocessor or remote computer control. The dispenser has at least one reciprocable syringe, valving for it and a syringe actuator driven by a hybrid servo control. The actuator includes a bi-directional variable speed motor and an encoder developing a pulse train which in number is representative of the position of the syringe piston and in repetition rate is representative of piston velocity. A microprocessor controls the piston stroke from the pulse train by comparison to a memory-stored count and controls piston velocity in predetermined relation to the terminal end of piston travel.

Abstract: A portable dispenser is described which is adapted to mount removably on a bottle pump tube. A desired volume of liquid from the bottle is pumped into the interior of the dispenser. The dispenser is then removed from the tube and the measured amount of liquid is dispensed. In one embodiment, two dispensing devices are sequentially activated to dispense the measured amount of liquid.

Abstract: This invention relates to the carton container packaging art, and to a carton filler drive unit and volume adjuster apparatus for packaging machines which have a plurality of filler apparatuses disposed in a linear arrangement, for filling a plurality of cartons at individual fill stations which are disposed in a linear arrangement.The filler drive unit includes a plurality of filler operating shafts which are adapted to be moved between a lowered and raised position by an adjustable cam linkage structure which is powered by the packaging machine main drive shaft. A volume adjuster means is provided for adjusting the stroke of the filler operating shafts to provide very precise calibration of the volume of product being dispensed by the individual carton filler apparatuses controlled by the filler drive unit of the present invention.

Abstract: A multiple automatic metering device particularly suitable for metering and admixing paints and able to meter exact quantities of various base colors so as to be able to obtain an extremely wide range of shades. The device comprises a series of units consisting of a container for the color and of a metering head connected therewith. The device can be programmed to assure the duplication of the metering operation and to insure uniformity of the color of various batches of final product.

Abstract: An additive metering and dispensing system for the addition of an additive to aircraft fuel which includes a variable volume regulator for measuring and dispensing the additive, the volume of which can be varied during a dispensing cycle.

Abstract: Rotary drum type heat treatment apparatus having a rotary drum rotatable about a longitudinal axis. The drum has an outlet end and the apparatus includes a cooling section having a movable grate with one end disposed beneath the outlet end of the rotary drum for receiving material from the drum. The drum is provided at the outlet end with a plurality of circumferentially spaced distribution members, each of which has at least one side surface extending longitudinally outwardly beyond the outlet end and inclined with respect to a radial line of the drum for engagement with material being discharged through the outlet end to deflect the same.

Abstract: Flow controlling apparatus for the administration of parenteral solutions or the like includes a casette in a controller member adapted to receive and hold the casette. In accordance with this invention, means are provided for indicating the correct position of the casette in the controller member.

Abstract: A drop type spreader for handling fertilizer, grass seed or the like for lawns and residential use has a flow control hand grip lever positioned at the spreader handles. The lever is gripped together with one of the handles for initiating flow, and the flow control gate and the lever automatically return to cut off the flow when the lever is released. A tension spring is connected between the hopper and the flow control gate for returning the gate to the flow blocking position when the lever is released. The rate of flow is also controlled from the lever by an adjusting screw, and an indicator is provided at the lever for indicating the selected rate of flow.

Abstract: A system is described which is useful in dispensing and transferring a predetermined amount of a liquid such as a pesticide from a first container, typically a shipping container to a mixing zone. The control of the total amount of liquid dispensed is achieved by a tubular probe which is slidably mounted in a plug that can be sealed in an aperture of the top or bottom wall of the container. Preferably the probe bears indicia calibrated to indicate amounts of liquid proportional to the depth to which the probe is slid into the container. The device is employed in an system for transferring and metering a toxic liquid such as pesticide in a closed container system wherein the liquid is dispensed and metered from the shipping container and the container is thereafter rinsed free of any pesticide residue in a totally closed system free of any operator intervention.

Abstract: An actuator assembly for a dispensing device including a cap for engagement with a container neck, the cap having a series of flats therein, an operable dispensing button with a discharge orifice, the button having a series of flat sides with a series of tabs thereon, a cover piece enclosing the button which exposes a portion of the button for finger engagement, and a guide slot in the cover piece to prevent relative movement between the button and the cover.

Abstract: A dry developing apparatus equipped with a developer amount detector, includes a container in which the developer is contained, a rotational member for agitating or carrying the developer, a support for supporting the rotational member in such a way that the rotational member, when rotated, is displaceable axially under the force of the load resistance produced by the presence of the developer, a holder for holding the rotational member so as to cause the member to return in the direction opposite to the direction of the displacement when the lead resistance is lessened with decrease of the developer, and a detector for detecting the difference in the amount of the axial displacement of the rotational member.