Abstract: A plasticizing device includes: a material storage unit having a charging port and configured to store pellet-shaped resin pellets; a plasticizing unit having a supply port in communication with the charging port and configured to plasticize at least a part of the resin pellets to generate a shaping material; a coupling pipe having a coupling path coupling the charging port and the supply port; a first material sensor configured to detect a remaining quantity of the resin pellets in the coupling path; and a control unit. The material storage unit includes a material supply mechanism configured to supply the resin pellets to the coupling path, and when the remaining quantity of the resin pellets detected by the first material sensor is less than a first reference value, the control unit controls the material supply mechanism to supply a predetermined quantity of the resin pellets to the coupling path.

Abstract: A cup lid that has a lid body and a push piece; a push piece moving groove is formed on the lid body, a drinking opening is formed in the push piece moving groove close to a cup edge; the push piece is slidable in the push piece moving groove in a reciprocating manner and is limited in the push piece moving groove by limiting mechanisms, and the push piece can seal the drinking opening with a sealing element; further, the cup lid contains lifting mechanisms between the lid body and the push piece. The distance between the push piece and the bottom side of the push piece moving groove is adjusted while sliding the push piece, so as to reduce the friction against the sealing element and ensure a clean and hygienic drinking.

Abstract: In a sliding nozzle comprising three plates consisting of an upper plate, an intermediate plate capable of a sliding movement, and a lower plate, it is intended to suppress adhesion and deposition of metal oxides and others on wall surfaces of inner bores of the three plates. The intermediate plate has: a first inclined portion whose surface defines a slidingly closing directional leading-side wall surface of an inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction; a second inclined portion whose surface defines an upper part of a slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically contracting direction, and a third inclined portion whose surface defines a lower part of the slidingly closing directional trailing-side wall surface of the inner bore thereof and extends obliquely downwardly in a diametrically expanding direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a goal secured to a table configured to receive a projectile from a tabletop game with a playing surface. The goal includes a net portion, at least one bracket, and a tray portion. The net portion has a first end and a second end. The net portion is movable between a first position and a second position. The net portion is configured to receive a first projectile in the first position and a second projectile in the second position. The at least one bracket is configured to receive at least one of the first end or the second end of the net portion. The tray portion is configured to store the first projectile and the second projectile.

Abstract: Slide closure for a container containing molten metal includes a housing part that can be fastened to the container and a slider unit that can be displaced longitudinally relative to it, into which a fireproof plate can respectively be inserted. The slider unit is held by holding units fastened to the housing part perpendicular to the slider unit such that it can be displaced longitudinally. The holding units are individually fastened releaseably to the housing part such that in the braced state of the slide closure, they can be released from the housing part in almost every position of the slider unit. In addition, the housing part has walls running close to the plate in the longitudinal direction and projections that protrude to the side, in which walls bearings of the individual holding units can be accommodated.

Abstract: A closure assembly for a container is provided, the closure assembly comprising: a closure body for securing to the container to extend across and seal an opening in the container; the closure body comprising a bore therein, the bore communicating with the opening in the container and providing a conduit between the interior of the container and the exterior of the container through which product within the container may be dispensed; a closure member having a port therein, the closure member slideably mounted to the closure body and slideable between a closed position in which the port is out of alignment with the bore in the closure body and the closure member acts to close the bore in the closure member and an open position in which the port is aligned with the bore in the closure body. A measuring vessel for use with the closure assembly is also provided.

Abstract: A beverage chiller comprising a first cylinder and a second cylinder sized and arranged with the second cylinder disposed within the first cylinder to define a first reservoir between the first cylinder and the second cylinder for receiving a beverage to be chilled. The second cylinder defines an internal chamber for receiving a chilling medium. A cup fabricated from an insulative material receives the cylinders therein with the first cylinder and cup defining a second reservoir for receiving a chilling medium. The first and second cylinders are fabricated from a material having substantial thermal conductivity.

Abstract: A system for dispensing a flowable food product from a reservoir is provided. A wall of the reservoir defines an aperture therethrough allowing the flowable food product to exit the reservoir. The system includes a valve having a base member having a first passageway extending therethrough and a moving member having a second passageway extending therethrough, the moving member configured to slide relative to the base member between a closed position in which the first passageway and the second passageway do not overlap and an open position in which the first passageway and the second passageway overlap. When the moving member is in the open position, an axis extending through the first passageway and the second passageway extends through the aperture in the reservoir.

Abstract: An injection container storage box device that stores a plurality of cylindrical injection containers randomly loaded includes: a housing of which the upper and lower ends are open; and an opening/closing plate disposed in a lower end portion of the housing so as to freely slide to open and close a lower end opening, on which the injection containers are placed, wherein the opening/closing plate includes a corrugated surface in which a plurality of convex portions and a plurality of concave portions alternate continuously in a predetermined direction and the injection containers are put into a toppled state using the corrugated surface.

Abstract: The refill lead case includes a case body provided with an opening portion, a lid attachment member attached to the opening portion of the case body, and a lid body attached to the lid attachment member in a slidable manner. The lid body is provided with a slide operation portion located at the front surface side of the lid attachment member and a bridge portion that is integrally molded with the slide operation portion, protrudes toward the rear surface side of the lid attachment member, and extends in the slide direction of the lid body. The bridge portion includes slope surfaces formed at the left and right sides while ridge lines are centered therebetween. When the lid body takes a downward posture, the refill leads accommodated in the case body are distributed inside the case body with respect to the ridge lines as a boundary.

Abstract: A packaging container for dry granular products includes a rectangular container body, and a rectangular cover defining a sleeve surrounding the container body in sliding engagement, both of folded sheet material. The container body having a first pair of opposed width defining sides, a second pair of opposed height defining sides, and a third pair of opposed length defining sides perpendicular to the width and height defined by the first and second pairs of opposed sides. The container body has at least one product discharge opening in second pairs of opposite sides. The cover is slidable over the first and second pairs of opposed sides of the container body between a closed position in which the cover overlies at least one product discharge opening and an open position in which at least one product discharge opening is partially exposed by the cover.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor.

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: Caps and container systems suited to dispensing products like cosmetics. Some of the caps include two portions that can be coupled together and that include a dispensing system that has at least two open positions and at least one closed position.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes an overcap that has a locking element extending therefrom. A container has a product disposed therein. A bracket is attached to the container. The bracket includes at least one flange and at least one slot. The at least one flange extends toward the at least one slot. A resilient member is disposed within the locking element.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing unit with an interior space, delimited by a lateral wall and a bottom portion. The bottom portion further includes an outlet orifice. The dosage-dispensing unit can be connected to a holder device of a dosage-dispensing device. The holder device is supported by constraints that allow movement in a prescribed direction. The outlet orifice has a central longitudinal axis that is oriented at a predetermined angle relative to this prescribed direction of movement. The internal surface of the bottom portion facing towards the interior space includes a surface region having at least a line segment that starts at the outlet orifice and extends in the prescribed direction of movement.

Abstract: An improved no-spill cup construction and valve assembly which provides an extremely secure seal against accidental liquid flow from the cup spout. The act of sucking at the cup spout creates negative pressure or a partial vacuum against a valve near the spout, causing the valve to open and allowing the flow of liquid therethrough.

Abstract: A bulk material shipping container unloader having an expandable supporter, a pallet receiver supported by the extendable supporter, and a material director supported by the pallet receiver.

Abstract: In some embodiments, apparatus useful for assisting in controlling the discharge of material onto a conveyor from a material dispenser includes a carrier, first and second side restrictors extending downwardly from the carrier and at least one wiper extending downwardly from the carrier and transverse to the side restrictors. The side restrictors are configured to assist in preventing at least some material from overflowing off the sides of the conveyor, while the wiper is configured to level the top of at least some of the material dispensed on the conveyor.

Abstract: A container includes a body, a panel, and a handle assembly. The body defines a closed volume of the container and further includes at least two opposing walls having a width and longitudinally extending between a first end and a second end of the body. The panel includes an inner surface fixedly secured to the panel to the body. The handle assembly is at least partially disposed within a space created between the panel and the body, the handle assembly having a dispensing aperture, and the handle assembly being slidable within the space. A method of forming a container and a method of dispensing a container are also discussed.

Abstract: A method of delivering proppant to a well site has the steps of transporting a load of proppant in a vessel to a desired location, moving the load of proppant from the vessel into a container so as to create a proppant-loaded container, unloading the proppant-loaded container into a pneumatic bulk trailer, and transporting the unloaded proppant in the pneumatic bulk trailer to well site. The container is placed onto a bed of a truck and moved in proximity to the vessel. The proppant-loaded container is placed onto a tilting mechanism and then tilted so that the proppant is discharged through a flow gate of a container into a hopper. The proppant in the hopper can then be conveyed to the pneumatic bulk trailer.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a gate valve design with a proportionally controlled orifice area. The moving element of the gate is shaped to cooperate with a fixed element so that as the gate opens, the open orifice area changes geometrically.

Abstract: Caps and container systems suited to dispensing products like cosmetics. Some of the caps include two portions that can be coupled together and that include a dispensing system that has at least two open positions and at least one closed position.

Abstract: A closure is provided that is configured to fit over a mouth of a receptacle to form a container. The closure includes a body portion having an open bottom formed of a skirt that defines an outer periphery of the body portion and an end wall defining at least one dispensing aperture. The closure also includes a member supported at the end wall. The member has a flap configured for pivotal movement and a user interface configured for sliding movement. The sliding movement of the user interface causes the pivotal movement of the flap. The closure further includes a retaining member coupled to the body portion for securing the member to the body portion. The retaining member at least partially covers the flap and the user interface.

Abstract: A container is disclosed which segregates at least two types of seed during storage and blends the at least two types of seed together when emptied from the container. A method is disclosed for blending at least two types of seed together.

Abstract: A slide valve assembly is provided for selectively dispensing dry goods from a hopper. The slide valve assembly is readily attached and detached from the hopper and is readily disassembled and reassembled to facilitate cleaning and/or servicing. Preferably, the slide valve assembly includes a panel secured to spaced support rails, a movable valve panel for opening and closing of the dispensing portion of the hopper, and a collar retainer for releasable attachment to the dispensing portion of a hopper. The slide valve assembly may be attached, detached, assembled, and disassembled substantially without the use of tools or separate fasteners, to minimize the risk of creating a contamination hazard for the goods dispensed from the hopper, while still allowing for secure attachment to the hopper.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing head has a body with an end surface and an area that couples the head to a source container. The end surface has an outlet opening connected to the coupling area. The head also has a slider, constrained to a guided linear sliding movement parallel to the end surface. An aperture-setting member of the body turns about a rotary axis, orthogonal to the end surface, to actuate the slider. An orifice opening of the aperture-setting member is configured so that the outlet opening is always within the area of the orifice opening. A passage opening of the slider is between the body and the aperture-setting member. By turning the aperture-setting member, the slider moves in a linear path, linearly displacing the passage opening relative to the outlet opening and varying the aperture width of the dosage-dispensing head. This regulates the flow rate of the free-flowing dosage material.

Abstract: A gathering and dispensing scoop with agitating gate valve provides a scoop body defining an upper opening, a bottom opening, and a channel extending therebetween. A handle extends radially from an outer peripheral surface of the scoop body. A gate valve transects the channel obstructing the bottom opening and has a user operable finger tab adjacent to the handle.

Abstract: A container includes a body, a panel, and a handle assembly. The body defines a closed volume of the container and further includes at least two opposing walls having a width and longitudinally extending between a first end and a second end of the body. The panel includes an inner surface, a width and a length, and a securing means which fixedly secures the panel to the body. The handle assembly is at least partially disposed within a space created between the panel and the body, the handle assembly having a dispensing aperture, and the handle assembly being slidable within the space. A method of forming a container and a method of dispensing a container are also discussed.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods relating to hoppers and the dispensing of bulk therefrom are provided. The hopper can include hopper walls that form a product storage receptacle. The hopper can also include a hopper door that includes a frame and a slide gate disposed within the frame. The slide gate is retractable between an open position and a closed position. A set of fingers projects from the slide gate to dislodge material proximate to the hopper door. Further, a port can be provided through at least one of the fingers of the set of fingers with the port configured to inject a fluid into the hopper.

Abstract: A housing includes a wall, a connector, a coupler, and a foot pad. The housing includes a bottom surface, a recess defined in the bottom surface, and a discontinuous ring-shaped engagement member surrounding the recess. The engagement member has a first gap and a second gap aligned with the first gap. The connector is connected to the engagement member and is rotatably engaged in the first gap. The coupler includes a main body and an engagement portion extending from a circumference surface thereof. A first engagement hole defined in a central portion of the main body. The main body is rotatably connected to the connector and engagable in the recess. The engagement portion engages in the second gap. The foot pad is connected to the coupler to seal the first engagement hole and received in the recess.

Abstract: A bulk bag includes a shell and a gate valve assembly and is configured to retain a material. The gate valve assembly includes a gate which is slidable to selectively prevent and facilitate variation of rate of dispensation of material from the bulk bag and, more particularly, through an aperture defined by the shell of the bulk bag. The gate valve assembly has a configuration which, during movement of the gate to restrict dispensation of material through the aperture in the shell, renders the gate unlikely to snag with other portions of the bulk bag such as, for example, portions of the shell which define the aperture. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A stopper which engages a neck of a container. The stopper includes a circular bottom section and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide. The rim of the head section has a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the opening of the container. The slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring force. Opposing sides of the slide each end in circumferential sections. A first one of the circumferential sections forming an outer surface for receiving a first applied force for advancing the slide and causing the second one of the circumferential sections to protrude from the stopper. The second one of the circumferential sections receiving a second different applied force to remove the stopper from the container.

Abstract: A low-profile particulate handling assembly is provided for use in conjunction with a downstream treating device, such as a seed treater unit. The assembly includes a plurality of juxtaposed particulate bins and a surmounting turret assembly designed to successively deliver particulates to the bins. The particulates within the bins are delivered to the downstream treating device through respective lower outlets each equipped with an adjustable slide gate assembly and a lower, multiple-chute assembly. Preferably, each bin has a top wall which in plan configuration approximates a sector of a circle, planar sidewalls, and downwardly tapered, arcuate sidewall structure leading to the lower outlet; in this fashion, the bins can be grouped with the sidewalls in close adjacency, and with the outlets located to feed into a single inlet of the downstream treating device.

Abstract: Caps and container systems suited to dispensing products like cosmetics. Some of the caps include two portions that can be coupled together and that include a dispensing system that has at least two open positions and at least one closed position.

Abstract: The stopper (2) engages with a ring-shaped neck in a press fit in a container (1) and has a circular bottom section which seals the container opening, and a head section which rises above the container and encompasses a slide (3) that extends through the center of the head section, the rim of the head section having a maximum diameter that does not exceed the external diameter of the container opening. The stopper is characterized in that the slide can be pushed against the force of a spring device in one direction over the rim of the container and, when released, returns to its retracted initial position as a result of the spring resistance. The stopper cannot be removed from the container by small children and is therefore considered childproof.

Abstract: A closure device includes a base (1) and a top (23). The base (1) has an aperture (13) and the top (23) has an aperture (27). The top (23) is movable laterally relative to the base (1) between a first position in which the aperture (13) of the base and the aperture (27) of the top are not in alignment and a second position in which the apertures are in alignment. Biasing spring (22, 43) is provided with in the top so as to extend laterally between the base and the top with a free end of the biasing spring urging the top towards the first position in which the apertures (13, 27) are not in alignment.

Abstract: A slide valve assembly is provided for selectively dispensing dry goods from a hopper. The slide valve assembly is readily attached and detached from the hopper and is readily disassembled and reassembled to facilitate cleaning and/or servicing. Preferably, the slide valve assembly includes a panel secured to spaced support rails, a movable valve panel for opening and closing of the dispensing portion of the hopper, and a collar retainer for releasable attachment to the dispensing portion of a hopper. The slide valve assembly may be attached, detached, assembled, and disassembled substantially without the use of tools or separate fasteners, to minimize the risk of creating a contamination hazard for the goods dispensed from the hopper, while still allowing for secure attachment to the hopper.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a dispensing unit suitable to precisely dispense material in powdery and/or granular form. The dispensing device comprises an gate valve opening sealingly closed by a blend. A control unit, which is interconnected to a scaling device, controls the opening of the gate valve opening by the position of the blend. The precise amount of the material is adjusted in relation to the signal of the scaling device.

Abstract: A dosage-dispensing device includes a drive device and a source container that can be set into the drive device, wherein a dosage-dispensing head is connected to a closure shaft which is movably constrained in the source container. The closure shaft has a coupler part configured to be coupled to and uncoupled from a drive shaft of the drive device. The source container has a first form element which is designed for form-fitting engagement with a first counterpart element formed on the drive device and serves to precisely position the coupler part in relation to the drive shaft. The source container further has a second form element which is designed for form-fitting engagement with a second counterpart element formed on the drive device and which, when in operating position, serves to precisely position the dosage-dispensing head in relation to a target container.

Abstract: A disposable corrugated board dispensing container including an enclosure having a bottom wall and side walls including a front side wall for containing contents therein. The bottom wall is formed by overlapping flaps attached to each of the side walls at a fold line, and an aperture is disposed in the bottom wall. A funnel is supported by a funnel support disposed between the funnel and the bottom wall, the funnel guiding the contents of the enclosure to the aperture in the bottom wall. A slide valve controls the dispensing of the contents through the aperture, the slide valve being accessed through an access opening in the front side wall.

Abstract: A beverage and dessert dispenser for making beverages or frozen desserts includes an auger driven to rotate and a cone displaceable with respect to the auger such that at least a portion of the auger may be positioned inside the cone for mixing ingredients. A flow control valve, connected to a bottom, exit, end of the cone, includes a housing and a gate operatively connected thereto. The gate is linearly translatable with respect to the housing along a fore-aft axis between closed and open positions of the flow control valve. The flow control valve seals the bottom opening of the cone when in the closed position, and permits fluid flow through the bottom opening of the cone when in the open position. The beverage and dessert dispenser is actuatable between a blending state, where the auger rotates, and a non-blending state, where the auger does not rotate.

Abstract: A bulk bag includes a shell and a gate valve assembly and is configured to retain a material. The gate valve assembly includes a gate which is slidable to selectively prevent and facilitate variation of rate of dispensation of material from the bulk bag and, more particularly, through an aperture defined by the shell of the bulk bag. The gate valve assembly has a configuration which, during movement of the gate to restrict dispensation of material through the aperture in the shell, renders the gate unlikely to snag with other portions of the bulk bag such as, for example, portions of the shell which define the aperture. Methods are also provided.

Abstract: A transportable bulk container having a discharge chute and a sliding gate assembly to control discharge through the discharge chute, wherein the sliding gate assembly has a gate member with generally J-shaped suspension members, the suspension members being supported by generally L-shaped rail flanges mounted on the discharge chute above and separated from the lower end of the discharge chute, such that bulk material does not interfere with the sliding movement of the gate member.

Abstract: A dispensing cap is provided for a container and includes a body portion having a formed sliding track thereon. An opening is provided in the body for providing access through the body. A retention slot is formed adjacent the sliding track. A slider is moveably positioned within the sliding track for selectively opening and closing the body opening. A frangible tab is initially formed as part of the slider and engaged within the retention slot to fix the position of the slider within the sliding track. Removal of the frangible tab permits the slider to move relative to the body opening. The cap is formed by an injection molding process, in conjunction with an in-mold assembly of the slider.

Abstract: A cylindrical-shaped particle dispenser cartridge includes a dispenser nozzle. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes sealing ribs that surround an included nozzle opening. The dispenser nozzle is arranged to engage a shutter that slides over the sealing ribs, thus sealing the nozzle opening. When the cartridge rotates about the cartridge axial in a shutter-opening or leading direction (X) with respect to the shutter, the sealing ribs move in a like direction with respect to the shutter, thus unsealing the particle dispenser cartridge nozzle opening. The dispenser cartridge is arranged to dispense particles such as, for example, toner particles. The dispenser nozzle outer surface includes outer shutter rails disposed on inboard and outboard sides of the sealing ribs.

Abstract: A bin for storing and dispensing dry flowable material comprises a main body portion defining a chamber for receiving the flowable material, a top portion enclosing the top of the body portion and having an inlet through which the material can pass to fill the bin, a bottom portion enclosing the bottom of the body portion and having at least one outlet, the bottom portion being inclined to direct the material toward the at least one outlet, a wall extending upwardly from the at least one outlet to an elevation in the body portion for dividing at least a lower part of the chamber into adjacent sections and a valve mechanism for selectively controlling the dispensing of the material from each section.

Abstract: An assembly for controlling delivery of material from a bin opening includes a movable bin gate for closing the bin opening and providing a high flow rate of material when the movable gate is open, wherein a low flow aperture is formed in the bin gate to provide a low flow rate of material when the bin gate is positioned such that only the low flow aperture is open. A two-stage flow enhancer within the bin includes a first stage for impelling material in the direction of the low flow aperture and a second stage for impelling material to exit through the low flow aperture. A controller controls operation of the bin gate to adjust a flow rate of material from the bin opening.

Abstract: This application discloses a device for urging bulk material to flow from a hopper such as the hopper of a railway car. The device includes a rotating axle that can be rotated by a power wrench, and one or more rotating agitators having auger coils disposed near the bottom outlet of a hopper and which are rotatably connected to the axle. Rotating the axle causes the agitators to rotate, thereby breaking up and urging bulk material to flow downward through the bottom outlet. Also disclosed is a system for emptying a hopper such as the hopper of a railway car, wherein a device with rotatable agitators having auger coils is integrated with a sliding gate assembly situated at the bottom outlet of the hopper. A power wrench can be used both to open and close the gate assembly, and to rotate the agitators in the hopper so as to break up and urge bulk material downward and out of the hopper through the opened gate assembly.

Abstract: Metering or dosing device for sand spreading apparatuses with a metering piston for sealing off and releasing the throughflow opening for the material to be spread, in which the metering piston and the opposite housing wall of the passage hole have profiles overlapping each other so that a labyrinth-like outflow of the spread material results.