3585results about "Bottle/container closure" patented technology

A system for controlling an amount of liquid poured from a liquid container includes a spout configured for attachment to an opening of a liquid container and for controlling a desired amount of liquid poured from the liquid container. The spout is further configured to emit signals containing activity information. A receiver is configured to receive the signals, and a computer is coupled to the receiver, for processing the signals into text for viewing. The present invention further provides a method of controlling liquid flow from a liquid container, including the steps of: (a) determining an amount of liquid which is to be poured from a liquid container; (b) transmitting activity information signal corresponding to a predetermined activity; (c) remotely receiving the activity information signal of step (b); and (d) processing the activity information signal of step (c) into readable form.

A method and apparatus for embedding features and controlling material composition in a three-dimensional structure (130) is disclosed. The invention enables the control of material characteristics, within a structure (130) made from a plurality of materials, directly from computer renderings of solid models of the components. The method uses stereolithography and solid model computer file formats to control a multi-axis head (480) in a directed material deposition process (123). Material feedstock (126, 127) is deposited onto a pre-heated substrate (19). Depositions (15) in a layer-by-layer pattern, defined by solid models (141, 146), create a three-dimensional article having complex geometric details. Thermal management of finished solid articles (250-302), not available through conventional processing techniques, is enabled by embedded voids (152) and/or composite materials (126, 127), which include dissimilar metals (210, 216). Finished articles control pressure drop and produce uniform coolant flow and pressure characteristics. High-efficiency heat transfer is engineered within a solid structure by incorporating other solid materials with diverse indexes. Embedding multi-material structures (132, 134) within a normally solid component (141) produces articles with diverse mechanical properties. Laser and powder delivery systems (420, 170) are integrated in a multi-axis deposition head (480) having a focused particle beam (502) to reduce material waste.

Methods and apparatuses for thermally treating flowable materials using electromagnetic radiation, and foods and materials obtained thereby. Also provided are methods of continuous flow thermal treatment of biomaterials, apparatuses for performing the same, and products prepared using the methods and/or apparatuses.

Disclosed are systems and methods for dispensing flavor doses and beverages. A beverage tower may be provided that has a small footprint and that is capable of dispensing a wide variety of flavor doses and blended beverages. The beverage tower may include a flow control module that controls the flow rate of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower and a switch module that includes a plurality of switches that may be selectively opened and closed to control the flow of beverage additives and water through the beverage tower to a point of dispense. A flavor dose or blended beverage may be dispensed by the beverage tower in accordance with user input that is provided to the beverage tower via a control panel. The user input may specify a desired beverage additive, a desired cup size, and an indication of whether a flavor shot or a blended beverage is desired. Additionally, a user may define and program into the memory of the beverage tower the various flavor doses and blended beverages that are capable of being dispensed by the beverage tower.

The present invention is a system for handling liquid and a method for the same. The system has a container capable of holding a liquid. An electronic storage device is coupled with the container for electronically storing information relating to the liquid stored in the container. The system also has an antenna, for storing information to and reading information from the electronic storage device. Finally, the system has a microprocessor-based controller, coupled with the antenna, for controlling processing of the liquid based on information read from the electronic storage device by the antenna.

Packages and methods for storage and dispensing of materials, e.g., high purity liquid reagents and chemical mechanical polishing compositions used in the manufacture of microelectronic device products, including containment structures and methods adapted for pressure-dispensing of high-purity liquids. Liner packaging of liquid or liquid-containing media is described, in which zero or near-zero head space conformations are employed to minimize adverse effects of particle generation, formation of bubbles and degradation of contained material.

The present invention is a cosmetic or dermatological preparation for use with a dispenser that includes an auxiliary to keep the dispenser operating smoothly. The auxiliary is selected from the group consisting of (i) polyols having 2 to 6 carbon atoms and 2 to 6 hydroxyl or alkoxy groups and (ii) surfactants that reduce the surface tension of the preparation to less than 30 mN/m. The preparation is particularly suitable with a dispenser comprising a container and an inner container wall for housing a cosmetic or dermatological preparation; a follow-up plunger on a base side of the dispenser, which is capable of being slidably displaced on the inner container wall under the pressure of the ambient atmosphere; a head section on a top end of the dispenser that can be slidably displaced in relation to the container and that comprises a dispensing channel, the dispensing channel capable of being connected in a communicating manner to the container; a manually actuable delivery device comprising a variable-volume delivery chamber, a delivery element that can be displaced longitudinally in relation to the container and the head section, comprising a delivery plunger that can be slidably displaced within the delivery chamber and a delivery stem connected to the delivery plunger, and a delivery channel circumferentially enclosed by the delivery stem and comprising a delivery-channel inlet opening communicating with the delivery chamber and a delivery-channel outlet opening. The delivery channel outlet opening is capable of being moved into an open position relative to the dispensing channel by displacing the delivery element.

A method for loading and unloading of dry bulk freight containers vertically, and a device in the form of an improved intermodal dry bulk freight container for vertical loading and unloading. Standardized corner locks may be used and dimensions may be selected so as to provide a standardized cargo container.

The present invention teaches that an intermodal dry bulk freight container may be loaded in either the customary horizontal orientation of such devices, or in a vertical orientation in which one end is opened and elevated. In particular, however, such a container may advantageously be emptied by elevating it into the vertical orientation. The method of the invention is thus to provide only a single hopper and yet allow one hopper to empty the entire container, as well as providing a more efficient gravity feed of bulk cargo as it is off loaded.

The present invention furthermore teaches an intermodal dry bulk freight container suitable for this method of operation. In the presently preferred embodiment, the container is loaded conventionally via hatches on the top of the container when it is in a horizontal orientation, but is unloaded via a single hopper located at the lower end when the container is raised into the vertical orientation.

A reusable insulated flexible cooler bag comprising: a front wall having a first inner layer, at least one first insulating layer, and a first outer layer of plastic material; a rear wall having a second inner layer, at least one second insulating layer, and a second outer layer of plastic material; and a closure element. The front wall and the rear wall are joined together at their peripheral edges so as to create a pocket-like configuration with an inner volume. The closure element is able to close the pocket-like configuration to substantially ensure an airtight and watertight seal of the inner volume of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag and is located adjacent a top side of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag in order to provide access to contents of the reusable insulated flexible cooler bag.

A system for the automated preparation and delivery of customized beverages is disclosed. The system is deployed as a kiosk or similar device and provides an automated user-customizable drink purchasing experience. The user can select the desired base, add-in ingredients, etc. and receive a drink that has been prepared in accordance with the user preferences. In addition, individual and aggregate user preferences and purchasing habits (e.g., quantity and type of drink purchased, frequency of purchases, location of purchases, etc.) can be tracked, stored, and used to provide targeted marketing messages, including special discounts, promotions, etc.

An apparatus for automatically dispensing a fluid includes a container adapted to carry a supply of fluid, and a valve connected to said container, wherein actuation of said valve dispenses the fluid. Also included is an apparatus position indicator proximally associated with the container and an object sensor positioned near the valve. The object sensor monitors an area below where the valve dispenses when open and upon detection of an object opens said valve. Initial positioning of the apparatus triggers the apparatus position indicator to generate an appropriate signal until said object sensor is properly positioned. Once positioned the device may be permanently secured. A control circuit within the apparatus also allows programming of lighting indicators, dispense cycle size, and dispense quantities. The control circuit also provides for overload protection, motor braking and RF shielding.

A system for dispensing a beverage which is a mixture of stock and water, includes a dispensing apparatus having a water supply thereto, and a container containing the stock, the apparatus further including a controller which in use controls the apparatus to mix water with the stock to make the beverage, and to deliver the beverage to a beverage outlet, and wherein the container includes an identification device which identifies the nature of the beverage to be dispensed, and the dispensing apparatus includes a sensor, which senses the identification device and provides a signal to the controller which identifies the nature of the beverage to be dispensed from the signal.

Reconfigurable control systems for beverage dispensers, beverage dispensers with a reconfigurable control panel, beverage dispensers that sequence the dispensing of beverage fluids that make up a selected beverage, beverage dispensers that allow for the dispensing of user customized beverages, and related methods for dispensing a beverage fluid are provided. A reconfigurable control system includes a control panel having multiple sensing regions, user reconfigurable switches used to select a control panel configuration, and a control unit operatively coupled with the control panel and the user reconfigurable switches. Each of the sensing regions is assigned to a key of the selected control panel configuration or deactivated. The keys of the selected control panel configuration receive user input to select a beverage and/or a beverage additive.

A bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly formed by a flexible dispensing container with a dispensing fitment. The dispensing container is positioned adjacent or sandwiched between one or more flexible pressurization containers having a separate inlet/outlet path through a second fitment. The bag-in-bag assembly can then be placed in a containment vessel with the fitments mounted such that it is accessible on the vessel. A liquid can be extracted from the dispensing container by introducing a fluid into the pressurization container(s) with enough pressure to force the liquid out through the dispensing fitment. A contoured dispensing head may be coupled to the bag-in-bag-in-bottle assembly using a earn actuation arrangement for simultaneously locking the pressurization, vent and fluid extraction couplings.

A fluid dispensing apparatus includes a pulse generator coupled to a pump that operates in discrete cycles. Each cycle includes a first part in which fluid is drawn into the pump through an inlet, and a second part in which fluid is expelled from the pump through an outlet. Each cycle results in a discrete, consistent volume of fluid being expelled. The pulse generator transmits discrete pulses to the pump, causing the pump to operate for a set number of cycles per pulse. The total number of cycles is a multiple of the number of pulses transmitted, so that the number of pulses determines the volume of fluid dispensed. Alternatively, the pump is driven through increments of the second part of the cycle, with the number of pulses supplied to the pump determining the proportion of the second part of the cycle completed, and therefore the volume of fluid dispensed.

Pourer (14) including a beverage dispensing controller (23) including a pinch valve solenoid (40, 83) to control the dispensing of a beverage; a cap (21) includes a locking system to releasably secure the cap to a beverage container (12). The cap has a cap body (31) having an outer duct (43), and the locking system includes a collar (32) with a central aperture for receiving and allowing the collar (32) to pass over the outer duct, and a locking tab located on the cap body. A clamp (34) is engaged by a slide (33) to thereby secure the cap to the container (12) and a locking pin (38) which when engaged acts to prevent rotation of the collar (32). Also, disclosed is a system (FIG. 2) that includes the pourer (14) having a unique identification (ID) and can trasmit wireless signals to a base station (15) about the amount of beverage dispensed; a personal identification unit (17) such as a passive RFID tag to identify the barman pouring the beverage; and an infra-red sensor (7) to allow the pourer (14) to communicate with a container scanner (18) that reads the barcode on the container.