Other

Fluid Management Operations LLC

Fluid Management, Inc.

James L Martin

William A Miller

John J Hsing

Tim Patrick Hogan

Charles F Carr

Christopher K Khoo

Thomas J Amsler

Jeffrey G Barton

Margaret M Lowan

Albert R Jackson

Susan G McDermott

Brian R Hill

Ryan Hanawalt

Anton Obrecht

Gary L Takata

Sam J Ford

Jeffrey Mumford

A R Jackson

Timothy P Hogan

Tim J DeGroot

Gilbert T Tso

Christopher E Peters

An improved modular flavor dispenser for dispensing a plurality of different flavors is shown and described. One disclosed modular flavor dispenser includes a controller that is linked to a coordinator or interface with a controller associated with the food or beverage dispenser. For example, an automated coffee machine may include its own controller. The controller of the coffee machine communicates with the coordinator or interface of the modular flavor dispenser which, in turn, communicates with the motor control board or controller of the flavor dispenser. The flavor coordinator board may have a memory with a plurality of recipes stored therein or that information may be communicated from the controller of the coffee machine. The flavor coordinator board is linked to the motor control board which, in turn, is linked in parallel with the plurality of pumps used to dispense the variety of flavors. In the example of gourmet coffee, four or more pumps may be used: vanilla, hazelnut, cinnamon, caramel, chocolate as well as other flavors. Improved techniques for pumping chocolate syrup are also disclosed that involve the use of nutating piston-type pumps.

Modular flavor dispenser for use with food or beverage machines

An apparatus for making and dispensing frozen aerated products includes a rotating horizontal freeze plate with an upper surface for receiving a chilled aerated mix. The chilled aerated mix includes, in one embodiment, ice cream base that has been sufficiently aerated, and flavor. The apparatus further includes a scraper for scraping frozen aerated mix off of the rotating freeze plate. The scraper includes a body that forms an elongated semi-cylindrical channel. The apparatus also includes a plow for pushing the scraped, frozen and aerated mix through the channel towards a cup held by a cup lifter disposed at an end of the channel. The action of the plow pushes the scraped frozen aerated mix through the channel and into the cup resulting in a generally round scoop of scraped frozen aerated mix in the cup that resembles a serving scoop experienced at a traditional ice cream shop.

Point of sale method and apparatus for making and dispensing aerated frozen food products

An improved fluid dispenser specially adapted to provide sample-size amounts of a fluid mixture is shown and described. An automated closure and seal system is provided for the manifold that moves, on command from a controller, from a closed or sealed position thereby limiting exposure of the manifold and fluid outlet nozzles from the ambient atmosphere, to a dispense system where a sample-size container is held up against and engaging a lower end of the manifold for a sealing element disposed on a lower portion of the manifold. When the dispense is complete, the system automatically moves back toward a closed position where the filled container is held open and ready to be removed by a technician before it is capped and labeled.

Apparatus for dispensing paint and stain samples and methods of dispensing paint and stain samples

A fluid dispense system having a computer control system that operatively controls a stepper motor driving a nutating pump. The stepper motor actuates the nutating pump piston through partial revolutions. The computer control system determines the number of stepper motor steps required to pump a desired amount of fluid by the nutating pump by rotating the piston through segments which are less than a full revolution.

Fluid dispensers

A collapsed, pop-open and disposable debris collector formed of a semi-rigid blank the composition of which has a folded elastic memory, the collector forming interconnected rear abutment, side walls and a bottom, the side walls lapping the rear abutment wall in part in a collapsed configuration; permanent adhesive on the rear wall, securing a portion of the lapping side walls to the exterior of the rear abutment wall and spring-like foldable abutment retaining tabs projecting from each side wall, extensible upon setting up to engage the interior of the rear wall upon pop-opening of the collector from collapsed to pop-open utility configuration; the collector having an integral handle at the rear and a no-spill lip at the forward open end and pressure sensitive adhesive which is coextensive with the no-spill lip to coact therewith in the utility mode. The debris collector is readily adapted to stack packaging.

Pop-open disposable debris collector

A prepacked disposable animal litter and waste container in which one or more membranous bags are filled with an absorbent litter, each bag being contained within a substantially rigid fiberboard carton container, wherein said bags may be each successively exposed for utility. In use, the flaps of the container are opened and bent on fold lines such that the flaps are compressed against the sides of the container. Thereafter, the top wall of a bag is pulled tautly over the outside of the compressed flaps, thereby protecting both the interior and the exterior of the container from soiling. Together with the flaps of the container, the bags form a repository for urine and fecal matter. After the uppermost exposed bag is used, said bag becomes a disposal means for the contaminated litter and the user may discard the bags. Flaps of the container may extend the container sides vertically. Adhesive means secures the flaps, and one overlying bag top is adjusted and placed temporarily as required, in the use mode. In a further embodiment of the invention, locking top flaps are provided.

Prepacked and disposable animal litter receptacles and containment

A prepacked disposable animal litter and waste container in which plural layers of membranous bags are filled with an absorbent litter, each bag being contained within a substantially rigid fiberboard carton container, wherein bags may be each successively exposed for utility, following usage of an uppermost exposed bag, the bags, together with flaps of the container forming a repository for urine and fecal matter, and becomes a disposal means for the contaminated litter when the user may discard the bags. Flaps of the container extend the container sides vertically and together with the bags create an impermeable membranous cover for the container's interior and exterior in the use mode. Adhesive means secures the flaps, and one overlying bag top is adjusted and placed temporarily as required, in the use mode.

This invention relates to the automatic operation of electric wall switches. Through the use of electronics and mechanisms contained within the switch body, the switch operates on command of a remote digital controller, or alternatively, from an integral timer. in the former case, digital codes are transmitted on existing electrical wiring in a building to provide remote operation. When an integrated timer is utilized, the timer provides controlled turn 'on' or 'off' functions.

Electrical switch controllable alternatively by an internal timer and by

Growing community of inventors

Stonefort, IL, United States of America

James L Martin