Stevens-Lee Company

Other

Mcnally Industries, LLC

Steven T Dorsey

Jerome D Powlas

Karl D Johnson

James J Farrell

Laurie J Brown

Paul J Lombardi

Douglas W Aretz

A method and apparatus for vending a containerized fluid includes placing a machine-readable indicia on the container identifying the base fluid. The container may be filled and then distributed or distributed prior to filling through various distribution channels to consumers. When a consumer wishes to fill or re-fill the container, the consumer places the container adjacent a reader that interprets the indicia to identify the base fluid to be dispensed. A dispenser then fills the container through a movable fill probe that elevates as the liquid within the container rises. In some embodiments, and prior to filling, the dispenser apparatus may also query the consumer about options are provided at the time of dispensing for further dispensing various optional ingredients, including scents, flavors, colors, nutritional supplements or other additives together with the base product. In further embodiments, the dispenser may also print discount tickets or coupons that may discount the purchase of the containerized fluid or other promotional merchandise. The machine-readable indicia may include affiliate codes that permit crediting or compensating various affiliates in relation to the container filling.

Method and apparatus for vending a containerized liquid product utilizing an automatic self-service refill system

A cylindrical receptacle has an open space accessible from above, and an optional cover. An outer shell, an inner liner, and a pair of oppositely moving doors that slide about the circumference define the receptacle. The vertically extending side wall has an opening circumscribing substantially one half of the circumference formed in the side wall. The pair of doors are operative in a first position to fully enclose the opening and are operative in a second position to provide full access to the opening. Various alternative embodiments incorporate vertical reinforcing supports adjacent the opening, gussets circumscribing the opening for reinforcing the opening, a reinforcing spacer adjacent the receptacle top, a discontinuous spacer adjacent the receptacle bottom, a floor adjacent the base and sloped towards the opening, a feature locking the outer shell and inner liner together, and a taper so the receptacle may be stacked together with like receptacles.

Receptacle having a top inlet, side outlet, and facilitated cleaning

A stanchion containment systems and method for securely storing and for safely accessing large and/or heavy items. The present stanchion containment system is particularly suited for use in dynamic locations. The stanchion assemblies includes a ceiling assembly releasably engaged with holes in the ceiling plate, and a deck assembly releasably engaged with holes in the deck plate. At least one linkage assembly connects the two or more of the stanchion assemblies. The linkage assembly substantially supports the stanchion assembly for translation from a first location to a second location, to provide access to the items.

Stanchion containment system

A cutting device for use in cutting through material in a container includes a rotatable shaft and a cutting element coupled to the shaft. The cutting element is laterally extendable and retractable relative to the shaft so as to accommodate tapered or non-cylindrical cups, as well as to allow use of the cutting elements in cups having different diameters.

Cutting device and method for cutting material from a container

A beverage dispenser, usable in dispensing milk, has a large refrigerated cabinet for housing large beverage containers. The beverage dispenser has a handle/valve with a first closed position, a second open position, and a third position for insertion and removal of a flexible milk tube. The handle includes two arms, and the user holds a cup between the two arms to receive the dispensed milk. The valve includes a cooling plate which refrigerates the milk in the flexible milk tube extending through the valve. The valve has a pinch plate which closes the flexible tube with a rocking motion, initially pinching the flexible tube at its lowest point and subsequently reopening the tube slightly to suck any beverage drops on the end of the tube back up into the tube. A hinged shelf is provided for ease of loading and unloading milk cases in and out of the refrigerated cabinet. The milk case has angled hand hold openings to allow lifting without repositioning of the wrists. The milk case is specially made to receive a connector from a milk bag, and includes a tie which raises the flexible milk tube prior to insertion of the flexible tube into the valve. A secondary shut-off mechanism is on the inside of the cabinet to shut off flow control by the handle.

Growing community of inventors

St. Joseph, MN, United States of America

Steven T Dorsey