B67B7/00

Fluid dispensing apparatus and method

A fluid dispenser including a body, a chamber coupled to or formed as part of the body and configured to contain a quantity of fluid, and a piston coupled to the body and rotatable within the chamber to different position. The piston is movable relative to the chamber in a first direction along an axis to draw fluid into the chamber, and the piston is movable relative to the chamber in a second direction opposite the first direction to discharge fluid from the chamber. The piston has stroke lengths that are selectable via the different rotational positions of the piston and that are associated with metered quantities of fluid to be drawn into the chamber. An anti-reversal feature is disposed between the piston and the body. The anti-reversal feature inhibits reversal of the piston during movement of the piston in the first direction or the second direction.

AUTOMATED CONTAINER CAPPING/DECAPPING MECHANISM

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and an elevator with a chuck guide that contact the container holder as the chuck is lowered by the elevator to position the chuck with respect to the cap of the container held in the holder and to hold jaws of the container holder in a closed position. In embodiment, the chuck guide includes a yoke with opposed arms and spindles located near distal ends of the arms that engage beveled shoulders of the container holder.

Portable drinking device
RE048512 · 2021-04-13 · ·

A portable drinking device capable of fitting over a typical pressurized beverage can to direct the flow of fluid from the can to a recipient's mouth. The portable drinking device may be positioned over the open top of the can and the can and portable drinking device are slightly tilted sideways. After the can has been punctured on its side, the entire assembly is positioned so that the portable drinking device directs a rapid and steady stream of fluid from the punctured can through the tube of the portable drinking device into a recipient's mouth.

Sample container handling with automated cap removal/replacement and drip control

A sample processing station includes two or more container holders on a platform that is rotatable about a central axis of rotation. Each holder is configured to rotate about a secondary axis of rotation. The station includes a capping/decapping mechanism to cap or decap a container held in one of the container holders and a drip tray movable between a first position not under the capping/decapping mechanism and a second position under the capping/decamping mechanism.

Beverage shotgunning drinking apparatus
10961101 · 2021-03-30 · ·

An apparatus comprises a body shell including a proximate end, a distal end, and a cylindrical passage. The apparatus also includes a piercing tube, which is slidably positioned within the cylindrical passage of the body shell. The piercing tube includes a proximate end including a piercing element with a central opening. The piercing tube also includes a distal end including a drinking spout. The piercing tube also includes a drink passage between the central opening of the piercing element and the drinking spout.

PUNCTURE DEVICE TO OPEN VACUUM JARS
20210053810 · 2021-02-25 ·

The present invention provides a lid puncture device having a hemispheric main body, a resilient compressible component, a flexible magnetic disk, and a piercing pin. The hemispheric main body has a domed surface and a flat surface. The flat surface of the main body has a recessed region surrounding a central pillar. The resilient compressible component is housed within and attached to the recessed region of the hemispheric main body. The flexible magnetic disk is attached to the resilient compressible component. The piercing pin is attached to the hemispheric main body and held axially within the central pillar. A process of opening a vacuum-packed jar with the lid puncture device is also provided. The process includes placing the flexible magnetic disk of the lid puncture device onto a lid of the vacuum-packed jar and striking the domed surface.

CAN PIERCING AND STRAINING TOOL
20210061634 · 2021-03-04 ·

A can piercing device that pierces openings in a can lid to allow the can to allow be used for draining or straining the can contents. The device has a pattern of punch spikes, which, when placed against a side lip of a can and rotated using an attachment hook as a fulcrum, punches a series of openings through a can lid. The series of punched openings creates a strainer to drain the liquid from the can contents before removing the can lid. Can contents can be repeatedly rinsed and drained by adding water through the openings created and draining the liquid. It is also possible to provide the can piercing device with additional features that allow the device to be used as a side cutting can opener, in order to completely remove the can lid, once the draining or straining has taken place.

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR GRIPPING A CONTAINER
20210087038 · 2021-03-25 ·

An apparatus for grasping a jar and aiding in lid opening includes a base element that may be placed on a surface, and a top housing that is rotatably secured to the base element. The top housing includes a raised outer periphery having at least one recess extending at least partially through the raised outer periphery, each recess allowing an increased maximum outward movement of a corresponding movable jaw member compared to a raised outer periphery lacking the recess.

Can piercing tool
10906792 · 2021-02-02 ·

A can piercing tool including an annular ring and a plurality of pointed punches connected to the annular ring, concentric with the annular ring, inside the annular ring, and defining a circular perimeter. The tool includes a handle connected to the annular ring extending away from the annular ring.

Refill adapter cap for a refill receptacle to refill liquid in an electronic smoking device
11058151 · 2021-07-13 · ·

A refill adapter cap (100) is provided for a refill receptacle adapted to refill the liquid reservoir of an electronic smoking device via the refill adapter cap, wherein the refill adapter cap comprises a first end (101) with an opening (110) and a connection portion (120), adapted for the connection to a refill receptacle. Furthermore, the refill adapter cap comprises a second end (102) with an injection portion (130) that protrudes from the second end and defines a liquid outlet hole (131). Moreover, the refill adapter cap comprises a liquid flow channel (140) interconnecting the first end and the second end, allowing for liquid to flow through the refill adapter cap. The liquid flow channel comprises a slope section (160) adapted to reduce the flow rate of liquid passing the liquid flow channel.