The present invention relates to automated batch making assemblies where various component materials, at least, some in liquid form, are combined. Specifically, the invention provides a dispensing assembly that adds efficiency by increasing dramatically the speed with which a liquid is dispensed from a container and by providing means and methods to automate the addition of and account for the amount of each component.

A paint saving paint tray is disclosed. The paint tray may be adapted for coupling to a paint container, and may comprise a base, one or more sidewalls extending in an upward direction from the base, a reservoir for holding paint, wherein the reservoir is defined by the base and the one or more sidewalls, securing mechanism in at least one sidewall of the one or more sidewalls for coupling the paint tray to the paint container, and drainage spout in the at least one sidewall, wherein the drainage spout is adapted to drain paint from the paint container into the paint tray via inverted placement of the paint container on the paint tray, or drain paint from the paint tray into the paint container via placement of the paint tray onto the paint container. Methods of using the paint tray and a paint tray system are also disclosed.

A machine intended for cooling and draining contents of a metal beverage can comprising a refrigerated housing intended to receive a can; a tube projecting into the refrigerated housing and defining a bore. The machine further includes a removable subassembly including a stirrer mounted to slide with respect to the tube to pass through the bore between an upper position in which the stirrer projects above the upper edge of the tube and a position in which the stirrer is set back with respect to the upper edge of the tube; a duct having an outlet orifice and an inlet orifice communicating with the bore; a plug blocking or opening selectively the outlet orifice of the duct.

A machine intended for cooling and draining contents of a metal beverage can comprising a refrigerated housing intended to receive a can; a tube projecting into the refrigerated housing and defining a bore. The machine further includes a removable subassembly including a stirrer mounted to slide with respect to the tube to pass through the bore between an upper position in which the stirrer projects above the upper edge of the tube and a position in which the stirrer is set back with respect to the upper edge of the tube; a duct having an outlet orifice and an inlet orifice communicating with the bore; a plug blocking or opening selectively the outlet orifice of the duct.

A bottle access device comprising a body, a central bore extending partway through the body from a first end, and one or more radial bores extending radially from the central bore through the side of the body. The bores may form a path from outside the body, through the radial bores, through the central bore, and out the first end. The device may be inserted through the wall of a plastic bottle, allowing access to product within the bottle via the bores by squeezing the bottle. The body may be threaded and the second end of the body may be pointed, allowing the device to act as a self-tapping screw for insertion into the wall of the bottle.

A bottle access device comprising a body, a central bore extending partway through the body from a first end, and one or more radial bores extending radially from the central bore through the side of the body. The bores may form a path from outside the body, through the radial bores, through the central bore, and out the first end. The device may be inserted through the wall of a plastic bottle, allowing access to product within the bottle via the bores by squeezing the bottle. The body may be threaded and the second end of the body may be pointed, allowing the device to act as a self-tapping screw for insertion into the wall of the bottle.

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adapters that couple with a fluid container and enable different systems, such as endoscopic systems, to access the contents of the fluid container, such as via a tubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluid container adapter that punctures a fluid container to couple with and gain access to the contents of the fluid container. In one embodiment, for example, a platform may be used to support a fluid container as one or more penetration members attached to a crossmember are advanced into the fluid container along rails connected between the platform and the crossmember. In such embodiments, the one or more penetration members may include lumens to enable a tubing set to access the contents of the fluid container.

Various embodiments are generally directed to fluid container adapters that couple with a fluid container and enable different systems, such as endoscopic systems, to access the contents of the fluid container, such as via a tubing set. Several embodiments are particularly directed to a fluid container adapter that punctures a fluid container to couple with and gain access to the contents of the fluid container. In one embodiment, for example, a platform may be used to support a fluid container as one or more penetration members attached to a crossmember are advanced into the fluid container along rails connected between the platform and the crossmember. In such embodiments, the one or more penetration members may include lumens to enable a tubing set to access the contents of the fluid container.

A device for transferring liquids from between containers, and methods for its use. The device includes a body having an axis and first and second cap members at oppositely-disposed axial ends of the body. Cavities are present within the first and second cap members and define axial openings in the body. The cavities are coaxially aligned along the axis of the body and define interior walls within the first and second cap members on which female threads are formed. At least one fluid passage is within the body and fluidically interconnects the cavities. The axial openings in the body are configured to receive necks of first and second containers, and the female threads are configured to couple with male threads on the necks of the first and second containers such that the device physically couples the first and second containers together

A device for transferring liquids from between containers, and methods for its use. The device includes a body having an axis and first and second cap members at oppositely-disposed axial ends of the body. Cavities are present within the first and second cap members and define axial openings in the body. The cavities are coaxially aligned along the axis of the body and define interior walls within the first and second cap members on which female threads are formed. At least one fluid passage is within the body and fluidically interconnects the cavities. The axial openings in the body are configured to receive necks of first and second containers, and the female threads are configured to couple with male threads on the necks of the first and second containers such that the device physically couples the first and second containers together