A material dispensing pump includes a drip prevention system and method so as to avoid undesired dripping of the dispensed fluid. In one example, the fluid path is sealed. Positive pressure is applied to the fluid during a dispensing operation to present the fluid to the auger-style pump at a desired rate. Between dispensing operations, or when dispensing is completed, the fluid is placed in suspension, for example by applying a negative pressure, thereby preventing the fluid from being inadvertently released at the dispense tip. In addition, following a dispensing operation, the pump dispensing controller can be programmed to reverse the rotation of the feed screw, in order to draw the material in a reverse direction and to further suspend the fluid.

A dispensing system (100) includes a pour cap (102) which may be connected with the neck of a container (900). The cap base includes a main deck (108), a dispensing spout (110) and a venting tube (112). A flow regulator is mounted on the underside of the main deck such that the flow regulator restricts flow through the opening of the dispensing spout. In some embodiments, the flow regulator is a hinged spring-loaded baffle plate (116). In some embodiments, the flow regulator is a gravity ball valve (316). A visual timing device (200) may be advantageously located on the pour cap (102) so that the timing device is easily visible to a user during operation or use of the dispensing system. The constant flow rate provided by the flow regulator allows the timing device to more precisely measure each pour regardless of how much fluid is in the bottle.

An automated liquid dispensing attachment monitors and controls preparation of drinks poured from bottles. The automated liquid dispensing attachment attaches to a bottle and senses multiple aspects of the pouring of the drink, and based on the sensor outputs, monitors and controls the flow of fluids from the bottle through the attachment. The automated liquid dispensing attachment communicates with other electronic devices to enable individualized control and monitoring, and data aggregation and analysis.

A dispense tip constructed and arranged to communicate with a material dispensing pump comprises an elongated neck and a molded base having a first portion and a second portion opposite the first portion. The neck extends from the first portion of the base. The second portion is constructed and arranged to abut an outlet surface of the pump. An outermost region of the second portion of the base includes a compressible fluid-tight surface that compliantly conforms to the outlet surface when the dispense tip is mounted to the pump.

A handheld solids dispenser. The dispenser includes a housing defining an inlet passage and an outlet passage. A delivery mechanism is supported within the housing and is positioned between the inlet passage and the outlet passage. Actuation of the delivery mechanism causes the delivery mechanism to transport a desired amount of solids material from the inlet passage to the outlet passage. The delivery member may be in the form of a plunger slidably positioned within the housing. The delivery mechanism may be in the form of a screw conveyor driven by a drive motor.

An apparatus for metering and dispensing a predetermined amount of a viscous substance includes an inlet fluidly connected to a supply flow path that branches into a metering flow path and a first dispensing flow path which branches into a second dispensing flow path that is angled relative to the first dispensing flow path. The apparatus also includes a supply valve disposed in the supply flow path, a dispensing valve disposed in the first dispensing flow path and the second dispensing flow path, a metering piston disposed in the metering flow path, and a dispensing piston. A method of metering and dispensing a volume of a viscous substance is also provided.

Systems, methods, and computer program products for monitoring a level of product (14) in a reservoir (10, 130, 140, 190, 260) of a chemical dispensing system. A lid (22, 148, 216, 302, 358) configured to engage an opening (28, 136, 138, 146, 204, 352) of a container (12, 198, 354) includes a level sensor (26, 244, 272, 342, 386) having a transceiver (36) that transmits an output signal (38) and receives a portion of the output signal (38) reflected back (42) to the transceiver (36). The level sensor (26, 244, 272, 342, 386) determines an amount of the product (14) in the container (12, 198, 354) by comparing a characteristic of the reflected signal (42), such as time the reflected signal (42) was received, to the characteristic of the output signal (38), such as the time the output signal (38) was transmitted. The level sensor (26, 244, 272, 342, 386) may also determine the size of the container (12, 198, 354) based on the reflected signal (42), and take this size into account when determining the amount of product (14) in the container (12, 198, 354). The level sensor (26, 244, 272, 342, 386) transmits product level data to a mobile device (54) in response to receiving an interrogation signal (66) therefrom.

A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.

A fluid delivery system for an appliance includes a fluid line in selective communication with a fluid source. A shelf defines a fill zone positioned below an underside of the shelf. A shelf spigot is coupled with the fluid line and disposed proximate the underside of the shelf and over the fill zone. A fluid level sensor is positioned in communication with the fill zone. The fluid level sensor is also in communication with a controller that regulates a flow of fluid through the shelf spigot.

A measured quantity of gas is introduced into a gas reservoir via a filling station including a flow meter. The quantity of gas transferred by the filling station to the reservoir is measured by the flow meter. The measured quantity of gas is reduced or increased by a predetermined corrective amount to yield a corrected gas quantity.