An automated beverage dispenser include a metering manifold that contains a pair of mating manifold blocks forming as a generally rectangular cuboid element forming a minimized volume manifold block. A fluid conduit system, a sensor control system and a valve and actuator system are incorporated in and on the minimized volume manifold block. The fluid conduit system comprises a series of linear, interacting fluid channels including a central linear conduit containing a magnetic piston and forming an operative portion of a metering mechanism for providing a metered discharge of beer or beverage between the bulk storage and a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for a beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

A method and apparatus for controlling and visually, audibly, and tactilely communicating the administration of discrete unit doses of material dispensed from a syringe through use of a modified plunger having a geometric profile corresponding to a unit dose. This profile engages with the syringe barrel in a manner that creates noise and vibration as each unit dose is administered. The profile may take the form of peaks and valleys or teeth. Alternatively, the plunger profile may be threaded and may include a channel along the plunger's longitudinal axis.

A dosing apparatus suitable for dispensing a dose of liquid from a resilient squeezable container including a cap, suitable for attachment to the container, the cap comprising an expulsion channel for the expulsion of liquid; a dosage chamber attached to the cap, the dosage chamber comprising side walls; at least one inlet opening in the side walls proximal to the cap; a pressure chamber located underneath the dosage chamber; a valve provided at the end of the pressure chamber distal to the dosage chamber, the valve being movable from an open position, allowing liquid to flow through one or more discharge openings, and a closed position where the valve closes each discharge opening, the valve incorporating at least one aperture; and a plunger provided in the dosage chamber, and movable relative to the dosage chamber so as to advance upon squeezing of the container, up to a blocking position.

A dosing apparatus suitable for dispensing a dose of liquid from a resilient squeezable container including a cap, suitable for attachment to the container, the cap comprising an expulsion channel for the expulsion of liquid; a dosage chamber attached to the cap, the dosage chamber comprising side walls; at least one inlet opening in the side walls proximal to the cap; a pressure chamber located underneath the dosage chamber; a valve provided at the end of the pressure chamber distal to the dosage chamber, the valve being movable from an open position, allowing liquid to flow through one or more discharge openings, and a closed position where the valve closes each discharge opening, the valve incorporating at least one aperture; and a plunger provided in the dosage chamber, and movable relative to the dosage chamber so as to advance upon squeezing of the container, up to a blocking position.

The dosing device is intended for a neck for pouring defined amounts from a container or hose. It consists of a spout attachment that can be screwed or pushed onto the neck, and that optionally can be closed by a separate lid and has a dosing control chamber (14) with variable volume. As a characterizing feature, this chamber fills up from empty when pouring. Said chamber is formed by the space between a control chamber limiter and the interior of a dosing piston (10) and is filled with liquid when pouring a dose, while liquid at (D1) flows down past the dosing piston (10) to the spout (3). Finally, the downwardly displaced dosing piston (10) closes the spout (3) when the control chamber (14) is full. The dose quantities to be poured are adjustable in that the path of the dosing piston (10) can be limited on its side facing the container or hose. The control chamber limiter is variably displaceable axially with respect to the dosing device into the equipped neck and can be held fixedly in any position.

The dosing device is intended for a neck for pouring defined amounts from a container or hose. It consists of a spout attachment that can be screwed or pushed onto the neck, and that optionally can be closed by a separate lid and has a dosing control chamber (14) with variable volume. As a characterizing feature, this chamber fills up from empty when pouring. Said chamber is formed by the space between a control chamber limiter and the interior of a dosing piston (10) and is filled with liquid when pouring a dose, while liquid at (D1) flows down past the dosing piston (10) to the spout (3). Finally, the downwardly displaced dosing piston (10) closes the spout (3) when the control chamber (14) is full. The dose quantities to be poured are adjustable in that the path of the dosing piston (10) can be limited on its side facing the container or hose. The control chamber limiter is variably displaceable axially with respect to the dosing device into the equipped neck and can be held fixedly in any position.

A dispensing and pour control system for a regulated beverage having a metering system that provides a discharge in a controlled and metered manner. A sensor system uses a Line Control Board (LCB) that detects a piston location inside a metering conduit. A plurality of magnetic sensors is positioned at equal intervals and in the same plane collinear with the movement of a magnetic piston within the metering mechanism conduit. The piston position is detected by obtaining a set of momentary readings of the magnetic sensors and estimating a location of the piston by interpolation of the piston position as an anticipate location between sensors that are adjacent and showing readings of opposing signs.

An automated beverage dispenser include a metering manifold that contains a pair of mating manifold blocks forming as a generally rectangular cuboid element forming a minimized volume manifold block. A fluid conduit system, a sensor control system and a valve and actuator system are incorporated in and on the minimized volume manifold block. The fluid conduit system comprises a series of linear, interacting fluid channels including a central linear conduit containing a magnetic piston and forming an operative portion of a metering mechanism for providing a metered discharge of beer or beverage between the bulk storage and a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for a beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

An automated beverage dispenser include a metering manifold that contains a pair of mating manifold blocks forming as a generally rectangular cuboid element forming a minimized volume manifold block. A fluid conduit system, a sensor control system and a valve and actuator system are incorporated in and on the minimized volume manifold block. The fluid conduit system comprises a series of linear, interacting fluid channels including a central linear conduit containing a magnetic piston and forming an operative portion of a metering mechanism for providing a metered discharge of beer or beverage between the bulk storage and a tap or spigot in a manner that provides for a beverage specific controlled metered pour into a beverage container. The instant abstract is neither intended to define the invention disclosed in this specification nor intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.

The device for packaging and dispensing a product including a storage container (12) provided with at least one variable-volume compartment (22) containing the product, a pressurizing means (30) able to permanently pressurize the product contained in the compartment, and a dispensing head (14) having a mounting base (32) attached to the container. The dispensing head further includes a dispensing member (34) mounted inside the mounting base (32) with the ability to move in rotation, a piston (36) with the ability to move in translation inside the dispensing member (34) and able to delimit, inside the said member, opposing first and second metering chambers (60, 62), and at least first and second orifices (56, 58) formed on the dispensing member (34) and respectively able to be in direct fluidic communication with the first and second metering chambers (60, 62).