The invention is directed to an instrument and method of use in which a sample is taken from a sample container with a sampling member (10) and is directly transferred to an inlet of a flow structure that includes a aliquoting chamber for segmenting an aliquot of the sample with high-precision. That is, there is no need to direct the sample over a long passageway in the sampling member (10) before a sample portion could be dispensed by a sampling unit.

A household appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior, a tub located within the interior, and a basket located within the tub and having a loading opening confronting the tub opening. The appliance also includes a bulk dispenser with a dispensing opening, a first chamber in fluid communication with the dispensing opening, and a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber.

A household appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior, a tub located within the interior, and a basket located within the tub and having a loading opening confronting the tub opening. The appliance also includes a bulk dispenser with a dispensing opening, a first chamber in fluid communication with the dispensing opening, and a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber.

A thread dosing feeder for extracting creams or gelatinous products contained within a tube from the tube whereby the dosing feeder tube can be applied to the tube, the thread dosing feeder comprises a rotary gate feeder (1), the rotary gate feeder (1) has a metering chamber, the metering chamber operates in conjunction with a plunger (3), the rotary gate feeder (1) is pivot-mounted on the thread dosing feeder and the thread dosing feeder has an outlet, and the thread dosing feeder has a re-circulation valve (11, 14, 20), the rotary gate feeder (1) has a concave finger receptor and is formed in one piece, whereby the metering chamber is locked and has an intake and discharge valve (6).

A metered tap includes a pouring spout and a sliding section. The spout accurately dispenses, from an internal reservoir of a container, a predetermined one or one-and-a-half ounce volume of alcohol in a controlled single pour with precision. The metered tap is movable between retracted and extended configurations. The sliding section has an internal chamber to contain the volume, and a top portion with fill openings into the internal chamber. In the retracted configuration, the sliding section is within the container, and the alcohol flows from the internal reservoir into the internal chamber through the fill openings. In the extended configuration, the sliding section is extended relative to the retracted configuration, and blocks flow of alcohol from the internal reservoir. When the pouring spout is selectively actuated, the alcohol is dispensed and empties from the internal chamber by gravity flow. Also disclosed are a dispensing stand and method of use.

A drawer based dispensing system includes a drawer with receptacle moveable along a drawer guide between open and closed positions. During usage, a fill hole allows material from a container to enter the receptacle on a side of the drawer that faces an interior of the container when the drawer is positioned in the closed position. A dispensing hole allows material to exit the receptacle on an opposite side of the receptacle away from the interior of the container when the drawer is positioned in the open position. The dispensing system may be integrated into a lid of the container, which is flipped to sit lid-side-down by a user. A funnel may direct material into the fill hole. The drawer may extend to outside the container through an opening to expose the dispensing hole or the dispensing hole below the receptacle may align with a dispensing hole on the container.

An improved valve assembly having a material inlet, a metering chamber and a port. A valve element reciprocates within a valve passageway, such that in a first condition, a flow path is created for material to flow from the inlet to the metering chamber and the valve element forms a metal-to-metal seal of the flow path to the discharge port. The valve element then slides to the second condition, to unseal the passageway to the discharge port, and forms a metal-to-metal seal of the flow path to the inlet. A piston forces the material out of the metering chamber, and because the flow path to the discharge port is unsealed and the flow path to the inlet is sealed, the material is directed from the metering chamber, to the discharge port, where it can be dispensed as desired.

This container lid fits onto existing insulated cups. It has a refillable and sealable reservoir and in the preferred embodiment includes a top opening to receive substances and a bottom opening to release substances into a container. The release of substances into the beverage container is controlled and is measured before release. A preferred double piston and button combination interact with a narrow section of the reservoir to dispense only a portion of the contents from the reservoir into the container. The released portion is carefully metered within the narrow channel when the double piston alternately seals a first opening and a second opening of the narrow channel. The reservoir serves to store the unreleased substance until the next time the button is activated to release addition substance into the container.

This container lid fits onto existing insulated cups. It has a refillable and sealable reservoir and in the preferred embodiment includes a top opening to receive substances and a bottom opening to release substances into a container. The release of substances into the beverage container is controlled and is measured before release. A preferred double piston and button combination interact with a narrow section of the reservoir to dispense only a portion of the contents from the reservoir into the container. The released portion is carefully metered within the narrow channel when the double piston alternately seals a first opening and a second opening of the narrow channel. The reservoir serves to store the unreleased substance until the next time the button is activated to release addition substance into the container.

A household appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior, a tub located within the interior, and a basket located within the tub and having a loading opening confronting the tub opening. The appliance also includes a bulk dispenser with a dispensing opening, a first chamber in fluid communication with the dispensing opening, and a second chamber fluidly coupled to the first chamber.