Systems and methods for preparing and dispensing food contents, typically molten chocolate. In one aspect, a method for treating chocolate includes placing a quantity of chocolate in a pressure-controllable environment; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit; decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr; and holding the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment at about 5 Torr for a predetermined period of time. Additional steps may include decreasing the pressure of the pressure-controllable environment to about 5 Torr at an average rate of about 8 Torr per minute; heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of about 2 degrees Fahrenheit per minute; and/or heating the quantity of chocolate to a temperature of about 115 degrees Fahrenheit may occur at a rate of no more than 1 degree Fahrenheit per minute.

The invention relates to a dispenser having a cartridge holder.

A mouthwash dispensing system including: a bottle with a threaded neck (150) defining an opening (140) and configured to hold a liquid; a dispenser (340) including a receiving orifice (380) and a receiving protrusion (390); and a spring-actuated adapter, including: an adapter orifice (250); a valve stem (220, 260) including a spring (270) and a seal (280), wherein the spring (270) is configured to bias the seal (280) to move the spring-actuated adapter to a closed position; a threaded adapter (230) configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the threaded neck (150); and a friction-fit adapter configured to couple the spring-actuated adapter to the dispenser (340); wherein, when the spring-actuated adapter is coupled to the dispenser (340), the receiving protrusion (390) moves the spring-actuated adapter to an open position to allow the liquid to flow from the bottle through the adapter orifice (250) and into the dispenser (340).

Computer-implemented method to control a dispensing machine configured to deliver fluid products inside a receptacle (118) and comprising a plurality of containing units (111), each containing a respective fluid product, one or more storage zones (128) of the containing units (111) and a dispensing zone (115) wherein it is provided to temporarily and selectively locate at least one sub-assembly of containing units (111) containing the fluid products to be delivered in a dispensing cycle, making use of a computing device (161) comprising at least one processor (164), data storage means (162) with a formulation database, an input device (163), and a display device (159), wherein the control method comprises determining the disposition of the plurality of containing units (111) in the dispensing zone (115) and in the storage zone(s) (128), receiving, via the input device, a target formulation, selected by the user, and identifying, via the processor, from the formulation database an associated plurality of fluid products contained in respective containing units (111) of the sub-assembly, each to be delivered according to a predetermined quantity to obtain said target formulation. The computer-implemented control method also comprises displaying a graphic representation of the layout of the dispensing machine with the dispensing zone (15) and the storage zone(s) (28), which respectively reflects the disposition of the sub-assembly of containing units (111) disposed in the dispensing zone (115) and in the storage zone(s) (128), and graphically highlighting, in the graphic representation, at least the sub-assembly of containing units (11) from which the selected target formulation is to be produced by means of signaling means so as to facilitate their identification by the user and thus provide guidance to the user for displacing of one or more than one containing unit(s) (111) from the storage zone(s) (128) to the dispensing zone (115), or vice versa, if required for the production of the target formulation.

Methods are devices are provided for preventing fracture of a fluid-filled chamber or tank. In general an anti-fracture expansion device can be disposed internally within a fluid-filled chamber such that during a freeze event displaced fluid can compress or flow into the anti-fracture expansion device, thereby reducing the likelihood that the chamber will rupture. The internal disposition of the expansion device prevents it from interfering with other components that may be connected to or adjacent to the fluid chamber, thereby conserving space. In certain embodiments, the expansion device can have a dual function wherein it can act as a flow control valve in addition to functioning as an anti-fracture expansion device.

Methods are devices are provided for preventing fracture of a fluid-filled chamber or tank. In general an anti-fracture expansion device can be disposed internally within a fluid-filled chamber such that during a freeze event displaced fluid can compress or flow into the anti-fracture expansion device, thereby reducing the likelihood that the chamber will rupture. The internal disposition of the expansion device prevents it from interfering with other components that may be connected to or adjacent to the fluid chamber, thereby conserving space. In certain embodiments, the expansion device can have a dual function wherein it can act as a flow control valve in addition to functioning as an anti-fracture expansion device.

Methods and systems for the production and delivery of lithium metal of high purity are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, a liquid lithium delivery system contains a liquid lithium delivery module fluidly coupled to a lithium refill container. The liquid lithium delivery module contains a lithium storage region operable to store liquid lithium and containing a fluid supply line fluidly coupling an outlet port of a liquid lithium storage tank, and a flow meter positioned downstream from the lithium storage region along the fluid supply line and operable to monitor the flow of the liquid lithium through the fluid supply line.

Methods and systems for the production and delivery of lithium metal of high purity are provided herein. In one or more embodiments, a liquid lithium delivery system contains a liquid lithium delivery module fluidly coupled to a lithium refill container. The liquid lithium delivery module contains a lithium storage region operable to store liquid lithium and containing a fluid supply line fluidly coupling an outlet port of a liquid lithium storage tank, and a flow meter positioned downstream from the lithium storage region along the fluid supply line and operable to monitor the flow of the liquid lithium through the fluid supply line.

Liquid dispenser and method for operating such a liquid dispenser, such as a dispenser for tinting pastes. The dispenser comprises at least one liquid container and at least one reciprocating pump. First, a suction stroke is carried out at a set pump speed. After the suction stroke, the pump is closed off. Then, a pressure stroke is started while the pump is closed.

Liquid dispenser and method for operating such a liquid dispenser, such as a dispenser for tinting pastes. The dispenser comprises at least one liquid container and at least one reciprocating pump. First, a suction stroke is carried out at a set pump speed. After the suction stroke, the pump is closed off. Then, a pressure stroke is started while the pump is closed.