The invention relates to a method for controlling an electrostatic atomizer for liquids, the atomizer comprising a liquid tank and a delivery device for liquid from the liquid tank, a high-voltage source and also at least one atomizer nozzle for the atomization of liquid, the at least one atomizer nozzle being connected to the high-voltage source. Here, the voltage and/or the current intensity at at least one of the atomizer nozzles are detected by sensors of control electronics and/or the voltage and/or the current intensity at the high-voltage source are detected by sensors of the control electronics.

Methods, apparatuses and systems are disclosed including a method of filling a container with substantially only a liquid. The method can include the removal of a gas from the container prior to, during or after the filling of the container with the liquid. According to one embodiment, the container includes an inner liner and a lid. The method includes providing a volume defined by at least the inner liner and the lid of the container. In such embodiment, the liquid can initially be contained within a first portion of the volume and a remaining portion of the volume can contain a gas. The method can include removing substantially all the gas from the volume via one or more ports that communicate with the volume while retaining substantially only the liquid within the volume.

A dispensing system for heating and dispensing a food substance in a liquid state includes a portable dispensing unit including housing including a reservoir for holding a food substance, a heater operable to heat the substance to an operating temperature for producing a liquid, and a pump for dispensing the liquid via a dispensing tube and spray nozzle. A manually activated actuator operates to initiate the dispensing cycle. Control circuitry associated with the dispensing unit monitors the liquid temperature and controls operation of pump and unit. The dispensing unit may be powered by a rechargeable battery. A charging base provides a dock for recharging the battery of the dispensing unit. The pump may include an auto-reverse feature to draw the liquid back into reservoir when not dispensing the liquid for preventing clogs in the dispensing system.

A dispensing system for heating and dispensing a food substance in a liquid state includes a portable dispensing unit including housing comprising a reservoir for holding a food substance, a heater operable to heat the substance to an operating temperature for producing a liquid, and a pump for dispensing the liquid via a dispensing tube and spray nozzle. A manually activated actuator operates to initiate the dispensing cycle. Control circuitry associated with the dispensing unit monitors the liquid temperature and controls operation of pump and unit. The dispensing unit may be powered by a rechargeable battery. A charging base provides a dock for recharging the battery of the dispensing unit. The pump may include an auto-reverse feature to draw the liquid back into reservoir when not dispensing the liquid for preventing clogs in the dispensing system.

Embodiments of the disclosure relate to an applicator for an adhesive primer. The applicator includes a tank configured to hold the adhesive primer. The applicator also includes a peristaltic pump, having an inlet and an outlet, and a spray nozzle. A first conduit extends from an interior of the tank to the inlet of the peristaltic pump, and a second conduit extends from an outlet of the peristaltic pump to the spray nozzle. Embodiments of the present disclosure also relate to a method of applying adhesive primer to a road surface using the applicator. In the method, the adhesive primer is pumped from the tank containing the adhesive primer through the peristaltic pump to the spray nozzle. Further, the adhesive primer is sprayed from the spray nozzle onto the road surface while the applicator moves across the road surface.

A dispensing system for heating and dispensing a food substance in a liquid state includes a portable dispensing unit including housing including a reservoir for holding a food substance, a heater operable to heat the substance to an operating temperature for producing a liquid, and a pump for dispensing the liquid via a dispensing tube and spray nozzle. A manually activated actuator operates to initiate the dispensing cycle. Control circuitry associated with the dispensing unit monitors the liquid temperature and controls operation of pump and unit. The dispensing unit may be powered by a rechargeable battery. A charging base provides a dock for recharging the battery of the dispensing unit. The pump may include an auto-reverse feature to draw the liquid back into reservoir when not dispensing the liquid for preventing clogs in the dispensing system.

A dispensing system for heating and dispensing a food substance in a liquid state includes a portable dispensing unit including housing comprising a reservoir for holding a food substance, a heater operable to heat the substance to an operating temperature for producing a liquid, and a pump for dispensing the liquid via a dispensing tube and spray nozzle. A manually activated actuator operates to initiate the dispensing cycle. Control circuitry associated with the dispensing unit monitors the liquid temperature and controls operation of pump and unit. The dispensing unit may be powered by a rechargeable battery. A charging base provides a dock for recharging the battery of the dispensing unit. The pump may include an auto-reverse feature to draw the liquid back into reservoir when not dispensing the liquid for preventing clogs in the dispensing system.

An exemplary refill unit for a foam dispenser includes a container for holding foamable liquid and a liquid pump. The liquid pump includes a pump housing and an outlet nozzle with an elongated central axis. The pump housing has an arcuate shaped liquid pump chamber formed by a backing plate. The backing plate includes a liquid inlet and a flexible membrane. At least a portion of the elongated central axis of the nozzle extends through a central area defined, at least in part, by the arcuate shaped pump chamber.

A hand-held pump apparatus has a peristaltic pump head and a container for a liquid to be dispensed. The pump head has a rotatable peristaltic pump member and a flexible dispensing tube in fluid connection with the inside of the container. A finger-actuated trigger is arranged to drive the peristaltic pump member when actuated so as to cause the peristaltic pump member to turn and pump fluid through the dispensing tube. The pump head has a thumb hole disposed through it, the thumb hole being disposed within an area around which the peristaltic pump member turns when actuated.