The disclosure herein discloses an efficient distributor, which includes a distributor shell, an operating member, a locking member, and a control member connected to the operating member. The operating member includes a locking matching member with a locking boss protruding therefrom. The locking boss includes a first locking matching surface and a second locking matching surface. The locking member includes a locking block capable of moving to or away from the locking matching member, and a first reset member. According to the disclosure herein, the locking boss and the locking block are automatically unlocked when a state of the operating member is switched and automatically locked after the state is switched, so the efficient distributor is convenient.

A fluid dispenser can include a body defining a passageway from an inlet to an outlet, a fluid container configured be received by the body such that the fluid in fluid communication with the inlet, and a contactless valve in fluid communication with the outlet and configured to selectively dispense fluid from the fluid container. A contactless valve configured to dispense a liquid can include an actuator configured to move a plug between a closed position in which the plug prevents the flow of liquid through valve body, and an open position in which liquid can be dispensed through an outlet. The valve can include an activation sensor, a presence sensor, and a controller configured to control the actuator and in electrical communication with the activation sensor and the presence sensor.

Content containers and vessels, one aspect including a deformable fluid-tight container shell defining an internal volume and separating the internal volume from an external environment; a room-temperature semi-solid content contained within the internal volume; and a valve operationally connected to and disposed at least partially without the deformable container shell; where the semi-solid content is a hydrophobic matrix with at least partially emulsified hydrophilic components; where the container shell is substantially fluid-tight; where the valve has open state(s) and a closed state; where the valve may be actuated between the open state(s) and the closed state; where the valve is self-cleaning; where during the open state(s), the internal volume is in fluidic communication with the external environment; where during the closed state, the internal volume content cannot fluidically communicate with the external environment; and where the content remains moisture-stable while the valve is in the closed state.

A tap assembly for dispensing fluid from a flexible container includes a gland for connecting with the container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet. A tap is in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland. An incision device is fixed with respect to the tap to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap, the incision device located at the inlet of the gland, and positioned fully within the gland in a first rotational position and generally outside of the gland in a second rotational position. An indent and/or rib and/or molded sidewall is positioned on the gland or the tap and a corresponding detent and/or rib and/or tap flange is positioned on an opposite of the tap or the gland such that the tap is rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position and the indent and the detent and/or molded sidewall prevents further rotation.

A container for dispensing a liquid that includes a body, a closure, and an overcap. The body includes an interior storage volume, a neck finish on a first wall of the body, and a protrusion on a second wall of the body. The neck finish defined outlet through the first wall for dispensing the liquid. The closure for sealing the outlet and coupled to the neck finish. The overcap is removably coupled to the closure and includes a first end including a recess configured to receive a portion of the closure when the overcap is coupled to the closure and a second end including a shield defining a shield recess and a piercer. The shield is configured is configured to at least partially surround the protrusion of the body such that the piercer pierces the protrusion to create a vent opening when the shield at least partially surrounds the protrusion.

The present invention concerns a dispensing device (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520) for a container (12). The device (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520) comprises an outlet mouth (22) for the product to be dispensed and comprises a first hollow body (24) suited to define a first passage channel (26) for the product and a second body (32; 232; 532) that is movable with respect to the first body (24) and can be positioned in a first position suitable for closing the device (20; 120; 220; 320; 420; 520) and in at least one second position suitable for dispensing the product from the outlet mouth (22). The outlet mouth (22) is defined in the second body (32; 232; 532) and the outlet mouth (22) communicates with a second passage channel (34) for the product defined in the second body (32; 232; 532). The second body (32; 232; 532) comprises a plugging portion (36; 536) suited to close the first passage channel (26) of the first body (24) when the second body (32; 232; 532) is in the first closing position and suited to open the first passage channel (26) when the second body (32; 232; 532) is in the second position.

A tap assembly for dispensing fluid from a flexible container includes a gland for connecting with the container, the gland having an inlet and an outlet. A tap is in fluid communication with the outlet of the gland. An incision device is fixed with respect to the tap to rotate with a corresponding rotation of the tap, the incision device located at the inlet of the gland, and positioned fully within the gland in a first rotational position and generally outside of the gland in a second rotational position. An indent and/or rib and/or molded sidewall is positioned on the gland or the tap and a corresponding detent and/or rib and/or tap flange is positioned on an opposite of the tap or the gland such that the tap is rotatable between the first rotational position and the second rotational position and the indent and the detent and/or molded sidewall prevents further rotation.

Content containers and vessels, one aspect including a chocolate dispensing vessel, having a generally fluid-tight enclosure, chocolate substantially filling the fluid-tight enclosure, a fluidic conduit extending through the fluid-tight enclosure, and a fluidic valve operationally connected to the fluidic conduit and positioned outside of the fluid-tight enclosure. The chocolate is solid state at room temperature and the chocolate softens to a liquid state in the temperature range from 26 to 36 degrees Celsius.

The disclosure herein discloses an efficient distributor, which includes a distributor shell, an operating member, a locking member, and a control member connected to the operating member. The operating member includes a locking matching member with a locking boss protruding therefrom. The locking boss includes a first locking matching surface and a second locking matching surface. The locking member includes a locking block capable of moving to or away from the locking matching member, and a first reset member. According to the disclosure herein, the locking boss and the locking block are automatically unlocked when a state of the operating member is switched and automatically locked after the state is switched, so the efficient distributor is convenient.

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.