1. A fluid portion dispenser comprising:
at least one fluid reservoir;
one or more nozzles, each nozzle being fixed to a work surface and having a nozzle outlet configured to dispense fluid from; and
a pump unit, connecting each reservoir to a nozzle and configured to pump fluid from each reservoir to a nozzle;
wherein each nozzle includes an activation mechanism, adapted to identify the capacity of a vessel in association with a nozzle outlet and activate the pump unit to dispense a portion of fluid from the nozzle outlet according to the capacity of the vessel identified.
2. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the capacity is identified by measuring the diameter of the vessel.
3. A fluid portion dispenser according to any one of the preceding claims which includes a digital processor and memory, configured by programme instructions to control the pump unit and dispense the portion of fluid.
4. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 3 wherein the processor is able to be calibrated according to different vessel capacity measurements and record each in its memory.
5. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the activation mechanism comprises at least one pair of guide rails fixed in an angular relationship to one another and in relation to the nozzle, arranged to diverge away from the nozzle, and a linear displacement sensor located between each pair of guide rails, wherein the vessel when associated with a nozzle outlet is placed in contact with the pair of guide rails and the linear displacement sensor is displaced according to the diameter of the vessel.
6. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the activation mechanism comprises at least one pair of opposable jaws sprung towards each other, each jaw being rotatably connected around an axis and having a rotational displacement sensor affixed to the axis point, the vessel is when associated with the nozzle outlet forced the jaws apart and displaces each rotational displacement sensor according to the diameter of the vessel.
7. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 2 wherein the activation mechanism comprises at least one pair of guide rails fixed in an angular relationship to one another and in relation to the nozzle, arranged to diverge away from the nozzle, and an optical sensor, configured to transmit a signal and receive a response, wherein the vessel when associated with the nozzle outlet is placed in contact with the pair of guide rails and the optical sensor transmits and receives a signal, indicating the distance between the sensor and the vessel.
8. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the capacity is identified by measuring the height of the lip of the vessel and wherein the activation mechanism comprises a stop having a surface substantially perpendicular to the work surface and is located below the nozzle outlet and an actuator arm suspended below the nozzle outlet and being pivotally connected around an axis and having a rotational displacement sensor affixed at the axis point, wherein the vessel when associated with the nozzle outlet is in contact with the work surface and the stop, rotationally displacing the, actuator arm according to the height of the lip of the vessel.
9. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the reservoir is configured to adjust the temperature of the fluid.
10. A fluid portion dispenser according to claim 1 wherein the fluid dispensed is milk.
The claims below are in addition to those above.
All refrences to claim(s) which appear below refer to the numbering after this setence.
1. A container comprising a wall, a bottom, a top opening with a peripheral rim and a lid adapted to engage the peripheral rim of the top opening in a sealing manner in a closed position of the lid on the container, the peripheral rim of the top opening being provided with a fluid collecting lip extending in an upward and radially outwards direction, the fluid collecting lip being provided with a lower locking recess, the lid being provided with a peripheral, radially outwards protruding locking edge adapted to wipe at least a part of the fluid collecting lip during insertion of the lid into the top opening, the radially outwards protruding locking edge of the lid engaging the locking recess of the fluid collecting lip in the closed position of the lid on the container, the lid being provided with a peripheral flange covering the fluid collecting lip in the closed position of the lid on the container, the fluid collecting lip being provided with an upper, thin edge serving to cut over the stream of fluid, when pouring from the container is terminated by bringing the container back to its normal storing position, the upper, thin edge being positioned at a radially retracted position relative to the outside of the wall of the container, and a second part of the peripheral flange of the lid covering the radially outward facing surface of the fluid collecting lip in the closed position of the lid on the container, wherein the peripheral, radially outwards protruding locking edge of the lid is provided substantially in the same plane as the flat central part of the lid.
2. The container according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral rim of the top opening of the container is provided with an upwardly directed peripheral protrusion, in that the peripheral flange of the lid is adapted to, in the closed position of the lid on the container, engage radially inside the upwardly directed peripheral protrusion of the top opening, so that a radially outwardly directed displacement of a lower portion of the second part of the peripheral flange of the lid is prevented.
3. The container according to claim 1, wherein in the closed position of the lid on the container, an annular chamber is formed between the peripheral flange of the lid and the fluid collecting lip, and the upper, thin edge of the fluid collecting lip is positioned at an upper, radially inwardly positioned, preferably smoothly bent, corner of the annular chamber.
4. The container according to claim 1, wherein the peripheral flange of the lid is adapted to be flush with the outside of the wall of the container in the closed position of the lid on the container.
5. The container according to claim 1, wherein the thin edge of the fluid collecting lip points in a radially outwards direction.
6. The container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid collecting lip is provided as a separate ring-formed element welded to a cylindrical wall of the container.
7. The container according to claim 6, wherein the separate ring-formed element forming the fluid collecting lip is provided with downwardly protruding reinforcing ribs.
8. The container according to claim 1, wherein the fluid collecting lip has a length that is at least 3 times greater than a width thereof.
9. The container according to claim 1, wherein a grip opening is provided in the peripheral flange of the lid.
10. The container according to claim 1, wherein at least the fluid collecting lip andor the lid are made from an elastic material, such as plastic.
11. (canceled)
12. The container according to claim 8, wherein the length of the fluid collecting lip is 4 times greater than a width thereof.