Abstract: A container filling apparatus for simultaneously filling all containers in a group of containers with a desired volumetric quantity of liquid. A lead group of containers is separated from a line of unfilled containers received by the apparatus. The group of containers is sequentially subjected to a filling operation and to the application of sealing caps, followed by the discharge of the resulting group of filled and capped containers from the apparatus. Each group of containers is supported during the filling and capping operation for proper orientation of the fill openings.

Abstract: A bristle section for rotary brushes comprising a bristle-carrying channel fitting into and retained in a mounting channel which has retaining ears along its length which slide into retaining channels in a receiving and retaining channel on the brush drum. The mounting channel is formed with flanges having flared outer edges so as not to tend to cut the bristles as they bend into contact therewith during rotation of the brush.

Abstract: A helical brush section consisting of a split tubular support which is offset at the split longitudinally to provide helical edges terminating in longitudinally extending contact shoulders at its opposed ends. This section has a bristle-carrying strip helically wound thereon. Multiples of this section are adapted to be disposed on a mandrel with their adjacent edges and shoulders in interfitting nesting engagement to form a continuous helical rotary brush.

Abstract: A helical brush section consisting of a split tubular support or drum. The drum is offset at the split when the brush strip is helically wound thereon with its ends corresponding to the shoulders at the ends of the offset drum. Then the section is subjected to axial pressure to restore the drum to cylindrical form which distorts and flattens the ends of the brush strip inwardly substantially flush with the drum ends. Multiples of this resulting section are adapted to be disposed on a mandrel with their adjacent edges and shoulders in axially-abutting relationship to form a continuous helical rotary brush with a minimum of bristle gaps at the flattened ends of the brush strips.

Abstract: A crack or rupture-detecting system comprising an electrically-insulating substrate which carries lines of electrically-conducting material formed of small electrically conductive particles which are in electrical contact. The substrate layer may be elastomeric when applied to the object to be protected, but later will crack or rupture if a crack or rupture occurs in the object and layer and thereby separate the particles in the conducting line or lines adjacent the crack or rupture.

Abstract: A dispensing valve assembly comprising a slideable valve sleeve with a radially-directed dispensing outlet movable from closed position axially within a guide portion to open position axially-outwardly of the guide portion. Keying means between the guide portion and valve sleeve ensures that the dispensing outlet is normally directed downwardly but this keying means is flexible and can be overcome to permit twisting of the valve sleeve in the guide portion to break a seal connected therebetween. Finger-engaging means are also provided to facilitate closing.

Abstract: A removeable and replaceable self-sealing valve formed of resiliently flexible plastic which has inner and outer concentric walls spaced to provide an axially inwardly-opening socket for receiving the outer end of a semi-rigid plastic spout carried by a flexible plastic bag. The spout has one or more inner anular sealing ribs formed therein at a location spaced axially-inwardly from its lip and the inner wall normally resiliently engages this seal. A toggle lever is connected to the inner wall to flex it so that a portion thereof is flexed away from the sealing rib to open a dispensing passage to an outlet in the outer wall beyond the spout lip. A removable seal retainer insert holds the inner wall in sealed position until the valve is to be used.

Abstract: A wire bottle cage, which has an insert open end and a closed or stop end with a back formed of laterally-spaced longitudinally-extending wires with a bumper and guide at the front and a catch and guide at the back which serve to cause the corner, at the bottom of the bottle, to slide along the back wires as it is inserted into or removed from the cage, along with special mounting means to attach the cage to a cycle bar or similar support in such a manner as not to interfere with the sliding action of the bottle on the back wires and to positively lock the cage in place on the bar.

Abstract: A quick-disconnect service-line connector assembly for use in a beverage dispensing system or the like for connecting the service line to a single-service coupling and dispensing spout valve assembly on a flexible bag containing a liquid or semi-liquid product to be dispensed. It comprises a clamp which permits quick application to and removal from the spout of the single-service assembly and the clamp carries a guide structure for mounting a plug or nozzle body assembly for axial movement relative to the spout for insertion into the closed dispensing spout valve member carried therein for pushing it into opened position and simultaneously gripping it so that, as it is withdrawn, it moves the dispensing spout valve member again into closed position. In the nozzle body is a normally-closed flow control valve which is positively opened when the nozzle is inserted into the dispensing spout valve and which is automatically closed as it is withdrawn therefrom.

Abstract: A disposable container assembly which is especially useful for containing, shipping and dispensing liquids or semi-liquids in bulk. It comprises a knocked-down fiberboard container body and end structure which can be set up on a pallet into a substantially rigid multi-sided polygonal drum-like container for receiving a flexible plastic bag that is to be filled with the substance to be dispensed. The bag is provided with a dispensing spout that is locked in dispensing position in one side of the fiberboard container to hold the bag in position in the container during filling, with its outer end exposed and which has a diaphragm type seal at its inner end. For dispensing, normally this seal is ruptured by a special cooperating probe which is inserted through the exposed outer end of the spout to withdraw the contents of the bag but in other cases the bottom of the bag can be ruptured directly through an opening in the pallet.

Abstract: A drum-like container of fiberboard or similar material supplied in flat knocked-down form and adapted to be set up as a multi-sided receptacle of polygonal transverse cross-section. It is provided with a funnel-like dispensing bottom which is also supplied in knocked-down form and consists of two sections, namely, a peripheral support wall section and a material-directing section. The set-up support wall section within the receptacle will be of similar multi-sided arrangement to fit therein. The set-up material-directing section will be of funnel-like form and when resting on the support section within the receptacle will direct the receptacle.

Abstract: A barrier spout and cap assembly mounted on a flexible bag or pouch of plastic laminate film having barrier material incorporated therein to prevent the permeation of various gases and especially oxygen. The structures of the spout and its cooperating removable and replaceable cap are such that they provide a barrier to gas permeation at the joint between the spout and bag and through the cap. The cap and associated barrier are removeable and replaceable to facilitate filling of the bag.

Abstract: A dispensing valve made as a separate unit to be mounted on a flexible bag in box spout and including a slide valve member slideably disposed in a guide sleeve member for axial movement between closed sealing position and opened dispensing position. A locking arrangement is provided for keeping the slide in fully closed position and to prevent the slide from being accidentally opened. It also includes a sealing arrangement at the outer end of the slide member and guide sleeve for sealing the slide member when it is in closed position. It further includes a flange arrangement on the slide member and guide sleeve member to facilitate gripping by the fingers to push the slide manner into closed position in the guide sleeve member.

Abstract: A conveyor of the endless chain type passing around two or more sprockets provided with means for compensating for the chordal action which ordinarily occurs as a chain passes around its associated sprocket. The chain is composed of links having overlapping portions pivoted together by pins which have eccentrics associated therewith that have sprocket-engaging surfaces. As the links move onto and off the sprockets, these eccentrics are controlled to rock relative to the pivot pins to vary the pitch of the successive links, which serve to keep the runs of the chain moving at a constant speed.

Abstract: A container body of fiberboard or the like of rectangular form with a funnel-like dispensing bottom composed of a plurality of segmental insert sections, each of which is wedge shaped in both horizontal and vertical cross-sections to tightly wedge in place and direct material from the four upstanding sides of the container body to a central dispensing opening. To obtain adequate crush-resisting strength in the funnel-like bottom, a plurality of insert sections are disposed side-by-side along each of the upstanding sides of the container body.

Abstract: A torque-applying coupling comprising a housing having members at its opposite ends for receiving a handle element and a tool element. Means is provided for operatively connecting said receiving members and comprises a double-spring clutch in the housing and a tool drive-shank disposed within the clutch for axial and rotative movement, along with a plurality of axially-aligned connecting and drive sleeves disposed within said spring clutch. The shank carries a drive portion which is axially movable with the shank into selective engagement with the sleeves to drive the shank in the desired direction.