Abstract: A toilet room flush valve for use in connection with urinals or water closets includes a body having a water inlet and a water outlet. There is a valve seat in the body between the inlet and outlet and a valve member is movable toward and away from the valve seat to control the flow of water through the valve body. An electric actuator is mounted on the valve body for causing movement of the valve member. There is a first opening in the valve body and a movable valve element extends in through the first opening into the interior of the valve body. A manually movable member, accessible from outside the valve body is used to cause movement of the valve element within the interior of the valve body. There is a second opening in the valve body and an electronic sensor positioned within the interior of the valve body for detecting movement of the movable valve element and an electrical lead which is connected to the electronic sensor and extends through the second valve body opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing a trash receptacle into sections for the source separation of waste items and recyclable materials. The apparatus is designed to be attached to the top opening of a trash receptacle, and facilitates the use of liner bags placed within the sections to produce compartments for separating and storing the various types of trash and recyclables. The apparatus is adjustable to fit the top of variuos sizes of trash containers and is further adjustable in size, shape and the number of compartments it divides into without inhibiting the use of the container lid. The apparatus can be configured to divide the container into thirds, halves or one half and two quarters to facilitate the separation of recyclables.

Abstract: A metal plate of the invention is used for a metal gasket. The metal plate comprises a base plate, at least one first bead to surround an area to be sealed, and at least one second bead extending from the first bead. An intersecting portion is formed between the first and second beads. The intersecting portion is provided with a depression extending from a side of a non-high pressure area toward an inside of the intersecting portion to reduce the size of the intersecting portion. As a result, the intersecting portion of the first and second beads can provide surface pressure at least substantially equal to the rest of the portions of the first and second beads without affecting the sealing ability at a high pressure area when the beads are compressed.

Abstract: A vacuum bottle construction as disclosed in which the vacuum filter is formed from a pair of concentric thin wall metal cylinders. The cylinders are formed of a thin metallic material, such as mild steel, which in and of itself is so thin as to be unable to withstand the pressure differential of atmospheric pressure on one side and a substantial vacuum on the other side. To prevent collapse of the outer thin wall cylinder due to this pressure differential means are provided in the space between the cylinders bearing against the outer wall to provide a force opposing that of the pressure differential.