Abstract: Accurately reproducible filling to a selected headspace level of a rapidly moving line of containers is obtained by using a single feeder screw through at least a final portion of a filling region and an outfeed zone following the filling region. The containers are tilted to a predetermined angle, depending on the selected headspace level, during their progress through the filling region and then return smoothly to an upright condition in the outfeed transition zone, without splashing any of the liquid content. Apparatus for filling the containers includes a container support structure in the filling region that can be adjusted through a range of tilt angles in an arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the feeder screw. The apparatus also includes an elongated funnel for delivering liquid to the containers and that can be pivoted forward to permit access to the filling region.

Abstract: An apparatus for adjusting the level of a liquid filling a packaging tube comprises a float for use as suspended in the liquid filling the tube, a magnet attached to the float, and a magnetic sensor for detecting from outside the tube variations in the intensity of magnetism due to the upward or downward movement of the magnet to produce an output signal. The level of the liquid in the tube is adjusted in accordance with the output signal of the sensor.

Abstract: A storage canister for process liquid includes a receptacle having a top side formed with two apertures. The receptacle houses two leakage proof pouches of elastic material each having an opening closed by a control valve. An upper part of respective valve housing projects through the aperture and is secured thereto while the lower part of the valve housing within the corresponding pouch extends up to the bottom of the receptacle. The pouches are arranged one above the other between the top cover and the bottom of the receptacle and being extendable to such an extent that their combined volumes correspond approximately to the volume of the receptacle. Preferably, the receptacle has the form of a flat parallel epiped so that a plurality of equal storage canisters are inserted into a drawer of wet processing apparatus and the normally closed control valves are activated by suction or by over-pressure from suction or pressure devices in the processing apparatus.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for simultaneously injecting confetti and air into a balloon by utilizing an air pump in conjunction with a separate container for storing confetti and guiding the air flow provided by the air pump. As the pump is operated, the air flow from the attached container mixes with the confetti and the air-confetti mixture injected into a balloon attached to the container. The present invention also relates to an apparatus for simultaneously injecting confetti and gas into a balloon by utilizing a standard flex-tip balloon inflation regulator in connection with the confetti container and a gas cylinder.

Abstract: An improved trap fitting assembly (F.sub.1, F.sub.2) which prevents the spread of fire and smoke through a floor (100,200) of a building is described. The fitting uses a flammable coupling (10, 30) and a non-flammable sleeve (14, 32) inside the coupling with an extension (14b; 32b) from a lower most portion of the floor which is connected to a non-flammable J-pipe (16, 34). In use the J-pipe contains water (101, 201) at a level (L-L) prevents the fire and smoke from going through the floor. The trap fitting is preferably adapted for a floor drain outlet (11) or tub (203).

Abstract: An improved bathtub with a door for easy access by older and physically handicapped persons is disclosed. The bathtub includes an entrance wall with an opening which conforms to the shape of the door, and a front wall adjacent to the entrance wall. A seat is located in the tub with the forward edge of the seat located so as to provide a leg space between the seat and the front wall of the tub. The front edge of the door is attached adjacent to the front wall of the bathtub by means of a double axis hinge. When the door is opened, its front edge is guided directly inwardly in the tub by means of a tracking mechanism and the rear edge moves forward without any significant inward movement. In the fully opened position, the door is parallel to the front wall. The door is so configured that during movement it does not swing over the seat, and an occupant of the tub can be seated while the door is moved between its closed and open positions.

Abstract: A flow rate limiting device (40) for a fuel dispensing nozzle (10) having an inlet (12) through which fuel is supplied to said nozzle (10) from a supply hose (14) and an outlet (20) from which fuel is discharged, as into a tank of a vehicle. The device (40) includes a flow restrictor (42) which is mounted in the fuel dispensing nozzle in its internal flow passage (16) the flow restricter (42) is automatically operated to reduce the flow rate, when the flow rate of fuel through said nozzle (10) reaches a preselected threshold rate such as the rate established by governmental regulations. After the flow rate of the fuel in the internal flow passage (16) is reduced below the preselected threshold rate, the flow restriction is attentuated such that the flow in the passage (16) can increase and approach the threshold rate.

Abstract: A lavatory system suitable for use on a commercial passenger aircraft includes a toilet bowl for receiving waste and a waste-holding tank in fluid communication with the toilet bowl for receiving waste from the toilet bowl. A flapper valve is provided in the bottom of the toilet bowl and operates to control the passage of the toilet bowl contents into the waste-holding tank. Water, which may be from the potable water supply system, is directed into the toilet bowl to wash the sides of the toilet bowl and to assist in moving waste material to the waste-holding tank. A water inlet valve controls the introduction of water into the toilet bowl by actuation of a flushing switch. The water is introduced into the toilet bowl through a single nozzle which moves and progressively directs the flow of the water onto the entire interior of the toilet bowl in such a manner that a minimal amount of water is utilized per flush.

Abstract: A loose material recovery apparatus such as for recovering foam plastic packaging elements has an overhead bin for containing the material. The bin has a storage chamber for storing the material and an outlet from which the material in the bin is dispensed. A vacuum assembly above the storage chamber includes a container having a bottom door, an actuating member, and a motor. A storage compartment is defined within the container between the motor and the bottom door. The bottom door is mounted for movement between a closed position for retaining the material in the storage compartment and an open position allowing the material to fall from the compartment into the bin storage chamber. When the motor is energized movement is imparted to the actuating member to close the bottom door and create a vacuum in the storage compartment for drawing material to be recovered into the compartment through a suction hose.

Abstract: A bath, into which water is to be pumped for hydrotherapy, is disclosed and in which the drain and overflow pipes from the bath and the return line to the pump are connected to a junction leading to a waste pipe. A valve in the junction directs water from the drain pipe to the return pipe but not to the waste pipe while allowing overflow water to flow into the waste pipe. After the bath has been used, the valve may be opened to drain the bath, drain and return pipes to waste.

Abstract: A drain valve activator assembly for a container such as a bathtub is disclosed. In one embodiment, there is an overflow plate mountable on a side wall of the tub at the overflow outlet. A stem is positioned through the plate so as to rotate on its own longitudinal axis, so as to have one end extending into the bathtub, and so as to have one end extending out of the bathtub. A solenoid is provided outside the tub with a holding member such as a leaf spring. Upon activation, the solenoid pulls the leaf spring away from the stem. Normally, the leaf spring is biased towards the stem. The holding member and a stem end are configured so as to be able to interfit and inhibit stem rotation when the leaf spring abuts against the stem. A torsion spring stores the rotational energy used to manually open the valve, and then uses that energy to drive the valve to the closed position in response to the solenoid operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring toxic waste liquid directly into a 55 gallon waste drum includes a mobile drum cradle that lifts the drum so it can be moved to a container presently holding the toxic liquid. A vacuum is produced in a transfer reservoir, and an inlet valve of the tank is opened and a dump valve of the tank is closed. The vacuum draws waste liquid through a tube and the inlet valve into the transfer reservoir until a full condition is sensed. The vacuum then is released, the inlet valve is closed, and the dump valve is opened, dumping waste liquid from the transfer reservoir through the dump valve directly into the drum. This procedure is automatically repeated until all of the waste liquid is transferred or a drum full condition is sensed. The drum is then carried to a disposal site by the mobile drum cradle.

Abstract: A sanitizing station suitable for use in institutional kitchens and the like includes a plumbing cabinet, a sink mounted on top of the cabinet and a spray manifold for spraying a sanitizing solution mounted above the sink. The solution is a mixture of water and a sanitizing chemical. A pump is used to inject the sanitizing chemical into a water pipe that is connected to the spray manifold. Tubing connects an outlet of this pump to the pipe. An infrared proximity switch mounted above the sink operates both the pump and a solenoid valve located in the water pipe for a preset period of time upon placement of the user's hands at a predetermined location above or in the sink. A covering hood can be mounted above the sink and it can provide support for the spray manifold and the switch.

Abstract: An air drying, air chilling container attachable to the outside of a car window or the like and providing an area within which various articles of apparel or other wet materials may be placed for drying or canned and bottled beverages may be placed for chilling. Air passes through portions of the container walls as the car travels from place to place and thusly warmer air drys or colder air chills the contents within. The container is readily attachable by means of a mounting bracket.

Abstract: A jet fitting for a hydrotherapeutic receptacle includes an internal chamber which functions as a mixing chamber as well as a suction chamber. More particularly, a primary stream of water is supplied to the mixing chamber in such a manner that a low pressure condition is created within the mixing chamber for the purpose of entraining a secondary stream of water which flows from the hydrotherapeutic receptacle to the mixing chamber. The combined streams exit the fitting together so as to increase its discharge flow rate.

Abstract: A load carrying apparatus that attaches to the trailer hitch or receiver of a vehicle that provides a secondary hitch or receiver on the apparatus to enable the towing vehicle to carry a load on the carrying apparatus while still being able to tow a trailer or boat-trailer or the like.

Abstract: An improved floor-level adjusting device for a pool is particularly designed to be incorporated in an existing pool at low cost without the destruction thereof. The floor-level adjusting device for a pool has a movable floor disposed in a pool for vertical movement, and a plurality of lifting mechanisms disposed on and along the side walls of the pool and connected with the movable floor for moving the movable floor in the vertical direction so that the depth of water in the pool above the movable floor can be adjusted in an appropriate manner.

Abstract: A float has a bore which slidably embraces the overflow tube in a toilet tank. The float carries a valve actuator therebelow with structure which permits adjustment of the downward position of the valve actuator. The float and/or valve actuator may be non-round in order to fit closely adjacent the wall of the toilet tank. When the flapper valve at the bottom of the toilet tank is raised to release flush water, the float descends with lowering water level and the actuator closes the flapper valve before all toilet tank water is released, to thereby conserve water.

Abstract: An automated toilet seat cover is provided wherein a plurality of spaced parallel rolls are rotatably mounted within the housing positioned between rearwardmost ends of a toilet seat. The rolls are provided with rearwardly extending axles with gears secured thereon for cooperation with a medially positioned selectively actuatable motor for simultaneously dispensing and reeling in a tubular seat cover for overlying securement of the toilet seat. The motor is provided with a rearwardly extending axle positioned exteriorly of the housing with a manually rotatable wheel for manual actuation of the plurality of rolls.

Abstract: A fuel management system for use in the operation of a fleet of commercial vehicles, comprising a fuel supply means comprising a fuel pump connected to a fuel dispensing nozzle by way of a flexible fuel delivery hose. A fuel management system is coupled to the fuel pump for controlling the amount of fuel dispensed via the nozzle. One end of a fibre optic is carried by the pump nozzle for receiving information from a radiation transmitter on any of said commercial vehicles when the pump nozzle is inserted into the fuel entry port of that vehicle, the other end of the fibre optic being positioned to supply the information to the fuel management system. The fibre optic is run from the top of the nozzle, through a special fitting into the interior of the hose, the fibre optic then running the length of the delivery hose, surrounded by the fuel product, until it reaches the region of the fuel pump, where it emerges from the hose via a gland and runs on to the fuel management system.