Abstract: An automatic, ultrasonic system for controlling the filling of different sizes of beverage containers which may or may not contain various quantities of ice. The system includes a transducer assembly and a control module, both preferably connected to a beverage dispenser valve assembly. The transducer assembly includes a pair of piezo-electric crystals for separately transmitting and receiving ultrasonic wave energy from the grate, the cup lip, the top of any ice in the cup, and the rising liquid level. The control module includes a microcomputer and associated circuitry. Adjacent valve assemblies are operated so as to prevent interference therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic filling machine for filling containers such as siphon bottles, carafes or the like with soda and/or carbon dioxide gas of the type in which said containers advance through a zone during which they are filled while the container is inverted bottom-to-top at an angle of up to about 180.degree.

Abstract: A spill-containment device for use in connection with the fill-pipe for a liquid storage tank, which includes a spill container installed around the upper end of the fill-pipe and sealed thereto so that it does not leak liquid spilled into the container when the storage tank is being filled by means of the unloading hose of a delivery truck. The upper end of the spill container is open for access to the fill-pipe and has a manhole cover. The seal between the bottom of the spill container and the fill-pipe includes an elongated flexible boot which is fastened at its upper end to the fill-pipe by means of a stainless steel hose clamp and at its lower end to an upstanding flange aligned with an opening in the bottom of the container through which the fill-pipe extends. The open end of the spill container has a novel channel-forming rim for preventing surface water from entering the spill container while at the same time holding the manhole cover in place.

Abstract: A method for controlling the filling status of particulate solids in a solids container is provided using an apparatus comprising an empty/full indication device comprising a conduit structure, having a vertically opened upper end and a vertically opened lower end, wherein the vertically opened upper end is in open communication with the upper end portion of the solids container at the location of a predetermined full level and the vertically opened lower is in open communication with the lower end portion of the solids container at the location of a predetermined empty level.

Abstract: A hood structure for air flow measurements on ceiling registers is erected on a fixed square bottom base with an adjustable curtained aperture and mounting for an air flow meter. A hood skirt is stretched by means of four struts that fit against the upper rim to which the skirt is attached (as well as to the base). The rim is made of rigid strips connected together in a ring by securable pivot joints, so that the open top of the hood can have square, round or various elongated shapes for better fitting to a ceiling register or orifice. This enables the use of a smaller bottom frame than would otherwise be necessary for measuring flow out of elongated narrow registers. All but two joints are preferably equipped with pivoted forked braces for securing the angular adjustment of hinged joints connecting angle-bar rim segments by clamping the forked end.

Abstract: An apparatus for determining the internal pressure of a filled can by measuring the reaction force of a filled can body when the can is passed between back-up and measuring rolls which are spaced apart from each other by 2 mm or more than the average diameter of the axially central portion of the can body. At least one of the rolls has a crown-like outer periphery which has an arcuate sectional profile having a radius of 60 mm or above taken in a plane containing the roll axis.

Abstract: A heatable plastic hose for transporting fluids, particularly liquids, includes a tubular hose having a cross-sectional center point and a hose wall which defines, along the inner surface thereof, a longitudinal cavity having a cross-sectional center point which is laterally offset from the cross-sectional center point of the tubular hose, the tubular hose having, in cross-section, a first wall portion and a second wall portion, the first wall portion being thicker than the second wall portion; and a heating conductor wire which is longitudinally coextensive with the tubular hose and is embedded in the first wall portion.

Abstract: A bending strain relief includes a generally transparent, flexible member for receipt over a hose assembly. An opening extends longitudinally through the strain relief having a cross-sectional dimension greater than the cross-sectional dimension of the hose assembly. The cross-sectional dimension is also designed for interference fit with a swaged region or coupling end of the hose assembly. A stiffener member having a generally helical conformation extends from an outer end of the bending strain relief toward an inner end thereof. A first region of the bending strain relief encapsulates the stiffener member therein, and a second region is void of any stiffener member. The longitudinal opening of the bending strain relief is preferably non-circular and is designed to provide an interference fit with a coupling nut to hold the bending strain relief in place.

Abstract: In a filling valve for a counterpressure filling machine for filling containers, such as bottles, cans and the like, comprising a filling valve body including a filling channel, a centering tulip for positioning a container below the filling channel in sealed connection therewith, second channels in said valve body coacting with said filling channel for at least one of evacuating, pressurizing and relieving a container located within said second channels, wherein the improvement comprises each said auxiliary valve includes an axially elongated control bolt located in said filling valve body for opening one of said second channels, said control bolt having a first end located within said filling valve body and a second end located on the outside of said filling valve body, a cam plate located opposite the second end of said control bolt outside of said filling valve body and selectively engageable by the second end of said control bolt, and means associated with said centering tulip for cooperating with said c

Abstract: An elbow for a carburettor for defining an air passageway between an air cleaner and a carburettor for supplying clean air from the air cleaner to the carburettor which feeds air-fuel mixture to an internal combustion engine. The elbow is formed of resilient material and has a flange portion formed integrally at end portion thereof.

Abstract: A device for holding a series of boiled food products and method for baking boiled food products including one or more carriages having pivotally mounted boards thereon for supporting the boiled food products. The carriages are positioned on a movable table adjacent to an opening of a rotatable oven such that each carriage may be disposed within the oven in successive shelves. Each of the boards of each carriage has a trip lever or handle movable between a first position, wherein the boiled food products rest on the boards in a generally horizontal position, and the second position, wherein the lever is rotated permitting the boiled food products to fall onto the shelf itself. A single carriage may also be repeatedly used in multiple shelves of the oven. The shelves of the oven each include a pair of spaced-apart guide rails which constrain lateral movement of the carriage when it is supported within the shelf.

Abstract: A tubular film sausage casing comprising a cellulose aminomethanate wherein from 0.5 to 30 numerical percent of the cellulose hydroxy groups have been substituted with aminomethanate groups. The casing may be crosslinked or may be fiber reinforced.

Abstract: A plugging apparatus and method utilizing a plug expander that is hydraulically assisted. The apparatus generally comprises a plug shell having a closed end and an open end, an expander element contained within the shell which is movable between the open and closed ends thereof for wedgingly engaging the shell and radially expanding it, and an expansion mechanism including a combination pull rod and expansion mandrel that is connected to the expander element contained within the shell. A source of pressurized hydraulic fluid is connected to the combination pull rod and mandrel. The mandrel is capable of conducting pressurized hydraulic fluid between the closed end of the shell and the expander element in order to facilitate the movement of the expander element toward the open end of the shell. The invention may be used to conveniently and effectively plug heat exchanger tubes of either nuclear or fossil fuel steam generators.

Abstract: A pipetting device is formed of a supporting frame, a slider mounted on the supporting frame for vertical movement, a plunger type stem having a lower end fittable within the upper end of an approximately inverted cone shaped nozzle tip, the stem being mounted for vertical movement on the slider, and a conduit for supplying the lower end of the stem with an air supply and exhaust device so that the nozzle tip may be communicated with air or air may be sucked therefrom. A rotating cam cooperates with a pin on the slider for vertically moving the slider by a large stroke. An air cylinder has a piston fixed relative to the stem for vertically moving the stem by a small stroke. A lever loosely mounted on the lower end of the stem can engage the nozzle tip for removing the nozzle tip from the stem.

Abstract: A sausage casing of an isotropic spun fleece of at least one polyamide, containing no binding agent, is joined in the longitudinal direction so as to form a tube and is partially compressed. Further, the invention relates to a process for the production of the sausage casing and its use for containing sausage products that are air-cured. Special mechanical and elastic characteristics are achieved by partial compression whereas the gas and water permeability for the raw sausage is retained to the required extent. The casing shrinks with the filling on curing, remains wrinkle-free, does not allow grease to escape, and can be easily peeled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of stoppering a pipe, or the like. The method uses a two-compartment flexible container, with one compartment containing an activating agent, and the other a foamable resin. After mixing a nipple is attached to a container wall. The nipple, on one end, has rupturing elements to rupture the wall and the other end is connected to a supply hose whose free end is brought to the desired location in the pipe for stoppering the same with foamed resin flowing from the container.

Abstract: A conduct pipe produced by the process of:producing a metal conduct pipe; andattaching a powdery, tubular or filmy polyether ether ketone resin to the outside surface of the metal conduct pipe by means of pressure with fusing at a temperature of 350.degree.-400.degree. C. is disclosed. The conduct pipe is particularly useful in an electrode apparatus for collecting underground hydrocarbon resources by an electrically heating method.

Abstract: A conduct pipe covered with an electrical insulating material, which is obtained by a process comprising winding a polyether ether ketone resin film around the outside of a metal conduct pipe, carrying out impregnation treatment in vacuum under pressure with using an impregnant resin comprising an ether bonding epoxy resin, and thereafter hardening by heating, is disclosed. The conduct pipe is particularly useful in an electrode apparatus for collecting underground hydrocarbon resources by an electrically heating method.

Abstract: An aseptic sampler fitting including a conduit portion for in-line connection between two pipes containing a viscous fluid, a neck portion associated with the conduit portion defining an access opening therein providing access to the interior of the conduit portion, and a cover being securable to the neck portion for covering the access opening defined therein utilizes a gasket positionable between the neck portion and the cover for maintaining a complete physical separation between the cover and the neck portion. The components of the fitting are smoothly-surfaced to facilitate cleaning of the fitting, and the cover includes a plurality of pierceable, self-closing elastomeric stoppers permitting the insertion through the cover of a hypodermic needle or the like for the purpose of extracting a sample of fluid contained within the conduit portion. The cover is constructed of components facilitating ease of replacement of the elastomeric stoppers.

Abstract: An improved non-reinforced cellulose film is disclosed. The film is useful as a sausage casing. When exposed to water the casing shrinks in the transverse or circumferential direction, so that the sausages look plump and crease-free and the casing can be peeled easily from the enclosed sausage meat. The film is made by moistening a non-reinforced cellulose film, drawing the film in the transverse direction, and drying the film in the stretched state.