Abstract: An actuator mechanism is provided for a device for automatically filling cans with a carbonated beverage. The filling apparatus is of a type wherein a valve is raised and lowered for the purpose of introduction of pressurized gas into each successive container and wherein raising and lowering is accomplished by rotation of a shaft having an end with operates to raise a valve member. The opposite end of the shaft has a lever arm extending therefrom which is depressed for the purpose for rotating the shaft. The invention provides an improved actuator mechanism supported on the apparatus and which has an extendible and retractable piston member actuated by a pneumatic cylinder for depressing the lever arm. The piston member supports a lever arm-engaging block having a surface for engaging the lever arm which block is convexly, arcuately contoured and has a width substantially equal to the length of the lever arm.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of making a 4-substituted phthalic anhydride. A halomaleic (including halofumaric anhydride (or the acid or ester thereof) is made by the reaction of-maleic anhydride with chlorine or bromine. The halomaleic anhydride is reacted with a conjugated diene to form a first cycloadduct having the formula ##STR1## The first cycloadduct is heated to eliminate HX and produce a second cycloadduct having the formula ##STR2## The second cyclo adduct is dehydrogenated to produce a 4substituted phthalic anhydride which has the formula ##STR3## where R.sub.1, R.sub.2, and R.sub.4 are preferably H and R.sub.3 is preferably Cl or F.