Abstract: A spray assembly for a milk tank, where there is an elongate water pipe positioned in the tank, and a plurality of spray nozzle assemblies mounted to the pipe. Each spray nozzle assembly comprises a nozzle member having radially inwardly directed openings leading to a middle impact chamber which in turn leads directly to an upper discharge opening. The water flows radially inwardly to the impact chamber to provide a random expanding spray pattern that washes upwardly against the interior surface of the tank. The nozzle member is retained by a member having an expanded head and a shank that extends downwardly through a second opening in the pipe. A releasable retaining member retains the connecting member in place. In operation, the water flows against substantially all of the surface portions of the nozzle assembly to provide a self-cleaning action. The assembly can be easily disassembled for maintenance or possibly further cleaning.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flexible, hollow, tubular member for conducting a fluid therethrough to cause the tubular member to move in a whip-like manner inside a container. The conduction of fluid therethrough causes the tubular member to move in a generally upward direction through material in the container while producing whip-like motions of the tubular member to agitate compacted portions of the material and cause the material to discharge from the container. The container may include a passageway covered by an entry/sealing means which includes a one way flap or a flexible tubular housing to permit insertion of the tubular member enclosed by a tubular housing into the container, while preventing the escape of material from the container when the tubular member/housing has been removed. Retraction of the tubular housing relative to the flexible tubular member providing a substantially exposed section of the tubular member to allow for the random, whip-like movement of the tubular member in the container.

Abstract: A venting closure assembly for a milk tank where there is an outside stainless steel cover and a venting closure member positioned beneath the cover. The venting closure member forms a circumferential seal around the periphery of the cover, and it has a downwardly and outwardly flaring moderately flexible skirt which forms a peripheral venting channel. When there is a surge of milk in the tank (caused by acceleration of deceleration of the tank on the road), the surge of liquid upwardly against the closure member pushes the closure member upwardly to close a vent opening in the outside cover, thus preventing milk from escaping from the outside cover.

Abstract: A venting and filtering system for minimizing pressure differentials between the interior and exterior of a liquid storage tank while precluding ingress of contaminants into such tank. More specifically, a closure assembly for closing the access manhole in a liquid storage tank--e.g., a tank trailer suitable for transporting a comestible liquid product such as milk--including an upstanding tubular wall defining a vertical passage extending through the closure assembly, a sheet of filter material seated on the wall and extending entirely across the passage, and a dome-shaped cover seated on the upstanding wall and projecting rearwardly therefrom so as to define a downwardly facing vent with the vent, dome-shaped cover and passage defining a tortuous path extending entirely through the closure assembly, and wherein the dome-shaped cover is removably or pivotally secured to the closure assembly so as to permit ease of replacement of the sheet of filter material.

Abstract: A protective cover device for use in maintaining the inlet and/or outlet valves mounted in a wall of a liquid storage tank in a contaminant-free state during periods of both use and non-use and wherein the tank valve projects outwardly from a wall on the tank coaxially through a mounting flange mounted thereon in surrounding relation to the projecting valve.

Abstract: An auxiliary handle attached to a main handle of a welding apparatus by means of a circumferential clamp which permits adjustment rotationally and pivotally of the auxiliary handle. A radiation and contact shield, made of a single piece of heat insulating flexible material, is attached to the auxiliary handle so as to provide a forward radiation shield to protect the user's hand from heat generated at the weld area, and a contact insulating portion which permits the user to place the heel of his hand against the work piece being welded, while protecting the user's hand from the heat of the work piece itself.

Abstract: A venting closure assembly extending across an access opening on the top part of a tank, particularly a milk tank. There is a venting closure member having perimeter flange members which fit against a support ring of the milk tank to form one or more circumferential venting channels. A cover having a vent opening fits over the closure member and engages the peripheral portions thereof to form a circumferential seal against the support ring. The venting channel or channels connect to circumferentially spaced openings on the flanges to provide venting from inside the tank to the area outside the tank, while preventing both spilling of the milk and contamination from outside sources.

Abstract: A venting closure assembly extending across an access opening on the top part of a milk tank. There is a venting closure member having perimeter flange members which fit against a support ring of the milk tank to form one or more circumferential venting channels. A cover having a vent opening fits over the closure member and engages the peripheral portions thereof to form a circumferential seal against the support ring. The venting channel or channels connect to circumferentially spaced openings on the flanges to provide venting from inside the tank to the area outside the tank, while preventing both spilling of the milk and contamination from outside sources.