Abstract: A beverage bag containing a substance from which essences can be extracted by steeping is arranged so that steeping liquid does not drip from the bag during its transport from the steeping liquid to a place of disposal. The beverage bag is arranged as a generally planar envelope having at least one substantially straight side and an apex formed by the intersection of two envelope sides. A first handle, suitably string, is attached to the bag at a location that will cause the bag to hang with the apex at the lowermost point, thus facilitating rapid drainage of the steeping liquid from the bag contents. A second handle is attached to the bag at a location that will cause the bag to hang with its substantially straight side in a generally horizontal plane. Residual steeping liquid will be reabsorbed by the bag contents and the bag will then not drip during its transport to another location.

Abstract: Portable gas dispensing systems of the type in which pulsed doses of a respirating gas such as oxygen are supplied to a patient with breathing difficulties are provided with means to generate electricity from energy extracted from the expanding gas rather than relying solely upon batteries for power to operate the system. A pneumatic motor, which may be integral with the system dose metering means, is powered by expanding gas and drives an electrical generator to produce sufficient electricity to at least supplement that required for system operation allowing for an increase in the service time per fill or a decrease in system weight or both.

Abstract: A fail-safe system for use with pulse dose respirating gas delivery devices provides a continuous, metered flow of oxygen to the patient in the event that the delivery device malfunctions or suffers a power failure. The system includes a piston resiliently biased toward one end of a cylinder and having provision for applying the force of pressurized respirating gas on the piston in opposition to the biasing force and in synchronization with doses of respirating gas produced by the delivery device and to remove that force in coordination with the delivery of a gas dose to the patient. The piston movement is arranged to actuate valve means opening a path for the continuous flow of oxygen to the patient in the event that successive gas doses are not delivered to the patient within a predetermined length of time.

Abstract: A device for administering oxygen or other respirating gases to a patient premeters and temporarily stores single dose quantities of respirating gas and dispenses each dose in synchronization with the patient's inspiratory cycle. A sensor produces a signal upon the onset of each inhalation and those signals cause single doses of gas to be dispensed to the patient in unison with the patient's respiration cycle.

Abstract: A displacement metering device for administering a mixture of oxygen and an anesthetic gas to a patient measures single dose quantities of each of the two gases in separate sets of gas displacing means and dispenses a dose of each gas in admixture to a patient during the inspiration phase of the patient's respiratory cycle. Coordinating means ensure that the two gases are delivered in constant ratio and also provide means for changing the ratio between the two gases. Means are also provided to change the volume, or dose size, of the two administered gases.

Abstract: A device for administering oxygen or other respirating gases to a patient premeters and temporarily stores single dose quantities of respirating gas and dispenses each dose in synchronization with the patient's inspiratory cycle. A sensor produces a single doses of gas to be dispensed to the patient in unison with the patient's respiration cycle.

Abstract: A device for administering a mixture of oxygen and a second gas to a patient premeasures and temporarily stores single dose quantities of each gas and dispenses each dose in synchronization with the patient's respiratory cycle. A sensor produces a signal upon the onset of an inhalation and, in immediate response to the sensor signal, the dose quantities of each gas are simultaneously displaced into a common conduit for breathing by the patient.

Abstract: A device for administering oxygen and other respirating gases to a patient premeters and temporarily stores single dose quantities of respirating gas and dispenses each dose in synchronization with the patients's inspiratory cycle. A sensor produces a signal upon the onset of each inhalation and a single dose of gas is dispensed to the patient in immediate response to the sensor signal.

Abstract: Methods and structures are provided for filling cryogenic flasks such as those used in portable, liquid oxygen therapy systems. A circular baffle plate is disposed within the flask neck near the bottom thereof and is sized to allow a narrow annular opening between the baffle edge and the flask neck wall. The liquid fill line is extended downwardly through the baffle plate, so as to discharge liquid below the plate. The baffle plate functions to provide a gas-liquid separation zone within the flask neck; to provide a radiation shield while liquid is present in the flask; and to provide a gas trap to minimize liquid venting in case of tip-over.

Abstract: The fluid contents of a closed container, particularly a closed cryogen container, are gauged by lifting the container through a lever arm one end of which acts upon a pressure transducer coupled to indicating means while the other end of the arm is spring biased to suppress the empty or tare weight of the container.

Abstract: Freezing of ice on quick connect couplings during transfer of a cryogenic liquid, such as liquid oxygen, from one container to another is prevented by providing a cup-like shield means encircling the body of the coupling. Cold, dry purge gas from the container being filled is introduced into the shield base at a point remote from its open end while the cryogenic liquid is passing through the coupling.