Abstract: A fry basket for supporting food items, such as pies and fish filets, to be cooked in an immersed position in a cooking medium. The fry basket has a generally rigid frame presenting parallel, spaced-apart transverse support members. A unitary sheet of low heat capacity flexible material is supported from the transverse frame members to form a plurality of pouches. Each pouch has a pair of opposed sidewalls and a bottom portion with each of the sidewalls of each pouch hanging from a transverse frame member of define, together with the pouch bottom portion, a pouch having a generally U-shaped cross-sectional configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus for sterilizing laboratory and hospital glassware, liquids, instruments, garments, contaminated animal wastes and bedding and the like, utilizing a sterilizer enclosure having a steam jacket surrounding the same and a vertically movable front door closure, wherein the door is vertically slideable in a track and is substantially restrained from outward movement by restraining means only at its upper and lower end, and including expandable seal members surrounding the sterilizer opening and opposite the door. The seal comprises two discrete segments, an inflatable member for displacing the sealing member against the door in sealing relationship therewith, and a sealing member. The construction is designed for maximum safety and ease of operation at minimum cost.

Abstract: Coupling means for an installation for refrigerating containers and intended to provide a seal for a flow of cold air between a refrigeration system and containers to be refrigerated comprises a double sleeve 22, 24 which forms an annular space housing an inflatable envelope 30. A movable portion 60 is displaceable axially by the envelope 30, while still being guided by the sleeves, so as to be applied by way of a sealing joint 38 against the wall 14 of the container, around an opening 16 in the wall thereof.

Abstract: A deck container restraint system is disclosed which unitizes discrete containers against vertical movement in modules of three-wide, typically four-high stacks or columns to prevent overboard loss due to static and dynamic load conditions experienced at sea. A three-wide, one-high bottom tier of containers is secured against side to side and vertical movement by deck cones having locking devices. The overlying three-wide second tier is secured against side to side and vertical movement by cones having locking devices at the top of the first tier. Finally the three-wide, two-high top third and fourth tiers of containers are loaded, first by being tied vertically together by cones having locking devices and second, by being lifted in vertically tied pairs onto stacking fittings at the second-third tier interface. The stacking fittings restrain side to side movement at the second-third tier interface only.

Abstract: The specification discloses an isolation door assembly which, by virtue of having annuli provided about the joint between the door coaming and the door framing, about the seal between the door and the coaming, and about any penetration of the door by shafts, etc. provides the means to test the door assembly at installation, and at specified testing intervals.By providing pressure fittings (normally plugged) which communicate with the annuli described above, and introducing a testing medium under pressure into said annuli, the integrity of all door seals can be tested.

Abstract: Sequential closure interlock devices for and in combination with dispersing container packages having multiple product compartments provided with parallel neck finishes lying generally in a single plane and separate closure device for each neck finish, especially for use with single use premeasured multiple component products to help ensure opening of the compartments and dispensing of the product components in a proper sequence.

Abstract: A hearth bread baking pan set and method for making same in which a single sheet of material formed to provide an inner structure having multiple baking molds with rib members between adjacent molds is disposed within and secured to an outer structure. The outer structure and rib members cooperate to provide a support structure for the baking molds, spaced therefrom.

Abstract: A baking pan comprising a bottom wall and side walls formed from a single blank of sheet metal having smooth inner and outer wall surfaces and providing corners connecting the adjacent side walls which are substantially thicker than the side walls. The terminal portions of the side walls remote from the bottom wall having flange portions formed to impart rigidity to the pan and provide securement means to other pans when positioned in a side-by-side relationship. A circumferential band encompassing multiple pans in a side-by-side relationship to complete the assembly of pans.

Abstract: A microtest plate is characterized by a tray conveniently moulded of foam plastics, having a multiplicity of compartments and a multiplicity of individual wells fitted into the compartments, at least some of the wells preferably being moulded integrally with one another, and preferably being arranged in one or more rows.

Abstract: A mail box gang apparatus which utilizes the construction of a mail box as an inherent structural component of the gang to achieve uniformity in mail box appearance, greater strength and permanency. The appartus may include two horizontal rows of mail boxes mounted one upon the other, the boxes being affixed to one another at both the upper and lower portions to form an integral beam type structure of substantial strength. To facilitate such ganging in the manner described, the mail boxes are modified to include a new flagging system which advises the mail man of the presence of outgoing mail. This flag system affixed to the door of the box includes a panel which is merely rotated to disclose a flag indication and is automatically reset upon opening of the box. In the preferred embodiment, the mail box door is modified to facilitate mounting of the flag and includes a novel latch device together with a pleasing appearance.

Abstract: A container of the kind having a cover, preferably an impermeable flexible cover, sealed to a base, an improved seal is provided comprising an endless slot or groove in the base into which the periphery of the cover fits adjacent a removable tube holder of resilient material carrying one or more inflatable sealing tubes, each extending around the slot or groove adjacent the cover. Each sealing tube, when inflated, protrudes out of an aperture in the holder to seal against the cover and, if the cover is flexible, to force it into sealing engagement with a wall of the slot or groove. The holder serves to locate the tubes, thereby enabling two or more tubes to be located at different depths in the slot or groove.

Abstract: Apparatus for sealing the annulus defined within a substantially cylindrical rotatable riser assembly and plug combination of a nuclear reactor closure head. The apparatus comprises an inflatable sealing mechanism disposed in one portion of the riser assembly near the annulus such that upon inflation the sealing mechanism is radially actuated against the other portion of the riser assembly thereby sealing the annulus. The apparatus further comprises a connecting mechanism which places one end of the sealing mechanism in fluid communication with the reactor cover gas so that overpressurization of the reactor cover gas will increase the radial actuation of the sealing mechanism thus enhancing sealing of the annulus.

Abstract: In a container of the kind having an impermeable cover which is sealed to a base, air then being evacuated from the region between the cover and the base, an improved seal is provided for use with a rigid cover. The periphery of the cover fits into an endless groove or channel on the base, a temporary seal is then effected by inflating an endless tube or tubes in the groove and air is then evacuated from within the container so that the cover is drawn down onto an elastomeric strip in the base of the groove to effect a further seal which may hold even if pressure falls in the inflated tube or tubes.

Abstract: A hopper barge has an unloading opening covered by a slide that moves parallel to the plane of the opening. In the closed position, the slide is sealed by an inflatable seal disposed in a channel that opens toward the slide and that surrounds the opening.

Abstract: The specification discloses an isolation door assembly which, by virtue of having annuli provided about the joint between the door coaming and the door framing, about the seal between the door and the coaming, and about any penetration of the door by shafts, etc. provides the means to test the door assembly at installation, and at specified testing intervals.By providing pressure fittings (normally plugged) which communicate with the annuli described above, and introducing a testing medium under pressure into said annuli, the integrity of all door seals can be tested.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing a pressurized vessel comprising a hemispherical ped door with an outer rigid surface, an insulating material, an inner rigid material with a flange affixed thereto, and a supporting member for use in combination with lock and hinge mechanisms, the flange on the door cooperating with an inflatable seal that is seated within a groove positioned on the inside surface of the mouth of the vessel.

Abstract: A device for the storage of sample containers comprises a holder for receiving the sample containers and a covering, whereby a common covering is provided for all the sample containers which seals them individually and simultaneously.

Abstract: A beverage belt adapted to be worn upon a person, said belt including a housing formed of insulative material, said housing including a plurality of spaced apart beverage containing pockets, each said pocket adapted to be closed by a lid, each said lid to be securable upon its respective said pocket by means of a bayonet slot assembly, and the free ends of said belt including securing means to interconnect together the ends of said belt when placed about a person's body.

Abstract: A container for a growing media, e.g. compost, is disclosed as for use in the production of mushrooms. A plurality of individual container sections with the upper end open, having a depth generally in excess of 20 inches and a width under 16 inches, are affixed together in critically spaced-apart relationship to hold quantities of media. A peripheral, confining wall is provided above the container sections for supporting a common layer defining a continuous bed surface. As disclosed, the structure is fabricated of steel-wire mesh affixed to a frame of beam and column supports, and is lined, as with plastic film. Also as disclosed, a plurality of bed structures are affixed in stacked, spaced-apart tray configurations, for economy of space and handling.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to improvements in pneumatically inflatable seals for sliding doors. The seal is in the form of an elongated elastomeric tube disposed in a channel adjacent to the door frame. After closing of the door or doors, the seal is expanded by pneumatic pressure, tightly closing the space between the door and the channel. The invention is directed specifically to improvements in the construction and configuration of the sealing element, for improving sealing effectiveness in the region at the extremity or extremities of the sealing element. The improvement is realized by incorporating one or more longitudinally disposed, deformable sealing ribs, providing sealing contact between the inflatable seal and the door surface in a transition zone at the end of the tubular sealing element, where the element does not fully expand when subjected to internal fluid pressure.

Abstract: Stresses induced by differential expansion and contraction of the solid propellant grain and the rocket motor case to which it is conventionally bonded are obviated by bonding a special sheath to the propellant grain and attaching it to the rocket motor case only at its forward and aft ends. A thin layer of Teflon is confined intermediately between the sheath and the rocket motor case. The sheath is extended beyond the propellant grain and bonded to the case so that an unbonded section thereof extends between the zone at which it is bonded to the case and the propellant grain. The propellant grain joins the sheath by a surface fillet to relieve surface stresses at this juncture. A gastight seal is provided in the thrust nozzle of the rocket motor for pressurizing of the combustion chamber to inhibit radial shrinkage of the propellant.