Abstract: An engine oil sampling device for use with an engine containing a quantity of lubricating oil and having a self-sealing centrally bored access plug connected to an engine wall.In one embodiment a tubular assembly is connected, at one end, with a container with its other end coaxially supporting a tubular needle capable of entering the access plug for filling the container.In another embodiment, the tubular assembly is provided, at one end, with a wall portion defining a screw cap for closing the open end of an upwardly open cylindrical container. In both embodiments a grommet frictionally receives the tubular needle to prevent loss of oil from the container.

Abstract: A valve plate is manufactured by stamping round two-ply blanks out of two superimposed strips of material and shaping the valve plate out of the blanks while retaining the double ply. The plate is provided with a dome by this process. The outer ply is now provided with threading in the vicinity of the dome. If the plate is damaged when an adaptor is subsequently screwed onto it, the damage will be confined to the outer layer.

Abstract: A dust cap for a fluid coupling includes a generally cylindrical body which is mounted on the coupling and an end wall at one end of the cylindrical body. The end wall is provided with a slit therein for permitting another coupling to be inserted through the end wall and a stress relief opening at each end of the slit. A flexible and resilient flap covers each of the stress relief openings, and a fluid drain port is provided in the cylindrical body.

Abstract: A steam pressure cooking apparatus includes a connectible pot and lid with respective radially projecting handles thereon, the lid handle lying above the pot handle when the pot and lid are interconnected. A pressure discharge valve is provided in the lid and is controlled by a cam surface on a knob rotatably supported on the lid handle. A cam plate rotated by the knob has a further cam surface thereon which controls a spring-biased locking slide supported on the lid handle and engageable with a cam on the pot handle to prevent relative movement of the handles.

Abstract: A fusible safety device for a pressure vessel includes a body of fusible material in the form of a tablet which acts as a leak-proofing gasket and is so arranged as not to be vulnerable to creep movement under normal temperature and pressure. The tablet is seated on a floor in a counterbore which puts the inside of the vessel in communication with atmosphere. The tablet is firmly compressed against the floor by a pressure plate in turn loaded by a sleeve screwing within the counterbore. The gas venting passage through the counterbore consists of a vent bore being the lesser diameter portion of the counterbore, and one or more holes in the pressure plate which are essentially out of axial alignment with the vent bore.

Abstract: In a process for the admixture of radio-active waste with an encapsulating resin in a container which will accompany the waste to a disposal site, the improvement which comprises providing a generally annular deflectable foil at an upper open end of the container to minimize contamination by splashing.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a cap for a liquid tank having a filler neck, such as a fuel tank for an outboard motor, which cap includes a hollow body having a top wall portion for closing the filler neck and a depending annular flange for releasably engaging the filler neck. The interior of the tank is vented to the atmosphere through one or more vent ports located in the top wall portion and the vent port(s) is selectively opened and closed by a closure member including a shank threadably mounted on the top wall portion and a cover portion for opening and closing the vent port when the closure member is turned in opposite directions. A dish-shaped baffle disposed inside the cap body in spaced relationship to the top wall portion serves a baffle to minimize spillage of fuel through the vent port(s) and also defines a chamber for collecting fuel which otherwise might leak through the vent port(s) and for draining the collected fuel back into the fuel tank when the motor or tank is in an upright operating position.

Abstract: A monolithic radiator cap comprising a minimal number of inexpensive constituent parts engages the filler neck of an automotive cooling system. A valving gasket is normally held against the sealing surface of the filler neck by a spring which is responsive to thermal expansion of the cooling medium for controlled fluid flow out of the system. A seal is carried by the cap to engage the interior wall of the filler neck and hermetically seal the filler neck. The seal is maintained during the working and vent positions of the cap. Alternately, the cap includes auxiliary valving means for controlling fluid flow into the system in response to thermal contraction of the cooling medium.

Abstract: A filler cap is provided comprising a flange having a handgrip, a stem of square shape for engagement in a complimentary square shaped opening in the tank. The stem is comprised of two sections angularly offset relative to each other by 45.degree. and connected by inclined surfaces. Once the first section of the stem is inserted into the tank opening it is sufficient to rotate the cap by 1/8 of a turn in order to lock it in a closed position.

Abstract: A closure plug particularly useful in the manufacture of insulated closures such as refrigerator and freezer cabinets. The plug comprises a molded, one-piece resilient plastic body member including a peripheral portion for sealingly engaging the edges of an opening in the closure, a central portion extending inwardly from the peripheral portion and defining an aperture communicating with the opening, first and second relatively flexible flaps extending above the central portion and overhanging the aperture and first and second relatively rigid tabs extending from the central portion between the flaps toward the center of the aperture. The flaps are deformable past the tabs through the aperture of permit the insertion of an insulative foam introducing conduit into the closure. Upon withdrawal of the conduit, the flaps tend to return to their original position outside the aperture but are restrained from passing back through the aperture by the tabs.

Abstract: A lid for a cooking utensil wherein a substantially flat central section has a rim thereabout for engagement with the cooking utensil. Depending from the central section is a recessed plate characterized by a plurality of venting holes therein. A sliding cover is presented over the recessed plate for opening or closing the venting holes and may be totally removed therefrom for cleaning purposes. A further venting hole is presented about the rim periphery to vent the cooking utensil independently of the recessed plate. A dome-shaped cover may be incorporated to provide a steam or heat chamber above the lid by capturing steam escaping through the holes in the recessed plate. Venting holes may also be provided in the dome-shaped cover to provide for steam escapement so as to limit the moisture condensation within the cover.

Abstract: A closure to be slidably fitted in a container to exclude air from the surface of the material in said container or to be withdrawn to allow access to said material, includes a disc-like closure body, an air vent through said body, a plug to close said vent, a flexible handle attached to said body, characterized by a connection between said plug and said handle whereby force on said handle to withdraw said closure retracts said plug from said vent.