Abstract: A filling valve wherein a piston is mounted for angular movement about a vertical axis immediately above a thin bottom wall of a housing which defines a metering chamber for a flowable material to be introduced into a succession of vessels. The material which is to be dispensed flows from a metering chamber in the housing through one or more channels in the piston and into and from dispensing openings in the bottom wall. The bottom surface of the piston has sharp sealing edges which slide along the upper side of the bottom wall and shear off the flow of material at the outlets of the channels when the piston is turned to a position in which the outlets of the channels are sealed from the dispensing openings in the bottom wall. This prevents dripping of flowable material in such position of the piston.

Abstract: The vaneless rotary airlock valve of this invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of excessive leakage, excessive wear, and product degradation associated with conventional vaned rotary airlocks. It is comprised of a vaneless rotor (a cylindrical or barrel-like container), a pair of sealing rings (one on the upstream side and one on the downstream side of the rotor), and (depending on the operating conditions) a pair of either compression or expansion rings which urge continuous sealing engagement between the sealing rings and the rotor.

Abstract: Dispensing containers are described in which a metering chamber for the contents of a fluid container is mounted in the neck of the container. Openings intermediate the height of the chamber allow it to be put in communication with the container interior by a rotary movement, e.g. applied to an external closure cap. When the closure cap is rotated to open the chamber to the container interior it also adopts a sealing position preventing the escape of any of the contents. The space in the chamber above the apertures is greater than that below. Sufficient fluid can be admitted to the chamber by inverting the container, therefore, to ensure that the lower space is completely filled when the container is again turned upright. Reverse rotation closes the openings to isolate the metered fluid from the main volume of the container and can also open the chamber to the exterior to allow the metered quantity to be dispensed.

Abstract: A volumetric apparatus for portioning fluidic material into fractions of predetermined size includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet, and a piston movable in the housing and defining a product portioning chamber and a compression chamber. Fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber through the inlet under pressure when the inlet is open and the outlet is closed, the pressurized fluidic material forcing the piston from a first position by a preset distance such that a predetermined volume of the fluidic material is fed into the product portioning chamber. Thereafter, the piston is driven from the second position to the first position when the inlet is closed and the outlet is open so as to deliver the portioned fluidic material from the product portioning chamber through the outlet.

Abstract: A volumetric metering device comprising a housing, a butterfly gate control unit and an adjuster to adjust the volume of a metering chamber whose operation is controlled by the butterfly gate control unit between a first condition to load the metering chamber with particulate material and a second condition to discharge the particulate material from the housing.

Abstract: The dispenser features a container in which a rotary valve operates to dispense quantities of material periodically. The valve rotates on a horizontal axis above the bottom of the dispenser container so that it is at least partly immersed in the material and, during rotation, scoops up material and retains it in one or more pockets until at a preselected angular position of the valve, an opening therein registers with an opening in the front wall of the container to discharge material. The valve has generally the shape of a truncated section of a cone and the sloping walls of the truncated-conical rim cooperate with radial walls to define one or more pockets or cavities for containing material prior to discharge.

Abstract: An ice dispenser apparatus includes an ice making mechanism (1) and, an ice storage box (5) for storing ice pieces produced by the ice making mechanism. When the ice pieces are dispensed a discharge port shutter (9) normally closing a discharge port (5c) provided in the ice storage box (5) at a lower portion thereof is opened by a discharge port shutter actuator (11). A transient storage chamber (13) is provided in communication with the discharge port (5c), the chamber having a normally closed aperture for transiently storing a predetermined amount of ice pieces discharged from the ice storage box (5) through the discharge port (5c) when the discharge port shutter (9) is opened. A transient storage chamber shutter (10) is provided in association with the transient storage chamber (13) and is adapted to be actuated by a transient storage chamber shutter actuator (12) for selectively opening or closing the aperture.

Abstract: The vaneless rotary airlock valve of this invention is designed to overcome the deficiencies of excessive leakage, excessive wear, and product degradation associated with conventional vaned rotary airlocks. It is comprised of a vaneless rotor (a cyclindrical or barrel-like container), a pair of sealing rings (one on the upstream side and one on the downstream side of the rotor), and (depending on the operating conditions) a pair of either compression or expansion rings which urge continuous sealing engagement between the sealing rings and the rotor.Prevention of static leakage is a unique feature of the airlock of this invention, as one sealing ring is always in sealing engagement with the rotor as it revolves. The airlock may or may not permit dynamic leakage; processing gas may be bled off between the sealing rings and returned to the process, a critical feature on vacuum systems and on systems where expensive or harmful gases are used for conveying or impregnating process materials.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing particulate material in a predetermined pattern over a subjacent surface. The apparatus includes an elongated hopper having a downwardly facing discharge mouth. A rotary dispensing shaft extends the length of the mouth. The shaft has a plurality of material receiving grooves formed to extend longitudinally thereof and sized to receive predetermined amounts of particulate material. Positioned about the shaft member and extending the length thereof is an elongated cylindrical sleeve which is mounted for selective rotation relative to the shaft with its exterior surface in sealing engagement with the mouth of the hopper. First and second circumferentially spaced, generally longitudinally extending openings are formed through the sleeve.

Abstract: A measuring dispenser for particulate material adapted to be placed in a carton of soap or the like comprising a right-triangular receptacle with a divider panel extending from the top panel of the carton along the fold line along which one end of the top panel is pivoted between open and closed position. A closure panel extends down from the top flap to cover a fill opening in the divider panel when the top flap is opened, but pivots away from the divider panel to allow the measuring receptacle to be filled when the box is tilted with the top closure closed.

Abstract: Weighing apparatus including a plurality of vessels which are disposed vertically under a hopper with the axes thereof being aligned with one another and a weighing device provided under the lowest vessel. At least one of the vessels is provided at the top and bottom portions thereof with rotary discs having an opening.

Abstract: A device for accurately controlled feeding of a fine-grained, free-running particulate material from a silo into a reactor vessel, in particular alumina from a day's supply silo to a break in the crust on an aluminium fused salt electrolytic cell, comprises essentially a vertical feed pipe which is situated below the silo and features upper and a lower closing flaps both of which are in the form of segments of a cylinder. The feed pipe mounted on the funnel shaped lower part of the silo features an outlet funnel which joins up with an outlet pipe.

Abstract: A two-piece rotary dispensing cap for a jar or container containing granular or powdered material comprises a cylindrical cap body having one end threaded for connection to the mouth of the jar or container and a relatively rotatable metering disk member overlying the cap body formed with one or more discharge openings through which material is dispensed exterior of the jar or container. The cap body is formed with an enclosed collection chamber having upper and lower open ends. The upper end faces the exterior of the container and the lower end is exposed in and directly communicates with the interior contents of the jar or container. The disk member is formed with a rotatable shaft received in the cap body and formed at its interior, lower end with a planar valve plate.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing flowable material having a pinch valve, an operating lever, a support plate, and a resilient tube located between the lever and the support plate. Movement of an end portion of the lever operates the pinch valve which serves to sequentially isolate a measured quantity of flowable material delivered from a supply and release such measured quantity of material for discharge from the apparatus.

Abstract: An easy-dispensing safety cap for selectively providing difficulty or ease in dispensing liquid from a flexible wall container is disclosed. The easy-dispensing safety cap comprises two nested cylindrical configurations: an inner cap and an outer cap. The inner cap has an outer annular wall and an inner annular wall spaced from the outer annular wall and joined to the outer annular wall by a bottom. A planar surface extends across and joins the inner annular wall defining a downwardly opening cavity. The downwardly opening cavity can be fitted over a neck of a flexible wall container. A conduit extends through the planar surface for permitting liquid flow between the downwardly opening cavity and a measuring chamber defined by the outer annular wall. A disk having an opening is fitted within the conduit. A lip having a notch thereon extends around and projects outwardly from the annular wall. The inner cap is nested within the outer cap. The outer cap comprises a cylindrical figure having a sidewall.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a selectively variable measured quantity of granular material from a container includes a cap adapted to be secured to the open end of the container, the cap including a generally cup-like coffer disposed in the neck of the container. A disk-like lid is rotatably secured to the cap in coaxial fashion, and includes a discharge port subtending a small angle therein. The cap includes a boss projecting radially inwardly in the coffer and disposed directly adjacent to an inlet port in the inner end wall of the coffer. An adjustment member is rotatably received in the coffer, and includes a radially extending wall parallel to the axis which is selectively variably spaced from the boss to define a chamber of variable volume communicating with the inlet port. A disk-like bottom cover includes an inlet opening therein, and is secured to the inner end of the cap and adapted for rotation in concert with the lid.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing measured quantities of viscous material from a pressurized supply source including a measuring cylinder having a spring loaded piston therein and a rotary valve for alternately communicating the measuring cylinder with the supply source and with a discharge outlet. The rotary valve member has axially spaced O-ring seals to inhibit leakage from the ends of the valve member and an inlet seal for sealing against leakage from the pressurized inlet passage in a direction circumferentially of the rotary valve member.

Abstract: An improvement in apparatuses for quantitative metering of granular materials comprising: a main body having a plurality of independent metering compartments having upper and lower open ends and disposed radially around an axis; and top and bottom end plates adapted for covering the upper and lower open ends of the compartments and being rotatable about this axis, the top plate having a hole adapted for being brought into alignment with the upper open end of each compartment as this end plate is rotated, the bottom end plate having a hole so positioned as is not aligned with the hole of the top end plate and being adapted for being brought into alignment with the lower open end of each compartment as this end plate is rotated, so that, with the rotation of these end plates, a material requiring metering is fed into the compartments, one compartment after another, through the hole of the top end plate, and the metered material contained in these compartments is allowed to flow out through the hole of the botto

Abstract: A dispenser device for liquids including a metering chamber having a valve controlled inlet port and a valve controlled outlet port. An actuator is connected to the two valves to move them between fill and discharge conditions and is arranged to cause the inlet valve to close before opening the outlet valve during transfer from the fill to the discharge condition. The actuator includes a cylinder movable over a piston fixed to the body of the device and the valves respond to movement of the cylinder between two extreme positions corresponding to the fill and discharge conditions respectively. A biasing system urges the cylinder into the fill position at which the inlet valve is open and the outlet valve is closed, and a time delay arrangement operates to retard movement of the cylinder during part of its travel from the discharge position to the fill position.

Abstract: A manual dispenser for a pasty product having a reservoir for the product and in which the product is maintained under pressure, an intermediate chamber connected to the reservoir and a discharge nozzle, and an assembly for causing the intermediate chamber to connect alternatively with the reservoir, for filling the chamber, and the discharge nozzle, for discharging a predetermined quantity of product from the nozzle is described.

Abstract: A method of portioning a material and a portioning machine for carrying out the method, the portioning machine comprising a body having an inlet and outlet with gate means movable within the body to selectively open the inlet and the outlet and piston means for compacting material in said body to a predetermined density and for extruding a predetermined quantity of material from the outlet. The piston may be provided with pressure sensitive means which are adjustable so that the density of material compacted can be preselected.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring and dispensing a predetermined quantity of particulate material from a container. The apparatus includes a measuring and dispensing assembly permanently secured at least in part within a container, particularly a disposable container such as a box of dry laundry detergent. The measuring and dispensing assembly defines a chamber within the container which may be opened to permit a predetermined measured quantity of the contents of the container to enter thereinto, and then closed to separate the measured quantity from the remaining contents of the container. To permit dispensing of the measured quantity of particulate material from the closed chamber, the assembly further includes a movable member which may be moved to expose a discharge opening in the container which is adjacent the chamber.

Abstract: The invention provides a valve for dispensing material from a hopper. The valve comprises a body defining a passage way, a generally L-shaped valve member pivotally mounted to one side of the passageway such that the inner faces of the arms of the valve member can engage respective ones of a pair of spaced back to back valve seats disposed in the passageway so that in use with the downstream of the two arms closing the passageway by engaging the downstream valve seat a charge of material in the hopper can be received between the two arms and dispensed when the valve member is rotated to open the passageway by the downstream arm and subsequently close it by the upstream arm engaging the upstream valve seat, flow through the passageway being substantially obstructed by the upstream arm as the valve member is returend to close the passageway by the downstream arm.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for rinsing and sanitizing a mop utilized to clean floors. Utilized with a conventional mop, mop wringer and mop bucket, the apparatus dispenses a pre-selected volume of cleaning solution onto the mop. The mop is then wrung dry and used, and the method of rinsing and sanitizing is repeated.

Abstract: A measuring and dispensing closure member for a container of granulated material has a variable capacity dispensing mechanism, oppositely pivotable barrier members for alternately opening an inlet to the dispensing mechanism after closing its outlet and closing the inlet before opening the outlet, barrier operating mechanism including an operating member having a generally rectilinear path of operating motion inwardly and outwardly of the closure member and contained in an area of the closure member having a cross-section suitable for grasping in one hand, the operating member being accessible for operation by the thumb or a finger of such hand, and adjustment mechanism for varying the capacity of the dispensing mechanism from the exterior of the closure member.

Abstract: A liquid dispenser having a metering chamber and a supply chamber disposed in side by side relationship and adapted for liquid communication with one another through a normally open supply valve. The liquid in the chambers are maintained at the same level. An outlet drain from the metering chamber through which liquid may be drained from the metering chamber and a normally closed outlet valve for controlling the flow of liquid through the outlet drain is provided. The supply valve and said outlet valve co-operate in such manner that upon opening the outlet valve to dispense liquid from the metering chamber, the supply valve closes and then subsequently re-opens for replenishing the metering chamber from the supply chamber only after the outlet valve has closed.

Abstract: A portable applicator for applying a dry fertilizer and/or insecticide material onto the surface of the earth adjacent a plant, and including an elongated essentially tubular body structure carrying at its upper end a container of the dry material andcontaining a passage through which the material flows downwardly to a bottom outlet under the control of a rotary valve element which is preferably actuated by a handle part serving the dual purposes of assisting in holding and manipulating the overall tool and also actuating the valve element when the handle grip is turned about its axis. The lower end of the body has fingers capable of cultivating the earth's surface for working the deposited dry material a short distance into that surface.

Abstract: A device for dispensing a free-flowing particulate substance comprises a chamber having a normally open inlet and a normally closed outlet. The substance is dispensed by substantially simultaneously opening the outlet of the chamber and closing the inlet of the chamber. A wall of the chamber may be moveable to set positions relative to the remaining stationary walls of the chamber to vary the volume of the chamber and thereby dispense various desired quantities of substance.

Abstract: A lock chamber for discharging dust from an apparatus at an elevated pressure to a low-pressure space, e.g. from an electrostatic separator or cyclone separator at high pressure to a collector or bin at atmospheric pressure, comprises a chamber having an upper inlet and a lower outlet opening and a rotary valve member having a window and adapted, upon rotation, to selectively block and unblock the openings alternately so that pressure is maintained in the high-pressure apparatus while dust can be discharged from the chamber.

Abstract: A dispenser for granular material having a mounting flange, a depending body with inlet, measuring cavity and outlet, a circular slot surrounding the cavity and a rotatable cylindrical member fitting into the slot, the member having a side opening which closes inlet or an outlet in its two positions to dispense the volume of the cavity. A pin limits the rotation and holds the parts in assembled condition.

Abstract: A measuring and dispensing device includes a cylinder divided by radial vanes into a plurality of passages. At the top of the cylinder is arranged a disc segment which is capable of closing off a plurality of the aforesaid passages. A disc segment is also arranged at the bottom of the cylinder to close off a greater number of the passages. The upper disc segment is staggered relative to the lower disc segment with which it overlaps so that no clear and direct passage is afforded through any of the passages in the cylinder. A bin of material such as rice, flour, metal parts or the like is superposed over the cylinder. The aforesaid disc segments are driven by a manually operated spring loaded belt such that the belt can be displaced for the discharge of a selectable number of passages. Upon displacement of the belt, a spring is loaded to return the belt for driving the disc segments.