Abstract: A system for controlling the loading of fuel into a multi-compartmented transport tank interrupts loading of fuel when the level of fuel in any compartment is above a given upper level and prevents loading when the level of fuel is above a given lower level. Fail safe operation is provided by top and bottom liquid level sensors which generate a "dry" signal to indicate that the liquid level is below the upper and lower levels in each compartment. A "dry" signal from the bottom sensor is required to initiate loading of a compartment. Once initiated, a substitute signal permits continued loading of the compartment. The "dry" signal is a pulsing electrical signal which cooperates with a multivibrator to generate a signal for each compartment indicating that loading of fuel is appropriate. Indicia lights are provided for each compartment to indicate the level of fuel in each compartment. Diagnostic means enable these lights to indentify the failure of a sensor or a faulty electrical connection therewith.

Abstract: An emergency valve is provided to shut off the flow of fuel in the event a fuel dispenser is struck with sufficient force to rupture the fuel conduit means therefor. The valve comprises a lower housing connected to a source of pressurized fuel and an upper housing connected to conduit means which extend to a dispensing nozzle. The upper housing has a groove which defines the plane of a weakened portion. When the impacted with a relatively high lateral force, the portion of the upper housing, above the groove, will separate, or break away. A normally open, main control, flapper valve is mounted in the lower housing. A poppet check valve is mounted in the upper housing. When the separable portion of the upper housing breaks away, both the flapper valve and the check valve automatically close to minimize spillage of fuel. A bleed valve is provided to relieve pressure in the fuel conduit means to which the separable portion of the upper housing is connected, in the event a fire occurs upon its breaking away.

Abstract: A breakaway unit which is adapted to be mounted in series flow relation with a fuel nozzle. The breakaway unit comprises a flex section which assures an axial transmission of forces to a valve section which is separated when a vehicle drives away from a dispensing unit with the nozzle lodged in its fuel tank. The valve section comprises inlet and outlet couplers and means for releasable locking the couplers in an assembled relation. These means comprise fingers which are flexed outwardly when a separating force exceeds a predetermined value. Garter springs embrace the fingers to accurately control at which the couplers will separate. The fingers engage angularly spaced lugs which permit the fingers to be telescoped therebetween and then rotated to a locking position to facilitate reassembly of the couplers with a minimum of effort. Alternate embodiments of the invention disclose other forms of spring means for accurately controlling the force at which the couplers will separate.

Abstract: A vapor recovery, fuel dispensing nozzle possessing the capability of providing a slurpee function, i.e., removing liquid fuel from the vapor return passage of a hose that connects the nozzle to a fuel dispenser. Removal of the liquid fuel is achieved by a suction force derived from a venturi at the main control valve of the nozzle.

Abstract: Three reuasable surgical/medical fabrics provide improved barrier properties, as reflected by their Suter ratings, and also posses a "hand" similar to a "cotton hand". The Suter ratings are degraded in the order of 10%-20% after 100 sterile reprocessing cycles. The fabrics are reliable free of "voids", permitting their use as a single layer barrier panel. The fabrics are woven, respectively, with false twist 100/100 warp yarns and air texturized core and effect 2/60/100 fill yarns; flat trilobal 100/50 warp yarns and air texturized core and effect 2/60/100 fill yarns; and false twist 2/50/34 warp yarns and false twist 150/200 fill yarns. The fabrics are characterized by a minimum porosity of at least 10.times.10.sup.6 pores/square centimeter and maximum average. and mean pore sizes. The fabrics have a thickness of at least 0.005 inch, a weight of at least 3.5 ounces per square yard and a filament density of at least 2.0.times.10.sup.6 filaments per square inch.

Abstract: A vapor recovery nozzle employed in minimizing atmospheric pollution by fuel vapors is described. The nozzle comprises a bellows which is compressed against the fill pipe of a vehicle during discharge of fuel therein. The bellows surrounds a nozzle spout to define a vapor return flow path which extends through a nozzle body. The body of the nozzle is compositely formed by a body member and a vapor path cap which compositely define the vapor return flow passage. Flow of fuel is controlled by a valve which may be opened by an operating lever only when a trip stem is latched in an operative position. A mechanical interlock prevents latching of the trip stem unless the bellows is compressed. When the bellows is so compressed, the trip stem is latched. If the level of fuel in the fill pipe covers the end of the spout, vacuum actuated means unlatch the trip mechanism stem. If the pressure in the vapor return flow path rises to a level indicating a blockage in return flow, time trip stem is also unlatched.

Abstract: A "smart vent" valve is mounted on a liquid storage tank employed in the transportation of liquid. The valve prevents overpressurization of the tank due to increases in vapor pressure and prevents discharge of liquid through the valve in response to pressure surges caused by accidental overturning of the tank. A valve member is provided for a vent opening. Sealing engagement is maintained between the valve member and the vent opening during a finite period of valve member travel caused by an increase in pressure within the tank. The rate of valve member travel is limited by hydraulic system in which hydraulic fluid is forced through orifices from one chamber to another. The high levels of pressure surges do not have sufficient duration to displace the valve member a distance sufficient to move it to a position in which the vent opening is unsealed and liquid could escape therefrom.

Abstract: A robotic hand on a robot is capable of picking-up several generally flattened articles in a stack form in a gentle non-damaging manner. The robotic hand has a manifold for directing controlled pressure air and a set of gripper finger assemblies extending therefrom. Each finger assembly has a rigid finger support member and an inflatable bladder extending along its length. The bladders are in communication with the chamber of the manifold and an external source of positive and negative pressure air. The robotic hand is capable of positioning itself over an article to be picked-up with the set of gripper finger assemblies encompassing the article. Pressurized air is directed through the manifold and into the bladders of the finger assemblies. The bladders expand sufficiently to grasp sides of the article.

Abstract: A surgical drive comprises a main panel and a "critical zone" panel secured thereto. A fenestration is formed by cutting through the "critical zone" panel. The main panel is a light weight fabric having a relatively high coefficient of friction. The "critical zone" panel comprises a barrier panel lying against the main panel and an outwardly facing absorbent panel, having an irregular surface. The critical "critical zone" panel is folded to form troughs for capturing liquid incident to a surgical procedure. Corner constructions close the ends of the troughs.

Abstract: A fenestrated surgical drape includes a "critical zone" panel surrounding the fenestration. The "critical zone" panel comprises an upper absorbent panel and underlying, upper and lower barrier panels. The absorbent layer and upper barrier panel are joined as a first sub-assembly. The lower barrier panel and the main panel of the drape are joined as a second sub-assembly. The sub-assemblies are joined by stitching marginally of the fenestration. The first sub-assembly is then joined to the lower barrier panel by stitching marginally of its outer periphery. The marginal edge portions of the "critical zone" panel are folded inwardly to form liquid receiving troughs along the side and end edges of the "critical zone" panel. These troughs intersect at the corners of the "critical zone" panel. Further folded portions of the "critical zone" panel close the intersecting ends of the troughs. Snap fastener elements hold the marginal portions of the "critical zone" in these folded relations.

Abstract: A filling head for loading food articles such as franks into individual packaging trays is adapted for quick connect to a power system and a loader parent machine. The filling head comprises an open frame, at least two spring loaded flapper doors hingeably attached to the frame, and a pusher bar unloading system capable of operable connection to the power system of the parent machine to intermittently discharge food articles from the filling head to the individual packaging trays positioned below the flapper doors. The pusher bar unloading system includes a drive rod which can be connected to the periphery of a flywheel by quick connect means to run in an smooth continuous reciprocating motion to deliver an up and down motion to a horizontal shaft slideably mounted on the frame and an associated set of pusher bars and elongated pusher members.

Abstract: A quick connect/disconnect coupling comprises locking levers. Pull rings facilitate pivoting of the locking levels to a release position. The pull rings are resiliently mounted on the levers in positions that prevent the pulls rings from interfering with movement of the locking levers to their locking positions.

Abstract: A label feeder for use with an automated packaging machine wherein open-top containers are moved along a conveyor line. The label feeder comprises an open frame with a substantially horizontally extending supporting arm extending therefrom and a motor mounted thereon. The supporting arm has at least one label hold bin for holding the labels mounted on it as well as an endless conveyor for moving the label from the label hold bin to a position directly over the open-top container. A loading ram system and an unloading ram system, each with vacuum means, are mounted on the supporting arm to pick a label from the hold bin and deposit a label into the containers, respectively. The label feeder is portable and is used as needed in association with the packaging machine to place the individual label into the open-top container either before or after the articles have been added and before the container is sealed close.

Abstract: A system for controlling the loading of fuel into a multi-compartmented transport tank interrupts loading of fuel when the level of fuel in any compartment is above a given upper level and prevents loading when the level of fuel is above a given lower level. Fail safe operation is provided by top and bottom liquid level sensors which generate a "dry" signal to indicate that the liquid level is below the upper and lower levels in each compartment. A "dry" signal from the bottom sensor is required to initiate loading of a compartment. Once initiated, a substitute signal permits continued loading of the compartment. The "dry" signal is a pulsing electrical signal which cooperates with a multivibrator to generate a signal for each compartment indicating that loading of fuel is appropriate. Indicia lights are provided for each compartment to indicate the level of fuel in each compartment. Diagnostic means enable these lights to identify the failure of a sensor or a faulty electrical connection therewith.

Abstract: A manhole sealing device enables the recovery of vapors displaced from a tank during the process of filling a tank with fuel, through the manhole. The sealing device comprises a sealing gasket, which has an inflation chamber defined by two tubular walls. When the chamber is inflated, the gasket is distended to toroidal configuration capable of sealing engaging manhole inner diameters of a wide dimensional range. The sealing gasket is mounted on a lock-down bar what is clamped against the upper end of the manhole, using bolts that are also used in clamping the hatch cover for the manhole. Preferable the gasket is first inflated to centralize it relative to the manhole and then clamped in fixed relation relative thereto.

Abstract: A knit terry fabric having hydrophobic/hydrophilic characteristics provides hygienic panels for washable, reusable, incontinent pads and diapers. In one embodiment, a non-woven fabric, stiffener sheet is employed in an incontinent pad to resist its being folded in use. The diaper embodiment employs a Y-shaped configuration and is provided with preventing Velcro fasteners from being fouled during washing.

Abstract: A dry disconnect coupling comprises an adapter connected to a liquid conduit and a coupler connected to another liquid conduit. The adapter and coupler each have poppets which seal passageway outlets thereof when they are disconnected. When connected, means are provided for simultaneously opening the poppets by displacing them with their end faces in contiguous relation. An O-ring, mounted in a groove in the end face of the coupler poppet sealingly engages the end face of the adapter poppet to prevent wetting of the end face surfaces of the poppets and thereby minimize liquid which could be a source of liquid when the coupler is disconnected from the adapter. Six alternate sealing rings, for providing an end face seal, are described.

Abstract: A polyester wrapper fabric having permeability for penetration of steam in sterilization surgical instruments. The fabric is a two by two twill in which the filling yarns are core and affect texturized yarn. A herringbone weave is another embodiment. In other embodiments plain woven portions are combined with the twill and herringbone weaves to minimize ravelling.

Abstract: A liquid impermeable barrier fabric which resists penetration of liquids under finite hydraulic heads and maintains that capable after upwards of 75 institutional washing/sterilization cycles. The barrier fabric is structurally characterized by a silicone membrane attached to a fabric substrate. The substrate is a tightly woven fabric which is constructed of polyester yarns. Attachment of the membrane to the fabric substrate by a bonding mechanism in which the silicone material is in intimate contact with a substantial portion of the looped portions of the yarn, which define the surface of the fabric. This bonding mechanism also includes hydrophilicity of the yarn surfaces with which the silicone is in intimate contact. The fabric is treated with a hydrophilic finish to provide this aspect of the bonding mechanism. This barrier fabric is provided through the use of coating/calendaring apparatus.