Abstract: A combination of a pressure vessel for pneumatic fluids at pressures above 200 kilograms per square centimeter and a stationary mounting therefor, the pressure vessel having a neck which fits into a socket in the mounting and is retained therein by a locking mechanism, for example, a bayonet coupling or a polygonal flange on the neck passing through an aperture of the same shape in a flange in the socket. The neck contains a valve and the combination includes a mechanism for controlling the valve. Such mechanism may be in the neck or in the mounting and preferably comprises an axially movable valve operating member mounted by an external screw thread in a second member and coupled to a third member, such as a manually operable knob, by a coupling which transmits rotation, but not translation.

Abstract: A process of and apparatus for coating an article with a layer of metal incorporating particles. The article is placed in a barrel together with the particles and the barrel is placed in a plating bath and rotated therein. The barrel has an opening covered by a cover which is pervious to the solution but impervious to the particles. The article is thus flowed over by solution within the barrel which can have a high concentration of particles but there are no particles in the part of the bath outside the barrel. The process may be electroless or electrolytic. In the latter case, the anode is preferably outside the barrel.

Abstract: A valved coupling for high pressure fluids, particularly for use with pressure vessels containing gases at pressures above 200 kilograms per square centimeter, the coupling providing a first flow path containing a first valve and a second flow path extending from a point in the first flow path downstream of the first valve to a venting passage and a second valve in the second path, the coupling comprising a bore, a valve operating member which is axially movable in the bore, a valve member which is concentric with the valve operating member and is axially movable relative to the bore and the valve operating member, a first axially facing valve seat on the valve operating member, a second valve seat on the valve member facing in the opposite direction to the first valve seat, and stop means engaged by the valve member not earlier than the closure of the first valve in movement of the valve member in a direction to close the first valve whereby after the first path is closed the second path is opened to vent fl