Abstract: A material transfer system for storing, transferring and dispensing viscous material, such as fluids and liquids, includes a material containment vessel with an upper region incorporating a motive force and a bottom region with a material ingress and egress opening. A diconical or other shaped force transfer device is located in the material containment area. The force transfer device is an energy transducer when the material containment is filled with highly viscous materials, such as adhesives, sealants, mastics or lubricating greases. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Abstract: A refill bottle, such as a laundry refill bottle, is disclosed that can be used with a consumer refill station to reuse the bottle over and over. The refill bottle includes automatic flow control valves, that allow the bottle to be filled, handled, dispensed from, and refilled innumerable times without a cap. The elimination of a cap alleviates the manufacturer and consumer of the tasks of installing, loosening, tightening, removing, and reinstalling or replacing the cap. The refillable bottle uses flow control valves, specifically an automatic filling valve, an automatic pressure vent valve, a manual/automatic dispensing valve, and an automatic vacuum vent valve. The refill bottle enables liquid and air to be exchanged during filling, handling, dispensing, and refilling.

Abstract: The present invention is a method by which a reusable, refillable pressurized container used in consumer refillable packaging can be certified in a manner akin to single use containers. The certification calls for each receptacle to pass certain quality assurance measures, including automated testing and examination (100% receptacle testing and examination). In an exemplary case, the materials (fluids) in these receptacles will be for personal care or household use and will be non-regulated non-hazardous non-flammable non-corrosive materials (fluids), although the invention will not necessarily be so limited. The gases in these receptacles are preferably non-flammable compressed gases (compressed air or nitrogen) commercially free from corroding components.

Abstract: A refillable aerosol cartridge for use with a refill station or the like, that has a unique identifier such as a serial number or the other identification. The refillable aerosol cartridge is equipped with a programmable RFID or other data transferring device that can record, store, and transfer unique information about the refillable aerosol cartridge, including the specific user-selected ingredients, and track the cartridge for the life of the product. The unique serial number or other identifier of the aerosol cartridge can be used to track the cartridge and, in the case of a recall, identify and locate the cartridge for notification.

Abstract: A refill bottle, such as a laundry refill bottle, is disclosed that can be used with a consumer refill station to reuse the bottle over and over. The refill bottle includes automatic flow control valves, that allow the bottle to be filled, handled, dispensed from, and refilled innumerable times without a cap. The elimination of a cap alleviates the manufacturer and consumer of the tasks of installing, loosening, tightening, removing, and reinstalling or replacing the cap. The refillable bottle uses flow control valves, specifically an automatic filling valve, an automatic pressure vent valve, a manual/automatic dispensing valve, and an automatic vacuum vent valve. The refill bottle enables liquid and air to be exchanged during filling, handling, dispensing, and refilling.

Abstract: A method for distributing product using a consumer refillable packaging in a retail environment comprises manufacturing a liquid product at a point of manufacture. The liquid product is then transferred to a retail location in a refillable canister, which is mounted in a storage room as part of a delivery subsystem for communicating the liquid product from the storage room to a refill station in a retail floor space. Consumers operate the refill station to refill a refillable container with the liquid product from the canister in the storage room via the refill station.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Abstract: A method for funding a municipal solid waste reduction program includes conducting a study of anticipated future cost savings for a Municipality from implementing sealable, refillable fluid product packaging to replace existing disposable fluid product packaging for the purpose of reducing solid waste. After the study, one establishes a value for a savings participation right that shares savings generated by replacing the disposable fluid product packaging with sealable, refillable fluid product packaging, and offers for sale the savings participation right to investors based on said established value. The savings participation right holder is paid a monetary value based on actually realized municipal savings resulting from a reduction in solid waste as a consequence of the municipal solid waste reduction program.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet. The system's performance can be improved by applying a surface treatment to the wetted surfaces of the system to change the physical properties at the fluid/vessel interface.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing material through a refillable cartridge, comprising a container having a receptacle for receiving a refill cartridge, the container having a lid cooperating with the container to enclose the refill cartridge, the container further comprising an exit port and a channel for communicating material from the refill cartridge to the exit port, and a valve for controlling the flow of material out of the refill cartridge; and a reusable, refill cartridge sized to be received in the receptacle, the refill cartridge including compressed gas and material separated by a bi-conical thruster, the refill cartridge further comprising a first end having a material inlet and outlet manifold, and a second end having a compressed gas inlet.

Abstract: A refillable material transfer system is disclosed having a portable constant-pressure compressed gas system for storing, transferring and dispensing viscous material, such as fluids and liquids, includes a material containment vessel with an upper region incorporating a motive force and a bottom region with a material ingress and egress opening. The portable constant-pressure compressed gas subsystem can be used with a fluid vessel, hand-held systems, a backpack system or other configurations.

Abstract: Fluid sampling device for use in obtaining a precise volume of fluid to be sampled from sealed pressure vessels equipped with a hydraulic fitting to which the fluid sampling devices are connectable. The first embodiment of the device a fluid float chamber with an internally sealable top opening which opens into an upper fluid passage. A floating ball is located in the fluid float chamber and is sized to be sealable at the top opening. A non-floatable ball is sized to seat on a lower seat through which fluid can enter the fluid float chamber. A vacuum line connects between the top opening and the sealed pressure vessel. The second embodiment of the device has a vacuum chamber into which is received a fluid sample container. A fluid supply tube connects between the vacuum chamber and the fluid inlet. A fluid overflow tube also connects between the vacuum chamber and the vacuum cylinder.

Abstract: An automatic fluid container (10) refill device. Pressure container (12) is charged with a pressurizing gas and fluid. A hydraulic cylinder (26) with an interior volume and having piston (30) located therein with an attached drive shaft (32) that extends out of the hydraulic cylinder (26) is provided. Drive (32) has gear rack (40) located thereon. Hydraulic cylinder (26) has hydraulic fluid inlets (28, 36) provided at first and second ends thereof. Fluid conduit (24) connects between pressure container (12) and first hydraulic fluid inlet (28). A valve (44) has a fluid inlet (46) and outlet (48). Geared sprocket (42) is mounted on valve (44) and is operable for opening and closing valve (44). Gear rack (40) on drive shaft (32) is engaged with and operates geared sprocket (42). Fluid supply pipe (50) is connected to fluid inlet (46) and carries fluid from a source of fluid through valve (44). Fluid junction (38) is in fluid communication with fluid outlet (48) of valve (44).

Abstract: A fluid container draining device (10) for use in draining a fluid container, such as an oil filter (12) in a controlled manner. It has a drill bit (14) with a sharpened tip (16) and exterior channels (20) on its shaft (18) extending from its tip (16) to a rear region (22). The drill bit (14) is immobilized in an axial bore (3) of a drill bit holder (24) which has a threaded front region (26) which is preferably frustum-shaped. Located rearwardly of the drill bit holder (24) is a valve (42) which when opened up permits fluid to be drained from the fluid container (12) through the channels (20) on the drill bit's shank (18), through the axial bore (30) in the drill bit holder (24), and out through the valve (42).

Abstract: A fluid change system (10) for use in changing fluid, i.e. motor oil from machinery. The system has a portable "suitcase" unit (12) and a unit (14) for recharging the suitcase unit. The suitcase unit (12) has a used fluid tank (22) for collecting and storing used fluid under vacuum, a new fluid tank (20) for storing and delivering new fluid, and a compressed air tank (18). A four-way valve (56) controls the inflow of used fluid into and new fluid out of the suitcase unit (12). The suitcase unit (12) has recharge ports (58, 60, 62, 64, and 66) through which the new fluid tank (20) will be refilled with new fluid and recharged with pressurized inert gas, the used fluid tank (22) will be emptied of used fluid and placed under a vacuum, and the compressed air tank (18) will be refilled with compressed air. A venturi operable by air from the compressed air tank (18) permits the user to put extra vacuum on the used fluid tank (22) as the need arises.

Abstract: A portable automated fluid collecting and dispensing unit (10) for the collection of used fluid and for the delivery of new fluid to a fluid utilizing device, such as motor (44). The device (10) includes a tank arrangement (12) having a used fluid tank (14) for collecting and storing used fluid and a new fluid tank (16) for storing and delivering new fluid. The new and used fluid tanks (14 and 16) are dedicated to contain only more particular fluid. A cart (16) carries the tank arrangement (12), and has load cells (26) for determining changes in weight of the tank arrangement (12) and any used fluid and new fluid contained therein. A display (58) indicates any said change in weight of said tank arrangement (12) and any fluid contained therein. The system can also include a stationary primary system (120) for use in recharging the portable device (10), without any intervening cleaning of the device.

Abstract: A device to empty fluid from a sealed pressure container by use of pressurized air, and thereafter to place the container under vacuum. The device has a sleeve portion which defines an interior chamber. A ring portion with a hole extends into the interior chamber and forms a seating surface. A slidable seat with an aperture is located in the interior chamber below the ring portion and is sized to loosely fit in the interior chamber and seat on the ring portion. An upper cap with an air channel is located at the upper end of the sleeve and a lower cap with an air channel is placed at the lower end of the sleeve portion. A spring placed in the interior chamber between the lower cap and the slidable seat biases the slidable seat into contact with the ring portion. A floatable ball is placed above the slidable seat and is adapted to fluid tightly seat on and seal off its aperture. The floatable ball is sized to freely pass through the hole in the ring portion. A vacuum generator is also provided.

Abstract: A viscous material delivery and management system for delivery of a particular viscous material to a viscous material utilizing destination. The system has a sealed container for containment of a particular viscous material, a source of inert gas in gaseous communication with the sealed container, and a viscous material conduit in communication with the sealed container for delivery of the particular viscous material. The inert gas provides the motive force to move the particular viscous fluid from the sealed container to the viscous material utilizing destination.