Abstract: A fluid dispensing valve mechanism including a valve body member having an annular seat portion which is contacted by the bushing portion of the shaft-bushing member to effect a seal. The shaft is interposed between the bushing and a contact point on a tower assembly, the latter held in fixed relationship to the valve body. The shaft, at least, is made from elastomeric material; and it is bowed off the axis between the center of the annular seat portion and the contact point on the tower assembly, when in position. This results in a positive seal between the bushing member and the annular seat. When the bushing member is displaced axially to dispense the fluid, the shaft member bows even further. The hysteresis effect inherent in the elastomeric shaft returns the bushing member to its contact position with the annular seat.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are a method and apparatus for converting an expended, hollow article of thermoplastic material, the article having opposite end walls, an opening in one of the end walls and an annular wall extending between the opposite end walls establishing an original configuration, into a new article of a new configuration. Specifically, the expended article is a two-liter soda bottle and the new article is a building block.

Abstract: In a toner cartridge system including a container having a dry toner storage area and dry toner dispensing opening with a flange portion, a removeable, heat sealed strip tape including a flange portion for coacting with the flange portion of the toner dispensing opening to cover the opening, the improvement wherein the flange portion of the strip tape which coacts with the flange surrounding the dispensing opening includes preconfigured openings of suitable shape to complement the toner filler nozzle. Disclosed configurations for the opening include a substantially circular one, a simple slit and two slits orthogonal to each other.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for use on a supply bottle containing fluid for a copier or printer, including an outer unit having a bottle cap with a central spider with slots and having an inner sleeve projecting into the bottle forming a valve seat, and including an inner unit having an elastomer member and having a spring-biased seal plug urging the elastomer member against the valve seat, said plug being adapted to rotate slightly to fit the elastomer member to the valve seat and said plug having a high strength, chisel-like tip for breaking a secondary seal in the bottle.

Abstract: Containers for containing a drum having a sensitive cylindrical outer surface, each container utilizing a relatively thin-walled construction including a body with side walls establishing a polygonal cross-sectional configuration within which the drum is suspended by supports engaging the drum adjacent the ends thereof such that contact with the sensitive outer surface of the drum is avoided, the interior of each container being sealed by an air-resistant seal to isolate the interior of the container from the surrounding environment while establishing an air cushion for reinforcing the thin-walled body against external forces so as to preclude damaging contact between the side walls and the sensitive outer surface of the drum.

Abstract: A dispensing valve for use on an inverted bottle of fluent imaging material includes a valve cap which can be threaded to the neck of the bottle. A resilient valve plug is carried on a spindle which extends through an opening in the valve cap. A spring compressed between an enlargement on the spindle and a hub in the valve cap biases the valve plug outwardly into sealing engagement with a valve seat at the interior end of the valve cap. The valve is protected from inadvertent opening by a disc-like clip and an overcap. The clip, which has a diametral slot to accommodate the spindle, is held between an end of the spring and the spindle enlargement. The overcap provides a complete cover for the valve; it can be removed to expose the clip so that the clip can be manually removed to permit the valve to be opened.

Abstract: An improved closure for a bottle containing a gas-emitting solution. The closure is screwed onto the bottle and includes a disk member having a centrally disposed opening. The opening is sealed with a rupturable seal member. Two concentric, cylindrical members are disposed about the opening. A ballon-like member is fixedly secured to the open end of the cylindrical member next adjacent the opening so that when the gas emitting from the solution ruptures the seal member, the balloon is inflated to indicate excessive pressure.

Abstract: A dispensing valve to be used with a bottle of fluent imaging material. The valve is so structured that it can be assembled more rapidly and easily than existing dispensing valves used for the same purpose. The new valve holds the valve plug and the biasing spring in proper relative position on the actuating spindle without the use of retaining rings and does not require a jig for its assembly.