Abstract: A pressure regulator valve adapted to be secured within a container housing a beverage to be dispensed through the aid of pressure within the headspace (11) above the beverage, the regulator valve includes a housing (16) containing a piston (26) having one surface exposed continuously to the pressure in the headspace and the other surface being engaged by a spring (44), a source of pressurized gas (14) such as carbon dioxide is secured to the housing and includes a valve (60) which is activated by the piston which moves responsive to a differential between the spring force and the headspace pressure to open the valve (60) when the headspace pressure falls below a predetermined level to insert the carbon dioxide into the headspace to maintain the headspace pressure sufficient to dispense the beverage.

Abstract: A pressure regulator valve adapted to be secured within a container housing a beverage to be dispensed through the aid of pressure within the headspace (11) above the beverage, the regulator valve includes a housing (16) containing a piston (26) having one surface exposed continuously to the pressure in the headspace and the other surface being engaged by a spring (44), a source of pressurized gas (14) such as carbon dioxide is secured to the housing and includes a valve (60) which is activated by the piston which moves responsive to a differential between the spring force and the headspace pressure to open the valve (60) when the headspace pressure falls below a predetermined level to insert the carbon dioxide into the headspace to maintain the headspace pressure sufficient to dispense the beverage.

Abstract: A self-chilling food or beverage container including an outer container and a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally of said outer container and having liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) therein, the HEU including a valve member which provides a restricted orifice in one position to allow the liquid CO2 to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state while maintaining pressure in the HEU to keep the residual CO2 in the liquid state and in a second position to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path to permit liquid CO2 to be inserted into the HEU.

Abstract: A self-cooling container for holding a food or beverage which includes a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally thereof so that the food or beverage is in contact with the outer surface of the HEU, the HEU being closed by a frangible membrane which is punctured by a pierce pin when a twist base activator is rotated in a first direction to create dis-equilibrium to cause liquid carbon dioxide contained within the HEU to pass directly from the liquid to the gaseous state and pass through a restricted orifice to atmosphere to cool the food or beverage.

Abstract: A rotary beverage filling machine for cans which have a heat exchange unit secured to the bottom thereof and extending into the can which includes a conveyor for transporting cans to be deposited on a pedestal which is adapted to move the can into contact with a sealing device surrounding a nozzle which is disposed within the open upper end of the can but is displaced from the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: A self-chilling food or beverage container including an outer container and a heat exchange unit (HEU) secured internally of said outer container and having liquid carbon dioxide (CO2) therein, the HEU including a valve member which provides a restricted orifice in one position to allow the liquid CO2 to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state while maintaining pressure in the HEU to keep the residual CO2 in the liquid state and in a second position to provide a substantially unrestricted flow path to permit liquid CO2 to be inserted into the HEU.

Abstract: A container for food or beverage which has a heat exchange unit secured internally thereof to be in contact with the food or beverage, the heat exchange unit is filled with liquid carbon dioxide and has a valve which when activated allows the liquid carbon dioxide to pass from the liquid state directly to the gaseous state through a restricted orifice which functions to maintain residual carbon dioxide in the heat exchange unit in the liquid state until all of the liquid carbon dioxide is exhausted from the heat exchange unit.

Abstract: Apparatus and process to adsorb carbon dioxide onto compacted activated carbon in a HEU while removing the heat generated by the adsorption. A cooling tunnel is provided and maintained at approximately five degrees Celsius by continuously flowing a refrigerant therethrough. A plurality of completed cans with HEU are arranged internally and gassing heads are attached to each HEU and maintained at approximately 10-15 Bar for a period of twenty to thirty minutes after which the gassing heads would be removed and a new batch of cans inserted.

Abstract: A module defining a plurality of cavities adapted to receive adsorbent material and movable from a loading station to a compaction station and to a transfer station, a plurality of rams at the compaction station for exerting pressure on the adsorbent material to compact it and rams at the transfer station to extract the compacted adsorbent material from said cavities.

Abstract: An apparatus and method which includes placing an HEU containing compacted carbon particles within a cavity defined within a fixture and connecting a source of carbon dioxide gas under pressure to the fixture and to the HEU for flooding the carbon particles within the HEU with the carbon dioxide gas under pressure for a predetermined period of time sufficient to totally purge the trapped air contained within the HEU and then placing a cover or cap on the HEU to retain the residual head of carbon dioxide gas on the carbon particles until the gassing cycle is accomplished.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit (HEU) for positioning internally of a container for housing a food or beverage, the HEU including a metal shell having an outer surface, and a metal top section having a skirt, which fits over the outer surface of the metal shell and is permanently secured to said metal shell by an adhesive material, compressed carbon particles are disposed within said metal shell and carbon dioxide gas is adsorbed by said carbon particles and upon activation of a valve secured to said top section desorbs to cool the food or beverage.

Abstract: A self chilling beverage container including a heat exchange unit having a pressurized medium therein secured internally thereof and including an over-pressure relief valve. The valve includes a hollow housing within which there is first and second valves. The first valve is operable to inject and release the pressurized medium into the container. The second valve is normally closed and is continuously exposed to the pressurized medium and in response to the pressure thereof reaching a predetermined level opens to exhaust the pressurized medium to the atmosphere to relieve the excess pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning, sanitizing and recharging a self chilling container having a heat exchange unit including compressed carbon internally thereof including a plurality of sources of cleaning and sanitizing materials connected through a plurality of valves to the container for injecting and exhausting the materials into and from the container. A source of carbon dioxide gas to be injected into said heat exchange unit to be adsorbed by said carbon. A source of chilled fluid and means for circulating the chilled fluid through the container during adsorption of said carbon dioxide gas to remove heat generated thereby.

Abstract: A self-cooling and self dispensing beverage container in the form of a keg which includes a heat exchange unit having a plurality of segments of compressed carbon disposed therein. A valve is secured to a tube attached to the REU housing for carbon dioxide to adsorbed and then desorbed by the carbon for cooling the beverage. A dispense gas canister is disposed within the container to automatically release carbon dioxide to maintain a pressure head within the container sufficient to assure dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: A heat exchange unit (HEU) for positioning internally of a container for housing a food or beverage, the HEU including a metal shell having an outer surface, and a metal top section having a skirt, which fits over the outer surface of the metal shell and is permanently secured to said metal shell by an adhesive material, compressed carbon particles are disposed within said metal shell and carbon dioxide gas is adsorbed by said carbon particles and upon activation of a valve secured to said top section desorbs to cool the food or beverage.

Abstract: An over-pressure relief valve for use with a container housing a pressurized medium. The valve includes a hollow housing within which there is first and second valves. The first valve is operable to inject and release the pressurized medium into the container. The said valve is normally closed and is continuously exposed to the pressurized medium and in response to the pressure thereof reaching a predetermined level opens to exhaust the pressurized medium to the atmosphere to relieve the excess pressure.

Abstract: A self-cooling and self dispensing beverage container in the form of a keg which includes a heat exchange unit having a plurality of segments of compressed carbon disposed therein. A valve is secured to a tube attached to the REU housing for carbon dioxide to adsorbed and then desorbed by the carbon for cooling the beverage. A dispense gas canister is disposed within the container to automatically release carbon dioxide to maintain a pressure head within the container sufficient to assure dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for cleaning, sanitizing and recharging a self chilling container having a heat exchange unit including compressed carbon internally thereof including a plurality of sources of cleaning and sanitizing materials connected through a plurality of valves to the container for injecting and exhausting the materials into and from the container. A source of carbon dioxide gas to be injected into said heat exchange unit to be adsorbed by said carbon. A source of chilled fluid and means for circulating the chilled fluid through the container during adsorption of said carbon dioxide gas to remove heat generated thereby.

Abstract: An on-line system for measuring the composition of scrap metal, including a loader with a load sensor having a motion compensator linked to a bulk material analyzer such as a prompt gamma-ray neutron activation analyzer. The grade of scrap used to prepare batches for a melt is controlled to provide a batch having desired properties and composition.

Abstract: A gravity independent space vehicle freezer system which is adapted to provide optimal heat exchange to a medium to be cooled. The space vehicle freezer includes a heat exchange unit located in a housing or cold space, compressor, expander and electric motor. The expander allows the compressed refrigerant to expand at constant entropy instead of constant enthalpy, allowing the refrigerant gas to expand down to a very lower temperature. As a result, the compressed refrigerant can reject heat at a higher temperature prior to expanding to the necessary freezing temperature, thus reducing the size of radiators and providing critical weight and cost savings. The work produced by the expander is directed to the compressor to reduce the work load of the electric motor powering the compressor. The heat exchange unit includes a liner member routing the liquid refrigerant along the heat transfer surface, thereby isolating the evaporation process and overcoming the problem of separating liquid from gas in zero gravity.