Abstract: Apparatus for quick, clean and convenient changing of the oil or other fluids of a vehicle of particular use to the "do-it-yourselfer." The apparatus is sized so as to fit under most vehicles when resting on one side thereof and is provided with a pivoting extensible arm having a funnel mounted on the end thereof for collecting the fluid that is mounted in a recess in one side thereof so as not to catch on the undercarriage of the vehicle when slid under or out from under the vehicle. Once positioned, the funnel is raised into close approximation with the oil drain plug, oil filter neck, or other location from which fluid is to be collected, and the fluid is drained into the funnel and directed down through the arm into the container. The container is then stood upright for dispensing the stored oil or other fluid through a valve, which is also recessed in the container, into a larger recycling or other collection facility.

Abstract: A user friendly vapor recovery nozzle with special signaling devices to signal and assure the customer of proper delivery of fuel and return flow of hydrocarbon vapors. In the preferred embodiment, the signaling devices include both a fuel flow indicator and a vapor flow indicator. The flow indicators can comprise one or more fuel and vapor driven balls, paddle wheels, propellers, spinners, blades, or vanes. In the preferred form, the vapor recovery nozzle has an inner fuel spout to discharge gasoline into a customer's tank and has an outer spout which cooperates with the inner spout to provide a vapor return passageway to return vapors emitted during fueling to a vapor return hose. The nozzle has a liquid sensing tube in the vapor return passageway to sense when the customer's tank is filled. An automatic shutoff valve cooperates with the liquid sensing tube to shutoff the supply of gasoline when the customer's tank is filled.

Abstract: A video camera carrying case has an accessory accommodating portion with a reinforcing member detachably fastened to a video camera accommodating portion by a fastening member. The tightness with which the accessory accommodating portion is fastened to the video camera accommodating portion is changed by the fastening member, thereby improving the portability of the video camera carrying case.

Abstract: A process for continuously filling a fluid into a plurality of closed bags joined together in the form of an elongated sheet made of two superposed plastics films, the sheet having a baglike flat fluid inlet tube extending longitudinally thereof and formed by heat-sealing the films, the bags being arranged side by side along at least one side of the inlet tube and joined to one another and to the tube, each of the bags being provided inside thereof with a check valve of plastics film adjacent to the tube, the inlet tube being in communication with the bags individually only through a fluid channel of the check valve in each bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for densifying a flexible bulk container with dry or semi-moist flowable material broadly includes a method and apparatus whereby the container and its contents are relatively gradually lifted and then relatively rapidly dropped onto a stop member such as an impact anvil, serving to densify the material contents of the container, or by alternatively compressing the contents thereof for maximum concentration of the container's contents. The apparatus broadly includes a frame which is positioned on top of a load cell or other weighing apparatus, a container supporting member such as a deck, and an impact member such as a post which serves to isolate the load cell from the impact of the container on the impact member. The filling apparatus is constructed whereby the contents of the container may be weighed during densification thereof so that the container may be rapidly and accurately filled without the need to remove it for weighing or to interrupt the densification process.

Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the pressure of the CNG in the vehicle tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for simultaneously filling adjacent sides of a window spacer frame with a desiccant material is characterized by a fill head having a discharge port in communication with a desiccant chamber, a releasable clamping device for clamping the open ends of the adjacent sides in alignment with the discharge port, and the chamber is pressurized with air to force the desiccant material through the discharge port for a time interval necessary to fill the sides of the spacer frame. An air conveyor is provided to induce the flow of desiccant material from a reservoir for the purpose of periodically refilling the desiccant chamber when empty, and a filter system in the air conveyor will separate the desiccant material from the air stream while permitting the air stream to be exhausted to atmosphere during the filling operation.

Abstract: A control system and method for controlling deflation operations in a CTIS (10, 200). During deflation to a selected pressure (P.sub.D), the tires will be deflated to a target pressure (P.sub.T) lower than the selected pressure and then inflated to the selected pressure.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for controlling the dispensing of fluid, particularly hazardous or flammable fluids, such as automobile gasoline. A recurring problem is the dispensing, particularly by untrained members of the public, into unsuitable or unapproved containers or into no container at all, which can cause leakage, fire, damage to the container, or environmental or health hazards. The invention detects the presence of a container closely adjacent to the outlet of the pump or other dispenser and attempts to determine whether a detected container is of a suitable type by generating a field, such as an electromagnetic field, and measuring the reaction of the container to the field, thus identifying information about selected physical characteristics of the container, such as its metallic or non-metallic material composition. Unless a suitable container is detected in a predetermined position, the invention will block dispensing of the fluid.

Abstract: A temporary sealing device for sealing a waste discharge conduit from an RV to an inlet receptacle of a waste receiving reservoir. The sealing device includes an inflatable bladder which is mounted so as to be positionable between the discharge conduit and the receptacle. A pump inflates the bladder to a size which seals the opening between the receptacle and the conduit to inhibit removal of the conduit and prevent the discharge of waste therearound. The sealing device is also provided with a valve which allows the bladder to be deflated after the transfer of waste and permits the conduit to be withdrawn from the receptacle.

Abstract: An improved method for storage of a first adsorbable gas is disclosed employing a more strongly adsorbed gaseous material. The first adsorbable gas is stored in a bed of solid adsorbent particles after already having adsorbed the more strongly adsorbable gas which causes less of the first adsorbable gas to be retained when being desorbed from the storage medium.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a dust free environment in the filling and discharge of bins and other containers is disclosed. The apparatus includes a dual seal which seals directly against a gate assembly. The invention also provides for the introduction of air between inner and outer seals to prevent contaminants from reaching the product. Dust covers are employed on the fill station and discharge station and also on the fill and discharge ends of the bin.

Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for continuously deaerating and compacting flowable materials for transportation and storage in containers includes a first rotatable chamber valve for receiving the flowable materials. Attached to the rotatable chamber valve is a fixed position chamber connected to a vacuum source for receiving the flowable materials from the first rotatable chamber and for deaerating the flowable materials. The fixed position chamber is in turn connected to a second rotatable chamber valve for receiving the deaerated flowable materials from the fixed position chamber, maintaining the materials in a vacuum, then returning the materials to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously as the valve rotates to compact the deaerated materials into a substantially solid mass.

Abstract: A vapor recovery process signals to customers the presence of flow of gasoline or other liquid fuel and the return flow of vapors. In the preferred process, a customer's tank is fueled with a vapor recovery nozzle. Vapors emitted during fueling are collected by the nozzle and passed to a vapor return hose and then into a storage tank. A vapor flow indicator on the nozzle signals flow of vapors passing through the nozzle. A separate fuel flow indicator in the nozzle signals fueling, i.e., passing a fuel through the nozzle into the customer's tank.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filling liquid into containers subject to counter pressure, parts of the apparatus which could initiate turbulences are located out of the path of liquid flow. The displacement of the part out of the path of flow is significant in beverages containing fruit pulp and in other beverages. The apparatus includes springs providing weight compensation for a movable valve body and a gas valve. These springs are located above the liquid level in the vessel and bear against an abutment face on the valve body and on the gas valve.

Abstract: The machine for the dosage and introduction of powder products into containers comprises a vertical central shaft, a sleeve guided on the central shaft and a pipe guided on the sleeve. The shaft, the sleeve and the pipe are movable along strokes which are appropriately mutually synchronized. At, least two series of dosage tubes are associated with the pipe and slidably accommodate pistons defining dosage chambers. Actuation cams are provided for actuating in succession the descent stroke of the sleeve and the pipe so as to cause the insertion of the series of tubes in respective annular channels of a hopper mounted around the sleeve in order to fill the dosage chambers with doses of product which are discharged into a plurality of containers after lifting the tubes out of the hopper.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a receptacle with a divided solid product by a dispersion head comprises plates which rotate about an axis dispersing into the receptacle at various distances from the axis particles of the solid product which flow over the plates.

Abstract: A supply plenum connected to a source of compressed natural gas (CNG) and a control valve assembly for selectively turning on the flow of CNG through a sonic nozzle and out through a dispensing hose assembly. Pressure and temperature transducers connected to the supply plenum measure the stagnation pressure and temperature of the CNG and the ambient temperature, and a pressure transducer fluidically connected to the vehicle tank via the dispensing hose assembly monitors the discharge pressure of the CNG.

Abstract: A method and system for transfer of fluids, such as paint, using a fluid canister carried by a transfer device, such as a robot, instead of having paint lines connected to a delivery device, such as a spray gun, carried by the robot. A novel mechanism for initially docking and then filling the canister from a fluid outlet of a pressurized source of fluid without straining the robot is provided. Also, a novel mechanism for cleaning the canister between canister fillings is provided so that paint colors can be changed without loss of productive robot time. In one embodiment, the canister is integrated with the robot. Also, a novel, non-contact sensor is provided for providing a signal to allow the metering of the paint entering or/and discharged from the canister.