Abstract: A fuel and vapor control system for motor vehicle applications is disclosed. The fuel and vapor control system regulates the refueling operation to maintain a sufficient vapor dome within the motor vehicle fuel tank to prevent over-filling thereof upon malfunction of a fuel nozzle's automatic shut-off mechanism. The fuel and vapor control system includes a first valve assembly for controlling the flow of fuel vapors to a vapor capture device, a second valve assembly for controlling actuation of the nozzle shut-off mechanism, and a third valve assembly for controlling the delivery of liquid fuel into the fuel tank in response to actuation of the first and second valve assemblies. A fourth valve assembly inhibits the emission of evaporative fuel vapors upon withdrawal of the nozzle from the fill pipe. The various valve assemblies cooperate to inhibit leakage of liquid fuel and vapors from the motor vehicle fuel system upon impact and/or the occurrence of a roll-over situation.

Abstract: An accessory effective to pierce the seal closing the mouth of a bottle when the bottle, filled with a pourable material, is applied in inverted position to a well of a dispenser, with a shoulder of the bottle engaging a rim of the well to support the bottle in inverted position in the well. The accessory is placed in the well of a dispenser and includes a collar placeable against the rim of the well before the bottle is inserted in inverted position into the well. A piercing member is carried by the collar for piercing the bottle seal when the bottle is placed in inverted position into the collar.

Abstract: A dual cam configuration is provided in a container filler machine. The filler machine preferably fills containers from their bottoms and includes at least one filling station assembly, each such assembly including a dispensing assembly and a positioning assembly. For controlling the filling process at each station, the cam configuration includes first and second cam tracks, each track being followed by a cam following assembly. For each station, the machine also preferably includes a single pneumatic cylinder assembly for simultaneously maintaining both cam following assemblies against their respective cam tracks.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for recovering hydrocarbon vapors in fuel delivery systems comprising a proportional throttle valve which is mounted in a vapor recovery line to a tank, with the valve being controlled by an error signal which is a function of the fuel volume flow and the vapor volume flow. Accordingly the vapor volume flow returned by a vacuum pump to the container is controlled. The invention further relates to the structure of the proportional throttle valve, including a tandem piston arrangement.

Abstract: A system and method for loading particulate material into a dispenser. This system includes a dispenser for receiving and dispensing particulate material, and a deflection assembly to deflect particulate material fed into the dispenser. The deflection assembly is located adjacent an inlet of the dispenser, and includes a deflection cone and a plurality of outside fins or ribs. In use, a supply of a particulate material is directed onto the deflection cone, and this cone and the ribs connected thereto then direct that material outward and around the interior of the dispenser.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for the transfer out of a tight enclosure of a fluid solution contained in a polluted container (R1). The transfer is accomplished without removing the polluted container from the enclosure and without breaking the seal of the polluted container. After a clean container (R2) is placed in a receptacle (30) normally isolated from the remainder of the enclosure, the solution is transferred into the clean container (R2) vacuum by a needle. Transfer of the clean container out of the enclosure takes place pneumatically following rotation of a casing containing the receptacle.

Abstract: An overfill safety adapter is provide which is suitable for use on the outlet end of funnel like devices being used to transfer fluid from one container to another to prevent the overfill of the container and spilling of the fluid which includes an elongated frusto conical shaped housing member adapted to be releasably fitted within an opening of a container to be filled having a bore therethrough, the bore of the housing having a conically shaped upper portion adapted to be releasably mounted on an outlet end of a funnel or spout and a substantially cylindrically shaped lower discharge portion which slidably supports a float operably responsive to the level of fluid in a container; and a magnetically operative valve within the bore of the housing which magnetically co-acts with the float to close the flow of fluid through the bore responsive to the level of fluid in a container to be filled.

Abstract: A funnel includes a truncated conical funnel head directed into a cylindrical guide conduit, with the guide conduit and funnel head oriented about a predetermined axis, and wherein a plurality of spaced parallel channels are directed into the funnel head and the guide conduit extending from a lowermost end of the funnel structure to an uppermost end thereof permitting venting when the funnel is directed within an opening of an associated container.

Abstract: A process for preparing a medicinal aerosol formulation containing a propellant that is gaseous at standard temperature and pressure and filling the formulation into a metered dose aerosol canister. The process involves mixing the propellant and the drug at ambient temperature and under pressure sufficient to liquify the propellant to afford a formulation. The formulation is cooled to a temperature sufficiently low to liquify the propellant at atmospheric pressure and filled into aerosol canisters in an environment of controlled humidity. An aerosol valve is placed on each aerosol canister and the finished canisters are removed from the controlled environment.

Abstract: A liquid fuel tank filling and venting device including a hollow body member containing a chamber, an inlet opening for supplying fuel downwardly into the chamber, a fuel outlet opening for supplying fuel from the chamber, and an overflow opening connected with the chamber, each of the fuel outlet and overflow outlets being independently connected with the fuel tank, whereby overflow fuel is returned to the chamber via the overflow outlet. A fuel cap is provided for closing the inlet opening, the fuel cap containing a vent passageway including a removably mounted filter, so that the tank is continuously vented to atmosphere when the fuel cap is in either the open or closed position.

Abstract: A back pack arranged for use by fishermen, to include a first housing for containment of fishing paraphernalia and clothing storage cooperative with a removable fish storage bag for ease of cleaning and manipulation thereof. A bait box having a removable fluid impermeable liner is mounted to a front wall of the housing, with fishing gear pockets mounted to at least one of the side walls of the housing. A rigid framework having a U-shaped base is mounted at an intersection of the floor and side wall and front wall structure of the housing to include parallel frame legs extending at a junction of the rear wall and side walls of the housing terminating in fishing pole mounting tubes. Each of the fishing pole mounting tubes includes a matrix of resilient projections projecting radially into the tubes for securement of a fishing pole during a fishing procedure.

Abstract: An apparatus for unloading fluid, preferably pressurized gas, from containers in a controlled manner that protects the immediate area from exposure to the container contents. The device consists of an unloading housing, which is enclosed within at least one protective structure, for receiving the dispensed contents of the steel container, and a laser light source, located external to the protective structure, for opening the steel container instantaneously. The neck or stem of the fluid container is placed within the sealed interior environment of the unloading housing. The laser light passes through both the protective structure and the unloading housing to instantaneously pierce a small hole within the stem of the container. Both the protective structure and the unloading housing are specially designed to allow laser light passage without compromising the light's energy level. Also, the unloading housing allows controlled flow of the gas once it has been dispensed from the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling containers with a liquid material. The filling machine has a plurality of filling elements that form filling stations. At least one filling station is provided with a flowmeter that cooperates with a control device. On the basis of measurement data delivered by the flowmeter, the control device forms a control value that is used to control the filling stations that do not have a flowmeter.

Abstract: A vapor reduction system for a solvent bottle (12) which is performed in an enclosure (11). A timer (23) controls events during a purge cycle. A vent (14) removes vapors from the enclosure to a vapor treatment system. Pressurized gas is forced through the solvent bottle (12) which vaporizes solvent liquid. A receptacle (16) receives solvent liquid and vapor forced from solvent bottle (12). A line (17) removes to solvent liquid from the receptacle (16) to an environmentally safe container. A second line (18) removes solvent vapor from the receptacle (16) to the vapor treatment system. A fire extinguishing system (31) senses and extinguishes any fire which may develop.

Abstract: A cup is provided with a flexible lip containing a duct having an end provided with a flexible valve which is opened by pinching the lip; the duct communicates with a receptacle containing the beverage and the wall of the receptacle is made from a flexible material so as to expand when a liquid is injected into the receptacle and to exert on the liquid a pressure tending to expel the liquid from the receptacle; a cover is provided for storing the cup and includes a filling and washing area.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for removing gases and liquid from containers. The ice punctures the bottom of a container for purposes of exhausting gases and liquid from the container without their escaping into the atmosphere. The device includes an inner cup or cylinder having a top portion with an open end for receiving a container and a bottom portion which may be fastened to a disposal or waste container in a substantially leak-proof manner. A piercing device is mounted in the lower portion of the inner cylinder for puncturing the can bottom placed in the inner cylinder. An outer cylinder having an open end and a closed end fits over the top portion of the inner cylinder in telescoping engagement. A force exerted on the closed end of the outer cylinder urges the bottom of a can in the inner cylinder into engagement with the piercing device in the bottom of the inner cylinder to form an opening in the can bottom, thereby permitting the contents of the can to enter the disposal container.

Abstract: Means and apparatus for aseptically transferring material between enclosures. Apparatus for transferring the material includes a fluid receiver assembly (12) comprising an adapter (24), and a fitting (93) mounted in the adapter (24). The fitting has a plurality of needle guide channels (86) leading from the outside of the fluid receiver assembly (12) toward the interior of the enclosure (10), and seal means (26) at the ends of the channels (86). Pierceable, self-closing seal means (26) is between ends of each of the channels (86) and the interior of the enclosure. Projected extensions of the channels pass through corresponding holes (40) in the adapter, so that needles (101) inserted into the channels (86) can penetrate the seal means (26) and enter the interior of the enclosure (10). A plurality of needles (101) in a novel needle bundle (95) may be used in making the transfer.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping recovered vapor in a vapor recovery liquid fuel dispenser includes a liquid fuel dispenser apparatus adapted to dispense liquid fuel to a liquid fuel dispenser nozzle proximate a fuel vapor passage. A transducer associated with the dispenser apparatus generates a liquid fuel flow signal indicative of the rate of liquid fuel flow therethrough. A vapor pump driven by an electric motor is arranged to pump vapor from the vapor passage through a vapor pump inlet to a vapor pump outlet and has a characteristic that the flow rate through the vapor pump at a given vapor pump operating speed is inversely proportional to the difference between the vapor pump inlet and outlet pressures. Sensors associated with the inlet and outlet ascertain inlet and outlet pressures and generate signals representative thereof. A controller for the vapor pump includes vapor recovery control electronics and motor drive electronics.

Abstract: The present invention comprises an apparatus and method for removing and otherwise managing the contents of compressed gas cylinders and other hazardous containers. The invention includes a selectively sealable chamber that receives a container to be serviced. A shearing device such as a saw or cutter is provided within the chamber. Once the chamber is sealed, the shearing device engages the cylinder and shears off a portion thereof. Such an operation permits the entire contents of the cylinder to be released into the chamber. A preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a device for manipulating the position of the chamber to facilitate gravitational drainage of the contents. The present invention further includes a decontamination system that delivers decontamination or cleansing fluids to both the interior of the opened cylinder and the chamber. The present invention further includes an evacuation system that removes all gases from the chamber and the cylinder in a environmentally safe manner.

Abstract: An assembly for transferring liquids of varying viscosities ranging from that of water to that of oils or greases utilizes a source of compressed air passed through or past a venturi nozzle to create, respectively, a negative or positive pressure in a transfer container. The container is preferably, but not necessarily, a portable bucket, pail or drum having a removable lid, which lid is fitted with all of the assembly operating components, such as the transfer line, the valve assembly, and the like. The valve assembly can be adjusted to direct the stream of compressed air into the bucket to transfer liquid out; or to direct the stream of compressed air through the venturi nozzle, so that air will be drawn out of the bucket, and the liquid will be transferred into the bucket. Manually operable flow controls are included, and a single inlet/outlet line is also preferably used.