Abstract: Floating roof storage tanks are modified to include a foam surge tank, a low-pressure blower and a foam generator for generating vapor-suppressing foam during withdrawal of liquid from the storage tank and after the floating roof reaches its lowest elevation in the storage tank so that the tank space previously occupied by volatile liquid is provided with a vapor-suppressing foam blanket during liquid withdrawal and refill. The surge tank is mounted directly on the floating roof and discharges its foam through an opening in the roof into the tank storage space. During liquid refill the foam may be forced out through a vent conduit onto the roof of the tank and dissolved and recovered.

Abstract: A safety apparatus for installation to receive and store a liquid hydrocarbon or hydrocarbons, or the like, and from which the liquid may be withdrawn comprising a structure including first and second inner metallic tanks, and an outer metallic housing protectively receiving the inner tanks, the outer housing having a side wall, there being upper interior space above the inner tanks and within the housing the second inner tank located within the first inner tank; the housing including a cover extending over the inner tanks; an opening in the sidewall, and a closure closing the opening, the closure movable to expose the upper interior space to access from the exterior; and control structure below the cover, and accessible through the opening for controlling flow of the liquid into the second tank from the exterior of the safety apparatus.

Abstract: A flexible closed plastic pouch forming an expulsion means for supplying dispensing pressure, holding a product, closed by an aerosol valve. A plurality of pocket members disposed at spaced positions within said pouch with their openings facing the interior of the pouch. Each pocket member having an extension of a predetermined length attached at its end to the interior of first of two facing wall members of the pouch. Each pocket member enclosing a predetermined quantity of first component of a two-component gas generation system and being releasably closed by one of a plurality of closure members, each of said closure members having an extension of a predetermined length attached at its end to the interior of the second of the two facing walls of the pouch.

Abstract: An air-suction nozzle for greatly improving the efficiency of waste disposal by compacting trash-filled bags. The air-suction nozzle has a hub member having an opening to communicate with an air-suction line, an outer tube air-tightly held by the hub member and having perforations, an inner tube held by the hub member concentrically with the outer tube and having at least one perforation at a position close to the hub member and communicating with the opening in the hub member, and a plug member sealing and holding the outer and inner tubes concentric at the respective ends remote from the hub member. The air inside a trash-filled plastic bag can be sucked out through the nozzle inserted into the bag without sucking of water even when the trash is wet.

Abstract: A toner pack for use with the developing device includes a toner box in which toner is stored and which is detachably set at the developing device, an endless seal sheet a portion of which is peelably bonded to the toner box to cover an opening of the toner box, a flat cylindrical cover member through which that portion of the endless seal sheet which does not cover the opening of the toner box is freely movably passed, and a pull portion which is freely movably passed through the cover member and one end of which is made continuous from the endless seal sheet.

Abstract: A holster for a bow string release or other tool comprises a base mountable on the inner forearm of a user and an elongate carrier pivotally connected to the base for free swinging movement from a position overlying the base and the user's forearm to a position projecting forward from the base along the user's hand. The free end of the carrier carries the bow string release. The base and the carrier have inter-engageable latches for releaseably retaining the carrier in a stowed position overlying the base, and an actuator has a portion projecting laterally for selectively releasing the latches. A load bearing strap is attached to the carrier on an outer portion thereof, which can telescope with respect to an inner portion.

Abstract: Cups stored in the automatic vending machine are released and dropped from a cup supply unit to a cup holding unit one at a time and drink is injected thereinto as selected by a customer. The cup holding unit holding the cup filled with drink is transported approximately horizontally by a front/back cup transport unit to a vertical cup transport unit. As the vertical cup transport unit lifts the cup upward, the vending door is opened to expose to the customer the upper portion of the cup out of the cup outlet, as if the cup were sitting on a counter table in the front of the vending machine.

Abstract: An ice cube funnel which has a combination receptacle and funnel where the ice cube funnel is contemplated to slide onto the lip of an ice tray creating a hood above ice cubes in the ice tray such that the tray may be flipped upside down and pressed to release ice cubes into said hood. The hood includes a funnel portion such that when tilted, directs cubes down a chute and into a receptacle such as a glass.

Abstract: By employing two independent, separate and distinct flow paths which are controllably sequentially opened during use in a single actuation operation, an error-free, spill-free flame and explosion proof liquid delivery/filling system is achieved. In the preferred embodiment, both flow paths are normally maintained in a closed, sealed configuration, requiring an actuation force to controllably, sequentially open the flow paths. In addition, by providing a cooperating, mating liquid transfer assembly, the container on which the liquid delivery/filling system is mounted can be refilled with safety and ease, completely eliminating spillage of the liquid. In this way, a fully integrated, cooperating, liquid flow controlling system is realized. Furthermore, a process for distributing toxic chemicals is disclosed which provides full control over the chemicals being distributed and prevents unwanted spillages, misuse, and mishandling of the chemicals in an unpressurized, gravity fed system.

Abstract: A drain funnel for directing oil or transmission fluid from the oil pan or transmission of a vehicle to a collecting pan or receptacle. The drain funnel is characterized by a tapered body portion having a top rim which mounts multiple socket supports that support a socket in the center of a circle defined by the top rim. The socket is fitted with a plug receptacle or with threads for receiving a companion threaded plug receptacle for engaging an oil pan, crankcase or transmission drain plug on the vehicle and seating the drain plug in the plug receptacle or in a recessed cage in the plug receptacle to prevent the drain plug from falling through the funnel. In a preferred embodiment a funnel nipple is provided at the bottom end of the tapered funnel body and is threaded to receive a drain hose for draining the oil or transmission fluid into the collecting pan or receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing the fuel form the fuel tank of a liquid fuel powered vehicle and discharging the fuel into bulk storage tanks includes a pump that is selectively actuatable for pumping liquid fuel and having an inlet that is connected with a hose having a portion of sufficient length and flexibility to be inserted into the fuel tank of a vehicle. The hose is adapted to extend through the vehicle's filler pipe to the bottom of the tank. The pump has a liquid discharge conduit for connection to a fuel storage tank. A fuel meter is provided that is adapted to measuring the quantity of liquid being discharged by the pump into the discharge conduit. The hose may include a shutoff valve, which may be an automatic shutoff valve of the type used at gasoline stations.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a safety release disconnection for a fluid conduit. The connection includes a pin and a U-shaped slot with an ejector spring adjustably biased by a loading nut. Check valves are provided in both connection elements and are opened by contact or interfacing of the valves. A rigid moment arm points in a direction perpendicular to the direction that a vehicle pulls away from the filling stand. A pull away while the system is connected to the vehicle will trigger the safety release disconnection.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle includes a nozzle body and a projecting spout and surrounding bellows which define a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage connected to corresponding concentric passages within flexible coaxial hoses. The body supports a manually actuated control valve within the fuel passage, and a pressure responsive check valve is also located within the fuel passage adjacent the spout. The check valve includes a valve member normally biased against a tapered valve seat, and a first venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat to control a pressure responsive diaphragm mechanism for automatically closing the manually actuated valve when fuel blocks a suction vent line within the of the spout. A second venturi suction passage extends from the valve seat through the nozzle body and connects with a fuel evacuation passage within a flexible tube which extends downwardly into the vapor passage within the coaxial hoses.

Abstract: A liquid spillage control apparatus is disclosed having a liquid holding chamber divided by a partition into a liquid transfer portion and a liquid retaining portion. A liquid spill transfer pipe connects the fuel holding chamber with a liquid tank. Overflow liquid passes through the liquid spill transfer pipe and the liquid transfer portion, over the partition and into the liquid retaining portion of the liquid holding chamber.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for filling motorcycle front forks comprising, a horizontally planar platform for positioning proximate a motorcycle front fork. Mounted upon the platform are a tubular, vertically adjustable dipstick, a hand pump and a reservoir. The dipstick is vertically adjusted to the correct level of fork fluid in the reservoir. The front fork is then overfilled with fork fluid. Excess fork fluid is then pumped out of the fork by the hand pump into the reservoir. Flow of fork fluid automatically ceases when the correct level of fork fluid is attained because the end of the dipstick will then be above the level of fork fluid in the motorcycle front fork.

Abstract: A system of cleaning a drain by opening a container within a dispenser and dispensing drain cleaner from the container, through an outlet of the dispenser, and into the drain. The dispenser may have an upwardly extending pin for opening the container. Alternatively, the dispenser may have a cutter for opening an angled end of the container. In another alternative, the container may include a plug and a cooperating stem for opening the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of cleaning a drain by unlocking and opening a container within a dispenser and dispensing drain cleaner from the container, through an outlet of the dispenser, and into the drain. The dispenser may have an upwardly extending pin for opening the container. Alternatively, the dispenser may have a cutter for opening an angled end of the container. In another alternative, the container may include a plug and a cooperating stem for opening the bottom of the container. A mechanism for locking the dispenser in an unused state is included in the dispenser.

Abstract: A hollow tube attachable at one end to a container of fluid is provided at the other end with an end cap in which is formed a fluid discharge opening through which to transfer fluid. The end cap includes a first portion inserted into the tube, while a second portion remains exterior thereto. A slide valve on the exterior of the tube is biased into a closed position, precluding fluid transfer until the discharge opening is inside a receiving vessel. An air vent passageway in the form of an air vent recess in the outer surface of the first portion of the end cap communicates between the interior of the container and the exterior of the fluid conduit. When the receiving vessel is filled, fluid in the receiving vessel closes entry to the air vent passageway, terminating air flow into the container and stopping fluid flow through the conduit. Capillary sections of reduced cross-sectional area relative that of the air vent passageway are located at either end of the air vent recess.

Abstract: An apparatus is used to focus a stream of pressurized air into an oil filter thereby opening any one way valve in the oil filter and forcing the waste oil out of the oil filter. The oil is then drained into a sealed oil barrel. The apparatus consists of an inlet funnel at the top, a fluid collection convergence funnel and a threaded hollow discharge spigot at the bottom of the funnel, which is designed for convenient attachment into a threaded open port of a standard oil drum. The throat of the fluid collection convergence funnel above the inlet of the discharge spigot has a chamber which is fitted with a hollow threaded holder for retaining a used oil filter cartridge. The chamber has passages for directing the pressurized air connected to a conventional general service compressed air hose fitted with an on/off trigger valve. The passages connect to the inlet passages on the retained oil filter cartridge.

Abstract: An alignment guide for hypodermic syringes for facilitating the withdrawal of fluid samples from one or more bottles. The guide assures perpendicular puncturing of a serum bottle septum and provides for easy disassembly for cleaning. The syringe alignment guide includes an inner tube concentrically disposed inside of a tubular housing. The inner tube has first and second ends, and an internal bore for receiving a hypodermic syringe barrel. The first end of the inner tube includes a means for mounting a hypodermic syringe and a means for removably securing the inner tube within the tubular housing. The second end of the inner tube includes a means for mounting a fluid-containing bottle which extends co-axially from the second end of the inner tube and comprises a plurality of protrusions.