Abstract: A multi-station filling apparatus and process for filling bulk containers while simultaneously enabling the deployment and staging of at least one empty container while at least one other container is being filled. The apparatus includes a container filling station operably positioned adjacent a substantially elevated filling chute, a container deployment station, a rotatable carriage and an automatic apparatus controller. The container deployment station is spaced apart from the container filling station so that an operator can attach an empty container thereat either prior to, or during, filling of another container at the container filling station--while avoiding physical exposure to any mechanisms, such as conveyors, associated with the container filling station. The rotatable carriage, which automatically rotates an empty container from the container deployment station toward and into the empty container filling station, includes an outer frame member and displaceable inner frame members.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of filling a flowable product into a succession of receptacles as they pass continuously along a predetermined path is defined by an elongated hollow containment member mounted above the predetermined path which is formed with an axially extending slot therein. A metering screw having a helical thread is mounted for rotation within the containment member and is biased into sealing engagement with the containment member on each side of the slot. A distribution chamber is formed within the containment member substantially around the screw member except that the sealing engagement and the slot whereby flowable products supplied to the distribution chamber when the screw is rotated is distributed through the slot between adjacent screw portions of the screw member and leaves the containment member in a succession of spaced moving streams.

Abstract: A method 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 filling regulator for a liquid storage tank of the type according to which a float is displaced vertically in the float chamber provided in the body of the regulator. The regulator includes a deflector slanted over the inner wall of the body and installed above the gate at a far enough distance above the float chamber to allow the gate to be positioned in the full-open position. The deflector includes slanted, spaced-apart blades which are joined at their lower ends by a protective base.

Abstract: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring the thermal treatment or sterilization of bottles or similar containers in a container-treatment machine that has a transport element that, for treatment at treatment stations, moves containers along a transport section between a container inlet and a container outlet. Thermal treatment of the containers with a hot medium is effected in a portion of the transport section. For monitoring purposes, at least one temperature sensor is provided for measuring the temperature of containers that have been heated up by the hot medium.

Abstract: A readily cleaned liquid transfer system is designed for use with an associated vessel or container, such as a barrel, having therein a liquid to be removed. The system comprises a recirculation loop, a transfer manifold, and a transfer hose for providing flow communication between the transfer manifold and the recirculation loop. The transfer manifold has an inlet port which is located at about the bottom of the barrel, and an outlet port. The recirculation loop which has water flowing therethrough which is used as a diluent, also includes an eductor pump. The eductor pump hydrodynamically drives or draws the liquid in the barrel, through the transfer manifold and the transfer hose, into the recirculation loop. The recirculation loop discharges a blended product to a product tank.

Abstract: A push-button switch keytop includes a flexible resin film deformed in such a manner that the resin film bulges upwardly to form a curved portion that is filled with a molding resin while the resin film is being deformed. The molding resin is allowed to harden to form a keytop body, whereby the top side of the keytop body consisting of the molding resin is integrated with the resin film in a state in which the top side of the keytop body is covered by the resin film. The keytop is manufactured by clamping a resin film between upper and lower molds, charging a molten resin from a pin gate provided on the lower mold into a cavity provided in the lower mold, thereby deforming and urging the resin film upward by pressure and heat produced by the molten resin and causing the resin film to adhere to the inner surface of the upper mold, filling the cavities of the upper and lower molds with the molten resin and separating the upper and lower molds after the resin hardens.

Abstract: An improved filling machine is used for filling like containers with a like measured amount of divided material. The filling machine includes a housing and a drive connected to the housing. A filling turret is mounted in the housing. The filling turret includes a filling tank with a rotatable floor connected to the drive. A plurality of measuring flasks is arranged in a circle in the rotatable floor. Each measuring flask includes an open ended measuring tube and a sleeve telescopically mounted on the tube. The measuring flasks receive divided material from the filling tank. A container support maintains the containers in a horizontal plane. A control selectively lowers and raises the sleeve relative to the respective tube as the containers move with the flasks to measure the amount of divided material to be delivered to the respective container and then deliver the measured divided material into the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for injecting CO.sub.2 gas into a bottled liquid to carbonate or maintain carbonation in the liquid. A valved coupling having a conduit extending there through is screwably attached to a P.E.T. bottle substantially filled with liquid. The valve is depressed .while the bottle is squeezed to remove any excess air in the bottle. Regulated CO.sub.2 gas is then fed through a connector that is attached to the coupling to carbonate the liquid. Once carbonated, the connector is removed while the coupling remains in place to maintain carbonation.

Abstract: A vapor valve for use in conjunction with the fuel dispensing nozzle for capturing vapors returned through the nozzle to a storage area, the nozzle incorporating a body, a spout extending forwardly therefrom, and the nozzle having an operating latch pin and housing for normally providing for opening or shut-off of the nozzle during a dispensing function, a vapor passageway extending through the spout, communicating into the latch pin housing, and extending through the nozzle body for return of vapors back to a storage area, and a latch ring operatively associated with the latch pin and providing for opening or closure to the vapor port of the latch pin housing to furnish its opening while fuel is being dispensed for return of vapors to a storage area, or when the fuel dispensing function is curtailed, providing for an upward shifting of the latch ring within the housing for closure of its associated vapor port and preventing the escape of vapors to the atmosphere.

Abstract: Disposed before and behind stationary contacts 6U and 6L are one pair each of roller contacts 5FM and 5FH, and 5BM and 5BH which are supported collectively at the upper and lower ends thereof by bridge links 4FU and 4FL, and 4BU and 4BL. These paired upper and lower bridge links are then supported by either of support shafts 3F and 3B respectively. The support shafts 3F and 3B for these two pairs of roller contacts and bridge links are supported by a pair of guide shafts 2U and 2L. The guide shafts are loosely engaged with a drive arm 1 and contacting pressure springs 7U and 7L are fitted between the two support shafts.

Abstract: A storage container (12) is filled with a combustible mixture of gases including a flammable gas and a primary gas which contains an oxidizer gas. A fill head (50) has a continuous annular ridge (130) which extends around a gas outlet (132) from the fill head. The ridge (130) indents the material of the storage container (12) around an opening (152) in the storage container through which a flow of gas is directed during filling of a chamber in the storage container to provide a gas tight seal between the ridge and the container.

Abstract: A graphite funnel inserted into a metal funnel support sleeve guides hot glass gobs from a furnace to the glass blowing mold. The graphite insert is adjustable by set screws and is easily repositioned. The graphite insert has an outer diameter slightly less than the metal retainer to allow ambient air to pass upwardly past it.

Abstract: An automatic dispenser for doughy food products, particularly for shop windows displaying ice cream products to be dispensed. The dispenser includes a taking unit which is movable with respect to ice cream containers present in the shop window. The taking unit dispenses a desired portion of ice cream and organizes the sorting, taking and dispensing of the desired portion.

Abstract: An elongate support rod has a handle at one end and damp structure at its other end, with the damp structure arranged for mounting to a light switch lever, wherein the handle is arranged to provide for illumination for indication of the structure, such that a child and the like may be availed to project the structure to effect actuation of an associated light switch member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vapor recovery nozzle with a turbine located in the nozzle. The turbine is driven by the flow of fuel. The turbine rotates an impeller located in the nozzle which draws away the vapor during pumping operations. The nozzle further has a hydraulic system for automatically shutting off the nozzle when fluid is displaced in an accumulator cylinder.

Abstract: An oil reservoir for the supply of oil to an internal combustion engine, the reservoir 50 having an upwardly open filler passage 53 to receive a neck portion 64 of an oil container 64. The reservoir filler passage 53 being closed by a wall 54 spaced inwardly from the open end thereof and an opening 56 is provided in said filler passage wall 54 located to inhibit direct communication between the filler passage 53 and the interior of the reservoir 50. The filler passage 53 is adapted to sealably engage the container neck 65 upon the container neck 65 being inserted into the filler passage 53 a pre-determined extent, and to puncture a closure wall 70 of the container neck 65 after said sealed engagement is established to permit oil to flow from the container 64 through said opening 56 in the filler passage wall 54 into the reservoir 50.

Abstract: A method 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 lightweight combination duck decoy carrier and dog stand is presented. The dog stand is a rectangular platform made of tubular aluminum with plastic webbing across it. Unfolding from the horizontal frame are four legs also made of tubular aluminum. Each pair of legs has a cross support. Also attached to the frame is a lightweight duck decoy net and a shoulder harness. The device may conveniently carry decoys through the wilderness in its folded up position by means of the shoulder harness. Once at the hunting sight, the device is deployed by unfolding the legs and sticking the ends of the legs into the ground. The dog stand is then about three feet from the mud or water level.