Abstract: A seeding device to dispense seed suspended in a gel or other carrier medium in either a continuous stream or discrete pulses. A coulter opens a furrow of earth to the proper depth and seed carried in a gel or other suspension medium is delivered in a pulsed or continuous stream into the furrow which is then covered with earth by a trailing coverer. An auger delivers the seed in suspension and the speed of the auger is controlled to vary the volume of seed and gel or other suspension medium delivered. Circumferentially spaced cam lobes on a drive wheel control the frequency and therefore the row spacing of the seed suspension medium distributed in the pulse delivery mode.

Abstract: The invention is an improved design for a paper supply cassette for use in a copying apparatus. The paper supply cassette includes an arrangement to settle the positional relation between the leading end of the copy paper inside the cassette and the paper supply mechanism within the copy apparatus. The copy paper cassette and copy apparatus designed to permit the insertion of the cassette into the apparatus without the necessity of having to open the front cover of the apparatus.

Abstract: A sheet feed device for use with a sheet feed tray of the type having a movable bottom plate and a tray cover holds the bottom plate in a raised, sheet feed position whenever the tray cover is closed, and in a lowered, sheet supply position whenever it is open. A reversible motor is drivably connected by gears or a sprocket and chain device to an arm which is adapted to raise and lower the bottom plate. The motor is controlled responsive to an output of a tray cover position sensor which senses an open position and a closed position of the tray cover.

Abstract: A removable hygienic hand pump adapter or adapter mechanism for dispensing liquids or semi-liquids from a container comprises a body having a bore and of a shape to fit around a container with a neck. A hand pump on the body includes a manually flexible outer wall defining an air chamber. A cover assembly upon the body has a cap portion snugly positioned over the neck and has an outlet. An extension tube which is integral with the cap portion extends into the container. A flexible collapsed bladder is mounted at its neck around the tube, extends along the tube and is adapted to expand along the interior of the container upon application of pressurized air from the pump to progressively dispense all the contents of the container.

Abstract: An improved fluid dispensing system for use in dispensing beverages including unitary fluid filter cartridge adapted to be immersed in fluid to be dispensed, the fluid filter cartridge including a cannister having inlet and outlet openings in the lower end thereof, a filter septum in the filter cartridge connected to the outlet, adsorptive material disposed in the cartridge, a check valve controlled vent opening in the upper end of the cannister, and a riser stack connected to the check valve controlled vent opening.

Abstract: The method of and apparatus for reducing oxidation and evaporation of coffee in a wide-mouth decanter, such as those primarily intended for use with automatic coffee makers, by way of providing a cover for the wide mouth thereof, and in which there is provided a pour spout extending within the coffee decanter, the ingress orifice of the pour spout opening within the lower fourth of the coffee decanter, and the vent opening thereof being of a cumulative area such that the vapor pressure of heated coffee in the decanter exceeds atmospheric pressure to substantially create a vapor seal thereacross.

Abstract: S-shaped opening and closing element for controlling the flow of a fluid or body (powder, granulate) and adaptable to any form of package or fitting containing fluids, characterized in that its shape in two S-bends permits both an instantaneous stoppage of the flow of the fluids and an instantaneous flow of said fluids; this, as a function of the given position, by manual or mechanical traction on the element. The S-shape ensures very effective fluid-tightness, without supplementary elements. The opening and closing element can be employed for controlling flow from a container having a supporting device for the element. The container can have more than one compartment.

Abstract: A child resistant dispensing closure having a pourout style spout that is telescopically mounted on a cylindrical extension of the closure. The closure is described with two embodiments of a push-pull spout. In both cases the closure threads onto a container finish and a pourout spout of the push-pull type is mounted on a cylindrical extension of the closure. The closure extension has a side opening adjacent the closed upper end through which the contents may be dispensed. The spout effectively closes the opening when in assembled form. Interengaging beads and lugs formed on the exterior of said closure and interior of said spout define the only relative rotational position that permits the spout being pulled up on the closure to uncover the opening therein. The proper rotational position is indicated when indicia on the spout and closure are aligned.

Abstract: A dispenser for the individual portioned dispensing of tablets (1), pastes or the like, having a housing pipe (2) which is provided at one end with a delivery opening (6) and, opposite same, is equipped with a push bottom (13) for transporting of the material to be dispensed in the direction towards the delivery opening (6), which push bottom (13) can be displaced stepwise in the direction towards the delivery opening by means of an actuating handle which is adjacent the delivery opening and is connected to the push bottom. In order to obtain a favorable accommodation for the material to the dispensed, the bar connection between actuating handle (9) and push bottom (13) extends along the inner surface of the housing pipe wall, leaving the inside of the housing pipe (2) free.

Abstract: A gas-blow casting nozzle has an annular gas-blowing hollow chamber with a gas-permeable part which is provided between the hollow chamber and the pouring hole of the nozzle body, and a number of joint parts for integrally joining the inner wall and the outer wall of the hollow chamber, which are provided in the radial direction of the annular hollow chamber. The total of the vertical section of the cylindrical area of the joint parts is about 30% to 70% of the cylindrical area of the hollow chamber. The gas-blowing hollow chamber which has the function of a heat-insulating layer is so constructed that the inner wall and the outer wall of the hollow chamber are partially and uniformly joined with the joint parts, and the joint parts are made to have the function of a heat-transfering layer, whereby the temperature difference in the radial direction of the nozzle body may be made small and the occurrence of thermal stress in the casting nozzle may be prevented.

Abstract: A dispenser of products having a varying degree of viscosity includes a longitudinal and hollow body of circular cross-section, upon which there is mounted a funnel. The hollow body contains in a rear part thereof a piston which is arranged to push forward an assembly of movable elements including a cross-piece, a piston, a sleeve and a resilient split ring, so as to expel a product dose through a cone formed with holes and loosely lined in the interior thereof with an elastic membrane. The movable elements are returned to their initial position by the force of a spring. The cone is extended by a pouring spout, which in turn carries a tube provided with a distributor cone.

Abstract: An adjustable piston packing expander for use with conventional caulking gun piston assemblies is disclosed. The packing expander threads onto the piston rod and includes a frusto-conical expansion surface which contacts the inner surface of the packing wherein advanced threading of the packing expander onto the piston rod will adjustably expand the packing into sealing engagement with the gun barrel walls. A set screw locks the packing expander in adjustment relative to the packing. A lock washer keyed to the square piston rod and interlocked to a rear piston rod washer having locking pins extending into the packing and forming a part of the piston assembly interlocks the packing against motion relative to the piston rod.

Abstract: A housing assembly has an upright back with side channels which carry a cartridge supporting bracket on which is mounted a removable liquid soap cartridge. A casing hinged at the bottom to the back and snapped to the top of the back, encompasses the cartridge and bracket when the casing is closed. A squeese nozzle connected to the cartridge protrudes out of the bottom of the casing and is activated when a plunger on the casing is depressed toward the bracket to squeeze the nozzle, therebetween.

Abstract: An automatic document feeder for an electrophotographic copying machine comprises a plurality of document trays each for piling a plurality of documents thereon, a plurality of document exhaust trays each for receiving the documents, document exhaust rollers rotating to transport the documents into one of the plurality of document exhaust trays, and a switching gate for selecting the way of transporting the documents into anyone of the plurality of document exhaust trays. A document transport belt is provided for transporting the documents. The document exhaust rollers and the document transport belt can be driven in bidirectional directions.

Abstract: The invention includes a method and apparatus for controlling the concentration of wash water in a ware washing machine. A preferred ware washing machine (10) includes a reservoir (11) for holding wash water, a normally closed valve (17) for directing clean water to a dry detergent supply (13), an electrodeless conductivity cell (12) for monitoring the conductivity of the ware washing solution, and a controller for activating the normally closed valve (15) in response to the difference between the measured concentration and the actual concentration. A preferred concentration controller includes an adjustable amplifier (48) which provides an amplified concentration signal which is equal to a reference signal when the concentration of the solution is equal to the desired concentration.

Abstract: In connection with a beverage dispensing machine, an automatic self-fill control apparatus for the machine for controlling the filling of the liquid tank, which liquid tank is fed with a combination of water and a concentrate syrup adapted to be mixed with the water within the tank. A sensor member is disposed in the tank in a position so as to be responsive to the rise and fall of liquid in the tank. Pump means are provided adapted to pump the syrup to the tank. Control of water flow to the tank is also carried out. The sensor member has a low probe for detecting a low predetermined level of liquid in the tank and a high probe for detecting a high predetermined level of liquid in the tank and adapted to respectively generate low and high probe signals.

Abstract: Improvements in bulk storage and handling systems of the type utilizing an inflatable membrane silo liner are disclosed. Included with the inflatable membrane are means for conforming the membrane to the silo or bin walls and means for substantially completing discharge of materials by a bin. The unique features disclosed are equally applicable to bins or silos having central or side discharge openings. Means are provided for avoiding discharge blockage by a membrane and improper membrane positioning during deflation. The invention further provides means for avoiding membrane damage due to improper loading techniques and means for avoiding excessive pressure buildup which might damage the membrane.

Abstract: A pour spout container with a pour spout which may be pulled out of the container is disclosed as including a container (10) and a pour spout (24, 48). The sealing cap (20, 50) is provided for sealing the container and the pour spout. Threads (16, 22) are formed between the cap and a container neck (12). Threads (30, 32) are formed between an inner cap (20a, 50a) and pour spout (24, 48). Turns of threads (30, 32) are greater than the turns of threads (16, 22) so that the sealing cap may be removed from the container while remaining attached to the pour spout. Grasping of the cap may be utilized to extend the pour spout fully from the container without contacting the pour spout which has been in contact with the fluid in the container. Thereafter the cap may be removed from the pour spout for dispensing fluid. For this purpose, the pour spout is prevented from turning relative to the container so that unthreading thereof can be accomplished without grasping the pour spout.

Abstract: In a document processing facility whose operation is initiated by user-associated authorization cards which can be plugged into a badge reader, a deposit stacker which is not accessible from the outside is provided below the output stacker. A document seating surface is provided in this output stacker, this document seating surface being movable by a drive device back and forth between a document output position and a deposit position, whereby, in the deposit position, an opening in the deposit stacker is exposed, the documents falling into the deposit stacker after being released by braking elements provided in the output stacker.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing carbonated beverages and the like from a container has a body portion adapted to replace a screw top cap of the container. The body portion includes a tube which will project into the ullage volume of the container and will vent to the atmosphere via a normally closed vent valve. A normally closed fluid valve is disposed in the body portion between a fluid chamber and a spout. In use the container having the body portion attached thereto is essentially inverted and supported in a stand. A dispensing lever attached to the body is depressed and sequentially opens the vent valve and the fluid valve permitting the beverage to flow through the fluid chamber, the fluid valve and the spout by gravity.