Abstract: A circuit for providing a follow-on current between the electrodes of a traveling spark ignitor after an initial break down between the electrodes has occurred is disclosed. The circuit may include first and second portions which, respectively, provide first and second voltages to the ignitor. The first portion may be a conventional ignition circuit. The second portion provides the follow-on current. The second portion may provide the follow-on current as a single discharge or as a multi-stage discharge.

Abstract: An on demand oil dispensing system for motor vehicles including an electric motor driving a gear pump having flow paths including an intake line connected to an oil reservoir and a discharge line having a manual shut-off valve at the end thereof and a pressure sensing switch positioned in the discharge line which cuts off power to the motor and pump when the pressure in the discharge line rises above a set level and a reverse flow check valve in the discharge line upstream of the pressure sensing switch.

Abstract: A filling or replenishment unit is mountable on a first toothpaste tube used for travel ‘travel tube’ and may be moved to extended position to establish communication with a second tube to allow refilling of the first tube from the second.

Abstract: A valve for controlling the flow of a high pressure fluid is provided. The valve provides a reliable way of controlling the flow of high pressure fluids in applications requiring multiple cycles where equipment may be exposed to environmentally harsh conditions, such as high temperatures and pressures.

Abstract: A system for delivering a preset volume of fluid, such as oil, includes a master control station (1) and one or more metering device (8) communicatively linked through a wireless communications network. The master control station (1) provides command signals to enable dispensing of a fluid from the metering device (8) and provides a preset amount of fluid to be dispensed. The metering device (8) is manually activated by a manually-operated lever (14), and is thereafter latched in an open position to dispense lubricant. The amount of lubricant dispensed is metered until the predetermined amount of lubricant is dispensed. After the preset amount is dispensed, the metering device (8) is latched in a closed position, preventing further dispensing until the metering device (8) is again enabled by the central control station (1).

Abstract: A dose counter device for a fluid dispenser, said device comprising counting means (10, 11) actuated by actuating means (20) each time the dispenser is used, said device being characterized in that said counting means comprise at least one flexible rotary counting element (10) applied against and turning on a curved support surface (1, 2).

Abstract: A plasma-collecting devise comprises a blood-filtering element having a blood-drawing needle and a communicating needle, a vacuum blood-drawing tube, and a contracting and expanding element connecting the blood-filtering unit and the vacuum blood-drawing tube. The device enables blood drawing from blood vessel and blood filtering continuously to obtain plasma.

Abstract: An undersea hydraulic coupling member is disclosed having flow ports with concave surface at the outwardly facing ends thereof. The concave surfaces briefly and temporarily disengage the radial seals during engagement or disengagement of the male and female coupling members, thereby reducing wear and damage to radial seals between the coupling members, and allowing trapped seawater to exit or enter the receiving chamber.

Abstract: A writing instrument has an ink containment tube and a pen tip equipped at one end of the ink containment tube with an oily ink contained in the ink containment tube. The oily ink shows pseudo-plasticity fluidity and comprises a colorant, a resin, an organic solvent and a gelling agent.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stabilizing startup gas flow through an MFC supplying reactant gases to a semiconductor system, wherein the method includes receiving a gas setpoint in a tunable activation circuit, determining a desired valve control voltage corresponding to the gas setpoint, and bypassing an MFC valve controller signal. The method further includes ramping a valve control voltage for a flow control valve of the MFC to the desired valve control voltage with the tunable activation circuit, and returning control of the MFC to an MFC valve controller circuit.

Abstract: A mechanism for controlling forces in a valve assembly such as flow induced forces. The valve assembly comprises a valve body defining first and second flow passages. A valve is movable in the valve body along an axis to control fluid flow between the first and the second flow passages. The valve has first and second control edges that are relatively spaced axially and radially such that the valve includes a radially extending surface between the first and second control edges. First and second restrictions are formed between the first and second control edges and the valve body, respectively. The first and second restrictions form a intermediate pressure region such that when the first and second flow passages are at different fluid pressures with fluid flowing past the valve, the intermediate region acts on the radially extending surface of the valve.

Abstract: An EGR valve for use in an engine includes a valve body defining an internal passage for the passage of exhaust gas through the valve and a bearing supported in the passage having a bearing surface including an end portion adjacent to the internal passage, with at least one groove formed within the bearing surface sufficient to create an air pocket that resists fluid intrusion into the bearing. A valve member is movable in the valve body for controlling exhaust gas flow through the passage and includes a shaft supported for reciprocating motion along the bearing surface of the bearing. A lubricious insert may also be provided in the bearing surface of the bearing adjacent the end portion of the bearing surface for inhibiting the formation of coking within the bearing.

Abstract: An input port 2 and an output port 3 opening in orientations at 90° from each other are connected by a flow path 4, a valve seat 7 formed around an input-side connecting hole 5 can be opened and closed from inside the flow path 4 by a valve body 8 provided to a tip end of a valve shaft 9 for moving forward and rearward by operation of fluid pressure, the valve body 8 moves across a front of an output-side connecting hole 6 in opening and closing of the valve seat 7, a diameter of the valve shaft 9 is formed to be equal to or slightly larger than that of the valve body 8, and a stroke of the valve body 8 for opening and closing the valve seat 7 is set at an amount required to fully open the output-side connecting hole 6.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for effectuating sponsor and player driven winning of multiple types of sweepstakes type promotions, contests and games through the unique use of automated game entry, enhanced sharing and trading of game pieces and of an Odds Accelerator that creates variable odds. The present invention provides the unique ability to add real-time variable odds changes to any given sweepstakes or promotion type game involving elements of chance or skill based on pre-determined sponsor rules. The system creates the ability for the players of a given promotion to join together via the system and increase all players' odds of winning a given prize or prizes. The system receives and stores data on its members including the number of elements played, the number of winning elements distributed, the number of losing elements distributed, and any other information required pursuant to set sponsor rules so as to determine the variable nature of a particular game's odds.

Abstract: A weight-based, multiple filler filling machine has a simplified wiring arrangement. The filling machine fills a plurality of bottles with a predetermined amount in weight of an article through associated ones of a plurality of valves. The weight of the article placed in each of the bottles is measured by a load cell. An arithmetic unit is mounted on the surface of or inside each load cell for determining the weight level of the article as measured by that load cell and controlling the associated valve in accordance with the determined weight level.

Abstract: The apparatus has a closed housing (4, 29), one side of the housing (4, 29) being the filling side (13), which, during filling of the container (2), is located opposite an introduction opening (6) provided in said container. The housing (4) has a filling tube (3, 33) passing through it axially in relation to the axis of the introduction opening (6), said filling tube, on the filling side (13), protruding to such an extent that, in the filling position, projects into the introduction opening (6). The interior of the housing (4, 29) is connected to an external arrangement for extracting dust by suction, and the filling side (13) has an air-inlet opening.

Abstract: A laminated end disk construction for food sauce dispensing cartridges and other food containers. A laminated end disk through which food sauce may be dispensed is provided with a valve layer and a support layer. The valve layer includes a plurality of valves, and the support layer includes one or more openings and a kiss cut defining an outer perimeter area and an inner area. A protective patch may be removably attached to the support layer along at least a portion of the outer perimeter. The invention also provides a laminated end disk wherein the ratio of the support area to the dispensing area is less than about 7.

Abstract: A fluid product dispenser having a distribution orifice and a variable volume reservoir that varies by displacement of a mobile wall in order to reduce the volume of the reservoir. The dispenser is provided with an actuation device to move the mobile wall of the reservoir. Advantageously, the actuation device is rotary and has a thread that is engaged with the reservoir.

Abstract: A closure structure for a container includes a cap and a surrounding tamper-evident sleeve. The tamper-evident sleeve is initially engageable with a retaining element of the container located below the cap to prevent axial upward displacement of the sleeve with respect to the container. The sleeve includes a retention member overlying the cap to prevent manipulation of the cap to an open condition. The sleeve includes a frangible feature arranged to be torn to facilitate removal of the sleeve to permit manipulation of the cap to an open condition.

Abstract: A pressurized container A for under-cup charging which comprises a container main body 1 equipped with a bead portion 6 at a periphery of an opening at its upper end, a mounting cup 18 having a curved flange 18d which engages with the bead portion 6, a flexible inner bag which is interposed between the container main body 1 and the mounting cup 18. The inner bag 2 is equipped with a neck portion which abuts tightly against an outer peripheral surface of a rising wall of the mounting cup with predetermined fitting strength and a flange portion 11 which is disposed at the upper end of the neck portion and clamped between the curved flange and the bead portion. The flange portion 11 exhibits a sealing function when pressed to the inner surface of the curved flange 18d with a charging pressure at the time of under-cup charging and also when clamped between the curved flange 18d and the bead portion 6 after assembly.