Abstract: A booster pilot valve operable at ultra low power levels is provided. The booster valve includes a moveable spool capable of directing a fluid flow to at least two different paths. The booster valve may be coupled to a piezotronic three-way valve, which controls the movement of the spool by redirecting a main fluid flow along different paths to create a force on the spool. The piezotronic valve is capable of actuation at very low power levels such as might be provided by a Profibus PA or other Bus system.

Abstract: A bag-in-box container includes a faucet for dispensing liquid from the container upon tipping or other movement of the container. The faucet includes a body defining a bore. A valve seat and valve member are located in the bore. The valve member includes a resilient seal portion normally resiliently biased into sealing engagement with the valve seat to inhibit air flow into the bag of the container. The resilient seal portion is selectively deflectable away from the valve seat under fluid pressure to allow flow of liquid from the inlet of the bore to the outlet of the bore when said box is moved to a position where liquid in the bag exerts pressure on the seal portion.

Abstract: A container assembly includes a cover cap mounted detachably and sealingly on a container. The cover cap has a pump-mounting wall portion defining a pump-receiving chamber, an inlet formed in the pump-mounting wall portion and in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and a storing space of the container, and a valve-mounting wall portion defining an opening which is in fluid communication with the storing space and the atmosphere. A pump member is disposed movably and sealingly in the pump-receiving chamber, and has an outlet in fluid communication with the pump-receiving chamber and the atmosphere. An urging member urges the pump member away from the inlet. First and second check valves are respectively mounted on the cover cap and the pump member for closing the inlet and the outlet of the pump-receiving chamber, respectively. An air-inlet valve is mounted on the pump member for closing the opening in the cover cap, and is operable to uncover the opening in the cover cap.

Abstract: A shower stall pan that includes an integrally molded threshold “curb” with reinforcing ribs to provide sufficient strength for direct installation into the shower structure. The reinforcing ribs are integrally molded into the shower pan structure, which includes the threshold curb. The use of reinforcing ribs under the curb obviates the requirement to use additional framing under the curb portion of the shower pan, and decreases the time, effort and skill required to install the shower pan and thereby decrease the time and effort in constructing a shower stall.

Abstract: A manually operated liquid foaming dispenser is attached to the top of a container of liquid and is manually vertically reciprocated to dispense the liquid from the container as a foam. The dispenser includes a liquid pump chamber and an air pump chamber that respectively pump liquid and air under pressure to a discharge passage of the pump where the liquid and air are mixed, generating the foam dispensed from the dispenser. The air pump chamber has a tube valve controlling the discharge of air from the air pump to the discharge passage, and the air pump chamber is charged with air by opening the air pump chamber to the exterior environment of the dispenser.

Abstract: A pistol grip hose nozzle is disclosed which allows proportional water control in accordance with the position of a rotatable valve. The hose nozzle has a handgrip section with an inlet water passage and an outlet section with an outlet water passage. One end of the handgrip section is connectable with a hose. The other end of the inlet water passage ends in a valve seat with an aperture. The valve seat contains a valve having a flow control cylinder. The flow control cylinder has a non-circular opening which when aligned with the aperture allows water to flow to the outlet water passage. The flow control cylinder is attached to a control knob which allows a user to grip the hand grip portion and rotate the control knob and the flow control cylinder to vary the water flow. The non-circular opening allows the amount of water flow to the outlet water passage to be linearly proportional to the rotational position of the control knob.

Abstract: A system for reading training for improving a subject's reading speed and comprehension. The reader reads aloud into a microphone attached to an amplifier and headset. The amplifier filters out the low frequency sounds and emphasizes the high and mid-range frequency sounds as the sounds are directed to the reader's dominant ear, which allows the reader to listen attentively with his or her dominant ear, clarifying perception and speeding the listening process. The reader is taught reading protocol, such as emphasizing, pronunciation, articulation, breathing, pausing. The reader intermittently looks into a mirror placed strategically so that he or she can observe posture and lip movement and make adjustments to these reading protocol components. The reader repeats the reading aloud and feedback until reading speed and comprehension are improved to the desired level. The reading improvement training system (inclusive of training tools and method of using the tools) improves reading skills, e.g.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dosing pump for dispensing two or more liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes, and adapted to be connected to two or more containers for said two or more as liquids, gels, slurries and/or pastes. The dosing pump may comprise an operating button, and two or more liquid, gel, slurry and/or paste dispensing assemblies. Each such assembly may comprise an actuator which is in mechanical contact with said operating button, so that each actuator, on each dispensing assembly, is simultaneously or nearly simultaneously actuated by movement of said operating button. The dosing pump of the present invention may have a flap valve assembly situated within plates between the liquid, gel slurry and/or paste assembly, and the container, which carries the liquid, gel, slurry and/or paste.

Abstract: A fluid dispensing system includes a housing surrounding a tank holding a vehicle fluid. A control assembly is housed in the housing and operationally coupled to a pump assembly for permitting dispensing of the vehicle fluid upon insertion of a pre-determined amount of currency into a currency collection assembly. Additional features include a cover member coupled to the housing using a spindle lock and a channel, a holster in the cover panel for holding a free end of a dispensing hose, free standing embodiment using a base, a main mounting bracket formed to accommodate coupling to existing surfaces, and a transmitter and associated hardware for monitoring fluid levels and usage from a remote location.

Abstract: The present invention provides for the needleless delivery of selected agents to target tissues within a subject body by providing the agents in one or more high-energy jets or streams directed against selected wall or surface regions of such tissues. One general embodiment of the apparatus includes (i) an elongate jacket having (a) proximal and distal ends, (b) a lumen extending between such ends, and (c) a blunt, distal-end face defining one or more outlet ports in fluid communication with the lumen; (ii) an introduction port for feeding such agent(s) into the lumen; and (iii) a pump communicating with a proximal end of the jacket. The pump is operable to generate an increased pressure within the lumen such that an agent introduced therein will be propelled out of the distal outlet port(s), thereby forming respective high-energy, narrow, fluid jets or streams capable of penetrating a selected tissue.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for switching a supply to a process from a first vessel to a second vessel. Liquid is flowed from the first vessel through a first outlet conduit through a vessel selection valve, including first and second switch valves, to the process. A conductivity sensor measures the conductivity level of the liquid in the first outlet conduit at a point upstream of the selection valve and a computer compares the conductivity level to a predetermined range. The computer signals an isolation valve, in a second outlet conduit from the second vessel, to open and allow liquid to displace air in the second outlet conduit from the second vessel to the selection valve. The computer determines a delay to allow liquid below the first conductivity sensor to reach the first switch valve, then closes the first switch valve and opens the second switch valve.

Abstract: Design display reel for a gaming machine capable of displaying designs that look different from and more luxurious than printed designs and are therefore more entertaining, which are readily distinguishable from other designs and which afford greater latitude in design. The design display reel is wrapped with design sheets printed with a plurality of types of designs wherein at least one of the designs is furnished with a design region having a holographic material.

Abstract: Threaded seat support for valve with quadruple seal, such as aspiration and exhaust check valves used in reciprocating hydraulic pumps, wherein the threaded seat support cap is comprised by a planar frustoconical metal body, inside which a thread has been made at a central region comprised between the upper mouth forming a larger diameter chamber and a lower cylindrical region, of smaller diameter, defining a planar step adjacent the end of the thread fillet; while the valve body provides the seat at its upper surface, which has a larger diameter forming a projecting peripheral edge, followed by a cylindrical strip of smaller diameter which has a peripheral channel carrying an O-ring; following the cylindrical strip thread fillets are arranged at a smaller diameter region; while that inside the valve body there is an axial drill for a guide rod of the blocking disk of the valve, surrounded by the fluid passage conduits; the bodies of the threaded seat, of the blocking disk and, at least partially, of the guid

Abstract: A magnetic field generator for therapeutic applications develops a static or direct current (DC) magnetic field. The generator is self-contained, and also concentrates the magnetic lines of flux in a specific area. A recipient of the therapy may thus place a limb, typically a wrist or lower portion of an arm, in the area of concentrated magnetic flux of the static magnetic field.

Abstract: The solenoid valve of this invention comprises an electromagnet with a rotator disposed in at least one side of the valve body. The shaft of the rotator is provided with the valve members to open or close the valve port. The solenoid valve has advantages such as high attraction force, less power, and is easy to continuously control.

Abstract: A fixing device for fixing a dispensing member to the neck of a receptacle, the fixing device includes a fixing ring having a bottom skirt engaging a neck of a receptacle, a member for receiving a dispensing member, and a top socket which extends in the direction opposite to the direction in which the skirt extends; and trim which extends around the ring so as to mask it at least in part, the trim having a body defining a top end forming an inwardly-extending rim that extends inwards and then downwards so as to define an inner sleeve. The sleeve comes into engagement with the inside surface of the socket; and the inner sleeve forms a resilient tab which extends outwards and upwards so as to define a free end which comes into contact with an inside surface of the socket.

Abstract: A method of inserting a multi-lumen catheter assembly. First, an incision is made near the area to be catheterized. The proximal portion of the multi-lumen catheter tube is then inserted into the area to be catheterized. A subcutaneous tunnel is created, and the first end of the tunnel is near the incision. The catheter tube is then routed through the subcutaneous tunnel and pulled tube through a second end of the subcutaneous tunnel. The hub body is then securely attached to the catheter tube by connecting the connection cover to the hub body by threaded engagement. In a preferred embodiment the hub body is attached to the catheter tube by backfitting the connection cover over the catheter tube. A compression sleeve is also backfit over the catheter tube. The cannulae of the hub body are inserted into the lumens of the catheter tube to create fluid communication therebetween.

Abstract: A microvalve device for controlling fluid flow in a fluid circuit. The microvalve device comprises a body having a cavity formed therein. A pilot valve supported by the body is movably disposed in the cavity for opening and closing pilot ports formed in the body. A pilot operated microvalve is positioned by the pressure of the fluid controlled by the pilot valve.

Abstract: A beverage dispensing urn (10) with a body (12) having a double-walled vacuum insulation construction with a movable insulation assembly (28) having a hollow movable insulating member (30, 30′) made of an annular or cylindrical envelope of stainless steel that floats upon the surface (36) of the beverage (18) within the interior of the body (12) to insulate it from the portions of the body above the surface (36) and the air contained within the body and is slideably guided by the interior surface (34) of the body (12) and, in the case of the annular envelope, by a hollow guide member (42) that conveys beverage (18) from the inlet (16) to a portion (48) of the body (12) beneath the movable insulation member through an opening (44) in the movable insulating member.

Abstract: An electromagnetically actuated valve has a sleeve which receives magnetically operative elements, such as an armature and a magnet core. The sleeve is provided with a radially outward-oriented, encompassing widened portion in the form of a flange having flat wall portions which extend transversely to the longitudinal axis of the valve and rest on one another essentially without an interstice between them. The flange is braced on a shoulder of a valve block bore and is hydraulically tightly gripped by material positively displaced from the bore circumference. The flange is the sole securing means for the fluid-carrying part of the valve, which part comprises the sleeve, armature and magnet core.