Abstract: A dripper apparatus for a water spigot includes a coupler having a threaded female member for connecting to a water spigot. A generally cylindrical elongate member has a longitudinal portion in fluid communication with the female member. The longitudinal portion has an upper portion that defines a seat within the female member. A flow controller sits on the seat. A filter screen upstream the flow controller collects particles in water flowing therethrough so that the controller does not become clogged. The flow controller includes a housing that is provided with an upper inlet for receiving a first flow rate of water from a water spigot. The housing also includes a cavity therewithin and the cavity is in fluid contact with the upper inlet. A flexible membrane is housed within the cavity and floats when water enters the cavity via the upper inlet. The upper inlet is slotted at the top thereof for further filtering water flowing therethrough.

Abstract: A toilet fill valve and methods are provided. In one embodiment, the toilet fill valve includes a water inlet and a first water outlet configured to supply water to a toilet tank. The toilet fill valve further includes a bowl fill valve having a bowl fill valve inlet and a bowl valve outlet, the bowl fill valve inlet being operatively coupled to the water inlet. The bowl fill valve is integrated with a body of the toilet fill valve. The bowl fill valve is configured to supply an adjustable flow of water out the bowl fill outlet for filling a toilet bowl during a flush cycle of a toilet.

Abstract: A sump for inhibiting leakage of liquid includes a double wall for at least part of the sump, and an interstitial space between the double wall. An indicator liquid is located in the space, and a sensor is in fluid communication with the space such that a change in the pressure or liquid level in the interstitial space causes the sensor to indicate leakage into or from the interstitial space. The double wall includes a base, a wall directed upwardly from the base of the sump, and the upwardly directed wall includes an angular portion being directed at an angle from the base greater than 90 degrees relative to the base. A remote location of that portion is connected with a substantially upright wall portion for the sump. An aperture for an electrical conduit is located in the angular portion.

Abstract: A water-intake control valve including an upper valve base, a lower valve base, a valve tappet and a ball connect rod. The upper valve base is combined with the lower valve base to form a valve chamber with a sealing neck. The valve tappet is movably disposed inside the valve chamber. The valve tappet connects with a slide block and a valve stopper for sealing the sealing neck. The slide block linearly moves along a guiding slot hole of the lower valve base. On one end of the ball connect rod is mounted with a float ball and on another end of the ball connect rod is formed with a degressive arc end. The degressive arc end passes through the guiding slot hole and the through hole of the slide block to pull or push the slide block for linearly moving the valve tappet.

Abstract: A device and method for automatically flushing hydrants. The device is installed externally to an existing hydrant. The device comprises a nipple having an internally threaded collar for attaching the device to a hydrant outlet, a valve, a control for automatically operating the valve, and a lockable box containing at least the valve, the box having an outlet for allowing water from the hydrant to pass from the valve to the exterior of the box. The box functions as an enclosure and may be of any desired configuration.

Abstract: A plumbing tool and its method of use are disclosed wherein the plumbing tool includes a tube for insertion into a pipe beyond an area of such pipe that is to be soldered, such tube having an inflatable balloon structure at one end thereof. After the tube is inserted in the pipe and the balloon structure is positioned at the location where fluid stoppage is desired, the balloon structure is inflated to allow for soldering operations to be completed. A water bypass can be disposed within such tube for directing any fluid flow to the exterior of the pipe.

Abstract: A control circuit for a plumbing device that has a drain line and a water supply line includes a water sensor generating a potential overflow level signal in response to the water level in the plumbing device caused from a restricted drain line, an electrically controlled valve coupled to the drain line, and a controller coupled to the water sensor and the valve. The controller closes the valve in response to the potential overflow level signal.

Abstract: A lavatory flush tank silent-operating fill device has a silencer extending along an axis and through which a stream of water flows; a number of channels are defined inside the silencer by a bundle of substantially straight, parallel tubes housed inside the silencer and parallel to the axis, and into which the stream of water is divided; and the flow section of the channels is such that flow of the water inside is substantially laminar.

Abstract: The invention is an improved conduit flow controller for selectively controlling the flow of fluid through an elongated conduit. The conduit has an aperture defined by a continuous peripheral edge in the sidewall of the conduit. An elongated housing surrounds the aperture and is sealingly connected to the conduit. A conduit stopper is movably mounted in the housing and is positionable in the conduit. The conduit stopper includes a deformable sealing element having opposed flat sides and an edge engageable with the conduit. A carrier is sealingly connected with the sealing element. A resilient seal is mounted on a carrier and is engageable with the continuous edge. The sealing element is cooperative with the seal to close a portion of the conduit to regulate the flow of fluid along the elongated conduit.

Abstract: An overflow protection device includes a valve body having an inlet conduit passing vertically therethrough. The inlet conduit includes an outlet end below a valve chamber. A valve within the valve chamber is movable between and open and closed position. A float is pivotally mounted below the valve and the float cams, an actuator upwardly when the float experiences a less than full tank and cams the actuation downwardly to permit the valve to move downwardly when the float rises to a predetermined level as it floats on the liquid within the tank.

Abstract: To provide a process gas supply mechanism for ALCVD systems that enables the high speed switching of process gases without accompanying particulate contamination of the treatment substrate. The ALCVD system is provided with a CVD treatment section and a process gas supply section. The process gas supply section contains a reactant gas line and a carrier gas line; these are combined to form a joint flow line. A vent line is connected to the reactant gas line upstream from the joint flow position. A stop valve SV and a needle valve NV are disposed in the vent line. This needle valve NV functions as a setting means in order to set the flow rate of the gas flowing in the vent line. The stop valve SV is driven through repetitive switching operations by a drive control element, thereby effecting supply and nonsupply of the reactant gas.

Abstract: Skin including wrinkles is irradiated with laser radiation having a wavelength between about 525 and 550 nanometers. The irradiation is delivered at a fluence that stimulates wound healing responses without actually inflicting a wound. This promotes deposition of dermal extracellular matrix. Absorption properties of hemoglobin and melanin in the 525 to 550 nanometer wavelength range provide that wound healing response is concentrated close to upper regions of the skin and accordingly close to the location of the wrinkles. The growth of dermal extracellular matrix “bulks-up” irradiated dermal tissue. This makes the depressions or folds of the wrinkles shallower and less apparent.

Abstract: A device and method are provided for coupling two storage and/or transport units with a cleaning device. In one cleaning position, either before or after a transfer process, an area is provided between two connecting branches and at least one part of front flaps of two closing valves and the connecting valves which is embodied as a cleaning chamber enclosed on all sides, and which can be sealed with respect to the outside atmosphere and product area. The cleaning space is protected against unintentional opening as a result of at least partial locking of the connecting branches with respect to each other. Cleaning occurs using the cleaning fluid without any danger of contamination be it from transfer product and/or the atmosphere.

Abstract: A freezeless wall hydrant has a fluid inlet end connected to a source of pressurized water, and a fluid outlet end. A check valve is placed in the bore of the valve body and is spring loaded to open only when extreme water pressure within the inlet valve lifts a spring loaded piston element to permit the highly pressurized water to move through the bore in the valve body and be relieved as it escapes rearwardly into the original source of pressurized water.

Abstract: A faucet assembly includes a first handle attached to rotate a fluid control member and includes a first groove. A second handle is attached to move the fluid control member along a central axis and includes a second groove aligned with the first groove. A retainer ring disposed is movable within the first and second grooves between a release and a secure positions. A biasing member within the second groove biases the retainer toward the release position and a threaded member within the first handle biases retainer toward the secured position. The setscrew moves the retainer from the release position by moving a portion of the retainer from the second groove to the first groove within the first handle.

Abstract: A fugitive emission collection device for acquiring an atmosphere sample around a seal is provided. The emission collection device has a rigid member that forms a low impedance cavity shaped to overlay a seal. The emission collection device has a conduit with an inlet in fluid communications with the low impedance cavity and an outlet that can be connected to a chemical sensing system to analyze the atmosphere sample for emissions leaking from the seal.

Abstract: A latched, spring loaded valve having a water sensor and an activation mechanism shuts off water supply, when a water leak is detected, to specific application as cloths washing machines, dishwashing machines, sinks, toilets, and refrigerators equipped with ice makers. The shutoff valve system with leak detector has a sealing member movable with a valve body between an open position and a closed position wherein the sealing member blocks fluid flow.

Abstract: A washer system which includes a first reservoir containing a freezable washer liquid and having a drain port therein. The drain port is in fluid communication with the freezable washer liquid when the first reservoir is in at least a full state. The washer system also includes a temperature sensor for measuring a critical temperature corresponding to approximately a freezing temperature of the freezable washer liquid, a drain plug sealingly communicating with the drain port, and an electrical control unit in operative communication with the temperature sensor and the drain plug. The electrical control unit controls the drain plug to drain the liquid from the first reservoir in response to the critical temperature.

Abstract: A gaseous fuel discharge structure is used in a vehicle including an airtight cover disposed within a trunk thereof. The airtight cover covers a gaseous fuel containing tank. The structure includes an air introducing pipe and a gas discharging pipe both connected to the cover. If gaseous fuel leaks from within the tank, the structure is operated to discharge the gaseous fuel out of the vehicle. The air introducing pipe is provided with a fan. The air introducing pipe has an air intake flap while the gas discharging pipe has a discharge flap.

Abstract: A water-feed configuration for household appliances includes a hot-water hose 6 and a cold-water hose 8 connected to a single water inlet 32 of the household appliance through a branching section 24.