Abstract: An insulated cover for toilet water closets intended to prevent condensation and its associated damaging properties is herein disclosed. The water closet section of the toilet is covered on the bottom and all four (4) side surfaces up to a water line with a preformed foam covering. The foam is envisioned to be of a closed cell design similar to that used on insulating sleeves for glasses and canned beverages. The foam is approximately one-quarter (¼) inch thick and available in a wide variety of colors to match all bathroom decors. The foam covering would be made in halves that meet in a shiplap joint on the sides of the water closet. Finally, the cover would be held in place on the water closet with multiple strips of hook and loop fastener material, thus allowing it to be easily removed for replacement or cleaning.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for controlling release of pressurized fluid includes a fluid chamber. A plunger is received in an aperture in the fluid chamber, and is movable between a fluid retention position in which fluid is substantially trapped in the fluid chamber and a fluid release position in which fluid can escape from the fluid chamber through passages in the plunger. The plunger is biased into the fluid retention position. A driver drives a plunger actuator, and the plunger actuator is guided into engagement with the plunger to cause the plunger and the plunger actuator to move in unison and move the plunger into the fluid release position during a first portion of a stroke of the driver towards the fluid chamber, and the plunger actuator is further guided to permit the plunger to return to the fluid retention position during a second portion of the stroke.

Abstract: Preferred processes are provided for unloading a particulate substance from a container using a cover system comprising a cover and a wand extending through the cover. The processes can include installing the cover system on the container so that the cover mates with the container and the wand extends into the particulate substance, connecting a pipe or a hose to the wand, and drawing the particulate substance through the wand and the pipe or hose.

Abstract: The invention includes a material dispenser that further includes a container containing material, a press plate or puck for exerting pressure on the material, a sensor for detecting the material discharged from the container, and a scale for detecting the amount of material discharged from the container. The sensor and scale provide feedback to a computer which controls the amount of pressure exerted on the material. The computer controls the pulsing of additional material from the container until a targeted amount of material has been discharged from the container. The invention permits the dispensing of a specific amount of material in a controllable, metered fashion.

Abstract: A toilet has a seat. Two spaced members each have an upper end with an aperture. A pivot block has a bore. An axle has end sections and a central section. The end sections are received within the apertures. The central section is received within the bore. A housing is attached to the toilet and a coil spring around the axle. The coil spring has first and second ends. The first end is secured within the housing. The second end is in contact with the seat. The coil spring is adapted to urge the toilet seat from a lowered position to a raised position. A locking assembly includes upper and lower fingers. Each finger has a shoulder and a ramp. The upper finger extends downwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger extends upwardly from the toilet seat. The lower finger is movable between a locking and an unlocking orientation.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a cryogenic fluid. The apparatus includes a conduit having an inlet and an outlet, a source of cryogenic fluid connected to the inlet for providing cryogenic fluid to the conduit and a cool down line connected to the conduit at an intermediate port between the inlet and the outlet, the cool down line in fluid communication with the source of cryogenic fluid for providing cryogenic fluid to the conduit through the intermediate port. The cool down line can be external and intersect with the conduit at the intermediate port, or may be disposed within the conduit. The conduit may have more than one intermediate port for providing cryogenic fluid to the conduit downstream from the inlet. Such an apparatus enables a conduit for transferring a cryogenic fluid to be pre-cooled to a cryogenic temperature more quickly so that transfer operations can begin.

Abstract: A method of supplying a portable medical gas system is provided. The disclosed method includes preparing a portable medical gas system, the portable medical gas system including a cylinder adapted to be filled with medical gas and a gas dispensing valve. The portable medical gas system is place in a specialized container having a configuration adapted to hold the portable medical gas system only when the cylinder of portable medical gas system is unused state or empty state. The portable medical gas system is delivered to the customer, and returned as an empty cylinder via commercial carrier. Upon receipt of the empty or spent portable medical gas system, another portable medical gas system filled with medical gas is sent to the customer. In one embodiment, the portable medical gas system includes a single-use flow control valve which ensures the cylinder is empty after its initial use.

Abstract: Process for moulding a frozen aerated product including the step of filling a mould cavity with a frozen aerated product through a filling member; the mould cavity being a recess on a mould surface; the mould surface being at a temperature of below 0° C.; the filling member having an end part through which the ice cream is dispensed into the mould cavity; the end part being in contact with the mould surface; wherein the filling member includes a thermal insulation located at the end part of the filling member in contact with the mould surface; the thermal insulation being constituted by a material having a thermal conductivity of less than 2 W m?1 K?1; and the filling member being heated by a heating member upstream of the thermal insulation.

Abstract: The discharge valve has a valve housing (14) which has an outlet opening with a valve seat (16) and also a closure body (12). A two-quantity actuator (4) has a connecting rod (10) which is connected to the closure body (12) and by means of which the closure body (12) can optionally be raised by different displacement distances. A top activatable partial-quantity float (13) is provided for partial flushing and a bottom, full-quantity float (20), which is mounted in a pivotable manner on the valve housing (14), is provided for full flushing. The full-quantity float (20) has a blocking element (22) which, once partial flushing has been triggered, engages with the closure body (12) and blocks the latter against further displacement. This prevents the situation where, once partial flushing has been triggered, the closure body (12) is raised further and full flushing takes place.

Abstract: A drink layering potion machine reliably creates undisturbed air bubble free multiple drink layers. The potion machine includes a flat bottom hollow cylinder, a top with an integral conical pouring cup having a central aperture at its bottom tip. A thin rod passes through the aperture with a small clearance. A second aperture displaced from the first aperture supports thin rod providing wobble free movement. The bottom end of the thin rod carries a float. The drink layering potion machine is placed with a hollow cylinder encircling a glass and stabilizing it from tilting. The float rests on the liquor in the interior of the glass as liquor is poured into the conical pouring cup. The liquor runs down at a slow volumetric rate through the small clearance, down the thin rod, over the float external surface into the glass forming layered undisturbed drink free from air bubble entrapment.

Abstract: In an inner structure of a filler neck of a fuel filler tube, a nozzle support section for supporting a nozzle of a fuel filling gun at a gas station includes a pipe member having an inner diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the nozzle, and the nozzle is inserted in the pipe member when fueling. Fuel emitted from the nozzle is directed through the pipe member to an outlet end (distal end) of the nozzle support section, at which it starts flowing along an intermediate bent section of the filler tube. Thus, even when the fuel filling gun is not sufficiently inserted in the filler neck, i.e. inserted short of a standard inserted amount, the fuel is allowed to properly jet out in the bent section just as when the fuel filling gun is sufficiently inserted in the filler neck up to the standard inserted amount.

Abstract: A medical liquid filling system and associated methods are provided, the system comprising a disposable and a drive system. The disposable includes a tubular member and a piston slidably disposed within the tubular member for retraction and advancement within at least a first portion of the tubular member. The disposable may include a seal member for sealing the first portion of the tubular member and may be interconnected to the piston for co-movement therewith. The drive system may include a piston drive member selectively interconnectable to the piston for driven advancement and retraction of the piston within the tubular member. The drive system may be interconnected to a controller, which may be operable to automate or semi-automate various filling operations. A user interface may be interconnected to the controller for providing input of various system operation parameters, which may be communicated to the controller to facilitate automated or semi-automated operation of the filling system.

Abstract: A utility sink system is disclosed comprising a sink and a bucket. The sink has a basin extending from an upper edge to a drain. The bucket has walls extending to a lip and has at least one opening formed therein. The lip is configured to contact the upper edge of the basin such that the bucket is suspended in the basin. The at least one opening of the bucket, in addition to facilitating handling, may provide a form of overflow when the bucket is suspended in the basin of the sink, such that the at least one opening places an interior volume of the bucket and the basin of the sink in communication with one another. Further, the at least one opening of the bucket may provide a pouring spout.

Abstract: A device for controlling valve travel of the flush valve of a toilet operated by a rigid linkage rod and for forcibly returning the valve to the closed position. The device may comprise a spring contained within a sleeve. The sleeve has end caps bearing openings for passing the rigid linkage rod entirely through the sleeve and spring. One end cap may be threaded to enable it to compress and immobilize the spring for selectively defeating operation.

Abstract: A cut hole type air lock valve is disposed in an air chamber formed by allowing two outer films to be adhered to each other by means of hot sealing. A part of rims of both inner films folded together are adhered to each other and several portions of rims thereof are formed to be air inlets in the cut hole type air lock valve. Furthermore, the air inlet is connected to an air passageway between the inner films, and at least one cut hole is disposed on the inner films beside the air passageway. When outside air flows into the air passageway via the air inlet and is filled in an air chamber via the cut holes, the air chamber is caused to fill with air and inflate, and air inside air chamber thrusts the inner films so as to block the air passageway to cause the air to be locked.

Abstract: An apparatus for discharging bodily wastes has a receptacle for holding a person's bodily waste products, including an upwardly facing opening for receiving the waste products. A forward load-bearing member extends from the receptacle to provide a support for at least one foot of a person discharging waste products into the receptacle. A rear load-bearing member arranged to engage the lower torso of the person above the buttocks when the person has at least one foot in the forward load-bearing member. The rear load-bearing member and the forward load bearing member are spaced apart a distance that is sufficient to hold a person therebetween with the person's buttocks suspended over the opening of the receptacle and the person's center of gravity behind the one foot supported in the forward load bearing member.

Abstract: A fuel dispensing nozzle has a body defining a fuel supply passage and a vapor return passage each having a control valve operated by a hand actuated lever pivotally connected to an axially movable tubular member retained by a diaphragm actuated clutch. A fuel spout extends from the body and is surrounded by an annular plastic socket assembly to define therebetween a vapor return passage. The socket assembly includes a first socket member supporting an annular vapor seal for engaging a fuel tank fill tube. The first socket member is supported for universal free tilting movement by a second socket member supported by the body for axial movement. The second socket member supports a pin connected to a crank arm for blocking operation of the clutch, and an annular flexible cover surrounds the socket assembly to protect the socket members which provide unrestricted flow of fuel vapors.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus enable filling a receptacle with solid particles introduced into the receptacle with a controlled flow rate and pattern of distribution of the particles. A pneumatic loader may dispense the particles into the receptacle with ability to adjust the flow rate and pattern of distribution of the particles. Further, a laser sensor may enable detecting a topographic level of the particles loaded by movement of the laser sensor around a point to make linear measurements across the reactor at multiple angularly offset orientations.

Abstract: A collapsible outdoor shower enclosure that folds up nearly flat to a wall surface when not in use is herein disclosed. The shower enclosure is intended for use in outdoor locations where a general floor drain or similar means exists for removal of waste water. The enclosure comprises a right wall assembly and a left wall assembly that have hinged connections allowing for the shower enclosure to fold up against the wall surface. The wall surface would also be the one containing a shower head and shower controls as well. When in a retracted orientation, the enclosure protrudes approximately thirteen (13) inches from the stationary wall surface. During use, each of the wall assemblies fold out ninety degrees (90°) from the wall surface and include a right door and a left door that form an entrance side for a user to enter the shower enclosure.

Abstract: A modular shower pan includes at least four polygon panels adapted to interlock in side by side relation to form a body. Each panel has a planar bottom surface and a top surface that is sloped based upon a pre-selected drain position on the body.