Abstract: A disposable oil draining apparatus for a vehicle comprises a normally-closed valve having a threaded end which replaces the normal drain plug in the vehicle oil pan. A valve actuator is releasably connected to the valve by way of a spring-loaded latch and is in communication with a disposable plastic bag which serves as a drain reservoir.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for making multiple continuous or discontinuous gradients. Individual vacuum systems draw the gradient material from a common mixing chamber and deliver it into identical receptacles where each gradient is formed. A battery of syringes can be used to create vacuums on each individual chamber, and an opposing battery of syringes can be used to deliver gradient material to the mixing chamber. By varying the ratio of syringes generating vacuums to syringes delivering gradient material and/or initial solution volumes, gradients of various shapes can be produced.

Abstract: A disposable apparatus for sterilizing fluid and dispensing it includes a bag, a filter element, a conduit element, and a plurality of dispensing elements serially communicating with each other for providing a sterile fluid dispensing path that can be serially opened and closed. Methods are also provided for filling such apparatus in conjunction with a closed environment of an assembly having at least one mixing vessel, a reservoir container, a filling area, a filter element, and a plurality of storage elements interfacing the filling area.

Abstract: High speed container placement method and apparatus are provided, particularly for check weighing or for use in combination with high speed filling equipment for consumer products, such as instant coffee. A container separating device introduces groups of containers to a container placement and removal device for sequencing therethrough. The individual containers are transferred from an annular turntable to separate stationary work positions on a deck plate where they undergo a processing step. Following this processing step, the containers are removed from their respective stationary positions and returned to the annular turntable to be ultimately discharged from the container placement apparatus. The containers are placed at and removed from the work positions respectively by feeder and discharge guides which oscillate as they travel about the deck plate along an epicycloidal type path.

Abstract: An automatic exchange device for format dependent cellular panels used in container-filling machines for filling containers with foodstuffs, flavorings or other liquid to pastiform products, the machines being arranged to pick-up and transport the containers whereby cellular panels are arranged adjacent to each other on a through-conveyor or periodically circulating conveyor and are corrected to the conveyor. A replacement mechanism for the cellular panels. The exchange of panels is effected with the assistance of a manipulator, which automatically detaches the connection with the assistance of a motor driven screw tool and also reattaches the connection after the exchange. After releasing the connection, the manipulator picks up the cellular panel by means of suction cups and removes it via the use of an elevator into a magazine, which, for example, is comprised of a drum with radially arranged partitions.

Abstract: A device to be filled with viscous liquid and provided with a distributor for extracting the liquid contained in a cylindrical container of the device further includes a piston movable in the container. A filling opening is provided in the piston. A filling tube is tight-sealed attachable to the filling opening.

Abstract: An apparatus useful as an instrument carrier in conjunction with a motorcycle having a fuel tank comprising: a base member including a cushion element adapted to be placed on the fuel tank when the apparatus is secured to the fuel tank; a strap associated with the base member and which is capable of being wrapped around the fuel tank to secure the apparatus to the fuel tank; and a top portion secured to the base member having a plurality of holes, and with the base member forming a compartment in which at least one instrument, e.g., sound transmitting device, can be placed.

Abstract: The invention relates to a tapping tube intended for the filling of container-like receptacles, such as bottles, with a liquid, said tapping tube preferably communicating with a metering pump, whereby the liquid in question is intended to flow through the tapping tube and to be interrupted during removal and replacement of the receptacles in question. An arrangement for a tapping tube of this kind is made available in which above all dribbling and dripping can be prevented, especially in conjunction with the removal and replacement of the receptacles. There is connected to the tapping tube (1) a suction channel (14) which discharges in the vicinity of its lower end and which is so arranged as to be actuated in such a way as to provide a suction effect at least for the duration of the aforementioned interruption in the flow of liquid through the tapping tube.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately packaging viscous food products within a predetermined weight range.

Abstract: A method and a structure for the handling of hazardous liquid wastes and for handling hazardous solid wastes. The method includes the positioning of hazardous waste container units at a site in which hazardous wastes are generated. The hazardous waste container units are filled with hazardous wastes at the generation site and removed from the generation site and transported to a site in which hazardous wastes are accumulated. The hazardous waste container units are emptied and cleaned for transport to the same hazardous waste generation site or to another hazardous waste generation site.Hazardous waste container units which are constructed according to this invention include a rigid container. The rigid container is encompassed by a rigid frame. The rigid frame has lift engagement elements by which the hazardous waste container unit can be lifted.

Abstract: A device for detecting the filling condition in a container has an electro-mechanical transducer 4 secured on a diaphragm 5, by which transducer the diaphragm 5 is set in vibration. An electrical unit energizes the transducer to produce oscillations of the diaphragm 5. The diaphragm 5 has a holder 1 on which the diaphragm 5 is fastened by means of a cylindrical intermediate member 6. The wall thickness of the cylindrical member 6 is a multiple of the thickness of the diaphragm 5.

Abstract: A self-cleaning feeder for particulate material, such as dry lime powder, utilizes a spaced coil helical spring rotating in an upright annular passage between a pair of pipes to convey the material from a stock pile source, such as a drum container supporting the feeder in upright position, to an outlet in controlled amounts. The coil spring projects into the stock pile and has a laterally extended tail or finger stirring or agitating the material to maintain it in contact with the spring. The inner pipe is bottomed on a plate resting on the bottom of the supply container and the outer pipe is carried above the plate by a spider stand on the plate. An inclined chute or tray supported from the outer pipe receives the material to slide it into a tank or apparatus.

Abstract: In a fill tube of a vehicle fuel tank, an inlet forming device for receiving the nozzle of an associated fuel pump for filling the fuel tank and including an apertured seal member adapted to encircle the fuel nozzle to prevent fuel vapors from escaping therebetween. The device includes at least one vent opening which is normally blocked by an overlying edge portion of the seal member, but which is movable from its overlying position outward to vent fuel tank pressure. The overlying portion of the seal is normally biased to a closed position by the natural resiliency of an adjacent open celled foamed plastic material which also acts as a filter when the overlying edge portion of the seal is moved to a more open vent position.

Abstract: The use of liquid chemical containers in closed chemical applicator systems is made more secure, safe, convenient and cost effective by a fitting which combines a quick connect-disconnect coupler and a vent/fill tube in a single, protected assembly. The fitting eliminates the need for other openings in the containers and renders the containers returnable to distribution points for refill and/or cleaning, thereby avoiding operator contact with the chemical during transfer and minimizing unauthorized access.

Abstract: A device for limiting filling and for air admission to and discharge from tanks, in particular fuel tanks of motor vehicles, part of the tank volume being used as a pressure equalizing chamber (19) with regard to temperature fluctuations, has an air inlet and outlet device which opens out into the ventilatable filler neck (11, 110) and which comprises filling evacuation tubes (14) which determines the maximum liquid level (18) still regarded as permissible, and operating evacuation tubes (15, 16) with a closure device, which takes over air admission to and discharge from the pressure equalizing chamber (19), such that when the tank cap is removed, the operating evacuation tubes is closed by spring action (42, 133) and when the tank cap is on, it is opened by the cap itself against spring force.

Abstract: A beverage vending machine for dispensing hot-water or cold-water beverages formulated from selected water-soluble extracts comprises essentially a plurality of containers for storing the various extracts, a main water storage tank, means for producing hot and cold water, means for delivering cups in succession from a storage magazine to a cup dispenser, a pouring spout for mixing and homogenizing the beverage, means for guiding each cup during its transfer from a readiness position to a position of access to the cup in an access recess, metering means associated with one of the containers for picking up a predetermined amount of water-soluble extract and acting as a seal between a delivered cup and the cup dispenser, and a slide valve associated with each storage container and adapted to be reciprocated for transferring the metered amount of water-soluble extract from one of the containers to the cup, a radial array of control means driven by a single power unit through a control mechanism, each control mean

Abstract: An improved beverage dispenser for filling any one receptacle taken from a predetermined group of different sized cups or a significantly large pitcher, the dispenser has manual start and automatic shut off of dispensing utilizing an electrically conductive combination activator and beverage probe lever, has an improved receptacle rest for dependable support of all of the cups or the pitcher, and the rest has a rearwardly inclined tilted upper receptacle support surface to tilt the receptacle toward the lever. The improved receptacle rest has a nose extending up and out beyond a dispenser drip tray for support of the pitcher, and a backstop to prevent the pitcher from damaging or disabling the automatic shut off and the dispenser. A method of dispensing, a retrofit kit, and method of retrofitting a cup dispenser into a dipenser for cups and/or pitchers with automatic dispensing shut off are also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing granular or pulverulent bulk goods, where the bulk good is moved by reduced pressure from a silo through at least one conveyance duct to a scale and where the flow of material is lowered by increasing the proportion of air toward the end of the conveyance procedure, is designed in such a manner as to make possible accurate and precise metering at high conveyance rates.

Abstract: A process is provided for optimizing the storage capacity, based on weight, of a hydrogen storage device containing a hydride-forming alloy. A corresponding hydrogen storage device is also provided wherein the storage device is designed to operate under a pressure of 100 to 300 bars, and the weight of hydride-forming alloy contained within the device is about 0.8 to 2 kg of hydride-forming alloy per liter of internal volume. As an added benefit attendant this process and device, the hydrogen gas stored in the device is purified thereby.

Abstract: The device uses an elastic tubular bladder for receiving liquid which is expandable radially generally spherically at a local segment until a fully-expanded cross-section is achieved at which time the expanded region begins to grows axially, thereby maintaining a relatively constant pressure independent of bladder volume. The device is provided with a nozzle and a valve for controlling and directing the flow of the projected liquid.