Abstract: An apparatus for withdrawing liquid from a receptacle which is closed with a penetrable cover, which comprises a puncturing tool for creating an aperture in the receptacle cover, a cannula for entering the receptacle through the aperture and withdrawing liquid from the receptacle, a holding arm to which the puncturing tool and cannula are affixed in parallel and at a certain distance apart, and a motor drive for effecting horizontal and vertical movements of the holding arm relative to the covered receptacle to align, lower and raise the puncturing tool and cannula in succession through the cover.

Abstract: A portable cooler which may be carried in back-pack style is adapted to store and automatically dispense a number of cans of beverage. The cooler is comprised of a box-like chamber having self-supporting thermally insulative material on its exterior surfaces. One or more removable coolant-confining containers are positioned within the chamber, each container having a serpentine contour of horizontally elongated recesses adapted to hold beverage cans and permit their vertical descent to a door positioned adjacent the bottom of the chamber. The chamber is held within a snug-fitting fabric carrying jacket having a zippered lid and closure for the door, and carrying straps.

Abstract: A valve activated by inserting a fuel nozzle in a fuel tank fill line allows hydrocarbon vapors from the tank to be displaced into an adsorbent canister. The valve closes when nozzle is withdrawn. The valve prevents loss of liquid when fuel tank is accidentally inverted.

Abstract: A lightweight water-resistant portable luggage carrier for pickup trucks that is securely locked in the bed of a pickup truck to be used to carry luggage. It is flexible and can be easily and quickly removed and compacted into a portable size to be stored behind a pickup seat.

Abstract: A fuel filler member for vehicles is disposed between and fluidly connects a fuel filler inlet on the vehicle with the vehicle fuel tank. The fuel member includes a first corrugated filler pipe placing the inlet and tank in fluid communication, and a second corrugated breather pipe contained within the first pipe, for conveying air present in the tank towards the fuel filler inlet. The first and second pipes are made of nylon, while the sleeves and/or members connecting the pipes to the filler inlet and tank are made of an acetal resin.

Abstract: Gaseous mixtures are formed by introducing plural gases into a container with a predetermined dilution ratio of one gas in the other, withdrawing the gases from the container and admixing them in a pump, and returning the admixed gases to the container. Further dilutions according to the same or a different dilution ratio can be performed, thereby to obtain a highly dilute gas in accurately predetermined proportions. The gaseous mixtures have utility in inhalation therapy and other processes, and may for example comprise mixtures of oxygen or ammonia in diluents such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, etc.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for producing sterilized prefilled plastic syringes avoiding plastic deformation and distortion. The plastic barrels are subjected to repeated water jet washing steps to remove contaminants and depyrogenate the barrels. Tip seals and pistons are subjected to removal of debris and pyrogens and destruction of microbial contaminants. After the tip is assembled on the nozzle of the barrel, the barrel is filled with contrast media through its open end, after which the piston is assembled in the open end to seal the syringe and its contents. The assembled and sealed syringe is then subjected to autoclaving to sterilize the syringe and its contents, without deformation of the plastic syringe or a loss of integrity to the closed media/syringe system.

Abstract: An accessory for use in hatchback automobiles and station wagons is dimensioned to fit within the rear interior area of the automobile, and is intended to restrict movement of small articles during transportation. The accessory comprises a base, back flap swingably attached to the base, and at least two side flaps swingably attached to the back flap. When the back flap is positioned in an upright position, and the side flap extended outwardly from the back flap, there is formed open-topped enclosures for retaining the small articles in restricted positions during movement of the automobile.

Abstract: The two end members (1, 4) are locked by a self-retractable hook (15) which engages in a groove (23) in the female end member (1). The hook (15) is connected to an actuating lever (11) biased by a spring (14) and provided with a push-button (20). Pivotally mounted on the other arm of the lever (11) is a yoke (6) mounted on the male end member (4). When the transfer has finished, the hook (15) is retracted by depressing the button (20) so as to unlock the coupling. In the event of frosting, by depressing the button (20) still further, the yoke (6) upwardly urges the female member (1) and separates the two end members. Application in the transfer of liquid oxygen from a storage container to a portable container for domestic oxygen treatment.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus for manipulating small quantities of liquid, comprising at least one test tube for accommodating the quantity of liquid, a cannula which can be inserted into the vessel, and a control arrangement for controlling the system vessel and cannula in relation to one another in a manner such as to bring the cannula to the bottom of the vessel. In accordance with the invention, the cannula is provided with a suspension structure which is connected to a mechanical or electronic sensor arrangement which records pressure acting axially on the end of the cannula. When pressure is detected, the control arrangement halts further insertion of the cannula into the vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the containment of dust within a bulk cargo container such as a ship or barge hold. A horizontal stream of ambient air is directed across the hatch opening by a plurality of interconnected air curtain modules which captures fugitive dust along its path. A plurality of interconnected dust collector modules withdraw the entrained dust particles at an opposite side of the hatch opening and exhaust the filtered air stream therefrom and deposit the filter cake back into the hold. The clean exhaust air from the dust collector modules may be used to form a vertical air curtain to deflect crosswinds.

Abstract: Bicycle pump apparatus includes a cylinder portion, a piston portion, a handle portion, a seat mounting portion and an air discharge portion. The cylinder portion includes an elongated tubular section, the tubular section having an external diameter slidably engageable snugly with a seat post receiving section of a bicycle frame. The piston portion includes an elongated rod member having a length slightly longer than the tubular section. A transverse plunger member is affixed adjacent one end of the rod member, the plunger member having a diameter substantially equal to the internal diameter of the tubular section to provide a snug fit therebetween A transverse guide section is disposed adjacent an opposite end of the tubular section aligning and maintaining the rod member along the centerline thereof.

Abstract: A liquid storage and delivery system for use with protective masks having hand-operable bulb siphon pumps in line with conduits extending from a canteen assembly to the drinking mouthpiece of the protective mask. The system includes structure to allow a user to drink directly from a central storage/dispensing reservoir by connecting the conduits directly thereto, and also allows the canteen assembly to be refilled from the reservoir while maintaining the system's protective integrity.

Abstract: A device for connecting two or more bulk compounding systems for mixing hyperalimentation solutions is described. The device allows electrical signals from each bulk compounding system to be connected to one another so that each bulk compounding system may act in concert with other bulk compounding systems to fill an individual receiving container with minimal modifications to the internal circuitry of an individual bulk compounding system.

Abstract: A drink dispenser assembly used for filling receptacles when placed into a position to receive liquid dispensed from a nozzle comprises a valve which is controlled by a solenoid connected to an electric circuit, a switch operated at the will of the operator to actuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to open the valve and initiate a filling cycle, an assembly operative to suspend the receptacle below the nozzle, and an arm positioned proximate the receptacle when the receptacle is placed into a position to receive liquid, the arm operative to sense the filled condition of the receptacle and deactuate the electric circuit and the solenoid to close the valve and terminate the filling cycle.

Abstract: A filling device for cans is provided with a cylindrical filling tube having a valve member moveable coaxially therein with complementary projections on the interior surface of the filling tube and the valve member to define a fluid shut off and to define related surfaces to provide the circumferential laminar flow of fluid into a can whereby the residual fluid remaining after the closing of the valve will not drip due to surface tension. A cylindrical valve member is slidably mounted in a housing surrounding the filling tube and is provided with a sealing ring at the lower end for engaging the rim of a can to be filled. Depending on the diameter of the cylindrical valve member a bearing sleeve having an appropriate radial thickness can be inserted in the housing to take up the slack.

Abstract: An air supply and control apparatus for an inflatable mattress 2 has several air compressors 1 which are operated in turn, during normal operation, to inflate the mattress 2. In the case of the pressure in the mattress 2 falling below an upper preset value the air supply is provided by having more than one air compressor 1 operate simultaneously. The apparatus has electronic circuitry for effecting this alteration of the mode of operation when pressure sensing means 4 detects a fall in mattress pressure. In the case of a more severe drop in mattress pressure a valve 16 in an air outlet of the mattress 2 is closed under control of the electronic circuitry. The apparatus is particularly suitable for use with a mattress 2 having a plurality of separately inflatable regions, air being supplied to the regions from the air compressors 1 via a distributor 3.

Abstract: A system and method for filling or refilling a drinking container with a carbonated beverage pre-mix in outer space. The drinking containers are refilled from a master supply tank which is maintained at a substantially constant pressure which keeps the carbonation of the pre-mix in the tank in solution.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for the automated filling of a container mounted on a vehicle with a fluid. In one embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an engine cooling system, and in the other embodiment of the fluid fill device the container is part of an air conditioning system. Each of the fluid fill devices includes a housing in which a pair of spool valves are mounted. One of the spool valves controls the flow of vacuum and the other spool valve controls the flow of the fluid. A coupling mechanism including a movable piston releasably and fluidly connects its respective device to its container during evacuation and filling cycles. The device receives control signals from a pressurized air source to control movement of the spool valves and the pistons. If the container and the vehicle on which it is mounted are particularly well located, the device can be utilized in a hard automation system.

Abstract: An improved hose structure is provided for passing fluid across a pivot joint, that permits a transfer structure to pivot about two horizontal axes with respect to a vessel or the like at the sea surface. A middle conduit has a lower end connected to a pipe on the transfer structure and an upper end connected to a pipe on the vessel. The middle conduit can pivot, either by being flexible to bend along its length, or by being rigid but with flexible joints at its opposite ends. The pipe on the vessel can move up and down and is biased upwardly. When the transfer structure tilts, to raise or lower the lower end of the hose, the upper end can also rise or fall.