Abstract: A chemical vessel having improved access means comprising an access tube forming an openable conduit, being closed at the internal end with a discoid breakseal during shipment, a chemical removal tube slidably mounted in gas tight relationship inside the access tube, and means for moving the removal tube into engagement with and breaking out the breakseal for permitting removal of chemical from the vessel is disclosed.

Abstract: A vented fuel system for a vehicle includes a plurality of fuel storage tanks and a fuel sump tank with at least one fuel storage tank positioned on each side of the vehicle. The sump tank is positioned on the vehicle between the fuel storage tanks and at a lower elevation than the fuel storage tanks. Each of the fuel storage tanks is connected by a fuel line to the sump tank and all of the fuel storage tanks are interconnected by air transfer lines. One of the fuel storage tanks on each side of the vehicle is provided with a filler spout and a vented fuel cap assembly for closing the filler spout. All of the fuel tanks can be filled from either side of the vehicle, and during refueling, air is expelled from the closed vented fuel cap assemblies and the open filler spout. The plurality of air transfer lines prevent air entrapment in any of the tanks by transferring air between the tanks and subsequent venting of the air through either or both vented fuel cap assemblies.

Abstract: A piston is forced in a direction to disengage from a cylinder containing a fluid such as an adhesive. The piston while in engagement with the cylinder abuts a stop in response to the disengagement force. While the disengagement force is kept on the piston, the chamber between the fluid and piston in the cylinder is evacuated. After evacuation, the disengagement force on the piston is gradually released and the piston is forced against the fluid to squeeze the fluid through fluid couplings into an array of corresponding containers releasably secured to the piston, simultaneously filling the containers without exposing the fluid to air.

Abstract: An automatic container-filling device for filling solid foodstuff into containers includes: apparatus for feeding solid foodstuff into the automatic container-filling device; apparatus for directing the flow of the solid foodstuff to a predetermined position, including a plurality of parallel solid foodstuff flow paths each of which is connected by a vibrating inclined channel with a flow control valve set, a collecting basket functionally connected to a load cell, and a funnel; apparatus for transporting the containers to beneath the funnels; apparatus for transporting the containers filled with a predetermined amount of the solid foodstuff out of the automatic container-filling device, and an automatic control system including a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling the entire filling process from entrance of the solid foodstuff and containers into the automatic container-filling device to exit from the automatic container-filling device of the containers filled a predetermined amount of the solid f

Abstract: Bottle filling machines are known in which a centering bell is attached to a bushing for vertical movement up and down on a filler tube. Downward movement of the bushing and bell is limited by a shoulder on an enlarged tip portion of the filler tube. The area of contact between the bushing and shoulder in prior art arrangements is a narrow circular flat area perpendicular to the long axis of the filter tube. Repeated contact between the bushing and the shoulder on the tube tip causes wear on the bushing and on the shoulder. The present invention reduces the rate of wear of the contact areas by forming the shoulder so that it slopes downwardly and outwardly an an angle of about 20.degree. to 45.degree. with respect to a vertical axis. The region of the bushing which engages the shoulder is also sloped downwardly and outwardly at substantially the same angle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device to hold the lever of a nozzle assembly in a position to open a valve controlling the flow of fuel from the nozzle. The principal application for this device is on the gasoline delivery nozzle assembly at a self-serve gasoline station. The device, in addition to being a convenience for the average user, is an aid to the user who may be physically handicapped or inconvenienced by arthritis or other disabling condition that would otherwise deter him from using the more economical self-serve gasoline pumps.

Abstract: A filling valve mechanism for cans is presented. The valve includes a sleeve slidably mounted on a pair of pins and limited in downward motion by means of a stop. The sleeve carries an O-ring circumferentially thereabout for engaging within the throat of a container or can to be filled. The O-ring is of slightly greater diameter than the throat of the can such that sealing engagement is achieved. Also carried on the sleeve is a resilient compressible stripping member adapted for engaging the mouth of the can. The stripping member compresses against the mouth of the can, short of full compression by virtue of the limited downward movement of the sleeve against the stop. After the can is filled, the stripping member urges the O-ring from the throat of the can while holding the can in place.

Abstract: A pair of flapper valves are mounted in parallel to control the flow of a fluid into a reservoir. The flapper valves are opened by a first rotatable cam which is rotated through one or more complete revolutions when a float control switch in the reservoir is opened thereby indicating a drop in the level of fluid in the reservoir. Each complete revolution of the first cam actuates an impulse switch for a short duration. The impulse switch energizes a low speed memory motor and increments the output shaft of the motor. Each increment corresponds to one complete revolution of the first cam and, therefore, one unit of a fixed quantity of fluid passing through the valves. The output shaft of the memory motor rotates a second adjustable cam that controls the actuation of a switch which in turn controls a dispenser for dispensing a chemical additive into the fluid added to the reservoir.

Abstract: An apparatus for extracting fire extinguisher powder from a fire extinguisher utilizing a container for the powder and first and second funnels. First funnel communicates with the container and directs powder into the second funnel. A connector between the first and second funnels forms a funnel unit such that the second funnel communicates with the fire extinguisher being filled from the container.

Abstract: An improved carbonated beverage storage and dispensing system is disclosed which employs separate tanks for carbon dioxide and syrup. Mixing occurs during dispensing. For each type of syrup there are preferably two syrup supply tanks. Each syrup tank may be selectively connected to either a syrup filling source or to a sanitizing system for cleaning the tank. This system allows one of the syrup supply tanks to be sanitized or refilled, while another supplies syrup for dispensing, thus allowing uninterrupted beverage service.

Abstract: A particle deflector located between a particle feed stream of dissimilar particles and a collection receptacle. The deflector has a deflector surface facing the on coming particle feed stream. The particles are deflected by the surface and are collected in the receptacle. The surface defined by the collected particles is substantially flat and the dissimilar particles do not segregate.

Abstract: A clip for holding the lever of a gasoline pump dispensing handle in open gasoline dispensing position made from a single flat plate of uniform thickness having a rear shank about 11/2 inches in length with a pair of identical arms extending about 11/2 inches from the opposite ends of the shank and forming between said arms an angle of approximately 40 degrees. A serrated row of similar flat-topped teeth lies along the inner edge of each arm with the flat tops of each serrated row of teeth lying in a common plane and the two planes containing said flat tops intersecting each other at an angle of approximately 40 degrees. Preferably each row contains six flat-topped teeth.

Abstract: An improved below-ground apparatus and method for fueling a vehicle through an inlet on a exposed tank bottom. The apparatus is characterized by a frame carrying an upwardly-facing nozzle, a lift to move the frame and the nozzle from a fully-retracted to an intermediate position and from the intermediate position to a position for full engagement with the inlet. The intermediate position is determined by sensing the vertical position of the tank bottom and, at the intermediate position, the nozzle member is positioned on the frame in vertical alignment with the inlet prior to final lifting. In preferred embodiments, a blower creates an air ride for the nozzle member facilitating its positioning on the frame, and another blower creates a vacuum to hold the nozzle member is proper position and to eliminate fuel vapors. The nozzle member is preferably conical in shape.

Abstract: It is a common experience to open a container of carbonated beverage. Upon use the opened beverage will quickly lose to carboration and become "flat". This device is for filling a container of carbonated beverage with a gas, under pressure, so as to preserve the carbonation of the beverage before or after use of the carbonated beverage.

Abstract: A filling valve fills liquid from a filling machine vessel into containers. When the filling valve is opened a complete pressure equalization takes place between the vessel and the container to be filled. The container is held in the filling position by a vertically movable centering member. At the end of the filling operation, with the centering member still holding the container, a return gas tube extending into the container can be emptied and the volume of the container above the liquid level can be relieved without any inflow of atmospheric air. Further, the usual expansion below the liquid level is avoided. The centering member along with the filling valve can be lowered into the filling position by a cam disc and a pressure spring and/or assisted by the overpressure within the filling machine vessel. After movement by the cam disc the centering member and filling valve can be pressed against the container opening by the pressure spring and/or the pressure in the vessel.

Abstract: A hand-holdable inflating/deflating device is disclosed which can be used for conveniently effecting inflation or deflation of an associated article. The inflator includes an electric motor which drives a centrifugal impeller, with the motor and impeller carried by a mounting frame. The device further includes a generally cylindrical housing within which the motor and impeller are positioned, whereby operation of the motor rotates the impeller to create axial airflow within the housing. Significantly, the housing of the device comprises a one-piece injection molding, with the housing specifically configured to promote highly efficient assembly with the other components of the device. Further, a detachable, reversibly positionable nozzle is provided which can be fitted to either end of the molded housing, thus facilitating use of the device for either inflation or deflation.

Abstract: An apportioning apparatus for depositing a selected amount of a particulate product onto a series of moving receptacles is provided. At least one bucket is mounted in a reciprocating carriage for receiving a selected amount of the product. The bucket includes a closure for the outlet end that selectively opens to deposite a selected amount of the product onto a moving receptacle, with the speed of movement of the carriage and bucket substantially matched to the speed of movement of the receptacle during the filling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically dispensing measured quantities of sterilized particulate garnish, includes identically constructed inlet and outlet valves each having a valve body with a radial port for communication with either a header/reservoir or a product conduit, substantially cylindrical valve members positioned within the valve bodies each with a radial port which when the valve members are rotated communicate with said radial ports in the valve body, enlarged cleaning and sterilizing zones within the cylinder bores of each of the valve bodies for in-line use, and a metering valve. The radial port on the valve member has a cutting edge which is engaged in the normal course of use whenever traversed by fibrous particulate matter such as meats, vegetables, or pulpy fruit. On the suction stroke of the metering valve piston, sterilized particulate garnish is drawn from the supply header/reservoir and is delivered through the outlet valve and nozzle on the dispensing stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A method of dispensing a liquid including providing a liquid containing resilient storage reservoir, positioning the reservoir in the path of traction portions a vehicle, providing a shroud which is generally outwardly open and adapted to receive a hose and storing the hose therein. The hose is removed from the shroud and secured to connector which communicates with the interior of the reservoir. The vehicle is moved over the reservoir in such a manner that the traction portions runs over at least a portion of the liquid storage reservoir in a generally longitudinal axial direction to urge the liquid out of the reservoir while resisting substantial lateral expansion of the reservoir in front of the traction portions. The method and reservoir may be employed to refuel a vehicle by connecting the reservoir with a fuel inlet of the vehicle. The hose is preferably secured within the shroud when the reservoir is not receiving or dispensing liquid.

Abstract: A removable filter container for use with a liquid system, and a method of removing the filter. A first container which houses the filter is removably attached to a main compartment of the liquid system. A second container which is normally empty is attached thereto. A manually operated punching tool connected to the second container punches a hole in the first container to cause liquid to flow from the first container through the punched hole and into the second container, lowering the level of liquid in the first container to prevent overflow of the liquid therein when removing the first container from the liquid system.