Abstract: A water pistol which includes an elongated, flexible tube removably connectable to the grip of the pistol is disclosed. The tube receives water under pressure directed through the body of the pistol from an inlet port located at the rear or butt end of the pistol. It also serves to force the discharge of water through a front nozzle of the pistol when the user pulls a trigger.

Abstract: A closure is shown for use with an ice dispensing apparatus having an ice chute defining a front opening. The closure includes a door case having a front wall of a size and shape corresponding to the chute opening, a rearwardly turned perimeter wall connected to the front wall and having an outwardly turned flange, and a pair of baffles extending rearwardly from opposite sides of the flange. An insulation core is disposed within the perimeter wall rearwardly of the front wall. A gasket engages the chute incident to the closure being in the closed position. A rear wall is provided for substantially covering the chute opening incident to the closure being in the closed position. The baffles are operable to direct flow of ice pieces delivered through the opening when the closure is in the open position.

Abstract: An air distributing device mounted into the sloping wall of a hopper containing finely divided material, such as flour or cement, aerating and causing the discharge of the material with a pressurized air flow and keeping the material in constant motion toward the discharge outlet of the hopper, the air distributing device being substantially hemi-spherical in form and providing a wide distribution of the pressurized air.

Abstract: A self defense method, particularly for women, for defending against a physical assailant. The method comprising providing a wax capsule of hollow egg shaped construction containing a concentrated citric acid solution in the inner enclosed cavity to be carried in the mouth without releasing the citric acid until desired. The user, by simply chewing through the wall of the wax container releases the citric acid into his/her mouth for expectoration into the eyes of a would be attacker. The wax used in the capsule construction to provide an encapsulating capsule, preferably consists of purified wax.

Abstract: A dispenser for materials in solidified stick form has an opening in the base of the dispenser through which said material in a heated liquid form can be introduced when the dispenser is in an inverted position for casting of the stick material directly within the dispenser, the opening being closed by a manually-operable knob after casting of the stick material, the knob being operative to actuate a threaded mechanism within the dispenser for extending the cast stick material through an opposite open end of the dispenser.

Abstract: Anti-spray fluid dispensing nozzle for filling an open top container. The nozzle comprises an elongated fluid supply conduit establishing a fluid path between a source of pressurized fluid and the container to be filled. First and second valves are mounted in the supply conduit disposed in a spaced apart relationship with the first valve positioned upstream the second valve. Each valve includes a movable closure member cooperating with a valve seat to control the flow of fluid through the supply conduit. The closure members of both valves are coupled to a common actuating rod mounted for linear movement within the supply conduit to selectively displace each closure member between a valve closed position and a valve opened position.

Abstract: A rotary cover for closing the axial opening of a hollow-cylindrical body, a rotary cap and said body having corresponding cam threads, which cause an axial displacement of the rotary cap relative to the body when the rotary cap is rotated. Axial sides of the rotary cap and of the body, which face each other, extend in a plane inclined by a specific angle .alpha. relative to the axis of the body. These axial sides of the rotary cap and of the body are in alignment with each other in the closed position of the rotary cover.

Abstract: An apparatus has been devised for repairing divots on a golf course which is comprised of an elongated tubular housing containing seeds or dressing and has a lower dispenser end, a spring-loaded rod disposed in the lower end including an agitator at the upper end of the rod and a valve member which releasably engages a valve seat in the lower end of the housing. When the rod is depressed against the ground, the valve is raised away from the seat and an agitator associated with the rod will loosen seeds or dressing to facilitate its discharge by gravity feed through the lower end of the housing so that it can be deposited evenly onto the area to be repaired.

Abstract: A catch-in prevention rotary valve includes a rotor case having an inlet port and an outlet port and a rotor having a plurality of blades. The rotor is supported in the rotor case such that it can be rotatably driven about a horizontal shaft. Each of the blades has a blade end, and each blade end as viewed in elevation has a V-shape which is open to a front side in a predetermined rotation direction of each blade. A member is disposed above the inlet port having a shielding part and two inclining walls which have respective scratcxh-off edges, the two inclining walls opening into a V-shape toward a rear side in the predetermined rotation direction of each the blade, and the shielding part having a V-shape including a rear trip end. The rear tip end of the shielding part protrudes between the two inclining walls toward the rear side from a front central part of the two inclining walls. A bottom surface of the shielding part has a concave portion having a depth through which plural granules can pass.

Abstract: A metering device for successively dispensing uniform volumes of liquid from a container. The upper portion of the dispensing device is divided into a dispensing passage and a metering chamber by a vertical wall. The lower portion of the dispensing device is undivided forming a collecting chamber, the upper portion of which communicates with both the metering chamber and the dispensing passage. The metering chamber has axially spaced inlet and vent openings connected to the inner area of the liquid container. The metering chamber is partially segregated from the collecting chamber by a baffle protruding from the vertical wall. This baffle insures accurate operation of the dispensing device and reduces its necessary volume and length.

Abstract: The present invention is a beverage dispensing system for providing the parallel connection of a plurality of refrigeration sources responsible for the cooling of associated beverages dispensed from a plurality of dispensing valves. A coolant fluid, such as carbonated water, is cooled by each refrigeration unit and is then co-mingled in a common outflow manifold prior to distribution to each of the valves. Likewise, each similar beverage cooled by each refrigeration unit can be co-mingled in a particular manifold before distribution to each of the dispensing valves. Thus, the failure of one refrigeration unit does not to require the shut-down of a valve or valves, as carbonated water and beverages cooled thereby are co-mingled with the carbonated water and same beverages continuing to be cooled by the remaining functioning refrigeration units prior to delivery thereof to the valves.

Abstract: A process and a discharge valve assembly are provided for regulating the flow of a liquid product from an aerosol container which is pressurized with a permanent gas propellant. The liquid product is conveyed under pressure to a mixing region and the propellant gas is separately conveyed to the mixing region. The mixture is passed through at least one choke restrictor that is located between the mixing region and the discharge nozzle. The mixture expanding downstream of the restrictor forms a foam-like mixture internally of the valve assembly and prior to discharge of the mixture from the exit nozzle.

Abstract: A device for assisting in the transfer of fluid from a bag into a fluid reservoir. The device includes a generally upstanding container dimensioned to receive the fluid bag. The container has an open top and fluidly communicates with the interior of a reservoir. A bag support extends across the container in a non-fluidly sealed manner. A cutter is connected by a linkage to a lid of the device to move with the lid as the lid is closed and cut the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed are a spout and a method for simultaneously dispensing beverage into a plurality of drinking glasses or a single drinking glass. The spout includes a housing having a first portion defining a beverage receiving chamber with a beverage inlet for receiving beverage. The housing also has a second portion defining at least two beverage dispensing chambers, each of which has a beverage exit for dispensing beverage. The beverage dispensing chamber is in fluid communication with the beverage receiving chambers for receiving fluid from the beverage receiving chamber. The second portion of the housing has at least two spout sections, each of which defines one of the beverage dispensing chambers and one of the fluid exits.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for rapidly carbonating water for use in applications such as a post-mix beverage dispenser by injecting carbon dioxide under pressure beneath the water in a pressure vessel, causing the water to swirl in a circular turbulent mixing motion while restrictively venting some of the carbon dioxide from the pressure vessel for a sufficient amount of time to carbonate the water, then sealing the pressure vessel to the atmosphere and continuing to inject carbon dioxide under pressure into the pressure vessel to prevent dissolved carbon dioxide from coming out of solution in the water and for dispensing the carbonated water upon demand.

Abstract: A spill-proof drinking mug for drinking using either left or right hands of the user in which a base part serving as a container for the liquid is provided with a shape designed to fit within conventional cup holders of vans and RV's as well as cup-holding attachment for automobiles, and which has a threaded top opening. A screw-on cap with a handle sealingly mates with the top opening of the vessel, and has a pair of drinking openings at opposite sides of the handle. One opening is used for drinking and the other serves as a vent. A spring-loaded valve is mounted on the cap and is operable by the thumb of the hand holding the handle to simultaneously displace the valve out of both openings.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for maintaining cold carbonated water in a beverage dispensing device so that unacceptably warm water is not dispensed therefrom. A modified beverage dispensing apparatus is shown including a carbonated water supply, a cold plate, a cabonated water supply line extending through the cold plate, and in fluid communication with a carbonated water plenum immediately adjacent and in fluid communication with a plurality of beverage dispensing valves. An electronic control device connected to a temperature sensing thermostat located in the plenum and to a solenoid discharge valve of the plenum. The control device is also connected to a temperature sensing thermostat in the cold plate and to a pressure sensor located in the line between the source of compressed carbon dioxide and the carbonated water reservoir.

Abstract: A portable, collapsible water tank suitable for use in combatting forest fires and the like that is manufactured from a flaccid synthetic material or a coated fabric which is capable of being ultrasonically welded. The bag is preferably made from a single sheet of material that is folded back upon itself to form a bag having uniformly sized front and rear panels. A filler assembly is mounted in the upper part of the front panel while a quick disconnect coupler is mounted in the lower part of the bag. The edge seams between the panel are welded closed using ultrasonic welding techniques. Radially extended skirts are provided about the bag outside of the seam areas and grommets are mounted within the skirts upon which shoulder straps and handles are either permanently removably secured. A hand-grip is welded to the front face of the tank beneath the filler assembly.

Abstract: A bulk material container comprising a flexible liner with a bottom outlet fitting. The bottom outlet fitting of the flexible liner is inserted by means of an installing tool into a bottom opening of the shell of the container. The bottom outlet fitting has a substantially square internal pocket shape that is adapted for receiving fingers of the insertion tool for installation in the shell.

Abstract: A device for emptying pressurized liquid-containing aerosol cans. A closed storage drum has an aerosol can-containing chamber held adjacently to it. An aerosol can may be placed in the chamber, the chamber closed and a piercing pin passed through a low point of the aerosol can. The contents pass outwardly from the can and from the chamber into the storage drum. Preferably, a vapor filter is positioned on the drum so that any vapors passing out of the drum are absorbed by the filter. The system can remove 98% of the aerosol can contents. The process of using the device is also described.