Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus for forming liquid droplets, such as a micro nebulizer, useful for preparing samples for subsequent analysis via MS, AA, ICP, CE/MS, and similar analytical systems. The apparatus has a mechanically stabilized inner microtube or needle, thereby ensuring controllably uniform droplet size. The mechanical stabilization is provided by securing the inner microtube or needle, such as by narrowing the inner diameter of the outer microtube or otherwise narrowing the annular intermediate space between the inner and outer microtubes for a predetermined length. Thus, the inner microtube is secured in a centered or otherwise predetermined fixed radial position, with minimum perturbation of the fluid flow. Further, a tip, when coupled with the exit end of the outer microtube, provides a region in which the sheath fluid flow in the outer microtube stabilizes prior to both exiting the tip and colliding with the liquid analyte exiting the inner microtube.

Abstract: A spinner spreader machine has a product conveyor assembly that efficiently and accurately spreads either lime or fertilizer products, or combinations thereof. The versatility of the machine is enhanced with a plurality of conveyor belt assemblies configured to overcome the self-cohesive characteristics of certain products such as lime. The versatility of the machine is further enhanced when the conveyor apparatus provides a substantially constant volumetric distribution of product to the spinner mechanism.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to providing an apparatus which is improved so as to remove a contamination on a substrate efficiently. This apparatus includes a jet nozzle jetting out droplets toward a substrate. A liquid supply device and a gas supply device are connected to the jet nozzle. A mixing device mixing a liquid and a gas supplied to the jet nozzle and changing the liquid into the droplets is provided in the jet nozzle.

Abstract: A housing body of a fuel injector has a multi-part design; it includes a base member and at least one calibrating sleeve. Air is supplied and metered in through the calibrating sleeve, while the base member is used for sealing and attachment purposes. A dimensionally accurate machining of calibrating sleeves can be carried out simply and cost-effectively. The structural design easily yields many different variants. The fuel injector is especially suited for fuel-injection systems of mixture-compressing internal combustion engines having externally supplied ignition.

Abstract: A clip-on straw apparatus permitting persons to drink from a cup, glass, or the like without a need to stabilize the straw by hand.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter includes a tube having a plurality of flow control units bonded to its inner face providing a flow control passageway between the interior of the tube and each of a plurality of discharge openings formed through the wall of the tube. Each flow control unit includes a body member bonded to the inner face of the tube, a cover also bonded to the inner face of the tube, and a deformable elastomeric membrane between the body member and cover and defining a pressure-compensated flow control passageway through the flow control unit.

Abstract: A self adjusting jet breaker device for impact sprinklers having a spout connected to a pressurized water supply line using a rotary coupling, a terminal nozzle for generating a water jet, and an oscillating arm having a baffle. The device is arranged on the oscillating arm and includes an active surface adapted to interact with the water jet between two successive oscillations of the arm. The active surface of the device has an angle of inclination with respect to a longitudinal axis of the arm such as to be substantially tangent to the water jet as the first surface moves downward from above. The angle of inclination increases during the entire downward transit and decreases during an upward transit, so as to always receive an upward thrust from the water jet. The device optimally distributes and breaks up the jet, and increases the beat frequency of oscillations of the arm in an automatic manner, i.e. adapting to both high and low jet supply pressures.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid dispensing device for storing and dispensing pressurized fluid, such as water, to individuals during the performance of their particular activity, particularly activities such as cycling, wind surfing, rock climbing, in line skating, auto racing, jogging, and within handicapped populations where hand dexterity is limited. The pressurized fluid dispensing device may be mounted to such mountables as a bicycle frame, wheel chair frame, car dash, and may even be worn on the body by mounting the device to what is commonly known as a water bottle or fanny pack located on the waist of the individual. The device includes a fluid vessel, support cage (optional), male coupling member, a vessel cap with a female coupling member with a check valve incorporated within, tubing, actuateable valve, and a pressure adapter with a check valve. The fluid vessel is pressurized by slidingly inserting the pressure adapter and charging the system with a common air pressurizing system.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle for a high pressure cleaning apparatus has a liquid driven rotor inclined to the axis of the rotor housing in which it is received and an O-ring engaging an annular region of the housing to drive the rotor so that it orbits the axis of the housing since either the drive ring or the annular region engaged thereby of the housing for elastically deformable, the speed of the rotor is reduced by deformation work.

Abstract: A nozzle assembly (11) of an adhesive dispensing valve (10) includes a first valve (32) adjacent a discharge orifice (34). The first valve (32) opens to permit the flow of adhesive therethrough and closes to terminate the flow of adhesive in response to respective first and second states of the valve operating module (14). The adhesive dispensing valve (10) has a separable nozzle plate (102) that includes the first valve seat (100) and the discharge orifice (34) and is coupled to a nozzle body (72) with a mounting cap (104). A secondary valve (146) is located upstream of the first valve (32) and permits adhesive to flow therethrough in response to both of the first and second states of the valve operating module. However, as the mounting cap (104) and nozzle plate (102) are removed, the secondary valve (146) automatically engages its valve seat (94), thereby terminating the flow of adhesive while the nozzle plate (102) is removed from the valve body (16).

Abstract: Apparatus including a monitor and a portable ground base comprising a liquid-carrying conduit having an inlet end and an outlet end. The inlet end is adapted to receive a liquid (such as water) from a supply, and the outlet end is attached to the intake of the monitor. The conduit of the base includes an intermediate portion that is normally close to the support or ground when the ground base is in the normal operating position. Mounted within the conduit is a valve that is movable between a closed position and an open position. The valve is biased toward the closed position by a mechanism including liquid flow through the conduit and a spring. A trip catch is connected between the valve and the conduit for releasably holding the valve in the open position to permit flow through the conduit.

Abstract: A sprinkler comprising a body portion having a nozzle at one end and a cap assembly supported thereon at an opposite end, the cap assembly supporting a spray plate located downstream of the nozzle, the spray plate having a plurality of stream distributing grooves formed on one side thereof configured to cause the spray plate to rotate when struck by a stream emitted from the nozzle; and wherein the spray plate includes a mounting shaft extending from the spray plate and having a part spherical head received within a bearing cage in the cap assembly, the bearing cage including a bearing separator holding a plurality of ball bearings in a substantially horizontal array arranged about a longitudinal center axis of the sprinkler, the part spherical head located centrally above and in engagement with the plurality of ball bearings, thereby permitting the spray plate to wobble as it rotates.

Abstract: A spray device, especially for agricultural use, includes a centrifugal compressor which sends compressed air to at least one injector (20) placed upstream of the throat (16) of a convergent-divergent, so as to entrain the surrounding air by a venturi effect. The convergent-divergent may itself be of flattened shape, but it is preferred to group several parallel convergents-divergents (14) together along a line parallel to the maximum extension of the section of the air stream to be created. The device includes blowing panels (7), with a box-type structure, which have the convergents-divergents passing through them in leak-tight fashion. The internal volume of the box structure (7) constitutes a compressed air manifold connected, on the one hand, to the compressor and, on the other hand, to the injectors (20) by pipes (21, 22, 23).

Abstract: A method of forming a shock-free supersonic elliptic nozzle, in which the nozzle to be designed is divided into three sections, a circular-to-elliptic section which begins at a circular nozzle inlet, an elliptic subsonic section downstream from the circular-to-elliptic section and a supersonic section downstream from the elliptic subsonic section. The maximum and minimum radii for each axial point in the circular-to-elliptic section and the elliptic subsonic section are then separately determined, the maximum and minimum radii being the radii for the widest part of an elliptic cross-section and the narrowest part of the elliptic cross-section, respectively. The maximum and minimum radii for each axial point in the supersonic section are determined based on the Method of Characteristics, Then, each of the three sections are based on the maximum and minimum radii for each axial point in the section. The resulting nozzle is acoustically superior.

Abstract: In one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a disposable fastener which is adaptable to many different size tubes. The fastener comprises a creasable strip portion having dead fold properties and a tab portion. The tab portion is attached to the creasable strip portion and has a pressure sensitive adhesive on one surface. The tab portion extends from the creasable strip portion. A method for attaching a fastener of the type described above is also disclosed. There is also provided a fastener with no adhesive properties and a method for using the same with a collapsible tube.

Abstract: A faucet with a vacuum breaker for a pull-out spray head plumbing fixture is provided. The vacuum breaker is placed in the faucet housing immediately under a valve unit and has fluid inlets and an outlet all passing therethrough. The vacuum breaker also has a multiplicity of openings extending through a base portion. A flapper gasket is stretch fitted over the base portion. The vacuum breaker affords ease of installation and removal. A check valve is placed immediately adjacent to the vacuum breaker.

Abstract: A sensing arrangement is disclosed for use in a pallet dispenser or the like, to determine whether a pallet is present or not. A body, having a shaped engagement surface, displaces in the plane of the pallets upon sliding engagement by a pallet, and suitably has side faces angled in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and a front face.

Abstract: A water dispensing apparatus having a cabinet providing a water bottle holding compartment having a deployable ramp to assist in loading an upright water bottle into the cabinet, a front mounted alcove with a paddle switch having a stepped outer surface to allow activation by small and large diameter containers, an electrical interlock switch for avoiding inadvertent dispensing of hot water, and a reserve tank having a low water level alarm switch activating a light annunciator and a vent check valve arrangement for venting the reserve tank during water flow. The cabinet is adapted to receive a filter unit in lieu of a water bottle.

Abstract: A device to be used for making and combining warm sterile water with dry baby formula. Device must contain a source of water (10), enough to fill at least one bottle to desired amount and to properly combine with formula. A heating device (30) is contained in order to sterilize water by boiling it. A cooling device (50) within the unit brings down the temperature of the water to recommended mixing temperature with dry formula. Enough dry formula is contained to produce at least one bottle. A releasing device is provided to release recommended amounts of both water and dry formula directly into a bottle.

Abstract: A typical solenoid-operated fuel injector comprises a housing forming an enclosure which contains a solenoid coil that is selectively energized by electric current to operate the fuel injector. An inlet connector tube extends into a stator to convey liquid fuel into the enclosure, to a valve via which fuel is ejected from the enclosure. A valve needle is disposed within the enclosure between the stator and the valve and is operated by the solenoid coil acting through a spring-biased armature to open and close a flow path through the enclosure between the inlet connector tube and the valve. The stator forms a portion of a magnetic circuit path that directs magnetic flux across a working gap that is disposed within the enclosure between an end of the stator and on one side of the armature wherein the one side of the armature causes impact forces to be exerted axially on the stator during the opening and closing of the flow path.