Abstract: An escapement device to be disposed between a source of fluid and a receiver of fluid. The device allows fluid to escape from the source and then intermittently takes a fixed, measured quantity of such fluid and transfers that quantity to the receiver. The device is useful in intervenous infusion systems, automatic blood testing equipment, and like equipment where small but highly accurate measures of fluid are needed.

Abstract: A portable self-contained asphalt melting and dispensing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus is provided with a jacketed flexible hose having a controlled circulating system for circulating an oil heating medium, used for heating the asphalt in a kettle to also maintain the asphalt within the flexible hose in a fluid state during periods of non-use.

Abstract: A vented, nestable-extendable pouring spout for use with a container having an opening therein includes an annular mounting portion adapted to be secured to an annular lip encompassing the opening of the container. A generally funnel shaped flexible body portion is secured at its larger circumferential edge to the mounting portion and at its smaller circumferential edge to a tubular neck portion located inwardly of the mounting portion. The body portion has an invertible fold portion adjacent the mounting portion to which is attached a plurality of circumferentially spaced ears, each ear having a pair of cylindrically shaped nibs extending therefrom. In the nested orientation of the spout, the ears extend downwardly out of the way of the nested neck and body portions. As the spout is extended, causing the invertible fold portion to invert, each ear rotates inwardly about its point of attachment until the ears extend inwardly perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the spout.

Abstract: A refractory, heat-insulating slab for use in an inner, expendable lining of a tundish has a facing comprising magnesium oxide, inorganic binder but substantially no organic matter and a different backing. The facing has a combined water content not exceeding 2% by weight and the backing has a permeability of at least 10 AFS units. The facing and backing are joined together during formation of the facing or the backing. In the continuous casting of steel, the slabs have the advantage that there is little or no tendency for a significant amount of hydrogen to be picked up by the steel.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container for flowable or otherwise extrudable materials, the container having a discharge barrier which comprises a dividing wall dividing the container space into an outer chamber which is in communication with a dispensing opening of the container and into a storage chamber in which the contents can be subjected to pressure for dispensing from the opening and can thereafter again be relieved of pressure. The dividing wall is formed with a membrane section having at least one valve opening which upon pressure loading of the membrane section from the side of the storage chamber opens against a restoring force exerted by a membrane mounting and which upon relief from pressure automatically closes again under the restoring force. The dividing wall is also formed with a holding element which is connected to the container in a manner that takes up manufacturing tolerances.

Abstract: A pump for dispensing liquid from a container is disclosed and comprised a cylinder, and a piston having an interior chamber with a valve member disposed therein, the valve member having a cylindrical surface at one end portion thereof. An inlet valve is provided and includes a sleeve having a cylindrical surface having a diameter sized to frictionally engage, provide a liquid seal and slide with respect to the cylindrical surface of the valve member. The inlet valve sleeve seats upon an annular ring extending around the inlet opening of the cylinder and seals the interior chamber of the pump with respect to the container. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, the pump may be non-venting such that a vacuum builds in the container as liquid is dispensed, and a sealing collar is provided to seal the pump with respect to the container.

Abstract: A tap for a "bag-in-the-box" containers which includes a body having a cylindrical wall extending interiorily and exteriorily of the container, the cylindrical wall having a beveled end across which a diaphragm is mounted, a spigot having a cylindrical wall part rotatably mounted within the body cylindrical wall portion and also having a beveled end whereby rotation of the spigot within the body removes the diaphragm and brings openings in the body and spigot into alignment for beverage discharge.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit includes at least one stationary plate having therethrough a discharge opening, and a movable plate mounted in sliding contact with the stationary plate, the movable plate having therethrough first and second discharge openings and including a closing area. Guides define alternative first and second paths of movement of the movable plate in directions along respective first and second tracks extending between the closing area and the first and second discharge openings of the movable plate. A single drive is connected to the movable plate for moving the movable plate along a selected such path between a closed position whereat the closing area is aligned with the discharge opening of the stationary plate and a selected open position wherein one of the discharge openings of the movable plate is aligned with the discharge opening of the stationary plate.

Abstract: A vortex inhibitor for use in tundishes, ladles, or metal making furnaces prevents the contamination of high quality molten steel by the slag layer which rides atop the surface of molten metal within such receptacles comprises a tapered polygonal body of castable refractory material whose specific gravity is less than the specific gravity of the molten metal but greater than the specific gravity of the slag. The refractory body is buoyantly supported at the interface of the layer of slag and the molten metal and includes a weighted apex so that the apex depends toward nozzle opening within receptacle. Thus, the body centers itself within the swirl of fluid generated during discharge of the fluid through the nozzle, and the inertia of the body substantially deenergizes the vortex so as to avoid formation of a suction funnel which typically draws the slag layer into and through the nozzle with the molten metal below the previously known critical level within the receptacle.

Abstract: A dispenser of the pressure accumulated type includes a unitary pump plunger actuated for reciprocation within a variable volume pump chamber defined by an accumulator which is displaced upon an accumulation of pressure for opening the discharge as a discharge valve thereon becomes unseated, the compression stroke of the plunger acting in a direction opposite displacement of the accumulator in a direction opening the discharge.

Abstract: The invention relates to an arrangement for actuating a slide-gate nozzle which is installed on the bottom of a casting ladle. This arrangement comprises a cylinder/piston unit which is operated by means of a pressure medium. Elements of a coupling are, in each case, assigned to the cylinder and to the stationary portion of the slide-gate, on the one hand, and to the piston rod and to the movable portion of the slide-gate of the slide-gate nozzle, on the other hand, these elements being in engagement when in the operating position. The invention embodies the combination of the following features, namely that the elements of the first coupling comprise a quarter-turn fastener, this coupling being assigned to the stationary portion of the slide-gate, and to the cylinder, and that the elements of the second coupling comprise a latching mechanism of the snap-in type, this coupling being assigned to the movable portion of the slide-gate, and to the piston rod.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying gas to a liquid in a container (4) having a gas conduit (5) discharging thereinto, the apparatus being particularly intended for preparing aerated beverages on a small scale. In the upper part of the container there is provided a filling orifice (6). To simplify the use of the apparatus and to prevent mistakes, the orifice (6) is provided with a closure means (27) which is arranged to close the orifice automatically in conjunction with charging gas to the container (4). In this respect, the closing movement of the closing means is preferably arranged to be initiated by the stream of gas entering the container. To provide a safer and more positive apparatus, the apparatus is suitably designed so that the closing of the closure means (27) can only be initiated when the container (4) is filled with liquid to a given level.

Abstract: A device for monitoring the coins in one or more coin tubes on a vending machine to maintain a running total of the coins therein that are available to pay back excess deposits and to make refunds. The device may include one or more coin tubes for containing a supply of coins of respective denominations, the coin tubes being included in a coin unit for receiving coins deposited in the vending machine and for directing the coins to the respective coin tubes. The coin unit includes an accumulator associated with each coin tube for counting each coin that enters therein and for subtracting therefrom the number of coins paid out, each of the accumulators including a mechanism for establishing a minimum and a maximum number of coins that can be maintained in the coin tube.

Abstract: A threaded elongated flexible pouring spout is detachably connectable with the threaded outlets of variously sized liquid containers by means of a multi-threaded adapter having threaded sleeve portions of different diameters, one of which at each end of the adapter is engageable with the threads of the flexible spout. A threaded extension cap for the flexible spout enables the servicing of small openings requiring liquids. The extension cap can also be threadedly engaged with the outlets of certain containers.

Abstract: A moisture-proof, cylindrical container is provided having a plurality of storage compartments for the receipt of various types of pills or other such items. A selector plate is rotatably mounted on the container to a position wherein an aperture in the plate is aligned over any one of the storage compartments to allow the introduction or removal of pills from that compartment. Indicia on the outside of the container adjacent the storage compartments identify the contents of that compartment. A cap secured to the container body over the selector plate, includes a threaded portion adapted to engage the container body below the indicia identifying the contents of the compartments.

Abstract: A material metering device having a feed wheel adjustably positioned above the housing discharge orifice. The feed wheel is disposed to rotate on a shaft journalled in an eccentric bearing. The bearing is attached to the meter housing and has a bearing body selectively rotatable to and selectively securable in a plurality of distinct positions.

Abstract: A rotary nozzle engageable with the pouring nozzle of a ladle that contains molten metal for transporting or pouring purposes, or in the flow passage of a converter so as to allow the outflow of molten metal. The rotary nozzle includes a fixed plate brick, a fixed plate supporting frame, a rotor mounted on the outer periphery of the supporting frame by way of a bearing, and a sliding plate supporting frame holding a sliding plate brick secured to the rotor by means of a hinge so that it can be hingedly opened and closed. Hooks and spring means are carried by the sliding plate supporting frame to thereby prevent lowering of the sliding plate brick and to securely fasten the sliding plate supporting frame to the rotor. Cooperating lugs are carried by a door frame and by the sliding plate supporting frame and hydraulic jacks serve to draw the lugs together to maintain the door frame and the sliding plate supporting frame together when the hooks are released.

Abstract: An automatic pill dispenser for dispensing medical pills having different prescribed administration schedules includes a plurality of pill storage compartments each capable of holding more than one pill, an automatic release mechanism for dispensing pills at predetermined time intervals corresponding with their respective administration schedules, and a pill receptacle coupled to a pill detector such that a pill dispensed from the pill dispenser and received by the receptacle causes the pill dispenser to generate a signal to alert the patient to take the dispensed medicine. Twelve storage compartments, arranged in a ring about a vertically rotating wheel, are preloaded by a patient with all pills prescribed to be taken during a 24-hour period. The patient loads pills into individual storage compartments according to a loading code corresponding to the respective administration schedules of the pills.

Abstract: A dispensing device in the form of a caulking gun is adapted to receive interchangeable cartridges. In addition, it comprises means introducing compressed air at activation into the cartridge from behind so as pneumatically to press a piston plate present therein and consequently the material present in the cartridge forward towards the discharge nozzle of the cartridge. In order to permit an easy interchanging of the cartridge as well as to obtain a very simple caulking gun, the dispensing device comprises an open supporting means and a sealing piston. The sealing piston is adapted to be sealingly pressed against the rim of the cartridge from behind so as to close said rim when the cartridge is pressed against the front end of the supporting means. At the same time the caulking gun comprises a passage extending through the sealing piston so as to permit compressed air to enter at the rear end of the cartridge at activation.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying pasty materials in the form of a fillet to a region between two surface parts includes an extrusion nozzle and a guide means at one end of the extrusion nozzle, the guide means including a fillet-forming portion which straddles the region and forms the fillet therein, and wiping portions which contact the surface parts adjacent to the region so as to prevent extruded pasty material from being deposited thereon.