Abstract: An apparatus for inflating tires of different sizes, in which a control unit operates to alternatingly connect the tire with a pressurized air source and a contact manometer, respectively. The length of the inflation periods may be adjusted according to the volume of the tire for achieving a maximized effective rate of inflation for each tire size. Two potentionmeters and their associated scales are calibrated in "tire diameter" and "tire width", respectively, whereby their combined series resistance will be analogous to the tire volume when the potentiometers are set in simple accordance with the "diameter" and "width" markings as printed on the side of all tires.

Abstract: A separatory funnel having a valve stem mounted through its center to accurately open, close, and regulate the flow of liquid from the funnel. The valve stem is provided with a passageway therein for forming a separate channel from the path of liquid flow to permit air to pass through the separatory funnel independently of the liquid flow from the funnel. This air passageway may exit internally of the funnel chamber, or externally thereof. In the external exit version, the valve stem is modified so that the air exit path can be capped and/or connected to another device. The lower end of the valve stem is provided with sealing structure of several types for assuring a tight and positive seal when the valve is closed. Also, the lower end of the valve stem is sandblasted to effect flow of all liquid therealong and tapered to a spherical ball at the very end for collecting and forming liquid droplets for precision liquid flow measurement.

Abstract: A fire-barrier comprises a composite of three types of fire-retardant materials operable sequentially to combat an increase in temperature, e.g. as occurs on outbreak of a fire, by different methods. A preferred combination of materials is an outer layer of heat reflective material, an inner layer of thermally intumescent material and an intermediate layer of endothermal material between the inner and outer layers.

Abstract: A strip of longitudinally corrugated thin sheet metal is spirally coiled to form a tube with adjacent border portions of successive convolutions overlapping each other with at least one corrugation in the overlying border portion of one convolution fitting into one corrugation of the underlying border portion of an adjoining convolution, and the interfitting crests are provided with circumferentially spaced locking detents each of which has a flattened central area flanked by crimps along its marginal portions that extend downwardly and outwardly in substantial abutment with the lowermost portions of the crests in which the detents are located.

Abstract: Disclosed is a resilient fatigue resistant flow control device (140) for maintaining a substantially constant rate of fluid flow through a passageway (64) under varying fluid pressure differentials across the device. The device comprises at least one metering orifice (72) extending between the upstream and downstream sides within a defined region (R) that is circumscribed on the downstream side by a peripheral surface (78) that is adapted to rest directly against a seat (68) in the passageway. A plurality of spaced-apart bypass channels (84) extend through the device between the upstream side and the downstream peripheral surface that are positioned so that at least a portion of each channel intersects region (R) adjacent the peripheral surface so that the compression and expansion of region R adjacent the peripheral surface is able to control the amount of fluid flowing through the channels.

Abstract: An expansion bulb for plugging a conduit or passage which includes an expandable sleeve encircling a body and secured to the body by caps securing opposite ends of the sleeve to the body with each end of the sleeves extending into recesses in the body. Pressurized air or fluid is supplied through a passage in the body to cause radial expansion of the sleeve relative to the body.

Abstract: A closure device for an opening in a pipe and the like is provided which includes an elastomeric sealing ring having a threaded bore which tapers from an outer to an inner end of the sealing ring. A threaded plug having a tapered configuration from an outer to an inner end thereof is threadably receivable in the sealing ring whereby the sealing ring is expanded and engages the opening in sealing relation. The plug includes a multi-sided boss fixedly attached to and extending from its outer end. The sealing ring engages the opening when the plug is received in the bore thereof in a frictional engagement whereby the sealing ring resists rotation and axial sliding within the opening as the plug is axially advanced into the bore.

Abstract: A fuel tank filler including a positive vapor return vent system that prevents substantial loss of vapor or liquid is provided using an arrangement of relatively light weight and low cost coupling members. A guide provided together with the arrangement of the couplings requires connection of the vent coupling before the fill pipe is connected and until it is disconnected so that fuel cannot be added unless the return vent is operative.

Abstract: A cup shaped or cylindrical thread protector, having circumferentially spaced, internally projecting lugs, is formed by injection molding of a thermoplastic resin into a female mold cavity having a smooth cylindrical interior and having a male mold member fitting therein and cooperable therewith to define a cup shaped or cylindrical cavity. The male mold member has a plurality of recesses of a size and shape operable to produce said lugs in the molded thread protector produced therein. When the thread protector is molded, the male mold member is rotated about its axis sufficiently to compress said lugs into the cup wall thereof at a time after the thermoplastic has solidified but before it has cooled and is then pulled from within the cup shaped member.

Abstract: An appliance for the handling of barrels which have in the region of the barrel mantle a bung plate with a bung opening, is to be reusable and is to permit an intensive automatic handling of such barrels.

Abstract: A vial closed at one end by a septum is redundantly sealed by a shaped plug for the storage of soil gas samples.

Abstract: A concrete pipe of the type employed, for example, in large sewers is described, having a concrete wall and an inner lining sheet of a polymeric or other plastic material anchored to the wall by a layer of fabric welded or otherwise firmly connected to the sheet. The fabric includes a plurality of preferably monofilament projections having a higher modulus of elasticity than the material of the sheet which projections extend into the inner wall of the concrete pipe and anchor the fabric and sheet thereto. A protective plastic ring and a covering strip positively support the sheet at the joint between two pipes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for use in filling a valve bag eliminates sifting of product during the filling process. A filling nozzle is inserted into the valve of a bag to be filled. A flow of particulate material is provided through the filling nozzle and into the bag. When the bag is full, the flow of particulate material is terminated. A blast of high pressure air is then introduced into the nozzle in order to clear the nozzle of any residual particulate material therein. A low pressure blast of air is introduced between the nozzle and the filling valve to suspend any particles present in the filling valve after the nozzle has been cleared by the high pressure blast. A vacuum is introduced into the nozzle to suck any suspended particles out of the filling valve after the low pressure blast has been introduced. A boot can be inflated around the nozzle to seal the nozzle within the bag valve before filling the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a gas contained in a sealed ampule, typically a radioactive gas dissolved in a saline solution. A housing with a cavity for receiving the ampule, the housing having a lead shield surrounded by a steel sleeve, and a cap for closing the cavity in the shield. First and second flow paths are provided in the housing from the exterior of the housing to a seat which engages the ampule output line. A syringe is attached on the outside of the housing and connects with the first flow path. A hollow needle is positioned in the second flow path with one end entering the ampule outlet line for breaking the ampule seal. A valve on the outer end of the needle is normally closed so that when the needle breaks the seal, liquid from the syringe is drawn into the ampule with the gas dissolving in the liquid. Then the gas-liquid solution is withdrawn through the needle and valve.

Abstract: A device for treating samples, for example collection of fractions from a chromatographic separation process, comprises a series of test containers (11), a treatment unit (5) and an apparatus (4) for creating relative motion between the test containers and the treatment unit. The treatment unit passes the test containers in sequence and subjects the same to one or more treatment steps. According to the invention the test tubes are detected and their position indicated by a sensor (9) which is arranged to trigger the treatment step or steps when contacting a given area on the respective test container (11), especially by the resilient biasing of a spring (13).

Abstract: A synthetic resin pipe which includes two identical complementary, extruded semi-cylinders joined by electromagnetic bonding along abutting longitudinal edges to form a smooth walled cylindrical pipe. In one embodiment of the invention, the smooth walled pipe forms an internal sleeve or liner within an external corrugated pipe having contiguous circumferential corrugations over its length, and having the troughs of the corrugations bonded to the outer surface of the internal sleeve.In the method for forming the pipe, two identical flat plastic sheets are extruded, then vacuumed formed into semi-cylinders each having radially outwardly projecting longitudinal flanges extending from opposite side edges thereof. A paste or dispersion containing ferro-magnetic particles is then applied to the flanges on the sides thereof adjacent the concavity of the respective semi-cylinder. The semi-cylinders are next arranged in registry to form a cylinder with the flanges abutting.

Abstract: A thermal insulation jacket for a curved tube as two shell halves such that the shape of each shell half has portions which enclasp the tube and afford at least a temporary attachment to the tube without additional manual or other external support. Thus, one person may easily install insulation jackets made in accordance with this invention because the shell halves, upon being placed on the curved tube, will stay in position on the tube while they are being tied or otherwise permanently secured to the tube or to each other.

Abstract: In a pressurized fluid device a cavity is defined within a container. A piston rod passes through a piston rod guide and seal unit of the container. The piston rod guide and seal unit has an axially inner and an axially outer sealing element sealingly engaging the piston rod. The axially inner sealing element acts as a check valve permitting flow of fluid towards the cavity and preventing flow of fluid out of the cavity. An intermediate chamber is defined between the axially inner and the axially outer sealing element around the piston rod. A filling passage is provided across the piston rod guide and sealing unit. This filling passage includes an axially outer filling passage section across the axially outer sealing element between the intermediate chamber and the exterior of the pressurized fluid device.

Abstract: A fluid mixer arrangement such as for mixing fluid concentrates with water to produce a mixture available on a demand basis. One embodiment includes two such mixing arrangements particularly suited to semiautomatically provide separate fixer and developer fluid mixtures for film development. In each mixer arrangement, bottles of liquid chemicals are positioned in inverted fashion above a tank with hydraulically operated piercing knives located to pierce the caps of the bottles to replenish the chemical mixture in the tank. When the mixture of fluid in the tank reaches a certain minimum level, a secondary float permits a valve to open, coupling pressurized tap water to cylinders to activate the piercing knives and also to permit water flow into the tank. A primary float closes the valve when the fluid mixture in the tank reaches its desired high level.

Abstract: A drainer container and funnel having a container with an elongated internal receiving chamber that is defined by a pair of opposed major walls and at least one minor wall that interconnects the major walls, and a funnel that is detachably attachable to one of the major walls. The wall to which the funnel is attached is provided with an inwardly recessed funnel receiving wall portion and an aperture therethrough at an innermost part thereof. The funnel has a spout portion that is detachably connected to the recessed wall portion in such a manner as to communicate with the internal chamber of the container through the aperture, and the funnel being of a size and shape so as to be substantially entirely received within the recessed wall portion of the container when connected thereto. When the funnel is detached, a closure seals the aperture in the recessed wall portion.