Abstract: An aseptic food handling system for filling containers with presterilized food. A first cylinder is provided having an inlet and an outlet, and located so food products to be packaged are received in the inlet. The cylinder contains a piston operable from first position to receive product through the inlet to a second position to emit the food product from the outlet. At least one sterilizing fluid passageway is provided in the cylinder to selectively admit sterilizing fluid to the cylinder to expose the internal surfaces of the cylinder and the poston to the sterilizing fluid where the cylinder can be operated by an adjustable two position motive cylinder. A second dispensing cylinder can also be provided to receive the food product from the first cylinder and direct it to a food container.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit includes a stationary refractory plate to be mounted on a metallurgical vessel, a movable refractory plate, a slide frame supporting the movable refractory plate and movable in a direction of movement between an open position with discharge openings in the movable and stationary refractory plates in alignment and a closed position with the discharge openings out of alignment, and tensioning devices on opposite sides of the movable refractory plates for pressing the movable refractory plate against the stationary refractory plate. The force of the tensioning structures is distributed evenly along the opposite sides of the movable refractory plate by strip members mounted in the slide frame for movement relative in the direction of the thickness thereof. A respective strip member is positioned on each opposite side of the movable refractory plate and is positioned between the tensioning structure on such side and the bottom surface of the movable refractory plate on such side.

Abstract: A swivel-jointed robot arm consisting of a plurality of interconnected, rigid links (5,6,7,8) linked together in the fashion of chain links, wherein the links (5,7) are joined to the same intermediate link (6) and adjacent, abutting ends of the links (5,7) are mutually pivotally connected; whereas the flexible robot arm's innermost end link (5) is pivotally supported (1) in relation to a preceding robot arm member (14) having a protruding drive shaft (13) for turning the jointed robot arm about its own axis, and is arranged to be driven by a drive means (16,17,18) in controlled outward swinging movements about said pivotal support (1), while at the same time the inner end of the next successive link (6), which is joined to said end link (5), is pivotally connected to the drive shaft (13) for transmitting a corresponding outward swinging motion to the following links (7,8).

Abstract: A singling apparatus for letters, vouchers, receipts, checks, punched cards, or other main items of all kinds up to a given size and thickness, singles out the items arriving in any irregular sequence one below the other, unarranged and oriented on a longitudinal or transverse edge. To obtain a high singling output and draw-off quality, the items are transported in vertical position through a transport mechanism and, by using a restricting guiding unit, into the draw-off region of a draw-off belt revolving about deflection bodies tangentially toward the draw-off belt surface. In the contact zone of draw-off belt and one deflection body the inflowing mail items are pressed against the draw-off belt and only the items coming into contact with the draw-off belt directly are drawn off by friction, by deflection of these items around the deflection body.

Abstract: Device for tapping containers filled with liquid, in particular, tin cans filled with beer, with a mounting for fixing the device relative to the container, with a tubular piercing member sharpened at the front which penetrates the wall of the container, with a tap arranged on the tubular piercing member, and with a sealing collar enclosing the tubular piercing member and abutting against the container wall. The tubular piercing member is immovably connected to the mounting, and, when the latter is positioned on the container, penetrates the container wall. The sealing collar protrudes beyond the cutting rim of the tubular piercing member so that when the device is fixed on the container, the sealing collar abuts against it sealingly before the tubular piercing member penetrates the container wall.

Abstract: A pressurized fluid remote-dispensing assembly comprises a base unit which may be an aerosol container having a supply valve, an automatically disengageable locking rod or wedge for maintaining the aerosol container supply valve in an open, fluid dispensing valve position, a supply tube inserted into the aerosol outlet nozzle so as to allow for pressurized transfer of fluid through the tube to a remote dispenser, the locking rod or wedge being mated with the supply tube so that disengagement of the latter also disengages the locking rod or wedge to allow the supply valve to return to its normal, closed position. The remote dispenser may be equipped with a scrubber/applicator and stop means to prevent excessive upward pressure on the nozzle assembly of the remote dispenser and the supply tube may be encased in a protective sheathing.

Abstract: A portable mix bar comprising a hard hat having a plurality of drink containers and a pair of mixing chambers for mixing drinks mounted thereon wherein the flow of drinks to and from the mixing chambers is controlled by a plurality of valves. Also provided is a plurality of tubes for carrying drinks from the drink containers to the valves and mixing chambers and between valves and mixing chambers and from the mixing chambers to the mouth of a user.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing an additive (70) into a stream (14) of well proppant includes a sealed housing (42), (44), (52) containing a first chamber (102), a second chamber (104), and an additive dispenser (64), (72) operably connected to a motor (92). The upper chamber (102) is adapted to contain the additive (70), and the lower chamber (104) communicated with the pressurized well proppant stream (14). The additive dispensing means (64), (72) is disposed between the upper chamber (102) and the lower chamber (104). A pressure equalizing tube (98) within said housing (42), (44), (52) extends from the upper chamber (102) through the additive dispenser (64), (72) to the lower chamber (104) to equalize the fluid pressure existing in the lower chamber (104) with the fluid pressure existing in the upper chamber (102) during the dispensing of the additive (70) from the upper chamber (102) to the lower chamber (104).

Abstract: A pump dispenser for fluent products is disclosed as inluding a container for housing the fluent product, dispensing outlet means on the container, a follower piston closing the lower end of the container below the product, and means for varying the volume within such dispenser. The volume varying means comprises a plunger adapted to be reciprocated within the dispenser to alternately decrease the volume therewithin and, following such decrease, return to its original position thereby increasing the volume within the dispenser. The plunger further comprises a peripheral skirt having predetermined outer lateral dimensions at its lower distal end, and an enlarged attachment head on such lower distal end. The attachment head has predetermined outer lateral dimensions which are larger than the outer lateral dimensions of such lower distal end therey effectively forming a reentrant portion on the plunger above the enlarged head.

Abstract: A fluid power apparatus particularly useful for an industrial robot which includes a pair of expansible chamber devices each having a pair of control chambers in fluid communication with each other to intensify the working fluid output pressure and a working chamber that expands to receive a charge of working fluid and contracts to expel working fluid therefrom. A working fluid circuit includes a first line connected with one of the working chambers and a second line connected with the other of the working chambers. A fluid actuator is connected with the circuit and has a moveable element that moves in response to flow of working fluid in the circuit to the actuator. The apparatus has a static condition in which the one working chamber is contracted with the moveable element of the actuator stationary in a first position.

Abstract: A hydraulic elevator system having a tunnel member as part of the car frame, to reduce the pit depth required for a hydraulic jack. A stabilizer for the plunger of the hydraulic jack is fixed to the bottom of the tunnel member, with the stabilizer being in an inactive, retracted position while the cylinder head is within the tunnel member. The stabilizer is automatically actuated to an operative plunger support position, as the elevator car rises and the bottom of the tunnel member starts to rise higher than the cylinder head, to provide an additional lateral support point for the plunger. The lateral support function provided by the stabilizer functions at all times, in both the active and inactive positions, without any wear inducing relative motion between the stabilizing surfaces of the stabilizer, and any other element of the system, including the hydraulic jack, its plunger, or the tunnel of the car frame.

Abstract: A measuring device for beverage dispenser lines comprises a housing with inlet and discharge ports, first and second attachments, and first and second couplings. The attachments have connectors for securing the attachments to ends of fluid conveying conduits. The first and second couplings are mounted on the first and second attachments, respectively, and the housing, and releasably couple the attachments with the ports of the housing.

Abstract: A beverage dispenser particularly for home refrigerators includes a one-piece cradle which can support one or more large beverage bottles in an inclined mode to promote gravity discharge of the beverage. A dispensing valve can be directly coupled with the threaded necks of larger size bottles and with a threaded adapter can be coupled with the neck of a smaller size bottle. A vent tube connected with the dispensing valve extends deeply into the beverage bottle to avoid an air lock therein impeding flow through the valve. A pivoted valve operating lever, when moved to the valve opening beverage dispensing position against spring force, simultaneously opens the vent tube to atmosphere. When the lever is released to cause closing of the dispensing valve, an extension of the lever effects closing and sealing of the vent tube.

Abstract: There is disclosed a winder for collapsible tube containers having a transversely movable member to prevent unwinding of a partially-wound tube.

Abstract: A sliding nozzle apparatus for a molten metal holding vessel including a fixed nozzle member and a fixed plate therefor which are supported by an upper or fixed bracket secured to the vessel, and a movable nozzle member and a slidable plate therefor which are supported by a lower or movable bracket having one edge hinged to the upper bracket, while its opposite edge remote from its hinged connection to the upper bracket is removably connectable to the upper bracket to bring the slidable plate into contact with the fixed plate. A first set of coil springs are located adjacent to the edge of the lower bracket at which it is hinged to the upper bracket, and a second set of coil springs are located adjacent to the opposite edge of the lower bracket. The first set of coil springs are deflected to a greater degree than the second set of coil springs, or are, in other words, preloaded differently from the second set of springs.

Abstract: A pump apparatus for viscous material adapted to be portable and includes a pair of upright supports defining a rigid framework mounted on a pair of wheels for movement along a support surface, such as a building floor. A platform extends perpendicularly outwardly from the framework and is adapted to support a container of material. A carriage is slideably mounted on a pair of guide rails secured to the framework, and a winch and cable assembly allows an operator to raise and lower the carriage. The carriage mounts a linearly arranged motor, drive shaft and pump, with the pump having a downwardly extending, disk-like follower plate oriented parallel to the platform. When a container is placed on the platform, the carriage may be lowered to insert the follower plate so that it bears against the materials. The motor drives the pump, and, as the material is removed from the container and dispensed through a hose, the weight of the carriage, pump and motor drives the follower plate into the container.

Abstract: A dispensing package is described for toothpaste or similar products. The package has a product chamber which is filled with the product and a propellant and has a valve operated nozzle including a reed-type outlet in which operation of a valve button causes the product to flow outwardly through the normally closed reed opening. The nozzle including the reed-type outlet is molded plastic of generally conical form adapted to fit over the product and propellant container.

Abstract: A sliding closure unit includes an upper stationary refractory plate to be mounted on a metallurgical vessel, a movable refractory plate sealed against the upper stationary refractory plate, a slide unit for moving the movable refractory plate in a direction of movement between an open position with discharge openings in the movable refractory plate and the upper stationary refractory plate in alignment and a closed position with the discharge openings out of alignment, a lower stationary refractory plate mounted beneath the movable refractory plate, and tensioning devices for pressing the lower stationary refractory plate against the movable refractory plate. Guide members are provided for relieving the pressure of the tensioning devices on the lower stationary refractory plate upon movement of the movable refractory plate to the closed position, thereby enabling replacement of the lower stationary refractory plate. The guide members are provided on the slide unit and extend in the direction of movement.

Abstract: An electronically controlled, pneumatically actuated pumping system is provided that is especially designed for the precision dispensing of liquids. The system includes a positively actuated inlet valve, and a small-diameter, long-stroke pumping piston that is physically stopped at each end of its stroke. The unique inlet valve and piston enable the system to repetitively dispense metered volumes of fluid at better than one tenth of one percent accuracy. A unique calibration mechanism and detachable dispensing head allow for the rapid disassembly, cleaning, and reassembly of the system. An alternative embodiment of the pumping system incorporates a plurality of dispensing nozzles controlled by a single inlet valve and pumping piston combination. The dispensing unit may be shiftably mounted on a vertically oriented stand, and may be automatically shifted upwardly as fluid is dispensed to minimize splashing and atomizing of the dispensed fluid.

Abstract: The valve for dispensing liquids which contain or are free from gas, more especially drinks containing carbon dioxide, from containers, comprises a housing with a socket which can be fitted on to the container opening, a riser duct which opens into the socket and to which is connected a riser extending into the container, a dispensing duct which extends to the lateral face of the housing and is connected to said riser duct, and a valve member which is displaceable in a bore between a closed position and an open position.