Abstract: The present invention relates to a cushioning element adapted to be mounted on an article to provide cushioning therefor. The cushioning clement of the present invention has a bladder body at least partially defining a filling chamber. The filling chamber is filled with a flowable particulate matter. The present invention further includes a mounting member adapted to mount the bladder body onto the article. According to the present invention, at least a portion of the bladder body is deformable and the particulate matter within the filling chamber is capable of flowing inside the filling chamber upon the application of a deforming force to the deformable portion of the bladder body.

Abstract: A ball cock has a housing that includes at least two housing parts. Each part has a flow-through channel as a flow-through path. The ball cock also includes a ball-shaped shut-off element having a passage bore as a flow path for optionally connecting the flow-through paths of the housing parts. This shut-off element is accommodated within the housing between ring-shaped seals, and can be switched by means of a switching shaft between an open position in which the flow path is released and a closed position that shuts off the flow path. At least one of the seals that accommodate the shut-off element between them is mounted in one of the housing parts, with limited axial mobility, and can be pressed against the shut-off element with a sealing surface by means of a device, whereby the seal can be switched between an axial contact pressure position and a stress-relief position.

Abstract: A pen includes a housing; a first reservoir inside the housing and configured to contain a first fluid, the first reservoir including a first opening configured to dispense the first fluid; a second reservoir inside the housing and configured to contain a second fluid, the second reservoir including a second opening configured to dispense the second fluid; a first writing tip extending from the housing and configured to dispense a substantially homogeneously mixed fluid to a writing surface; and a mixing region connected to the first and second openings and the first writing tip and configured to substantially homogeneously mix the first and second fluids and dispense the substantially homogeneously mixed fluid to the first writing tip.

Abstract: There are practical difficulties in dosing a component of a composition into its container, such as a personal care product into a hand-holdable dispenser on a filling line, due in part to the short time that is available for the operation. The difficulties can be ameliorated or overcome by employing dosing apparatus in which a metering pump feeds a flowable material such a liquid through a dosing nozzle positioned above a container intended to receive a charge, the nozzle having a plurality of individual spouts spaced apart from each other so as to prevent their individual streams coalescing and the spouts extending sufficiently below its support to prevent droplets from adjacent spouts coalescing.

Abstract: A shutoff device for shutting off liquids or gases comprises a device housing (10) and a device (13) movable in said housing (10), the device (13) being provided with an opening (14). For sealing purposes, annular sealing bodies (28) are provided which are supported in annular fluid cylinders (27). The contact surfaces (34) are coated with a hard-material layer (37,39) which is subjected to microfinishing. The sealing bodies (28) are yieldingly supported such that they are capable of following any deformation or displacement of the device (13). The sealing is particularly suitable for aggressive and abrasive media and solids-carrying media.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pneumatic servo valve, and more particularly, to a pneumatic servo valve, wherein displacement of a spool due to flow force of a fluid is prevented by firmly holding the spool just after position control for the spool is completed, thereby ensuring the stability of a valve system, and an encoder is employed as a spool position detecting means.

Abstract: A valve assembly to avoid or minimise the effect of “compression setting” which occurs when valves control the flow of some hazardous and/or corrosive fluids, especially when at en elevated temperature. The valve assembly includes a valve stem having a head portion which engages with a valve seat in order to close and seal the valve and an elastically deformable portion. In order to allow fluid to flow through the valve, the elastically deformable portion of the valve stem is deformed to allow fluid to pass between the head portion and the valve seat. An additional biasing element such as a cylindrical or conical compression spring is provided to urge the head portion towards contact with the valve seat. In this way, should “compression setting” of the elastic portion of the valve stem take place, the additional spring will ensure that the valve head is still able to be engaged with the valve seat to thereby close the valve.

Abstract: There is disclosed a valve comprising a valve stem threaded with a translator having a flow modulating region, in which rotation of the valve stem about its axis causes the translator to move axially relative to the valve stem. In one aspect, the threads on the translator and the valve stem threads have substantially similar coefficients of thermal expansion. In another aspect, a protrusion limits axial movement of the valve stem in one direction, the valve stem has at least one protuberance, at least one gland is engaged with the valve body, and at least one shim is positioned between the protuberance and the gland so as to limit axial movement of the valve stem relative to the valve body in an opposite direction. There are also disclosed power generating systems including such valves, and methods of constructing such valves.

Abstract: A valve for regulating fluid flow and associated method of use. The valve includes a stepper motor, a first valve portion having an inlet port for receiving fluid into the valve, a second valve portion having an outlet port for dispensing fluid from the valve, a third valve portion located between the first valve portion and the second valve portion, a first member that is rotatable and operatively attached to the stepper motor, and a second member, having a first portion and a second portion, which engages the first member for linear movement of the second member between a first position and a second position when the first member is rotated by the stepper motor to block fluid flow when the second member is located in the first position and allow fluid flow when the second member is located in the second position.

Abstract: A regulating vacuum valve comprises a valve housing with a through-channel, first and second valve plates which lie in adjacent and parallel planes and are mounted so as to be adjustable in their planes and can be moved into the through-channel from different sides proceeding from an open position in which they lie laterally adjacent to the through-channel to form a through-opening through the valve, the size of the through-opening being adjustable; a seal connection piece which is supported so as to be displaceable in the through-channel and is sealed relative to the valve housing, wherein, in order to provide a sealed state of the valve, the first valve plate is movable into a position in which it completely cover the through-channel and in which the seal connection piece is adjustable to the first valve plate and is accordingly sealed relative to the first valve plate by at least one sealing ring.

Abstract: A robotic system and method that provides three axes of movement to couple a robotic arm with a desired target for movement of materials, including but not limited to fluids. The robotic arm moves in two axes of direction only, and the targets move in the third axis of direction to couple the robotic arm with the desired target. The targets are contained on trays that are controlled to move linearly to accomplish the third axis of movement. Multiple trays each containing targets are provided and are vertically stacked on top of each other to increase the target handling capacity of the robotic system without increasing the footprint size of the robotic system. Each axis of motion is accomplished by control of an actuator by a control system and associated motion controller.

Abstract: An electrostatic microvalve has a partition dividing a first and a second valve chamber from each other and having a through duct extending through it, such through duct opening at a first and a second opening into the first and the second valve chamber. In the first valve chamber there is a valve member for the control of first duct opening.

Abstract: An electrically powered rotary solenoid drives a hydraulic pilot valve to actuate a hydraulic main valve. The pilot valve includes a seal carrier rotatable with respect to a seal plate. A carrier supply port and a plate supply port are centered about an axis of rotation to remain in fluid communication during rotation. A carrier function port and plate function port are spaced from the axis of rotation, such that they may be selectively placed in fluid communication to pass fluid to actuate the main valve. When actuated, the main valve passes fluid pressure to one or more hydraulically actuated components.

Abstract: A pushbutton valve assembly for regulating water flow from a water supply to a point of use such as a bubbler head of a drinking fountain. The valve assembly includes a valve body adapted for mounting onto a suitable housing panel or the like, and includes an internal valve cartridge for on-off control of water flow. A pushbutton is rotatably carried by an escutcheon ring mounted rotatably onto an exposed outboard end of the valve body, and this pushbutton is axially movable between depressed and non-depressed positions for on-off operation of the valve cartridge. The pushbutton and the escutcheon ring include respective pairs of axially open wrench ports which can be axially aligned upon appropriate pushbutton rotation to accommodate reception of a tool such as a spanner wrench for rotatably removing the escutcheon ring from the valve body, thereby exposing the valve cartridge for service or replacement.

Abstract: A new and improved waste oil management system is described herein. A remote storage tank, with a control panel and a pumping mechanism is connected to a fryer via metal tubing. The used oil is pumped from the fryer directly to the storage tank. In another embodiment of the system, a storage caddy, equipped with a filtration system, is used to transport the used oil from the fryer to the storage tank.

Abstract: Isolating device, in particular for an injection valve with a turning spindle, rotatably mounted in a device housing, actively connected to a drive device, for the variable displacement of an operating element for an isolation stop valve, connected to the turning spindle, by means of a gearbox unit. The aim of the invention is to improve said isolating device such that the above may be operated in a simple and controllable manner, whereby the control of the isolating device may be carried out from a remote position and in a secure manner. Said aim is achieved, whereby the drive device comprises at least two individually or synchronously operable electric motors and the gearbox unit comprises at least one in particular self-locking drive unit, said drive unit being connected to both electric motors for turning the turning spindle.

Abstract: Valve and valve lift system suitable for use in a regenerative thermal oxidizer, and oxidizer including the switching valve. The valve of the present invention exhibits excellent sealing characteristics and minimizes wear. In a preferred embodiment, the valve is sealed with pressurized air during its stationary modes, and unsealed during movement to reduce valve wear.

Abstract: A piping system for adding fuel to underground storage tanks includes a fill piping system and a vapor return piping system designed to prevent fuel spills and leakage of fuel vapors into the atmosphere. Fuel and vapor leakage are avoided by eliminating most of the threaded joints in each such piping assemblies by welding them into joint-free unitary stainless steel assemblies. A brace bar extends between the fill and vapor return piping systems and is secured to octagonal side flats on both assemblies such that the octagonal members cannot rotate unless the brace bar is removed. Annular synthetic rubber spill buckets are selectively inserted into each piping system to catch spills and prevent fuel from leaking near the tank or vapor from leaking out of the vapor recovery system into the atmosphere. In another modification, the spill bucket is used only on the fill piping system.

Abstract: A dispenser for a solid, gel or paste product includes a sound generating component or transmitter which releases a preset audio message, or which can activate other devices, every time the product is delivered from the dispenser.

Abstract: The invention discloses an assembly for collecting residual motor oil from standard plastic motor oil containers comprising a housing with two inlets sized, configured and positioned for receiving plastic motor oil containers. An outlet at the bottom of the housing adapted to be placed within a residual oil collection unit substantially closes the collection unit, permitting collection of contaminant-free residual oil. The assembly further includes a base welded to the housing with support arms for the plastic motor oil containers. Multiple assemblies may be stacked to provide the ability to collect oil from additional motor oil containers.