Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler and a sample collection station. The sampler is stationary and periodically delivers discrete product samples to a stationary inlet to the sample collection station. The sample collection station includes a deck having a plurality of passages in linearly aligned spaced relationship, a plurality of sample collection containers, and inlets to the sample collection containers that are in communication with associated ones of the deck passages. The deck is linearly indexed in both directions of movement along the linear alignment of the deck passages to place selected ones of the deck passages into communication with the stationary inlet, so that product samples delivered by the sampler to the sample collection station are directed into selected ones of the sample collection containers.

Abstract: A sampler for obtaining wine samples from a wine holding tank is characterized by a manually operable sampler and a connecting device for coupling the sampler to an opening to the tank. The connecting device has open and closed states and the sampler is coupled to the connecting device while it is closed, after which the connecting device is opened to establish a path between the sampler and tank opening. A probe of the sampler, having a forward sample receiving inlet that may be opened and closed, is then manually extended, while its inlet is closed, through the connecting device and tank opening into and through lees deposited as a sediment layer in the region of the tank opening, until the probe inlet is positioned beyond the sediment layer and in wine that is relatively free of sediment. The probe inlet is then opened for flow of a sample of wine from the tank into the inlet and through and out of the probe to a collection container.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler and a sample collection station. The sampler is stationary and periodically delivers discrete product samples to a stationary inlet to the sample collection station. The sample collection station includes a deck having a plurality of passages in linearly aligned spaced relationship, a plurality of sample collection containers, and inlets to the sample collection containers that are in communication with associated ones of the deck passages. The deck is linearly indexed in both directions of movement along the linear alignment of the deck passages to place selected ones of the deck passages into communication with the stationary inlet, so that product samples delivered by the sampler to the sample collection station are directed into selected ones of the sample collection containers.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler for obtaining samples of a dry product from a vessel. The sampler has a bore with a forward opening in communication with the product in the vessel. A plunger of the sampler has an annular recess intermediate its ends, and is manually extended forward in the bore to project the recess through the bore forward opening and into the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then manually retracted rearward from the vessel to convey the product sample in its recess to a sample collection point in the sampler bore. When the plunger recess is at the sample collection point, a length of open bore exists between the front of the plunger and the bore forward opening. So that product from the vessel does not enter the bore opening and accumulate in and block the bore in front of the plunger, after collection of the sample, the plunger is manually extended forward to a parked position.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler operable to obtain samples of liquid product from a body of product in a vessel. The sampler includes a plunger having a sample receiving recess and a connecting device couples the sampler to the vessel at an aperture to the vessel. The sampler is attached to the connecting device and the connecting device is moveable between a first position placing the sampler into, and a second position taking the sampler out of, communication with the aperture. With the connecting device in the first position, the plunger is reciprocated to extend the plunger and its recess through the connecting device and vessel aperture into product in the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then retracted from the vessel and through the connecting device to deliver the product sample to a collection point.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler operable to obtain samples of liquid product from a body of product in a vessel. The sampler includes a plunger having a sample receiving recess and a connecting device couples the sampler to the vessel at an aperture to the vessel. The sampler is attached to the connecting device and the connecting device is moveable between a first position placing the sampler into, and a second position taking the sampler out of, communication with the aperture. With the connecting device in the first position, the plunger is reciprocated to extend the plunger and its recess through the connecting device and vessel aperture into product in the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then retracted from the vessel and through the connecting device to deliver the product sample to a collection point.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler for obtaining samples of a dry product from a vessel. The sampler has a bore with a forward opening in communication with the product in the vessel. A plunger of the sampler has an annular recess intermediate its ends, and is manually extended forward in the bore to project the recess through the bore forward opening and into the vessel to receive a product sample in the recess. The plunger is then manually retracted rearward from the vessel to convey the product sample in its recess to a sample collection point in the sampler bore. When the plunger recess is at the sample collection point, a length of open bore exists between the front of the plunger and the bore forward opening. So that product from the vessel does not enter the bore opening and accumulate in and block the bore in front of the plunger, after collection of the sample, the plunger is manually extended forward to a parked position.

Abstract: A safety guard assembly is adapted to be conveniently moved into position between a work area and an operator station. The safety guard is characterized by a unitary transparent polymer having a planar portion and ribs that impart to the planar portion rigidity against longitudinal bending and transverse flexing. Brackets are attached to opposite sides of the guard and an associated handle and one end of an associated universal support arm are connected to each bracket. The opposite end of each universal support arm is mounted remote from the work area. The handles and universal support arms enable the guard to be quickly and conveniently moved by an operator between positions adjacent to and remote from the work area. When moved between the work area and operator station, the guard restricts, from passage to the work station, chips, broken tools, coolant, etc.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is adapted to obtain samples of fluid product of a type that tends to form a dead layer of product on inner walls of a process line. The apparatus has a sampler body having a bore that opens at a forward end of the body. A plunger in the bore has a sample obtaining recess intermediate its ends. The apparatus is coupled to the process line at an opening to the process line and has two motors. One motor reciprocates the sampler body between a first position where its forward end is retracted to the exterior of a flow stream of product in the process line that exists inwardly of the dead layer of product, and a second position where its forward end extends into the flow stream.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler coupled to a product-containing vessel by an adapter. The sampler has a bore received in the adapter and leading to an opening in the vessel. A plunger in the bore has an annular recess intermediate its ends. The plunger is reciprocated forward in the bore to project the recess through a forward outlet from the bore and through the vessel opening into the vessel to receive a sample of liquid therein. The plunger is then reciprocated rearward to retract the recess from the vessel and into the bore to a sample delivery point. When the plunger is in the sample delivery position, a relatively long portion of the sampler bore exists between the front of the plunger and the forward bore outlet. The sampler has two motors. A first one of the motors reciprocates the plunger during sampling cycles between its sample receiving and sample delivering positions.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler body having a bore and a forward opening from the bore communicating with the interior of a vessel containing fluidized product in which strands, viscous strings and particles may be entrained. A plunger assembly in the bore is generally cylindrical along a longitudinal axis and has a sample receiver and cutters. The sample receiver is generally tubular and has a plurality of arcuately spaced longitudinal slots extending radially between an outer surface and a hollow interior of the sample receiver, and individual cutters are in facing relationship at opposite ends of the bore. A pneumatic motor reciprocates the plunger in the bore in a forward direction to a sample obtaining position where the sample receiver and cutters are extended at least partly out of the forward bore opening and into the interior of the process line to obtain a sample of fluidized product that flows into and fills the sample receiver passages and hollow interior.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a sampler housing coupled to a movable valve of a connecting device. The housing and the movable valve have bores that are in communication and axial alignment. One end of the valve bore communicates with the interior of a liquid containing vessel. A plunger is in the housing bore and has an annular recess intermediate its ends. The plunger is reciprocated in the housing and valve bores to project the recess into the vessel to receive a sample of liquid therein, and to then retract the recess from the vessel and through the valve and housing bores to a sample collection point in the housing. Plunger seals maintain a liquid seal between the vessel interior and the sample collection point in the housing during reciprocation of the plunger. The valve is movable between an operative position where the one end of its bore communicates with the vessel interior and an inoperative position where the one end of its bore is out of communication with the vessel interior.

Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning vessels is inserted into a vessel to automatically clean the interior thereof. The apparatus is particularly adapted to clean rail tank cars and similar vessels, and includes a spray nozzle that is moved at a controlled speed back and forth across the length and width of deposits within the tank to blast loose and flush the deposits out of a drain from the tank. The spray nozzle is carried at a lower end of a support trunk, and is rotated back and forth about respective longitudinal and transverse axes to direct a jet stream of solvent against the deposits. The support trunk is pivotable to shift the spray nozzle from side to side within the vessel to clean behind obstructions often found in tanks, and vertically movable to position the spray nozzle at selected heights within the tank. The apparatus can be rotated about a vertical axis to rotate the longitudinal and transverse axes about which the spray nozzle is rotated.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a housing having a liquid product flow passage and an outlet port extending between the passage and the housing exterior. A plunger having a recess toward its nose extends across the passage and the nose of the plunger is received in the outlet port. The plunger is reciprocable between a first position where the recess is in communication with the passage to receive in the recess a sample of liquid product and a second position where the recess is moved out of the passage and through the outlet port into communication with a sample collection point to the exterior of the housing to deliver the product sample to the collection point. A seal is always maintained through the outlet port between the passage and the housing exterior, and a sample collection bottle is releasably carried by the housing at the collection point.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus is characterized by a housing having a bore communicating at one end with the interior of a vessel containing fluidized product. A plunger assembly in the bore has a sample chamber intermediate its ends and is reciprocated to project the sample chamber out of the bore and into the vessel to receive a sample of product therein, and to then retract the sample chamber from the vessel and into the bore to a sample collection point. Forward and rearward seals on the plunger to opposite sides of the sample chamber always maintain a liquid seal between the one end of the bore and the sample collection point. The rearward seal comprises a shear bearing having a circumferential groove that receives and retains fluidized product in sealing relation to the bore to seal the shear beating and thereby the plunger assembly to the bore.

Abstract: A sampler for communicating with the interior of a vessel containing a liquid extracts a liquid sample of predetermined volume from the vessel and conveys the same to a point of collection. The sampler includes a body having a bore, the forward end of which is in communication with the interior of the vessel, along with front and rear plungers reciprocable within the bore under positive independent control. The plungers are movable away from and toward each other to establish and collapse a sample chamber therebetween. To obtain a liquid sample, the plungers are removed forwardly to project the front plunger out of the bore and place the sample chamber into communication with the vessel interior, whereupon the sample chamber is established for being filled with liquid.

Abstract: A sampler for communicating with the interior of a vessel containing dry granular or powder materials extracts a sample of the material and conveys it to a point of collection. The sampler includes a tubular probe having an inlet opening toward an inner end and the probe is reciprocable into and out of the vessel for a flow of material into the inlet and through the probe to an outlet from the probe. To assist the material flow a jet of fluid is introduced into the inner end of the probe to aspirate material into the inlet opening and convey it through the probe, and when the probe is retracted from the vessel the jet purges the same of residual material. One or more valves are provided to control the jet of fluid and enable a momentary flow of fluid outwardly of the inlet opening when the probe is retracted to clear the opening of any material lodged therein.

Abstract: A device for measuring forces exerted by the jaws of a chuck under both static and dynamic rotary conditions is characterized by an elongate housing and a piston in a cylinder bore in the housing and extending generally perpendicular thereto. The piston and housing are adapted to be gripped between the jaws of the chuck to pressurize a fluid in the cylinder, and the pressure of the fluid is coupled with a gauge which is moved out of an end of the housing by an amount in accordance with the pressure, and therefore in accordance with the force exerted by the jaws, and a graduated scale on the gauge provides a visual indication of the force.

Abstract: A sampler for communicating with the interior of a vessel containing a relatively viscous liquid under pressure extracts a liquid sample of predetermined volumetric displacement from the vessel and conveys the same to a point of collection. The sampler includes a body having a bore in communication with the interior of the vessel, a plunger reciprocable within the bore and a slider reciprocable within the bore rearwardly of the plunger. To obtain a liquid sample, the plunger is moved at least partially into the vessel to establish a sample chamber between the slider and plunger into which liquid flows. The plunger is then moved back into the bore with the sample captured between the plunger and slider until the sample is exposed to a discharge port in the bore, at which point further rearward movement of the sleeve is inhibited, so that continued rearward movement of the plunger forces the liquid out of the sample chamber and through the port.

Abstract: A sampling apparatus for communicating with the interior of a vessel containing a liquid at an elevated temperature extracts a liquid sample of predetermined volumetric displacement from the vessel and maintains the sample at or above the elevated temperature or within a selected temperature range while conveying the same to a point of collection. If desired, an environment control medium may be maintained about the sample while within the sampler. In this manner, the sampler may advantageously be used to obtain samples of liquids which solidify, thicken, change in property and/or become unstable unless temperature controlled, or which must be maintained in a controlled environment during collection.