Abstract: A shear coupling includes a first half, a second half, and a shear pin connected therebetween. The connections between the shear pin and the first half and the second half substantially isolate the shear pin from torsional, bending, and compression forces experienced by the first half or the second half. The connections between the shear pin and the first half and the second half transfer tension forces experienced by the first half and the second half to the shear pin from. A tension force above a predetermined threshold causes the shear pin to separate into two pieces that remain connected to the first and second halves.

Abstract: A connection nozzle assembly includes an inner fluid product tube, a tube sleeve secured about the fluid product tube, an outer nozzle sleeve, and a locking mechanism disposed between the fluid product tube and the nozzle sleeve. The nozzle sleeve includes a body portion and a rear portion, each being moveable between a plurality of locking positions. The nozzle assembly includes one or more grips configured to rotate forward and backward to lock and unlock the nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling, respectively. The nozzle sleeve is moved between the plurality of locking positions, thereby engaging the locking mechanism to secure the connection nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling. The connection nozzle assembly can be uncoupled by reversing the nozzle sleeve.

Abstract: A shear coupling includes a first half, a second half, and a shear pin connected therebetween. The connections between the shear pin and the first half and the second half substantially isolate the shear pin from torsional, bending, and compression forces experienced by the first half or the second half. The connections between the shear pin and the first half and the second half transfer tension forces experienced by the first half and the second half to the shear pin from. A tension force above a predetermined threshold causes the shear pin to separate into two pieces that remain connected to the first and second halves.

Abstract: A connection nozzle assembly includes an inner fluid product tube, a tube sleeve secured about the fluid product tube, an outer nozzle sleeve, and a locking mechanism disposed between the fluid product tube and the nozzle sleeve. The nozzle sleeve includes a body portion and a rear portion, each being moveable between a plurality of locking positions. The body portion has at least one J-groove bracket disposed therein and the rear portion has a guide element extending into the bracket. The locking mechanism includes at least one clamping member moveable between a plurality of clamping positions and at least one drop pin moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The nozzle sleeve is moved between the plurality of locking positions, thereby engaging the locking mechanism to secure the connection nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling. The connection nozzle assembly can be uncoupled by reversing the nozzle sleeve.

Abstract: A connection nozzle assembly includes an inner fluid product tube, a tube sleeve secured about the fluid product tube, an outer nozzle sleeve, and a locking mechanism disposed between the fluid product tube and the nozzle sleeve. The nozzle sleeve includes a body portion and a rear portion, each being moveable between a plurality of locking positions. The body portion has at least one J-groove bracket disposed therein and the rear portion has a guide element extending into the bracket. The locking mechanism includes at least one clamping member moveable between a plurality of clamping positions and at least one drop pin moveable between a raised position and a lowered position. The nozzle sleeve is moved between the plurality of locking positions, thereby engaging the locking mechanism to secure the connection nozzle assembly to a receptacle coupling. The connection nozzle assembly can be uncoupled by reversing the nozzle sleeve.

Abstract: A stuffing box for sealing around a shaft. The stuffing box includes a seal which engages the circumferential surface of a shaft and creates a fluid seal therearound. The stuffing box also includes a wear indicator that can be used to provide an audible, visual or tactile indication that the seal has deteriorated a predetermined amount. An additional stuffing box is disclosed in which wedge inserts are used to create an effective fluid seal around a shaft. The stuffing box includes lower and upper housings, each including a seal. In each seal, a wedge insert is placed within tapered packing and compresses the packing against a shaft received within the housings, and against an internal surface of the housings. The packings can be placed on a platform ring that uses a spring to exert a biasing force further compressing the packings against the wedge and against the shaft and housing.