Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing cylindrical materials containers such as paint cans and caulking tubes. The apparatus includes a cylindrical sleeve constructed of a semi-rigid, rubber-like material having a first open-base end, where the first open-base end opens into a cylindrical chamber, inner and outer cylindrical surfaces of which extend contiguously from the first open-base end to a second closed-base end of the sleeve. The inner cylindrical surface includes at least one annular bead or protrusion disposed thereon. The apparatus also includes a clamp for placement over an annular portion of the outer cylindrical surface disposed opposite the annular bead to compel a pressure seal by the bead with an outer surface of the materials container. Same features enable the apparatus to usefully and efficaciously seal an access opening in the materials container enclosed and clamped by same.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for measuring alignment and tilt of a CRT neck (14) attached to a recycled CRT funnel portion (11) includes a support structure (21) that engages and supports a seal edge (24) of the CRT funnel portion (11), and a plurality of stopper pads (28-30) which engage respective alignment stoppers (34-36) molded on the CRT funnel portion (11). Distance measuring gauges (45-48) contact lower and upper points on two sides of the CRT neck (14). The alignment of the CRT neck (14) is determined by readings from the lower gauges (45, 47) on the first and second sides of the CRT neck (14). The tilt of the CRT neck (14) is measured by comparing the readings from the lower and upper gauges (45-48) on each of the first and second sides of the CRT neck. The stopper pads (28-30) on the support structure (21) can be changed to accommodate different sizes of CRT funnel portions (11, 11′).

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a CRT panel (12) to facilitate inspecting a seal edge (13) thereof includes a support structure (30) rotatably connected to a base frame (21) for rotation about a horizontal axis (31). The CRT panel (12) is placed into the support structure (30) with the seal edge (13) positioned in a holding groove (77) formed on a bottom door assembly (40). A top door assembly (58) is slidable to a closed position to enclose and support the CRT panel (12) while the support structure (30) is rotated 180 degrees. The bottom door assembly (40) is movable to an open position to inspect the seal edge (13). The door assemblies (40, 58) are both arranged to engage the base frame (21) and prevent rotation of the support structure (30) relative to the base frame (21) when the door assemblies are moved to their respective open positions.

Abstract: An excess flow valve includes a linear actuator that effectively isolates a defective CRT from others under preparation when the defective CRT causes the vacuum drawn on the exhaust cart to be compromised. During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold such that if a defect were to occur to one CRT that breaks breaking the vacuum, all the other CRT's under preparation would be compromised. This excess flow valve with the linear acutator and a method of operating it prevents excess damage to otherwise non-damaged CRTs.

Abstract: An apparatus (20) for measuring alignment and tilt of a CRT neck (14) attached to a recycled CRT funnel portion (11) includes a support structure (21) that engages and supports a seal edge (24) of the CRT funnel portion (11), and a plurality of stopper pads (28-30) which engage respective alignment stoppers (34-36) molded on the CRT funnel portion (11). Distance measuring gauges (45-48) contact lower and upper points on two sides of the CRT neck (14). The alignment of the CRT neck (14) is determined by readings from the lower gauges (45, 47) on the first and second sides of the CRT neck (14). The tilt of the CRT neck (14) is measured by comparing the readings from the lower and upper gauges (45-48) on each of the first and second sides of the CRT neck. The stopper pads (28-30) on the support structure (21) can be changed to accommodate different sizes of CRT funnel portions (11, 11′).

Abstract: During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold. The present invention provides a method and apparatus to reduce processing times by utilizing a roughing pump and diffusion pump to alternately evacuate a CRT being processed while isolated from one another. The methodology allows the diffusion pump to remain at a high vacuum level at all times therefore eliminating the need for lengthy warm up of the diffusion pump each time a CRT is processed.

Abstract: An apparatus for rotating a CRT panel (12) to facilitate inspecting a seal edge (13) thereof includes a support structure (30) rotatably connected to a base frame (21) for rotation about a horizontal axis (31). The CRT panel (12) is placed into the support structure (30) with the seal edge (13) positioned in a holding groove (77) formed on a bottom door assembly (40). A top door assembly (58) is slidable to a closed position to enclose and support the CRT panel (12) while the support structure (30) is rotated 180 degrees. The bottom door assembly (40) is movable to an open position to inspect the seal edge (13). The door assemblies (40, 58) are both arranged to engage the base frame (21) and prevent rotation of the support structure (30) relative to the base frame (21) when the door assemblies are moved to their respective open positions.

Abstract: An excess flow valve includes a linear actuator that effectively isolates a defective CRT from others under preparation when the defective CRT causes the vacuum drawn on the exhaust cart to be compromised. During the manufacture of CRT's a manufacturing step requires that a vacuum be drawn on all CRT's while baking in an exhaust oven. This process is usually performed simultaneously on a plurality of CRT's connected to an exhaust cart by a manifold such that if a defect were to occur to one CRT that breaks breaking the vacuum, all the other CRT's under preparation would be compromised. This excess flow valve with the linear acutator and a method of operating it prevents excess damage to otherwise non-damaged CRTs.