Abstract: A valveless dispenser and method of operating the same is disclosed for first gravitatinally collecting a measured volume of granular material from an elevated supply source by moving the dispenser into a first position, and for thereafter discharging the measured volume of material while precluding discharge of unmeasured material from the tank by moving the dispenser to a second position. The dispenser includes a wand, a measuring chamber, and a discharge chute all communicating with each other at a junction and all having longitudinal axes lying in a common substantially vertical plane. In one embodiment the wand is twisted about its longitudinal axis between said two positions; and in the other embodiments the wand is swung in the vertical planes between said two positions while maintaining said axes substantially vertical.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for dispensing flowable material having a pinch valve, an operating lever, a support plate, and a resilient tube located between the lever and the support plate. Movement of an end portion of the lever operates the pinch valve which serves to sequentially isolate a measured quantity of flowable material delivered from a supply and release such measured quantity of material for discharge from the apparatus.

Abstract: A packing for a reciprocating pump comprises a resilient body of elastomeric material with a cup-like shape and includes a plurality of flat cantilevered spring members embedded within the annular wall of the body. The spring members provide support for the flexible wall and are essentially fixed in position at their ends disposed at the base of the cup-shaped body while being free to flex at their opposite ends adjacent the open end of the resilient body. A peripheral annular lip defines the open end of the cup-shaped body and has a profile in the axial direction which imposes a predetermined deflection curve on the spring members when the packing is surrounded and compressed by the cylindrical wall of a pump cylinder. A predetermined pressure profile results between the peripheral lip and the cylinder wall as the cantilevered spring members urge the peripheral lip to resume its uncompressed shape.