Abstract: A monitoring system includes a porthole in a tank or conduit that includes threads on an end thereof. A piece of processing equipment is mounted within the porthole by a threaded coupling collar. The threads of the coupling collar engage the threads of the porthole. A sensor collar is mounted in fixed relationship to the porthole at a predetermined distance from an end of the porthole and includes a status sensor mounted thereto. The status sensor detects a position of the threaded coupling collar to ensure that the piece of processing equipment is properly mounted in the porthole.

Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.

Abstract: At least one of a valve body, a sealing tip and a vessel or conduit includes at least one space formed therein between an interior of the vessel or conduit and an internal cavity of the valve. The space includes an active or passive thermal insulation forming at least a partial barrier to the flow of heat between the internal cavity and the interior of the vessel or conduit.

Abstract: A valve assembly includes a valve body having an internal cavity, an orifice in communication with the internal cavity for communicating with a process in a tank or conduit and an outlet through which process material entering the internal cavity through the orifice can be drained from the internal cavity. A valve actuator body includes an actuating shaft having a sealing tip and is mounted for movement in the valve actuator body to seal and unseal the orifice. A diaphragm is mounted to the sealing tip and includes a base that seals with a bottom wall of the valve body. The bottom of the valve body has an aperture that receives the actuating shaft therethrough. The diaphragm is mountable to and removable from the bottom wall of the valve body through the aperture.

Abstract: A monitoring system includes a porthole in a tank or conduit that includes threads on an end thereof. A piece of processing equipment is mounted within the porthole by a threaded coupling collar. The threads of the coupling collar engage the threads of the porthole. A sensor collar is mounted in fixed relationship to the porthole at a predetermined distance from an end of the porthole and includes a status sensor mounted thereto. The status sensor detects a position of the threaded coupling collar to ensure that the piece of processing equipment is properly mounted in the porthole.

Abstract: An apparatus for inoculating a sample to or withdrawing a sample from a vessel or conduit includes a body with an internal sample cavity, a valve operating rod movable to open and close an orifice to the sample cavity and a coupler to attach the body to a port of the vessel or conduit. A portion of the sample cavity is formed by an endcap which includes the orifice. The sample cavity is thermally and/or electrically insulated from the vessel or conduit. This insulation can arise from an empty or filled space between an inner wall and outer wall of the valve. Otherwise, insulating material can be used in forming the valve. The valve can be mountable on the vessel or conduit such that a positive drain angle is maintained regardless of whether the ferrule to the vessel or conduit is inclined upwardly, downwardly or is horizontal.

Abstract: A valve for sampling a process from a tank or conduit includes an internal cavity in communication with at least one inlet and an outlet. A valve actuating rod includes a sealing tip attached to one end thereof. The valve actuating rod is movable to open and close the inlet to the internal cavity. Furthermore, a seal is provided to isolate the valve actuating rod and the outside environment from the process. The seal is formed on the process side of the bottom wall of the internal cavity in order to ensure that the process material, cleaning material, steam, etc. drains completely out of the internal cavity of the valve.

Abstract: A valve body for a valve includes a body having an internal cavity formed therein. An inlet passage and an outlet passage are formed in the body. The inlet passage has an inlet opening in communication with the internal cavity, and the outlet passage has an outlet opening in communication with the internal cavity. A circumferential sealing surface is formed on a wall of the internal cavity. The circumferential sealing surface extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and circumferentially around the internal cavity. Furthermore, a bottom line extending through the inlet passage, the internal cavity and the outlet passage forms a coplanar surface to allow for free-drainage of the body.

Abstract: This device is directed at filling multiple receptacles without losing integrity of the system. It is also directed at receiving a (sealed) container of receptacles (opened or stopper/closed), opening an access into the sealed container, retrieving receptacles, filling those receptacles, stoppering the receptacles after filling and ejecting the receptacles, either directly into the outside environment or into a closable sack or container, in the latter case while maintaining the integrity of the environment within the device and, if desirable, the sack or closed container.

Abstract: A valve body for a valve includes a body having an internal cavity formed therein. An inlet passage and an outlet passage are formed in the body. The inlet passage has an inlet opening in communication with the internal cavity, and the outlet passage has an outlet opening in communication with the internal cavity. A circumferential sealing surface is formed on a wall of the internal cavity. The circumferential sealing surface extends between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and circumferentially around the internal cavity. Furthermore, a bottom line extending through the inlet passage, the internal cavity and the outlet passage forms a coplanar surface to allow for free-drainage of the body.