Abstract: An automatic valve for a sewer or the like includes a body having an upstream inlet and a downstream exit for liquid. A path joins the inlet and exit, and a closure gate is hingedly mounted to the body at a substantially horizontal axis located above the path, so that the gate can swing between a first position in which it blocks the path and a second position in which it unblocks the path. An arm is fixed with respect to the closure gate to swing with it in such a way that the arm is higher when the gate blocks the path than it is when the gate unblocks the path, the arm counterbalancing the closure gate so that the latter normally seeks the second position. A cage surrounds the arm and communicates with the path, and a float member in the cage under the arm means is free of connection to the arm means or any other part of the apparatus, whereby a rise in liquid level causes the float member to urge upwardly against the arm and close the closure gate.

Abstract: This invention provides a lid for a cooking pan having a central knob and two lid portions. The lid portions can be adjusted between a spaced-apart condition and a juxtaposed or surface-contact position. Each lid portion has apertures therethrough, but the apertures are not in alignment as viewed vertically. Thus, when the lid members are separated there are provided vent passages for cooking fumes, etc. to escape from a pan or pot being covered by the lid. Conversely, when the lid members are juxtaposed in surface-contact, the vent passages are closed, and escape of cooking fumes is restrained.

Abstract: This invention relates to a drainage system for providing drainage above and below a poured floor. After the sub-soil layer is prepared to receive a poured floor thereover, a conduit is provided in the sub-soil and a floor drain is connected to the conduit. The floor drain has first aperture means opening upwardly and second aperture means opening substantially laterally at a location below the first aperture means. On top of the sub-soil layer there is then provided a relatively liquid-permeable layer such as gravel or coarse sand into which seepage from the sub-soil layer can take place, and thereafter a further layer of relatively liquid-impermeable material such as concrete is provided over the first-mentioned layer.