Abstract: A hatch cover for hopper compartment opening with a coaming surrounding the opening. The hatch cover includes a peripheral skirt with a portion of the skirt spaced outwardly of the coaming when the hatch cover is closed to allow air flow from the exterior of the hatch cover to the opening. A frame has a center portion and an annular gasket which seats on the coaming with the center portion over the opening. The center portion of the frame may be a screen or may be solid. An annular ring is attached to the underside of the hatch cover. A press fit attachment is provided between the frame and the annular to permit attachment and removal of the frame from the annular ring. A latch mechanism is provided for the hatch cover. A spring anchor pin is supported on coaming brackets and a latching pin is supported on the hatch cover. A latch mechanism includes a handle having a pair of uprights located at one end of the handle.

Abstract: A hatch cover (10) is engageable with a hatch (11) on a railroad car (13). The hatch cover comprises a first rib (30) and a second rib (32) running annularly about the under side of the hatch cover and has an associated first coefficient of expansion. A gasket (70) having an annular shape and a U-shaped cross-section is coupled to the first and second ribs. The gasket forms a seal between the hatch and the hatch cover. The gasket has a second coefficient of expansion which is greater than the first coefficient of expansion. As the railroad car moves through different external temperature environments, the second coefficient of expansion being greater than the first coefficient of expansion allows the gasket to remain coupled to the hatch cover and maintain the seal between the hatch cover and the hatch throughout the various temperatures experienced.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover for an enclosed vessel having a cover body sized to overlie and cover a hatch opening defined by an upstanding coaming. A pair of air passages are defined by the cover body and a pair of hoods connected thereto. The hoods define air inlet opening and a plenum which communicates with air outlet openings in the interior of the cover body. The air passages permit air flow in sufficient volume to vent the vessel and to empty the vessel by high speed vacuum unloading. A filter is removably retained on the hoods in the air inlet openings. A filter screen on the interior of the cover prevents contamination of the air passages from the inside. A latching arm provides downward pressure on the hatch when in a sealing position and the capability of pivoting the hatch cover together with the latching arm when it is moved. The cover is floatingly engaged in the arm.

Abstract: A hopper with a bottom discharge slot and valving comprising plates slidably supported beneath the slot and movable between closed and open positions, said plates having a plastic flexible covering to facilitate movement in shear against the load of the particulate material bearing thereagainst.

Abstract: An improved outlet gate pan gasket is located between the outlet gate and outlet flange of a hopper car. The gasket includes a central web which fits around the perimeter of the outlet aperture. An inner margin is attached to the inner periphery of the web and an outer margin is attached to the outer periphery. The inner margin has upper and lower horizontal surfaces joined by an edge surface which is perpendicular to the horizontal surfaces prior to compression of the gasket between the gate and outlet flanges. The inner margin has a solid cross-section. The uncompressed thickness of the inner margin is greater than that of either the web or outer margin.

Abstract: This invention concerns an inlet opening protector for use during maintenance operations on railroad hopper cars. The protector shields the coaming of a hopper car hatch and closes off the hatch opening. The protector includes a throat liner and a short liner. The throat liner has a frusto-conical skirt portion which defines interior and exterior edges. A radical flange is attached to the internal edge of the skirt. A plate member is attached to the external edge and covers the space defined by that edge. The surfaces of the skirt are tapered and sized to fit partially through the coaming. The short liner has a radial collar and an annular ferrule which fit around the skirt. The ferrule frictionally engages the coaming and the skirt to hold the throat liner in place in the inlet opening.

Abstract: A vented hatch cover for an enclosed vessel having a shell member sized to overlie and cover a hatch opening defined by an upstanding coaming. It includes a peripheral seal to seal against coaming. The shell member has at least one air passage extending through it. A wall is integrally formed on the shell member and defines a plenum in communication with the air passage. The wall extends outward beyond the peripheral seal and there defines an air intake opening for admitting air to the plenum. An air filter is housed in the plenum.

Abstract: A bag holder and scoop device for hand operation in picking up animal refuse from the ground and disposing of same, having a yoke and yoke connection which support a bag in an open condition. The bag is of the type that has a pocket and a flap at its open end, with the pocket being secured to the yoke connection by enveloping same and the flap being secured to the yoke by impaling on prongs extending from the sides of the yoke.