Abstract: Disclosed is an improved mixing eductor (10) of the type wherein the primary liquid (17), e.g., water, is in a main stream (201) flowing in a downstream direction. A venturi tube (51) is in the eductor (10) and has an annular sharp edge (131) in the main stream (201), thereby dividing such stream (201) into a primary stream (179) and a secondary stream (181) around the primary stream (179). The eductor (10) has an air gap (103) and a flow guide (47) downstream thereof. In a specific embodiment, the flow guide (47) is annular around the venturi tube (51) and the tube (51) and the guide (47) are in spaced telescoped relationship. Several embodiments of the eductor (10) and a new method for mixing liquids are disclosed.

Abstract: A closure member for use with a bottle wherein the bottle is threadably connected to a filling head of an apparatus for diluting and dispensing a concentrated chemical product. The closure member is frictionally fitted into the neck of the bottle and has threads to interconnect the bottle to the filling head. In a preferred manner, the frictional fit between the closure member and the bottle neck is provided by flexible finger members extending from the closure member and a rib member extending from the neck of the bottle. In another preferred manner, the closure member includes a core section for housing a valve body.

Abstract: A docking station and bottle system 23 including a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which have a head interconnect 86 and a bottle interconnect 90, respectively, for fastening the bottle 22 to the filling 20 head in order to prevent spillage. The bottle interconnect 90 includes a fluid port 106 and a vent port 104 which are simultaneously opened from a closed position in order to allow the filling head 20 to draw concentrated fluid from the bottle 22 and mix the concentrated fluid with a diluting fluid such as water before being dispensed from a filling head nozzle 52. The bottle 22 includes identifying indicia 158 for purposes of tracking utilization of the bottle and the concentrated fluid contained therein. An information storage system 170 is associated with the bottle and filling head in order to provide records of such concentrated fluid utilization. A wall mounted docking station 200 including one or more filling heads 20 is also provided for. A refill head is further provided for refilling bottle 22.

Abstract: Disclosed is a non-educting device (10) for preventing back flow of contaminated water into a potable water system. The device (10) includes first and second nozzles (33, 35) in series flow relationship to one another, an air gap (49) between the first and second nozzles (33, 35) and a water inlet (27). In the improvement, the inlet (27) is the sole liquid inlet of the device (10) and the first nozzle (33) is between the air gap (49) and the inlet (27). Such nozzle (33) includes a tapered portion having an axial length (AL) and a circular discharge opening (59). The ratio of the axial length (AL) to the diameter of the opening (59) is in the range of 0.7 to 1.1. Other features involve a unique containment bowl (21) and a secondary air gap (19) in liquid flow relationship to the containment bowl (21).

Abstract: A docking station and bottle system 23 including a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which have a head interconnect 86 and a bottle interconnect 90, respectively, for fastening the bottle 22 to the filling 20 head in order to prevent spillage. The bottle interconnect 90 includes a fluid port 106 and a vent port 104 which are simultaneously opened from a closed position in order to allow the filling head 20 to draw concentrated fluid from the bottle 22 and mix the concentrated fluid with a diluting fluid such as water before being dispensed from a filling head nozzle 52. The bottle 22 includes identifying indicia 158 for purposes of tracking utilization of the bottle and the concentrated fluid contained therein. An information storage system 170 is associated with the bottle and filling head in order to provide records of such concentrated fluid utilization. A wall mounted docking station 200 including one or more filling heads 20 is also provided for. A refill head is further provided for refilling bottle 22.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved mixing eductor (10) of the type wherein the primary liquid (17), e.g., water, is in a main stream (201) flowing in a downstream direction. A venturi tube (51) is in the eductor (10) and has an annular sharp edge (131) in the main stream (201), thereby dividing such stream (201) into a primary stream (179) and a secondary stream (181) around the primary stream (179). The eductor (10) has an air gap (103) and a flow guide (47) downstream thereof. In a specific embodiment, the flow guide (47) is annular around the venturi tube (51) and the tube (51) and the guide (47) are in spaced telescoped relationship. Several embodiments of the eductor (10) and a new method for mixing liquids are disclosed.

Abstract: A docking station and bottle system 23 including a filling head 20 and bottle 22 which have a head interconnect 86 and a bottle interconnect 90, respectively, for fastening the bottle 22 to the filling 20 head in order to prevent spillage. The bottle interconnect 90 includes a fluid port 106 and a vent port 104 which are simultaneously opened from a closed position in order to allow the filling head 20 to draw concentrated fluid from the bottle 22 and mix the concentrated fluid with a diluting fluid such as water before being dispensed from a filling head nozzle 52. The bottle 22 includes identifying indicia 158 for purposes of tracking utilization of the bottle and the concentrated fluid contained therein. An information storage system 170 is associated with the bottle and filling head in order to provide records of such concentrated fluid utilization. A wall mounted docking station 200 including one or more filling heads 20 is also provided for. A refill head is further provided for refilling bottle 22.

Abstract: The disclosed bifurcated (fork-like) device is for use in a tube coupler to hold male and female members in sealing contact with one another. Each rail of the device has a laterally-outwardly-extending "hook-like" projection. When used in a coupler, such projections engage retention shoulders to retain the device on the coupler. Guide members help urge the projections toward such shoulders. A related tube coupler has a locking mechanism which is biased toward and automatically engages the device when such device is pushed into the de-coupling position. The coupler also has a trip surface which urges the mechanism to its unlatch position when the male member and the female member are moved to sealing contact with one another. Unlatching the mechanism permits the device to return to its coupling position.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improved device (10) for preventing back flow of possibly-contaminated water into a potable water system. The device (10) includes first, second and third nozzles (33, 35, 37) in series flow relationship, and an air gap (49) between the first and second nozzles (33, 35). In the improvement, the air gap (49) is a primary air gap and the device (10) includes a secondary air gap (19) fixed with respect to the second nozzle (35). In a more specific aspect of the new device (10), the second and third nozzles (35, 37) are in a tubular housing (41) and the device (10) includes a containment bowl (21) around the housing (41). The secondary air gap (19) includes an aperture (53) in the housing wall (55) and such aperture (53) opens to the containment bowl (21). Other aspects of the new device (10 involve particular nozzle configurations and relationships and a restrictor (103) inhibiting back flow.

Abstract: The invention is an improvement in a pneumatic regulating valve of the type having a main flow path and a bleed passage. In the improvement, the bleed passage is in parallel with the main flow path and regulates a downward-trending pressure at the outlet port to prevent such pressure from diminishing or from rapidly diminishing. The valve also includes a check valve in series with the bleed passage for regulating an upward-trending pressure at the outlet port. Using a constant bleed orifice to substantially pressure-balance the check valve and a small-area protrusion on the check valve to reduce contact area, the check valve exhibits very low hysteresis.

Abstract: An improvement in a control valve having a body, a body interior portion and plural exterior ports in communication with the interior portion. The improvement includes a plurality of dovetail-like body slots "isolated" or spaced from other slots. Each slot intersects an aperture in fluid communication with the body interior portion. A complementarily shaped, friction-retained slide-by plate is in each slot and at least one plate includes a port in fluid communication with the slot aperture. Each plate slides for removal without disturbing any other plate. A plate may be a blind closure plate, a ported plate tapped with any of several thread sizes or a "back-to-back" interface plate for supportively mounting valve bodies in tandem. A control valve system including a slotted valve body and an assortment of plates of various types provides substantially "universal" porting between the body and another valve body and/or one or more separate control components.

Abstract: A 90 degree swivel coupling formed of a general purpose and heat-stabilized injection molding grade 6/6 type plastic resin includes a socket member and a stem member in telescoped relation. The socket member includes an outer skirt connected by spaced flexing arms to a connecting body portion. The skirt and opposed stem have a close complementing and mating bearing projection and recess establishing a swivel coupling. The bearing walls are inclined at an angle of 15 degrees. The skirt portion is slightly expandable outwardly. In the unstressed state, the bearing wall has a maximum diameter slightly less than that of the recess to establish a pressurized fit. The stem includes a cam having an inclined wall corresponding to the bearing projection with a maximum diameter slightly greater than the bearing wall of the skirt bearing and the same angle. The cam has a maximum smaller diameter than mating recesses in the flexing arms to allow the pressure bearing engagement.