Abstract: The present invention relates to an aluminum base die casting alloy having substantially improved mechanical properties, and a method for making die cast products from the alloy. More particularly the improved aluminum based alloy comprises 2.5-4.0% by weight magnesium, 0.2-0.6% by weight manganese, 0.25-0.6% by weight iron, 0.2-0.45% by weight silicon, less than 0.003% by weight beryllium with the remainder being aluminum.

Abstract: A syphon seltzer package (10) consists of a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) plastic bottle (12) with a neck (16) having an opening (18), into which a valve insert (20) is mounted. The insert (20) is held in place by mechanical attachment. The insert (20) fits into a sleeve (50) in an interference fit. Projections (52) on the outside of wall (32) insure a positive seal between the insert (20) and the sleeve (50). Similar projections (54) on the outside surface (56) of the sleeve (50) provide a positive seal between the sleeve (50) and the neck (16) of the bottle (12). At the bottom of the sleeve (50), there are four projections (58) spaced at 90 degree intervals around the sleeve (50). Castellations (60) are provided around the sleeve (50) between the projections (58). To assemble the package (20), the sleeve is inserted in the neck (16). The insert (20) is then driven into the sleeve (50).

Abstract: A valve (20) has a valve housing (22) with a central passage (28) extending axially through the valve housing (22). Aperture (40) in the valve housing connect a second passage (38) to the central passage (28) to extend through the valve housing. A poppet valve member (24) is configured for sealing engagement of the central passage (28). The valve member (24) is urged into sealing engagement with the central passage (28) by internal pressure in a container (36) on which the valve (20) is provided. The valve member (24) and the valve housing (22) are configured so that the valve member (24) will drop away from sealing the central passage (28) when the pressure in the container (36) is insufficient to hold the valve member (24) in sealing position against the central passage (28) to leave the valve (20) in a permanently open state. An annular valve member (26) seals the second passage (38 ) in the same manner.

Abstract: A package (10) for dispensing a fluid (26) in the package under gas pressure has a biaxially oriented polyethelene terepthalate bottle (12) with a neck (14). A dispensing head (22) is attached to the neck (14). A normally closed valve (16) is mounted in the neck and has a housing (50) sealed to the inside surface of the neck (14). The housing (50) has a syphon flange (54). An integral structure (56) having a spring (58) at one end and a poppet (60) at a second end rests on the syphon flange (54). The housing has an opening (48) above the syphon flange 54). The integral structure (56) extends between the syphon flange (54) and the opening (48). The integral structure (56) is dimensioned so that the spring (58) is compressed to bias the poppet end of the integral structure (56) into sealing engagment around the opening (48). The dispensing head (22) has an integral diaphragm (42) and rods (52) and (46) extending above and below the diaphragm (42).

Abstract: A valve assembly (52) has a valve housing (64) which fits in neck (76) of container (50). Valve member (88) is slidably movable in housing (64). Housing (64) has a plurality of grooves (86) and apertures (80), which interact with flanges (92, 94, 96) to define flow paths in the valve assembly (52). The flanges (92, 94, 96), inside surface (84), apertures (80), slots (86) and valve member (88) provide a flow path through the valve assembly (52) when the valve member (88) is in its downward position inside housing (64) and seal the flow path when the valve member (88) is in its upward position. A spring (102) urges the valve member (88) to its upward position.

Abstract: A package (10) includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container (12) having a necked opening (14). A PET insert (18) is fixedly attached to an inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) by a plurality of tack welds (34). The insert (18) makes a substantially line contact (32) with the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14). The substantially line contact (32) extends continuously around the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) to form a fluid tight seal between the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) and the insert (18). To make the package (10), the insert (18) is driven into the necked opening (14). The tack welds (34) are formed between the necked opening (14) and the insert (18) by application of ultrasonic energy at the necked opening (14) below the line contact (32). The tack welds (34) fixedly attach the insert (18) to the necked opening (14).

Abstract: A package (10) includes a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) container (12) having a necked opening (14). A PET insert (18) is fixedly attached to an inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) by a plurality of tack welds (34). The tack welds (34) are formed within recesses (44) that extend completely through the wall of the necked opening (14) and into the insert (18). The insert (18) makes a substantially line contact (32) with the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14). The substantially line contact (32) extends continuously around the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) to form a fluid tight seal between the inside surface (30) of the necked opening (14) and the insert (18). To make the package (10), the insert (18) is driven into the necked opening (14).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for storing and dispensing fluids such as syphon seltzer water under about 10 atmospheres of pressure. A plastic bottle is provided in which a valve mechanism is inserted within the neck of the bottle. A disposable cap covers the end of the bottle to prevent contamination of the valve during storage. When the contents of the bottle are to be dispensed, the cap is removed and discarded and a head member is attached to the outside wall of the neck of the bottle. The head contains a valve actuation mechanism which opens the valve and the liquid is dispensed through a nozzle in the head. The head may be removed when the contents of the bottle are dispensed or at any time before being fully dispensed. The bottle is discarded or recycled and the head member is detached and reattached to a full bottle of liquid, such as syphon seltzer water.

Abstract: A syphon package (12) incorporates a deformable, resilient plastic sealing member (42) which, in its normal position, blocks passageway (50) for dispensing seltzer water (32) stored under pressure in the package (12). Tube (30), valve sealing member (42) and insert (44) are assembled by bonding insert (44) to flange (40) with sealing member (42) in place. The resulting assembly is then bonded to interior wall (22) of necked opening (16). A syphon head (24) has a one-piece actuator (60) bonded to body (28), with actuating rod (62) supported on resilient diaphragm (64) for downward movement by lever (74) to deform sealing member (42) out of sealing engagement with passageway (50).

Abstract: A syphon head (10) is configured to fit over neck (17) of a bottle (19) in sealing relationship. A lever (22) is mounted to exterior surface (13) of body (12) by breakaway filaments (26, 28) and a spring strip (30). In use, the user pulls upward on handle (80) of lever (22) to rupture the filaments (26, 28). The strip (30) pivots end (48) on lever (22) through opening (78) in body (12) and into cavity (46) in actuating rod (38). Actuating rod (38) is attached to interior surface (20) of the body (12) by resilient diaphragm (40). Rod tip (57) seals opening (59) in syphon tube (56) until force on handle (80) moves rod (38) to allow dispensing of seltzer water (76). Head (10) may be fabricated in a single injection molding step.

Abstract: A filling apparatus (20) for a syphon package has a pivotally movable cradle (26A, 26B, 26C) configured to receive a syphon bottle 1 in a first orientation. A permanent syphon filling head (38A, 38B, 38C) is near necked opening (2) of the bottle when the bottle is loaded in the cradle (26A). Arms (28A, 28B, 28C, 30A, 30B, 30C) move the cradle (26A, 26B, 26C) from the first orientation to the second orientation in which the necked opening (2) of the bottle (1) is directed downward. Linkages (42A, 42B, 42C, 44A, 44B, 44C) and plate (40A, 40B, 40C) urge the bottle (1) into engagement with the filling head (38). Rod (106) depresses lever (50) to activate filling head (38) for opening valve (4) in the neck ( 2) of the bottle (1). Lines (43A, 43B, 43C) supply liquid under pressure to the filling head (38). Lines (45A, 45B, 45C) remove gas from the bottle (1) during filling of the bottle (1) with the liquid (8).