With Repair, Tapping, Assembly, Or Disassembly Means Patents (Class 137/315.01)
  • Patent number: 6244290
    Abstract: A containment bag for installation over a fluid control valve is provided. The valve containment bag is configured to contain leaks emanating from fluid control valves connected in line between an associated first inlet pipe and a second outlet pipe. The inlet pipe and the valve form a first junction and the outlet pipe form a second junction which are to be housed, along with the valve itself, within said bag so that fluid leaking from the junctions leaks into the containment bag. The containment bag is formed of an impermeable fabric which encloses an internal volume sufficient to accommodate the control valve and the associated junctions. The impermeable fabric defines first and second openings between the internal volume and the external environment, the first opening has a diameter substantially equal to the outer diameter of the inlet pipe, and the second opening has a diameter substantially equal to an outer diameter of the outlet pipe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2001
    Assignee: MPC Containment Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Edward E. Reicin, Dennis W. O'Brien, James A. Parker
  • Patent number: 6230735
    Abstract: A valve jacket is provided to surround a valve and contain any liquid that may leak from the valve as a part of a secondary containment system of the type found a gasoline service stations. The valve jacket is provided as a hollow body with a pair of openings through which a pair of primary pipelines associated with the valve can extend. One of the two openings is sized large enough that the jacket can be slid over the valve. The two openings are sealed to a pair of secondary conduits associated with the primary pipelines. A reservoir can be provided in the jacket to collect any liquid and a sensor can be provided in the reservoir to detect the presence of liquid in the reservoir. Preferably, a removable and sealable cap is provided to allow access to the valve for operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2001
    Inventor: Sergio M. Bravo
  • Patent number: 6223766
    Abstract: A method and assembly (kit) are provided for use by propane tank service personnel to detect escaping gas in propane tank systems. The standard connection between the regulator and tank service valve is replaced with a permanent valve assembly including a main connection between the regulator and valve and a valve unit disposed in a branch connection of the valve assembly. A separate pressure gauge is individually assigned to tank service personnel and adapted to be carried by such personnel in testing the pressure in the propane tank. The pressure gauge is affixed, e.g., through a hose, to a valve unit connector including an actuator, i.e., a valve stem operator, for actuating the valve unit. When the pressure gauge is connected to the valve unit, the latter is actuated to provide an immediate reading of the tank pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Presto-Tap, LLC
    Inventors: Jimmie Bryant Shaw, Thomas W. Young
  • Patent number: 6209572
    Abstract: A coupling system that can be placed into the existing drain and over the existing drain pipe to effect a repair without removal of an existing tub, shower or similar receptacle. The drain coupling system is self-sealing and can be locked into place from above. After ensuring that the proper seal is obtained between the invention and the drain pipe, the body of the invention is pushed downward until the upper collar lip engages the floor surrounding the drain opening. The system is then secured in position from above by the plurality of hex head set screws provided. The hex head set screws extend downward from the upper most surface of the invention. The coupling system is supplied with locking tabs. When the present invention is in the proper position within the drain opening, the rotation of the screws forces the wings of the locking tabs to rotate in a lateral fashion. The rotation of the locking tab continues until the wings contact the walls of the drain opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Inventor: Dale Alan Wicklund
  • Patent number: 6192919
    Abstract: This invention concerns a shipping crate, comprising: a base having three sides and one or more doors attached thereto, wheels attached to the base, a top attached to the sides having a tank hole, wherein the base, sides, and doors have been attached to provide a sealed compartment. This invention also concerns a chemical delivery cabinet, comprising: a base, three sides, and one or more doors attached to one or more sides, a valve manifold affixed to an inner wall of the cabinet, process control instrumentation which connects to and controls the valve manifold, wherein at least one of the doors has a touch control pad mounted thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2001
    Assignee: Advanced Delivery & Chemical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser, Eric Serdahl, John N. Gregg
  • Patent number: 6189566
    Abstract: A liquid distributor for column packings is provided for the supplying of a liquid medium which includes a material or a material mixture and which tends to the development of inhomogeneities, for example, as a result of a segregation or of a polymerization. The distributor comprises at least one submember with a row of output points for the liquid medium, with at least one of the output points assuming a last output position in the submember with respect to the flow direction of the medium. In the last output point or output points, a flow director is arranged in or at the submember through which a through-flow of the medium can be effected in regions at which a stagnation of the flow would be present without the flow director.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2001
    Assignee: Sulzer Chemtech AG
    Inventor: Beat Beutler
  • Patent number: 6182695
    Abstract: A coupler is provided which is mountable to a fitting of a breakaway coupling to facilitate assembly and disassembly of the coupling. The coupling has a first fitting and a second fitting which are held together by a ball in the first fitting which is received in a detent in the second fitting. The second fitting has an outer sleeve on which the detent is formed, and an inner sleeve slideable in the outer sleeve. A latch ring on the inner sleeve is alignable with the groove. A spring biases the inner sleeve and latch ring into a locking position in which the detent balls are urged into engagement with the detent to hold the two fittings together. The coupler includes an open ended housing having a side wall and an end wall. A plate, securable to the second fitting inner sleeve, is received in the coupler housing for axial movement. A cam on an outer surface of the housing end wall is connected to the plate by a rod.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Husky Corporation
    Inventors: Gordon R. Coates, III, Frank R. Suher
  • Patent number: 6182682
    Abstract: An improved pressure balance device for use in a faucet is made up of a pair of symmetric semi-cylindrical units and a tubular water inlet cap. Each semi-cylindrical unit has a semi-circular cross section and on each edge of the vertical face thereof is disposed a locking protrusion and a retaining recess at the middle position thereof respectively. Under the locking protrusion and the retaining recess is disposed a radially extended lug respectively. At the central position of the arc peripheral surface of each semi-cylindrical unit is placed a wedge-shaped locking latch. The tubular water inlet cap is provided with two symmetric inverted U-shaped engagement recesses at the bottom rim thereof and right between the two engagement recesses, in either direction, is disposed a retaining hole whereby the water inlet cap can be snapped into engagement with the two assembled semi-cylindrical units and be locked integrally together with ease and speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 1999
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2001
    Assignee: Kuching International Ltd.
    Inventor: Mei-Lee Chen