Abstract: The prefab lift station has a well casing including mechanical equipment therein and a horizontal upper rim. A foundation slab is mounted to the horizontal upper rim and covers the well casing. A building is mounted to the foundation slab. The foundation slab and the building are mounted offset from a center of the horizontal upper rim, to accommodate a hatch through the foundation slab in front of the building giving unrestricted access inside the well casing. A portion of the slab and a portion of the building are overhanging outside the horizontal upper rim. The foundation slab has a weightless volume incorporated therein for shifting a center of gravity of the foundation slab and the building to a region inside the horizontal upper rim of the well casing. The foundation slab and the instrument building are self-balanced on the well casing.

Abstract: A water collection container includes a tank; a lid having with an inlet opening in its top surface, and an overflow opening and a water inflow assembly on its underside. The water inflow assembly includes a valve interconnected between the inlet opening, the overflow opening and the tank and operated via a handle. The valve, in a first configuration, diverts water from the inlet opening to the tank and overflow from the tank to the overflow opening, and in a second configuration diverts water from the inlet opening to the overflow opening while substantially preventing water from entering the tank.

Abstract: A rainwater harvesting device and system that stores water for irrigation and outdoor use that provides constant pressure via gravity to a sprayer such as might be used for landscape or garden irrigation, or outdoor washing. The device and system comprise a water storage vessel that is free to move vertically, and optionally contained within a rack or other structure if necessary, and supported by one or more springs, which can be compression or tension springs or a combination thereof. When the vessel is at or near capacity, the spring assembly is largely or fully compressed/extended and supports the vessel at a minimal elevation. In such a state, the pressure head provided by the static water level is sufficient to provide a desired pressure at the sprayer.

Abstract: Auxiliary water is supplied to a building, which also receives water from a main supply line, from an external portable tank separate from the main supply line. The water is pumped from the tank through an auxiliary supply line to a junction with the main supply line. One-way valves are provided in both the main supply line and the auxiliary supply line before the junction to prevent backflow in each of the supply lines from the other supply line. Water is pumped to the auxiliary supply line at a prescribed pressure which is less than the main supply line pressure so that the valves allow water to be drawn only from the main supply line until a loss of main line pressure at which point the valves automatically cause the greater auxiliary supply line pressure to cause water to be drawn only from the auxiliary supply line.

Abstract: This invention relates to a security system aimed at closing and locking a cover of an opening of a tank trailer to avoid any tampering of its content and to prove that the content of the tank has not been tampered. The security system comprises a locking member movable between a lock position to prevent the opening of the cover, and an unlock position to allow the opening of the cover. The invention also comprises an actuating device mounted to the tank trailer operatively connected to the locking member for moving it between the lock and the unlock positions. A sealing mechanism engages the actuating device when the locking member is in the lock position to prevent any movement of the locking member. The sealing mechanism comprises a breakable indicator which is broken upon disengagement from the actuating device, thereby indicating that the openable cover has been tampered with.

Abstract: A fluid level detection system (50) for ink in a printing press (10) having a vessel (58) having walls (60) defining a chamber (62), an elongated rotatable shaft (64) in the chamber (62), a motor (66) for rotating the shaft (64), an elongated flexible blade (68) affixed to the shaft 64 such that the motor (66) rotates the blade (68), and a proximity sensor (72) adjacent the walls (60) of the vessel (58) to detect the rotating blade (68) in the absence of ink at the level of the blade (68), with the blade (68) flexing in the presence of ink such that the sensor (72) does not detect the blade (68).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for distributing and dispensing a potable liquid are claimed. The apparatus comprises a faucet, and a storage tank. A conveying channel is provided for sanitarily conveying potable liquid from an outside source to the tank. The conveying channel includes a sanitary fitting containing an inlet channel. The fitting provides a detachable sanitary connection between the conveying channel and the source. A mechanism for draining free-standing liquid from the inlet channel is also provided. The inlet channel of the fitting terminates at a first coupling which contains an acme sanitary thread. A flow producing mechanism cooperates with the tank and the faucet for causing a flow of liquid from the tank upon the opening of the faucet. A discharge channel is connected to the faucet at one end and connected to receive the flow of liquid at its other end. The discharge channel conveys the flow of potable liquid to the faucet. The source comprises a vehicle with a supply tank mounted thereon.

Abstract: A bulk cooking oil system has filter, waste, supply, and fryer stations connected by piping for movement of oil along preselected pipe paths. The filter station functions to filter cooking oil from the fryer station and has a valve adapted to open and close pipe lines that lead to and away from the filter station. The waste station stores used oil and has a valve adapted to open and close a pipe line leading to and away from the waste station. The supply station stores oil to be used at the fryer station for cooking food products and also has a valve adapted to open and close a pipe line leading to and away from the supply station. The fryer station has a fryer that receives and heats the cooking oil to cook food products and a valve adapted to open and close a pipe line leading to and away from the fryer station. All of the various valves are selectively operated and controlled so that a predetermined pipe path can be established between identified stations. A pump moves the oil along the selected pipe path.

Abstract: A plate, having a centrally located, tapped hole, which extends only about half-way into the plate, seats a fluid seal therein. The tapped hole threadedly engages the externally-threaded nozzle of a faucet to close off the faucet. The plate further has a plurality of further, throughgoing holes formed therein, spaced apart forty-five degrees of arc, about a common radius from the radial center of the tapped hole. A shackle of a padlock is passed through a given one of the plurality of throughgoing holes, which is (a) closest to the bonnet, stem and handle of the faucet, and (b) would be the first to pass under the faucet, if the plate were to be unscrewed therefrom, and the shackle is locked into the body of the padlock. The padlock is so positioned that it will impact with the faucet, if the plate is turned, to prevent withdrawal of the plate from the faucet.

Abstract: A cooking oil and grease recycling apparatus for collecting hot cooking oil from fryer vats in restaurants and industrial food preparation companies and replacing it with fresh oil or grease. Holding tanks connected to the frying vats by pipping, which includes valves and pumps to permit the used oil or grease from the frying vats to flow into a holding tank. The holding tanks are in a location accessible for trucks to connect a hose for pumping the used liquid oil or grease into the truck tank. A second hose is connected from the truck tank to pump new, fresh oil or grease into a distribution tank which are mounted above the frying vats at any convenient place in the restaurant. The invention also includes a portable system preferably including a pump to distribute oil to the frying vat and a holding tank.

Abstract: A mixing faucet assembly especially adaptable for frostfree installation has a casing with a mixing chamber containing valve means for controlling the flow of hot and cold water into the chamber. The mixed water is conveyed from the mixing chamber to a tubular member having a nozzle spaced from the casing. A control rod is connected to the valve means and extends through the tubular member to a single handle control adjacent to the nozzle so that upon rotation of the control rod hot and cold water is selectively metered into the mixing chamber and from there communicated to the nozzle. The control rod may be detachedly connected to the valve means at the casing and the casing may be detachably connected to the tubular member for servicing the faucet assembly from the inside of a building.