Abstract: A tank filling device for a liquid container has a base body with mounting end to secure the base body on a liquid container. An actuating section is disposed in the base body interior and slidable lengthwise relative to the base body. A liquid valve is connected to an outlet opening for liquid and controls the outlet opening by being coupled to the actuating section such that the liquid valve is manually opened or closed by moving the actuating section. An air channel with air inlet and air outlet supplies air into the liquid container for pressure compensation. The air channel extends from the liquid valve toward the mounting end and has an air valve at the air outlet. The air outlet is provided between the actuating section and the base body and is a slot control valve formed by actuating section and base body.

Abstract: A piston pump for dispensing fluid from a reservoir, an improved vacuum relief arrangement in which a passageway for flow of air from the atmosphere into the reservoir is provided at least in part through a piston-forming element of the piston pump.

Abstract: A nozzle for a dispensing spout provides physically separate conduits, through which a liquid and air pass between a reservoir containing a liquid to be dispensed and a container into which the liquid is to be dispensed. The fluid and air conduits, as well as their respective opposing ends, are sized and shaped to provide an unobstructed air conduit which can carry ambient air into the reservoir at a rate that is at least equal to the rate at which liquid can flow out of the reservoir at a gravitational flow rate.

Abstract: A fluid product reservoir, for a dispensing system, is made of a walled container having an aperture formed at one end thereof. A reservoir cap seals the aperture from exposure to the atmosphere. A pump integrated into the reservoir cap allows fluid product to be dispensed from a dispensing system. A venting mechanism is installed at the interface between the aperture and the reservoir cap to allow air from the atmosphere to displace fluid product as it is being dispensed. The venting mechanism includes a one-way valve, which permits air to flow into the reservoir but prevents fluid product from leaking out from the interface between the aperture in the reservoir cap.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for controlling the flow of fluids through a conveyance with a hydraulic valve including a flexible portion. The flexible portion is positioned in the conveyance so that fluid enters the membrane from an upper containment space and the expansion of the flexible portion causes the valve to restrict or block the flow of fluid being controlled through the conveyance.

Abstract: This invention refers to an Automatic/Manual Device for Controlling Outflow of Water or any Fluid, with Mechanical Functioning and Easy Installation. It has a threadable intake nozzle for the inflow of water or any other fluid. The nozzle can be turned to direct the device as needed. Also, in the interior of the device there are two magnets with inverse polarity, a spring, two rubber membranes with orifices, a rubber membrane without an orifice, two supports for said membranes, an air chamber, a manually-activated metal ring, a functioning mechanism with the following positions: ON-OFF, a double copper tube that is submerged in the container to be filled, a rubber hose connecting the double copper tube with the air chamber, and an activating mechanism with “manual”, and “automatic” positions for operating the device.

Abstract: A method of controlling pressure in a chamber, wherein the pressure in a chamber in which measurement such as laser measurement is conducted is maintained at a set pressure with respect to fluctuations in external atmospheric pressure, characterized by comprising: detecting the external atmospheric pressure, obtaining a long-term flat pressure value with respect to short time fluctuations of the detected external atmospheric pressure, creating a set pressure in the chamber by adding a predetermined pressure to the obtained pressure value, and detecting the pressure in the chamber while introducing external air so that the pressure in the chamber reaches the set pressure.

Abstract: A fluid level controller which replaces fluid lost from a container thus maintaining the fluid level in the container. It is comprised of the following major pieces: an airtight reservoir (10) with cap (14), fill stem (12), feed lube (16), and tube attachment fittings (18a and 18b); several lengths of fluid conduit, (22a,b) and a u-bend (26) which form a siphon such that one end reaches into the bottom of reservoir (10) and the other reaches into the container below the desired fluid level; a length of conduit, (22c) which forms an air return line allowing air into reservoir (10); a stand (8) atop which sits the reservoir; a tubing clip (24); and a shut-off valve (20). The u-bend (26) allows the controller to preserve the initial prime of the system so that it only needs to be primed once. The shut-off valve (20) allows easy refilling of the controller once the fluid reservoir empties. These two features make the controller extremely easy to use.

Abstract: A liquid supply device is disclosed which includes a reservoir and a supply tube for providing liquid to a basin. A shut-off valve includes a support structure for retaining the supply tube to the basin. The shut-off is attached to the supply tube and engages the support structure so as to automatically discontinue liquid flow in the event that the supply tube becomes disengaged from the support structure. Several types of shut-off valves are disclosed for use with the present invention including a pinch valve, a ball valve and a duckbill valve.

Abstract: A pet watering apparatus and method for automatically supplying pets with an ample quantity of safe, fresh drinking water is disclosed. Water is maintained in and flows between two connected vessels. A commercially available, plastic or glass water bottle is placed in an inverted position on top of one vessel, that acts as a water storage vessel. Drinking water for the animal in the second vessel is automatically kept at the same level at the bottom of the inverted water bottle's neck. When the level drops below the neck of the water bottle, the laws of physics will allow the pet's drinking water to automatically fill to the original position, thus creating a readily available supply of drinking water for the pet. A one-way water value separates the stored water in the first vessel from the available drinking water in the second vessel so that the stored water supply will not become contaminated with bacterial agents or other contaminates from the drinking vessel.

Abstract: A liquid transfer system particularly suited for transferring a processing chemical between a reservoir and a tank in a photographic processing apparatus, comprises a liquid reservoir having an outlet which is connectable to the tank in the processing apparatus. The reservoir is connected to a source of pressurized gas which forces liquid to be transferred from the reservoir to the tank. The outlet of the reservoir is provided with a valve arrangement which serves to close the reservoir outlet when the liquid level in the reservoir drops below a predetermined level and prevents pressurized gas from escaping from the reservoir.

Abstract: An automated liquid holding tank and method for automatically filling a liquid holding tank. The tank comprises a holding tank with dispensers for filling the tank with liquids and a pressure sensor attached to the tank for measuring the liquid level within the tank. The pressure sensor also provides a tank liquid level indicator output signal which is sent to a controller that compares the output signal with a pre-set value. When the output signal matches the pre-set value the controller closes the dispensers. The pressure sensor includes a gas bubble within a connecting tube to communicate the tank liquid pressure to the pressure sensor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic humidifier having a pair of water tanks which release their water into a reservoir in a staggered sequence. The staggered emptying of the water tanks enables the tanks to be refilled in a more efficient manner. Several different embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A valve for the addition of water to electrochemical accumulator batteries and for maintaining the flow of liquid at a constant level. A membrane in a valve body is biased by means of a spring against a wall arranged concentrically with an inlet orifice, the wall creating an inner chamber of circular cross-section, and an outer chamber which is of annular cross-section and is connected to an outlet connection via a constricted orifice. A spindle at the center of the membrane passes freely through the inlet orifice and exhibits outside the latter a conically enlarged part, the cross-sectional area of which increases in proportion to the distance to the inlet orifice, serving as a valve seat, and which is intended to provide a seal when the spring yields to the membrane.

Abstract: An intermittently operating watering device has a water reservoir for supplying successive flows of water to a pair of receptacles which are separated from one another by a weir. The water also flows into an air space where it covers the lower end of an air passage communicating with an air space at the top of the interior of the water reservoir so that, each time evaporation of the water uncovers the lower end of the air passage to allow the inflow of air, water is able to flow out from the water reservoir to the receptacles. The reservoir is in one of the receptacles and a plant in the other receptacle is irrigated at successive intervals of time.

Abstract: Photographic processing apparatus with a processing tray for sheets of photographic material, and a container with processing solution, which is mounted in an inverted position on the tray through the intermediary of an appropriate stop which has a first tube through which liquid may flow into the tray, a second tube for the return of the liquid in the container, a third tube for venting which operates as a bird-fountain level control for the processing solution in the tray, and valves for closing said tubes.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a liquid utilizing surface tension of the liquid for control of amount dispensed.

Abstract: In a fluid supply and dispensing system including a fluid dispenser for carrying a working supply of fluid at working surface level, and a reservoir which is connected in fluid flow communication with the dispenser for carrying a replenishing supply of fluid at a surface level which establishes the working surface level of fluid in the dispenser, there is provided with an improvement for lowering the working surface level to prevent spillage of fluid from the dispenser when the system is not in use. The improvement includes providing the reservoir with a movable, fluid displacement member, which is normally lowered into the replenishing supply of fluid, and providing means for raising the displacement member at least partially out of the replenishing supply of fluid, when the system is not in use, for lowering the surface level of the replenishing fluid supply and thus the working surface level of the dispenser's working fluid supply.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for dispensing a liquid additive to the surface of a receding liquid in a pressurized vessel, particularly for automatically dispensing a liquid oil spreading agent to the surface of ballast water contained in a pressurized tank of a cargo carrier having oil based material at least partially floating on the surface thereof.

Abstract: An indicator/controller for dispensing medical fluids (e.g., intravenously) is disclosed. The device has vented chambers that are movable vertically with respect to one another, thin-plate orifices, capillary chambers, and membrane valves, in addition to other features. The device need be set only once to the desired flow and it will maintain that flow rate regardless of changes in temperature or the height of fluid in the supply.

Abstract: A liquid isolator to prevent cross-contamination in the supply of liquid to and between animal racks. The isolator comprises cylindrical concentric tubes arranged to form a liquid storage chamber, a standpipe in the chamber, and a liquid entry tube within the standpipe. Near their upper ends, a liquid transfer port is provided between the standpipe chamber and the liquid storage chamber. An air lock is formed between the liquid transfer port and the level of any liquid in the storage chamber. The air lock isolates liquid in the standpipe chamber from the liquid in the storage chamber. Check valves are also provided in a liquid inlet at the top of the isolator and a liquid outlet at the bottom of the isolator, thus to prevent back flow through the isolator.

Abstract: A system and apparatus for growing plants in a nutrient solution while supported in an inert medium contained in a pot container includes a nutrient solution reservoir and automatic feeder apparatus for maintaining a predetermined level of nutrient solution in the container including a tube member connected to the reservoir having an open end carried a predetermined distance above the container bottom for dispensing the solution. An air vent communicates with the tube member allowing air to enter the reservoir in response to the level of nutrient solution in the container falling below the open end of the tube member as the solution is drawn by capillary action through the media into the roots. The nutrient solution flows into the container until the open end of the feeder tube is covered so as to continuously maintain the level of nutrient solution. An overflow opening drains excess liquid from the pot preventing overwatering and stagnation when used outdoors.

Abstract: This invention relates to a novel apparatus useful for the gravity fed delivery of a liquid from a first liquid reservoir to a second liquid reservoir. This apparatus is especially useful for the administration of intravenous (I.V.) solutions, where a constant flow, despite varying conditions of pressure in said second fluid reservoir (i.e. the blood-stream of the patient) is desirable if not absolutely required.

Abstract: This invention relates to an oil replenishing cartridge which is adapted for use in the air-eliminating operation from automobile hydraulic systems such as hydraulic brake or hydraulic clutch with one operator, and which is capable, upon being simply placed on a reserve tank for said hydraulic system, of automatically replenishing oil to a given level in said reserve tank.