Abstract: An appliance for making an aerated beverage, e.g. for domestic use, comprising a casing in which is mounted a pressurized container of carbon dioxide which is controlled by a manually operable valve, the operation of which is worked by a finger actuable lever. A nozzle is connected to the valve to receive carbon dioxide therefrom and inject it into water in a bottle when the bottle is mounted with the nozzle immersed in the water. A flexible diaphragm surrounds the upper end of the nozzle and carries a stopper which closes the neck of the bottle when so mounted.

Abstract: A valve for controlling venting of excess gas from a diving suit includes a alve body housing first and second rubber check valves arranged in series. A control knob is rotatable on the valve body to selectively open or close outlet ports for venting gas from between the check valves and to actuate a member to selectively either hold the first check valve closed or to allow it function.

Abstract: A sparger for efficient liberation of air when submerged in a body of liquid comprises a pressure-opened closure biased upwardly to constrict the discharge of air under a rigid annular seat member. Air is thus discharged at an exactly predetermined and constant level. When air is supplied to the interior of the sparger at the lowest volume of flow likely to be desired, it overcomes the bias of the closure and opens the closure, equalizing means ensuring uniform distribution. With different forms, the uniform distribution may be at all points around the periphery of the seat, at selected points, only, or at selected points when the air flow is low, and all around the periphery at high volume. The bias toward closed position may be supplied by the resiliency of the valve, or by buoyancy action, or both. A predetermined back pressure substantially constant through all flow rates can be provided by using buoyancy alone. The equalizing means may be a parallel-movement mounting or movement limiting means.

Abstract: A pumping system with inlet and outlet check valves for delivering measured doses of liquid from a reservoir container, which might include sterile normal saline solution, to a series of smaller vials or hypodermic syringes. This pumping system has an improved valve system that includes a heavily biased check valve and a lightly biased check valve. An embodiment of the system has a valve body with an inlet passage surrounded by a valve seat, and an outlet valve member is biased against this valve seat by a pressure that is substantially greater than a pressure biasing an inlet check valve against its valve seat. A heavy bias at only one valve both (1) prevents valve leakage from the system due to a liquid pressure head from the reservoir container and (2) reduces operator fatigue.

Abstract: A blood sampling assembly is provided which has a cannula designed for intravenous penetration, a mechanism for applying negative pressure to the cannula, a chamber located between the cannula and the source of negative pressure, a one-way valve positioned within the chamber, and a venting member within the chamber which allows the venting of air as blood enters the chamber, but does not allow the passage of blood. A person drawing blood is enabled to visually determine when a needle is properly inside a vein through transparent walls of the chamber. Spillage of blood is avoided with the present assembly by the resistance of the one-way valve to flow distally from the intravenous cannula.

Abstract: An exhaust valve assembly includes a housing having a plurality of ports and a flexible diaphragm movable between opposite positions for selectively connecting the ports. A central elongated stem on the diaphragm extends tightly through a hole in the housing for minimizing vibration of the diaphragm.

Abstract: A non-return valve, comprising a perforate, hollow, conoidally-shaped valve seat defining a cavity of circular cross-section, a hollow, conoidally-shaped diaphragm of elastomerically deformable material and means for securing the diaphragm within the valve seat, so that the entire outer periphery of the rim of the diaphragm is in sealing engagement with the inner periphery of the rim of the valve seat, the diaphragm having an undeformed shape, prior to insertion of the valve member into the valve seat, such that the cross-section of the diaphragm, at least throughout a part of its axial length excluding the rim, is non-annular and bounded by non-circular inner and outer peripheries.

Abstract: A fluid filter is disclosed which separates gas from liquid and vents the separated gas from the filter. The filter includes a vented housing through which the fluid stream passes. Liquid-wetting filter means carried in the housing in the path of the fluid stream permits the passage of liquid only. Gas separated from the fluid is vented through vent opening means which is covered by a liquid-repellent filter to permit the passage of gas only. An automatic, pressure sensitive control means may be used to seal the vent opening means against the entry of ambient air but to automatically release separated gas from the filter. The liquid-repellent filter may be secured to the housing by a mechanical bond between the housing and a fibrous backing carried by the filter, or a continuous band of medical grade tape may be used to attach the filter to the housing.

Abstract: A two way valve assembly for use in flexible containers having a pair of one-way fluid passages. Thus, the one-way passage provides for fluid flow from the container interior to the external atmosphere while the other one-way passage provides a path for fluid flow from the external atmosphere to the interior of the container. Apparatus is provided for selectively closing one or both one-way fluid flow passages.

Abstract: A flow control device is provided for delivering a fluid flow in one direction only while providing for venting of a backflow of fluid in an opposite direction wherein a plurality of self-contained check valve units are slideably received in an elongated housing with one of the check valve units additionally functioning to control the venting of the back flow through an opening formed in the housing wall.

Abstract: A valve arrangement adapted for use in a shock absorber, for example of the type employed in motor vehicles. The valve includes a valve seat and at least two disk springs. A first disk spring is clamped in the region of a first radial edge and extends in the radial direction toward the valve seat. However, its second, free radial edge terminates before reaching the valve seat. A second disk spring is held in the region of its own first radial edge against the pressure of the fluid medium only at the region of the second radial edge of the first disk spring. The second disk spring extends in the radial direction toward the valve seat such that its other, second radial edge extends over the valve seat and lies in contact therewith when the valve is closed.

Abstract: A fluid transfer device is provided for administration of medicament to a patient. The device includes a plastic housing having a first inlet, a second inlet and an outlet, and an umbrella check valve coupling the inlets and outlets. The umbrella check valve is positioned so as to permit flow from the first inlet to the second inlet and from the second inlet to the outlet, but to block flow from the second inlet to the first inlet and from the outlet to both the first inlet and the second inlet.

Abstract: A non-return air flow system for supplying secondary air into the exhaust system of internal combustion engines by utilizing pulsating flow of exhaust gases in the exhaust system, wherein the critical valve opening pressure for a check valve incorporated in the non-return system is varied in accordance with intake air flow rate of the engine so that supply of secondary air is effected in proportion to air intake of the engine.

Abstract: A check valve has a valve member seated on a separating wall member in a housing to interrupt the flow of fluid. The valve member is formed to be unseated from the separating wall member in its free state so that the fluid may flow through a clearance between the valve member and the separating wall member when the pressure difference between one side of the separating wall member and the other is small, while it is formed to be seated on the separating wall member when the pressure difference has become larger. Therefore, the fluid can pass in the both directions crossing the separating wall member when the pressure difference is small, while it is interrupted when the pressure difference has increased.

Abstract: Ventilator with an inhalation phase and an exhalation phase in its operative cycle having a servo controller with an inlet adapted to be connected to supply gas under pressure and also having an outlet. The controller has control valve means movable between open and closed positions to control the flow of gas from the inlet to the outlet of the servo controller. The control valve means is an open position during the inhalation phase of the ventilator and in a closed position in the exhalation phase of the ventilator. Means is provided for supplying gases to the patient from the servo controller until a predetermined pressure has been reached. After the predetermined pressure is reached, means is provided to supply an additional flow of gases to the patient to provide an inspiratory apneustic plateau for the patient. After a predetermined period of time, the patient is permitted to exhale and thereafter the same cycle is repeated.

Abstract: In a telescoping shock absorber which has a cylinder containing a damping medium and a piston slidably disposed in the cylinder, within the confines of the cylinder there are provided separate first and second channels provided with valves. The valves are so oriented that -- in response to the motion of the piston -- in the one channel there will be a medium flow only in the one direction and in the other channel there will be a medium flow only in the other, opposite direction. At least one of the channels has a first valve designed as a function of the desired damping characteristics of the shock absorber and a second valve disposed downstream of the first valve with respect to the flow direction of the damping medium in that channel. The second valve is structured merely as a check valve to open at least approximately simultaneously with the opening of the first valve and to close prior to the closing of the first valve.

Abstract: An improved "blow bottle" for forced expiration exercise wherein liquid is blown from one container to a higher container and then automatically returned to the first container when filled by a siphon whose priming operation is facilitated and rendered more reliable by an umbrella check valve.

Abstract: A respirator or gas mask has a check valve having a seat with a raised border. A soft rubber valve is located on the seat and held thereto by a valve retainer. When the valve is not under any pressure, the valve is sealed solely by contact between the rim of the valve and the raised portion of the seat. When back-pressure is placed on the valve, it seats on the entire valve seat area.

Abstract: A fire hydrant of the "dry" barrel type having an improved means of draining the barrel after the hydrant has been used and the main hydrant valve closed. The hydrant is provided with a drain passageway from the interior of the barrel above the main hydrant valve to the exterior of the valve. A first valve means, which is automatically opened or closed by actuation of the main hydrant valve element, is arranged to close the drain passageway when the main hydrant valve element is open and to open the drain passageway when the main hydrant valve element is closed. A pressure responsive one-way check valve in series with the valve means in said drain passage is automatically actuated to open position by pressure of water when there is water in the hydrant barrel and the valve means in series therewith in the drain passageway is open.

Abstract: An air outlet valve for a diving apparatus includes a housing having an inlet and an outlet spaced from the inlet with a flow passage between the outlet and inlet having interior annular valve seat defined across the flow path. An axially extending actuation member is journalled in the housing for axial displacement and it includes an outside knob portion at one end and an inside knob portion at the opposite end which may be engaged for moving the actuation member. A flexible diaphragm which has an annular sealing rim portion which engages on the valve seat is secured at its central portion to a shaft portion of the actuation member and the sealing rim portion is engageable on the valve seat to close the flow passage.

Abstract: Gas supply device employing a seal means which on activation of the device serves as a diffuser through which the gas passes from the source to the point of use.