Abstract: Urine or other liquid is automatically divided into equal amounts upon being poured into the inlet opening of a manifold having a tubular body and its upper end and a plurality of outlets adjacent its lower end. Substantially equal amounts of fluid exit each outlet and are received by a plurality of independent fluid chambers.

Abstract: An ice distribution system comprises a light weight, hand carried ice distribution tray which functions in conjunction with a plurality of glasses, or other drink receptacles, removably retained by a base assembly, or industry standard dishwashing rack, or both to provide a quick easy system for distributing ice, or fluent drinking matter, or both to the plurality of drink receptacles; and the ice distribution tray thereof is formed with a plurality of apertures formed through the bottom of the tray, which plurality of apertures are arranged in a predefined pattern to match the pattern which the plurality of drink receptacles occupy on the base assembly, or industry standard dishwashing rack, or both, and is also formed with short protruding lip members extending from each of the plurality of apertures which maintain the plurality of apertures in alignment with the plurality of drink receptacles during the process of filling the plurality of drink receptacles with ice, or fluent drinking matter, or both.

Abstract: A device for discharging material from a succession of filled open top transfer receptacles includes a guideholder having a pair of elongated parallel spaced-apart deadplates extending from an input end of the device toward an output end of the device. The spacing of the deadplates is sufficient to slidably receive the height of a transfer receptacle, and the length of the deadplates is sufficient to contain at least one transfer receptacle in a single station, and preferably two contiguous transfer receptacles in respective first and second stations. With two stations, the deadplates prevent loss of material from a receptacle in the first station but have openings in the second station to permit discharge of the contents of an inverted transfer receptacle in the second station.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shaped frozen confection. The apparatus has a plurality of nozzles for extruding the shaped confection in a variety of contoured shapes. The nozzles simultaneously move in a vertical direction and circularly in a horizontal direction, thereby moving in a spiral path to produce a spirally-shaped frozen confection. A variety of differently shaped frozen confections can be made by varying the rate of extrusion from the nozzles, or the rate or direction of vertical movement of the nozzles.

Abstract: A system for the automatic dispensation of dye solutions characterized in that it is provided with a plurality of weighing devices for converting weight changes of dye solution materials supplied to receiving containers into electric signals. A control system for controlling the quantities of material supply, and for repeating a dispensing operation continuously for a plural number of times, the dispensing operation forming one cycle consisting of [I] setting the receiving container in a fixed position, [II] placing the receiving container onto the weighing device, [III] supplying the material to the predetermined receiving container and weighing the material, [IV] releasing the receiving container from the weighing device, and [V] transferring the receiving container. This system increases to a maximum, the range of the dye solutions that can be dispensed and the dispensing speed so as to reduce the cost and floor space occupied.

Abstract: A rotary packaging apparatus for non-free-flowing material synchronizes the discharge rate of material in an auger emptied hopper with the speed of rotation of a funnel carrying wheel which engages a continuous series of containers such that material is uniformly deposited in the packets. A plurality of hoppers may be provided to permit packaging more than one material into a packet.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a particulate or granular material into containers which includes a container conveyor having an even number of container transport paths and a material conveyor having an endless path of transport of the material including a forward path portion and a return path portion with the path portions extending across the container transport paths and being positioned thereabove. The container transport paths are divided into a first group of the even-numbered paths as arranged from one side of the container conveyor and a second group of the other odd-numbered paths. At the intersection of the two conveyors, the material is distributedly placed into containers in the two groups of paths separately from the forward path portion and the return path portion of the material transport path, whereby a sufficient period of time is made available for filling the material into the containers.

Abstract: A system for use in a structure for refilling portable self-contained breathing apparatus comprising a plurality of stations including a first station, an intermediate station and an end station, apparatus for coupling the first station to a source of compressed air, tubing for conducting compressed air from said first station to said intermediate and end stations and apparatus at each of said stations above or downstream from said first station for coupling said compressed air to said portable self-contained breathing apparatus. Air pressure indicators and valves for isolating an upstream station from a downstream station are also provided in each station.

Abstract: A powder dosing apparatus, especially for use in the priming of ammunition, comprises a tray containing a uniformly thick layer of powder and a dosing assembly arranged to extract a plurality of doses of powder from the tray. After extraction of the doses the assembly is moved to an adjacent station where it ejects the doses into respective receptacles, such as capshells. During ejection, the powder in the tray is replenished from a chute and the layer is raked and levelled by an assembly comprising a rake and doctor blades in readiness for a subsequent dose extraction step.

Abstract: A device for the simultaneous quantitative regulated filling of liquid or soft plasticized substances, such as butter, margarine, pastes or the like, by means of nozzles into adjacently arranged containers with the assistance of at least one control element interchangeably switchable from filling to discharging and at least one dosing piston. The device is arranged in such a way that two adjacent nozzles arranged in tandem are assigned one control element and one dosing piston. A passageway in the transition region from the actual dosing device to the nozzles can be adjusted preferably by means of a regulating valve whose angle of rotation can be altered. This regulating valve provides for an especially delicately sensitive and precise distribution of the product stream onto the one or the other nozzle for the purpose of balancing the output volume.

Abstract: In the fill apparatus, a container feed belt with a lifting frame at the entry end includes container supporting and centering pulleys for displacing the empty container in the horizontal direction by means of alignment pulleys engaging the container rim in order to rotate the container about its longitudinal axis. A first work station arranged above the container includes a rotary disk rotatable about a vertical axis with circumferentially arranged devices participating in the rotary movement of the rotary disk for unscrewing the screw plugs closing the container fill opening, measuring the moisture content and seeking the container's bunghole. A second work station following the first work station includes a filling device. A third work station having a filling device and a following third work station includes devices for screwing the screw plugs on to the container openings and for mounting safety caps.

Abstract: This invention relates to improvements in fuel filling operations on vehicle utilizing two or more fuel tanks that are placed on opposite sides of the frame of the vehicle. The invention provides a manifold whereby such vehicle to be fueled may have its tanks filled from either side of the vehicle by a single operation. The invention further contemplates the addition of an extra tank opposite to the original tank in the instances where the vehicle has only one tank.

Abstract: A laboratory device having a bifurcatable actuator plate assembly superposed and in coaction with a support plate means for securing a plurality of pump-actuated pipettes therebetween and responsive to the actuation thereof to accurately dispense liquids therefrom during a single cycle of the actuator and means for readily establishing a preselected quantity for the replicate liquid injections. The device is supported by height adjustable legs having rubber feet mounted thereto to insure stability.

Abstract: Containers for the transportation and/or storage of radioactive wastes are filled by evacuating the containers and utilizing the vacuum thus generated to draw radioactive waste into the container. The radioactive waste is then dried in the container directly by continuing the vacuum and, if desired, heating the container with an electrical heater, the vapors thus produced being condensed before the withdrawn gas is filtered.

Abstract: An apparatus for simultaneously filling a set of microcups includes a corresponding number of storage vessels having capillary outlets projecting into the microcups. The distance between the outlets and the bottom of the microcups is adjustable so that the filling quantity of the microcups can be modified depending on the requirements. For discharging fluid out of the storage vessels into the aligned microcups, diaphragms are used which are connected directly to the storage vessels or to auxiliary vessels cooperating with the storage vessels and are acted upon by a pressure plate located above the diaphragms. By pushing the pressure plate against the diaphragms, an overpressure is caused above the liquid within the storage vessel so that at first an excessive amount of liquid is discharged into the microcups. Upon release of the pressure, the diaphragms return to their initial position thus drawing in the excessive amount of liquid.

Abstract: A bag filling apparatus attachable to a conveyance comprising a hopper having in connection therewith a plurality of bag filling chutes and including structure to selectively or simultaneously control the openings of the chutes.

Abstract: A fully disposable self-contained manifold-type multiple stroke dispenser having sufficient capacity for dispensing 96, microliter quantities of liquid without refill to accommodate a standard 96-well microtitration plate.

Abstract: A delivery system for pressurized gas utilizes a flat bed vehicle provided with a fore-and-aft-extending central divider which defines rows of pallet sites on each side thereof. Pallets carried at the sites each protectively enclose a plurality of pressurized gas cylinders and have an overhead gas delivery manifold which is connected to the cylinders. The pallets are retained on the bed of the vehicle by pallet-engaging projections carried on the central divider, and by blocking means arranged along the margins of the vehicle. A piping system extends along the central divider and is connected to a control panel. Bridging conduits connect the piping system with each of the pallet manifolds. Each of the bridging conduits is constructed such that, when its connection with a pallet manifold is released, the bridging conduit automatically retracts to an out-of-the-way position, thereby clearing the path for pallet loading or unloading.

Abstract: A device for equally filling a plurality of containers including a primary distributor disc having a top inlet and a plurality of bottom outlets equally spaced from the top inlet and equally spaced around the primary distributor disc, a plurality of secondary distributor discs, each having a top inlet and a plurality of bottom outlets equally spaced from the secondary distributor disc top inlets and equally around the secondary distributor discs, a plurality of equal fluid conducting pipes, one for connecting each of the outlets of the primary distributor discs to the inlet of one of the secondary distributor discs, and a filler hose connected to each of the outlets of the secondary distributor discs and extending downwardly to one of the containers of the plurality of containers.

Abstract: A container filling device that raises a case of empty containers to be filled to engagement with a centering block and fill tube assembly. Each centering block surrounds a fill tube extending into the container and forms a seal around the neck of the container to be filled while providing communication between the interior of the container and a vacuum system. Fluid operated reciprocating piston pumps, through a system of check valves, draw measured amounts of liquid product from a bulk storage container and thereafter inject the measured amounts through the fill tubes into the containers while air is simultaneously exhausted from the containers by vacuum.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method and an apparatus for continuously filling and dispensing large numbers of cups with beverages, such as beer. The cups are positioned in rows in suitable containers and conducted underneath dispensing nozzles likewise arranged in a row, the dispensing direction of which may be adjustable.

Abstract: A gas precharged, liquid filling machine operating with dual rows of containers includes a pair of concentrically disposed inner and outer rows of container receptacles, and an array of pairs of inner and outer gas precharged, filling mechanisms which are disposed directly above the respective rows of container receptacles. The pair of inner and outer filling mechanisms each include a valve which is independently operated, in accordance with the presence or absence of a container, by means of coaxially disposed rotary shafts. Snifter mechanisms for both filling mechanisms are simultaneously operated by a common snifter shaft. Each pair of inner and outer container receptacles, which are modularized, are mounted on a common elevating member in a manner to permit their elastic downward displacement in response to undue stresses applied thereto, thus avoiding the risk that the containers or bottles may be broken.

Abstract: Gas to be stored flows along a gas feed line and into a cylinder containing a solvent for the gas. During its passage along the gas feed line, the gas flows through a dosing device which, on the one hand, permits a substantially adiabatic expansion and concomitant cooling of the gas to occur and, on the other hand, automatically regulates the flow rate of the gas in dependence upon the pressure difference across the dosing device. The pressure upstream of the dosing device is maintained constant regardless of the pressure downstream thereof, which latter pressure is variable due to the fact that dissolution of the gas generates heat and an accompanying increase in the pressure inside the cylinder. The constant pressure upstream of the dosing device is slightly higher than the final pressure inside the cylinder when the latter has been filled.

Abstract: A motor driven inoculator is provided wherein a plurality of bacteriological transfer loops are mounted on a common head and are activated in response to the positioning of a tray of inoculum to cause the head to be lowered and then raised so that the loops pick up a sample of inoculum. The subsequent positioning of an antibiotic or antimicrobic microtube plate, etc. causes the head to be lowered and raised a second time so that the loops are lowered into the plate to place samples of inoculum in each of a plurality of wells in the plate by dispersion. The removal of the antibiotic plate initiates a sterilizing cycle wherein the head is lowered and raised a third time whereby the loops are heated to a very high temperature by passing electrical current therethrough to volatilize all material thereon and then they are subsequently air cooled prior to the beginning of the next cycle. In an alternative embodiment the inoculum on the loops may be dispersed by percussion.

Abstract: A device for examining a plurality of microdoses of liquids by means of a urality of reagents, said device comprising in combination a dispenser for dispensing microdoses of reagents, comprising a plurality of vertical syringes adapted to be controlled simultaneously and arranged in a fixed pattern, a means for filling said syringes with reagents, provided with a plurality of receptacles containing said reagents and arranged in a fixed pattern corresponding to the pattern of said syringes, a receptacled assembly wherein a plurality of reaction receptacles are arranged in a fixed pattern likewise corresponding to the pattern of said syringes, and a dispenser for dispensing microdoses of liquids. The invention finds application in the testing of liquids, particularly in the field of cytology and immuno-haematology.

Abstract: A plurality of cells are mounted on a cell holder with their liquid crystal filling ports faced downwardly. A support is used having a longitudinal groove in the upper surface and a liquid crystal holding member in the form of helically wound coil or a bundle of inert fibers is placed in the groove. The support and cell holder are placed in a vacuum tank and the filling ports are contacted against the liquid crystal holding member to fill the liquid crystal into the cells while at the same time inert gas is admitted into the vacuum tank to assist filling.

Abstract: A container for dispensing water into the cells of an electric storage battery and/or simultaneously into several cells, for example, in to all three cells of a 6 volt electric storage battery, from a container having a common water supply, the dispensing occurring through valved fill spouts which may be opened upon moving the container toward the battery with the spouts in the cells of the battery and providing structure whereby water in each cell will stop flowing from the container into the cell when the water rises in the cell to a level sealing the end of the dispensing spout.

Abstract: A bottle filling device which raises in-case bottles to be filled to engagement with a fill valve assembly which controls fluid communication between a fill tube inserted into each bottle and a pressurized fill tank. Cup members, which engage the bottle openings in fill position, communicate with a vacuum line, such that the combination of pressurized fill source and air-evacuated bottles realizes extremely fast filling. The fill tubes are the shafts of respective double acting fluid pressure operated cylinders of simple construction which position a port in the fill tube upper wall extremes within the fill tank confines or within pressure sealing cylinder end bushings to define respective open and closed fill-valve conditions.

Abstract: A railway tank car is provided for interconnection in fluid communication with associated tank cars. Each of the tank cars includes a tank mounted on a chassis structure with two lading conduits respectively coupled to the tank, each having an outer end extending outwardly from the tank adjacent to the top thereof and at least one having an inner end extending into the tank and terminating near the bottom thereof. A vapor vent is connected to the tank to vent gas vapors produced during loading. The vent is closed by a valve actuated by a control mechanism in response to a level sensing means which determines the level of liquid lading in the tank. The tank car or train may be loaded or unloaded from either end thereof since the cars can have symmetrical internal piping, and, similarly the gas vapor may be collected from either end of the tank car or train.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging thermoplastic fluid material is the subject of the present invention. The thermoplastic material is mixed at an elevated temperature and emptied in predetermined batch quantities into a holding area. A gate in the bottom of the holding area is operable to empty the batch of material in a very short time span. A plurality of heating elements are disposed beneath the outlet of the holding means and are maintained at a temperature high enough to cause parting of the fluid material as it passes over the heating elements. Thus the batch of material from the holding area will be divided into a plurality of individual masses as the material passes over the heating elements. By utilizing a number of heating elements equal to one less than the number of containers to be filled, and by spacing the heating elements equi-distances apart, the individual masses of material will be equal in size and the number of individual masses will equal the number of containers.