Vacuum Cut-off Before Filling Patents (Class 141/61)
  • Patent number: 11524807
    Abstract: A method of canning and processing a particulate edible product, the method comprising: providing a metal can body with one open end; filling the metal can body through said open end with the particulate edible product and a volume of liquid, the volume of liquid comprising no more than 30% of the internal volume of the metal can; fixing a lid to the metal can body to close the open end; and using an induction heating process to heat the liquid in the can and thereby process the product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2022
    Assignee: Crown Packaging Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Lucy Michelle Winstanley, Paul Charles Claydon, Christopher Paul Ramsey
  • Patent number: 10464804
    Abstract: The invention relates to an adapter and to a filling method giving the possibility of flexibility in the transfer of fluids from a filling cell to a fluidic circuit, depending on the different filling levels required on a production line, notably finding application for the transfer of fluids such as coolant fluid, brake fluid, air-conditioning fluid, to the corresponding fluidic circuit of a vehicle, for example on an automotive assembly line, or further in the energy sector for filling electric radiators with a fluid. The adapter comprises a conduit 4 connected to the filling cell 16 for sucking up filling fluid 5 contained in, and filling with the filling fluid 5, the fluidic circuit 2, and a plunger tube 6, secured to a piston 7 axially adjustable on an axis Y in a first guiding tube 9, having first and second ends 14, and connected through the first end to the conduit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FIVES FILLING & SEALING
    Inventors: Jacques Goasguen, Philippe Cormier
  • Patent number: 10259607
    Abstract: In one general aspect, a system for aseptically filling a tray of pharmaceutical containers with a pharmaceutical product is disclosed, which consists of an aseptic chamber, one or more articulated arms within the chamber, a sensor aseptically disposed with respect to the chamber, and a controller. The controller determines the locations of openings of the containers based on the image information from the sensor, and automatically guides one of the arms to fill the containers with the product. In order to obtain suitable contrast for accurately identifying the openings, an illuminator illuminates the tray with substantially collimated light. The sensor images the tray and containers using collimated light reflected from a reflective surface such as a retroreflector under the tray. To this end, the sensor may be disposed at a large enough distance from the retroreflector to collect largely the retroreflected light, or the sensor may employ a telecentric lens or a Fresnel lens.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: VANRX PHARMASYSTEMS INC.
    Inventor: Carlos Alberto Diaz Guerrero
  • Patent number: 10074404
    Abstract: A device is disclosed herein. The device comprises a housing, a gas, an antenna, and a control module. The housing defines and hermetically seals an interior cavity. The gas is contained within the interior cavity of the housing at a pressure greater than atmospheric pressure. At least a portion of the antenna is within the interior cavity of the housing. The control module is operably coupled with the antenna to transmit an incident radio wave into the interior cavity of the housing and receive a reflected radio wave within the interior cavity of the housing. The control module is configured to determine a resonance frequency of the interior cavity of the housing based on, at least partially, the reflected radio wave, and determine the pressure of the gas contained within the interior cavity of the housing based on, at least partially, the resonance frequency of the interior cavity of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: WESTERN DIGITAL TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventors: Seong-Hun Choe, Yuta Onobu
  • Patent number: 10012422
    Abstract: A moisture treatment and leak sealant product for a vapor-compression system has two separate components. One of the components includes a viscosity modifying additive, excluding oil compounds, to more closely match a viscosity of the product to that of lubricating oil in the system and a drying agent to remove moisture from the system. The second of the components includes a silane leak sealant and also the viscosity modifying additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: MAINSTREAM ENGINEERING CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ted J. Amundsen, Robert P. Scaringe
  • Publication number: 20150020921
    Abstract: A device includes a first body having a curved wall with a top surface that slopes away from the first body and a second body having an interior configured to receive the curved wall of the first body, the interior including a curved ramp with a sloped bottom ramp surface. The second body is mounted on the first body with the bottom surface of the curved ramp resting on the top surface of the curved wall. A compressible seal extends from the first body bottom, and a shaft projects from the second body through a passage in the first body and into the interior of the compressible seal. Rotating the bodies relative to each other causes the shaft to pull the seal against the first body and radially expand the seal against an interior wall of an opening in which the device is placed to form a seal therewith.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2013
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Inventors: Scott Allen Sanders, David Mark Allen
  • Patent number: 8631836
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for bypassing a coolant reservoir with a fill tool connecting a source of vacuum pressure and a source of coolant (e.g., a vacuum coolant filler) to a vehicular cooling system inlet port. The fill tool bypass allows the coolant reservoir to be manufactured from a relatively structurally weak polymer material, which is subject to failure under vacuum pressure, while still allowing vacuum coolant filling to be used to charge the vehicular cooling system. Without the use of the bypass fill tool, the coolant reservoir would rupture under the vacuum pressures applied during vacuum coolant filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Assignee: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Stanley Desaki, Andrew Gall, Michael Moorhead
  • Patent number: 8627856
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling insulating glass units with one or more insulating gases (e.g., Argon and Krypton gas). The insulating gases are supplied to gas filling tubes that are inserted into one or more interpane spaces of the insulating glass units. Each interpane space may be filled with more than one insulating gas. A control unit controls the injection of the insulating gases in accordance with gas filling data received by the control unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Integrated Automation Systems, LLC
    Inventor: Michael Patrick McHugh
  • Patent number: 8479779
    Abstract: A filling method for filling a reservoir (10) of variable working volume with a fluid, the method being characterized in that the reservoir (10) is firstly emptied of any content, such that its working volume is substantially zero, and the fluid is then injected into the reservoir, thereby increasing the working volume of the reservoir (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 6, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2013
    Assignee: Aptar France SAS
    Inventor: Alain Behar
  • Patent number: 8113245
    Abstract: A device for filling a recipient with at least one material in a form of a powder, the device including: a filling channel configured to bring the material from a reserve of material to an entry opening of the recipient; and a pump that evacuates a pneumatic fluid contained in the recipient through at least one first evacuation duct and a second evacuation duct, wherein the at least one first evacuation duct is configured to connect an inside of the recipient to an environment outside of the recipient during a filling phase, the first evacuation duct being internal to the filling channel, and the second evacuation duct is configured to evacuate the pneumatic fluid before filling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2012
    Assignee: Commissariat A l'Energie Atomique
    Inventors: Luc Federzoni, Pascal Revirand
  • Patent number: 8091590
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides a nitrogen tire inflation and deflation system and associated usage methods. In one exemplary embodiment, the system includes a dispenser and a nitrogen storage device along with an associated usage method. In another exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, a decommissioned pay phone is converted into an air or nitrogen dispenser. The conversion utilizes the form-factor and payment component of the pay phone with the additional of parts to regulate air flow. Advantageously, this provides an environmental solution to waste disposal of decommissioned pay phones. The air/nitrogen dispenser of the present disclosure can be placed at gasoline stations, convenience stores, car washes, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2012
    Inventor: Samuel S. Graham
  • Patent number: 8061393
    Abstract: A filling method for filling a reservoir (10) of variable working volume with a fluid, the method being characterized in that the reservoir (10) is firstly emptied of any content, such that its working volume is substantially zero, and the fluid is then injected into the reservoir, thereby increasing the working volume of the reservoir (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 22, 2011
    Assignee: Airlesssystems
    Inventor: Alain Behar
  • Publication number: 20110277875
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method are provided for bypassing a coolant reservoir with a fill tool connecting a source of vacuum pressure and a source of coolant (e.g., a vacuum coolant filler) to a vehicular cooling system inlet port. The fill tool bypass allows the coolant reservoir to be manufactured from a relatively structurally weak polymer material, which is subject to failure under vacuum pressure, while still allowing vacuum coolant filling to be used to charge the vehicular cooling system. Without the use of the bypass fill tool, the coolant reservoir would rupture under the vacuum pressures applied during vacuum coolant filling.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2010
    Publication date: November 17, 2011
    Applicant: PACCAR Inc
    Inventors: Stanley Desaki, Andrew Gall, Michael Moorhead
  • Publication number: 20100006175
    Abstract: [Problems] To obtain a spouted pouch package having a high degree of deoxidation by a method in which even a liquid content which is easily foamable can be filled while being inhibited from foaming. [Means for Solving Problems] A pre-filling deoxidation step (1) is performed before a liquid content is filled into a pouch. The pre-filling deoxidation step (1) comprises: a vacuum step (1-1) in which a gas is evacuated from the pouch; an inert gas blowing step (1-2) in which an inert gas is blown into the pouch after the vacuum step; and a gas-reduction vacuum step (1-3) in which the gas in the pouch after the inert gas blowing step is discharged under vacuum to reduce the gas in the pouch to a predetermined amount. Thereafter, the pouch is evacuated in a pre-filling second degassing step (2-1) and then filled with a content. After filling, gas replacement is implemented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2007
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Inventors: Yoshiaki Shinagawa, Makoto Sawada
  • Publication number: 20090242073
    Abstract: A method for filling a battery cell with electrolyte, comprising: a) connecting the battery cell and a lower portion of a fill head chamber connected through respective first, second, third and fourth valves to a source of high pressure, the free atmosphere, a source of high vacuum and optionally a source of low vacuum, wherein only one of said valves can be open at any time, while said second valve is open; b) opening said third valve for a predetermined first period to discharge air from the interior of said battery cell through said chamber; c) separating the major upper portion of said chamber from the lower portion thereof by a sliding shut-off plunger and opening said second valve; d) dispensing a prescribed amount of electrolyte into said upper portion of said chamber above said plunger, while keeping said second valve open; e) raising said plunger to let a major portion of said dispensed liquid be sucked into said battery cell under the effect of the vacuum established therein in step b) and allowi
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Applicant: Hibar Systems Ltd.
    Inventor: Bill Reschke
  • Publication number: 20090120530
    Abstract: A system for processing a simplified plastic container (C) that is to be filled with a hot product includes the step of blow-molding parison to form a container body, where the container body has a neck, a base, a side surface relatively free of structural geometry that surrounds an interior of the container body and, prior to being filled with the hot product, a projection (12) extending from the container body. After the container body is filled with a hot product in a production line, the neck of the filled container body is capped with a cap and then, the container body is cooled. During the cooling operation, the hot product is contracted so that the projection extending from the container can be pushed (P) into the container body like a traditional push-up so that the resultant, filled and cooled container body is relatively free of structural geometry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2009
    Publication date: May 14, 2009
    Inventors: Paul Kelley, Kent Goss, Philip Sheets, Ted Lyon, Charles A. Ryl-Kuchar
  • Patent number: 6962176
    Abstract: A portable suction system comprises a vacuum valve subassembly. The subassembly has a body, upper and lower ball valves, and an actuating linkage. The body has a mounting portion for a tank and a valve housing portion. The mounting portion has a threaded diameter. The tank mounting portion has venturi and feed passageways. The valve housing portions have a cylindrical configurations. The body has a venturi blow-through line passageway intersecting. The ball valves are located within the passageways of the valve body. The ball valves are coupled to the actuating linkage with a trigger which rotates the ball valves into one of the positions from the category. The category includes the venturi ball valve open and feed ball valve open, and neither ball valve open. The linkage is coupled to and held in position on the outside surface of the valve body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 8, 2005
    Inventor: Neil A Veira
  • Patent number: 6823904
    Abstract: The invention relates to a metering installation for powder pigments, having an arrangement for supplying the powder pigments into a weighing container of a weighing arrangement. The weighing container may be emptied into a pneumatic conveying conduit which leads into a consuming unit, if appropriate, via an intermediate store. The conveying arrangement has a hopper-like pressure container which can be subjected to the action of compressed air. The pressure container has a closure at the base and a laterally curved outlet connector. An injector tube, which can be subjected to the action of compressed air and has lateral exit openings for the compressed air, extends axially into the outlet connector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Ingo Finke
  • Patent number: 6706440
    Abstract: The present invention provides a liquid injection apparatus for injecting liquid into a container, comprising an injection chamber, a container for a liquid to be injected and entirely sealed except an injection port is placed in the injection chamber with the injection port directed to the bottom, an injection cell comprising at least one unit injection cell to accommodate the liquid to be injected is installed in the injection chamber, there is provided pressure regulating means to reduce the pressure in the injection chamber and to regulate pressure in the injection chamber to the atmospheric pressure or to a level higher than the atmospheric pressure, the pressure in the injection chamber is reduced to a level lower than the atmospheric pressure by the pressure regulating means at least once, and then, by maintaining the atmospheric pressure or the pressure higher than the atmospheric pressure, the liquid is injected through the injection port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Assignee: NEC Mobile Energy Corporation
    Inventors: Kiyohide Takimoto, Yuichi Maekawa
  • Patent number: 6644362
    Abstract: A system for filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes a filling system connection apparatus that can be connected to a corresponding disc drive connection apparatus that is connected to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A vacuum source and a source of gas other than air can be connected to the filling system connection apparatus. The filling system also includes a pressure sensor can produce a pressure signal representative of the pressure within the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A control module receives the pressure signal and directs one of the vacuum source and the source of gas other than air through the filling system connection apparatus to the enclosed environment of the disc drive. A method of filling an enclosed environment of a disc drive with a gas other than air includes connecting the enclosed environment to a vacuum source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Seagate Technology LLC
    Inventor: Frank William Bernett
  • Patent number: 6637475
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, comprising: a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. In non-limiting representative example, the bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters. Also disclosed are novel manifolds for use in delivering chemicals from canisters and a transportation/containment cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 6588461
    Abstract: An electrolyte injection apparatus for injecting an electrolyte into a battery case tightly closed except an electrolyte injection hole, said apparatus comprising an electrolyte injection nozzle airtightly mounted on the electrolyte injection hole, exhaust means for exhausting the space inside the battery case with the electrolyte injection nozzle mounted on the electrolyte injection hole, an electrolyte pot connected to the electrolyte injection nozzle via an electrolyte injection valve and for storing the electrolyte to be injected into the battery case, and electrolyte feeding means for feeding a given amount of the electrolyte into the electrolyte pot via an electrolyte feeding valve, and pressurized gas feeding means for injecting the electrolyte in the electrolyte pot under pressure into the battery case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2003
    Assignee: NEC Mobile Energy Corporation
    Inventor: Yuichiro Morizane
  • Patent number: 6435229
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, comprising: a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. In non-limiting representative example, the bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters. Also disclosed are novel manifolds for use in delivering chemicals from canisters and a transportation/containment cart.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2002
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 6360790
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an airtight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Assignee: UView Ultraviolet Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas L. Klamm, Phil Trigiani
  • Patent number: 6338371
    Abstract: A filling apparatus of irregular—formed vessels having an intermittent swinging table (111) disposed above a continuous rotation table (5) and having a plurality of filling nozzles (121) at a same pitch as the vessel holding pitch, filling means for pushing out the liquid from the filling nozzles (121), vertical moving means for vertically moving the filling nozzles (121), a continuously rotating outside hollow shaft (119) to which the continuous rotation table (5) is mounted, a hollow shaft (116) disposed concentrically with the outside hollow shaft (119) for reciprocally rotating the intermittent swinging table (111).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2002
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Yozo Araki, Kenji Mizukawa, Koichi Jinno
  • Patent number: 6234215
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an air-tight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2001
    Assignee: UView Ultraviolet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Klamm
  • Patent number: 6152193
    Abstract: An apparatus for adding coolant to a cooling system of a motor vehicle includes a cap with a resilient sleeve that expands against the inside wall of a radiator filler neck to provide an air-tight connection. A valve attached to the cap controls the flow of air and coolant through the cap. A gauge on the cap indicates the pressure inside the radiator. A venturi assembly connected to the valve provides a source of vacuum for evacuating air from the cooling system. Thereafter, coolant is drawn through the cap by the vacuum created in the system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2000
    Assignee: UView Ultraviolet Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Thomas L. Klamm
  • Patent number: 6056024
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system having: a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. The bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 23, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 2, 2000
    Assignee: Advanced Delivery & Chemical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 5983957
    Abstract: A container and method for transporting finely divided coal in rail cars or other cargo hauling vehicles, the container having a generally flexible and substantially oxygen impermeable barrier defining an encapsulated cavity. A port, including a coupling adapted to substantially prevent exposing the finely divided coal to oxygen, is positioned in the container for passing a flowable material through the barrier. The container also including a cap for sealing the port, a one-way pressure activated valve positioned in the barrier preventing gases in the cavity, and a harness for supporting the barrier and defining the shape of the cavity. The method generally having the initial steps of removing most of the oxygen from the cavity of the container, and adjusting the shape of the cavity to conform to the type of rail car that is being used to haul the finely divided coal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 16, 1999
    Assignee: SEEC, Inc.
    Inventor: Stewart E. Erickson
  • Patent number: 5975163
    Abstract: A housing (10) has a cavity (18) to which fluid product can be fed, and which opens into a terminal neck (20) adapted to be inserted over a bag straw. A hollow bolt (28), having a bore at its tip, is slidable in the housing between a neck-shutting position and a position in which its tip is remote from the neck mouth. A needle (34) is axially slidable in the bolt and protrudes with an enlarged head (35) within the terminal neck through the terminal bore. The needle is biased by a spring (38) to a position where the enlarged head abuts against the tip of the bolt. A drive cylinder (44) is provided for moving the bolt and the needle away from the terminal neck, for connecting the bolt to the internal cavity of the housing, for subsequently bringing the bolt near the neck in order to break the connection and to push the needle so that its enlarged head moves away from the bolt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 2, 1999
    Assignee: Techpack S.r.l.
    Inventor: Angeli Gianfranco
  • Patent number: 5950693
    Abstract: A bulk chemical delivery system, having a bulk chemical canister that is connected to at least one manifold box, wherein each manifold box has at least two output lines, wherein each output line connects to a secondary canister. The bulk chemical canister may have a capacity of 200 liters. The bulk canister is housed within a transportation and containment cart that is housed within a cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Assignee: Advanced Delivery & Chemical Systems, Ltd.
    Inventors: Craig M. Noah, John N. Gregg, Robert M. Jackson, Craig Esser
  • Patent number: 5732751
    Abstract: An ink supply container for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. A fill port is provided for directing ink into the reservoir to fill the reservoir. The apparatus and method for filling the ink container includes a nozzle that seals around the fill port and that has valved fluid lines connected thereto for evacuating the container prior to filling and for directing ink into the evacuated reservoir. The nozzle surrounds a plug that is moved to seal the port while the nozzle is still sealed around the port immediately after the container is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: March 31, 1998
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Company
    Inventors: Glen E. Schmidt, Mark J. Green, Ronald W. Hall, Truman Kenneth Jones
  • Patent number: 5323818
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing thermally conductive paste into the blind holes of a cold plate, and the insertion of pistons into those blind holes and in engagement with and to be coated by the thermal paste is described. The thermal paste is extruded from a carrier plate into the blind holes by the pistons to form the finished assembly of the cold plate under conditions of a vacuum to eliminate entrapped air or gases, which either would expand when the cold plate assembly was positioned within a vacuum chamber of a thermally conductive module or would impede heat transfer between the piston and the cold plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventor: Carl Yakubowski
  • Patent number: 5151111
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a vacuum-assisted vapor recovery system for loading vessels with volatile materials such as liquid hydrocarbons, including gasoline and distillates, which system utilizes a series of interlock premissives and vacuum controllers to maintain a vacuum on the vapor header of the vessel being loaded, which vacuum is within a desired, predetermined level. The system is further arranged and adapted to shutdown the filling of liquids into the vessel should a vacuum leak be detected or should any other malfunction of the vapor recovery system or the liquid filling system arise.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 29, 1992
    Assignee: Fina Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Alistair A. Tees, Glen E. Kenney
  • Patent number: 5088529
    Abstract: A vehicle braking system evacuation and fluid fill machine which utilizes a lightweight, compact filler head which is easily mounted on top of the vehicle master cylinder and a venturi type vacuum pump which effectively vacuums the air out of the vehicle brake system in order to allow brake fluid to enter and completely fill the brake system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: General Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Daniel G. Jones, James A. Cole
  • Patent number: 4959960
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling a hydraulic control apparatus of the type including a reservoir, a diaphragm positioned in the reservoir, a master cylinder, a slave cylinder, and a conduit interconnecting the master cylinder and the slave cylinder. The apparatus is filled by the use of a filling head which is fitted into the open top of the reservoir and which includes a nozzle portion having an exterior surface enclosing a volume which approximates the volume of the diaphragm so that, following filling of the apparatus, removal of the filling head, and reinsertion of the diaphragm, the apparatus is automatically placed in a totally filled condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 2, 1990
    Assignee: Automotive Products plc
    Inventor: Robert H. LaFountain
  • Patent number: 4848419
    Abstract: A device for reducing the quantity of oxygen in the space above the filling in a container before closing of the container, in which a vacuum is formed in the space, then a compressed gas is blown into the container in a direction running obliquely to the vertical axis of symmetry of the container and again a vacuum is formed in the space, these steps being repeated if necessary. Valving is provided in the fixed housing within which are formed, coaxially with a central column, an inner chamber and an outer, essentially cylindrical chamber enclosing it. One chamber is connected to a vacuum source and the other chamber to a source of the gas. One head face of each chamber has a plurality of openings at specific angular distances from each other and disposed on an inner and an outer circle respectively. Fixed on the central column is a disc in sealing fashion against the head faces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1989
    Assignee: Calumatic B. V.
    Inventor: Franciscus A. Damen
  • Patent number: 4755190
    Abstract: Metal particles are introduced to reactor beds in a hydrogen generator without introducing contaminating oxygen or nitrogen to the generator. The particles are protected against oxidation under an inert gas atmosphere, are flooded with water prior to injection into the generator, and are further flooded with hydrogen gas drawn from the generator to replace the water prior to injection. The generator includes a receiving hopper for the metal particles and an injector connected to the hopper. Particles introduced to the receiver are flooded with the inert gas and are transferred to the injector (which is flooded with water) by gravity. The water is displaced with gas from the generator prior to injecting the particles into the generator with a reciprocating piston associated with the injector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 5, 1988
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventor: William G. Harris
  • Patent number: 4738288
    Abstract: The high speed syruper of this invention utilizes a combination of vacuum and pressure to fill cans with liquid. Steam is introduced into the cans prior to the application of a vacuum, and then the cans are filled with liquid under pressure, preferably in the range of 4 to 10 PSI.The filling apparatus comprises a circular ring manifold mounted for rotation on a vertical axis. A rotary coupling fluidly connects the manifold to a pressurized source of liquid, and a plurality of cam operated valves control the flow of liquid from the manifold into the cans.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering Company
    Inventor: John W. Colombo
  • Patent number: 4693286
    Abstract: A piston is forced in a direction to disengage from a cylinder containing a fluid such as an adhesive. The piston while in engagement with the cylinder abuts a stop in response to the disengagement force. While the disengagement force is kept on the piston, the chamber between the fluid and piston in the cylinder is evacuated. After evacuation, the disengagement force on the piston is gradually released and the piston is forced against the fluid to squeeze the fluid through fluid couplings into an array of corresponding containers releasably secured to the piston, simultaneously filling the containers without exposing the fluid to air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1987
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventors: Brian E. Lock, Jeffrey S. Wojnar
  • Patent number: 4570685
    Abstract: An engine or gearbox oil sampling device for use with an engine or gearbox containing lubricating oil. The device includes a hand held container having a flexible tube communicating with its interior. The free end of the tube is provided with a hollow member adapted for entering an engine or crankcase oil access opening. Prior to accessing oil the pressure within the container is reduced below atmospheric pressure by connecting the flexible tube with a vacuum pump through a vacuum pump head which supports a flexible and resilient stopper for sealing the end of the tube opposite the container fluid tight after reducing the pressure therein. The stopper includes a frangible wall ruptured by the hollow tubular member as it enters the oil access opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 1985
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1986
    Inventor: Julian S. Taylor
  • Patent number: 4530202
    Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container through an opening therein. The machine includes a machine frame defining a container conveying zone through which a container loaded into the machine moves during a filling operation. A container sterilizing assembly is mounted on the machine frame and defines a sterilizing station in the conveying zone, the sterilizing assembly being operable to aseptically sterilize the container, at least in a region incorporating the opening, when positioned at the sterilizing station. A container filling assembly is also mounted on the machine frame and defines a container filling station in the conveying zone, the filling assembly being operable to receive the sterilized container and fill the container through the opening therein with a product while maintaining at least the opening region of the container in an aseptic condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1985
    Assignee: ACI Australia Limited
    Inventors: Roger M. Powell, Steven Marshall, Philip D. Waterworth
  • Patent number: 4178974
    Abstract: Fluid is forced from a reservoir into an evacuated chamber by forcing a plunger into the reservoir. When it is desired accurately to stop the flow of the fluid, the plunger is withdrawn and concurrently the pressure in the reservoir is reduced to that of the evacuated chamber by means of vacuum pump connected to the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1977
    Date of Patent: December 18, 1979
    Assignee: RCA Corporation
    Inventor: Jonathan S. Levin
  • Patent number: 3990487
    Abstract: A vacuum filler is provided which enables empty or partially full cans to be filled without drawing a significant amount of the filling material into the vacuum system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1975
    Date of Patent: November 9, 1976
    Assignee: Atlas Pacific Engineering Company
    Inventor: Malcolm W. Loveland
  • Patent number: 3941169
    Abstract: There is described herein a mold injection adapter for use with low viscosity polymers comprising a housing adapted to be urged into sealing relationship with the area around the mold inlet port and selective means in the housing for evacuating the mold cavity through the port and for injecting polymer into the port, as well as a fluid jacket for heating or cooling the polymer immediately prior to injection. The injecting means is disclosed as a pneumatically or hydraulically operated injection barrel containing a further pneumatically or hydraulically operated needle valve for controlling flow of polymer through the injection barrel and sealing the barrel during the evacuation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 1974
    Date of Patent: March 2, 1976
    Assignee: Dow Corning Corporation
    Inventor: Giovanni Bassani