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.

Abstract: Method and apparatus is described for removing oxygen from a can and frothy head inducing capsule of a lightweight two piece can beverage pack storing alcoholic beverage under gaseous pressure. The method involves evacuating the can and the capsule combination and purging with an inert gas such as Nitrogen and retaining the purged condition of the capsule and of the can by filling the can with water. Just before the can is to be filled the can is inverted to pour the water away and is washed in a conventional manner and re-inverted ready for filling. The method may be automated by marshalling cans on a conveyor and purging a large number of cans simultaneously in a batch first of all to the evacuation, then the purging step and then the water filling step. Two batch purging units may be provided and operated out of synchronism to provide a continuous supply of purged cans partly filled with water ready for feeding to the can washing and filling facility.

Abstract: In a method for filling bottles or similar containers with a liquid under back pressure, at least a first flushing and a second flushing of the interior of the respective bottle are conducted in chronological sequence during a pre-treatment phase which precedes the actual priming of the respective container, by the timed introduction of a specified quantity of inert gas, with a subsequent evacuation of the interior of the bottle. The introduction of the specified quantity of inert gas takes place in a timed manner during each flushing, and is performed independently of the capacity at which the bottling system is currently being operated.

Abstract: A highly reliable digital level sensor assembly is provided to replace optical and capacitance type sensors in high purity chemical delivery systems. The digital level sensor assembly is particularly useful in bulk chemical refill delivery systems for high purity chemicals employing a manifold that ensures contamination free operation and canister change outs with a minimum of valves and tubing.

Abstract: A process and a device for the sterile filling of beverage liquids. In the process and device a bottle is sterilized by passing steam into it through a short feed pipe. All other phases such as CO.sub.2 flushing, counter-pressurizing and return gas discharge also take place through the feed pipe. During the filling process the liquid to be filled flows into the bottle around the feed pipe.

Abstract: A mobile method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the virtually undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor control device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: A thin elongated metal tube of a diameter less than the diameter of a inlet aperture within the top of a fuel tank and opening upwardly therefrom has a closed lower end inserted within the aperture. The metal tube is supported by a radially enlarged collar on the periphery of the metal tube intermediate of its ends, having a diameter in excess of the diameter of the fuel inlet aperture. Purge gas distribution openings are provided within the lower opposite end of the metal tube to distribute purge gas interiorly of the fuel storage tank. The weight of the distribution nozzle is set to balance axially upward lift forces developed during inert gas pressurization of the tank to prevent overpressurization and rupture of the tank when the gas pressurization of the tank reaches a predetermined level less than that causing rupture of the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor handling device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber is provided for the development of latent fingerprints, having a first and second end, and end plates sealing the first end, a removable end plate for sealing the second end to form a vacuum chamber by assembly of the wall end plates. In addition, the chamber wall and end plates define three passageways, a vacuum gauge passageway, an inlet passageway and an outlet passageway. The outlet passageway is connected to a conduit which is connected to the inlet of a vacuum pump. The outlet of the vacuum pump is connected to a conduit connected to a valve assembly, and the valve assembly is connected to a recycle conduit, and the recycle conduit is connected to the inlet passageway. The valve assembly has a first position whereby gases within the chamber are vented to the atmosphere and recycle is prevented, and a second position in which recycle of gases remaining in the chamber is permitted while venting to the atmosphere is prevented.

Abstract: A highly reliable bulk chemical refill system for high purity chemicals is provided. The system employs at least one metallic level sensor in a refillable ampule. The refillable ampule of the present invention comprises a metallic level sensor for sensing a high level or full level in the ampule. The metallic level sensor transmits this signal to a control unit that automatically stops the refilling process. Additionally the refillable ampule includes a low level sensor that either provides an automatic signal for starting the refilling process or an audible or visual alarm to alert an operator that the container is empty and requires refilling. At the same time, the low level sensor sends a signal to the processing equipment indicating the empty state of the ampule.

Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and optionally contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a tool which separates and pulls out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting volatile organic compound vapors from a liquid storage vessel which includes the steps of introducing a purge medium to a liquid storage vessel containing volatile organic compound vapors and establishing an uniform and continuous stratified interface between the purge medium and the volatile organic compound vapors. The introduction of the purge medium is continued causing the continuous stratified interface to move within the vessel purging the undiluted volatile organic compound vapors from the vessel and into a vapor recovery line which delivers the volatile organic compound vapors to a vapor handling device. Preferably, the purge medium comprises carbon dioxide or nitrogen.

Abstract: A fitment device is disclosed to be used with a "bag-in-a-box" packaging system. The fitment connects the bag with a valve system and contains a removable diaphragm. The diaphragm is opened by operating a snaring tool which pulls on a tab to tear out the diaphragm. A method of assembling the device with the entire system is also disclosed.

Abstract: A can (1) has a primary chamber and a secondary chamber in communication through a restricted orifice and its exterior maintained at atmospheric pressure. The can (1) is filled with beer through a filling block (24) from a bowl (8). Prior to filling the can (1) is pressurized through the block (24) with nitrogen gas to greater than atmospheric pressure and subsequently evacuated to atmospheric pressure. Such pressurization and evacuation is repeated sequentially to dilute the atmospheric oxygen content within the primary and secondary chambers. A gas exchange conduit (40) extends between the bowl headspace (12) and the can (1). Conduit (40) has a gas control valve (55) closeable by movement of lever (60). A beer flow valve (37/46) controls flow of beer (9) from the bowl. During nitrogen pressurization of the can (1) the lever (60) is adjusted to maintain valves (55) and (37/46) closed and insure that high pressure gas in the can (1) cannot flow through conduit (40) into the bowl (8).

Abstract: A method of preparing TPN solutions, which is particularly well adaptable to computerized control, has been developed. These methods can assist the pharmacist or physician in the preparation of three-in-one TPN solutions containing lipid, dextrose and amino acids. The method includes a series of criteria for concentrations of lipid, dextrose, amino acids, and ions as well as eliminating the possibility of certain deleterious interactions.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, especially bottles, with liquid material is provided. The apparatus has at least one filling element for dispensing the liquid material into a respective container in a controlled manner. A bell-shaped portion is provided for each filling element and has a chamber for completely accommodating a container during a filling process. The underside of the bell-shaped portion has an opening for the introduction and withdrawal of a container. The apparatus also has a support mechanism that forms a support surface for the container and is disposed below the filling element in the direction of a filling element axis. Via relative movement between the bell-shaped portion and the support mechanism in the filling element axis, the chamber at the opening of the bell-shaped portion can be closed and opened by the support mechanism.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system and a packaging apparatus which includes such a system has a chamber 6 of a chryogenic vessel 2 containing a reservoir of liquid gas 1 (such as nitrogen, oxygen or argon) which is to be dispensed in doses 26 through an outlet port 12 which is in constant communication with a sub-chamber 17. The sub-chamber 17 is part of a piston 16 and cylindr 15 device in which the piston is reciprocated by means 21 and 24 to expand and contract the sub-chamber. When the sub-chamber 17 is expanded, liquid gas enters from the reservoir 1 through flow ports 18 which are closed by the piston 16 during contraction of the sub-chamber to dispense a dose 26.Mounted beneath the outlet port 12 is a tubular skirt having internal passages 30 through which purging gas directed into the region 29 adjacent to the outlet port 12. The region 29 is purged of air to alleviate ice build-up at the outlet port 12.

Abstract: Dry etching apparatus composed of any of metal, silica, ceramic or combination thereof with a processing chamber in which substrates are placed and a diluted anhydrous hydrogen fluoride gas generator, the processing chamber being connected to the diluted anhydrous hydrogen fluoride gas generator through a pipe line of stainless steel or nickel. There is also disclosed a dry-etching method with the dry-etching apparatus, and a diluted anhydrous hydrogen gas generator used in the dry-etching apparatus and dry-etching method.

Abstract: A filling head apparatus for filling a pack aseptically has a steam inlet valve and passage and a steam outlet and emptying valve and passage connected to a filling head space for delivery of sterilizing steam to and for removal of sterilizing steam and residual fluid from the filling head space. The steam inlet and outlet valves and passages are positioned to have longitudinal axes which form an angle of from 70.degree. to 110.degree.. A valve which is displaceable in the filling head controls delivery and regulates the flow of fluid to the filling head space.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizing a plunger having openings with a contour complementary to an opening in the container. The apparatus is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers.

Abstract: Marine tankers and cargo tanks for storing hydrocarbon liquids are provided with treated flue gas which is heated to a temperature at least about equal to or in excess of the liquids to be stored in the tanks to minimize the generation and emission of hydrocarbon vapors during loading, storage and transfer of hydrocarbon liquids with respect to the tanks.

Abstract: The disclosure of this application is directed to a medicament injection adjunct which provides a source of sterile air for loading into a medicament syringe prior to use of the syringe for withdrawing liquid medicament from a multi-dose vial. The disclosure also describes the sequence of steps involved in loading the syringe with sterile air. Embodiments involving inclusion of the adjunct in a tandem medicament package and also use of the adjunct in hospital wards or outpatient areas are also described.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sterilizing containers using hydrogen peroxide vapor is disclosed. The apparatus for aseptically filling a container comprises a housing, a source of liquid hydrogen peroxide, means for providing a flow of heated gas, means for causing the hydrogen peroxide to mix with the heated gas thereby vaporizing the hydrogen peroxide, means inside the housing for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide, the means for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide including means for dispensing the vaporized hydrogen peroxide into the container, fill tube means extending into the housing for dispensing product into the container, means within the housing for sealing the container, and means providing for the passage of the container between the interior and exterior of the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizes a first flow system for applying a first source of environment to the interior of the container, a second flow system for applying a second source of environment to the interior of the container, and means for controlling application of the individual sources of environment such that the first and second sources of environment are applied simultaneously for at least some period of time. The apparatus is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers. In a preferred embodiment, a rotary drum-type apparatus is employed for exposing containers in a continuous sequence to the individual sources of controlled environment.

Abstract: A sanitary packaging system and method of using the same for the packaging of a sanitary product comprising a sanitary housing portion, a product bag, a sliding adjustment tube and a product tube. The product tube extends inside the sanitary housing portion and is flexibly attached to the sliding adjustment tube to which the product bag is attached. The sanitary product under pressure passes through the product tube, sliding adjustment tube and into the product bag to complete packaging. Sanitized air is blown through the sanitary housing enclosure to create a positive pressure therein, whereby in the case of a leak within the product bag, sliding adjustment tube or product entry tube, sanitary product leaks outwardly therefrom rather than allowing contaminates to be pulled inwardly and contaminate said sanitized product.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and means for lid sterilization and temporal sealing. With the lid sterilization means, a lid's whole surface is completely sterilized, while it is held and revolved, and the lid then is put on the opening of a container which is hung by a flange on a pair of rails and carried by a pushing plate. With the temporal sealing means, the lid is partially pushed on the flange by a heater and is briefly and temporarily sealed.

Abstract: Liquid cryogen is added to a container of particulate material (e.g. powder, flakes or granules) immediately before the container is capped as part of a process for pressurizing the container. A liquid cryogen retainer is positioned within the unsealed container above the particulate material, and the flow of liquid cryogen is directed to the retainer to substantially prevent eruption from the container of the particulate material, which may otherwise result when the liquid nitrogen penetrates the particulate material and causes the particulate material to erupt, with an unacceptable loss of the particulate material and of the liquid cryogen.

Abstract: A cylinder (11) provided with a plunger tube (28) contains a mass of supercritical CO.sub.2 containing 2 to 6% of dissolved helium, surmounted by a gaseous sky constituted by helium at a pressure higher than about 135 bars. Supercritical CO.sub.2 can be in this way obtained which contains a few % of helium dissolved by a simple opening of the valve (27) of the cylinder. Application in the cosmetic industry.

Abstract: An apparatus for making mixtures of pharmaceutical liquids has a plurality of supply vessels for the mixture components. The supply vessels are connected via a tubing system to a container to be filled with the mixture. The tubing system includes a drip chamber. The container is arranged in a vacuum chamber. The vacuum chamber has a temperature sensor and a pressure sensor which are connected to a control device. For preparing the mixture, and using the law of the general gas equation, each mixture component is sequentially drawn, via the drip chamber, to the container by the vacuum in the chamber. The pressure and temperature in the vacuum chamber are monitored so that when the particular predetermined volume of one component is reached in the container, the supply vessel for that component is closed off, and the supply vessel for another component is opened.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for sterilizing packaging material, in particular packaging containers by means of a liquid sterilizing agent containing hydrogen peroxide, in which a mixture consisting of sterilizing agent and air is vaporized within a spray pipe (18) and guided positively within the spray pipe so that a very good vaporization capacity is achieved. In order to achieve this, a rotary flow movement along a central axis is imparted to the mixture of vapor and air by swirl bodies (19, 21) and coil spring inserts (22, 23) inserted alternately therewith inside the spray pipe (18) and the liquid which has not yet vaporized is given a flow direction in opposition to that of the main stream of the mixture and consequently a long residence time of the liquid on the pipe wall of the spray pipe (18) is achieved.

Abstract: The invention discloses a device for measuring the concentration of alcohol contained in the dampening water used in printing. Part of the dampening water pumped up from a dampening water tank (1) and delivered to a water fountain (3) is sampled through a bypass passage and the dampening water is returned to the dampening water tank (1) after the measurement of the concentration of the sampled dampening water. A measuring unit (8) for detecting the concentration of alcohol has a shielding plate (13) disposed adjacent to the dampening water inlet so that the disturbance of the surface of the dampening water introduced into the measuring unit is prevented. The dampening water discharge outlet consists of a pipe whose upper end is in coplanar relationship with a predetermined surface level of the aqueous solution in the measuring unit so that the excessive dampening water overflows into the pipe (10) to return to the dampening water tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for preserving perishables fresh and long storage of corrosive material by filling the container with an inert gas and sealing the gas therein.

Abstract: A nitrogen injector system is provided including a nitrogen injector unit. The nitrogen injector unit includes liquid nitrogen with a head space having gaseous nitrogen at a pressure exceeding atmospheric pressure. An injector orifice is provided, as is a distributing disk which normally closes that orifice. The distributing disk is provided with metering apertures for receiving metered amounts of liquid nitrogen from a nitrogen receptacle and transporting those metered amounts to a position adjacent the injector orifice and for opening the orifice when the metered amount is in the requisite position. The pressure of nitrogen gas within the head space is utilized to eject the metered amount from the metering aperture into a container located at the dispensing position. Containers are advanced to the dispensing position on a container conveyor.

Abstract: The removal of undesirable substances such as water, PCB's and air from the internal components of electrical devices such as transformers and power capacitors is efficiently and effectively achieved by contacting, in the absence of air, the internal components of these various electrical devices with a heat-stable fluid material. The heat-stable fluid materials are preferably halogenated aliphatic hydrocarbons and most preferably perchloroethylene or FREON 113.

Abstract: Carbonated beverage is bottled without foaming, even though at a comparatively elevated temperature (i.e. 55.degree.-60.degree. F.), by confining it, as it fills each bottle, between an incoming fluid pressure and a displaced air outgoing pressure of a sufficient extent to prevent release of the carbon dioxide content thereof. Further, said two just referred to pressures are maintained in balanced relation, so as not to impede the flow rate of the beverage, and thereby to contribute to a commercially acceptable bottling rate.