Abstract: The invention relates to a process and an apparatus for the transfer and dispensing of brittle solid particles, the apparatus comprises a transfer and dispensing device including a chamber divided into first and second sections by a transverse partition wall provided with one or several holes, of a diameter smaller than that of the solid particles, the two sections communicating with one another through said holes. The first section is a dispensing section proper, ending at its lower end with an opening defined by the open lower end of said chamber, wherreas the second suction or discharge section, cooperates with a suction and discharge device. The apparatus ensures an accurate proportioning and a high rate of introduction of the solid particles into bottles, reaching 25000 bottles per hour, without damaging them.

Abstract: Disclosed is a technique whereby when multi-component liquefied gases such as liquefied natural gases (LNG), liquefied petroleum gases (LPG) or the like which are different in composition, density or the like are stored in the same storage tank, any stratification of the liquefied gases within the storage tank is prevented.The introduction of the liquefied gas into the storage tank is accomplished in such a manner that the introduced gas enters the storage tank in the form of a jet of liquefied gas which is shoot out from near the tank bottom obliquely upwardly with an ascending vertical angle in a predetermined range and reaches or comes near to the free surface within the storage tank, and in this way the desired mixing of the introduced liquefied gas with the liquefied gas previously existing in the storage tank is effected as soon as the introduced liquefied gas enters the tank.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pouring molten metal in a neutral atmosphere into an ingot mold, a trumpet funnel for bottom poured ingots or a tundish box for a continuous caster or like vessel is disclosed wherein the receiving vessel is closed to the atmosphere by a closure having an opening therein through which the molten metal is poured. A ceramic sleeve may be positioned in said opening and wherein the normal atmosphere is replaced by vaporized hexamethylene or cyclohexane as it is sometimes called. The closure with the opening through which the molten metal is introduced into the receiving vessel is positioned on top of the receiving vessel and is engaged by a pouring nozzle in an airtight manner. The closure is provided with break lines or scores that permit the edge portions of the closure to be moved in hinged relation thereto when the closure is pushed downwardly into the receiving vessel to a point on or near the surface of the molten metal.

Abstract: A gas mixing device and method for filling gas storage cylinders with two or more diverse gases and automatically mixing the gases. A high pressure cylinder valve has an elongate hollow tube welded into the valve body and extending to the lower end of a storage cylinder. A plurality of holes through the tube sidewalls is distributed in a spiral along the length of the tube. Each gas is filled in order of its final pressure and distributed along the length of the cylinder thereby mixing with the other gases.

Abstract: A liquid pipetting system for aspirating and dispensing small samples of fluid and diluents. The pipetting system consists of a coaxial needle serving as the pipette tip and a metering system to control the fluids. Precise dispensing of small amounts of liquid from the inner needle is made possible by surrounding the sample liquid with a miscible diluting liquid thereby establishing a controlled interface and conveying the sample liquid into the receiving chamber with that miscible diluting liquid.

Abstract: An ultrasound liquid level detector system for automatically controlling the dispensing of a post-mix beverage, including microprocessor-controlled circuitry for monitoring and implementing the automatic dispensing process. The microprocessor is interfaced with an ultrasonic transducer which transmits ultrasonic wave energy towards the container to be filled and receives reflected ultrasonic wave energy, the characteristics of which are analyzed within the microprocessor to implement control functions of the automatic dispensing process. Dispensing is initially stopped before the liquid level reaches the top of the container to allow for dissipation of foam on the top of a carbonated beverage and dispensing is reinitiated to top off the level of beverage adjacent the top of the container. The disclosed system also utilizes the ultrasonic transducer to measure the level of ice within the container prior to dispensing and precludes dispensing of the beverage if the level of ice exceeds a predetermined limit.

Abstract: Ice cream making machine and method which automatically controls the weight of ice cream supplied to containers by increasing or decreasing the amount of overrun, depending upon whether or not the cartons in a production line are overweight or underweight with respect to a desired target weight. Correcting signals are derived at a weighing station which are proportional in time to the amount or underweight of an average group of weighed packages. Such signals are applied to structure which adjust to the amount of air being supplied to the ice cream mix.

Abstract: A method is provided for packing a high pressure liquid chromatographic column to obtain increased efficiency by suspending the packing in an alcohol medium between a lower liquid phase (e.g. carbon tetrachloride) and an upper liquid phase (e.g. isooctane) and passing the liquids under high pressure through an unpacked column lower layer first. The packing is retained in the column.

Abstract: This invention is an apparatus for making solutions of chemicals of specified molarity, normality, molality or weight percentage corrected, as necessary, for water of hydration in the solute. By means of an input-output device using a programmed instruction format, the desired chemical, the type of solution wanted, its concentration, and its volume are specified. An electronic balance with TARE capability repeatedly produces an output signal of the weight W of solute plus any solvent within a container in which the solution is to be mixed less the weight of the container. Apparatus are provided for calculating and storing the weight TW which is the total weight of the solute plus solvent which will result in a solution of the type and concentration of solution specified for the amount of solute placed on the balance. If the total volume of solution of the desired type and concentration of solution is specified, apparatus are provided for determining the amount of solute required.

Abstract: A system for loading coal or other particles into railroad cars wherein every other railroad car is designated an EVEN railroad car and the remaining every other railroad cars are designated ODD railroad cars. Each EVEN railroad car is weighed after being filled with coal and before the initiation of the loading of coal into the next EVEN railroad car to determine a filled weight. The filled weight of each EVEN railroad car is compared to a predetermined control weight and, in response to this determination, the termination of the loading of coal into the next EVEN railroad car controllably is varied to bring the filled weight closer to control weight. In a like manner, each ODD railroad car is weighed after being filled with coal and before the initiation of the loading of coal into the next ODD railroad car to determine a filled weight.

Abstract: A process of delivering a given amount of a sample and one or more reagents into a reaction vessel by means of a common delivery device which includes a single aspiration-discharge pump and a single probe, without contamination between samples and reagents, wherein a washing step of clearing an outer surface of the probe chip by immersing it into a wash-water, preferably a diluent, is introduced between an aspiration step and a discharge step or between the discharge step and the aspiration step.

Abstract: A mechanical process for filling the tubes (3) of tubular reactors with granular solids, e.g. catalysts, wherein two or more streams of material, e.g. of different catalytic activity, can be introduced in a controlled manner into each tube (3) which is to be filled, from two or more stock vessels (1,2) via two or more dispensing devices (MI, MZ) mounted above the upper tube end plate (13). By this process, different thermal/catalytic reaction profiles can be achieved over the length of the tube, or in certain groups of tubes within the tubular reactor, with substantially less time being required for filling the tubes (3).

Abstract: A proportioning system for preparing hemodialysis or hemofiltration solutions. The apparatus of the system is a specially plumbed tank containing a flexible plastic container which holds solution concentrate. Introduction of pressurized water into the tank outside the bag discharges concentrate and water through separate paths into a mixing chamber at a rate determined by the size ratio of narrow orifices in the respective paths.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for blending large batches of particulate polymers that are compositionally heterogeneous into batches that are compositionally uniform. The apparatus consists of a plurality of horizontally aligned cylindrical storage bins, a common feed line for feeding particulate polymer to each of the storage bins, and conveying means running under each of the storage bins to receive particulate polymer discharged from the bins. Each bin contains six or more vertically aligned partition walls that extend radially from the midpoint of the bin to the wall to divide the bin into at least six storage compartments of substantially equal volumetric capacity. The vertical partition walls differ in height in a regular descending order so that as material is charged to and fills one compartment, it overflows the shorter wall to fill the adjacent compartment. Upon being discharged from the bin, the contents of the several compartments of the bin are mixed to provide a more homogeneous batch of particles.

Abstract: At least two incompatible solutions are simultaneously charged into a container maintained at a temperature substantially below the freezing temperature of each solution in such predetermined amounts that the separate charges of solution freeze on the walls and are then lyophilized.

Abstract: A machine for mixing paints and their toners, comprising a plurality of toner containers wherefrom required quantities of selected toners are added to a basic paint can. Each toner container is at its upper end provided with a back pressure valve allowing air to enter into the container as the toner level sinks but preventing air from leaving the container.

Abstract: An installation for manufacturing articles from one or more liquid or pasty materials which solidify in a mold, said material or materials resulting from the mixing, prior to its or their introduction into the mold, of at least two liquid and/or pasty components in a mixer comprising a chamber, a mixing device arranged in the chamber, at least two feed conduits for the components arranged at one end of the chamber, each feed conduit feeding a different component to the chamber, and a discharge conduit for the mixture arranged at the other end of the chamber is improved due to the fact that the mixer is provided with an axis of rotation which is perpendicular to the average direction of flow of the mixture which passes through the chamber and with a control which makes it possible to reverse the direction of flow of the mixture with respect to the gravitational field of the earth.

Abstract: An ice cream making and packaging machine is provided having an automatic overrun controller for controlling the amount of air mixed with the ice cream mix prior to freezing. The overrun controller includes a mix pump and a regulator for adjusting the amount of air to be mixed with the ice cream mix in the mix pump. The ice cream making and packaging machine continuously packages predetermined quantities of ice cream in containers and includes a conveyor system for continuously carrying the containers of ice cream through a weighing station. Measuring equipment associated with the conveyor measures the relative amounts of air and ice cream mix in the containers of ice cream. Automatic controls connected to the measuring equipment adjust the regulator for the mix pump to change the amount of air mixed with the ice cream mix in response to measurements taken by the measuring equipment.

Abstract: A measuring and transferring device for automatically metering predetermined and variable quantities of virgin plastic material, reprocessed plastic material and color concentrate to an extrusion machine. This masterbatch material blender incorporates a rotary conveyor having openings therein that receive and retain predetermined amounts of virgin plastic material and color concentrate in one position of movement of the conveyor and discharge same to the extruder in yet another position of movement thereof. Furthermore, such conveyor is adapted to control yet another reciprocable metering and transfer mechanism that similarly controls the addition of reprocessed material to the batch by way of the same measuring and transferring device.

Abstract: Calculated amounts of an initial filler gas and a mixing gas are introduced into a vessel from its lower end while the vessel is in an inclined state. During the introduction of the gases into the vessel, it is maintained at a predetermined temperature. After charging, the vessel is inverted to effect mixing of the charged gases.

Abstract: An improved method of mass producing a battery electrode made of porous metal having uniformly impregnated therein a large amount of active material which comprises applying to the outer surface of a porous metal having continuously interlinked pore portions an active material in paste form and scrubbing the outer surface of the porous metal with a scrubber while agitating the active material disposed below the porous metal by means of a stirrer.

Abstract: A device for safe disposal of chemical wastes for placement in a sink atop the drain for the simultaneous mixing of disposable flowable material and flushing liquid, such as tap water, into the sink drain. The device consists of a funneling means in cooperation with a supporting sleeve essentially a cylindrical strainer attached to a beveled horizontal flange which extends inward beyond the supporting sleeve in close proximity of the funneling means to form an annular opening there between. The flange supports the funnel device over the sink drain.

Abstract: A vacuum pump and motor drive are mounted on one side of a portable disc, and a resilient sealing element is mounted on the other side. The disc is manually pressed into sealing engagement with the mouth of a mixing pan of a tablet coating pan. A suction inlet nozzle at one end of a flexible conduit is inserted into a container in which materials to be coated are located. The other end of the conduit is mounted on and extends through the disc to thereby communicate with the interior of the pan. Actuation of the pump and motor generates a suction force which causes the materials in the container to be loaded into the pan. Insertion of the nozzle into another container in which coating materials are located causes the latter to also be loaded into the pan.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for layering a liquid sample onto a support liquid through a narrow filler passage in a neck protruding from the opening in a substantially closed, flexible centrifuge tube by supporting the tube with its liquid support contents in an upright position, attaching a funnel shaped container to the neck of the tube, applying a squeezing force to the flexible tube to reduce its internal volume thereby forcing the liquid contents into the neck thereof to form a meniscus adjacent the opening of the filler passage, adding a sample liquid into the funnel shaped container above the filler opening and in contact with the meniscus of the support liquid, and releasing the squeezing force from the tube allowing it to return to its normal volume thereby drawing the sample into the tube layered on top of the support liquid.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of forming and containerizing a multiphase cosmetic composition such as for example, a cleansing cream-astringent composition comprised of a cream phase and a gel phase combined to form the cosmetic composition or product. The method disclosed herein basically entails directing at least two initially separate and distinct phase compositions to a dispensing head and simultaneously dispensing the at least two phase compositions from the dispensing head into an offset rotatively driven container. Initially the dispensing head is positioned about the lower portion of the container and once dispensing is commenced, the dispensing head is slowly moved vertically from the lower portion of the container to the top thereof and during this movement each phase of the multiphase compositions is simultaneously dispensed therefrom and a stirring effect is achieved by the rotating container and a plurality of stirring rods disposed about the dispensing head.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of introducing reaction mixtures for single-component foams into pressure containers. The reaction mixture comprises at least two reaction components and a blowing agent and is formed in an injection mixing head. The reaction mixture is then introduced into an evacuated pressure bottle provided with a valve. Additional pure blowing agent is added via the injection mixhead subsequent to the introduction of the reaction mixture into the pressure container.

Abstract: A seed sowing system and method employing photoelectric sensing equipment to detect singulated seeds and to actuate stepping equipment that ensures separate delivery of seeds to individual planting loci. The seed may come to the sensing equipment via a singulator and a low-pressure air stream. The photoelectric sensor is actuated each time the air stream carries a seed past a certain locus, and the sensor, in turn, actuates a cyclic stepping device by which each seed in a cycle is delivered into a different delivery tube and from there is deposited in a separate receptacle of a shutter. The stepping device is interconnected electronically with shutter indexing mechanism, by which the shutter is advanced and reindexed after each row of its seed-receiving openings has received its seeds, which may come from a single cycle or from a plurality of cycles.

Abstract: Production of a marbled product is accomplished by associating a plurality of product constituent streamlets in a desired cross-sectional pattern or configuration, diverting a portion of one or more of the product constituent streamlets of the pattern into one or more of the other product constituent streamlets of the pattern, joining the associated streamlets into a unified marbled product stream, and then dispensing the marbled product stream into a product container.

Abstract: An enclosed container having a divided chamber with an air pressure section and a liquid coolant section separated by a pressure-transmitting wall. A one-way inflation valve in the container is in communication with the air pressure section for inflation of this section. A liquid release valve in the container is in communication with the liquid coolant section and is set to release liquid into a tire cavity when the tire is operated in a deflated condition. The container is of a resilient, noncollapsible material for retaining air under pressure and for gripping the rim on which the tire is mounted.

Abstract: An apparatus for mixing two flowable substances, such as flocculent and water, comprises a first container into which a first flowable substance is fed and from which the first substance overflows onto an inclined face, the second flowable substance being fed into a second container from which it overflows onto the inclined face and mixes thereon with the first substance, and an outlet for the mixed substances flowing down the inclined face.

Abstract: The cylinder cavity of a pneumatic suspension element of the piston-and-cylinder type in which the escape of compressed gas from the cylinder cavity is prevented by a liquid in a portion of the cylinder cavity through which the piston rod passes is charged with compressed gas and liquid through resiliently sealed gaps about the piston rod and/or through a porous partition separating the liquid-filled cavity portion from the gas-filled portion.

Abstract: A dynamic scattering liquid crystal cell is filled from a single fill port by first applying a film of a mixture of at least two resistivity dopants, each having different ions, to the cell walls, then filling the cell with a liquid crystal composition containing both dopants.

Abstract: A variegated product comprising a generally liquid material distributed within a generally plastic material is produced by flowing said plastic material through a mixing chamber wherein said liquid material is injected into the plastic material through one or more ribbon tubes. The combined product is then passed through a filler valve into a container. Variation of the orientation of the ribbon tube outlets with respect to the location of the plastic material inlet of the mixing chamber can be used to change the distribution of liquid material within the plastic material in the filled container to yield either an at least substantially uniformly variegated product wherein all components are visible through a transparent container or an at least substantially uniform variegated product in which the liquid material does not contact the container and is totally encapsulated within the plastic material.

Abstract: A method for achieving acetylene gas mixtures which can be stored safely in increased quantities in closed containers, with undiminished safety, is provided.

Abstract: A method and automatic machine for planting seeds in boxes which insures that uniform and consistent seed distribution will be present in each planted box, and comprising dispensing seeds continuously from a supply hopper in single height, side-by-side relation onto an upper endless conveyor, dropping the seeds from the upper conveyor onto a lower endless conveyor moving at a speed greater than the upper conveyor, and depositing the seeds on the lower conveyor into boxes moving on a delivery conveyor below the lower conveyor. After the seeds have been deposited in the boxes, the boxes move under a second hopper where a covering material is dispensed uniformly over the seeds. Adjustable gates on the supply hopper and the second hopper control the discharge of seeds and covering material, respectively, to insure uniform and consistent discharge from the hoppers.

Abstract: A dispersing method and apparatus for metering the dispersing of dry particulate material into a liquid. The apparatus includes a supply container and a metering and dispersing assembly having a clog-preventer with a hub and a plurality of radially extending arms with a rim. Passages are formed between the arms for the passage of dry material. Any large agglomerates that may be formed from the dry material are supported by these arms above the passages to prevent clogging. A dispensing rod capable of vertical movement is positioned within a bore in the hub, and controls the vertical movement of the downwardly inclined dispersing surface attached to the lower end of the rod. The dispersing surface receives the particulate material from the bottom opening, and carries it substantially laterally from the bottom opening to be dispersed into the liquid.