Abstract: The top closure of the present invention comprises a flexible sheet member sized to fit in covering relation over a top opening of a box. One edge of the sheet member is attached to the upper edge of one of the box walls. At least one track is positioned at one of the opposite ends of the box and an elongated shaft extends between the two opposite ends of the box. The tracks guide the shaft from an open position adjacent one edge of the box to a closed position adjacent the other upper edge of the box. The flexible sheet member is rolled around the shaft when the shaft is in its open position, and the sheet member unrolls from the shaft as the shaft rolls towards its closed position. When the shaft reaches its closed position, it engages a plurality of flaps which are mounted along the edge of the box. These flaps wrap around the shaft as the shaft rotates, and become attached to the shaft, thereby fastening the shaft to the sidewalls of the box with the tarpaulin in covering relationship over the opening.

Abstract: A quick opening hatch for use on a transfer tube of a nuclear reactor plant that is adapted to replace the conventional hatch on the transfer tube. A locking ring is provided with a plurality of screw openings that is adapted for connection to the transfer tube, and a hatch cover fitably received within the locking ring for closing-off the transfer tube. To lock the cover to the ring, latches are movably connected with the cover for locking engagement with the locking ring, and a sprocket with a plurality of crank arms is movably connected with the cover and the latches for movement thereof into locking engagement with a latch housing on the locking ring for locking the cover to the ring and out of engagement with the latch housing for releasing the cover from the locking ring so as to permit removal of the hatch cover from the locking ring to provide access to the transfer tube.

Abstract: A door assembly for providing access to a chamber for processing food products includes a door supported at its midpoint and pivoted about a first axis. A pair of crank arms receive and support the door on the axis and are pivotally secured to the sidewalls of the chamber along a second axis parallel to the first axis. The opposite ends of the crank arms are secured together by a bar or beam preferably disposed along a third axis parallel to the first axis of pivot. A hydraulic cylinder extends between the beam and a pivoted support disposed on the top portion of the chamber. A pair of strut assemblies are pivotally secured to the door generally above the first axis and extend generally toward the second axis where they are likewise pivotally secured. Pivotal disposition of the door at four points on a pair of parallel axes ensures that all door motion is controlled and further provides a compact opening arc which permits placement of the chamber and door proximate loading docks and similar structures.

Abstract: The top closure of the present invention comprises a flexible sheet member sized to fit in covering relation over a top opening of a box. One edge of the sheet member is attached to the upper edge of one of the box walls. A pair of tracks are each positioned at the opposite ends of the box and an elongated shaft extends between the two tracks. The tracks guide the shaft from an open position adjacent one edge of the box to a closed position adjacent the other upper edge of the box. The flexible sheet member is rolled around the shaft when the shaft is in its open position, and the sheet member unrolls from the shaft as the shaft rolls towards its closed position. When the shaft reaches its closed position, it engages a plurality of flaps which are mounted along the edge of the box. These flaps wrap around the shaft as the shaft rotates, and become attached to the shaft, thereby fastening the shaft to the sidewalls of the box with the tarpaulin in covering relationship over the opening.

Abstract: An arrangement for opening and closing a cover of a transport- and treatment container has a toggle closure movable between open and closed positions in which it removes a cover from a container and applies the cover on the container, respectively, and a gripping device arranged to move the toggle closure between the open and closed positions and provided with two cams located at opposite sides of the toggle closure and engageable with the latter.

Abstract: In a concealed garbage can container an upwardly open housing, having a hinged lid for containing one or more refuse containers, is recessed into the surface of the earth so that only its lid is exposed. A refuse can supporting platform within the housing is moved vertically by a winch driven reversible motor to raise and lower the platform. Pivoting links, extending between the platform and lid, simultaneously opens and closes the lid with vertical movement of the platform. Rollers, mounted on the platform engaging housing supported standards, maintain the platform horizontal during its vertical movement.

Abstract: Disclosed is an improvement in a pressure plate adjusting device for grain whitening apparatus which is capable of automatically and precisely adjusting the pressure of a pressure plate disposed at a rice outlet of a whitening chamber. The automatic adjustment has been made possible by the provision of reversible electric motor mounted on one end wall of a casing enclosing a pressure control screw shaft, a weight mounted on said screw shaft and a guide rod for guiding the movement of said weight, and a control unit producing a control signal having relation to the conditions of whitening action of grains within the whitening chamber and controlling the direction and the amount of rotation of said motor.

Abstract: A door-operating mechanism for a rotatable drum which has a mouth to be closed by a door includes a moveable arm hingedly mounted with anchoring means on the side of the frame of the drum, and clamp means for connection with a stub shaft extending from the door. When the door is closed on the mouth of the drum, the clamp means is disengaged from the stub shaft so that the door is secured, under vacuum pressure within the drum, as an integral part of the rotating drum. Force is thus avoided on the hinged, moveable arm, and stub shaft of the door and door-operating mechanism. The clamp means includes jaws which are activated to release the door after a predetermined vacuum pressure exists within the drum. Energization of the jaws to engage the shaft is effected after the vacuum pressure has decreased to a predetermined level, the mechanism has moved a predetermined axial distance from the door and there has also been a predetermined time delay.

Abstract: The invention relates to an assembly and structure for exerting a constant force on a pivot pin supporting a movable component of a hinge for elevating the axis about which the movable component pivots. The movable component connected between the pivot pin and a cover, so elevated and maintained elevated during operative movements of the cover, permits movements of the cover in opening and closing the entry through a nozzle of a reactor, particularly a glass-lined reactor, into the interior in a manner whereby any gasket or sealing structure disposed either around the cover or the nozzle may be protected from damage. The invention, also, relates to structure for mounting the assembly and structure, which may include additional structure for assist in opening and closing the cover, to a stationary component of the hinge.

Abstract: A closure for a large sized opening in a pressure vessel has a lid longitudinally movable between an open covering position in which it is aligned with the opening but spaced apart from it, and perpendicularly displaceable between the covering position and sealing position in which it engages the sealing edge of the opening. The lid is moved by a hydraulic or pneumatic ram between the open and covering positions and is carried by rollers mounted on shafts affixed to the lid which run on longitudinal support surfaces. The shafts are rotatably mounted in bearings fixed to the lid and are coupled together for simultaneous rotation, while the rollers are eccentric relative to the bearings. The ram applies torque to the shafts in one sense during closing movement of the lid and in the opposite sense during opening movement of the lid.

Abstract: An improved mechanism is disclosed for use in mounting a door on a pressure vessel for opening and closing movements in a manner permitting minimum clearing distances to be maintained between obstructions and the front or sides of such vessel.

Abstract: A rotatable pressure vessel has an opening and an internal movable cover therefor attached to a lever which is pivoted to the exterior of the vessel. For closing the cover, there is an actuating element movable to engage the lever, and mounted on a stationary support adjacent the vessel.

Abstract: A coupler for use in clamping down a lid over a pressure vessel has a pair of clamping jaws movable toward and away from one another respectively between clamping and unclamping positions. The cylinder of a pressure-operated piston and cylinder unit is pivotally connected to support plates extending outwardly of one of the jaws, and the piston of such unit is pivotally connected to one end of the pair of linkages pivotally mounted at the other end thereof to the other of the clamping jaws. Curved slots defining tracks are provided in the support plates, and rollers are located on the linkages in engagement with the slots for controlling simultaneous movement of the clamping jaws toward and away from one another upon actuation of the piston and cylinder unit.

Abstract: In combination with a pair of pivotal closure panels provided for opening and closing the opening of an open-top cargo box, an actuator including a boss affixed to and projected from each panel of the pair, a pair of actuator arms, each being characterized by an elongated body supported at one end for pivotal displacement along a path intercepted by a boss projected from an associated panel; a shaft supporting each arm of the pair, and a chain-driven sprocket mounted on the shaft for imparting angular displacement to the shaft, whereby the arm is caused to engage the boss intercepting the path thereof and force the associated panel in pivotal displacement.

Abstract: A hanging reaction frame assembly for moving a reaction frame to and from a pressure vessel. The reaction frame is hung from a carriage that moves on tracks spanning a well. The pressure vessel is supported by a scaffold within the well and has a platform that passes through the reaction frame.

Abstract: A hose tray for storing a fluid fill and drain hose for a liquid transport truck includes a cover having a closed position covering the tray to prevent access to, or accidental loss of, the hose and an open position permitting access to the hose. The tray is mounted on the vehicle adjacent, and extending longitudinally of, the liquid transport tank. The tray includes a safety interlock such that when the cover is in the open position, the truck brake system is actuated to prevent movement of the truck. This prevents movement of the truck such as would tear the hose from the truck drain fitting, causing spilling of the tank contents. This is extremely important, particularly in view of the flammable nature of many liquids transported in tank trucks, and further in view of the expense to repair torn and damaged drain hose and fittings for such trucks.

Abstract: A closure for a container including a hinged lid movable between open and closed positions, operating means for moving the lid including a toggle linkage having bell crank means mounted for pivotal movement at a location beneath the open end of the container and a link pivotally connected to the upper side of the lid and one of the arms of the bell crank means whereby rotation of the bell crank means causes movement of the link and lid between open and closed positions, and the pivotal connections of the link and the pivotal mounting of the bell crank means lying in a straight line extending lengthwise of the container when the lid is closed whereby the lid is prevented from opening other than by rotation of the bell crank means.

Abstract: A container closure, especially for mixing containers, which comprises a round closure dish, and a pressure medium operable cylinder-piston system connected to the discharge housing. The piston rod of the cylinder-piston system is operable to move the closure dish into and out of the opening of a container to be closed. In the cylindrical outer surface of the closure dish there is provided an annular groove having inserted therein a sealing element which in the closing position of the closure dish engages the guiding surface of the discharge opening in the wall of the container to be closed.

Abstract: A locking cap for the gasoline tank of a automotive vehicle, having an electrically actuated device for unlocking the cap, the unlocking device having an operative electrical circuit including an electrical switch actuated by the ignition key of the vehicle. The switch can be closed only at a position of the key corresponding to an "engine-off" condition, so that the cap cannot be unlocked with the engine running. The unlocking device includes a hammer-blow apparatus for assisting in the opening of the cap in the event it should be frozen shut.

Abstract: A cover for a tank, hatch, or like container having an opening, including two rims about the perimeter of the opening connected by a flexible sleeve. At least one rim is rotatable with respect to the other, and, when rotated, causes the sleeve to close in an iris fashion and seal the opening. Reversing the rotation untwists the sleeve and causes the cover to open. The device of the present invention does not require sliding plates, cams or gears and is adaptable to closing about a pipe or other obstruction placed in the opening.