Abstract: A funnel type container is mounted above a bar with its axis vertical. A stop member is mounted on a cross member in the container at the open top thereof and extends coaxially toward the bottom in spaced relation therewtih. A plurality of tubular members are telescopically slidably coupled to each other. One of the tubular members is slidable coupled to the open bottom of the container and extends therethrough whereby in extended position the tubular members extend a maximum distance from the container and direct ice cubes stored in the container to glasses on the bar. In a withdrawn position, the one of the tubular members extends into the container and abuts the stop member thereby blocking the bottom of the container and preventing ice cubes from leaving the container.

Abstract: A portable applicator for applying a dry fertilizer and/or insecticide material onto the surface of the earth adjacent a plant, and including an elongated essentially tubular body structure carrying at its upper end a container of the dry material andcontaining a passage through which the material flows downwardly to a bottom outlet under the control of a rotary valve element which is preferably actuated by a handle part serving the dual purposes of assisting in holding and manipulating the overall tool and also actuating the valve element when the handle grip is turned about its axis. The lower end of the body has fingers capable of cultivating the earth's surface for working the deposited dry material a short distance into that surface.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the dispensing of fluid from a source at a hydrostatic pressure involving the sequential measuring and dispensing of predetermined volumetric increments of fluid from the source of fluid during different ones of a series of time intervals. Apparatus is also provided for controlling the dispensing of fluid, including metering means for receiving a predetermined increment of fluid and for emptying the predetermined increment of fluid, conduit means for delivering fluid from a source of fluid to the metering means, and control means for actuating the metering means between a condition for receiving one predetermined increment of fluid and a condition for emptying the predetermined increment of fluid.

Abstract: A continuously operating gasifying vessel is supplied with a combustible particulate material from a source of such material through two cyclically operating conveying tubes each of which has a diaphragm member in its interior. The diaphragm member subdivides the interior of each of the conveying tubes into a first compartment which communicates with the supply and with the vessel, and a second compartment which surrounds the first compartment. A first valve is interposed between the source and the first compartment, and a second valve is interposed between the first compartment and the vessel. When the first valve is opened and the second closed, material is introduced into the first compartment, and when the first valve is closed and the second valve is opened, the material is discharged into the vessel at an elevated pressure. To elevate the pressure in the first compartment, a pressurized fluid is introduced thereinto.

Abstract: A device for dispensing fluid substances which includes a dispensing container for holding a metered amount of the fluid substance therein immediately prior to dispensing and which includes a primary opening in the top edge thereof which is adapted to be capped during filling of the dispensing container and which is adapted to be opened when it is desired that the metered amount of fluid substance should be dispensed from the container, the dispensing container also includes a secondary opening in the lower section thereof which may be substantially smaller than the primary opening, the device further includes a hollow adapter secured to the secondary opening of the dispensing chamber and adapted to be secured to the neck of a bottle or other source of the fluid substance to be dispensed, the hollow adapter including a dispensing collar adapted to be secured to the secondary opening of the dispensing container and a holder collar adapted to be secured to the neck of a bottle or holder of the fluid substance a

Abstract: A machine and method for filling containers with controlled volumes of chitterlings is supplied by a hopper that is loaded from its open top from a vessel filled at ground level and then elevated and dumped into the hopper. A volumetric dispenser at the bottom of the hopper employs a cut-off blade cooperating with spaced scissor end plates to separate a volume to be dispensed from the bulk quantity by scissoring off the chitterlings. Open top containers are carried beneath the dispensing end on a conveyor and then the filled containers are moved to a turn-table where they may be manually capped.

Abstract: An apparatus for portioning of solid vegetable raw material from a storage space into a reactor under pressure. A sluice space closed by an upper and a lower slide type gate is provided between the storage space and the reactor for supplying the material into the reactor through the sluice space. Each gate comprises a chamber and a slide slideably provided therein for alternately opening and closing the connection between the storage space and the sluice space and the connection between the reactor and the sluice space respectively. The chamber of the slide chamber of the lower gate is connected at that end, which is positioned remote from the sluice space, by a pressure levelling channel to the storage space and the chamber of the slide chamber of the lower gate is at the corresponding end connected by a further pressure levelling channel to the sluice space.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distributor-container for supplying powdered solid products or the like to a utilization apparatus such as an electrostatic powder projector, in which a substantially constant level of powder and therefore a substantially constant rate of flow of fluidized powder, is maintained in the distributor-container irrespective of the height of the fluidized powder in an outer container in which the distributor-container is immersed. The two containers are connected through a lock-chamber located at the height of said constant level, and closure members for the ends of the lock-chamber operate so as to introduce powder into the distributor container only when the level of powder in the distributor container is below the uppermost level of the powder in the end of the lock-chamber opening into the distributor-container.

Abstract: Automatic photographic developing apparatus in which the photographic material to be developed is placed in a cylindrical drum. The drum is laid on its side on a set of rollers, one of which causes it to rotate. A plurality of containers for various photographic liquids are provided with valve arrangements by which their contents are delivered either in total or in measured increments to the rotating drum. The drum is mounted in a cradle so that it can be tilted to drain liquids from it. Specific details are given of the drum, its driving and cradle tilting components, the liquid dispensing and metering components, and the program control apparatus whereby the photographic materials may be treated with selected solutions in selected orders for predetermined intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus for dosing a treatment solution into a waste liquid comprises a device for measuring and dispensing a predetermined volume of solution, means for delivering treatment solution to and from the device and control means adapted to determine when waste liquid is present to be dosed and activate the device to dispense a measured volume of treatment solution into a waste liquid. The device has a container with an inlet and outlet diaphragm valve, and an air vent means for venting the chamber during filling and dispensing of treatment solution. Reversible actuation means is provided for simultaneously opening the inlet valve and closing the outlet valve to permit filling of the chamber with a treatment solution and for simultaneously closing the inlet valve and opening the outlet valve to permit dispensing of the measured volume of treatment solution.

Abstract: An improved metering-distributor for thick liquids contained in bottles mounted on said metering-distributor in overturned position and comprising a support member through which a vertical conduit is arranged to put the bottle, mounted thereon, in communication with a cup placed therebelow and provided with an air intake from the atmosphere, in this cup reciprocating the upper shaped portion of a coaxial piston, the upper head of which is shaped to form a disc valve body adapted to close the outlet orifice of said conduit while at the lower portion of said piston a vertical conduit is arranged which opens at its lower end on the outside and its upper portion opens into the cup only in the upper limit position of the piston which is returned to its lower position by spring means, characterized by the fact that said support member is formed an assembly constituted of two parts connected to one another by releasable means and in which an axial conduit is arranged to put the bottle in communication with the cup,

Abstract: A method of growing sapphire crystals from the melt wherein a porous alumina raw material is used to replenish the melt during growth. The porous alumina is subjected to a high temperature, low pressure environment to remove adsorbed water and oxygen which, if allowed to enter the melt, would result in poor monocrystals. A sequence of steps is provided which allows a simultaneous outgassing of one charge of porous alumina and a continuous replenishing of the melt with porous alumina of a previously outgassed charge. The previously outgassed charge of alumina must be handled in a system devoid of water and oxygen to avoid readsorption of the impurities.

Abstract: Apparatus for fluid flow control in a parenteral administration system, utilizing a syringe pump operated by a motor to repetitively fill and empty a syringe cartridge over a plurality of operational cycles of successive fill stroke and pump stroke periods. The apparatus repetitively and sequentially opens and closes a pair of intake and output I.V. tubes communicating with a syringe, the tubes alternating opened and closed states, one tube always being open while the other is closed, by means of a pair of L-shaped pivotal tube pinchers, one pincher controlling each I.V. tube, each pincher being normally spring biased to the tube clamping shut-off state. The tube pinchers are alternately pivoted to a non-clamping, tube-open position by a spring biased, intermittent motion, reciprocating slide bar under the control of a reversible, rotating cam, the cam being driven by the same motor as that used to drive the piston of the syringe through its fill and pump strokes.

Abstract: A valve system for use with a high-speed filling machine, in which a solenoid valve controlled by the main shaft of the filling machine, selectively supplies air under pressure to a respective pneumatically operated piston-cylinder unit which in its turn actuates a pinch clamp valve or a rotary valve to thereby effectively close the discharge or intake of the filling pump; with the use of a pinch clamp valve, its piston clamp assembly closes a hose section connected to the pump of the filling machine during its reciprocatory movement by pinching the same against a clamping bar of the pinch clamp frame structure; two rotary valves or pinch clamp assemblies may be used thereby, one for the intake cycle and one for the discharge cycle of the filling pump, which are then both controlled from the main shaft by the electromagnetically controlled solenoid valve.

Abstract: A bag filling machine has a closed chamber with an inlet valve. The inlet valve includes an outer casing and a slidably mounted inner chamber which, when in its lower position, extends down into the chamber to limit the level of the material passing through aligned openings in the two casings. When the inner casing slides upwardly, the inner casing serves as a gate to cut off the flow of material and at the same time the upward movement of the lower edge of the inner casing permits the material within it to drop down into the chamber. A felt liner is disposed between the two casings.