Abstract: The invention provides a slide gate mechanism for use on a pour vessel to control flow of molten metal through at least one outlet in the vessel shell, whereby refractory insert plates which are conveyed by said mechanism may be moved in very close cooperating contact with a perforated refractory outlet plate for the pour vessel, so as to control the flow of molten metal therethrough.

Abstract: Spring elements are described that are especially adapted for use in high temperature environments such as for example in sliding gate valves for metal pouring vessels. The spring elements include an expansable chamber defined in part by a bellows member and a thrust surface adapted to apply the spring force. The chamber is filled with a thermally expansive fluid operative to expand the chamber and thus apply the spring force when exposed to elevated temperatures and conversally, to effect retraction of the same when the elevated temperatures are removed.

Abstract: A soup dispenser is provided which will dispense liquid, semi-liquid and/or chunky soups, stews, chilis, etc., with equal facility. A motor-driven dial configuration of a plurality of measuring chambers or traps is provided at the bottom of a heated reservoir in which an impeller is constantly driven to preclude settling and scorching. The same motor drive is selectively interconnected to rotate the dial and successively register a measuring chamber with a discharge port beneath which a food container can be placed to receive the discharged product. The measuring chambers are vented to atmosphere as registry with the discharge opening is respectively effected to assure full discharge of the food product therein. A dial configuration further includes a plurality of selectively insertable strainer structures which are removably mounted flush with the upper surface of the dial over one or more of the measuring chambers to control the ratio of garnish to broth in each dispensed container of soup and the like.

Abstract: A gating mechanism for selectively opening and closing the bottom outlet of a container such as a tank, bunker or silo, serving for the storage of bulk material, comprises a metallic slider shiftable along the underside of a metallic sealing frame surrounding the outlet, the slider being urged upwardly against that frame by strong compression springs or fluidic jacks counteracting the internal pressure of the goods. The slider, which has a cutout registering with the outlet aperture upon being aligned with the sealing frame, is displaceable between this alignment position and a closure position by a rack on its underside engaged by a driving pinion. A base supporting the slider and forming a channel for the discharged bulk material carries a funnel of rectangular cross-section which defines the outlet and has a flange vertically separated from a discharge port in the container bottom by an interposed spacer frame which can be replaced by a shutter plate of like thickness, e.g.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve assembly for pouring liquid metal is described in which the frame that mounts the sliding plate is attached directly to oppositely spaced motor apparatus of particular design. Thus, in addition to imparting motion to the slide frame, the motor apparatus also serve to slidably mount the frame thereby eliminating the need for a housing enclosure about the slide frame. According to one aspect of the invention, the frame is movable longitudinally by motor apparatus on two opposed sides of the frame. According to another aspect of the invention, the frame is movable both longitudinally and transversely by pairs of motor apparatus rectangularly disposed about the four sides of the frame. Motor apparatus that is mechanically, electrically or fluid operated can be employed.

Abstract: A coffee dispenser includes a separate measuring cup member which may be inserted in a slide track positioned below a supply container. When inserted and moved in the slide track, the measuring cup member engages and actuates a spring-loaded slide closure. The slide closure is normally in a closed position but is moved to an open position by the measuring cup member to permit granular material from the supply container to pass through a dispensing opening and into the measuring cup member. Removal of the measuring cup member causes the spring-loaded slide closure again to close, and provides the user with a measuring cup full of granular material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a sealing pressure to the stationary and sliding refractory plates of a sliding nozzle regulating the flow of molten metal from a vessel containing such molten metal. The method includes the steps of positioning the sliding nozzle across the discharge opening of the vessel, applying the desired sealing pressure to the refractory plates mounted between upper and lower metal frames, and then connecting the upper and lower metal frames to secure the refractory plates therebetween and maintain the sealing pressure.

Abstract: A container for flowable materials such as baby food and the like has a circular shaped enclosing cap with a port opening into the interior of the container. A cover having an elongated hollow extension terminating in a feeder or dispenser portion releasably engages the circular cap so that the hollow extension can be rotatably aligned with the cap port thereby allowing transfer of flowable materials from the container into the feeder portion by gravity, flexure of the container or both. The cover is rotatable on the circular cap so as to control the amount of opening alignment with the cap port between a fully open and fully sealing closure position. The cover and cap can include cooperating stops for facilitating alignment and closure. An O-ring in surrounding relation to the cap port provides additional sealing.

Abstract: The toggle levers in a sliding gate valve operative to impart the compressive loading between the slide assembly housing and the teeming vessel are mechanically actuated to their engaged or released positions by the drive motor utilized to operate the slide frame. The toggle levers are attached to connecting rods which are, in turn, connected by a follower rod that extends across the path of travel of the slide frame. The follower rod can be positioned on one side of the slide frame or the other to alternatively engage or release the levers. During normal operation of the valve the follower rod is locked to the housing whereby the slide frame is free to move with respect to the toggle levers.

Abstract: The disclosure embraces a structure for plates provided on a sliding closure of an outlet or spout of a container for liquid metal, one side of each plate serving as a sealing surface which cooperates with the other, relatively movable plate of the closure; the plates have a passage running approximately perpendicularly relative to the sealing surface or surfaces with the other sides of the plate facing away from the sealing surfaces having annular grooves or keys for cooperating with complimentary shaped portions of either an outlet casing or a stone casing of the container.

Abstract: A teeming valve for use on a molten metal vessel in which yieldable support is provided over the operative surface of a block having a teeming opening which is reciprocated in and out of register with a teeming opening in the vessel. The block is a two piece refractory and the yieldable means are air cooled spring and pressure pads. The method contemplates deflecting relatively movable refractory surfaces to conform the surface of one to the other.

Abstract: A finger-operable pump, adapted to be mounted on a hand-held container of liquid consumer product to provide an unpressurized dispenser package, includes a housing, that defines a pumping chamber, and a plunger telescopically received in the chamber for conventional pumping movement. A stem formed with the plunger projects outwardly of the housing. The pump further incorporates an inprovement in the form of an automatically operable seal arrangement for preventing leakage of liquid which comprises a conical valve seat formed about the mouth of a discharge passage through the plunger and stem and a valve element, having dome-shaped and conical portions, located in the pumping chamber to sealingly engage the valve seat. An actuator button is mounted on the outer end of the plunger stem and is linked, through an elongated connecting rod, to the valve element to move it out of engagement with the valve seat and then to reciprocate the plunger into the pumping chamber away from a home position.

Abstract: A box discharger for a large size container of liquid metal, can be mounted on the container and dismounted therefrom, by a single operator, with the aid of tiltable mounting means for mounting frames of stationary and slidable refractory plates on the container. The plates are held to the frames by a set-screw structure.

Abstract: A sliding gate valve for pouring molten metals has a slide carriage bearing a slide plate and a separate pouring bushing, the latter being mounted in a flanged collar and the carriage having spring loaded bolts, (i) to press the flange of the bushing collar against the slide plate and (ii) to press the slide plate against a head plate of the valve, to seal bushing to slide plate and slide plate to head plate, and the slide and head plates being identical and having identical sealing means.

Abstract: A closure apparatus is provided for optionally closing and opening a storage hopper portion of an adsorber filter fill system used for filling adsorber filter cells in a gas adsorber filter system. The closure apparatus is particularly adapted to have a portion thereof move with respect to a metering means of storage hopper of an adsorber filter fill system between first or open and second or closed positions, so as to optionally, selectably permit the opening and closing of the storage hopper. The closure apparatus provides a substantially air-tight seal at holes in the metering means of the adsorber filter fill system when the closure apparatus is at the closed position. The closure apparatus is designed so that its sliding operation and maintenance of substantially air-tight seals is not adversely affected by the presence of any granules of adsorbent which remain in the holes in the metering means or in the vicinity of the holes in the metering means once filling of the adsorber filter system is completed.

Abstract: A slide closure includes a housing, a fixed refractory plate positioned in the housing by a metal holding frame, a refractory slide plate positioned for sliding movement within the housing by a metal slide, and a housing closure closing the housing and having spaced rails for supporting the slide. Each side of the slide has a pair of projections contacting one rail. Each pair of projections is spaced by a distance substantially equal to the rail spacing. The holding frame is pivotally attached at a first end thereof to the housing and has at a second end thereof a stepped portion contacting the housing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a slidable gate for controlling flow of liquid metal from a bottom pour vessel. The gate is springpressed against a top plate. The springs engage bolts, the heads of which have a large number of small projections contacting the underside of the gate, whereby less heat is transmitted from the gate to the bolts and springs, and their useful life is prolonged.

Abstract: A slidable gate mechanism for controlling flow of material from an outlet in the bottom wall of a vessel. The gate is mounted in a carrier which is supported for sliding movement under the bottom wall. Springs mounted on a side wall of the vessel act on the carrier to urge the gate upwardly toward the bottom wall. The springs are remote from the outlet and do not require air-cooling.