Abstract: A thin film-retaining washer with custom geometry that may further provide for a simple press-on installation while maintaining retention of fasteners during assembly, shipping, handling, and/or use of associated systems. The present retaining hardware is easily manufactured from sheet or film materials with minimal post-processing and may be scaled and optimized for use with multiple size and style of fasteners. Further, the thickness profile of the thin film retaining hardware facilitates lobe spring deflection to further provide secure retention of the associated fasteners.

Abstract: An emitter forms a flow path that runs to a discharge part from a water collecting part for receiving an irrigation liquid in a tube. The flow path includes a flow rate control part which includes: an end surface including a concave inclined surface that faces a film for receiving the pressure of the liquid inside the tube; a hole that opens at the center of the flow volume control part and connects to the discharge part; and a groove crossing the inclined surface and running to the hole. When the film adheres to the inclined surface as a result of the pressure of the irrigation liquid inside the tube, the flow volume of the irrigation liquid inside the emitter is controlled so as to be a volume that can pass through the groove.

Abstract: A showerhead bracket including a bracket body, a spool rotatable relative to the bracket body, and a flow control knob non-rotatably connected to the spool such that the flow control knob and the spool rotate together relative to the bracket body. The flow control knob non-slidably connected to the spool to inhibit axial disengagement of the flow control knob from the spool.

Abstract: Among other things, a chiller for chilling water to be dispensed as part of beverages includes a tank configured to contain a cooling mass for chilling the water. A first tube in the tank is configured to be immersed in the cooling mass and to carry the water along a path from a source towards a location where the chilled water is to be dispensed as part of the beverages. A second tube is configured to be immersed in the cooling mass and to carry a coolant along a recirculation path from a coolant source and back to the coolant source. The coolant has a sufficiently low temperature to cause a frozen mass to be formed as part of the cooling mass within the tank and in the vicinity of the second tube. The first tube and the second tube are configured and positioned relative to one another within the tank so that the frozen mass occupies at least 30 percent of the volume of the cooling mass in the tank but does not touch the first tube.

Abstract: The subject of the invention is a device for dispensing a cosmetic composition, said device comprising a dispensing head (1) intended to be fitted on a container containing said cosmetic composition to be dispensed, (i) the dispensing head comprising: a body (3) that is open at its two opposite axial ends, an engaging part (10) that is open at its two opposite axial ends and at least partially defines a dispensing orifice (12), and (ii) the cosmetic composition comprising, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one cosmetic active agent, in particular at least one deodorant active agent and/or antiperspirant active agent, at least one C1 to C5 alcohol, at least one propellant, the concentration of propellant being between 60% and 90% by weight with respect to the total weight of the pressurized composition.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to a surface treatment distribution apparatus and spray assembly apparatus method capable of applying a variety of surface treatments, for example mastic surface treatments, to a variety of highways, roadways and other asphalt surfaces of variable shapes and sizes. The invention generally includes a tank, pumps, operator station, control inputs, filter assemblies, spray bar and self cleaning spray tip assemblies. Each spray tip assembly includes a self cleaning functionality whereby the operator may remove any debris or clogging material from one or more spray tips with a pneumatically actuated plunger located in the spray tip assembly that acts to force the debris or blockage out of the spray tip. The plunger retracts after actuation and the spray tip assembly is then ready to resume spray operations as desired by the operator.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatus for blending wastewater with fresh water for fertigation of a crop. In one embodiment, the wastewater and the fresh water are blended at a predetermined flow ratio through a blending valve to obtain a blended stream. A logic based controller controls the blending valve to set a predetermined flow ratio according to the electricity conductivity (EC) of the blended water stream. The blending, measuring, and adjusting steps form a feedback loop so as to maintain the blended stream at a target EC value.

Abstract: An emitter that is arranged on an inner wall surface of a tube through which an irrigation liquid flows, the emitter being arranged at a position that corresponds to a discharge opening that communicates between the inside and outside of the tube. The emitter is for quantitatively discharging from the discharge opening the irrigation liquid inside the tube and has: a water intake part that is for taking in the irrigation liquid; a discharge part that is for discharging the irrigation liquid; and a flow path that connects the water intake part and the discharge part and through which the irrigation liquid flows. Further, an inner wall surface of the flow path is constituted by a composition that includes an antimicrobial agent and includes a resin or rubber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sanitary installation element (101) which is arranged in a water line. The installation element (101) according to the invention comprises a mixing device (4) with at least one throttling or closing element (5), which throttling or closing element (5) can be moved under the pressure of the inflowing water from a mixing or open position into a throttling or closed position against a restoring force, wherein the mixing device (4) offers a relatively large clear flow cross section when the at least one throttling or closing element (5) in the mixing or open position, and, by contrast thereto, a reduced clear flow cross section when the at least one throttling or closing element (5) is in the throttling or closed position. The installation element according to the invention is distinguished in that it always offers an optimum flow cross section both in low and high pressure ranges.

Abstract: An emitter is arranged inside a tube and has: an emitter main body that is constituted by a resin molded body that has at least a recessed part and a through hole; and a flexible film that is joined to at least one surface of the emitter main body and that forms a flow path by closing off the recessed part and an opening part of at least one part the through hole. The emitter has a discharge amount adjusting part that is for making adjustments in accordance with the water pressure inside the tube. When the pressure of an irrigation liquid that is inside the tube is at or above a set value, the film slackens, and the discharge amount adjusting part narrows the flow path of the liquid and reduces flow rate.

Abstract: A sanitary insert unit (1) having an elastically deformable valve body (8) which can be switched between a first switching state and a second switching state and having a first flow path (3) and a second flow path (4). The second flow path (4) is blocked in the first switching state and open in the second switching state, and the first flow path (3) is open in the first switching state and in the second switching state.

Abstract: Valve arrangement for ensuring different amount of medium flow-through comprising at least two chambers (6,7) separated by a limiting wall (3) provided with a through-opening (1). An insertion piece (2) in the through-opening (1) is able to move transversally and the cross-section of its elongated middle portion (4) corresponds to that of the through-opening (1). At least at one end of the insertion piece (2) a closing head (5) is provided. A form-fitting (8) between the closing head (5) and the limiting wall (3) ensures a first closed state thereby a first amount of flow-through from a chamber (6) being on one side of the through-opening (1) to the chamber (7) being on the other side of it when the longitudinal movement of the insertion piece (2) is limited as the closing head (5) abuts against the limiting wall (3) at the through-opening (1).

Abstract: An internal combustion engine system has an internal combustion engine with an intake for air and an exhaust for products of combustion. The engine has a turbocharger for pressurizing intake air in response to passage of the products of combustion. An exhaust aftertreatment device receives the exhaust from the engine to filter diesel particulates. A device for regenerating the exhaust aftertreatment device has a feed line and nozzle for injecting duel upstream of the exhaust aftertreatment device on a periodic basis. A system and method for purging the fuel line and the nozzle utilizes pressurized air from the engine turbocharger via an air tank when the regenerating device is not injecting fuel.

Abstract: A showerhead facilitating draining of water retained following shut-off. The showerhead includes a housing swivelably fitted on a ball-adapter which in turn includes an integral threaded segment for attachment to a water feed line. An air pathway is formed to extend from inside to outside the ball-adapter where it opens to generally atmospheric pressure. A flexible check valve in the form of an annular skirt is retained by an integral ring portion where the ball-adapter is threaded to the feed line. Under water-flow pressure, the skirt expands, blocking the passage. Upon shut-off, the skirt withdraws, instantly opening the air passage. Opening the showerhead to atmospheric pressure relieves the normally occurring suction effect which keeps water from draining completely from the showerhead spray holes. Thus avoiding the widespread problem of trapped water slowly evaporating and leaving behind stubborn and unsightly mineral deposits that eventually build up to clog showerhead spray holes.

Abstract: A reinforced structural assembly comprises a structural member and a reinforcing member disposed adjacent to a wall of the structural member. The reinforcing member is an insert having a carrier portion and an expandable portion in the form of a one-part epoxy system having an outer surface disposed toward the wall of the structural member. The epoxy system contains in weight percent about 30% to about 70% epoxy resin and contains a filler in the form of hollow glass microspheres. The epoxy system is in the form of a high-viscosity dough so that in its uncured state it does not significantly flow from and remain supported by the carrier portion of the insert whereby the insert may be placed near the wall before the epoxy dough is cured to bond the dough to the wall when the dough is cured and expands into intimate contact with the wall.

Abstract: A water outlet (10) for an ablutionary device has a member which is moved to open and close a vent into the body of the outlet (10). In one embodiment, the outlet (10) is a shower head (10A) having a discharge opening (26) which serves as the vent. A perforate shower plate (12A) located in the opening closes the vent while the shower (10A) is in operation so that water issues from the opening (past the plate (12A)) as a spray. When the water supply is turned off the shower plate (12A) is moved out of the opening (26) to open an annular vent (14A) into the interior of the body of the shower head (10A) to aid drying of the interior. When the water supply is turned on the plate (12A) is moved back into the opening (26) to close the vent (14A).

Abstract: A nozzle is disclosed which has a cylindrical nozzle main body. A nozzle tip of the nozzle comprises a plurality of members formed by dividing an approximately cylindrical member in the axial direction thereof and is accommodated in the interior of the nozzle main body. A spring is provided between a spring receiving section of the nozzle tip and a wall positioned on a forward side of the nozzle main body. At least one of a peripheral surface of a discharge section of the nozzle tip and an inner surface of a tip engaging opening of the nozzle main body is tapered. A self-cleaning operation is performed when the atomization pressure is reduced, because the spring urges the nozzle tip toward a rearward side of the nozzle main body.

Abstract: A pressure modulated flow control valve, particularly adapted for water irrigation applications, comprises an unitary elastomeric pin defining a flow passage therethrough, a sub-chamber formed entirely in the pin and communicating with an inlet to the valve, and a flexible diaphragm separating the sub-chamber from the flow passage. In operation, the diaphragm is exposed to water pressure prevalent in the sub-chamber to flex into and vary the size of the flow passage to control and modulate the flow rate therethrough. The interchangeable pin is mounted in a housing of the control valve to effect a preselected near constant flow rate through the flow passage.

Abstract: A distributor or dripper includes a housing in which a closing member is movable from a seat adjacent an inlet to a seat adjacent an outlet. When in contact with the seat adjacent the outlet, the closing member forms with the housing a restricted flow channel. Prior to the point at which the closing member contacts the seat adjacent the outlet, a filter is formed which is maintained while the closing member continues movement toward the outlet.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter which provides for varying the length of the water flow path through the emitter in proportion to the pressure applied to it from the irrigation system. A housing defines an internal chamber in which a piston is disposed. The housing has an inlet at one end and an outlet at the other end. The inner dimensions of the outlet end of the housing are reduced to generally conform with the periphery of the piston. The inlet end of the chamber is enlarged relative to the piston to allow generally free flow of water therearound. A generally helical groove extending along the periphery of the piston forms a water turbulence-producing passageway which varies in length depending upon the position of the piston within the outlet end of the chamber. A spring biases the piston toward the inlet end of the chamber. Pressurized water in the inlet end of the chamber moves the piston against the spring toward the outlet end.

Abstract: A dripper or distributor comprises mainly a closing member which may reciprocate in a chamber between an inlet and an outlet, the closing member carrying an elastic membrane provided with peripheral notches acting to filter the irrigating liquid before the liquid reaches a sinuous groove downstream of the membrane. Elastic radial arms attached to the closing member urge the closing member toward a seat adjacent to the inlet when the pressure applied to the irrigating liquid becomes lower than a predetermined value. When the pressure applied to the liquid is higher than the predetermined value, the closing member is moved toward a seat adjacent to the outlet. During the movements of the closing member between the seats, the dripper is flushed and the particles retained by the filter during the operation of the dripper are ejected therefrom.

Abstract: A drip irrigation emitter is located in the wall (IV) of a flexible irrigation pipe. It contains a flow control chamber (15) which communicates with the pipe interior through a filter (II) and with the outside through an outlet passage (17) extending radially through the top portion (11). The chamber (15) is formed by two parallel side walls (20, 20'), a ribbed rear wall (22), and an arched front wall (21) which is incised along its center by a deep channel (23') merging with the arched portion (21) in the shape of two sloping banks (23"). The channel (23') merges at its upper end with the outlet passage (17). Control of the water outflow is made by a thin, rectangular and resilient plate (III) which fits and moves freely between the side walls and is pressed onto the arched front wall (21) by water pressure. Increasing pressure gradually urges the plate onto the banks (23") and into the channel (23'), thereby diminishing the throughflow cross-section and increasing flow resistance.

Abstract: An improved self-flushing, constant flow emitter particularly suited for use with a drip irrigation system. The emitter includes an internal chamber having a discharge orifice defined therein and a resiliently supported plunger disposed within the chamber adapted to respond to pressure changes for simultaneously metering a flow of water through the orifice and dislodging foreign matter from the orifice.

Abstract: A drip irrigation system comprising a thin walled thermoplastic conduit having an axially directed thick wall portion, discrete, substantially flat emitter units being heat welded to axial spaced apart locations of an inner surface of said thick wall portion adjacent outlet apertures formed in said thick wall portion, the emitter units being preferably provided with an elastomeric membrane exposed to the throughflow pressure in the conduit for the purpose of stabilizing the output rate of each emitter unit vis-a-vis possible flow pressure variations in the conduit.

Abstract: A pressure compensating emitter comprises a generally cylindrical body member having a longitudinal passageway therethrough connecting an inward port and an outward port and a flexible pressure responsive boot mounted within the passageway for responding to increases in pressure within the boot or cup for biasing the walls of the boot into a water flow passageway and restricting the passageway communicating between the inlet and outlet ports in the body of the emitter.

Abstract: A shower for use in conditioning of felt or wire fabric in papermaking utilizing a two position nozzle. One position is a spray position and the other position is a purge position with the two positions being determined by the relative location of an interior piston with respect to a surrounding tubular body having a valving member at the upper end thereof. The size of the opening created by shifting the position of the piston relative to the valving member determines whether or not a spray or a purging flow passes from the nozzle.

Abstract: A flush-drip irrigation emitter including a compact emitter element, a housing enclosing the emitter element and an insect guard, the emitter element having a pair of confronting oppositely arched flexible walls defining a flush flow passage with sharp lateral edges, one of the walls having at least one drip duct, the walls being responsive to a minimal pressure difference to collapse against each other in mutual sealing relation and confine flow to the drip duct.The housing including telescopable complementary housing components provided with an inlet connectable to a water supply and an outlet, the emitter element including sealing means interposed between the housing components, the housing components having mutually engageable latch elements and a tool receiving channel to effect separation; the outlet being arranged to receive directly or indirectly through a small irrigation tube, an insect guard.

Abstract: A regulated flow-reducing device particularly useful for drip irrigation comprises a flow-retarding member disposed in a housing, the member being formed with a circuitous fluid flow pathway defined at least in part by recesses formed in both its opposed faces, and a flat regulator member disposed between the flow-retarding member and the housing inlet such that the inlet face of the regulator member is subject to the fluid pressure at the inlet of the housing. The flat regulator member is in contact with and covers the inlet face of the flow-retarding member except for its inlet end to provide communication between the latter and the housing inlet. The flow-retarding member is made of resilient material so that both its recessed faces are deformable by the inlet pressure whereby the cross-sectional area of the recesses on both faces of the flow-retarding member are varied in accordance with the inlet pressure.

Abstract: A continuous flow tube containing a series of emitters arranged to discharge through a wall of the flow tube, each emitter forming a flush flow passage collapsible to form a drip flow passage at a preselected low flow tube pressure; the emitters having side walls of such area with respect to the area of the flow tube, that when exposed transversely to initial flow through the flow tube the emitters form externally a series of flow restricting valves which rapidly raise the flow line pressure to a value at which drip flow occurs, thereby minimizing the number of emitters undergoing flush flow.One embodiment of the emitter is adapted to be installed by forcing the emitter into the flow tube from the exterior thereof. Another embodiment utilizes a flow tube initially in the form of a web which receives the emitters and is then rolled into a tube with the margins of the web circumferentially overlapped and bonded.

Abstract: A drip irrigation valve comprising an outer member having a passage, an inner member receivable in the passage, a groove in one of the members, and a seal carried by the other of the members. Water can be admitted through an inlet to the passage on one side of the seal to provide a fluid force on the inner member. The seal cooperates with the groove to define a restricted flow path. A spring urges the inner member in a direction to oppose the fluid force on the inner member. The groove is tapered or otherwise has regions of different cross sectional areas so that the flow rate through the restricted flow path can be established by the relative axial positions of the inner and outer members.

Abstract: A trickle-flow irrigation valve of the type which is installable through the wall of a garden hose, and having a pressure chamber with an inlet passage from the hose and an outlet passage through a wall of the chamber in which are also formed a shallow channel and an outlet groove in the channel, communicating with the outlet passage. A flat, resilient valve element covers the outlet passage and a substantial portion of the groove and channel. The resilient valve element allows relatively high-volume, flushing flow when water is first received in the chamber, but deforms to the shape of the channel as supply pressure builds up, thus restricting flow to the outlet groove and providing a substantial pressure drop. A high supply pressure will force the valve element into the groove itself, to some degree, and a pressure regulating effect is thereby obtained.