Abstract: A gas stem assembly is disclosed including a vent tube having at least one protrusion extending radially from the vent tube and a receiver having a non-circular opening and an attachment surface at an end of the non-circular opening. The vent tube is at least partially insertable through the non-circular opening of the receiver when the vent tube and the at least one protrusion are aligned with the non-circular opening. The attachment surface of the receiver contacts the at least one protrusion to inhibit the at least one protrusion from passing back through the non-circular opening when the at least one protrusion is misaligned with the non-circular opening.

Abstract: A ram for a blowout preventer has a pressure chamber having a piston movably disposed therein, and a charge disposed at one end of the pressure chamber. A gate is coupled to the piston on a side opposed to the charge. The gate is arranged to move across a through bore in a housing disposed at an opposed end of the pressure chamber. A coupling between the piston and the gate has sufficient strength to transfer kinetic energy of the gate to the piston.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, systems and articles of manufacture are disclosed for valve lever apparatus for use with fluid valves. An example apparatus includes a valve stem for a fluid valve, a pin removably coupled to an end of the valve stem to receive a valve lever to manually actuate the fluid valve, and a damping material to provide a damping effect between the valve stem and the valve lever.

Abstract: An adapter and a method of operation of the adapter. The adapter is configured for use with a faucet of a beverage dispenser to facilitate reduced touching of the dispenser or touchless use of the faucet. The adaptor includes a body having a faucet handle engaging portion, a fulcrum portion, at least one extending portion, and a cup engaging portion. A nozzle clearance area is defined generally between the cup engaging portion and the fulcrum portion. The method of operation provides attachment of the adaptor to the faucet without the need for tools, fasteners, adhesives, or the like. The method of fabrication allows for the adaptor to be fabricated from a generally planar piece of material and manufactured to provide the structure as defined.

Abstract: A multi-directional touch valve has a valve unit and a press unit. The valve unit has a housing, a main flow channel, and a switching unit. The housing has a shoulder portion being adjacent to an outlet end of the housing. The switching unit is mounted in the housing and selectively blocks the main flow channel. The press unit is connected with the valve unit and has a passing portion, a hanging portion, and an abutting portion. The hanging portion is movably held on the shoulder portion and has an inner edge spaced from an outer surface of the housing and a space formed in a side of the at least one hanging portion facing the passing portion. The press unit can be pressed from any of axial direction, transversal directions, and oblique directions to switch the switching unit.

Abstract: A roasted plant extraction apparatus is provided which is capable of selectively reducing excessive bitterness in an extract liquid obtained by water extraction from a roasted plant raw material while preserving desirable flavor ingredients and body. A beverage extraction apparatus includes a granule containing part containing granules for extraction of a beverage, first pouring device for pouring an extraction solvent into the granule containing part from a first direction, and collecting device for collecting a coffee extract liquid extracted by device of the extraction solvent at the side of layers of the coffee granules corresponding to the first direction. The granule containing part is provided with a detachable restraining member for placing the granules for extraction of a beverage in a substantially sealed state.

Abstract: A coffee maker comprises a filter basket assembly that enables two coffee dispensing modes. The assembly comprises a filter basket, an actuator that cooperates with a carafe and a motor driven valve. The actuator stops coffee from dispensing when the carafe is removed, but can be defeated by the user to dispense into a cup or mug when the carafe is absent.

Abstract: A coupler assembly (6) for use in the transfer of powdered material from a container such as a bag or bottle comprises an active valve assembly (8) having an active valve and docking part and a passive valve assembly (7) which comprises a passive valve and a complimentary docking part, the two docking parts enabling the two assemblies to be secured together such that both the passive valve and active valve can be opened to provide a passage for powder through both valves.

Abstract: A glass filler defines a main body having a lower surface. An inlet and outlet are each defined in the lower surface of the main body. An outlet chamber is defined in the main body and contains an outlet valve, which includes an outlet valve housing defining a castellated edge. The outlet valve includes a cylindrical sleeve that defines an inner surface that is crenellated and configured to receive an implement that can be inserted and used by the operator to rotate the cylindrical sleeve in a manner that controls the amount of liquid exiting the outlet of the glass filler.

Abstract: A adapter provides for connection of a pressure relief mechanism to a connection fitting portion of a quick connect fitting through a mating connection fitting portion and provides for movement of the pressure relief mechanism against a check valve in a hydraulic fluid conduit through a screw thread connection to the adapter. When the check valve is thus opened fluid flow is provided substantially axially through the pressure relief mechanism, thereby reducing the likelihood of disengagement of respective portions of the quick connect fitting when hydraulic fluid is present. Collection of hydraulic fluid in a vessel connected to the pressure relief mechanism is provided to allow recycling of the fluid and to prevent release of the fluid into the environment.

Abstract: A container filling machine and removable valve assembly having a liquid retention bowl and at least one filler valve assembly depending therefrom, the bowl having at least one bottom opening, a periphery around the opening, and a shoulder at the periphery, the filler valve assembly extending through the opening and including an upwardly protruding vent tube in the bowl, a valve retention clip on the vent tube and having at least one abutment within the bowl aligned with the shoulder to be engageable with the shoulder to prevent unwanted valve removal from the bowl, the retention clip being accessible from outside the bowl and having sufficient resilient flexibility to move the at least one abutment away from the shoulder for release of the filler valve assembly from the bowl.

Abstract: Coupler/diverter has housing with an aerator at the bottom and an inner barrel having rotary valving stem serving to distribute supply water, brine and overflow from RO filter. Depending on the setting, the stem permits flow through the housing to issue in the usual aerated stream. At this setting it also shuts off all other flow for decoupling. In diverting setting it sends supply to filter, shuttles return brine flush to the outside of the housing and lets reservoir overflow pass through the aerator. In a working setting the stem also can control volume of brine return to a varying degree to optimize the operation of the RO filter.

Abstract: Apparatus suitable for processing semiconductor slices, comprises a tank (1) for receiving a jig carrying semiconductor slices, a first supply line (2) for supplying a processing liquid to the tank (1), a supply valve (3) for controlling liquid supply through the first supply line (2), the supply valve (3) being operable in response to changes in fluid pressure at a control port (4) of the supply valve (3) and a second supply line (5) for supplying fluid to the control port (4) to control operation of the supply valve (3). The second supply line (5) communicates with an inlet (8) of the tank (1) via a control valve (7) which is operable in response to changes within the tank to control the fluid pressure at the control port (4) and so control operation of the supply valve (3).In the arrangement shown in FIG. 1, a valve member (7a) of the valve (7) is carried by a platform (9) pivotally mounted within the tank (1).

Abstract: A nursing bottle includes a pair of reservoirs which are selectively coupleable to a single nipple. The bottle includes a hollow body, an intermediate ring having a valve disk with two apertures and a nipple carrier having a valve plate with a single aperture. The nipple carrier is mounted over the intermediate ring and rotates to selectively connect the valve plate aperture with either of the valve disk apertures. A separate sack or flexible bag type liquid reservor is connected to each of the valve disk apertures. A conventional bag reservoir may optionally be fitted in the hollow body with the nipple carrier then being engaged directly over the body. In an alternate embodiment, the body may comprise a rigid walled bottle with a longitudinal partition forming two reservoirs. The nipple carrier and valve plate are engaged over the rigid walled bottle and are rotated to register the valve plate aperture with either reservoir.

Abstract: A container filling machine is provided with easily demountable nozzles or valves capable of being clamped in position in openings through which fluid product passes from the reservoir to containers. Clamping assemblies, pivotable into engagement with flanges on the nozzles, are fixed to the machine between the nozzles and a single assembly either clamps two of the nozzles in operating position or frees them for removal.

Abstract: A domestic coffee maker has a water reservoir and a water heater housed in the casing, and tubes for feeding water from the reservoir to the heater, and for feeding hot water to a discharge spout. The spout is arranged above a filter for holding ground coffee in a filter cone, and at the bottom of the filter there is an outflow aperture. A coffee jug is arranged to be supported on the casing to receive coffee flowing from the outflow aperture. A closure valve is provided for the outflow aperture and comprises a stopper carried on a pivotally mounted arm. The arm is displaceable by an opening lever mounted to be movable relative to the casing upon the removal from and positioning of the jug on the casing. When the jug is removed the opening lever displaces the arm such that the outflow aperture is closed by the jug.

Abstract: A water glass filler allows single-handed operation for either flow-on-demand or continuous flow operation. Manual actuation of a control button, using the same hand which concurrently holds the glass against a swing arm, changes on-demand flow into continuous flow. Continuous flow terminates on further actuation and release of the swing arm. Actuation of the control button drives a spring-loaded latch into a socket in the swing arm, and the water valve spring maintains this condition until the control button latch is released.