Abstract: A rotary filling machine for filling containers with bridgeable dry materials includes a turret supporting a plurality of circumferentially spaced drop buckets and a plurality of funnel assemblies located under the drop buckets. A stationary slide plate is located vertically between the funnel assemblies and the drop buckets. When viewed in a direction of turret rotation, the slide plate has an upstream end, a downstream end, and inner and outer edges. A portion of the slide plate is tapered progressively in diameter toward its downstream end such that flow paths from the bottoms of the drop buckets to the inlet openings of the funnel assemblies increase progressively in diameter with the taper of the slide plate. Also provided is a funnel assembly that dilates bridgeable materials before dispensing those materials into a container.

Abstract: The object of the application is a cleaning system of a drum conveyor of a filter segment feeding apparatus in the tobacco industry wherein a transport drum (3) comprises a plurality of discs (4) on the circumferential surface of which concavities (5) are formed whereas the concavities of the individual discs are positioned relative to one another so that together they form channels (6) receiving filter rods (1), where in the said channels (6) the filter rods (1) are transported during cutting, whereas the borders of adjacent discs (4) do not contact one another and in this way they form circumferential grooves (9). The discs (4) have passages (12) discharging the dirt, the circumferential grooves (9) have a connection with the passages (12) discharging the dirt, and the system comprises a vacuum channel (15) receiving the dirt having a connection with the passages (12) discharging the dirt in the discs (4).

Abstract: A drug vial safety device, including a cover that is securable to a drug vial is disclosed. The cover at least partially encloses at least a neck and a lid of the drug vial. The cover includes a port having a shape that restricts syringe access to the vial through the port to a syringe shaped to be compatible with the port shape.

Abstract: A coil support member is attached to a coil inside a water storage vessel and includes multiple openings, insertion portions and a non-insertion portion. The openings are arranged in a lengthwise direction, and together with surrounding sites prevent contact between mutually adjacent loops of the tube of the coil and suppress contact between an inner surface of the water storage vessel and an outer surface of the coil. The insertion portions are formed between the openings and are inserted into an intra-coil space located radially inward of the outer surface of the coil. The non-insertion portion is positioned in an extra-coil space located radially outward of the outer surface of the coil. The insertion portions have insertion body portions preventing contact between mutually adjacent loops of the tube, and engagement portions contacting the tube from the intra-coil space and maintaining an inserted state of the insertion body portions.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper having an opening. The hopper is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder. At least one chamber, which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening, is also provided. An element having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned within the hopper such that the distal end is near the opening. A vibrator motor is provided to vibrate the element when within the fine powder.

Abstract: An electrode mixture paste is applied on both sides of a strip of core material as it runs along its lengthwise direction, and the coating thickness of the paste is adjusted as the core material coated with the paste passes through a gap between a pair of scraper tools. Tips provided to the scraper tools scrape off the paste to form a paste-coated portion of a predetermined width. The electrode mixture paste scraped off with the tips is returned through recesses on the upstream side of the tips in the running direction of the core material, so as to prevent the phenomenon where the coating thickness is increased at both side edges of the paste-coated portion. Thus, a method for applying electrode mixture paste is realized that can prevent the phenomenon where the coating thickness is increased at both side edges of the paste-coated portion.

Abstract: Disclosed is a device for evenly filling or emptying at least one dosing chamber with a product. The device includes a dosing chamber disposed in a dosing disk, the product being dispensed into or emptied from the dosing chamber. A pressure generator impinges the dosing chamber with a predetermined pressure in order fill or empty the dosing chamber. A filter is disposed movably relative to the dosing chamber to assures that once the product has been dispensed, the product can be brought downward into the container to be filled. The filling of the container can be reinforcing by blown air or by transfer dies. The dosing chamber communicates, via the filter means, with the pressure generator. By application of an underpressure, the product to be dosed is dispensed into the dosing chamber. For cleaning the filter means, on the other hand, an overpressure pulse is applied, which improves product dispensing precision.

Abstract: A leveler device that engages a bulk product container or bucket that allows a user to level off a scooping or measuring device to obtain a predetermined amount of product. The leveler device includes a blade or wall disposed over a container opening of the container. In use, a user levels the amount of sauce within the measuring device by successively running the rim of the measuring device across the blade or wall of the leveler device to remove excess sauce. The excess sauce that is scraped or pushed off of the measuring device rim by the leveler blade may return back into the container. Thus, the user can consistently scrape and pour the desired amount of product.

Abstract: An electrode mixture paste (5) is applied on both sides of a strip of core material (1) made of porous metal sheet that is running along its lengthwise direction. The paste-coated core material (1) is pressed with press rollers (15a, 15b) alternately from opposite sides once or more, after which the paste-coated core material (1) is passed through the gap between a pair of scraper tools (16a, 16b) to adjust the coating thickness of the paste (5), while the position of the core material (1) is restricted with comb-shaped projections (17a or 17a, 17b), so that, even though the projections (17a, 17b) are distanced from each other sufficiently to allow weld points of the core material (1) to pass through, the coating thickness is precisely regulated.

Abstract: A molding tray and system for making molded structures using a moldable material. The molding tray includes an outer tray and a resilient inner mold fitted therein. The outer tray includes a hole in a bottom wall thereof to provide access to a bottom face of the inner mold such that pressure may be applied to the bottom face through the hole so as to dislodge a molded structure.

Abstract: A machine and process function to fill cavities with metered amounts of particulate material. An applicator wheel includes a series of equally spaced apart peripheral pockets each having a perforated bottom wall, and a vacuum manifold inside the wheel includes a vacuum chamber for supplying vacuum to the perforated bottom walls of the pockets as the wheel rotates. Particulate material from a filling chamber of such material outside the wheel is withdrawn into the pockets by the vacuum chamber. A downstream vacuum relief on the vacuum manifold functions to discharge particulate material from the pockets into the cavities at a predetermined discharge location on the wheel. Adjustment structure is connected to rotatably adjust the position of the vacuum manifold within the applicator wheel to thereby advance or retard the discharge location depending upon the speed of the machine.

Abstract: A viscous material metering system comprises a cutting apparatus comprising a tensioning fork having a main body diverging into extending tines; a cutting wire tensioned between the tines of the fork; and a driving mechanism operatively connected to the tensioning fork to drive the fork and tensioned cutting wire; and a controller controllably connected to the driving mechanism and having a set of instructions to control the driving mechanism to drive the fork to cut a continuous viscous material into portions of a predetermined size or weight for metering to a viscous material compounding system.

Abstract: There is provided a method of loading a container with a defined quantity of product comprising closing off a perforation in a perforated plate; directing powder into the closed-off perforation by the sweeping action of a first director blade spaced from said perforated plate; and transferring the contents of the perforation to said container. The method is characterized by relative rotary motion of the perforated plate and said first director blade. Suitable apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: A powder leveling method and apparatus conducts leveling a thin layer of powder containing fiber to a uniform thickness so as to form friction material having a multi-layered structure. A cavity of predetermined shape having an opening in a flat surface is filled with powder containing fiber so that the powder overflows the opening of the cavity in the flat surface. A cylindrical leveling device is moved in a first direction across the cavity and then in a second direction intersecting with the first direction at a speed greater than the speed with which the leveling device moves in the first direction, so as to trim away the excess powder and make the power in the opening flush with the flat surface.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for introducing powder into a pocket (32) using a dosator (10) having an elongate cavity with an open end and a plunger (12) opposite the open end moveable along the cavity so as to define, between the plunger (12) and the open end, a space of variable volume, the method including, with the plunger (12) defining a volume greater than that of the pocket (32), inserting the open end into a source of powder so as to fill the volume with powder, positioning the open end over the pocket, driving the plunger so as to expel powder from the open end into the pocket and compress it to a predetermined bulk density and removing the open end from the pocket so as to leave the pocket full of powder with the predetermined bulk density.

Abstract: A method for filling a fluidized material into a hole having a bottom, the hole disposed on one surface of a sheet member, the method includes the steps of: depressurizing a first closed space, which is formed on the one surface of the sheet member; depressurizing a second closed space, which is adjacent to the first closed space and accumulates the fluidized material; displacing the hole together with the sheet member to the second closed space, the hole depressurized in the first closed space; applying the fluidized material on the surface of the sheet member; and filling the applied fluidized material into the hole.

Abstract: An object is to provide a liquid-removing apparatus capable of sufficiently removing liquid adhering to packaging material (11). The liquid-removing apparatus includes a packaging material (11) having a projection formed at a predetermined position; first and second squeeze rollers (23, 33) which form a squeeze portion (P1) for removing liquid adhering to the packaging material (11); and an elastic body. The second squeeze roller (33) has main roller portions (53, 54) and a retractable roller portion (55) which retracts when the projection reaches the squeeze portion (P1). The elastic body urges a tubular sleeve (64) provided on the retractable roller portion (55) toward the packaging material (11). When the projection reaches the squeeze portion (P1) during transportation of the packaging material (11), the sleeve (64) is pushed by the projection and thereby decentered, so that the retractable roller portion (55) is retracted.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering predetermined amounts of material, the apparatus including a vertical drop chute, a filling chamber, a rotating wheel with pockets, a central stationary drum with at least one vacuum chamber and an air jet, and a vacuum rail for transporting an article underneath the rotating wheel and transferring the particles from pockets in the wheel to cavities in the article. The particles can be carbon or charcoal granules and the article can be a cigarette filter rod.

Abstract: A can filler valve wiper mechanism for use with a can filler machine is disclosed. The can filler machine includes mechanism for moving a can along a predetermined can travel path, and a movable filler valve which moves along a predetermined filler valve travel path above at least a portion of the can travel path. A can wiper mechanism comprises a rotating wiper, which can be a common paint roller. The rotating wiper is disposed at a location between a moving can and a moving can filler valve located above the can so that the wiper engages and collects material located between the valve and can. Preferably, the wiper engages the bottom of the filler valve itself as the valve passes the wiper.

Abstract: A particulate material distribution device for evenly distributing particulate material in a silo, which includes a frame connected to a silo upper end. The frame supports a feeder conduit having a feeder end portion, which is at least partially positioned in an open end of the silo. The feeder conduit has a feeder conduit axis, which is generally parallel to a silo sidewall. The device includes a rotatable sweeper arm connected to the frame and positioned generally orthogonal relative to the feeder conduit axis. The rotatable sweeper arm is at least partially positioned in the open end of the silo and spaced apart from the feeder conduit end and having a sweeper arm axis of rotation which is generally parallel to the feeder conduit axis.

Abstract: A vacuum pump depressurizes a scavenging chamber to discharge the air or gas residing in a via hole. Then, a paste chamber provided adjacent to the scavenging chamber moves on the scavenged via hole. A squeezing unit provided in the paste chamber pushes a conductive paste into the via hole. Keeping the inside space of the via hole in a depressurized condition is effective to let the conductive paste enter deeply into the via hole. The inside space of the via hole is entirely filled with the conductive paste.

Abstract: Method for loading ceramic moulds presenting a die plate having at least one forming cavity in which a die is slidingly received, comprising the following operative steps for each complete loading cycle: preparing a powder layer at least the upper part of which has properties conforming to the required aesthetic characteristics of the exposed face of the tile; transferring said layer to above said at least one forming cavity; depositing into said at least one cavity a powder layer having a thickness greater than that necessary to obtain the desired tile thickness, and before pressing removing, by a mechanical cutting action with simultaneous removal of the thus separated material, the surface layer of the powder contained in the mould cavity, without appreciable mixing of the powder present at the interface between the surface layer and the underlying layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering powder onto a plane surface (1) of a device for creating a three-dimensional part in a layer-by-layer fashion, in particular of a laser sintering machine, is provided. It comprises a covering means (3) which can be moved back and forth in a second direction perpendicular to said first direction by means of a drive between a lateral first position and a second position located on the opposite side. In at least one of the positions it can be filled with powder. In order to simplify the apparatus and improve its operation, the covering means (3) comprises a slit (6) extending across the entire width and open at its top and its bottom as well as smoothening elements (7, 8) at the ends opposite of the surface. A store container (9) is provided above the covering means (3), the volume of said store container at each location across the entire width being at least equal to the volume of the slit cavity located underneath.

Abstract: An apparatus for the portioning and depositing of food products in form/fill/seal machines and other food packaging machinery into pockets that are then evacuated and sealed. A food pump outlet is connected to a manifold which has a number of outlets corresponding to positions over the pockets. A cutoff knife blocks the flow from each outlet. A programmable logic controller activates a first knife causing it to open with a single accurate portion of food product being pumped through the outlet and then cut cleanly by the knife. The operation continues for the remaining pockets which are provided with a single distinct and accurate portion for each pocket. Optionally, a double cut operation may be programmed into the logic controller. Once the pockets are full, the controller signals the packaging machine to index.

Abstract: A cutoff tool for severing a neck of a difficult-handling fluid material (a fluid material which is highly viscous, highly adhering, highly cohering, and/or shear thickening) includes a rotating whip, for example a string or a wire. The whip may be rotated at a sufficiently high rate, for example by a motor, so as to prevent adherence of the fluid material to the whip, for example by use of centrifugal forces to fling fluid material off of the whip. A system for filling containers includes a cutoff tool operatively coupled with a filling nozzle and a container clamp. A method of filling a container may include clamping the container, inserting a filling nozzle into the container, dispensing fluid material into the container, withdrawing the filling nozzle from the container during and/or after the filling, drawing back fluid material through the filling nozzle so as to thin a neck of fluid material between the filling nozzle and the filled container, and severing the neck, for example by using a cutoff tool.

Abstract: There is provided a method of transferring a defined quantity of powder comprising compacting a target area of powder; dipping a tube into the compacted target area of powder to fill the tube with a defined volume of powder; and transferring the defined volume of powder from the tube.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering predetermined amounts of material, the apparatus including a vertical drop chute, a filling chamber, a rotating wheel with pockets, a central stationary drum with at least one vacuum chamber and an air jet, and a vacuum rail for transporting an article underneath the rotating wheel and transferring the particles from pockets in the wheel to cavities in the article. The particles can be carbon or charcoal granules and the article can be a cigarette filter rod.

Abstract: A cutoff tool for severing a neck of a difficult-handling fluid material (a fluid material which is highly viscous, highly adhering, highly cohering, and/or shear thickening) includes a rotating whip, for example a string or a wire. The whip may be rotated at a sufficiently high rate, for example by a motor, so as to prevent adherence of the fluid material to the whip, for example by use of centrifugal forces to fling fluid material off of the whip. A system for filling containers includes a cutoff tool operatively coupled with a filling nozzle and a container clamp. A method of filling a container may include clamping the container, inserting a filling nozzle into the container, dispensing fluid material into the container, withdrawing the filling nozzle from the container during and/or after the filling, drawing back fluid material through the filling nozzle so as to thin a neck of fluid material between the filling nozzle and the filled container, and severing the neck, for example by using a cutoff tool.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: Container filling systems include a container filling station which fills empty containers with a product, most preferably a frozen dessert. The container filling station will necessarily include a fill valve assembly which has a housing defining a inlet and discharge openings, and a cylindrical spool having a spool port defined therethrough. Preferably, the spool is mounted asymmetrically within said housing for rotation between an open and closed conditions. A container lid supply and transfer system is most preferably employed in the system of this invention and includes a lid supply assembly to provide an available stand-by supply of container lid stacks, a lid feeding assembly for sequentially feeding individual container lids onto an awaiting product-filled container, and a lid transfer assembly for transferring a lid stack from the lid supply assembly to the lid feeding assembly.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper having an opening. The hopper is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder. At least one chamber, which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening, is also provided. An element having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned within the hopper such that the distal end is near the opening. A vibrator motor is provided to vibrate the element when within the fine powder.

Abstract: A machine for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product includes feeding device for a cosmetic product in powder to a movable conveyor belt, so as to form a layer of cosmetic product that is not levelled, levelling means of the layer of cosmetic product that is not levelled, placed downstream from said feeding means of the cosmetic product, to form a layer of levelled cosmetic product, and portioning and compression means of the layer of cosmetic product for the formation of tablets of cosmetic product.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering predetermined amounts of material, the apparatus comprising a chute; a metering wheel in cooperative relation to the chute to repetitively draw discrete amount of material onto the metering wheel; an arrangement for establishing a procession of spaced apart articles along a path, a transfer wheel for repetitively transferring discrete amount of material from said metering wheel to spaces defined between adjacent pairs of articles in the procession and a cleaning wheel for removing extraneous material from the articles.

Abstract: Methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles are provided. According to one exemplary method, the fine powder is first fluidized. At least a portion of the fluidized fine powder is then captured. The captured fine powder is then transferred to a receptacle, with the are provided transferred powder being sufficiently uncompacted so that it may be dispersed upon removal from the receptacle.

Abstract: A method for filling containers utilizing at least two filling members. The containers to be filled are placed in a receptacle and at least two filling members are placed over the containers with the apertures of the filling members corresponding to the openings of the containers to be filled. Particulate matter is then disposed on top of the filling members and passed through the apertures in the filling members filling the containers below. A scraper is used to push and/or pull the particulate matter off of one filling member onto the other filling member. The now clean filling member is removed and the containers which are now filled with particulate matter are removed as well. The particulate matter is then moved from the second filling member onto the first in order to fill the new containers under it. The second filling member now being cleared of particulate matter is removed and the containers under it which are now filled are then removed.

Abstract: An apparatus for weighing a softened solid rapidly and precisely, wherein no excessive force is exerted on, and no shock is given to, the load cell. The apparatus has a simplified structure including 1/4 cylindrical weighing containers so that the apparatus is easy to disassemble and clean.The inventive apparatus comprises a load cell for transmitting signals; a pair of weighing containers each having a cross-section of approximately 1/4 of a cylinder, arranged closely, and installed on the load cell rotatably around center axis of rotation; a scraping member installed closely to the inner surface of the weighing containers; and a driving unit, which is not connected to said load cell, for opening and closing the weighing containers by reversely rotating them around their axes. This apparatus for weighing a softened solid discharges the weighed substance as it is scraped from the sides of the containers by the scraping member.

Abstract: A process and a machine are described for filling containers with cosmetic products even having different characteristics. The machine comprises at least one unit that executes a succession of similar processing cycles, each of which comprises the loading of at least one loading cell with a cosmetic product, and the levelling of the cosmetic product itself inside the loading cell, the transfer and compacting of the cosmetic product loaded inside the loading cell inside a pick-up cell, the transfer of the compacted cosmetic product from the pick-up cell to a collection container and the final pressing of the compacted cosmetic product in the collection container itself.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with loose material carriers provided on their top with cavities, comprising: a transporting member for transporting the carriers; a scraper member arranged above the transporting member and drivable in rotation round a vertical shaft, which scraper member is arranged at a distance from the conveyor belt substantially corresponding with the height of the carriers for filling; and a ring enclosing the path described by the scraper member, wherein on the downstream located side of the ring means are arranged for removing excess loose material from the carriers; wherein on the upstream located side of the ring means are arranged for feeding loose material to the carriers; and wherein transporting means are arranged for transporting loose material coming from the first means to the second means.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers with cosmetic products including a support device (3) having a cosmetic powder receiving station and an outlet, a homogenizing and feeding device (1, 2, 20) for depositing cosmetic powder onto the support device at the receiving station, a leveling device (4) for forming the cosmetic powder into a layer having a predetermined height, a tablet forming station, a tablet forming device movably mounted (5) relative to the support device for pressing portions (12) of the layer into tablets of cosmetic product and withdrawing the formed tablets from the layer at the tablet forming station, a discharge station for receiving the tablets in respective tablet containers (14), guides (5) for supporting the tablet forming device for movement between the tablet forming station and the discharge station, a discharge device (11) for ejecting the tablets from the tablet forming device into the respective containers at the discharge station, a collection sump (15) at the outlet of the support

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying paste to a battery grid. An endless conveyor belt pulls a grid through a pasting zone where paste is impressed into the grid. The grid is further passed through a fixed orifice, after being impressed with paste to impart a predetermined thickness to the grid. The orifice may be defined by two plates.

Abstract: Drum filling apparatus and method enabling liquid to be introduced into a container automatically. The apparatus includes a filling lance and a mechanism for gradually raising the filling lance to ensure that only a relatively small portion of the lance remains submerged in the liquid. The apparatus also includes a control mechanism for ensuring that the lance is properly positioned within the container as it is being withdrawn.

Abstract: A web of pouches is carried around a rotating drum. Above the drum is a filler. The filler has a lower stationary plate with an arcuate slot in it. Above the stationary plate are two rotating plates which are vertically-spaced apart. The plates have aligned holes forming cups. A hopper is located above the rotating plates to pour product onto the rotating plates. A separator is located between the rotating plates and overlies the slot in the stationary plate whereby the lower primary cups are filled through the upper secondary cups and are discharged into pouches through the slot in the stationary plate while the separator holds back the product in the upper secondary cups.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically dispensing measured quantities of sterilized particulate garnish, includes identically constructed inlet and outlet valves each having a valve body with a radial port for communication with either a header/reservoir or a product conduit, substantially cylindrical valve members positioned within the valve bodies each with a radial port which when the valve members are rotated communicate with said radial ports in the valve body, enlarged cleaning and sterilizing zones within the cylinder bores of each of the valve bodies for in-line use, and a metering valve. The radial port on the valve member has a cutting edge which is engaged in the normal course of use whenever traversed by fibrous particulate matter such as meats, vegetables, or pulpy fruit. On the suction stroke of the metering valve piston, sterilized particulate garnish is drawn from the supply header/reservoir and is delivered through the outlet valve and nozzle on the dispensing stroke of the piston.

Abstract: A medicinal vial cover for preventing the introduction of a liquid solution to atmosphere during the removal of the solution from a container of the type having an axially-extending neck and an entrance opening coaxial with the neck in which the opening is sealed by a rubber plug through which a hypodermic needle is inserted to extract the solution into a syringe, the cover having a tip at one of its ends and a hollow base at its other end adapted to be attached over the neck of the container. A hypodermic needle can then be inserted through both the cover and the rubber plug to withdraw the solution into a syringe with any aerosol or droplets being trapped within the cover.

Abstract: A method of packing a semisolid compound into a bag comprising the steps of precooling a high temperature semisolid compound to such a temperature at which it can maintain the desired viscosity, filling said precooled semisolid compound into a packing bag made of synthetic resin while cooling its outer surface with water, heat-sealing an opening part of the bag, putting the bag in a water tank for cooling, removing the cooled bag and transporting it, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-described method.

Abstract: A device for filling a container comprises an endpiece provided with an inner conduit equipped at its end with a ball-valve having a through passage and pivotable in the endpiece about a diametral axis transverse to the passage. An annular member having an external face coplanar with the frontal surface of the endpiece, has an inner spherical surface held in permanent contact with the external face of the ball-valve. The annular member is mounted for rotation with respect to the endpiece about the longitudinal axis of the conduit. At least part of the intersection line between the passage and the external surface of the ball-valve cooperates in cutting relationship with an edge of the external face of the annular member while the latter is rotating and the valve is pivoting to close the conduit.

Abstract: Apparatus and a method for laying a uniformly thick and, hence, a uniformly dense bed of compost for growing mushrooms and the like are provided. In the shelf system compost is supplied via a conveyer belt from an external supply through the door of a conventional mushroom house to a transverse, variable speed, reversible distributor which distributes the compost uniformly across the shelf at one end thereof onto a moving belt or web, which belt moves along the floor of the shelf from the supply end of the shelf to the far end thereof. The compost which is distributed by the distributor at the supply end moves on the belt toward the far end on the belt, being passed under a rotating, bladed leveling member located in close proximity to the supply end. The blades are set at a height from the floor of the shelf corresponding to the desired thickness of the final compost bed.

Abstract: The invention provides methods, systems and apparatus for the metered transport of fine powders into receptacles. According to one exemplary embodiment, an apparatus is provided which comprises a hopper having an opening. The hopper is adapted to receive a bed of fine powder. At least one chamber, which is moveable to allow the chamber to be placed in close proximity to the opening, is also provided. An element having a proximal end and a distal end is positioned within the hopper such that the distal end is near the opening. A vibrator motor is provided to vibrate the element when within the fine powder.