Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately packaging viscous food products within a predetermined weight range.

Abstract: A bulk meat feeding machine including a head member attached to the support base of a main feeding machine has a main feeding channel therein, the improved head member having a cavity therein connected to the outlet end of the main feeding channel, a sweeping blade rotatably mounted in the cavity, two outlet openings in the cavity connected with two spaced linear passageways having plungers therein which push the product through a bell-shaped cover attached to the head member and into alveolate form containers sealingly connectable to the bell-shaped cover. A pushing plunger is provided in the main feeding channel to push the product into the cavity and is thereafter alternately pushed through the two openings by the sweeping action of the blade driven by a rotating drive member.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing predetermined weights of material into containers. The apparatus includes a pair of pivotable support members, a feeding chute, and two flexible lines. In operation, when one of the containers is filled, the feeding chute is pivotably directed to another container.

Abstract: A gas pressure operated dispensing method and apparatus for dispensing fluids including a first container as a primary fluid source, a second container as a reserve fluid source, a first gas line connected to the first container and a second gas line connected to the second container, a gas pressure source connected to the first and second gas lines for supplying a pressurized gas thereto, a first change over valve and a second change over valve disposed in the first gas line and the second line, respectively, a supply line for introducing a fluid into the second container, a discharge line for discharging a fluid from the first container, a fluid line communicating with the supply line and the second container at one end and the discharge line and the first container at the other end, the fluid line containing a third valve, and vent line selectively connectible to the second gas line through the second change over valve when the gas pressure source is separated from the second gas line by the second change

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing uncompacted rice upon each of a continuously-moving train of plates from a hopper containing an auger which is rotated to effect dispensing only when a plate is in position beneath the outlet of the hopper. The hopper is caused to swing back and forth about an axis at right angles to the direction of motion of the plates, so that the outlet of the hopper swings downstream at about the same speed as the underlying plate while the auger is operating, thereby to concentrate the dispensed rice on a predetermined part of the plate. The timing may be such that, while the hopper is executing its upstream return motion, the next plate passes beneath it without receiving rice, the hopper dispensing only upon every other plate; another similar hopper at a downstream position then provides similar rice deposits upon similar parts of those alternate plates which do not receive rice from the upstream hopper.

Abstract: A system for automatically filling and launching balloons which may be used, for example, for cloud seeding. The system includes a balloon launching station frame, a nozzle mounted on the frame onto which the narrow end of a balloon can be attached so that gas can flow through the nozzle into the balloon, a conduit coupled to a source of gas and to the nozzle for delivering gas through the nozzle into the balloon, gas flow control apparatus responsive to first signals for controlling the flow of gas through the conduit, and a release mechanism responsive to second signals for disengaging the balloon from the nozzle to thereby release the balloon to the atmosphere. For launching a series of balloons, the system may include a plurality of nozzles, conduits, gas flow control mechanisms, and release mechanisms arranged so that after one balloon is filled and released, a second balloon may be filled and launched at a selectable time thereafter, etc.

Abstract: A dust suppressor apparatus for use in discharging particulate or granular material, such as grain, which includes a housing defining an internal chamber and having an inlet opening in the upper region of the chamber and a discharge opening in the lower region of the chamber. A suppressor control gate is hingedly mounted on the housing and is biased to a position preventing discharge of material through the discharge opening until a predetermined quantity of particulate material acts on the control gate to overcome the biasing and open the control gate. The control gate and is operative to exert pressure on the particulate material discharging through the discharge opening so as to enable bulk discharge while preventing egress of dust ladened air through the discharge opening. Baffle plates are provided in the chamber to reduce grain velocity within the device. The baffle plates may be independently adjustable or may be automatically adjusted upon tilting of the apparatus.

Abstract: The loading station of the invention includes an intake fitting, a pair of pressure operated motorized flow control valves, and a pair of loading boom assemblies that are all mounted on a movable equipment skid. The intake fitting is connectable with a source of high pressure natural gas, and the boom assemblies are universally adjustable and include coupler portions that are connectable with matching coupler portions carried on pressure vessels. Natural gas is loaded into the pressure vessels through the boom assemblies, and the loading station further includes a pressure control system that operates the motorized valves and which prevents natural gas from flowing into the boom assemblies when a pressure vessel is not connected thereto.

Abstract: A portioning machine and a method for filling containers with food material is disclosed. The machine is particularly useful for meat products which are packed in plastic containers having a lip or edge, and prevents the food particles remaining on this lip and hence interfering with the sealing of the package. The machine has at least two filling stations and a pumping means to supply food material, each filling station is adapted to hold a container.

Abstract: A mechanical process for filling the tubes (3) of tubular reactors with granular solids, e.g. catalysts, wherein two or more streams of material, e.g. of different catalytic activity, can be introduced in a controlled manner into each tube (3) which is to be filled, from two or more stock vessels (1,2) via two or more dispensing devices (MI, MZ) mounted above the upper tube end plate (13). By this process, different thermal/catalytic reaction profiles can be achieved over the length of the tube, or in certain groups of tubes within the tubular reactor, with substantially less time being required for filling the tubes (3).

Abstract: A discharger is disclosed for a dry coke cooling chamber which utilizes a breeches chute having a plurality of outlets. The breeches chute is supplied with coke by a continuously operable conveyor which conveys coke from an outlet of the cooling chamber to an inlet of the breeches chute. A tilting table or other apparatus is provided in the breeches chute to selectively discharge the coke to one of the breeches chute outlets. A lock bin is provided at each of the outlets to receive coke and, at the same time to isolate the cooling chamber in a gastight fashion from the atmosphere.

Abstract: Continuous automatic feeding apparatus for bulk material is provided. The device has a vibratory feeder for moving the material to be fed, the feeder having a centrally disposed narrow spoon extending therefrom which provides a relatively small rate of material feed. A pair of hoppers are located under the composite feeder, and the material supplied to each controlled by a pair of displaceable deflectors. Each deflector has three positions: a first position in which the deflector prevents any flow into its associated hopper and deflects the flow into the other hopper; a second position in which the flow from the feeder is deflected to the other hopper but the flow from the spoon is permitted to enter its associated hopper; and a third position in which the flow from both the vibratory feeder and the spoon enters the associated hopper. Each hopper has a weigh cell and control apparatus associated therewith to operate the deflectors and empty the hoppers when a predetermined weight has been attained.

Abstract: A vibrating conveyor (10) is disclosed. The conveyor (10) includes a conveying table (14) and a frame (12) for supporting the table (14) for vibratory motion. The table (14) has an inlet area disposed generally in the middle of the table (14) for receiving particulate material to be conveyed. A first dispensing outlet (72) is disposed on a first side (26) of the table (14) and a second dispensing outlet (74) is disposed on the second side (34). A first pneumatic vibrator (116) is disposed on the first side (26) for vibrating the table (14) and conveying particulate material from the inlet area to the second outlet (74). A second pneumatic vibrator (118) is coupled to the table (14) on the second side (34) for vibrating the table (14) and for conveying particulate material from the inlet area to the first outlet (72).

Abstract: A liquid feeder comprises a liquid suction and delivery pump which withdraws a liquid such as a culture solution, buffer solution, enzyme solution or the like which is retained in a liquid storage container as refrigerated or at a reduced temperature and delivers it through a flexible tube for injection into a culture vessel located within an incubator. The tube is inserted into an inner pipe and is sealingly secured thereto. The inner pipe is detachably and hermetically mounted in an outer pipe which extends through and is secured to a wall forming an environment isolating layer of the incubator. An eccentric crankpin which is driven by a motor is connected through a link with another crankpin having a greater eccentricity, the latter crankpin being driven for rotation to cause a reciprocatory rotating motion of a driven shaft about its own axis through an angular extent of less than 180.degree..

Abstract: An underwater gas/liquid reservoir 1, particularly designed to be used as a ballast/buoyancy tank in an offshore drilling platform, has a pressurized supply duct 2 for introducing gas into the reservoir to control the liquid level therein. The gas supply duct has two openings 8, 11, one near the bottom of the reservoir and the other near the top. A movable straddle packer 14 is disposed in the gas supply duct for selectively closing the bottom opening 8 so that gas is allowed to flow only through the top opening 11 of the supply duct. The packer can also be positioned to uncover the bottom opening 8 of the gas supply duct. In operation, the liquid level within the reservoir is controlled by the introduction or release of pressurized gas into or from the reservoir through the openings of the gas supply duct either to force liquid from the reservoir or to allow liquid to flow into it.

Abstract: A surgical scrub system used in an operating room for dispensing any selected one of a plurality of sterile liquids and applying the selected liquid to an area of the body of a patient while maintaining the sterile condition desired at that area, the scrub system including a scrub device constructed primarily of sterilizable materials and a dispensing arrangement to which the scrub device may be aseptically coupled for transfer of the selected liquid to the scrub device.

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 packaging apparatus for placing a fixed quantity of powdery and/or granular material in bags has one bag-supplying device and two filling and weighing devices mounted in a line on the same base, and two distribution/conveyance devices, which distribute empty bags and convey them to the filling devices between said bag-supplying device and said filling devices. There is also a sealing device which seals the top edge of each bag filled with a weighed quantity of material. All the devices are arranged generally in a straight line and can continuously supply and open empty bags, fill them with material, and seal said bags without any pause.

Abstract: Thixotropic battery paste is metered at a substantially predetermined volumetric flow rate onto a battery grid with the aid of a positive displacement pump means and alternate operation of a pair of cylinder and ram metering devices which are synchronized to deliver the paste substantially without turbulence to a discharge means such as a nozzle for delivery to the battery grid substrate.

Abstract: A housing has a compartment subdivided by a pair of sleeve valves into an input compartment to which is continuously fed a stream of viscous hardenable material and an output compartment arranged adjacent a transport device which step-wise advances a succession of containers. Each of these sleeve valves has a central piston and has a valve port that can be directed either into the input compartment or the output compartment. Thus one of the sleeves is turned with its port toward the input compartment and its piston is retracted to draw into the sleeve a predetermined quantity of the viscous mass. Thereupon the sleeve is rotated through 180.degree. and this portion is discharged into the output compartment and thence into one of the containers.

Abstract: A printing press is provided with a dual ink circulation and wash-up system to reduce the wash-up time between color changes. The press includes a fountain and at least one receptacle associated therewith and having at least two compartments. Means are provided to selectively divert liquid from the fountain into one of the compartments while the other compartment is being washed. A plurality of ink supply means are provided for sequentially supplying ink to the fountain.

Abstract: A valve and control system for filling sequentially presented containers with measured charges of semi-solid food product and the like from a feed hopper is provided in which the food product is charged into a product cylinder from the feed hopper through the valve and then discharged into a container through the valve in timed sequence with the reciprocating strokes of a piston in the product cylinder. Means are provided to monitor the discharge stroke of the piston to reverse the valve from the discharge position to the charge position before the discharge stroke of the piston is completed to cause the food product in the product cylinder to be returned to the feed hopper. This results in a dynamic discharge that precludes tailing of the food product at the valve discharge port and maintains the food product in the feed hopper in a homogenized state. The stroke of the piston is adjustable to predetermine the quantity of food product dispensed.