Abstract: A beverage vending machine (1) comprising a cup storage (3), a cup support device (9) in a cup filling station (7), and a stirrer dispenser (6) to feed a stirrer (6a) to a cup (4) in the cup support device (9). The cup support device (9) is defined by a body in the form of an open ring (11) with a vertical axis (12), a cup supporting surface (15), and a lateral opening (13) to allow the cup to be transversally extracted from the open ring body (11). The supporting surface (15) has at least one projecting area (19) configured to cause the planarity of the cup supporting surface (15) imperfect so as to cause the cup (4) to tilt, with respect to the cup support device (9), in response to the supply of a stirrer (6a) to the cup (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers with a liquid filling material includes a container treatment unit, a weighing unit, container carriers, weighing cells, a conveying element, filling positions, container receptacles, and a container-conveying section. As the conveying element, on which the filling positions are formed, rotates, it introduces filling material into the containers. The conveying element includes the container-conveying section, which moves the containers in a container-conveying direction. The weighing unit, which is made in the conveying element, weighs containers on the container-conveying section. Each container receptacle forms a weighing position with an associated container carrier and weighing cell.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a machine for filling containers, in particular bottles or the like with a product, particularly a liquid such as a drink, by means of a weighing system.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing flowable solid materials, wherein the apparatus includes a container for holding dispensable material, a dispensing assembly, a lever locking assembly, and a receptacle. In operation, a receptacle is inserted into a receptacle receiving area. The receptacle engages a pivotable release arm to unlock a latch plate. The receptacle also engages a pivotable latch arm to slide the latch plate to unblock a lever slot, thereby allowing a lever to be urged downward by a user. As the lever is urged downward, a piston advances through an angularly disposed piston shaft to push dispensable material from a piston shaft upper portion into a spiral chute wherein the material gravity flows down the chute and into the receptacle in the receptacle receiving area. The apparatus may include a receptacle locking assembly to lock the receptacle within the receptacle receiving area while material is being dispensed.

Abstract: A bottle shape is provided that allows for volume-reducing deformation of a peripheral wall of the body, while maintaining stable posture of the bottle by making use of a combination of a refill container and a regularly used container having an upright discharge cylinder segment. The body is formed to have a thin peripheral wall so that volume-reducing deformation would take place along with the depressurization going on inside the bottle. The peripheral wall has three ridge lines formed in a mountain fold at approximately equal intervals in the vertical direction and has three panel walls connected to one another. Each panel wall is bordered by two adjacent ridge lines, and has a valley fold line that diagonally connects an upper end of one ridge line to a lower end of another adjacent ridge line so that three valley fold lines are disposed obliquely in parallel along a circumferential direction.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus and method for dispensing flowable solid materials, wherein the apparatus includes a container for holding dispensable material, a dispensing assembly, a lever locking assembly, and a receptacle. In operation, a receptacle is inserted into a receptacle receiving area. The receptacle engages a pivotable release arm to unlock a latch plate. The receptacle also engages a pivotable latch arm to slide the latch plate to unblock a lever slot, thereby allowing a lever to be urged downward by a user. As the lever is urged downward, a piston advances through an angularly disposed piston shaft to push dispensable material from a piston shaft upper portion into a spiral chute wherein the material gravity flows down the chute and into the receptacle in the receptacle receiving area. The apparatus may include a receptacle locking assembly to lock the receptacle within the receptacle receiving area while material is being dispensed.

Abstract: A coinfusion apparatus including a coinfusion operation section; a coinfusion processing room; a supply section; and a transfusion bag retention section. The coinfusion operation section consists of first and second robot arms. The first robot arm retains a medical agent container. The second robot arm performs an operation to insert a syringe needle of a syringe to a mouth section of the medical agent container and an operation to insert the syringe needle of the syringe to a coinfusion mouth of the transfusion bag. The coinfusion processing room holds the coinfusion operation section. The supply section supplies the medical agent container and the syringe into the coinfusion processing room. The transfusion bag retention section retains the transfusion bag at the outer side of the coinfusion processing room and positions the coinfusion mouth of the transfusion bag at the coinfusion communication mouth formed in the coinfusion processing room.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering composition in a container filler installation, the device comprising a tube having at least an end provided with a nozzle and an opposite end provided with means for fastening to a feed line of the filler installation, and the device further including a plate fastened to the tube and provided with a support having a portion extending in register with the nozzle to support a container. The invention also provides a filler installation including at least one such device.

Abstract: A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.

Abstract: A method for substantially contamination-free transport of pourable bulk product from a dosing unit into a container is proposed, wherein the dosing outlet of the dosing unit is connected in a detachable manner with the receiving inlet of the container, the dosing outlet and the receiving inlet are opened, and the bulk product is transported into the container from the dosing unit via its dosing outlet and via the receiving inlet of the container. The receiving inlet of the container is disposed at the dosing unit by means of an elastic joining element to prevent transfer of forces between the dosing unit and the container during the dosing process. A device for carrying out such a method is also proposed.

Abstract: An apparatus to fill a container includes at least one tank for a fluid product to be delivered and one filling head to deliver the fluid product to the container that is movable towards and away from the container. The apparatus further includes a connecting arrangement interposed between the tank and the filling head to supply the fluid product to the filling head. The connecting arrangement includes a ball-and-socket joint structure which includes a first tubular portion having a spherical body, a second tubular portion in the form of a spherical cavity and a tubular sealing element arranged inside the first tubular portion and the second tubular portion at a zone in which the spherical body and the spherical cavity are mutually engaged.

Abstract: A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.

Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container is provided. The container has a fitment. The fitment includes a spout having a collar. The collar includes a support surface for supporting the container in suspension. The machine includes a filling apparatus configured to fill the container with a product, a rail system, a loader, and a carrier. The carrier is configured to hold multiple containers. The carrier is generally elongated and has a pair of spaced apart flanges. The spaced apart flanges define a slot extending the length of the carrier. The slot is configured to slidingly receive the spout of the container and the support surface of the collar engages each of the pair of flanges so as to suspend the container within the carrier. The carrier may be placed into communication with the rail system so as to feed the containers to the filling apparatus.

Abstract: A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.

Abstract: A spill-stopping device for a chemical drum featuring a boot assembly; a shroud with an aperture disposed on the first end of the boot assembly, the aperture is adapted to accept a shaft of a filling machine; a spout disposed in the second end of the boot assembly, the spout is adapted to snugly fit into chemical drum aperture in a lid of a chemical drum and accept a shaft of a filing machine; a double-door assembly pivotally attached in the spout via hinges, the double-door assembly can move between at least an open position and a closed position respectively allowing and preventing access to the spout from the boot assembly; and counterweights attached to each hinge and extending upwardly into the boot assembly, the counterweights function to bias the double-door assembly in the closed position.

Abstract: The centering guide for automated bottling machinery is secured to its filler unit by a central saddle. Two laterally opposed posts slide in holes through the saddle. A bridge extends across the upper ends of the posts. The bridge provides attachment for a cam roller traveling on a cam as the bottling unit and guide rotate with its filler unit. The lower ends of the posts are threaded into a base plate holding a single piece guide bell removably therein. The bell has a resilient seal removably installed therein. As the cam roller is reciprocated by the stationary cam during rotation of the bottling unit, the bridge, posts, and base are also actuated to raise and lower the guide bell over the bottle mouth in concert with the filling operation. Springs are installed between saddle and base plate to assure proper operation when the bell is lowered.

Abstract: A female piercing member protection device for connection with a male connection part, and a method for connecting the device to a male connection part. The device includes an outer casing and a connection member at least partly enclosed in the outer casing. The outer casing is moveable between first and second positions. In the first position, the connection member is substantially locked from movement along the longitudinal axis A, and in the second position the connection member is able to move along the longitudinal axis A. The device also has an activated position and an inactivated position. When the outer casing is in the second position, a deformable locking device is prevented from deformation by the outer casing to prevent disengagement of the male connection part. A secure piercing member protection device significantly minimizes the risk for a user to be exposed to contaminants and the piercing member itself.

Abstract: A filling adapter for conveying liquid from a first liquid container to a second liquid container is provided. The filling adapter includes an adapter body having a top end and an opposite button end, the top end adapted for fitting an opening in the first liquid container, the bottom end adapted for fitting an opening in the second liquid container, and an open path in the adapter body from the top end to the bottom end for communicating liquid from the opening in the first liquid container to the opening in the second liquid container.

Abstract: A fuel filling device that includes, but is not limited to a filling head and a filling pipe disposed between fuel tank and filling head, has a further guiding tube having a front end viewed in the direction of insertion and a rear end viewed in the direction of insertion, which is disposed inside the filling pipe, and the front end is disposed directly below the filling head.

Abstract: A collar for a dispensing connector and a fitment assembly are disclosed. The connector collar engages a valved fitment for a container for holding and dispensing fluid. The fitment includes a spout connected to the container and a sliding internal valve body and an external valve body securely positioned within the spout. The connector collar has a fitment end mateable with the fitment so as to compress the top edge of the external valve body so as to form a seal between the external valve body and the dispensing connector.

Abstract: A fluid safety dispenser system for use with fluid storage. The dispenser system includes a dispensing valve positionable in the opening of the container, the dispensing valve having a directional chamber capable of rotation between an open position to allow fluid passage through the opening of the container and a closed position to eliminate fluid passage through the opening of the container. A fluid dispenser which assimilates a syringe is releasably securable to the dispensing valve for use in drawing fluid from the container when the fluid dispenser is in the open position. The fluid dispenser has indicia to provide for exact measurement and a locking mechanism to assure the container is closed when the fluid dispenser is detached from the container.

Abstract: A fluid safety dispenser system having a fluid storage container keyed to a fluid dispenser. The container having a valve body positionable in the opening of the container, the valve body having a spring loaded displacement valve to allow fluid passage through the opening of the container when in a displaced and to eliminate fluid passage through the opening of the container when the displacement valve is seated. The keyed fluid dispenser assimilates a syringe and is releasably securable to the valve body for use in depressing the displacement valve by compression of a spring when the keyed fluid dispenser is in position. The keyed fluid dispenser has indicia to provide for exact measurement and can be temporarily coupled to the container to provide a dripless transfer of fluids.

Abstract: A fluid safety dispenser system having a fluid storage container keyed to a fluid dispenser. The container having a valve body positionable in the opening of the container, the valve body having a plug member biased to allow fluid passage through the opening of the container when in a displaced position and to eliminate fluid passage through the opening of the container when the plug member is in a seated position. The keyed fluid dispenser assimilates a syringe and is releasably securable to the valve body for use in depressing the plug member by movement of a leaf spring when the keyed fluid dispenser is in position. The keyed fluid dispenser has indicia to provide for exact measurement and can be temporarily coupled to the container to provide ease of fluid transfer.

Abstract: A method for preventing either the introduction of air into a liquid aspirated from a container through an aspiration line passing through a container cap, or the over-filling or non-filling of a container by a liquid dispensed through a dispensing line passing through a container cap. Such method comprises the steps of simultaneously detecting that (a) the container cap is properly positioned on and secured to a liquid container from which liquid is to be aspirated, or into which a liquid is to be dispensed, and (b) detecting that the level of liquid in the container is either above or below a predetermined level.

Abstract: An apparatus for pumping fluids comprises a suction pump and an inlet tube extendible into a container containing the fluid. A sealing plate is provided over the liquid surface to form a circumferential seal with the inner wall of the container and the outer wall of the inlet tube. The sealing plate prevents air from entering the lower part of the container and thereby prevents the pump from cavitating once the container is emptied. A pumping system is also provided wherein a plurality of pumping apparatuses is provided on a frame. A dispensing system is also provided wherein a plurality of computer controlled nozzles are each connected to a respective pumping apparatus whereby specific volumes of desired fluids can be dispensed.

Abstract: A machine for the treatment of containers (12) provided with a neck (14), includes at least one, treatment station provided with a nipple (22) having gripping elements (26) in order to seize a container (12), the gripping elements (26) including a tubular supporting cuff (50) which is provided with a series of radial drillholes (52), each intended for receiving a ball (54) movable radially between an inner gripping position and an outer release position, characterized in that the gripping elements (26) include a tubular control cuff (56) which is mounted slideably between a locked position, in which a frustoconical bearing surface (58) cooperates with the balls (54) in order to stress them toward their gripping position, and an unlocked axial position, and in that the nipple (22) includes controlled drive elements (62) capable of causing the sliding of the control cuff (56).

Abstract: A filling device for container filling machines including an exchangeable centering socket for a mouth of a container, a bayonet joint for mounting the centering socket to the filling device, and at least one permanent magnet for removably fixing the centering socket in a locked position.

Abstract: The invention refers to a device (1) and method for sterilizing partly formed packages (6) in a packaging machine. The device (1) comprises an inner chamber (2) and an outer chamber (3), the inner chamber (2) being provided with a sterilization unit (5). Further, it comprises a carrier unit (10), comprising a separating member (11) and a package carrying member (12), which is being adapted to rotate between a first position in which the package carrying member (12) is located in the outer chamber (3), and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3), and a second position in which the carrier unit (10) has rotated a package (6) into the inner chamber (2) and in which the separating member (11) separates the inner chamber (2) from the outer chamber (3).

Abstract: A bag-on-valve aerosol valve system in a container. Propellant is pressure filled around the valve stem, outwardly over the stem gasket and down into the container space outside the bag. Product is filled through the valve stem into the bag. The valve stem has an exterior intermediate frusto-conical annular surface and the valve housing has an interior frusto-conical annular surface, with both surfaces engaging in annular sealing contact to block propellant access to the bag when the valve stem is deeply depressed to a first predetermined position for propellant pressure filling. A stem exterior surface indent interacts with radially-biased spring-loaded slides to lock the stem in a second less depressed predetermined position for product filling through the stem down into the bag. The propellant and product may be pressure filled in either order using essentially conventional pressure filing equipment, after the valve is mounted on the container and the bag is mounted on the valve.

Abstract: A self sanitizing bottle filler supplying filtered water. The bottle filler utilizes UV light to create ozone in a sealed dispensing chamber after each use. The UV light and ozone sanitize the interior surfaces of the dispensing mechanism and water delivery components. The bottle filler encloses the outlet spout after each use to prevent airborne contamination. The water stream may be illuminated helping users to position a container, preventing spills and splash back.

Abstract: A bottle filling plant configured to fill blow molded bottles with a liquid beverage filling product and a treatment machine for bottles or similar containers. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A fuel filler nozzle for an automotive vehicle includes an axially insertable guide spud for opening a capless filler pipe closure device. A vacuum shroud is mounted to the guide spud, and a fuel supply tube is telescopically mounted within the guide spud and the shroud. The fuel supply tube has a retracted position within the guide spud and an extended position in which a flexible portion of the fuel supply tube extends through the vacuum shroud and guide spud.

Abstract: In a fuel filling assembly to fill diesel fuel into a vehicle tank, having a slotted actuation bush (40), the actuation bush is fitted at its end facing the fuel tank with a drive segment on at least one side of said gap, and the actuation bush is configured in floating manner in a jar-like housing (30). A closure mechanism (50) is mounted at the actuation bush (40) end facing the fuel tank and is designed to constitute, in its closed position, a stop for an inserted fuel pump nozzle. The drive segment of the actuation bush engages the closure mechanism, whereby this closure mechanism is displaced out of the closed into the open position when the diesel fuel pump nozzle expands the actuation bush, the closure mechanism in its closed position closing in approximately sealing manner the passage to said tank.

Abstract: A gas pumping apparatus for soda machine pumps gas into a liquid container and includes a gas supplying unit, a gas pumping stage and a rotational unit. The gas supplying unit includes a gas tube and a handgrip with a block extended on one side of the handgrip. The gas pumping stage includes a gas inlet connector communicated with the gas tube and fixing ring communicated with the gas inlet connector. The fixing ring includes through groove and guiding groove communicated with the through groove. The liquid container includes a locking block embedded into the guiding groove and fixed in the through groove. The rotational unit includes a rotational piece with a first extension arm and a second extension arm. The first extension arm is corresponding to the block of the handgrip and the second extension arm is arranged in the through groove for the operation of the locking block.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes a fill turret configured to carry a plurality of containers along a first portion of a path as the containers are filled with liquid. A container guide is mounted in fixed relation to the fill turret, the container guide defining an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface spaced apart from the upper guide surface. The upper and lower guide surfaces cooperate to define an edge of a second portion of the path, where the upper guide surface is located to contact a container at a first location and the lower guide surface is located to contact the container at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location. The upper and lower guide surfaces maintain the container in an upright position as the container moves along the edge of the path.

Abstract: The invention concerns an installation for filling and packaging hollow bodies (12) comprising stations (20, 22, 24, 26) for filling and packaging said bodies and a device for transferring the latter between an intake station (18) for the bodies in the transfer device, the filling and packaging stations, and an outlet station (19) for the filled and packaged bodies, the transfer device comprising a motorised endless conveyor (16) including an outgoing side (32) opposite which are arranged the filling and conditioning stations and the outlet station (19), and a return side (34). The return side (34) extends above the outgoing side (32). The invention is useful in particular for filling and packaging bottles or flasks.

Abstract: Containers are conveyed through a carousel type filling machine by a plurality of grippers each comprising a bracket element, and a pair of jaws connected to the bracket element by way of relative pivots; the two jaws are joined one to another by a removable segment of elastic material positioned with two ends seated in corresponding sockets afforded by the jaws. During the steps in which the containers are taken up and subsequently released by the grippers, the two jaws rotate about the two pivots and are centered by a locating pin, the pivots, the pin and the bracket element all being molded in a single piece from plastic material.

Abstract: The method of manufacturing and bottle having a neck ring with a first face having a distinguishing characteristic wherein the first face may be distinguished, and thus oriented, thereby orienting the soft drink bottle during the filling, labeling and/or packaging process. The first face is preferably planar so that it may cooperate with a guide so that the bottle may be rotated about a longitudinal axis extending through the bottle for either maintaining the orientation of the bottle or for changing the bottle orientation during various steps of the manufacturing and filling processes.

Abstract: A conveyor chain has lower pins and is displaced in steps through a station. Respective pairs of plates have holes fitted to the pins and confronting cutouts together forming seats shaped to fit complementarily around necks of bottles. Horizontally displaceable supports in the station above the chain carry downwardly projecting upper pins. An actuator raises the plates in the station and thereby slides the holes of the plates in the station from the lower pins onto the upper pins. The arms and upper pins are moved apart when the plates are on the upper pins to open up the seat so that a bottle can be fitted to or taken out of the seat. The arms and upper pins are moved together when the plates are on the upper pins to close the cutouts around a bottle positioned between them, and then lowered back down onto the lower pins.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers includes a series of filling stations, each of which is equipped with an impervious chamber for receiving a container to be filled. The chamber is opened in order to load or unload the container and closed in order to control the atmosphere in the chamber during the filling process. The chamber is delimited by an upper head section, which has a filling spout, by an essentially cylindrical lateral wall and by a base wall. The filling machine has element for modifying the volume of the closed chamber.

Abstract: The invention concerns a weight-filling machine wherein a force sensor consists of a deformable component having a base end (16) linked to a frame and an interface end (18) whereon is fixed a device for gripping (50) the container. The invention is characterised in that the gripping device (50) is coupled to the interface end by elastic means (72) urging the gripping device (50) towards a normal position wherein it is supported on a support surface (78) linked to the interface end (18), and the gripping device (50) is mobile relative to the interface end (18) along a protective direction, countering the elastic means (72), up to a stop position wherein it comes in contact with a stop surface (90) linked to the frame (86).

Abstract: The present invention is a system for filling a container main body at least whose drum body is made of a flexible film, with a viscous material. A viscous material is charged by the charging means into container main bodies conveyed by the container conveying means, the drum body of the container main body is pressed by the pressing means to cause the surface of the viscous material to bulge, and the opening of the reinforcing component of the container main body is capped by the capping means, allowing the opening to be capped in an air-tight manner with a lid member while virtually all of the air inside the container main body is evacuated, and preventing air from being left over in the container main body so as to prevent hardening, curing and deterioration in the quality of the viscous material that can be caused by such remaining air.

Abstract: A processing solution container package system includes a frame that supports the containers of the package system and allows each of the containers to collapse while avoiding a trapping of solution within the containers. The frame comprises first and second members that include interlocking sections to permit each of the members to be accommodated on the surface of the containers and interlocked to each other. The frame includes curved sections to support a valve neck of each of the containers in an extended non-collapsed position. This helps in the assembly of the containers, and further prevents the valve necks of the containers from collapsing back towards the top surface of the containers while the containers are being filled with solution. Also, the frame that supports the containers prevents damage to the containers if the containers are accidentally dropped. In a further feature of the invention, the containers have a crown shaped surface which corresponds to a curved surface of the frame.

Abstract: A fuel intake assembly for a vehicle fuel tank is provided. The fuel intake assembly has a closure flap which opens and closes the intake opening. A sealing element and a seat on one or another of the closure flap and the fuel intake fitting cooperate to seal the fuel intake in a closed position. An apparatus is affixed to the closure flap which seals and locks the closure flap to the fuel intake fitting to prevent unwanted opening of the fuel tank.

Abstract: A weight filler 6 is provided which allows a bottle 16 to be conveyed while gripping its neck 16a. Load cell 58 is mounted around the outer periphery of a revolving body 54 in order to detect a vertical load. A horizontal rod or load applicator 64 projects radially outward from the load cell 58. A gripper 50 which grips the bottle 16 under the resilience of tension springs 82 is mounted on the free end 64a of the rod 64. As the bottle 16 is urged into the gripper 50 in a direction opposite from the direction in which, the rod 64 projects, the gripper 50 is once opened against the tension springs 82 and then closed to grip the neck 16a of the bottle 16. A filling nozzle 52 is disposed above the bottle 16 which is gripped by the gripper 50, and fills the bottle 16 with liquid. During the filling operation, the load cell 58 detects a load applied, thus allowing a filling of a given amount in accordance with the detection.

Abstract: The present invention allows an additional connection to a standard medical gas cylinder valve such as a CGA-870 valve. An additional connection may be used for filling a cylinder without removing the pressure reducer, simultaneous filling while drawing through the pressure reducer, or for any other purpose that requires an additional or non-standard connection to the cylinder. The additional connection will be through an adapter that screws into the burst disc port. Some gas cylinder valves have the burst disc center line closer to the outlet centerline. This close centerline may be accommodated by offsetting the access of the first and second port to provide clearances required.

Abstract: An apparatus for charging pressurized aerosol cans with liquid is provided having a base for providing mechanical stability, a can support assembly for supporting an aerosol can being filled with liquid, and a can charging assembly having a can receiving element and including a liquid reservoir having a tapered bottom in fluid communication with a pump rod receiving aperture for receiving a main piston pump rod. The main piston pump rod has a linearly elongated shaft terminating at its lower end in a radially expanded head and a sealing ring receiving slot into which a pliable sealing ring is recessed.

Abstract: A support device for supporting, in a cantilevered-out position, a receptacle having a neck that includes a collar, the device comprising a resiliently-closable clamp having first and second hinged-together jaws, and a rigid support element presenting a lateral opening forming a housing for a portion of the neck and a support for the collar of the receptacle, the support element extending beneath the clamp and being spaced apart therefrom.

Abstract: A loading mechanism is disclosed for loading bottles (14) onto a turret (12) and includes a screw (22), a linear conveyor (24), a pair of star wheels (26 and 28), and a drive. The assembly is characterized by a groove in the screw (22) having a cross section with a narrow throat (30) for engaging a neck (16) of the bottle (14) and a larger portion (32) above the throat (30) for establishing a space about the neck (16) of the bottle (14) spaced therein by the narrow throat (30). A pair of opposing lips (34) are spaced apart to define the throat (30) and a pair of spaced side walls (36) extend into the screw (22) from the lips (34) to a bottom wall (38), which remain out of contact with the neck (16) of the bottles (14).

Abstract: A pipe with a plurality of gas outlet apertures is inserted inside a fill pipe of a liquid storage tank. The fill pipe has an outlet normally covered by the tank contents. The gas pipe conveys the gaseous contents of the fill pipe to a separate outlet as refilling liquid is introduced into the fill pipe. This allows the gas inside the fill pipe to be separately vented from the fill pipe without disturbing the liquid contents of the tank.