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: An apparatus for filling a receptacle comprises a reservoir adapted to contain a supply of powder pharmaceutical formulation, a holder adapted to hold a receptacle in a position where it may receive powder from the reservoir, an extension extending above the receptacle, and a plunger moveable within the extension, whereby powder from the supply may fill the receptacle and at least a portion of the extension and the plunger may force the powder in the extension into the receptacle. In one version, the plunger may be a portion of the receptacle or may be adapted to install a portion of the receptacle. Alternatively, vibrational or other energy may be used to cause powder in the extension to be filled in the receptacle.

Abstract: A filler material packing system for packing a granular or fragmental filler material in a bag-shaped hollow surface material includes a suction-type packing container, and means for delivering the filler material. The packing container has an inner space. At least a part of the surface material is air-permeable, and the surface material is positioned in the inner space. The packing container has a suction port and an entry port that are connected to the inner space. The filler material is delivered to the inside of the surface material positioned in the inner space of the packing container by the filler material delivering means. The filler material delivering means includes a cylindrical stirring container having a lid, a sidewall and a bottom wall. The stirring container has a stirring vane positioned on the bottom wall. Air vent holes and an outlet port are provided in an upper part of the sidewall.

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: 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 prior top fill food processing machine is converted to increase production without increasing operating speed. A tooling set and a drive mechanism cooperate to increase the mold plate stroke and fill area. The tooling includes a fill plate and a breather plate with increased lengths that accommodate the increased mold plate fill length and stroke and that assure adequate seal-off. The pump box top plate of the prior machine is unchanged and serves as a reference for dimensioning the tooling set. The fill plate and breather plate extend in longitudinal directions from front and back edges of the top plate. The tooling is changeable into different combinations of mold plate cavity numbers and sizes and also different configurations for the fill plate fill slots. In a preferred embodiment, the mold plate fill area is increased 42 percent and the stroke is increased 33 percent relative to the prior machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering powdered filling material has a filling material container whose bottom is provided with bores which cooperate with tamping plungers and transfer plungers. Underneath the bottom is a stop ring which functions as a counter support for the tamping plungers. To prevent powder losses from the bottom the filling material container is axially movable in such a way that it can be pressed against the stop ring during the downward motion of the tamping plungers. This is achieved by means of hold-down elements which can be moved synchronously with the tamping plungers.

Abstract: A process for increasing the bulk density of an aerated powder is provided. The powder is placed in a container. The container is then closed and the gas pressure within the container is increased to a level above atmospheric pressure and at a rate sufficient to cause the powder to compact before a substantial portion of said pressurization gas diffuses into said powder. In one embodiment, the process is utilized to increase the bulk density of an aerated, free-flowing titanium dioxide pigment. Apparatus for carrying out the process is also provided.

Abstract: A mobile bulk materials bagging machine equipped to convert compacted bulk materials into baggable material of uniform consistency. The bagging machine includes a feed hopper which may be loaded with compacted bulk materials with heavy duty loaders. The bagging machine conducts a series of processing steps for converting compacted bulk material into a restructured material of a more uniform and free-flowing consistency for bagging. The operation of the bagging machine includes partitioning compacted bulk materials into segmented portions, agitating and leveling systems which, in cooperative association with electronic sensors for intermittently terminating the flow of feed materials, prevents excessive product build up and recompaction of the processed material into an unbaggable material.

Abstract: A blow tube for delivering particulate material from a container thereof to a mold to form a core has a unitary, elongate body formed of resiliently elastic material which enables the body to adjust and compensate for misalignment of the container and the mold. The blow tube body has a bore having a plurality of axially spaced sections so that when the particulate material is blown through the body by compressed gas, the density of the particulate material is increased and the velocity of the gas and particle stream is increased. The elasticity of the blow tube body enables the latter to expand in the event the particulate material clogs the blow tube, thereby enabling the clog to disaglomerate.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a receptacle with a powder comprises a hopper adapted to contain a powder pharmaceutical formulation, the hopper comprising an outlet. A vibratable member is positioned in, on, or near the hopper so that the vibratable member is spaced from powder in the hopper, and the vibratable member is capable of fluidizing the powder in the hopper. Powder flowing through the outlet under the control of the vibratable member flows into a receptacle or into a transfer chamber for transport to a receptacle.

Abstract: A process for filling a powder includes the steps of charging a powder into a cavity of a container and, after the charging step, vibrating a swinging body on the powder which is held in the cavity, thereby filling the powder with a high density. Since the swinging body swings in the cavity, it is possible to fill the powder in the container with a high apparent density being improved much more than conventional processes for filling powders. The process is applicable to an apparatus for filling a powder and a process for producing a composite material.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling insulation material consists of a vibrating means; a lift driving means for lifting the vibrating means; a horizontal transporting means for horizontally transporting the vibrating means and the lift driving means along the guide rail of the storage tank; an automatic winding means; a level sensing means for checking the amount of filling of the insulation material; a flux preventing means for securely maintaining the flux in the horizontal direction and verticality of the vibrating means; a descending position sensing means for restricting the descending position of the vibrating means by touching the insulation material; a control means for checking the amount of the insulation material filled along with automatically remote controlling the vibrating means, the level sensing means and the lift driving means; and a display means for directly observing the inside through a camera.

Abstract: A powder packing apparatus of the present invention is capable of sending a gas uniformly into powder to thereby fluidize the powder with a minimum amount of gas. The gas conveys the fluidized powder to the bottom of a container that may have a small mouth or a sophisticated configuration. The gas present in the powder introduced in the container is released via a powder layer between a nozzle and the mouth. The apparatus can therefore easily, densely pack the container with the powder without causing the powder to fly out of the container. Further, the apparatus is miniature, easy to carry and easy to operate and can therefore be handled by any person at any plate.

Abstract: A continuous machine for filling the bottom shells of capsules with at least one product has a conveyor for feeding the bottom shells along a given path; and at least one metering wheel having a number of metering devices, each for supplying a relative bottom shell with a given quantity of product withdrawn from a container, which is mounted eccentrically with respect to the metering wheel and is supplied by means of at least one conduit extending downwards inside a space enclosing the container and the metering wheel.

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 process for filling a powder includes the steps of charging a powder into a cavity of a container and, after the charging step, vibrating a swinging body on the powder which is held in the cavity, thereby filling the powder with a high density. Since the swinging body swings in the cavity, it is possible to fill the powder in the container with a high apparent density being improved much more than conventional processes for filling powders. The process is applicable to an apparatus for filling a powder and a process for producing a composite material.

Abstract: A powder pressing apparatus includes a powder feeding apparatus for supply of a powder such as a rare-earth alloy powder into a cavity of a tooling. The powder feeding apparatus includes a feeder box having a bottom face provided with an opening. Inside the feeder box, there are provided a hopper for supply of the powder into the cavity, a feeder for supply of the powder to the hopper, and a vibration generator for vibration of the hopper. Surfaces of the feeder and hopper to contact the powder are mirror-polished. Leg portions are provided in two sides of the bottom face parallel to a moving direction of the feeder box. The leg portions make the bottom face of the feeder box spaced from an opening of the cavity. The powder supplied to the powder feeding apparatus is weighed by a weighing unit. The opening of the feeder box is provided with a linear member arranged in a grid pattern having a regular pitch. The linear member is rotationally shaken in a horizontal plane when the powder is fed into the cavity.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of a particulate material from a fill tube of a container filling system is herein disclosed. The rotary flow control device of the present invention includes a stationary plate having flow openings formed therethrough and a rotating plate having similar flow openings. The stationary plate is secured to a distal end of the fill tube such that particulate materials flow from the fill tube will pass through the flow openings of the stationary plate and become somewhat compacted. The rotating plate is adjacent the stationary plate and rotates with respect to the stationary plate so as to shear off masses of particulate materials extruded through the stationary plate in a controlled manner. Preferably the rotating plate will be coupled to the shaft of an auger where the shaft of the auger extends through the stationary plate.

Abstract: An automatic container filler (20) having a frame (22) that supports a hopper (24). A dispensing unit (26) is located at the bottom of the hopper (24) that selectively feeds a fluent material, such as sand, into a plurality of discharge chutes (28). The automatic container filler (20) is designed such that fluent material, such as sand, is fed into the hopper (24). The dispensing unit (26) moves the fluent material from the hopper (24) through the discharge chutes (28) into containers such as sandbags. The dispensing unit (26) deposits a predetermined amount of the fluent material through each of the discharge chutes (28) and into containers in sequential order.

Abstract: A carousel carries a holder with product to be dosed and includes a lower disc fitted with peripheral sets of dosing holes into which plungers insert and press in successive stages doses of product. The carousel also includes fixed bodies and radially moveable bodies with seatings for supporting tops and bottoms of capsules. Lower bodies support extensions that close the lower ends of dosing holes in the successive stages, and opposing members are provided to support the moveable assemblies. With only one dosing disc, it is possible to form doses of product of different densities and masses and of different heights by varying the heights of the sets of plungers. A chamber defined by a sweeper wall and containing no product is provided with a plunger station that completes the pressing of this final quantity of product, before a subsequent plunger station discharges the product into the capsule bottoms.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and dispensing powder into hard gelatin capsules or the like. The apparatus has a metering disk that rotates in advancing steps, with bores disposed in its base. The bores which cooperate with tamping plungers that move up and down. The tamping plungers are disposed on a common tamping plunger support and when inserted into the bores, compress the powder into compressed pellets. In order to detect breakage of the springs and in order to be able to make a statement as to the mass of the compressed pellets, means are provided which detect the spring path of the tamping plungers immediately preceding the ejection plungers.

Abstract: A powder pressing apparatus includes a powder feeding apparatus for supply of a powder such as a rare-earth alloy powder into a cavity of a tooling. The powder feeding apparatus includes a feeder box having a bottom face provided with an opening. Inside the feeder box, there are provided a hopper for supply of the powder into the cavity, a feeder for supply of the powder to the hopper, and a vibration generator for vibration of the hopper. Surfaces of the feeder and hopper to contact the powder are mirror-polished. Leg portions are provided in two sides of the bottom face parallel to a moving direction of the feeder box. The leg portions make the bottom face of the feeder box spaced from an opening of the cavity. The powder supplied to the powder feeding apparatus is weighed by a weighing unit. The opening of the feeder box is provided with a linear member arranged in a grid pattern having a regular pitch. The linear member is rotationally shaken in a horizontal plane when the powder is fed into the cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and dispensing powder into hard gelatin capsules or the like. The apparatus has a metering disk that rotates in advancing steps, with bores disposed in its base. The bores which cooperate with tamping plungers that move up and down. The tamping plungers are disposed on a common tamping plunger support and when inserted into the bores, compress the powder into compressed pellets. In order to detect breakage of the springs and in order to be able to make a statement as to the mass of the compressed pellets, means are provided which detect the spring path of the tamping plungers immediately preceding the ejection plungers.

Abstract: A method for packing a material includes air tapping material contained in a feeding hopper to pack it into a container which is to be filled with the material, and separating the material in the feeding hopper and the container into a portion of the material packed in the container where the material has a uniform density and a portion which is the material remaining in the feeding hopper. The air tapping process includes subjecting the space that is supplied with the material to be packed to air pressure which is switched alternately from a low pressure state to a high pressure state and back to a low pressure state or from a high pressure state to a low pressure state and then back to a high pressure state, in either case causing the material to be packed to a high density.

Abstract: An automatic container filler (20) having a frame (22) that supports a hopper (24). A dispensing unit (26) is located at the bottom of the hopper (24) that selectively feeds a fluent material, such as sand, into a plurality of discharge chutes (28). The automatic container filler (20) is designed such that fluent material, such as sand, is fed into the hopper (24). The dispensing unit (26) moves the fluent material from the hopper (24) through the discharge chutes (28) into containers such as sandbags. The dispensing unit (26) deposits a predetermined amount of the fluent material through each of the discharge chutes (28) and into containers in sequential order.

Abstract: An apparatus for metering and dispensing powder into hard gelatin capsules or the like including an incrementally rotated product container. Bores that cooperate with stuffing dies and transfer dies are formed on the bottom of the product container. A repelling element is disposed in the region of the transfer die. Because of the special shape of the product container, an interstice is formed between the repelling element and a wall portion of the product container; the effect of the interstice is that the bores following the repelling element are adequately supplied with powder. The apparatus according to the invention has high metering accuracy and high output.

Abstract: A blind cavity is filled with a predetermined quantity of fine powder from a hopper by bringing the cavity into a position beneath the hopper and causing the predetermined quantity of powder to flow from the hopper into the cavity. The powder is in free flowing agglomerated form and is made to flow from the hopper by subjecting the hopper to vibration, the powder flow being stopped by cessation of vibration when the cavity is filled with the predetermined quantity of powder. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also described.

Abstract: A method for leveling and compacting candle wax using is a small, hand held, plastic and wood device to pack or tamp the surface wax of a larger diameter (4') glass-jar candle to an even level.

Abstract: A device for filling powder into hard gelatine capsules or the like has an incrementally rotated metering disk. A spacer disk is disposed underneath the metering disk and is coupled to the metering disk. In order to change the volumes of the compressed charges comprised of powder, sleeves are inserted in the bottom of the metering disk, which dip into second bores of the spacer disk, and to embody the distance a between the underside of the metering disk and the spacer disk so that the distance a can be changed by means of an adjusting screw. The device according to the disclosure is relatively simple in design and prevents non-homogeneities in the powder.

Abstract: A method for filling a powder container is provided. The method includes the steps of placing a first powder container to be filled in filling relationship to a discharge feature in the vessel, directing the powder in the vessel toward a member located at least partially within the vessel, the member defining a restriction therein such that the powder clogs within the restriction, mechanically exciting the powder at least adjacent the restriction to improve the flow properties of the powder so as to unclog the powder within the restriction, dispensing powder through the restriction, through the discharge feature and into the first container, stopping the mechanical excitation of the powder so as to clog the restriction with the powder, removing the first container from the vessel, and placing a second container to be filled in filling relationship to the vessel.

Abstract: The dispensing device comprises a powder feeding container (1), an intermittently rotating body (7) provided with a circular channel (6) which receives the powder from the container (1) and is provided in its base with groups (X) of holes (9, 9A) alternately alignable with holes (12, 12A) present in an underlying intermittently rotating forming cylinder, a stationary closure member (10) lying below the rotating body (7) and comprising a series of holes (10B), a movable multiple pusher means (15, 16, 17, 18, 18A) which, when a group (X) of holes of the rotating body (7) become aligned with the holes (10B) of the closure member (10) and with a corresponding number of holes (12, 12A) of the forming cylinder (11), traverses the circular channel (6) and said aligned holes to feed into and compress within the holes (12, 12A) of the forming cylinder (11) given quantities of powder, which said forming cylinder conveys, compressed, into a position coinciding with a capsule base (2) which is aligned with a hole (12) of

Abstract: Powdered substances are compressed by a process wherein the powdered substances are enclosed in a flexible receptacle, the receptacle is enclosed in a pressure vessel and the space between the wall of the receptacle and the wall of the pressure vessel is pressurized with compressed gas.

Abstract: Biased plungers and vent bars are used with an apparatus for introducing filler material into containers. The biased plungers and vent bars cooperate to vent gas that builds up below filler material as it is being introduced from a measuring chamber into an underlying container. In a preferred embodiment, the biased plungers and vent bars share a common elliptical path, which serves to define the relative vertical displacement of the individual elements. The vent bar precedes the filler material into the underlying container and provides a passageway for gas to escape the container as the filler material is introduced thereto.

Abstract: A cavity is charged with particulate material by positioning a predetermined quantity of the material in a box (140). The box has substantially the same horizontal cross-sectional shape as the cavity and is closed at the bottom by at least one door (78) on which the material rests. In order to level the material, the box (140) is moved to and fro horizontally a plurality of times with the energy imparted to the material being progressively reduced during the movements. The door (78) is then opened sufficiently rapidly that the particulate material falls out of the box (140) into the cavity substantially as a unit.

Abstract: A filling head for a pouch packaging machine or the like has a plurality of rotating chambers for receiving measured amounts of an aerateable powder. Pistons aligned with the chambers can be inserted into the chambers to compress the powder and remove entrained air. The pistons are made of porous metal and communicate with a vacuum source for removing air from the chambers. The chambers can be opened after the compression stage to dispense the compacted pellet of product to an open pouch below.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials for storage in a receiving container comprising a hollow tubular container having a generally horizontal axis for receiving and holding flowable material. A vacuum pump or venturi and suitable valving are used to first create a vacuum within the chamber and then to return the chamber to atmospheric pressure instantaneously, thereby compacting the flowable material. An auger extends from the inlet end of the tubular container to the outlet end of the tubular container for moving flowable material into and compacted material out of the tubular container into a receiving container.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials includes a hollow container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials includes a hollow container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump for creating a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating and compacting flowable materials within a container for transportation and storage of the materials includes a hollow chamber having an open bottom end for insertion of the chamber into the container. A rubber pad placed under the container seals the chamber for creation of a vacuum in the chamber through a vacuum line connecting the chamber to a vacuum source for deaeration of flowable materials placed within the chamber and the container. A line having a valve therein and vented to the atmosphere is connected to the chamber for returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously to compact the deaerated material into a substantially solid mass within the container. Upon completion of compaction the chamber of the vacuum fill system is removed from the interior of the container and the top of the container closed for shipment or storage.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a sack with a flowable material, comprising a container having an inlet and an outlet and a sack holder to fasten the sack to be filled to the outlet of the container. The object of the invention is to provide a new apparatus for effectively filling a sack with a flowable material, eliminating the drawbacks of the known apparatuses.

Abstract: An agricultural bagging machine including density control cables positioned in the tunnel of the machine and including means for anchoring the opposite ends of the density control cables. The machine also includes a cable rewind spool which is mounted on one end of the rotor of the machine to enable each of the density control cables to be pulled from the tunnel after the bag has been filled.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating and compacting flowable materials within a container for transportation and storage of the materials includes a hollow chamber having an open bottom end for insertion of the chamber into the container. A rubber pad placed under the container seals the chamber for creation of a vacuum in the chamber through a vacuum line connecting the chamber to a vacuum source for deaeration of flowable materials placed within the chamber and the container. A line having a valve therein and vented to the atmosphere is connected to the chamber for returning the chamber to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously to compact the deaerated material into a substantially solid mass within the container. Upon completion of compaction the chamber of the vacuum fill system is removed from the interior of the container and the top of the container closed for shipment or storage.

Abstract: An improved agricultural feed bagger wherein the feed compaction rotor is mounted above the bottom portion of the feed receptacle to provide improved compaction of the feed stock within the receptacle space. The rotor may be mounted between one-third and two-thirds of the distance between the top wall and bottom portion of the bagger.

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: An agricultural feed bagging machine for bagging agricultural material into agricultural bags including a rearwardly extending tunnel having a rearward edge. A grader edge is mounted on the rearward end of the tunnel and protrudes into the tunnel for engagement with the material sliding along the inside surfaces of the tunnel so that the filled agricultural bag will have a substantially smooth outer surface.

Abstract: The invention provides a method and apparatus that conserves energy in the filling of a storage tank with natural gas and dispensing natural gas from the storage tank to receiving tanks. The invention permits the refueling of gas receiving tanks at a fueling rate comparable to that achieved with liquid hydrocarbon fuels, such as gasoline and diesel. The apparatus includes the use of at least two compressors: a first compressor and a second compressor, in series with and drawing less horsepower than the first, for compressing natural gas into a storage tank up to a certain pressure level that fills the tank. Upon demand for gas from the storage tank, the second compressor alone may be used to withdraw gas from the storage tank and supply gas at a fueling rate to a receiving tank. When pressure in the storage tank drops to below a predetermined pressure level, the first compressor is brought on line to replenish gas in the storage tank to maintain the fueling rate through the second compressor.

Abstract: Feedstuff is compacted in a tube which lies on the ground by a mobile device which includes a traction vehicle, a trailer unit, and a rotatable feeding screw mounted at the rear of the trailer unit for feeding feedstuff from a container into the tube where it is compacted. The screw is rotated by a hydraulic motor which is driven by hydraulic fluid at a pressure which is proportional to loading of the feeding screw due to compaction of feedstuff by the screw. A brake system brakes the wheels of the trailer unit to produce a braking force while the feedstuff is being fed into the tube. A control unit controls the brake system in response to signals from a transducer which senses the hydraulic pressure at the motor. The braking force is reduced when the sensed hydraulic pressure rises to a predetermined maximum value, and the braking force is increased when the sensed hydraulic pressure decreases to a predetermined minimum value.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for transferring a metered charge of granular material from a bulk source to an individual receptacle at high speed. The apparatus comprises a nozzle having suction and positive ports, a screen disposed within the nozzle, and suction and positive pressure sources that selectively communicate with the suction and pressure ports to sequentially engage a charge of granular material from a bulk source and then expel the charge of granular material into a receptacle. The apparatus includes a controller for selectively actuating valves connecting the suction and positive pressure ports to the suction and positive pressure sources. Methods of transferring a discrete charge of the granular material from a bulk reservoir to an individual receptacle are also provided.

Abstract: A vertical auger bottom-fill bag filling machine including a conical auger bowl depending from a cylindrical hopper on rocker arms, with the auger bowl being connected to the cylindrical hopper and a fill tube by flexible gaskets. A vertical auger shaft extends through the cylindrical hopper, auger bowl, and fill tube, with a section of flighting disposed within the auger bowl and fill tube to compress, de-aerate, and dispense the product. An agitator is mounted on the bottom of an agitator drive shaft which circumscribes the auger shaft and rotates independent thereof, the agitator having paddles which move the product and press the product downwardly in the auger bowl. An inverted venting cone is disposed within the auger bowl, with a vent tube extending upwardly and terminating proximate to the top of the cylindrical hopper.