Abstract: An apparatus for introducing filler material in a fluid carrier into a measuring chamber in rapid succession is described. The apparatus includes a delivery subsystem for introducing the filler material into the fluid carrier. The delivery subsystem provides the fluid carrier and filler material to a diverter subsystem which separates the stream into two separate streams. The two separate streams are directed into a rotating concentrator subsystem that separates the fluid carrier from the filler material and compresses the filler material. The filler material is further compressed and dewatered in a taper subsystem and drain subsystem. The filler material is then dispensed from the drain subsystem into a measuring chamber where it is cut by a knife plate that includes two blades with overlapping cuts. The apparatus is capable of introducing controlled weights or volumes of filler material into a measuring chamber at high speeds.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus capable of providing a continuous source of soil to a level working surface and a vertically and horizontally adjustable conveyor system that transports planting pots proximate to the level working surface, so that an operator may efficiently scoop soil from the level working surface into the pot. The conveyor system is also used to collect and recycle spilled soil via a soil return hopper and a soil return elevator.

Abstract: The present invention is a vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials for storage in a container. The vacuum fill system in general has a hollow, cylindrical container connected to a plurality of valves, slide gate valves and a vacuum pump in order to create a vacuum when filled with flowable materials that causes the flowable materials to deaerate and subsequently compact when atmospheric pressure is restored.

Abstract: A dispenser of foodstuff is particularly well adapted to deliver cheese for pizza making. A refrigerator contains a bin which may be completely removed from said refrigerator for cleaning, as in a dishwasher, for example. The bin features inwardly sloping walls so that the cheese does not normally stick to the wall. An auger delivers the cheese to a spout where a star wheel meters flow and breaks up any clumps in the cheese. A spring biased trap door closes the spout, especially when the bin is removed from the refrigerator. The refrigerator contains parts which control the opening and closing of the trap door and the turning of the auger. The entire system operates under the control of a programmable microprocessor which includes means for detecting when the bin is empty or is failing to delivery the cheese.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for continuously deaerating and compacting flowable materials for transportation and storage in containers includes a first rotatable chamber valve for receiving the flowable materials. Attached to the rotatable chamber valve is a fixed position chamber connected to a vacuum source for receiving the flowable materials from the first rotatable chamber and for deaerating the flowable materials. The fixed position chamber is in turn connected to a second rotatable chamber valve for receiving the deaerated flowable materials from the fixed position chamber, maintaining the materials in a vacuum, then returning the materials to atmospheric pressure substantially instantaneously as the valve rotates to compact the deaerated materials into a substantially solid mass.

Abstract: The present invention is related to an apparatus for packing an analytical chromatography column having a first opening and a second opening with packing particles. The apparatus comprises means for providing solvent at a density essentially equal to the density of the packing particles. The providing means is in fluidic communication with the first opening of the column. The apparatus also comprises a first reservoir for containing the packing particles. The reservoir is in fluidic communication with the providing means such that solvent can mix with the particles in the first reservoir to form a slurry where the particles are suspended in the solvent and agglomeration of the packing particles is essentially absent when the slurry is introduced into the analytical chromatography column.

Abstract: The machine for the dosage and introduction of powder products into containers comprises a vertical central shaft, a sleeve guided on the central shaft and a pipe guided on the sleeve. The shaft, the sleeve and the pipe are movable along strokes which are appropriately mutually synchronized. At, least two series of dosage tubes are associated with the pipe and slidably accommodate pistons defining dosage chambers. Actuation cams are provided for actuating in succession the descent stroke of the sleeve and the pipe so as to cause the insertion of the series of tubes in respective annular channels of a hopper mounted around the sleeve in order to fill the dosage chambers with doses of product which are discharged into a plurality of containers after lifting the tubes out of the hopper.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable materials includes a hollow, cylindrical 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 piston filler apparatus as disclosed in which the filler pistons and associated reciprocal valves are disposed below the product containing bowl so that they can be withdrawn into the bowl to effect easy in-place cleaning. A method of in-place cleaning is also disclosed, as well an an alternate method of operation.

Abstract: A field crop collection vehicle provides improved crop collection and storage. The vehicle steers through mutually orthogonal directions of travel and includes forward and reverse propulsion for accurate, quick and convenient field positioning in preparation for a bagging operation. During bagging, the vehicle is propelled by compaction force developed by placement of crop material with the storage bag and is steerable to more controllably place the storage bag upon the ground.

Abstract: An auto-tamping funnel system for tamping a product in a container includes a downwardly converging funnel having a bottom outlet disposed adjacent an open top of the tray and a side recess or cutout near the bottom outlet. A door is sized to fit closely in the bottom outlet and in the side recess and a mounting mechanism mounts the door for movement such as rotation between a tamping position where the bottom outlet is closed by the door and a receiving position where the side recess is substantially closed by the door and the bottom outlet is unobstructed. A moving mechanism moves the door between the tamping and the receiving positions. Preferably, the mounting mechanism includes a pivot axis for the door which is adjacent the bottom outlet and the bottom outlet and the recess of the funnel are rectangularly shaped. A pressure distributing mechanism also provides a maximum tamping pressure against the product, when the door is in the tamping position, at a location which is spaced from the pivot axis.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element, and a vertical moving carriage or bag handling mechanism including a traveling bag settler. The vertical movement of the carriage or bag handling mechanism may be adjusted in response to the vertical auger revolution rate, the product density or weight as measured by a bulk or net weigh scale attached to the bag support assembly, or to comport to a premeasured charge that is bulk loaded into the auger bowl. The agitator or wiper may be of a configuration having a blade mounted on a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the center of the auger bowl, or may be carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl. The traveling bag settler includes an arm which may be oscillated in a vertical plane to strike the bottom of a bag being filled, and which travels with the bag as it descends during filling and when lowered to a conveyor.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element. The agitator or wiper has a blade element disposed at least partially within the auger bowl and carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl.

Abstract: The machine comprises a central vertical tube and an outer tube guided on the central tube, these tubes being movable according to constant strokes which are appropriately in step with respect to one another. A casing is fixed to the outer tube and has a lower pipe which is parallel to the tube. A lever is pivoted to a ring positionable longitudinally on the outer tube and a rod is guided in the casing and is provided, in a downward position, with a plunger guided inside the pipe. An adjustable-height loading cell is supported on the central tube, and the lever has an end which is operatively associated with the top of the rod. The opposite end of the lever is free and acts on the loading cell.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element, and a vertical moving carriage or bag handling mechanism including a traveling bag settler. The vertical movement of the carriage or bag handling mechanism may be adjusted in response to the vertical auger revolution rate, the product density or weight as measured by a bulk or net weigh scale attached to the bag support assembly, or to comport to a premeasured charge that is bulk loaded into the auger bowl. The agitator or wiper may be of a configuration having a blade mounted on a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the center of the auger bowl, or may be carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl. The traveling bag settler includes an arm which may be oscillated in a vertical plane to strike the bottom of a bag being filled, and which travels with the bag as it descends during filling and when lowered to a conveyor.

Abstract: A vacuum fill system for deaerating flowable material includes a cylindrical container partitioned into a plurality of chambers which rotate sequentially and which are connected to a vacuum pump for establishing a vacuum when filled with flowable material. The flowable material deaerates and compacts when atmospheric pressure is subsequently restored.

Abstract: A vertical bottom-fill auger assembly including a bottom-fill auger bowl containing an internal rotating agitator or wiper element, and a vertical moving carriage or bag handling mechanism including a traveling bag settler. The vertical movement of the carriage or bag handling mechanism may be adjusted in response to the vertical auger revolution rate, the product density or weight as measured by a bulk or net weigh scale attached to the bag support assembly, or to comport to a premeasured charge that is bulk loaded into the auger bowl. The agitator or wiper may be of a configuration having a blade mounted on a rotating shaft vertically disposed in the center of the auger bowl, or may be carried on a rotating ring horizontally disposed at or near the top of the auger bowl. The traveling bag settler includes an arm which may be oscillated in a vertical plane to strike the bottom of a bag being filled, and which travels with the bag as it descends during filling and when lowered to a conveyor.

Abstract: An apparatus for canning food products wherein segmented food product contained in a basin of the apparatus is compressed by a plunger down through a cylindrical bore and into a shuttle pocket. The shuttle pocket contains a pre-determined quantity and mass of the food product which is then transferred to a container. The apparatus can be converted to fill different container sizes with different quantities of the food product due to the provision of interchangeable inserts for passages, e.g. for the cylindrical bore. The shuttle product itself is interchangeable as are the plunger heads. The design for interchangeability of these components is adapted for rapid changeover to different container sizes utilizing quick connect fasteners for the interchangeable components.

Abstract: A movable abutment plate (28) which is bound by common vertical guide to a vertical axis, an axially hollow turntable (9) carrying two sets of vertical dosing devices (V1V2) and a central cap-shaped screw (29) secured to the top end of bar (33) are provided. Bar (33) passes through the turntable (9) and turret (1), such that the bar extends into the lower part of the dosing machine, where the bar (33) includes a crown gear (36) with suitably shaped peripheral apertures (37) arranged in an equispaced relation. When turntable (9) is lowered, one of the apertures (37) in crown gear (36) engages with a crankpin (41) which is fitted on the slowly rotating shaft of geared motor (43) controlled by encoder (44). When the volume of dosing devices (V1, V2) needs adjustment, turntable (9) is temporarily lowered and geared motor (43) is actuated to thereby lift or lower plate (28), against which bear the lateral appendices (25) of the moving elements of the dosing devices (V1, V2).

Abstract: Highly dispersed, powdery material is fluidized in a supply container 1, falls to the diaphragm pumps 2 and/or 3 and from there is pumped via the filling tube 4 and/or 5 into the horizontal or, in a given case tilted, storage container 6. Simultaneously the fluidizing air escapes through the values 7, 8, and 9 connected to the closed dome covers and/or through the filter tubes 10 arranged on the bottom of the storage vehicle container. The filter cloths 11, 12, and 13 arranged below the dome cover hold back the highly dispersed material. The pressure in the travelling storage container is controlled during the filling via the manometer 14.

Abstract: An arrangement for closing valves of valve bags filled by a filling machine comprises at least one conveyor arranged to transport valve bags in flatly lying position and a unit for closing the valves of the valve bags and associated with the conveyor. At least one abutment is located above the conveyor and is turnable outwardly beyond a movement region of the valve bags. Two first parallel spaced plates and two second parallel spaced plates are arranged above the conveyor and are movable transversely to a transporting direction of the latter to provide, respectively, for orienting the filled valve bags and for preparing the filled valve bags for closing of their valves.

Abstract: A container filling system is disclosed that produces controlled volumes and weights of filler material for discharge into containers. The system includes a material feed subsystem that provides a source of longitudinally aligned filler material of uniform density or a plug flow of substantially homogenous, amorphous filler material. A rotating measuring subsystem includes measuring chambers that receive predetermined amounts of the material for transfer to a discharge subsystem. The material is transferred into the measuring chambers in an axial direction and is transferred for discharge into the containers in the same direction. More particularly, the rotating discharge subsystem includes a plurality of discharge stations that receive both the measuring chambers and containers immediately below the chambers. Plungers are supported above the measuring chambers and are vertically controlled by a cam to move downward with rotation of the discharge subsystem.

Abstract: A machine for introducing a quantity of powder into a plurality of containers. The machine includes a powder transporting member, which has a plurality of downwardly open chambers, and a container transporting member located below the powder transporting member. The powder transporting member and the container transporting member are continuously rotated in unison about a substantially vertical axis. The machine includes a reservoir for powder with which the chambers communicate during part of the rotation of the powder transporting member. A vacuum is applied to the chambers to cause powder to be drawn therein. Powder from each chamber is discharged into a container carried by the container transporting member.

Abstract: A vibrating hopper and auger feed assembly including an infeed auger which transfers product from a main storage bin to a live bottom hopper, the live bottom hopper having a vibrating bottom pan and discharge spout, an inverted pressure cone which is centrally vented to the exterior of the hopper, and a central vertical feed auger which extends through the inverted pressure cone and the discharge spout. A transverse cross auger transfers product from the live bottom hopper to a bottom fill auger assembly for filling bags carried on a bag elevator. Each of four augers in the assembly sequentially compresses and deaerates the product, the backpressure being vented to the exterior of the assembly, to achieve a very uniform product density within the fill tube and dispensing spout.

Abstract: A method of filling a liquid crystal device including a pair of parallel substrates having external surfaces with a liquid crystal material is set forth. The liquid crystal device is filled by disposing the liquid crystal device in a vacuum chamber between a pair of opposed parallel plates, evacuating the vacuum chamber, supplying the liquid crystal material to an inlet of the device, elevating the pressure in the chamber to allow the liquid crystal material to enter a space formed between the parallel substrates through the inlet by virtue of a differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the liquid crystal device, and applying opposed pressure with the parallel plates to the external surfaces of the parallel substrates respectively in order to form a uniform liquid crystal device. With the external pressure being applied to compensate for the expansion of the liquid crystal device during the elevation of the pressure within the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method of filling a liquid crystal device with a blended liquid crystal material is set forth. The liquid crystal device is filled by disposing the liquid crystal device having an inlet port, in a vacuum chamber, evacuating the vacuum chamber, supplying the inlet port with the blended liquid crystal material, and elevating the pressure in the chamber to allow the blended liquid crystal material to fill the liquid crystal device through the inlet port by virtue of the differential pressure between the inside and the outside of the liquid crystal device, with the temperature of the blended liquid crystal material being maintained, until the liquid crystal device is completely filled with the blended liquid crystal material, at a temperature higher than the transition temperature of any one of the constituents of the blended liquid crystal material so that the blended liquid crystal material is transformed in its isotropic phase.

Abstract: A container filling system that produces controlled volumes and weight of filler material for discharge into containers. The system includes a material feed subsystem that provides a source of longitudinally aligned filler material of uniform density. A rotating measuring subsystem includes measuring chambers that receive predetermined amounts of the material for transfer to a discharge subsystem. The material is transferred into the measuring chamber in an axial direction and is transferred for discharge into the containers in the same direction. More particularly, the rotating discharge subsystem includes a plurality of discharge stations that receive both the measuring chambers and containers immediately below the chambers. Plungers are supported above the measuring chambers and are vertically controlled by a cam to move downward with rotation of the discharge subsystem. As a result, the material is forced from the measuring chamber into the container.

Abstract: Loading and solidifying of a cosmetic material is achieved by supplying a viscous cosmetic material into a container having a slidable bottom plate, closing an upper open end of the container by a presser, compressing the cosmetic material by pressing the bottom plate of the container upwardly, and squeezing solvent from the cosmetic material through a porous absorbent element secured in either the presser or a supporting block. The container includes a frame in which the bottom plate is slidably fitted. The supporting block has a recess to hold the container and a drive for pressing the bottom plate upwardly. The supporting block and/or the presser has a hollow space maintained at sub-atmospheric pressure, and the porous absorbent element is secured in the hollow space at a position adjacent the container.

Abstract: An improved ice measuring and dispensing machine is of the type which includes an ice supply hopper, a housing having three measuring and dispensing chambers which continuously rotate about a vertical axis, and a discharge chute. Each of the chambers rotates beneath the supply hopper to receive ice by gravity flow therefrom. Each of the chambers filled with ice from the ice supply hopper rotates over the discharge chute to discharge the ice therein by gravity flow down the discharge chute into an ice bag. The improvement includes the rotating housing having a cylindrical wall which partially defines each of the chambers. A hammer device is reciprocated toward and away from the cylindrical wall to cause the head thereof to make repeated, jarring contact with the cylindrical wall to vibrate the chambers and thus prevent the collection or bridging of ice therein.

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 automatic container-filling device for filling solid foodstuff into containers includes: apparatus for feeding solid foodstuff into the automatic container-filling device; apparatus for directing the flow of the solid foodstuff to a predetermined position, including a plurality of parallel solid foodstuff flow paths each of which is connected by a vibrating inclined channel with a flow control valve set, a collecting basket functionally connected to a load cell, and a funnel; apparatus for transporting the containers to beneath the funnels; apparatus for transporting the containers filled with a predetermined amount of the solid foodstuff out of the automatic container-filling device, and an automatic control system including a CPU (central processing unit) for controlling the entire filling process from entrance of the solid foodstuff and containers into the automatic container-filling device to exit from the automatic container-filling device of the containers filled a predetermined amount of the solid f

Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.

Abstract: The present invention provides a food packing machine which includes the following components: a piston mounted for reciprocation during an operating cycle between a pair of limit positions toward and away from a cake forming cavity, for compressing food material in the cavity; bias apparatus for exerting pressure on the piston to provide compression pressure on the material, the bias apparatus including a resilient material mounted to the piston, and a seat to which the resilient material is also mounted to effect a resilient mounting between the piston and the seat; and pressure relief apparatus for selectively urging the set away from the piston to reduce the bias thereon upon reception of a predetermined signal. The machine normally also includes a sensor for sensing when the machine is deactivated, and a signal device for providing the signal to the pressure relief apparatus when the sensor determines that the machine is deactivated.

Abstract: A refuse packaging assembly of the kind comprising a refuse press having a pressing plunger which is axially movable in a pressing box, and a container which is adapted to be connected to the outlet end of the pressing box in order to be filled with refuse by the plunger, the container having a closure plug which is uncoupled from the container and coupled to the plunger for movement therewith when the container is connected to the press. The container carries at least one spring loaded pin which is biased into a coupling aperture in the closure plug to couple the two together, and the plunger carries at least one weaker spring loaded pin which aligns with the coupling aperture when the container is moved into position for connection to the press and the plunger is moved to a coupling position.

Abstract: An apparatus for compacting granular molding material, particularly foundry molding material, includes a filling unit, a compression unit and a molding unit. A sealing surface on the molding unit is engaged by depending sealing strips on the compression unit to provide a tight seal. The opposed sealing strips extending parallel to molding unit movement have force-transmitting sealing elements, while the other pair of opposed sealing strips extending perpendicular to the molding unit movement repel molding material from the sealing surface.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for obtaining a uniform dose for filling containers with metered quantities of powdered materials. The powdered materials are drawn from a rotating container by a plurality of dosing devices which are advanced by a conveyor along a predetermined path, at least a portion of which extends above the movable container. Each of the dosing devices comprises a tubular punch vertically movable relative to the movable container and to the conveyor. A piston reciprocates inside each tubular punch. The punch has an open end facing the movable container to define within the punch a variable volume dosing chamber.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for feeding a substrate into the cells of a set of growing cells placed underneath the device. The feeding device includes two horizontal feeding rolls parallel to each other. Each feeding roll includes a plurality of pin elements which project radially from the face of the rolls in an outward direction. The pins are placed in the normal planes of the axes of the feeding rolls in an alternating fashion with respect to the rolls. This arrangement allows the pins to interlock with each other in the vertical plane through which the substrate is fed. The substrate, by the effect of the circumferential velocity of the feeding rolls, is introduced into the cells so as to compact any material deposited earlier into the cells.

Abstract: A machine is proposed for filling and closing hard gelatine capsules, in which the powder to be filled into the capsules is located in a filling product container, the base of which is a revolving dispensing disc. The dispensing disc has openings into which the powder is pressed with the aid of filler punches. A ring is firmly connected with the dispensing disc and has openings for receiving upper capsule portions. Curve controlled elements having openings for receiving lower capsule portions are pivotably disposed on the underside of the ring. The pivoting movement of the elements is effected via a stationary curve and a curved roller. The curve is embodied such that the elements can be moved both outward, that is, beyond the circumference of the ring, and inward, that is, underneath the openings in the dispensing disc.

Abstract: A system and method for the loading of spherical nuclear fuel in vertical fuel rods. The system includes a fuel rod support, a glovebox, a weighing station system, a means for feeding spherical fuel to the fuel rod and transportation means for moving the fuel between parts of the system.

Abstract: A toner dispensing apparatus consists of a toner receiving portion and a toner container unit to be mounted on the former. The toner receiving portion has an openable cover for opening and closing an opening portion of the toner receiving portion. The toner container unit has container, a seal member for sealing an opening portion of the container, and a slide member connected with a portion of the seal member and slidable with respect to the opening portion. The seal member is torn off from the opening portion when the slide member is moved in conjunction with the opening motion of the openable cover.

Abstract: A distribution device for a butter filling system is disclosed. The distribution device receives fluent pressurized butter from a butter filling system, distributes the butter and discharges it from a plurality of outlets into a carton being filled. The distribution outlets are disposed about the periphery of the device to insure uniform filling of the carton.

Abstract: Methods are provided for the controlled simultaneous dispensing of several fine powders into microcontainers which containers are used subsequently for clinical determinations. The method includes sifting the fine powders individually to render the individual particles of each powder to be the same size, and then combining them for the subsequent dispensing procedures. The method contemplates, in addition, the reduction of the individual particles of some powders to provide the equal size requirements, before combining with one or more other powders for the subsequent controlled dispensing procedures.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are provided for dispensing, simultaneously and automatically, a plurality of small quantities of powder under improved conditions of control. The arrangement is such that precise amounts of micro quantities of hard-to-handle powder may be dispensed into containers such as blood collection tubes. Included herein is a brush mechanism that reciprocates over a plate in a controlled manner, for sweeping a slug of powder deposited automatically on the plate in a controlled manner through a number of openings in the plate, and into an equal number of containers. The openings are dimensioned and configured to cooperate with the sweeping action of the brush, so that a desired precise quantity of powder is deposited through each opening into the waiting containers.

Abstract: For the purpose of producing a cigarette filter unit provided with chambers which are filled with a pourable filter material a filter rope provided with chambers having filling openings which terminate to the outside is conveyed past a filler member provided with a filler opening lying sealingly against the latter. In order to obtain satisfactorily filled chambers even at very high advance speeds of the filter rope, the interior of the first chamber of the filler member which interior is connected to the filler opening is maintained during the filling process at an internal pressure which lies above that of the surrounding atmosphere. When then the chambers to be filled come into connection with the filler opening of the filler member an air stream is effected which, in consequence of the pressure difference thus produced, is directed out of the filler member into the chambers to be filled and which conveys filter material out of the filler member into the chambers to be filled of the filter rope.

Abstract: Associated with a horizontal pouch making machine for packaging a free flowing granular product between webs of flexible packaging material is a product lay down mechanism operable for receiving measured amounts of the product and depositing it in precisely defined areas of one of the webs being processed and in a flattened configuration such as to minimize the amount of packaging material required to contain said product. A product shaping member contacting the web surface during a dwell in the web feed cycle is formed with apertures which in combination with the web define cavities or molds which shape each deposit of product delivered thereto into the desired configuration having uniform height over substantially the entire surface area of the web portion upon which it is laid.

Abstract: A horizontal filler comprising a rotating turret supporting open-top containers and mounting a turntable for receiving a falling stream of particulate material is provided with tiltable trays on said turntable disposed to collect individual divided amounts of material from said stream for discharge gradually and individually into respective ones of said containers.

Abstract: The invention relates to a metering device, particularly for capsule-filling machines. The device comprises a bowl having one or more chambers for receiving the product to be packaged. At least part of the bottom of the chambers is permeable to the air but impermeable to the product, and is arranged to communicate with a suction source.

Abstract: In an agricultural bag loading apparatus (10), a primary shaft (52) has a plurality of teeth (46). Rotation of the primary shaft (52) causes the teeth (46) to force silage into an agricultural bag (12). Silage is fed toward the shaft (52) by the rotation of a feeder shaft (60) having a plurality of angle irons (62) mounted thereon. The brake force of a brake (110) is applied through a drum (20), a cable (18), and a backstop (16) to the end of the agricultural bag (12) to control the degree of silage compression within the bag.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for pressing and binding voluminous material into bales, in which material in the form of several layers is supplied through a closable opening into a pressing chamber where compression takes place of each supplied layer. Final pressing is carried out at high pressure after a desired number of layers have been supplied into the pressing chamber, whereafter the pressing effect is lowered to a substantially lower pressure, so that the material compressed into a bale is permitted to expand, and the bale thereafter is discharged from said pressing chamber through a closable opening and bound while said substantially lower pressure is being maintained.

Abstract: An agricultural bag loading machine having an improved mechanical assembly for automatically effecting controlled, continuous compression and delivery of compacted animal feed material into a flexible agricultural storage bag via a compression and delivery chamber. The compressed, delivered feed material has a uniform, air tight side wall density throughout the bag-delivered, sausage shaped feed material mass. The loading machine has additional features, including a pneumatic bladder assembly for changing the forming chamber dimensions and configuration, an improved agricultural bag attachment and continuous feeding mechanism which eliminates bag fold-over and wrinkling problems during filling, and an integral forming chamber cleanout mechanism which enables clearing and cleaning of the forming chamber at the end of an agricultural bag loading operation.