Abstract: Disclosed are methods, systems, canisters, and other implementations, including a method of filling a filter canister with a particulate filter material to a desired packing density comprises providing a canister having a fill opening through which the particulate filter material is introduced into the canister, introducing the particulate filter material through the fill opening, and subjecting the canister to centrifugal forces for a time until the desired packing density is reached is provided.

Abstract: A device for filling at least one dosing chamber is provided, with at least one dosing chamber arranged in a dosing disc into which a filling material is to be introduced. At least one ram acts on the material located in the dosing chamber. The at least one ram is arranged on a support, and at least two columns are connected to the support. A drive mechanism is provided which, via a coupling mechanism, moves at least the two columns up and down in synch.

Abstract: Tubular dry powder feed systems in communication with a hopper of dry powder are configured with an in-line actuator that applies a flow vibration signal axially. The flow vibration signal can be a harmonic or non-harmonic signal, such as a sinusoidal, saw tooth, square wave or other signal and may be frequency or amplitude modulated.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filling assembly for volumetric metering of fine grained powder (2) and to a method for operating said filling assembly. The powder (2) is provided in a resting state in the storage container (15) arranged on the inlet side of a filling line (8), and in the filling line (8) itself. The filling device (1) has a cover (7), a filling line (8) led through the cover (7) and pressure line (9), and also a pressure pulsation device (10). A metering container (3) is moved with its filling opening (5) under the cover (7) of the filling device (1) in such a way that the filling line (8) and the pressure line (9) open into the interior (4) of the metering container (3). By means of the pressure pulsation device (10), a pressure (p) oscillating about the atmospheric ambient pressure (po) as an average is generated and, by means of the pressure line (9), is transmitted into the interior (4) of the metering container (3).

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an apparatus for transferring, at high speed and in a very effective and accurate manner, particulate material from a feeder into reservoirs of a moving endless surface. The apparatus may include a three-dimensional plate for applying pressure onto the particulate material present between the plate and the moving endless surface. The particulate material is then transferred from the moving endless surface to a substrate.

Abstract: A system includes a solid feed fuel pump configured to route a solid fuel flow from an inlet to an outlet. The solid feed fuel pump includes an actuated valve that is disposed within the outlet. The actuated valve is configured to adjust a compaction of the solid fuel flow while in the outlet. The actuated valve adjusts the compaction in response to active control based on sensed feedback from the system.

Abstract: An apparatus for batching powder and/or granular products, comprising: a hopper; at least a passage, delimited at one side thereof by a gas-permeable element which alternatively communicates with a first depressed source and with a first pressurized source, and at opposite side thereof communicating with a discharge region; an obturator acting in the passage between an occluding position, in which a batching chamber is defined, and an enabling position. The obturator element is conformed such as to place the hopper in communication with the batching chamber when it is in the occluding position; the first depression source, the first pressurized source and the obturator element being activated in phase relation with one another for loading a batched quantity of powder and/or granular products internally of the batching chamber and for projecting the batched quantity internally of a container element.

Abstract: In an embodiment of a continuously-operating machine for filling containers with at least one granular product, each container is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device, which withdraws the product from a tank, feeds the withdrawn product into the container, and has a metering cylinder defined at the bottom by a piston which moves, along the metering cylinder, to and from a feed position in which to feed the product in the metering cylinder to a drop chute for unloading the product into the relative container; the piston having a cam follower which is maintained contacting a cam by a pneumatic push assembly.

Abstract: A device for measuring a hard granular object. The device includes a measuring vessel, a holder, a shutter, and a pressing means for pressing the holder against the measuring vessel. The measuring vessel includes a first face, a second face parallel to the first face, and a space formed between the first and second faces for receiving hard granular object supplied from first face side. The holder is located on the side of the first face., includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is slidable along the first face. The shutter is located on the side of the second face, includes a through hole communicable with the space, and is movable parallel to the second face.

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

Abstract: A 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: 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: 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: 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 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: 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: This invention is directed to an apparatus for filling powder which comprises introducing a predetermined amount of powder into each of the receiving holes formed at the peripheral edge portion of a rotary disk from a powder hopper, intermittently rotating the rotary disk, and discharging and filling the powder accommodated in each of the receiving holes into a powder container positioned therebelow when each of the receiving holes reaches a discharging and filling portion. The rotational axis (C) of the rotary disk (1) is inclined. The center axis of each of the receiving holes (8) is arranged on an imaginary conical surface (12) having this rotational axis (C) as its center axis and an apex angle (.theta.) of 60.degree. to 120.degree.. The powder hopper (6) is disposed on the lateral side portion of an opening (8a) of the receiving hole (8) at a vacuum sucking portion (9) and a boss portion (28) supporting the rotational axis (34) of the agitator (7) is arranged above the powder hopper (6).

Abstract: The mechanism (27, 28) which regulates the volume of the distributors (16, 116) is connected to a shaft (41) coaxial to the shaft of the distributor carrousel. When the motor (63) is at standstill, the two coaxial shafts (2,41) rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. Whenever the motor (63) is activated in one direction or the other with the carrousel at the standstill or rotating, the inner shaft (41) rotates relative to the outer shaft (2), in the direction and to the extent necessary for the required regulation of volume of the distributors. The volume of the distributors is controlled remotely by a programmable processor (77).

Abstract: An automatic filling machine for forming, sizing, transferring and inserting a food product portion into a container. The machine has forming chambers that are expandable to facilitate receiving a food product in bulk and are contractible to define a column having a cross section mating that of a container to be filled. The chamber is expanded to receive a quantity of a food product that is to be inserted into a container. The chamber is contracted to form the food product received therein into a column as defined by the contracted chamber. An upper plunger is provided to force and compress the formed food product column into a sizing apparatus. A pressure switch controls the compressive force applied to the food product column to provide consistency between sized portions of the food product.

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: 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: 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: 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: An apparatus for dispensing a chilled confection food or the like from a small extrudable package into a food serving container. The apparatus includes a horizontal table for supporting the extrudable package, a pusher, and a food container support table. The horizontal table and the pusher are so constructed that they press the extrudable package with their relative approaching movements along a vertical direction and extrude the chilled confection food from the extrudable package into the food container which is set on the food serving container support table.

Abstract: The invention concerns equipment for compacting compressible wastes such as paperboard, cardboard, wood wastes, household trash or the like and is designed in such a way to include a rotating drum and plunger combination so that the trash is moved at equal spacings through a segmented housing and into a receptacle or the like. During conveyance the conveyed trash does not give off foul odors.

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: 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 meat stuffing machine that operates under vacuum conditions during loading for the purpose of improving the homogeneity of the final product. The machine consists of: a tank supported on a machine frame, which includes a duct connecting it to a vacuum source, a duct for loading meat, and a recess on a side of the tank which houses a pneumatic cylinder used to push the meat product toward the bottom of the tank. An interchangeable gauging cavity contains a pusher means operated by a pneumatic cylinder. The gauging cavity is connected to a plate that is slidably secured to a flat wall of the machine frame, which has an aperture connecting to the tank and a second aperture that leads to a hollow tube that supports a casing. Once the gauging cavity is filled with meat product it slides to the second aperture and fills the casing supported by the hollow tube.

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 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: An apparatus for automatically weighing out articles of a type having an apparent specific gravity which is not constant includes means for weighing out the articles into a batch having a target weight, means for filling a constant volume with the weighed out batch of articles, a pressure sensor for sensing pressure that develops when the articles have been introduced into the constant volume, and means responsive to the pressure sensed by the pressure sensor for automatically adjusting the target weight value within preset allowable limits so that the weighed out batch of articles will have a fixed volume. The weighed out batch of articles introduced by the filling means are shaped into the fixed volume. The weight of the batch and the volume thereof within a package are both within preset allowable limits.

Abstract: A machine for the distribution of dough or a similar viscous material, comprising a hopper with an end plane along which a distribution head is driven sealingly, its first position causing an open connection with the outlet of the hopper. The distribution head comprises a movable expeller in a pressure chamber, so interacting during a second position of the distribution head, with a storage chamber, comprising a piston under pressure, that an accurately metered portion of dough is received under pressure in said storage chamber, this portion being expelled when the position of the distribution head changes.

Abstract: The dosing device, particularly adapted for filling gelatine capsules with measured amounts of pharmaceutical materials, comprises a tubular housing which is vertically movable up and down. To the lower end of said housing where there is secured a hollow punch, inside which there is slidably mounted an ejecting piston. The piston rod extends with its upper end into the tubular housing and is operatively connected to an actuating rod, axially movable at the interior of said housing, through a magnetic type connection. To this purpose, the lower end of the actuating rod is provided with a permanent magnet, while the upper end of the piston rod is provided with a pastille or disc made of ferromagnetic material. The disassembly of the piston rod from the actuating rod takes place by simply detaching the two parts, with minimum effort.

Abstract: A method for filling containers with predetermined amounts of food material (e.g., leafy vegetable, like fresh blanched spinach). It employs a vertically extending tube having removable cut-off means at its lower end. The food material is supplied to the upper end of the tube in loose uncompacted form, and as it moves downwardly into the tube a column of the material is formed which provides progressively increased gravity compaction toward the lower end of the tube. Lower end portions of this column are recurrently cut off and caused to be transferred to containers being filled. Also apparatus for carrying out the method including the vertical tube into which the material is fed and having cut-off means at its lower end. Also, means is provided for continuously shaking the tube with a vertically directed stroke.