Abstract: A configuration of detecting light from the front face of a light source is the best for confirming the variation of a light quantity, but when a plurality of light sources are present, as many detectors for checking a light quantity as the light sources are necessary and the apparatus configuration becomes complex. In the present invention, a detector for checking a light source light quantity is installed in a reaction container transfer mechanism used commonly for a plurality of detection sections, and the light quantities of light sources are checked with the detector.

Abstract: A unit for transferring and up-ending at least one sealed package containing a pourable food product and having a first axis, comprising: at least one push member which cooperates with package to feed it along a first path from an in-feed station to an out-feed station; the path extending about a second axis; the unit further comprising a guide cooperating with a first side of package along first path to up-end it from an in-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a first direction, to an out-feed position, in which it is positioned with first axis oriented in a second direction crosswise to first direction; and an anti-rotating mechanism cooperating with package along path to prevent package from rotating about first axis; an anti-rotating mechanism comprising a pressure element rotatable about second axis and adapted to cooperate, in use, with package.

Abstract: An automated filter changing system comprises a rotatable filter dispensing assembly and a filter clamping assembly. The filter dispensing device receives filter storage magazines in which a plurality of filters are initially stored in the form of connected stacks. The filter dispensing assembly includes a filter separating device having a stationary portion. The filter separating device separates one or more stacks of filters into discrete filter units, such that individual filters are transported sequentially from the filter dispensing device. The filter clamping assembly operates in conjunction with the filter dispensing device to receive one or more individual filter units dispensed therefrom, and provides one or more coupling sites which can fluidly communicate with one or more fluid lines. The filter clamping device couples unused filters to fittings associated with the fluid lines by applying an evenly distributed force to the filters.

Abstract: A candy racer designed so that a child can observe a piece of candy racing along a track within a plastic housing. The track is formed by an inner housing with a spiral surrounding the inner housing so that candy follows the spiral from an upper reservoir to a lower reservoir. The upper reservoir has an aperture in the reservoir and an aperture in a rotatable cover on the reservoir in which the two apertures will correspond to permit a piece of candy to be dispensed from the upper reservoir when the upper reservoir is in a down position.

Abstract: A unit (1) for feeding a succession of sealed packages (2) containing pourable food products along a first path (P) from a supply station (4) to an output station (5), and for simultaneously tipping the packages (2) from a supply position in which the packages (2) are positioned with a respective axis (A) oriented in a first direction (B), to an output position in which the respective axis (A) is oriented in a second direction (C) perpendicular to the first direction (B); the unit (1) having a number of push arms (15) for feeding respective packages (2) along the first path (P), an actuating member (14) for moving the arms (15) along an endless second path (S) having a portion (S.sub.

Abstract: A method and device for vertically conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, fed successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw lifting member rotating about a respective axis; the output being at a different level from that of the input, and the guide extending by a given angle about the axis of the screw lifting member.

Abstract: A method and unit for conveying packets of cigarettes, whereby packets of cigarettes, supplied successively to an input of a guide, are transferred to an output of the guide by means of a screw device rotating about a respective axis of rotation; the guide winds 180.degree. about the axis, and has two conducting elements located inside and outside the screw device to orient the packets with respect to the screw device.

Abstract: A transport unit having a shaft for receiving a stack of letters includes a stationary helical slide forming a bottom of the shaft and having an approximately vertical axis. The helical slide has an upper and a lower end each defining a transfer point for selectively feeding in and feeding out the stack of letters. A conveying device is provided operatively acting with the shaft for displacing the stack of letters on the helical slide.

Abstract: A conveying device for metering of bulk material includes a sleeve having an interior region having an inner threaded groove. The threaded groove is disrupted by a plurality of cross-wise extending compensating grooves. The conveying device further includes a rotatable part, at least a portion of the rotatable part being disposed inside of the interior region of the sleeve. The rotatable part has one or more flexible first bodies, an outermost point of the first bodies extending to an inner wall of the sleeve. The device conveys bulk material as the rotatable part rotates such that the first bodies move along the threaded groove from one compensating groove to a next compensating groove.

Abstract: A device for sterilizing products packed in cylindrical containers, includes an elongate, essentially cylindrical housing and an essentially cylindrical rotor located therein which can be driven via a central shaft. The circumferential wall of the housing is provided on the inside with a helically running, raised rib. The rotor is designed as a cage having a plurality of rings placed behind each other, the center line of which coincides with the axis of the rotor, and a plurality of raised ribs fastened to the circumference of the rings parallel to the axis of the rotor. The outer edge of the ribs on the rotor is located near the inner edge of the helically running rib on the inner wall of the housing so that spaces are formed between the ribs for receiving the cylindrical containers. Within the rotor between neighboring rings bracing elements in the form of pipes are provided to reinforce the rotor.

Abstract: A vertical conveyor comprising a centrally rotatable column having a plurality of spaced apart container pusher bars extending therefrom. A helical container support bed extends around the central column and is positioned outwardly therefrom for supporting the lower ends of the containers being conveyed by the conveyor. A helical guide rail is positioned outwardly of the central column and is positioned above the support bed for preventing the containers from falling from the conveyor and for maintaining the containers in engagement with the pusher bars of the central column. A gate is provided in the guide rail near the lower end of the conveyor which may be manually opened should a line stoppage occur and it is necessary to remove the containers from the conveyor through the opening created when the gate is opened.

Abstract: A conveyor for raising or lowering articles thereon comprising a vertically disposed central column which is rotatable about a vertical axis and which has a plurality of radially spaced apart push bar assemblies mounted thereon. A spiral bed extends around the outer periphery of the rotating central column and is adapted to support the articles to be conveyed thereon. Each of the push bar assemblies has a freely movable endless chain provided thereon from which extend bars which rest upon the upper surface of the spiral bed and which move upwardly along the spiral bed as the central column is rotated in one direction and which move downwardly along the spiral bed when the central column is rotated in an opposite direction. Entry and exit conveyors are associated with the conveyor to supply articles to be conveyed thereto and for receiving the conveyed articles therefrom.

Abstract: A deep fry apparatus for automatically and sequentially deep frying food articles below the surface of a hot fluid and at different depths or multi-levels in the fluid. An automatic feeder mechanism for feeding food articles to the deep fry apparatus is also disclosed. One embodiment of the deep fry apparatus initially conveys food articles to a bottom step of the deep fryer via a stream of cooking oil flowing through a tube. This embodiment of the deep fry apparatus includes a spiral, stepped grid which conveys the food articles back to the surface of the fluid step by step via a forward/backward stroke mechanism which includes a quick release mechanism for releasing the food articles relative to a step of the grid by the principle of inertia. The food articles are automatically pushed out of the surface and out of the apparatus via the forward/backward stroke mechanism.

Abstract: A helical conveyor/accumulator includes a side flexing track wound in a helical pattern around a rotary drum. The drum includes longitudinal grooves that carry articles along the helically disposed track as the drum rotates. The grooves have article engaging ribs that cooperate to move the articles for feeding while allowing the article to be spaced from the ribs for accumulation. The side flexing track includes modular links coupled together by connecting rods. The track is supported around the drum by helical coils disposed at the inner edge and the outer edge of the track and support rods passing through the links and clamped to a frame. Articles are fed until stopped by a gate, and then when the gate is opened articles seat in successive grooves in the drum for metered or controlled discharge.

Abstract: A device for sterilizing products packed in cylindrical containers, includes an elongate, essentially cylindrical housing and an essentially cylindrical rotor located therein which can be driven via a central shaft. The circumferential wall of the housing is provided on the inside with a helically running, raised rib. The rotor is designed as a cage having a plurality of rings placed behind each other, the center line of which coincides with the axis of the rotor, and a plurality of raised ribs fastened to the circumference of the rings parallel to the axis of the rotor. The outer edge of the ribs on the rotor is located near the inner edge of the helically running rib on the inner wall of the housing so that spaces are formed between the ribs for receiving the cylindrical containers. Within the rotor between neighboring rings bracing elements in the form of pipes are provided to reinforce the rotor.

Abstract: A trough which spirals in several turns in a plane about a vertical central axis has an arrangement of rails superimposed on it so the rails radiate from the vertical central axis and divide the trough into cells. Potted plants are placed in the cells, initially near the center, with spacing between them along the spiral. As the plants grow, either the trough or the arrangement of rails, or both, is turned about the central axis, so that the rails, engaging the pots, propel the potted plants outwards along the spiral, thus giving the plants more room. The plants can be watered by introducing water into the trough.

Abstract: The device has a rotary drum provided with a plurality of guide recesses, an outer cylindrical plate surrounding the rotary drum and a helical bar disposed between the outer peripheral surface of the drum and the plate. Containers are lowered and lifted along the bar while being moved up and down in the respective guide recesses.

Abstract: A device for cleaning containers, especially bottle containers. To make it more compact while ensuring thorough cleaning it is characterized by a container intake (2), by a subsequent helical guide (6) for the containers (1), by at least one container carrier (5) positioned within the helical guide with integrated spray nozzles (16) for the cleaning agent, and by a container outtake (8) downstream of the helical guide.

Abstract: A dispenser is provided which includes a generally upright body having an external helical groove journalled for rotation in a preferably transparent outer sleeve. Resilient fingers in the groove or on the inside of the sleeve project into the groove space. An outlet is provided near the top of the dispenser. As the body is rotated, preferably manually, relative to the sleeve in one angular sense, small, firm round objects located in the groove are urged along the groove and serially expelled from the dispenser at the outlet. The dispenser regionally of the outlet may be shaped to resemble a cartoon character or the like. In a preferred embodiment the outlet does not rotate relative to the grooved body so there is no danger that a child can hurt its finger by sticking it into the outlet while the dispenser is being operated. The device is useful in teaching a small child the art of twisting one object relative to another, pepper grinder-fashion.

Abstract: A liquid sampling apparatus includes a sample carrier supporting a plurality of sample containers arrayed in a generally spiral pattern for successive passage through a sampling station at which a sampling tube removes a small quantity of liquid from each container. A receptacle for containing a wash liquid is located adjacent the sampling station, and the wash liquid is supplied to the sampling tube between the taking of successive samples in order to cleanse the sampling tube.