Abstract: On a continuous machine for filling containers with at least one 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is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device, which withdraws the product from a tank, feeds the withdrawn product into the container, and has a piston and a cylinder movable axially with respect to each other; and a lock device provides for selectively locking the pistons and relative cylinders.

Abstract: A top dresser (10) is disclosed in a first preferred form including a discharge gate (56) of a pusher (44) movably mounted in a hopper (30) for forcing material forward towards a rotating, cylindrical, dispensing drum (66) as the top dresser (10) is being pulled forward. The pusher (44) is slideably mounted by slides (50) secured to ears (48) extending between the sides (36) and the bottom (34) of the hopper (30) and slideable on tubular rails (52) positioned on the outside of the hopper (30). The pusher (44) is moved by expandable and contractable actuators (58, 60) pivotally mounted by their opposite ends to the frame (12) and the pusher (44) in a non-parallel, crossing manner. The drum (66) includes corrugated sheeting (70) around its periphery for gripping the material in the hopper (30) and drawing it under a metering gate (72) and a rotating brush (74) which propels the material onto the ground.

Abstract: A particulate material feeder includes a hopper sectioned into two receptacles for accommodating two different kinds of particulate materials. Each particulate material falling down through a bottom opening of the receptacle is introduced into a feed channel defined between a feed roller having a frictional periphery and a control gate having a semi-circular cross-section. Thus, a pair of feeding systems for two different kinds of the particulate materials are symmetrically provided within a single apparatus. An opening degree of the feed channel may be controlled separately and independently in each feeding system so that a definite mixing rate of the two kinds of particulate material can be obtained as desired. On the contrary, the feed rollers provided in the two feed systems are driven by a single driving source and are thus rotated at the same speed.

Abstract: A material metering device having a feed wheel adjustably positioned above the housing discharge orifice. The feed wheel is disposed to rotate on a shaft journalled in an eccentric bearing. The bearing is attached to the meter housing and has a bearing body selectively rotatable to and selectively securable in a plurality of distinct positions.

Abstract: A material metering device having a discrete flow rate adjustment and indicator mechanism. The indicator includes an actuator knob which is rotated to adjust the flow rate of material from the meter. The actuator knob is also operably connected to a follower wheel which is rotated by movement of the actuator knob. Indicia on both the actuator knob and follower wheel are simultaneously registerable with a reference point, such as a viewing window, and the reading of the indicia at the reference point indicates the flow rate of material from the meter.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing a comparatively fine, particulate material uniformly over a subjacent surface. The disclosed apparatus comprises a hopper assembly adopted to be mounted over the surface. The hopper assembly has sides defining a downwardly open, horizontally extending, elongated discharge mouth. An elongated, cylindrical drum member extends the length of the mouth. Wiper blades extend from the sides of the hopper assembly into engagement with the drum. A multiplicity, of narrow, shallow grooves extend circumferentially about the drum. The grooves are sized such that the particulate material will not normally flow therethrough except upon rotation of the drum. For this reason structure is provided for selectively rotating the drum in at least a first direction to cause discharge of the particulate material. To produce uniform dispersion of the particulate material, divider-deflector members are associated with each groove.

Abstract: A toner dispenser having a resilient open-cell foam dispensing roll and a dispensing edge in deforming contact with the roll. The edge is both movable and contoured along the axis of the roll to vary both the toner dispensing rate and the uniformity of the dispensing rate along the edge.

Abstract: A regulating dispenser comprises a hopper and a movable surface for withdrawing material from the bottom of the hopper to the outside thereof. The movable surface is constituted by at least one area arranged so that the regulating dispenser does not deliver over the whole of its width. A movable delivery regulating valve and a scraper independant of the valve and bearing on the movable withdrawing surface are provided. The scraper is fast to the fixed wall of the hopper and bears elastically on the movable surface so as to ensure sealing in said at least one area from which the dispenser does not deliver.