Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers has a frame carrying a plurality of sprockets and an endless conveyor chain on the frame having between two of the sprockets a straight treatment stretch. A succession of holders secured to the chain are each formed with a transverse row of seats adapted to hold respective containers. Respective machines carried on the frame and spaced apart along the stretch clean, fill, and cap containers in the seats. A drive connected to one of the sprockets advances the chain and moves the containers in steps in the seats past the machines. A metering wheel journaled in the frame meshes near one of the machines with the chain such that as the chain is advanced the wheel is synchronously rotated. A movable sensor element synchronously movable with the wheel can orbit on rotation of the wheel past a fixed sensor element carried on the frame to generate an output.

Abstract: In the subdivision of blocks of meat or fish, the pieces in the penultimate subdivision are joined end to end without a gap between them and then finally portioned into the smallest pieces which are shaped in a press. The result is a minimum amount of waste.

Abstract: A flow-control valve has a valve housing defining a chamber formed with ally offset source, sump, and user ports. A valve body in the chamber has first and second coaxial but axially independently movable parts, the first part having a mainly axial throughgoing passage having one end exposed continuously to one of the source and sump ports and an opposite axially open end axially sealingly engageable with the second valve part. A central seat between the source and sump ports is axially sealingly engageable with one of the valve parts to isolate one of the source and sump ports from the other of the source and sump ports.