Abstract: A bean sprouts-like articles loosening supply device can exhibit a sufficient dispersing function even for fine and light weight bean sprouts-like articles liable to be entangled with each other, such as alfalfa sprouts. The loosening supply device includes two conveyors having both of their end portions constructed to turn so as to run endlessly, having their outer surfaces provided with needle members, and running at velocities different from each other. The conveyors are arranged to have their running paths opposed to each other so that their running directions are both downward and so that at least one portion of the needle members of the two conveyors mesh into each other. Alfalfa sprouts are supplied into the running paths from above and encounter the needle members of the two conveyors running at velocities different from each other and intersecting with each other. Each time the needle members intersect with each other, the alfalfa sprouts are separated upward and downward and dispersed.

Abstract: A bean sprouts-like articles transfer conveyor is provided in which bean sprouts-like articles are uniformly delivered from a delivery end of a transfer conveyor without loss and in a dispersed state. The transfer conveyor device comprises a transfer conveyor (3) and an air supply means. The transfer conveyor (3) has a permeability and turns at its both ends so as to run endlessly and also has its outer surface provided with needle members (5). The air supply means leads air to an inner side of the transfer conveyor (3) at a delivery end (15) thereof so that the air ejected from an air ejecting port (25) is blown out from the surface of the transfer conveyor (3) provided with the needle members (5) through the transfer conveyor (3) having the permeability. Thereby, bean sprouts on the surface of the transfer conveyor (3) at the delivery end (15), sticking to or being caught on the needle members (5) of the transfer conveyor (3), are separated and removed to be delivered.

Abstract: Sliced bread packaging method and equipment enable that sliced bread units, each unit having different predetermined numbers of bread slices, are smoothly supplied into a same one packaging apparatus. Sliced bread is conveyed in a standing state by a sliced bread feed-in conveyor to be fed in a first supply path conveying the sliced bread of one pound in the standing state, or in a second supply path conveying the sliced bread of a half pound in the standing state. The sliced bread of the one pound on the first supply path is discharged as it is on a sliced bread receiving path of the packaging apparatus. The sliced bread of the half pound on the second supply path is received by an upsetting device to be turned by 90° into a laying condition and is supplied into the packaging apparatus in this turned state.

Abstract: An articles separating and supplying apparatus and method are provided by which, even in case of a size change of articles, articles of a predetermined number can be securely separated and supplied at a high speed. A transfer conveyor for transferring arrayed articles to be separated and supplied, and a separating conveyor, supported pivotably around a pivot, for receiving the articles from the transfer conveyor, are provided. A counter counts the number of articles transferred by the transfer conveyor. Upon the counter counting the predetermined number of the articles, a first stopper stops feeding-in of the articles transferred by the transfer conveyor. A second stopper is arranged to stop, at a front position of the articles of the predetermined number on the separating conveyor, feeding-out of the articles from the separating conveyor. The second stopper comprises an endless belt from which engaging members project. A stop position of the engaging members is changeable by movement of the endless belt.

Abstract: A line thermal head printer device of which size is made remarkably smaller is provided. A stepping motor (10) rotationally driving a ribbon tape reel is arranged to be fitted to one corner portion of a frame plate (9). A line thermal head (11) is arranged to be fitted to a corner portion of the frame plate (9) adjacent to this one corner portion. A ribbon tape winding drive shaft (2) and a ribbon tape unwinding drive shaft (1) are arranged on one side of the stepping motor (10) and the line thermal head (11), respectively, to be fitted to the frame plate (9). By this arrangement, parts and components are efficiently arranged without unused space on a surface of the frame plate (9) of a square or rectangular shape. Also, a ribbon tape (3) fed between reels fitted to the drive shafts (1, 2) is led around the parts and components, that is, along a periphery of the frame plate (9).

Abstract: A liquid filling enables liquid, especially high consistency liquid, to be filled in a constant quantity without bubbles and without drops of the liquid. In the liquid filling device for receiving liquid into a cylinder and feeding it into a container, a three-way valve is provided for changing over between inflow and outflow of the liquid into and from the cylinder. A pouring port through which the liquid fed from the cylinder is poured into the container and a check valve on the pouring port to be opened by pressure of the liquid fed to the pouring port are also provided.

Abstract: A container packaging method is provided which ensures a sealing ability and yet has an easy opening ability. Between a container edge and a film covering an upper opening face of a container, a strip seal, having a portion sealed partially weakly at an outer side portion of a corner of the container edge, is formed and a double line seal is formed on the strip seal. An outer line seal has its corner end projected toward an outer side edge of the corner of the container edge. The outer line seal and an inner line seal are connected by a seal connection formed in a diagonal direction of the container. The inner line seal has its inner side edge at the corner of the container edge be of a cornered shape.

Abstract: A sprouting beans refining apparatus wherein refuse matters of hulls, trash, small roots, etc. are removed from sprouting beans efficiently. Sprouting beans raked up by a raking-up conveyor are caused to fall down on an endless flat belt which is supported by a vibration frame inclined upwardly toward a moving direction. Sprouting beans on the endless flat belt are sent downwardly by vibration of the vibration frame to fall down onto a lower endless flat belt. Refuse matters of roots, trash, etc. contained in the sprouting beans attach to the surface of the endless flat belt and are transferred together with the endless flat belt to be removed by a scraper. Refined sprouting beans are discharged from a lower end of the endless flat belt of a lowermost stage.

Abstract: Packaging method and apparatus using multiple packaging material are improved so that multiple packaging filled with goods and sealed may be separated easily to each goods filling section. The multiple packaging material (40, 50) has plural goods filling sections connected in series via adjacent side edge portion (42, 52, 53) between each of the goods filling sections. Goods to be packaged are filled in the multiple packaging material at goods filling portion (12). Multiple packaging so filled with the goods is covered and sealed with sheet coming from master roll (16). The multiple packaging is made separable at the adjacent side edge portion. Overlapped portion of outer peripheral edge portion (41, 51) of the multiple packaging material and the sheet is first sealed at sealing portion (14) and then the adjacent side edge portion is sealed with the sheet at longitudinal sealing portion (21).

Abstract: Plastic bag opening method enables to open plastic bags, one by one, without tearing at pin hole portion, where each plastic bag has one edge of opening portion elongated and the plastic bags are held together with pin being inserted into the pin holes. Lower edge (2) of opening portion (0) of plastic bag (1) is elongated and two pin holes (3) are formed there. Pin (4) is inserted into the pin holes (3) and the plastic bags (1) are held together in multi-layer state, Holding member (5) presses the edge (2) portion between the pin holes (3). In this state, air (7) is blown from air nozzle (6) to open partially the opening portion (0) of the plastic bag (1). Opening member (9) is inserted thereinto to enlarge the opening. The edge (2) is released from the pin (4) without being torn.

Abstract: Sprouted vegetable seeds before rearing are sterilized so as to grow without being putrefied and to be harvested without sticking of food poisoning germs. Sprouted vegetable seeds are first pre-soaked in water of 5 to 25° C. for 30 to 60 minutes, then pre-heated at 40 to 80° C. for 10 to 30 seconds, exposed to 70 to 90° C for 10 to 120 seconds for sterilization and cooled at 15 to 25° C.

Abstract: Sprouting beans refining apparatus is provided wherein refuse matters of hulls, trashes, small roots, etc. are removed of sprouting beans efficiently. Sprouting beans raked up by raking-up conveyor 1 are caused to fall down on endless flat belt 6 which is supported by vibration frame 3inclinedly upwardly toward moving direction. Sprouting beans on the endless flat belt are sent downwardly by vibration of the vibration frame 3 to fall down on lower endless flat belt 6. Refuse matters of roots, trashes, etc. contained in the sprouting beans attach to surface of the endless flat belt 6 and are transferred together with the endless flat belt 6 to be removed off by scraper 12. Refined sprouting beans are discharged from lower end of the endless flat belt 6 of lowermost stage.

Abstract: Sprouting beans refining apparatus is provided wherein refuse matters of hulls, trashes, small roots, etc. are removed of sprouting beans efficiently. Sprouting beans raked up by raking-up conveyor 1 are caused to fall down on endless flat belt 6 which is supported by vibration frame 3 inclinedly upwardly toward moving direction. Sprouting beans on the endless flat belt are sent downwardly by vibration of the vibration frame 3 to fall down on lower endless flat belt 6. Refuse matters of roots, trashes, etc. contained in the sprouting beans attach to surface of the endless flat belt 6 and are transferred together with the endless flat belt 6 to be removed off by scraper 12. Refined sprouting beans are discharged from lower end of the endless flat belt 6 of lowermost stage.

Abstract: Letter printing method using line thermal head relates to using ribbon tape effectively so as to cause no unused portion thereof. After one letter print (14) is done at letter printing position (12) of packaging material film (10) with the ribbon tape (30) being unwound, the ribbon tape (30) is rewound by length of the letter print (14). Simultaneously, the ribbon tape (30) is displaced in ribbon tape widthwise direction and next letter print (14) is done. Thereby, the letter print (14) may be done using entire width of the ribbon tape (30) with no unused portion being wasted.

Abstract: Line thermal head letter printing method is improved to feed ribbon tape synchronously with transfer velocity of print object sheet from immediately after start of printing so as to obtain high quality letter printing. Ribbon tape master roll (6) is driven by stepping motor (18) so as to feed necessary amount of ribbon tape (4). Ribbon tape winding roll (8) is driven via friction transmission so as to wind the ribbon tape (4) at velocity higher than that of transferring print object sheet (2). There occurs no loosening of ribbon tape hot release portion at tip of line thermal head (10) and high quality letter printing is obtained.

Abstract: Sprouting beans roots removing apparatus cuts and removes roots of sprouting beans, as harvested, efficiently. A plurality of projections, each having at its upper face angular portion, are fitted to upper surface of base plate with predetermined space being maintained between each of them. Roots cutting member having angular portion is arranged above the base plate with predetermined space being maintained from upper surface of the projections. The base plate is moved in certain velocity and the roots cutting member repeats faster movements and stops, thereby the sprouting beans have their roots cut and removed by and between both the angular portions of the projection and the roots cutting member.

Abstract: A quantitatively supplying apparatus is provided which includes a weighing bucket having a discharge mechanism at the bottom, a load cell for detecting the weight of said weighing bucket, and a transferring conveyor for supplying goods to said weighing bucket continuously, in which shutters are arranged in a goods drop passage leading from said transferring conveyor to said weighing bucket so as to be actuated to shut the passage at least partially. According to this apparatus, the amount of the goods dropped can be reduced by closing the shutters partially, and the accuracy with which the goods are quantitatively taken out can be heightened by accurately detecting the time at which the amount of the goods reaches a fixed weight. The apparatus also enables the goods to be quantitatively removed accurately by closing the shutters completely when the fixed weight is reached and thus stopping the acceptance of the goods by the weighing bucket.