Abstract: A device for stacking flat, deformable, items contains a transfer device that accommodates individual items conveyed to it in receptacles and conveys them to a serializing device. At that transfer device, a row of compartments, into which the items are inserted, is conveyed transversely to the direction along which items' arrive. During insertion, items receive a velocity component in the compartments' direction of motion, while being brought to a standstill along their original direction of motion by one or the other of their flat sides coming into contact with a compartment wall, or an item that had been previously inserted into the compartment, in order that the compressive forces, and thus the deforming forces, exerted on the items will be slight.

Abstract: A universal valve for aseptic filling of drinking liquids in which a fork is articulated on a fulcrum to allow a bottle inclination during a lifting operation to optimize an aseptic filling process of carbonated drinking liquids by reducing their turbulence.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming stacks of products contains, between a horizontally movable row of compartments and a vertically operating feed device, a directing device which directs in each case one product into the compartment assigned thereto. The guide device is moved along synchronously with the row of compartments, and in alignment therewith, in the region of the discharge location.

Abstract: For interim storage for stacks of plastic bags, it is proposed to wind these up with the aid of a single film, or two films, to form a roll. The bag stacks here are oriented such that their opening sides, which preferably have a tab with holes, are oriented forward, as seen in the unwinding direction. During the unwinding operation, a gripping means can grip the leading edge of the bags and feed the same to the packaging machine.

Abstract: A rapid setting, controlled low strength composition of Class C fly ash is provided having a quantity of hydrated lime and an iron chelating compound in an amount sufficient to accelerate the hydration and set time of the fly ash. In some examples, a filler material is added. A method for acceleration of the hydration and set time of a cementitious mixture is provided wherein hydrated lime is added to the cementitious mixture in an amount in the range of 0.1% to 15% by weight and an iron chelating compound in an amount in the range of 0.01% to 5.0% by weight of the cementitious material. Further, a calcium source and an iron chelating compound may be added to a Class C fly ash to accelerate the hydration and set time of the ash.

Abstract: A composition, suitable for surgical or dental use, which can expand and/or contract in at least one direction without similar expansion or contraction in another direction, comprises an inner and an outer portion, the portions differing in their expansion properties and/or the extent to which they are prestressed.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for packaging articles in bags is proposed, where a packaging magazine is used for receiving and guiding an article to be packaged. An article to be packaged is slid by a slider into the packaging magazine. The packaging magazine then moves together therewith into an opened bag, which is removed from a bag stack. With the bag, which surrounds the packaging magazine, the latter is then slid into the transfer magazine from where further conveying takes place.

Abstract: A controller for a volumetric pocket filler having a plurality of pneumatically powered components, includes a pneumatically powered actuator, having a motion path, and a plurality of pneumatic switches, disposed along the motion path of the actuator. The pneumatic switches are configured for contact with the actuator, to control air flow to the plurality of pneumatically powered components of the volumetric pocket filler.

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: A system and method for dividing a single stream of long, cooked noodles into a plurality of product streams. The system includes an inlet conduit for receiving the stream of cooked noodles, a rough portioner for dividing the stream of noodles into discrete portions, and a diverter mechanism which selectively directs the discrete portions into one of two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the noodles into any number of final outlet streams. The final outlet streams are directed toward container filling machines which precisely measure the noodles and place them into containers. A computerized logic controller can accommodate the failure of any one or more container filling machines by stopping flow to any combination of final outlet conduits while maintaining uninterrupted operation of the remainder of the system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dividing a single stream of long, sticky product into a plurality of product streams, comprising a product input conduit for providing a single stream of product, and having a rough portioner disposed therein for dividing the stream of product into discrete portions. The discrete portions are then dropped into a first diverter mechanism comprised of a reciprocating slide block mechanism, which selectively directs the discrete portions into two outlet streams. Additional diverter mechanisms may be disposed in the outlet streams to further divide and redirect the product into any number of final outlet streams, such as four, eight, etc. The final outlet streams are directed toward container filling machines which precisely measure the product and place it into containers as desired.

Abstract: A container following system for use with a particulate product measuring and dispensing machine having a discharge opening for allowing measured quantities of particulate product to drop therefrom into a moving container. The container following system comprises a following pocket disposed below the discharge opening of the particulate product measuring and dispensing machine and above a conveyor for moving containers to be filled. The following pocket comprises a reciprocating body having a generally vertical aperture through which particulate product drops from the discharge opening before landing in the container to be filled.

Abstract: A water dispenser comprising a plurality of water filling stations located side by side in a single sink. Each station includes an intermediate shelf. A filling station is coupled to each of the stations and selectively provides one of a plurality of predetermined water volumes with a single actuation.

Abstract: Structure for shielding the upper surface of rim flanges of containers positioned for filling with material from a filling head of a container filling device includes a mounting base for attaching to the container filling device, and a shield formed with a pair of arms projecting from the mounting base in a generally parallel, spaced apart relationship to overlie or cover respective opposing side rim flanges of the container, while allowing material to be dispensed from the filling head between the arms to the container. A plate extends between the arms at one end thereof to cover the rim flange of the container that extends between the opposing side rim flanges, so that the combination of the two arms and plate serves to cover and shield the upper surface of the rim flanges from material being deposited into the container.

Abstract: A machine for attaching threaded caps to containers continuously moving in a longitudinal path and having endless belts disposed at opposite sides of the caps with the cap engaging belt portions traveling in opposite directions to impart twisting motion to the cap. The belts are moved transversely of the path into and out of engagement with the caps at a uniformed but variable rate to impose two or more pulses of twisting movement to each cap. The times of engagement and disengagement of the belts with the caps, the maximum twisting force and speed of the belts all are under the control of a programmable logic controller.

Abstract: Elements for impact absorption for the realization of protection barriers for motor car or cycle courses, formed by the junction of a plurality of sheets of plastic material, shaped in such a way as to present a series of reliefs or corrugations, superimposed so that two contiguous sheets present facing concavities and are joined through welding, sticking or other means.

Abstract: A dental vacuum system having a foot-actuated valve for controlling the flow of vacuum through the system. The foot-actuated valve is located away from the field of operation such that the valve is not exposed to the typical sources of pathogenic contaminants in a dental office.

Abstract: A water dispenser comprising a plurality of water filling stations located side by side in a single sink. Each station includes an intermediate shelf. A filling station is coupled to each of the stations and selectively provides one of a plurality of predetermined water volumes with a single actuation.