Abstract: The head, rolling diaphragm, intake and discharge ports form a single module, separate and easily removable from the principle cylinder of a rolling diaphragm filling unit. The rolling diaphragm may be fixed or removably attached to the head. Intake and discharge valves of various types may be mounted directly in the head, or may be mounted remote to the head module and fluidly connected directly to the head by tubing. Flanges of the rolling diaphragm provide an air and liquid tight seal between the head and base and removably attached to the head so as to facilitate visual inspection of the product contact surfaces of the head cavity prior to clamping the head module to the base.

Abstract: A pump housing including a base and head mounted to the base in a working position and a sterilize-in-place position. A flexible rolling diaphragm is positioned and clamped by the base and head in the working position to define between the diaphragm and head a working chamber. A retainer is provided for retaining the diaphragm fixed to the base when the base and head are in their sterilize-in-place position. The housing elements in their working position, exposes a first area of the diaphragm to the working chamber and in the sterilize-in-place position, exposes a second area greater than and including the first area. This provides a larger area of sterilization beyond the clamping area which is exposed in the working position of the head and base.

Abstract: A filling machine for supplying predetermined quantities of liquid is disclosed. The filling machine comprises a measuring chamber, a float positioned with clearance in the chamber and adapted to move up and down in at least a portion of the chamber with the level of liquid in the chamber, an abutment positioned in the chamber above the float for limiting the upper movement of the float in the chamber, and a seal adjacent the abutment for sealing against the chamber, the seal being arranged such that it can be moved into and out of sealing engagement with the chamber without disassembly of the filling machine thereby facilitating cleaning of the machine.

Abstract: A tray indexing apparatus is disclosed for indexing trays containing rows of containers to be filled beneath a filler head. The apparatus includes means for supporting trays for movement along a predetermined path, means for indexing the supported trays beneath a filler head where the respective rows of containers are filled, and means for successively moving the supported trays along the predetermined path to a position for indexing by the indexing means and moving indexed, supported trays containing filled containers further along the predetermined path.

Abstract: A safety mechanism for high-speed filling machines preventing accidental spilling in case of misalignment between a nozzle and the container into which it is to be lowered during filling; a safety arm which normally closes a switch is displaced by a nozzle in case the latter encounters an obstruction and moves relative to its nozzle holder after overcoming the restraining force of a releasable detent mechanism to thereby open the switch and therewith stop the filling operation.