Abstract: Continuous stream ratio blending of two or more liquids. Each stream flow is time synchronized to all others and turned on and off to dose precise ratios into a constant pressure streams combining chamber. Combined on-off flows constitute a net flow rate exceeding some maximum continuous flow demand for the blended liquids. Dosed streams are pumped from the streams combining chamber at a rate matching their inflow, then through a mixing element into a finished blend tank. Use of a constant pressure streams combining chamber feeding a mix pump allows decoupling of individual streams ratio dosing flows and pressures one from another and from the combined stream. Blended liquid is available on demand as a continuous stream from the level controlled finished blend tank. The level sensor automatically starts and stops blended flow into the tank. Streams flow can be stopped upon completion of any dose cycle.

Abstract: The present invention consists of a method and apparatus providing for the continuous stream blending, preferably on a mass ratio basis, of two or more liquids. Each individual liquid stream is synchronously dosed in precise mass ratio to a common mixing point. The flow of each stream is on-off or digital. Repeated mass ratio doses of defined and matching flow interval, referred to as synchronous digital flow, interspersed with a defined interval of no flow, constitutes digital flow at a net rate sufficient to meet or exceed some required take-away of the blended liquids. In one preferred embodiment, each dose stream flow is produced and measured by a four element apparatus preferably consisting of a servo motor and controller, a precision positive displacement pump, a Coriolis mass meter and a precision flow stream shut-off device. The servo motor and controller establish and control a periodic and intermittent flow rate necessary to displace a defined mass dose in a precisely defined flow interval.

Abstract: Liquid filling apparatus and method of producing a fill or dose of a defined quantity of liquid based upon the mass of the liquid. In one embodiment, a servo motor driven rotary positive displacement pump is used to produce flow through a Coriolis mass flow meter to feed a positive shut-off filling nozzle, wherein mass flow data from the meter is used to control the servo motor-pump-nozzle to produce a precise fill dose of liquid based upon its mass.

Abstract: A liquid filling apparatus and a method of filling a plurality of containers C arranged in equal numbers in two or more parallel rows, all containers in all rows being first simultaneously and completely filled with a liquid during a fill time period, and then simultaneously released and replaced with empty containers during an index time period, each container row being positioned such that it is at least entirely offset or staggered from the position of the containers in the next adjacent and all other parallel rows, thus allowing simultaneous parallel filling followed by simultaneous parallel indexing of all containers in all rows without the possibility of one container group in any given row intersecting or colliding with any other container group in any other row following release from the filling positions.

Abstract: A filling machine (10) for filling into containers (30), by volume, weight, or level, of products requiring maintenance of a specified temperature. The filling machine includes a product reservoir (14), a filling nozzle (16), a pump (22) and suitable tubes (26, 28) for controlling the flow of product from the reservoir to the nozzle. The above parts are disposed within a double walled enclosure (62). A conveyor (44) having an upper flight (44.2) which supports containers (30) to be filled via the filling nozzle enters and exits the enclosure. A heater (138) is located outside of the enclosure and is connected to the enclosure through an insulated air duct (130) so that forced hot air may be used for heating the enclosure. A heat sensor (158) is provided within the enclosure for controlling the flow of air into the enclosure and also for regulating the output of the heater. The enclosure is provided with two aligned doors (96, 98), and when these doors are opened a blow down cycle is initiated.

Abstract: An in-line liquid filling machine and method of filling containers. In certain embodiments a a single row of containers is indexed past a plurality of filling nozzles which are in turn interconnected with a manifold which receives a single fill of material from a dosing structure. If all nozzles are dispensing simultanteously a total fill of material is received at one time, the nozzles distributing aliquot parts of the total fill to the row, with each container sequentially passing under each filling nozzle. If only alternate groups of nozzles are to be filling at any one time, the fill delivered by the dosing structure is proportionate to the total fill as the nozzles dispensing the fill are proportionate to the total number of nozzles. The dosing structure typically includes a single pump. Filling-time and indexing-time cycles typically are performed sequentially, but in certain embodiments they may be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: A diaphragm valve suitable for use as filling nozzle cut-off valve in the container filling industry. The valve includes a valve head (18) having a operational surface (62) provided with a centrally located shallow recessed portion (64) and an air hole (68) extending to the recessed portion. The valve further includes a valve body (16) having a smooth surface disposed in alignment with the operational surface of the valve head, inlet and outlet ports (24, 26, respectively), and spaced apart inlet and outlet passageways (36, 38, respectively) extending respectively from the inlet and outlet ports to inlet and outlet passageway openings (36a, 38a, respectively) in the area of the smooth surface opposite the recessed portion of the valve head, the inlet and outlet passageway openings being arranged in two columns symmetrical with the center of the smooth surface.