Abstract: A load cell formed with a single crystal beam and strain gages deposited thereon. The single crystal beam may be advantageously formed from sapphire. The beam is arranged in the load cell with a fixed portion and a free portion to which weight forces may be applied. At least one strain gage is deposited on the beam to provide signals responsive to the applied weight forces. The method for making the load cell includes growing the crystal, depositing a strain sensitive layer on the crystal substrate, foxing the strain sensitive layer into at least one strain sensitive element and attaching a plurality of electrical leads to the strain sensitive elements to form strain gages. A weighing device is formed of a base upon which a plurality of the load beams are arranged for supporting a weigh platform.

Abstract: A feed apparatus including two feedscrews for supporting flat articles as they are moved along a conveyor. The two feedscrews are mounted in parallel and are spaced apart so that each feedscrew supports the flat articles along a different edge of the articles. The flat articles are maintained in a substantially vertical alignment throughout the conveyance. A suction pickoff station removes the flat articles one at a time from the downstream end of the feed apparatus. The two feedscrews turn at equal speeds and have equal pitches which separate the flat articles into groups between consecutive projections of the helical threads of the feedscrews.

Abstract: A pneumatic circuit for controlling a liquid filler. A pilot air conduit conducts high pressure air to a pilot valve and a back pressure piloted valve. The pilot valve is normally closed so as to prevent the supply of liquid product to a container. High pressure air in the pilot air conduit opens the pilot valve to actuate supply of liquid to the container. A level sensor positioned above the container being filled provides a back pressure signal to the back pressure piloted valve causing it to exhaust the high pressure pilot air from the pilot air conduit causing the pilot valve to close.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing two or more filled and sealed bags of product in a single box, comprising a shuttle embodying two or more chambers for successively receiving the filled and sealed bags from a filling and sealing machine for deposit of the filled and sealed bags into the box.

Abstract: Apparatus for depositing two or more filled and sealed bags of product in a single box, comprising a shuttle embodying two or more chambers for successively receiving the filled and sealed bags from a filling and sealing machine for deposit of the filled and sealed bags into the box.

Abstract: An apparatus for delivering product into a feed tube including a tip over drum which has a tray supported between two side walls. The tray has a convex hump near the axis of rotation for dividing product fed by a gravitational feed into two portions.

Abstract: This invention, as herein illustrated, is for delivering caps in succession, one at a time, to a distributor for application to the tops of containers. There is an end wall at the bottom of a chute against which the bottom cap in the pick-off position abuts. The force against the bottom cap is reduced by providing a bent portion near the lower end of the chute.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for packaging particulate product in bags for deposit into cartons of predetermined cross section and height. Sheet material is formed about a filling tube. The sheet material is sealed and severed beneath the filling tube creating the top of one bag and the bottom of the next. Product is dropped through the filling tube into the formed sheet material which is vibrated. A sensor may be used to determine if product exceeds a predetermined height. After a predetermined amount of product has been dropped into the sheet material, the material is lowered, sealed and severd to form a filled bag.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming bags of predetermined length with a predetermined weight of product, the apparatus being provided with a vibrator for effecting vibration of a bag shaper and a sensor adjacent the bag shaper for determining when the product has subsided to a level less than the height of the bag so that jaws may be engaged to seal the top of the bag without being jammed by product.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging particulate product in bags for deposit into cartons of predetermined cross section and height.

Abstract: Apparatus comprising an accumulator for temporarily storing articles being transferred by a conveyor from one operation to another in the event that there is blockage of the articles at the discharge end of the conveyor and for restoring the articles to the conveyor when the blockage is dispersed including sensors and control circuitry for on the one hand transferring the articles from the conveyor to the accumulator and on the other hand transferring the articles from the accumulator to the conveyor.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming, filling and sealing bags with a product wherein sheet material is formed into a tube on a hollow mandrel, feed belts are employed to move the tube downwardly on the mandrel and the product is delivered through the mandrel into the tube comprising a sensing device operable to control operation of the feed belts to on the one hand enable the drive for the feed belts when there is product at the discharge end of the mandrel and on the other hand to disable the drive for the feed belts when there is no product at the discharge end.

Abstract: Apparatus for forming, filling and depositing filled bags into cartons wherein the portions of the tube which are to become bags upon sealing and severing are suspended in a forming device above a conveyor for vibration to conform the cross section of the bags to the cross section of the forming device at a height such that the lower end of the forming device is above the upper end of the cartons resting on the conveyor and that filled cartons can be moved away from the lower end of the forming device and empty cartons moved into position below the forming device while a bag is being vibrated, wherein there is a conveyor for moving the cartons in timed relation to the release of the bags from the forming device and means for venting the cartons while the bags are being deposited therein.

Abstract: A one-piece blank forms a liquid-tight carton having plural rectangular side walls sealed or integral with one another at adjoining side edges and flat end panels of polygonal shape, the carton facilitating ultrasonic scaling of the end walls to the side walls through a unique set of sealing tabs on the side and end walls. The process and equipment for sealing the end walls to the side walls permits ultrasonic heating and sealing after the carton is full of liquid through a compression of the sealing tabs of these walls between facing dies which are diagonally aligned in relationship to the side and end walls. The carton formed by this blank facilitates nesting of multiple cartons, one above the other.

Abstract: A weighing system is disclosed which operates in conjunction with a scale that has a trigger mechanism for terminating the flow of material into the scale's bucket. This system automatically periodically revises a tare signal stored in a latch circuit for combination with a weight signal to produce a net weight signal. The tare signal provides a measure of the residue stuck in the scale bucket. In an additional embodiment of the invention, a programmable controller is used as the means for periodically resetting the tare signal and is used to evaluate the final weight data to determine the average weight and the standard deviation of the weights. These determinations are used by the controller in combination with a predetermined weight to arrive at a computer setpoint signal for adjustment of the triggering of the flow termination so that the final weights will most closely approximate the predetermined weight.

Abstract: A one-piece T-shaped carton blank is disclosed which is utilized to form a rectangular cross-sectional container having its top and bottom end panels sealed in a plane substantially perpendicular to its sidewalls. The carton blank is formed having a definite dimensional relationship between its end panels and side panels to provide improved nesting of multiple carton blanks upon paperboard sheet stock in an alternating inverted side-by-side relationship. A pair of end sealing tabs extend along the top and bottom edges of the blank side panels. One of the end sealing tabs is separated from the top end panel and from a side sealing tab to prevent tearing and to permit the complete welding of the side sealing tab up onto the top end closure panel of the carton blank. This separation of the end sealing tab in combination with displacement of the hinge line of the top end closure panel downward provides a liquid-tight corner seal for the carton.

Abstract: A device for reducing errors in weighing systems caused by extraneous noise and/or vibration.

Abstract: This invention relates to container filling machines and specifically to cleaning the exterior surface of the filling nozzle of product clinging thereto following the filling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a liquid-tight container having a rectangular cross-section formed from a one-piece, T-shaped blank of paperboard material. The carton preferably includes an access flap and straw element on one side thereof which, when manually lifted, exposes an end of the straw element from which the contents of the carton may be consumed by a user. The apparatus is compact in nature, possessing relatively few transport mechanisms which advance the T-shaped carton blank through a plurality of work stations. A novel method and apparatus for serially applying the straw element and access panel to the carton blank is disclosed, wherein the straw element and a length of polyethylene coated Mylar tape is automatically bonded to the carton blank upon a rotating heat sealing and alignment drum.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for forming a liquid-tight container having a rectangular cross-section formed from a one-piece, T-shaped blank of paperboard material. The carton preferably includes an access flap and straw element on one side thereof which, when manually lifted, exposes an end of the straw element from which the contents of the carbon may be consumed by a user. The apparatus is compact in nature, possessing relatively few transport mechanisms which advance the T-shaped carton blank through a plurality of work stations. A novel method and apparatus for serially applying the straw element and access panel to the carton blank is disclosed, wherein the straw element and a length of polyethylene coated Mylar tape is automatically bonded to the carbon blank upon a rotating heat sealing and alignment drum.