Abstract: A thermocouple locator for holding a thermocouple inside a flexible pouch comprises a rigid frame that bears snugly against the pouch to prevent relative movement of the frame and pouch. The frame includes attachment means for securing a thermocouple to the frame.

Abstract: An electronic control system is described to control the operation of a positive displacement piston filler used for dispensing sauce or a suitable liquid into a flexible pouch which is controlled in movement by means of a Bartelt packaging machine. The electronic control system exerts control over the opening and closing of a dispensing plunger, a rotor valve and a product delivery piston associated with the sauce filler apparatus. A blow-off timing sequence is further controlled to assure that a blast of pressurized air enters the dispensing head of the sauce filler at the most optimum time to assure reliable cleaning of the top portion of the pouch prior to sealing. The control system employs separate timers which serve to enable control of each of the above described operations in one hundredths of a second to enable precise regulation of each phase of the fill cycle.

Abstract: This invention relates to a device for packaging U-shaped tortilla shells with or without filler including a container for receiving and enclosing a plurality of U-shaped tortilla shells and a spacer element within the container which is inserted in the open end of the shells.