Abstract: A method and apparatus for delivering a predetermined amount of material into a predetermined position on each of a series of moving trays while avoiding spillage of the product onto other portions of the trays. A conveyor lifts the material from a supply bin and deposits the material onto a shaker pan. The shaker pan delivers the material in an even flow on to a rotating turntable having a plurality of radially extending gutters thereon. The turntable directs the material to flow along the gutters and into a plurality of hoppers disposed at the periphery of the turntable. The hoppers are rocked to distribute the product evenly within each hopper. Once a hopper is full, any excess material falls onto a drip tray which returns the material back to the supply bin. The filled hoppers are rotated above the trays, which are moving on a conveyor, and release the material onto a predetermined area of the trays by means of funnels mounted adjacent to each hopper.

Abstract: Equally spaced pusher bars moving continuously around a closed path individually engage open top containers and push them in single file through a filling region where they are filled with liquid flowing freely in a continuous sheet from an elongated discharge edge extending along the path above the open tops of the containers. A separate deflecting unit is adjustably attached to each pusher bar, each deflecting unit having an upwardly convex wedge-shaped deflecting surface. The deflecting units move with the containers through the filling region, and the deflecting surfaces divide the continuous sheet of flowing liquid into a number of separate streams directed into the interiors of the respective containers, thereby preventing the liquid from contacting the external surfaces of the containers.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for diverting articles being moved by a conveyor in a line extending along a predetermined path to at least one additional conveyor moving along at least one additional path extending from a diverting station located adjacent to the first path. A different diverting signal corresponding to each additional path can be generated, causing a diverter to switch a given article to a selected additional path. The diverters includes a plurality of engaging devices supported in spaced relation and driven in a closed path that is adjacent to the conveyor at the diverting station. The engaging devices are programmed in response to corresponding diverting signals to divert specific articles on the conveyor by enabling assemblies at an enabling station located along the closed path ahead of the diverting station. The diverting signals may be generated as each article passes a sensing station located along the predetermined path ahead of the diverting station.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a machine which is adapted to fill a line of containers passing through a filling zone. The machine includes apparatus for delivering material to the containers which is arranged compactly yet is easily accessible for maintenance and cleaning. The material delivery apparatus includes a hopper located at the outlet end of the machine and an inclined endless belt conveyor extending upwardly from the hopper to a discharge location laterally spaced from and above the line of containers to be filled. The conveyor belt has flights which pick up portions of material from the hopper and deliver the portions to a shaker tray mounted for reciprocation offset and parallel to the line of containers. The shaker tray has a diagonal discharge edge for uniformly distributing an elongated flow of the material to a lower shaker tray mounted for reciprocation transversely to the line of containers.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are disclosed for filling open-top containers with material capable of flowing such as liquid while preventing contamination of the container exteriors by liquid overflow. The containers are advanced along a predetermined path. The liquid is discharged towards the open tops of the containers to be filled in a substantially continuous sheet, descending adjacent the predetermined path. The containers are advanced beneath the liquid sheet with the containers tilted at a predetermined angle to the vertical. The tilted containers are overfilled and the overflowing liquid leaves the tops of the containers generally at the tilted lower top portions thereof. Streams of air are directed towards the tilted containers below the open tops thereof to cause the air to pass around the peripheries of the containers adjacent the container tops.