Abstract: A conveyor moves in a horizontal transport direction through a closing station and has plates forming a succession of transverse rows of cutouts each holding a respective vessel. A stationary main frame at the station is traversed by the conveyor extends. A secondary frame is carried by guides on the main frame for movement of the secondary frame between a use position in the main frame above the conveyor and a service position projecting transversely from the main frame and supported horizontally transversely offset from the conveyor. A plurality of respective sealing heads carried on the secondary frame can put covers on the vessels when the secondary frame is in the use position.

Abstract: A conveyor chain has lower pins and is displaced in steps through a station. Respective pairs of plates have holes fitted to the pins and confronting cutouts together forming seats shaped to fit complementarily around necks of bottles. Horizontally displaceable supports in the station above the chain carry downwardly projecting upper pins. An actuator raises the plates in the station and thereby slides the holes of the plates in the station from the lower pins onto the upper pins. The arms and upper pins are moved apart when the plates are on the upper pins to open up the seat so that a bottle can be fitted to or taken out of the seat. The arms and upper pins are moved together when the plates are on the upper pins to close the cutouts around a bottle positioned between them, and then lowered back down onto the lower pins.

Abstract: A conveyor chain has lower pins and is displaced in steps through a station. Respective pairs of plates have holes fitted to the pins and confronting cutouts together forming seats shaped to fit complementarily around necks of bottles. Horizontally displaceable supports in the station above the chain carry downwardly projecting upper pins. An actuator raises the plates in the station and thereby slides the holes of the plates in the station from the lower pins onto the upper pins. The arms and upper pins are moved apart when the plates are on the upper pins to open up the seat so that a bottle can be fitted to or taken out of the seat. The arms and upper pins are moved together when the plates are on the upper pins to close the cutouts around a bottle positioned between them, and then lowered back down onto the lower pins.

Abstract: The seal of a package comprising a cup containing a liquid or semiliquid substance and having a rim to which a flexible cover is sealed is checked by simultaneously monitoring the position of the cover, inwardly elastically deflecting at least one of the walls of the cup so that the disk is bulged outward only when the cup is sealed, and generating an output based on the monitored position of the disk when the disk is bulged outward. The cup is held substantially stationary while monitoring the cover-disk position and inwardly deflecting the one wall, although normally diametrically opposite side walls are simultaneously and oppositely inwardly deflected. The position of the cover disk is monitored by pressing a bumper against it resiliently and detecting movement of the bumper.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterile filling of products into cup-shaped containers, which comprises an endless conveyor passing containers in sterile condition in succession through treatment stations including a filling station, a lid-applying station, a sealing station and an ejection station. A large sterile chamber formed beneath an applied covering hood and enclosing all said treatment stations is provided; and before the treatment stations, as seen in the direction of travel of said conveyor, and in above the conveyor there are of a finished-container magazine and a short-path, quick-acting sterilization station including a sterilizing-agent sprayer and sterilizing-agent drier is above the conveyor and enclosed by the covering hood.