Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a hopper, a housing defining an outlet lumen in communication with the hopper, an exit port, a valve, and a piston. The valve is transitionable between a closed position, wherein the exit port is closed off from the outlet lumen, and an open position, establishing communication between the outlet lumen and the exit port. The piston is movable from a first use position, wherein the piston partially occupies the outlet lumen, to a storage position, wherein the piston fully occupies the outlet lumen to urge any product mixture in the outlet lumen back into the hopper. The piston may further be movable between the first use position and a second use position to draw the product mixture from the hopper into the outlet lumen and to urge the product mixture out of the exit port.

Abstract: A carrier plate configured for use with a filling system including a conveyor and at least one filling nozzle includes a plurality of spaced-apart plate segments interconnected by one or more receiving members. The carrier plate is movable along the conveyor and relative to the at least one nozzle. Each nozzle is configured to dispense product into the container supported by the corresponding receiving member and is aligned between the corresponding adjacent plate segments such that, upon movement of the carrier plate along the conveyor and relative to the at least one nozzle, each nozzle passes through the gap defined between the corresponding pair of adjacent plate segments.

Abstract: A product dispensing system includes a hopper, a housing defining an outlet lumen in communication with the hopper, an exit port, a valve, and a piston. The valve is transitionable between a closed position, wherein the exit port is closed off from the outlet lumen, and an open position, establishing communication between the outlet lumen and the exit port. The piston is movable from a first use position, wherein the piston partially occupies the outlet lumen, to a storage position, wherein the piston fully occupies the outlet lumen to urge any product mixture in the outlet lumen back into the hopper. The piston may further be movable between the first use position and a second use position to draw the product mixture from the hopper into the outlet lumen and to urge the product mixture out of the exit port.

Abstract: A carrier plate configured for use with a filling system including a conveyor and at least one filling nozzle includes a plurality of spaced-apart plate segments interconnected by one or more receiving members. The carrier plate is movable along the conveyor and relative to the at least one nozzle. Each nozzle is configured to dispense product into the container supported by the corresponding receiving member and is aligned between the corresponding adjacent plate segments such that, upon movement of the carrier plate along the conveyor and relative to the at least one nozzle, each nozzle passes through the gap defined between the corresponding pair of adjacent plate segments.

Abstract: A dispensing system for supplying containers with a fluid material provided from a source is provided. The dispensing system includes a chamber configured to be connected to receive the fluid material from the source and a piston configured for motion between predetermined limits for establishing controlled volumes of the fluid material. The dispensing system further includes a nozzle configured to receive the controlled volumes of the fluid material and to discharge the controlled volumes of the fluid material into the containers and a switching valve positioned directly between the piston and the nozzle, the switching valve configured to include a lumen that moves from a first position to a second position to regulate the discharge of the controlled volumes of the fluid material.

Abstract: A transfer system including at least one base structure having at least one fixture retaining member disposed along a length thereof. Each of the at least one fixture retaining members is configured to detachably secure a fixture thereon. A transfer carriage is configured to transport at least one fixture from a first position wherein each fixture is detachably secured to one of the at least one fixture retaining members of the at least one base structure to a second position wherein each fixture is detachably secured to another fixture retaining member of the same base structure.

Abstract: A dispensing system for supplying containers with a fluid material provided from a source is provided. The dispensing system includes a chamber configured to be connected to receive the fluid material from the source and a piston configured for motion between predetermined limits for establishing controlled volumes of the fluid material. The dispensing system further includes a nozzle configured to receive the controlled volumes of the fluid material and to discharge the controlled volumes of the fluid material into the containers and a switching valve positioned directly between the piston and the nozzle, the switching valve configured to include a lumen that moves from a first position to a second position to regulate the discharge of the controlled volumes of the fluid material.