Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus for filling containers and related methods. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a rotary turret assembly rotatably coupled to a filler frame. The rotary turret assembly can include a rotary base and a plurality of hollow columns mounted on the rotary base and arranged in a circle. A plurality of piston assemblies can be configured to move up and down within the hollow columns. Each piston assembly can include a piston body and a top hat assembly configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body. The piston body and the top hat assembly can release from one another when a release lever is engaged. Rotation of the rotary column group causes the cam contact members of the piston assemblies to move over a surface of a cam track causing vertical movement of the top hat assemblies. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus for filling containers and related methods. In an embodiment, an apparatus includes a rotary turret assembly rotatably coupled to a filler frame. The rotary turret assembly can include a rotary base and a plurality of hollow columns mounted on the rotary base and arranged in a circle. A plurality of piston assemblies can be configured to move up and down within the hollow columns. Each piston assembly can include a piston body and a top hat assembly configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body. The piston body and the top hat assembly can release from one another when a release lever is engaged. Rotation of the rotary column group causes the cam contact members of the piston assemblies to move over a surface of a cam track causing vertical movement of the top hat assemblies. Other embodiments are included herein.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus for filling containers and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for filling containers including a filler frame, a rotary turret assembly, a filler plenum assembly, piston assemblies, a cam track, and a fluid supply group. The cam track can include a first rising portion, a second rising portion, a first declining portion, a first flat portion, and a second declining portion. In some embodiments, the apparatus for filling containers can include a sensor and a lever actuator. The piston assemblies can move up and down within the plurality of hollow columns and can include a piston body, and a top hat assembly. The top hat assembly can include a cam contact member and a release lever. The top hat assembly can be configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body in some embodiments. The release lever can allow the piston body and the top hat assembly to release from one another when the release lever is engaged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include apparatus for filling containers and related methods. In an embodiment, the invention includes an apparatus for filling containers including a filler frame, a rotary turret assembly, a filler plenum assembly, piston assemblies, a cam track, and a fluid supply group. The cam track can include a first rising portion, a second rising portion, a first declining portion, a first flat portion, and a second declining portion. In some embodiments, the apparatus for filling containers can include a sensor and a lever actuator. The piston assemblies can move up and down within the plurality of hollow columns and can include a piston body, and a top hat assembly. The top hat assembly can include a cam contact member and a release lever. The top hat assembly can be configured to releasably engage the top of the piston body in some embodiments. The release lever can allow the piston body and the top hat assembly to release from one another when the release lever is engaged.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include instant food systems and methods regarding the same. In an embodiment, the invention includes a method for preparing a hot instant food product. The method can include adding a heated liquid to a container, adding a substantially dry food product mixture to the container, wherein the volume of the dry food product mixture is equal to at least 20% of the volume of heated liquid, placing a mixing head into the container, and rotating the mixing head for a period of less than sixty seconds in order to form a fully hydrated frothed food product. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation machine is included. In an embodiment, a mixing head is included. In an embodiment, an instant food preparation kit is included. Other embodiments are also included herein.

Abstract: A system is provided for heating a comestible. The system includes a container and a flexible vented package containing a liquid, semi-solid or liquid/solid combination comestible. The package is positioned within the container in a manner that hinders the comestible from escaping through the package's vent(s). The container is penetrable to microwaves and is adapted to not experience heat-induced damage when subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven. The container is adapted to protect the package from heat-induced damage when the container is subjected to a heating cycle in a combination microwave and convection oven.

Abstract: A dispensing system dispensing items includes a dispensing station and a first conveyor for transporting containers to the dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a dispenser for dispensing items to the containers, a mechanism for spacing the containers to a predetermined pitch, a transfer wheel for removing the containers from the first conveyor, a star wheel for receiving the containers from the transfer wheel and for transporting the containers in synchronization with the dispenser, and a turret for removing the containers from the star wheel.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A system for dispensing items includes a dispenser, a sensing unit, a plurality of container chutes, and a plurality of diversion chutes. The dispenser comprises a plurality of dispensing paths for dispensing the items. The sensing unit measures a physical characteristic of each of the dispensed items. The plurality of container chutes directs each of the dispensed items, the measured physical characteristic of which is within a predetermined range of physical characteristics, to containers. The plurality of diversion chutes diverts each of the dispensed items, the measured physical characteristic of which is greater than or less than the predetermined range of physical characteristics, away from the containers.

Abstract: A dispensing system dispensing items includes a dispensing station and a first conveyor for transporting containers to the dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a dispenser for dispensing items to the containers, a mechanism for spacing the containers to a predetermined pitch, a transfer wheel for removing the containers from the first conveyor, a star wheel for receiving the containers from the transfer wheel and for transporting the containers in synchronization with the dispenser, and a turret for removing the containers from the star wheel.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a dispenser, and the dispenser includes dispensing paths for dispensing items. The system also includes dispensing heads, and each of the dispensing heads receives items from the dispensing paths. Each dispensing head includes a dispensing chute for directing a first portion of the received items toward the dispenser, in which a physical characteristic of each of the first portion of the received items is within a predetermined range of physical characteristics. Each dispensing head also includes a diversion chute for directing a second portion of the received items away from the dispenser.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A dispensing system dispensing items includes a dispensing station and a first conveyor for transporting containers to the dispensing station. The dispensing station includes a dispenser for dispensing items to the containers, a mechanism for spacing the containers to a predetermined pitch, a transfer wheel for removing the containers from the first conveyor, a star wheel for receiving the containers from the transfer wheel and for transporting the containers in synchronization with the dispenser, and a turret for removing the containers from the star wheel.

Abstract: A dispenser includes a feeder bowl for receiving items to be dispensed, and a first vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl. the dispenser also includes a plurality of dispensing paths positioned around the feeder bowl, and a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths. Moreover, the dispensing paths include a second vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths proportionately to a physical characteristic of each of the items, such that the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.

Abstract: A control system for regulating a dispenser that includes a feeder bowl and a plurality of dispensing paths is disclosed. The control system includes a control unit for controlling a rotation drive for rotating the dispensing paths, a feeder bowl vibration device for vibrating the feeder bowl, and at least one dispensing path vibration device for vibrating the dispensing paths, such that the feeder bowl receives a plurality of items and supply the items uniformly to each of the dispensing paths, and the dispensing paths dispense the items singularly.