Abstract: A method of filling containers with bulk material wherein a bag is filled, weighed and densified at the same time. The bag is supported on a releasable hanger. The bag is constantly weighed, and a predetermined quantity of material is placed in the bag. The bag is raised and lowered and vibrated to settle, or densify, the material while the material is being admitted to the bag. The bag may be vibrated while being filled by counter-rotating vibrators. The material is weighed and the net weight is determined. The method of the present invention can be used for filling drums, boxes and other containers, as well as bags. Specific designed power operated hooks are used to support the bag. The containers are supported on a platform. Drums as well as bags can be filled without any change in the machine requiring tools. A three piece spout is used to fill bags and a drum head adapter is supported on the spout to fill drums.

Abstract: A container filling machine having a frame and a fill station on the frame. The fill station has hooks to engage stirrups on the top of the bag. The fill station also has a platform to support a first open topped container. The fill station also has hooks to support a first open top container. A filling member is supported on the hooks for supporting an open top container. A dispensing means is supported on the frame of the open top container to fill the top container and to fill a container resting on the platform. Means is provided to automatically release the hooks and means is provided to shake the bag to settle the material in it and to move the bags towards the front of the machine. Hooks are used to facilitate removing the bag.

Abstract: A shaker with an open frame, sides, a flat bottom and open ends. The shaker has pre-lubricated sealed bearings and a self-lubricating plastic gear with a metal gear, which not only educes the amount of friction between gear teeth, reduces maintenance and noise resulting from the gears and enables applicant to provide an integral open frame in which the gears are supported. The gears may be inserted into the frame through the openings in the frame. This provides for easy assembly and the absence of lubricant is especially important in the food industry and other industries where contamination of products would be objectionable.

Abstract: Applicant has discovered that the use of plastic gears in connection with metal gears on a main gear reduces the amount of friction between gear teeth and in addition reduces noise resulting from the assembly. Applicant's shaker herein requires a minimal amount of maintenance and will operate for long periods of time. Moreover, Applicant's shaker requires little or no lubrication. The gears may be disposed between the two parts of the housing and the eccentric weights outside the housing or visa versa.