Abstract: A vibration tray assembly for use in a container filling machine, the vibration tray assembly comprising a tray for transporting discrete articles from a receiving end of the tray towards a drop-off end of the tray, the tray providing a slope along which the discrete articles travel from the receiving end of the tray to the drop-off end of the tray, wherein the tray is adjustable for changing the slope along which the discrete articles travel. The vibration tray assembly further comprises a vibration imparting device for imparting vibrational motion to the tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a peristaltic pump. The pump has a cavity for receiving a rotor and a flexible conduit, the rotor engaging the flexible conduit to displace fluid therein. A conduit retainer mechanism is provided for engaging the flexible conduit to assist with retention of the conduit in the cavity against displacement resulting from engagement between the conduit and the rotor. The conduit retainer mechanism including first and second jaws opposite to one another, defining between them a passageway for receiving the conduit, wherein one of the first and second jaws are spring biased to resiliently engage the conduit.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a container engaging device, a suction device for suctioning fine airborne particles and a container removing device for removing defective containers from continued travel along a production line. The suction device comprises a discrete article guiding passage for guiding discrete articles into a container. The discrete article guiding passage comprises a passageway having a length through which discrete articles pass prior to entering the container and at least one suction aperture into which airborne particles are sucked. The at least one suction aperture is positioned at a region along the length of the passageway. The suction device further comprises a suction pump in communication with the discrete article guiding passage for creating a suction effect for sucking airborne particles into the at least one suction aperture.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.

Abstract: A vibratory apparatus for feeding discrete articles. The vibratory apparatus has a tray for receiving the discrete articles and a vibratory drive for imparting a vibration movement to the tray. A retaining device releasably retains the tray to the vibratory drive. The retaining device includes a tray locking assembly selectively moveable between a locked position to lock the tray to the vibratory drive and an unlocked position to unlock the tray from the vibratory drive. In the unlocked position the tray can be removed from the vibratory drive. In the locked position the tray is locked to the vibratory drive in a vibration transmission relationship.

Abstract: A vibration tray assembly for use in a container filling machine, the vibration tray assembly comprising a tray for transporting discrete articles from a receiving end of the tray towards a drop-off end of the tray, the tray providing a slope along which the discrete articles travel from the receiving end of the tray to the drop-off end of the tray, wherein the tray is adjustable for changing the slope along which the discrete articles travel. The vibration tray assembly further comprises a vibration imparting device for imparting vibrational motion to the tray.

Abstract: The invention provides a peristaltic pump. The pump has a cavity for receiving a rotor and a flexible conduit, the rotor engaging the flexible conduit to displace fluid therein. A conduit retainer mechanism is provided for engaging the flexible conduit to assist with retention of the conduit in the cavity against displacement resulting from engagement between the conduit and the rotor. The conduit retainer mechanism including first and second jaws opposite to one another, defining between them a passageway for receiving the conduit, wherein one of the first and second jaws are spring biased to resiliently engage the conduit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torque measuring station, comprising a cap-engaging assembly for engaging a cap that has been secured onto a container, a torque measuring assembly for obtaining a measurement indicative of the torque exerted on the cap by the cap engaging assembly and a processing entity in communication with the torque measuring assembly. The processing entity is operative for receiving the measurement indicative of the torque, and for causing the container to be handled, once released from said cap-engaging assembly, on the basis of the measurement indicative of the torque applied to the cap.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a container engaging device, a suction device for suctioning fine airborne particles and a container removing device for removing defective containers from continued travel along a production line. The suction device comprises a discrete article guiding passage for guiding discrete articles into a container. The discrete article guiding passage comprises a passageway having a length through which discrete articles pass prior to entering the container and at least one suction aperture into which airborne particles are sucked. The at least one suction aperture is positioned at a region along the length of the passageway. The suction device further comprises a suction pump in communication with the discrete article guiding passage for creating a suction effect for sucking airborne particles into the at least one suction aperture.

Abstract: A vibration tray assembly for use in a container filling machine, the vibration tray assembly comprising a tray for transporting discrete articles from a receiving end of the tray towards a drop-off end of the tray, the tray providing a slope along which the discrete articles travel from the receiving end of the tray to the drop-off end of the tray, wherein the tray is adjustable for changing the slope along which the discrete articles travel. The vibration tray assembly further comprises a vibration imparting device for imparting vibrational motion to the tray.

Abstract: A container filling machine comprising a vibration tray that is suitable for moving discrete articles from a discrete article receiving end of the vibration tray towards a plurality of guiding paths that lead to a container. The container filling machine further comprises at least one spacing device located in proximity to the vibration tray. The at least one spacing device is operative for receiving the discrete articles from the vibration tray at a first speed, and causing the discrete articles to be deposited into the plurality of guiding paths at a second speed. The second speed is greater than the first speed.

Abstract: A container-filling machine for placing discrete articles within at least one container. The container filling machine comprises at least one vibration tray comprising a discrete article receiving end, a discrete article drop-off end and a plurality of channels extending from the discrete article receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end. Each channel includes two discrete article receiving paths at the discrete article receiving end. The two discrete article receiving paths combine into a single discrete article-depositing path in proximity to the discrete article drop-off end. The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels. The container filling machine further comprises a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container filling machine comprising a sensing device for detecting the integrity of discrete articles for personal treatment to be packaged in a container. The sensing device comprises a pair of capacitor plates positioned in a substantially opposing relationship for creating therebetween an electric field, a track for guiding the discrete articles for personal treatment through said electric field and a processing unit. The processing unit is in communication with the pair of capacitor plates, and is operative for detecting a change in capacitance as a discrete article passes through the electric field in order to determine the integrity of the discrete article on the basis of the change in capacitance and a characteristic capacitance change signature. The container filling machine further comprises a transportation device, a rejection device, a counting device and a plurality of path blocking devices.

Abstract: The present invention provides a torque measuring station, comprising a cap-engaging assembly for engaging a cap that has been secured onto a container, a torque measuring assembly for obtaining a measurement indicative of the torque exerted on the cap by the cap engaging assembly and a processing entity in communication with the torque measuring assembly. The processing entity is operative for receiving the measurement indicative of the torque, and for causing the container to be handled, once released from said cap-engaging assembly, on the basis of the measurement indicative of the torque applied to the cap.

Abstract: A container-filling machine for placing discrete articles within at least one container. The container filling machine comprises at least one vibration tray comprising a discrete article receiving end, a discrete article drop-off end and a plurality of channels extending from the discrete article receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end. Each channel includes two discrete article receiving paths at the discrete article receiving end. The two discrete article receiving paths combine into a single discrete article-depositing path in proximity to the discrete article drop-off end. The vibration tray is operative for moving discrete articles from the discrete article-receiving end to the discrete article drop-off end along the plurality of channels. The container filling machine further comprises a plurality of sloped paths for receiving the discrete articles from the discrete article drop-off end of the at least one vibration tray.

Abstract: The present invention provides a container filling machine comprising a sensing device for detecting the integrity of discrete articles for personal treatment to be packaged in a container. The sensing device comprises a pair of capacitor plates positioned in a substantially opposing relationship for creating therebetween an electric field, a track for guiding the discrete articles for personal treatment through said electric field and a processing unit. The processing unit is in communication with the pair of capacitor plates, and is operative for detecting a change in capacitance as a discrete article passes through the electric field in order to determine the integrity of the discrete article on the basis of the change in capacitance and a characteristic capacitance change signature. The container filling machine further comprises a transportation device, a rejection device, a counting device and a plurality of path blocking devices.