Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for filling open bags (2) with powdery food, comprising a support structure (3) and a filling support (4) accommodated on the support structure (3), on which a bag (2) to be filling is suspended. The bag (2) is maintained on the filling support (4) by means of a bag holder (5, 6). The support structure (3) comprises a hollow profile (10, 11) with a control component (20) accommodated therein in order to protect against soiling. The hollow profile (10) comprises an air outlet (8) for controlling, in the hollow profile (10) when in operation an air pressure higher than the environment.

Abstract: A single open ended testing cylinder which is attached to wireline probe instrumented head is positioned at the lower end of a conventional hollow-stem drilling auger which is penetrated into the soil therebelow. During testing cylinder is rotated in the soil while torsional loading is measured and axial loading bypassed.

Abstract: An apparatus for securing a soil testing device and other attachments necessary for soil testing near the bottom of a borehole uses a pair of clamps with gripping teeth that interlock with similar gripping teeth in the internal wall of the auger. The lateral movements of the clamps toward the auger are controlled so that the soil testing device is maintained in a proper orientation with respect to the soil sample and to avoid uncontrolled engagements of the clamps with the auger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for preparing the surface of a region of soil for further testing involves the gradual removal of soil disturbed during the drilling of a borehole. An initial hole may be bored with an auger having a removable nose cone, then a trimming tool may be pushed into the borehole and rotated so as to gradually and controllably remove the soil as the tool is advanced. This removal of the soil portion disturbed during drilling results in the preparation for testing of a soil sample which is less affected by the drilling operation itself and therefore more representative of the actual soil conditions.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for testing soil involves a probe with an inner cylinder insertable into the sample to be tested and rotatable through a limited arc of rotation. The inner cylinder may be rotated by an impulse, from an initial condition or by an oscillatory motion. An outer cylinder may be provided concentric to the inner cylinder and spaced therefrom to facilitate the measurement of liquefaction resistance and soil degradation. A motion sensor mounted on the inner cylinder enables the recording of the response of the cylinder and the soil to a particular rotary excitation. A shield may be provided about the upper end of the inner cylinder in order to allow measurements to be obtained from a region sufficiently below the surface of the soil so as to be relatively free from surface effects. A surface compression unit may be provided between the inner and outer cylinders which is operable to supply a pressure to compensate for the loss of overburden in downhole applications.