Abstract: A machine and method for filling bags with liquid through spouts attached to the bags, wherein a piston within a filling head that operates to control flow of the liquid from the filling head is also extended out of the filling head and into the spout, after the bag is filled, in order to push remaining material from the spout and through is bottom opening into the bag. The spout bottom opening is then closed, after which any remaining material adhering to the walls inside the spout and surfaces of the filling head are cleaned by forming a chamber between them through which a cleaning fluid is passed. This machine and method are particularly useful when filling bags with highly viscous and/or sticky liquids, such as thick food products. They avoid a result of having either to distribute messy bags of product with material remaining adhered to the outside of the spout and/or bag, or to first remove this material by an additional cleaning step.

Abstract: A conveyor for moving articles, typically cartons from one elevation to another in a continuous path by means of tensioned squeeze belts. The conveyor may lift or lower articles and cooperates with infeed and outtake conveyors as part of a conveying system.

Abstract: An air conveyor is disclosed for conveying disc or cup shaped articles. The air conveyor includes a conveying surface comprising a deck plate having propulsion slots extending therethrough for issuing propulsion air jets along the conveyor surface for conveying the articles. The air conveyor is provided with one or more spur or branch conveyor lines which lead from the main conveyor line to subsequent operating stations without requiring any moving parts to carry out the transferring functions.

Abstract: Disclosed is an air conveyor comprised of a deck having multiple openings and an underlying plenum containing air under pressure. The air from the plenum issues through the openings as jets to lift articles and advance them along a predetermined path spaced above the deck. To stop the articles, a second plenum is disposed within the first mentioned plenum and in communication with the openings through the conveyor deck at a location at which the article is to be stopped. A normally open valve provides communication between the first and second plenums whereby air under pressure in the first plenum passes into the second plenum and out through the openings in the conveyor deck for lifting and advancing the articles on the conveyor similarly as accomplished by the air issuing through the other openings in direct communication with the first plenum. A normally closed second valve commmunicates between a vacuum pressure source and the second plenum.

Abstract: An air conveyor is disclosed including a conveyor path defined by a perforated deck plate which issues air jets for moving articles along the conveyor. A guide system constrains the article for movement along the path under the influence of the air jets. The guide member further cooperates with the conveyed article to conserve propelling air.