Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically measuring the grain fineness, the gypsum content and the limestone content of a cement sample.A first fraction of the sample is loaded by a vibrating hopper into a crucible resting on an automatic scale. This crucible is handled sequentially by tongs on two revolving arms carried on slidable vertical shafts. The circular paths of the arms intersect at a point just above the scale. Motions of the arms and of the tongs are controlled by a programming unit. The weighed sample is poured into a sieve and the weight of oversize grains is automatically related to the sample weight.Gypsum is measured by heating a second fraction of the sample at 1000.degree. C. plus in an oxygen stream, Fe powder being added from a fixed hopper. The crucible is raised into an induction furnace. Released SO.sub.2 is bubbled in a titration cell to which potassium iodate is gradually added by a burette giving an automatic read-out of the SO.sub.3 (gypsum) titration.

Abstract: A foaming apparatus for driving out residual air from containers, especially bottles, that are filled with liquid material that can foam. The apparatus has a nozzle mechanism that cooperates with a control device and is disposed above a conveying section. To foam the material in the containers and to drive out the residual air from the latter as they move past below the nozzle mechanism, the latter is provided with a plurality of individual nozzles that in the conveying direction of the conveying section are fixedly disposed one after the other above the path of movement of the containers, with the spray nozzles being adapted to communicate with a common supply channel for the medium that induces foaming. Each spray nozzle is furthermore provided with a separately controllable control valve for establishing the communication of the spray nozzles with the supply channel.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for filling a generally tubular autmotive silencer casing with glass fibres are characterized by the feature of filling the casing from both ends simultaneously, preferably with the aid of spacer elements temporarily located on the ends of the casing during the filling step, any overflow of fibres into these elements being subsequently pushed into the casing to give a uniform density fill prior to installing end caps. The process/apparatus preferably also features bulking of the fibres by passing them through a specific jet configuration more than one of which may be used at each filling station.

Abstract: A method of potting plants and a plant potting machine (1) for placing potting mix and a plant in a potting container in which the machine includes means to support in rotable manner a bracket (7) to hold a container through a series of stations with means to both deliver and vibrate the container incorporated with the machine, the method of including the step of locating the plant with its roots in the container prior to or during the filling of the container with potting mix and vibrating the container during the filling process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for accurately packaging viscous food products within a predetermined weight range.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automated assembly of flowable materials into a receptacle for delivery to a selected location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced flowable material dispensing means, a plurality of spaced receptacle storage means and a plurality of spaced receptacle delivery locations. A robot arm is provided to receive, support and transport the receptacles. The apparatus includes a computer adapted to cause the robot arm to select a receptacle at one of the receptacle storage means, transport it to more than one of the flowable material dispensing means in a predetermined sequence and deliver the receptacle with the assembly of flowable materials therein to a predetermined one of the receptacle delivery locations in response to a given computer command signal. Structural details of the robot arm and an embodiment of the apparatus specifically adapted to provide an automated bartender function are described.

Abstract: An electrochemical cell, carried along a cell production line, is filled with liquid electrolyte under pressure. First, the electrolyte is dispersed on top of the cell electrode assembly within an open ended cell casing. Then a pressurizing chamber is mated with the cell support member of the conveyor mechanism so as to form a pressurizing volume surrounding the cell, whereupon a gas under pressure is introduced into the chamber and forces the electrolyte into the separator of the electrolyte assembly for rapid and complete absorption of the electrolyte.

Abstract: A combinatorial weighing apparatus is provided with a plurality of weighing heads arranged in a row which is diagonal with respect to the direction of travel of collection buckets in which articles are collected. Discharge buckets are disposed in a row between each weighing head and the path along which collecting buckets are advanced. Each weighing head comprises a weighing machine, a weighing hopper and a device for feeding articles into the weighing hopper. Chutes which are small in length are provided between each row of discharge buckets and the path along which the collecting buckets travel, and serve to guide articles, discharged by the discharge buckets, into a collecting bucket as it is advanced in the collecting direction. The number of discharge buckets in each row increases by one in the direction of travel of the collecting buckets, and the discharge buckets are adapted to be inverted at a position adjacent the corresponding chute to facilitate the discharge operation.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for continuously making samples to be analyzed by known instruments such as an X-ray spectrometer. The device consists of means for depositing a crude composition and associated vitrifying agent together in a crucible in accordance with a predetermined ratio by weight. The crucible is heated to melt its contents into an homogenous liquid mixture which is cooled to form a solid beadlet to be analyzed. The beadlet is conveyed to the analyzing instrument. A computer measures the respective weights of the components of the crucible contained composition and non-conforming weight measurements result in the crucible being discarded and replaced by another.

Abstract: An aseptic packaging machine includes a chain conveyor conveying cartons along a path in an aseptic chamber including an advance leg and a return leg each along the machine. Ultra-violet germicidal lamps extend over at least a major portion of the advance leg. Aseptic liquid is fed into the cartons by a filling device comprised of, in turn, an expansion chamber, a non-return inlet valve, a reciprocatory bellows and a non-return valve. After filling, the cartons are top-sealed. The only non-aseptic matter deliberately introduced into the chamber is the cartons. The chamber is cleaned internally by cleaning fluid from spray nozzles. The carton entry to and exit from the chamber have aseptic air curtains.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers whose upper ends are open and which are moved seriatim and stepwise to a filling station has a receptacle which is disposed at a level above a container at the filling station and below a metering device whose lower end can be opened to discharge a metered quantity of flowable material onto a normally horizontal bottom wall of the receptacle. The receptacle is thereupon pivoted to move a discharge opening thereof into the open end of the container at the filling station and to incline the bottom wall to such an extent that the metered quantity of flowable material slides off the bottom wall and enters the container by way of the opening. The opening is normally sealed by a flap which is opened when the opening extends into the open end of a container at the filling station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying paste to battery grids wherein the paste is circulated in a primary circuit incorporating an open reservoir wherein the paste is relieved of all pumping pressure and portion of the paste is diverted from the primary circuit into a secondary circuit for delivery to a nozzle which may be selectively opened and closed to deliver paste to the grid, the secondary circuit also incorporates the open reservoir.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filling speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.

Abstract: A no pouch - no fill device with a memory system is disclosed for controlling two spaced filling valve systems at sequentially filled products into a pouch when the pouch is at different filling stations in response to the detection of a properly opened pouch by a vacuum detection system located at a pouch opening station upstream of the two filling stations. If no pouch or an improperly positioned pouch is sensed at the opening station, the no pouch - no fill device will prevent actuation of the filling valve system when the absence or improperly positioned pouch eventually enters the filling stations.

Abstract: A method of treating waste material, particularly radioactively contaminated waste such as ion exchange resins or molecular sieves incorporating .sup.137 Cs. The waste is one which is associated with water, e.g. the waste is wet, and is admixed with a synthetic resin composition which hardens on reaction with water. Also disclosed is an apparatus which may be used for producing the hardened waste/resin mixture in a protectively lined drum or other vessel for subsequent dumping, e.g. at sea.

Abstract: A dosing system for filling a receptacle with a predetermined desired weight of flowable bulk material. The system has a main dosing apparatus for charging the receptable to an extent less than the predetermined weight and an additional dosing apparatus for complementally charging each receptacle to an extent equal to the deviation between the desired weight and the actual weight resulting from the charging by the main dosing apparatus. The additional dosing apparatus has a dispensing wheel having a plurality of cells of predetermined volume. There is further provided a movably supported shroud member having a shroud face extending along a circumferential portion of the wheel and separating an inlet chamber from an outlet chamber. The position of the shroud member is adjustable for determining a minimum clearance between the shroud face and the periphery of the wheel. A spring urges the shroud member towards the wheel for allowing a resilient yielding movement of the shroud member away from the wheel.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed to bag powdery material wherein primary and secondary preconditioning chambers are used, having a volume sufficient to give enough time for the powdery material to become de-aerated. This de-aerated powdery material is then supplied to a bulk filling station and a dribble filling station. Bags spouted at the bulk filling station are filled to about 90 percent of their normal capacity and are then moved laterally to the dribble filling station whereat the bags are rapidly filled to a weight close to the desired exact weight and by automatic speed changing means filled to exact weight at a slower rate. The bags are supported at the top by grippers at both filling stations with the calibrated weight scale being actuated by weight on the grippers at the dribble filling station. An auger at the bulk filling station forces the powdery material down into a generally closed bag to force the bag open by the incoming material to thus keep air out of the bag as much as possible.

Abstract: A machine and method which serves to introduce measured amounts of different items (e.g., pieces of different fruits) into containers such as cans or jars. Features of the machine and method include high filing speed, straight-line movement of means carrying separate measured amounts of the items, volumetric measuring pockets that are adjustable, and simplicity of construction and operation. Preferably the machine also incorporates means for orienting, slicing, and depositing a predetermined number of cherry halves into the containers.