Abstract: To produce insulating glass panes (10) filled with heavy gas, an insulating glass pane (10) still open at least in the area of its lower edge is filled from underneath with heavy gas. To do this the two vertically oriented edges of the insulating glass pane (10) are sealed by seals (30, 31). The upper edge of the insulating glass pane is not sealed. At at least one site (156, 157) in the area of the lower edge, the heavy gas from a channel (122) which runs along a belt conveyor (9) which supports the insulating glass pane (10) is blown via openings which pass between side-by-side portions of the conveyor belt of the belt conveyor (9), into the insulating glass pane (10). To adjust the effective length of the channel (122) to the length of the insulating glass pane (10) to be filled with heavy gas, a piston (130) is contained in the channel. As soon as the space between the glass sheets (11, 13) of an insulating glass pane (10) is entirely filled with heavy gas, the insulating glass pane (10) is closed.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling multiple receptacles with foodstuffs utilizing a tray having at least first and second apertures through the same. The first and second apertures each possess an entrance and an exit and a chamber within the tray body of a pre-determined volume. Each aperture is spaced from one another on the tray. A feed conduit is also utilized to transport foodstuffs from any one of multiple containers to the tray. The tray is reciprocated to permit alternate communication between the feed conduit and the entrances to the first and second apertures. A cover closes the exits of any one of the apertures at the same time the aperture chamber is being filled with a foodstuff. In addition, reciprocation of the tray removes the cover and permits the foodstuff to pass to a conduit which leads the foodstuff to a container.

Abstract: A system which precisely arrays small objects into a plurality of containers which comprises a vessel containing the objects in a fluid suspension; a tube, the proximal end of which is positioned substantially at the bottom of the vessel and the distal end of which is connected to a member which directs gravitationally-formed fluid drops from the distal end downward into a container positioned below said distal end; a small-objects detector, for detecting the objects in the fluid in the tube, disposed near the distal end; a drop detector connected to the member below the distal end; a device for controlling flow of the suspension through the tube by pressurizing the vessel; or device for discriminating between those signals from the small-objects detector caused by the small objects and those signals caused by other events, i.e.

Abstract: In a device for producing insulating glass panes (10) filled with heavy gas, there are plates (1, 2) which are aligned essentially vertically and which are located on either side of the insulating glass pane (10), of which at least one plate (2) can be adjusted transversely to its plane relative to other plate (1). A gas-tight conveyor (9), is disposed below the lower edge of the plates (1, 2). Upright seals can be set into an active position in which they are brought nearer the insulating glass pane (10). A seal (170) is assigned to the lower edge of movable plate (2). The seal on the one hand can be placed tightly, forming a seal, against the lower edge of the movable plate (2) and on the other hand against guide beam (172) for the conveyor (9), which comprises a belt conveyor (173).

Abstract: A plant potting machine includes a pot track for sequentially conveying plant pots along a potting path. A soil lift conveyor having a soil discharge chute lifting soil above the pot track and discharges the soil through the soil discharge chute and into those plant pots on the pot track positioned in the potting path therebelow, while a soil infeed conveyor conveys the soil from a source thereof to the soil lift conveyor. The soil flow rate between the infeed and lift conveyors is synchronized by a chain-and-sprocket synchronizer. Thus, a soil flow-control motor connected to the chain-and-sprocket synchronizer continuously drives the same so that the soil infeed and lift conveyors respectively feed and lift soil in a continuous synchronous manner to thereby effect control over the flow of soil from the soil source to the discharge chute.

Abstract: A pouch packaging machine has a rotary filling head wherein pouches receive diverse fluent products from filling tubes. Adjacent filling tubes, and therefore adjacent pouches, are supplied with alternating flavors of products by a distribution deck having a separate channels for each flavor desired. The channels empty into a series of funnels attached beneath the deck. The funnel spouts are aligned with inlets to the filling tubes. The mouths of the funnels span substantially the entire channel to allow sufficient time for the product to pass from a supply device, through the channels, funnels and filling tubes and into a pouch before the pouch leaves the filling head.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting containers intermittently. The apparatus has two guide rails which extend in a horizontal plane. Container carriers, which have receiving elements for the containers are disposed on the guide rails. The container carriers are fed by means of gearing embodied on them and transport gears embodied on the guide rails. Transfer devices and format changer devices are disposed on the ends of the guide rails. The output of the apparatus can be increased by subdividing it into continuous and intermittent feed zones.

Abstract: An apparatus for preparing a layered food product has a station for introducing a first food component into a container and a station for introducing a second food component into the container on top of the first food component. The apparatus also has a unit for metering CO.sub.2 snow onto the first food component and a suction unit for removal of residual CO.sub.2 snow before introduction of the second food component into the container, the metering and removal being effected during passage of the first food component in the container through a tunnel in which air conditions about the container may be controlled.

Abstract: A high speed bag filling machine utilizing a tiltable spout for attaching a bag in a tilted position and reversing the tilting motor to move the spout and bag over a conveyor. A vertically movable transfer carriage comprises a front forming bar and a pair of horizontally rotatable rotor arms. The bar and rotors clamp the filled bag, lower it to a conveyor, and discharge it. The forming bar then swings forward and upward to clear the rotor arms, which rotate forwardly beneath it to permit the next bag to enter the clamping area. The forming bar then swings down to engage the front face of the bag and the rotor arms continue their rotation to engage the rear face of the bag. The forming bar and rotor arms may include endless belts driven to discharge the bag.

Abstract: A filling machine for pasty or viscous products, especially fruit products and particularly a multirow filling machine for producing assortments of the packaged product, has for each row at least one metering or dosing station in which the metering piston is displaceable in a cylinder formed directly in the metering housing and adjacent a valve cylinder in which the valve member is provided. The valve member and piston are guided directly on the wall of the respective cylinders in this housing while the respective piston rods and stem extend upwardly through easily replaceable seals accessible from an observation space above the housing.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers including a pump housing having a pump chamber, a product inlet in communication with a supply of product under pressure, a product outlet and a piston positioned therein. The piston is movable by the supply of product under pressure between advancing and retracting positions where product is discharged from the chamber and through the outlet during the advancing stroke and the chamber is filled with product during the retracting stroke. A first valve is included to regulate the flow of product through the outlet and a second valve is included to regulate the flow of product between opposite sides of the piston. By controlling the opening and closing of the first and second valves, the pressure of the product enables movement of the piston to eject product and fill the chamber as desired.

Abstract: A row of open top containers travelling on a conveyor is purged of oxygen by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of lower flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a higher velocity inert gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. The manifold also includes at least one region of higher flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, for supplying a lower velocity inert gas region along the containers, continuously and at substantially steady state. As the containers pass along the manifold, the inert flushing gas steadily removes oxygen from the containers, while the lower velocity inert gas region prevents the flushing gas from drawing in air.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is provided which has a chute for directing objects such as cooked french fries into the interior of a rotatable loading drum. The drum is rotated by a motor about a horizontal axis at a speed to cause the french fries to first be carried upwardly and then to fall through a predetermined path within the drum. A staging carousel is provided for carrying a supply of varying sized packaging containers such as cups. The carousel can be rotated to a dispensing position where a single selected size container will be dispensed to an index carousel. The index carousel will move the container to a position within the drum to intercept the falling french fries to fill the container. A detector is provided for sensing when the container has been filled. Once the container is filled it is moved via various transfer mechanisms to a deposit or storage area which can accommodate a plurality of containers and has a mechanism for clearing space to receive additional containers.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for distributedly filling a particulate or granular material into containers has an intermittently driven container conveyor, and a continuously driven particulate or granular material conveyor extending across and positioned above the container conveyor. First chutes and second chutes are arranged between the container conveyor and material conveyor. The container conveyor comprises first holders and second holders arranged alternately in the direction of transport thereof and each adapted to hold containers C equal in number to the number of container transport paths, and is so driven as to feed one first holder to a first filling station and one second holder to a second filling station and stop the two fed holders at the respective stations at a time. A first particulate or granular material feeder and a second particulate or granular material feeder are arranged at opposite sides of the intersection of the two conveyors.

Abstract: The invention concerns the automated robotic system for dispensing drugs from vials into liquid containers such as IV bags or syringes. A robot selects a vial and a suitable container and transports them to a processing station together with a needle which may be double-ended. At the processing station the contents of the vial are transferred into the container. Some of the contents of the container may be transferred into the vial in order to reconstitute and/or wash out the vial contents and agitation may be provided for the vial. Various additional devices may be provided such as a decapping device for the vials, an alcohol swabbing station for swabbing the top of a vial and/or the input port of a IV bag or syringe. Moreover, a label printer may be provided so that the robot may deliver a label with the finally processed IV bag and empty vial to a verification station. When IV bags are used, the invention may feature a conveyor of trays of the bags to a pick-up station of the robot.

Abstract: According to the present invention we provide a method for the preparation of a dispersion to be coated onto a photographic support characterised in that one or a plurality of vessels visit one or more preparation stations until the dispersion is prepared and the dispersion when prepared is stored for a period and thereafter is supplied to an apparatus in which it is coated onto a photographic support, the rate of dispersion preparation and the vessel movements being matched to the requirements of each preparation station.

Abstract: There is disclosed an apparatus capable of providing a continuous source of soil to a level working surface and a vertically and horizontally adjustable conveyor system that transports planting pots proximate to the level working surface, so that an operator may efficiently scoop soil from the level working surface into the pot. The conveyor system is also used to collect and recycle spilled soil via a soil return hopper and a soil return elevator.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A device is disclosed for translatorily moving a plate-shaped cup holder, equipped with cups arranged successively in the direction of movement for receiving liquid, to the processing station of an analyzer. The cups are used for mixing viscous body fluid, e.g. blood, with a diluent.Movement of the cup holder and exact positioning of the cups in the processing station are effected in that the cup holder frictionally rests on a driven endless belt, in that an incrementally driven indexing wheel is brought into engagement with the cups, and in that a sensor is arranged for detecting the passage of each cup and determining the indexing position of the indexing wheel in which a cup is located in its processing position.

Abstract: Cups stored in the automatic vending machine are released and dropped from a cup supply unit to a cup holding unit one at a time and drink is injected thereinto as selected by a customer. The cup holding unit holding the cup filled with drink is transported approximately horizontally by a front/back cup transport unit to a vertical cup transport unit. As the vertical cup transport unit lifts the cup upward, the vending door is opened to expose to the customer the upper portion of the cup out of the cup outlet, as if the cup were sitting on a counter table in the front of the vending machine.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations.

Abstract: An improved filling system for containers of mixtures of liquid and solid material where the liquid/solid ratio is critical is disclosed. A prior art problem was that sticky solid material would adhere to the receptacle or bucket in which it was delivered to a filling chute or funnel and it would also stick to the funnel. This problem is solved by putting the sticky solid in the buckets and by using the liquid to flush the funnel and by using an air jet to remove any remaining particles from the buckets which are upturned over the funnel. Alternately, a part of the liquid may be placed in the delivery bucket and when it is tilted or turned upside down to fill the container the remaining part of the liquid is used to rinse the receptacle. The filling system is especially useful for soups containing noodles or other pasta products.

Abstract: An in-line liquid filling machine and method of filling containers. In certain embodiments a a single row of containers is indexed past a plurality of filling nozzles which are in turn interconnected with a manifold which receives a single fill of material from a dosing structure. If all nozzles are dispensing simultanteously a total fill of material is received at one time, the nozzles distributing aliquot parts of the total fill to the row, with each container sequentially passing under each filling nozzle. If only alternate groups of nozzles are to be filling at any one time, the fill delivered by the dosing structure is proportionate to the total fill as the nozzles dispensing the fill are proportionate to the total number of nozzles. The dosing structure typically includes a single pump. Filling-time and indexing-time cycles typically are performed sequentially, but in certain embodiments they may be performed simultaneously.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a maching comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at which first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed, and a second base-dispensing station. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: The art field is that of bottling equipment, and more especially, filling machinery in which each valve is fitted permanently with a dummy bottle (2) that can be positioned under the filler outlet for the purposes of sanitization, a periodic operation consisting in successive flushing cycles designed to cleanse all such internal spaces and external parts of the valve as come into contact with the bottled product, in the interests of hygiene; the flushing liquid generally used is water and soda.

Abstract: A machine having multiple stationary weighing and filling platforms serviced by parallel straight line infeed and discharge container or material conveyors. Positive grippers transfer the containers or other material to be weighed transversely to stationary weighing and filling platform and the same or similar grippers transfer the containers from the platform to a parallel discharge track. This eliminates centrifugal forces, increased throughput reduces floor space and permits greater sensitivity in weighing since there is no inherent motion of vibration at the weighing station.

Abstract: An automated paint-batching system for producing paint cans of any size and color. The system includes a plurality of paint-batching cells, with each cell having a machine comprised of either one or two dispensing stations. When two dispensing stations are used, the two dispensing stations are: A first tint-station, where a small volumetric dispensing of the base, water-base or oil-base, of the paint is dispensed, in order to wet the bottom of the can, at the first station, thereafter, is dispensed all of the liquid colorants making up the formula of the paint can, and a second base-dispensing station at which the remainder of the base of the formula of the paint is dispensed. Each of the first and second stations of the paint-batching machine of the invention has operatively associated therewith a weighing platform upon which rests the paint can during the dispensing at the respective station used in quality-control weighing of each dispensing.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system including a conveyor, a multiflavor valve, and a programmable cup drop system which includes means for searching through a plurality of separate cup supply tubes for a cup of the selected size.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine can load light and fluffy particulate product without having it scattered over a large area. The system does this by using a plurality of inclined planes to cause said product to slide in successive small steps, as distinguished from simply dropping in a single fall. The system also tips a box and provides a vent to prevent air from being entrapped and compressed within a box as it is being filled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for pouring a plurality of materials into a plurality of containers while sequentially weighting the materials. A predetermined number of containers are arranged in a row on a pallet so that the containers are transported by a pallet as a unit. In order to pour the materials into the containers, the pallet carrying the containers is intermittently moved in a longitudinal direction by a distance corresponding to a distance between adjacent containers, and the materials are poured into the respective containers when the pallet stops with the containers at respective pouring positions. The pallet is transported in a transverse direction so as to arrange it to allow pouring of the materials into the containers and so as to discharge the pallet towards a discharge section.

Abstract: An improved measuring flask is used in a filling machine for filling identical containers with the same measured amount of divided matter. The filling machine includes a filling turret having a rotatable portion driven by a drive. The filling turret includes a filling tank having a rotatable floor connected to the drive. The rotatable floor rotates with the rotating portion of the filling turret. A plurality of measuring flasks is arranged in a circle concentric with the circle of rotation of the rotating portion of the filling turret. Each of the measuring flasks is connected to the rotatable floor of the filling tank for receiving divided matter from the filling tank and measuring the amount of the matter. Each of the measuring flasks includes a transition body having one end connected to the rotatable floor and an opposite end extending downward. An open ended tube has one end connected to the opposite end of the transition body and the other end of the tube extends downward.

Abstract: In the roller bottle filling and harvesting system of the present invention, a decapper, a medium harvesting and cleaning apparatus, a medium filling apparatus and a capper are all located in an aseptic chamber, in this order along a supply conveyor. Roller bottles at the medium harvesting and cleaning apparatus have their pitch aligned and a plural number of roller bottles are tilted from the upright position, through a predetermined angle and the used medium in the roller bottles is withdrawn, the bottles returned to the upright position and then filled with cleaning liquid by a roller bottle inner surface cleaning apparatus. Then, the roller bottles are sent to a roller bottle roll and tilt apparatus which tilts the roller bottles to a predetermined angle and rotates and cleans the roller bottles and then sends them to an adjacent supply conveyor.

Abstract: A rotatable gravity filler capable of high speed filing of containers sealable with lids having a sprocket for providing stable support for each container, a shield disk to catch and removed drips, and a gate arrangement which closes tightly to prevent drips but is easily removable for cleaning.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system for use with a plurality of remote point of sale units with order entry keyboards, each having selector buttons for different flavors and cup sizes, the dispenser including an automatic cup dropper, an automatic ice dispenser, a transverse conveyor system for conveying an ice filled cup to any of a plurality of parallel lanes each having a forward conveyor system, a beverage dispenser valve associated with each of the lanes, and each forward conveyor system conveying a cup received from the transverse conveyor to a beverage fill station and then to a cup pick-up station. The dispenser can also be operated manually using buttons on the dispenser itself.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system for use with a plurality of remote point of sale units with order entry keyboards, each having selector buttons for different flavors and cup sizes, the dispenser including an automatic cup dropper, an automatic ice dispenser, a transverse conveyor system for conveying an ice filled cup to any of a plurality of parallel lanes each having a forward conveyor system, a beverage dispenser valve associated with each of the lanes, and each forward conveyor system conveying a cup received from the transverse conveyor to a beverage fill station and then to a cup pick-up station. The dispenser can also be operated manually using buttons on the dispenser itself.

Abstract: An automatic postmix beverage dispensing system including a conveyor, a multiflavor valve, and a stationary flavor indicator adjacent to each cup pick-up station to inform the operator what beverage is in each cup. Each time the conveyor advances the cups one station, the flavor indicator scrolls forward to continue to correctly identify the beverage in each cup. The flavor indicator can also include order indicia identifying the order number of each cup.

Abstract: For filling insulating glass with a special gas, a probe (17) that can be introduced through an opening (25) in the spacer (26) for filling with the special gas, and a device (19) for sealing the opening(s) (25, 27) in the spacer (26) after completion of the filling process are arranged on a joint component (16) on the outlet side of a platen press (1, 2) for applying pressure to the glass plates of the insulating glass. The component (16) can be displaced from a readiness position wherein it is arranged below the conveying route (3, 13) for the insulating glass into a first operative position wherein the probe (17) is associated with the filling openings (25) in the spacer (26) and into a second operative position wherein the device for sealing the openings, which device preferably comprises filling nozzles (19) for feeding sealing compound (28) into the openings to be sealed, is associated with the openings (25, 27) in the spacer (26).

Abstract: When filling the inner space (14) of an insulating glass unit (4) with a filler gas, a pressure is exerted during filling on the outer surfaces of the glass panes (12, 13) of the insulating glass unit (4) to be filled. For this purpose, an apparatus is suggested with a device (5) for feeding filler gas and with a device (6), by which air and/or gas can be removed from the inner space (14) of the insulating glass unit, wherein two pressure plates (1, 2) are provided which can be placed, during the filling step, with a preselectable pressure against the outer surfaces of the glass panes (12, 13) of the insulating glass unit (4).

Abstract: An apparatus for dividing a multi-unit battery plate grid into individual battery plate grids and for subsequently applying paste to the individual battery plate grids, which apparatus comprises a pasting device for applying paste to the grids, a parter located upstream of the pasting device for dividing multi-unit battery plate grids into individual battery plate grids prior to pasting thereof, and a conveyor for feeding multi-unit battery plate grids through the parter and for thereafter feeding the individual battery plate grids through the pasting device. Also disclosed herein is a method of dividing a multi unit battery plate grid including at least two connected individual battery plate grids into separated individual battery plate grids and of subsequently pasting the separated individual battery plate grids, which method comprises the steps of dividing the multi-unit battery plate grid into separated individual battery plate grids, and thereafter pasting the individual separated battery plate grids.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a particulate or granular material into containers which includes a container conveyor having an even number of container transport paths and a material conveyor having an endless path of transport of the material including a forward path portion and a return path portion with the path portions extending across the container transport paths and being positioned thereabove. The container transport paths are divided into a first group of the even-numbered paths as arranged from one side of the container conveyor and a second group of the other odd-numbered paths. At the intersection of the two conveyors, the material is distributedly placed into containers in the two groups of paths separately from the forward path portion and the return path portion of the material transport path, whereby a sufficient period of time is made available for filling the material into the containers.

Abstract: A volumetric metering apparatus for dosing constant quantities of granular material includes a generally vertically oriented shaft having a shaft axis, a cylindrical trough having a generally horizontal trough base and being mounted on the shaft for rotation about the shaft axis and a plurality of metering receptacles secured to the trough base and extending downwardly therefrom. Each metering receptacle has a top opening being in a continuous communication with a space above the trough base and a bottom outlet openable and closable by a shutoff element. There is further provided an evener device stationarily supported above the trough base. The metering receptacles are arranged to be brought in succession into alignment with the evener device by the rotation of the cylindrical trough. The evener device has a radial dimension measured parallel to the trough base; the radial dimension is greater than a diametral dimension of each top opening.

Abstract: A predetermined amount of liquid is to be filled into a container. The weight of liquid contained within a metering container is measured by a balance and a filling control valve provided at an outlet of the metering container is controlled in response to a signal issued from the weighing balance. Thereby a predetermined amount of the liquid can be filled from the metering container into the container. A control unit opens and closes the filling control valve and a feed control valve connected to a liquid feed source in response to a signal issued from the weighing balance. An inlet of the metering container is connected via a flexible pipe to an outlet of the feed control valve, and an outlet of the metering container is connected via a flexible pipe to an inlet of the filling control valve.

Abstract: A powder dosing apparatus, especially for use in the priming of ammunition, comprises a tray containing a uniformly thick layer of powder and a dosing assembly arranged to extract a plurality of doses of powder from the tray. After extraction of the doses the assembly is moved to an adjacent station where it ejects the doses into respective receptacles, such as capshells. During ejection, the powder in the tray is replenished from a chute and the layer is raked and levelled by an assembly comprising a rake and doctor blades in readiness for a subsequent dose extraction step.

Abstract: A support member arrangement for tubes in a tube filling machinery, where each support member of the machine comprises a support member part attachable to the conveyor and has a tube receiving cavity arranged generally perpendicular to the transport direction and symmetrically relative said perpendicular extension. A tube breast receiving sleeve is displaceable along an internal guide surface which is supported in the cavity in the support member and arranged for expansion and contraction. The guide surface controls the sleeve for displacement in the direction of the symmetry axis. A grip portion of the sleeve at the end thereof, facing the conveyor, grips the breast portion of the tube. The contraction and the expansion, respectively, of the squeeze sleeve is controlled by curve portions of said guide surface.

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: Method and apparatus for check-weighing a product charge in a continuously operating conveyor system without interrupting the operation and without having extra empty containers in the system after a check-weigh has occurred. Containers are fed forward in a series to a filling station where they are filled with a measured charge of product. When a check-weigh is desired a container is prevented from entering the series, a gap occurs corresponding to the measured charge to be check-weighed, and that charge is diverted to a scale and weighed while subsequent containers receive their charges uninterrupedly.

Abstract: A system for automatically dispensing metered amounts of viscous product in assembly-line fashion into each of a series of containers, wherein the temperature of the product is maintained within a preselected range along its path of flow. Structure is provided for substantially reducing product leakage along the path of flow, including a pneumatically actuated shut-off valve which operates in the nozzle in synchronism with each piston stroke. Structure is also provided for precisely adjusting the individual piston strokes.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically filling bags with a material after separating each bag from a continuous chain of bags along perforations where each bag is joined to its neighbor has a guide section for guiding the chain of bags, a separating section for separating the chain of bags into individual bags at the perforations, a mouth opening device for opening a mouth located at one side edge of each bag, and a filling section for blowing air into the bag through its opened mouth and for filling the bag through the opened mouth. The mouth opening device has a pressing assembly supported above the mouth of the bag, and a chuck assembly situated at one side of the mouth.