Abstract: A system and a method for gently loading, transporting and unloading frangible products using totes is provided. The system includes a loading station at a first location, an unloading station at a second location and a plurality of totes for use in storing the frangible products for transportation from the first location to the second location. The totes include an interior space that is upwardly curved for gently receiving the frangible products therein as they are laterally discharged off of a lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor. Two or more totes can be sequentially loaded along the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor using backpressure caused by accumulation of frangible product along the edge of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor to redirect incoming frangible products towards a downstream section of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor.

Abstract: A method includes performing, by a processor: providing a database that contains records corresponding to a plurality of drug product packaging systems, the records in the database being accessible through a common database management system, receiving a packaging order for at least one drug product, evaluating at least one criterion for fulfilling the packaging order, and identifying one of the plurality of drug product packaging systems to package the at least one drug product based on evaluating the at least one criterion.

Abstract: A method for the portioned packaging of liquid or pasty products using a packaging machine. The product is fed via an inlet to a metering chamber, being metered in the metering chamber by a metering member to form a product portion, and the product portion being fed via a metering outlet to a package. In order to avoid impairments of products which are sensitive to crystallizing out in the inoperative state, the metering chamber is operated in continuous flow in at least one operating state of the packaging machine from the following group: downtimes of the packaging machine, start-up of the packaging machine and operation of the packaging machine, by the product—whether entirely or in a partial flow—being removed entirely or partially from the metering chamber past the metering member via an outlet provided in addition to the metering outlet and being recirculated.

Abstract: A system for production of panels, particularly for the production of panels made of wood flakes comprising at least a support plane movable along a direction of forward movement, at least a first and a second forming machine arranged in succession to one another along the direction of forward movement above the support plane and each comprising at least a first set of distributor elements rotatable around respective axes, the distributor elements being able to select a flow of wooden material comprising short flakes and long flakes so as to allow the fall of the short flakes on the support plane and the dragging of the long flakes, where the first forming machine and the second forming machine comprise at least a second set of distributor elements operable independently of the relative first set and where the distributor elements of the first set are operable in rotation in both directions.

Abstract: The invention relates to a thermo-forming packaging machine comprising a product feeder for feeding a product to a loading stretch of the packaging machine, and a film web having trays formed therein wherein the trays are configured to receive a product. The product feeder may be arranged at least partially parallel to the loading stretch of the packaging machine. The thermo-forming packaging machine also includes a side panel disposed along the loading stretch that is formed such that it also forms part of the product feeder.

Abstract: A medicinal solution collecting tool of the invention includes: a pillar-shaped portion including an insertion end and a withdrawal end; a collecting section provided on the insertion end side of the pillar-shaped portion; a collecting port provided on a surface of the pillar-shaped portion; and a guide section provided on the surface of the pillar-shaped portion, the guide section including a first guide section being convex or concave and parallel to an axial direction of the pillar-shaped portion, and a second guide section provided on the withdrawal end side relative to the first guide section, the second guide section being convex or concave and crossing the axial direction of the pillar-shaped portion.

Abstract: A food topping dispenser includes a hopper having a pair of sidewalls, a back wall and a front wall defining an open unobstructed interior sized to receive a supply of food topping. An application roller is positioned in a discharge opening of the hopper and is rotatably mounted in and between the sidewalls. The application roller has an exterior surface configured to receive and retain the food topping from the discharge opening. A wiper element is mounted on a lower end of the back wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening, and is positioned above the application roller for engagement with the food topping received from the discharge opening. A stripping brush element is mounted on a lower end of the front wall outside the open interior in the discharge opening for engagement with the exterior surface of the application roller for removing food topping retained therein.

Abstract: A rotating device for receiving and handling goods or products, where the device has a number of holding devices designed for receiving storage devices, where the holding devices are rotatable about a central axis in the rotating device by a common drive arrangement, where at least one holding device with a received storage device is made available to an operator, while at least one other holding device is made available for receiving a storage device.

Abstract: A dispensing apparatus including an adjustable intake conveyor assembly, two receiving conveyor assemblies to receive product from the intake conveyor assembly, two rake assemblies for metering the product on the receiving conveyor assemblies, two upper funnels at downstream ends of the receiving conveyor assemblies for containing and redirecting product, two funnel groups to pass product falling from the upper funnels to targets moving below the funnel groups. Each funnel group includes a plurality of dispensing funnels, and each dispensing funnel is connected to adjacent dispensing funnels and moves along a racetrack shaped rail in synchronization with the moving targets below the dispensing funnels. A guide pan lowers and raises the dispensing funnels toward and away from the targets for precise deposits.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, has an entrance through which open containers can be introduced into the apparatus, including at least one transport device which conveys the containers along a predefined transport path, and an exit via which the containers can be discharged from the apparatus. The speed at which the transport device conveys the containers is variable, and the apparatus comprises at least one filling device which fills the containers at least partially with a liquid medium on the transport path between the entrance and the exit. The apparatus includes a housing, and arranged in the interior of the housing is at least one sterilization device in the form of a ?-radiation unit which sterilizes components of the apparatus.

Abstract: An automatic seasoning device that includes a hopper, a seasoning dispenser positioned to receive seasoning from the hopper; and a moveable transition tray positioned to receive seasoning from the seasoning dispensing drum.

Abstract: In an apparatus for filling a blister band with products, two or more work units are carried by relative carriages and have hoppers fed with different kinds of products. The products are then supplied to discharge conduits leading to the blisters of the band. Strips are fastened to lower ends of the discharge conduits and match with the upper surface of the blister band. The carriages are operated in a to-and-fro motion, so as to center, the lower ends of the discharge conduits with respect to the blisters, and to maintain this centering for a prefixed time. The holes remain coaxial to the lower ends of the conduits, situated above, to allow passage of one product from each discharge conduit to a blister.

Abstract: An environmental data recorder for recording environmental factors acting on micro-well plates. The environmental data recorder has sensors for sensing environmental factors and it has a microcontroller programmed to receive and process inputs from the sensors. The sensors and microcontroller are housed in a recorder housing unit. The recording housing unit has exterior dimensions that are approximately equal to the exterior dimensions of the micro-well plates enabling the recorder housing unit to be handled by the same robotic device handling the micro-well plates. In a preferred embodiment, the environmental data recorder's sensors are a temperature sensor, a humidity sensor and an accelerometer.

Abstract: An assembly and method enhances particulate matter retention during the filling of a moving cavity. The assembly further reduces the tendency of particulate matter to come to rest at a point other than in the moving cavity. The assembly for enhancing particulate matter retention comprises a transport for continuously moving a stream of empty cavities in a downstream direction. The assembly further includes a feed for depositing particulate matter from a supply into the empty cavities on the transport. A vibrator engages the cavities on the transport thereby vibrating the cavities to enhance particulate matter retention within the cavities and to remove any excess particulate matter from areas adjacent the cavities. The assembly and method are particularly suited for efficiently filing cavities in a multiple component cigarette filter preform with carbon or similar type granules.

Abstract: An assembly and method enhances particulate matter retention during the filling of a moving cavity. The assembly further reduces the tendency of particulate matter to come to rest at a point other than in the moving cavity. The assembly for enhancing particulate matter retention comprises a transport for continuously moving a stream of empty cavities in a downstream direction. The assembly further includes a feed for depositing particulate matter from a supply into the empty cavities on the transport. A vibrator engages the cavities on the transport thereby vibrating the cavities to enhance particulate matter retention within the cavities and to remove any excess particulate matter from areas adjacent the cavities. The assembly and method are particularly suited for efficiently filing cavities in a multiple component cigarette filter preform with carbon or similar type granules.

Abstract: A method that intermittently or continuously introduces a known mass of fine powder into an aerosolization chamber. The dry powder is aerosolized and, in one preferred method, the aerosol powder charged. Charged powder is then electrostatically deposited into or onto unit dose package substrates as these packages are sequentially moved through the deposition region. The packages are arranged in a continuous line either around the circumference of a circular package transport or in a continuous line on the surface of an endless belt. As each package traverses the precipitation region, a small amount of powder is deposited. The number of packages, the package velocity and the aerosol deposition rate are selected so that a large number of passes are required to fill each package to the required dose level. It is this continuous sampling, or time division sampling (TDS), that very uniformly divides the pre-determined quantity of powder uniformly among the many packages.

Abstract: Apparatus for the preparation of homogeneous mixtures from liquid components which may have different viscosities, which comprises a dynamic saturation/blending loop (14), having a small volume, in the feed line (12) feeding a bottle-filling machine, between a feeding pump (10) of the latter and the bottle-filling machine, in which loop the saturation/blending mixture, having a reduced volume, circulates continuously. The apparatus comprises a pump (20), said pump ensuring a minimum flow rate which is higher than the flow rate of the bottle-filling machine, and ensuring the circulation of the mixture in said dynamic loop (14), a storing loop (9), and a separator (27), which ensures the delivery of the homogeneous mixture toward the feed line (12) for feeding the bottle-filling machine.

Abstract: A dispensing mechanism for metering produce into “clam shell” type containers carried past the dispensing mechanism by a conveyer, as part of an automated conveyer driven packaging system. The dispensing mechanism includes a side mounted hopper, a guide shoot, and a pair of elongated produce stops. The interior of the hopper is divided by internal partitions into a large bin and a dispensing queue. The body of the hopper has an inclined floor, and converging side and end walls that funnel produce toward two vertically oriented metering gates. One gate meters produce from the large bin into the queue and the second gate meters produce from the hopper into the containers. The guide shoot is pivotally connected to the hopper beneath the second gate. The guide shoot directs the produce from the hopper into the moving containers as they are carried along the conveyer.

Abstract: A device for feeding tablets in a blister packaging machine includes a vibrating container containing a mass of tablets. The vibrating container features a bottom wall, one portion of which includes tablet feeding channels, communicating with related slots made in the bottom wall. The slots communicate with the conveying means, which feed the tablets along a predetermined feeding path and release the tablets into respective blisters of a blister band. The blister band moves in a determined direction inside the packaging machine. The conveying means include a plate with a plurality of grooves, arranged one beside another and a covering element. The covering element is coupled with said plate, so as to move with respect thereto and includes transversal wings, each of which is situated inside a respective groove of the plate, so as to define a respective channel for conveying said tablets.

Abstract: A distributor for the deposit of melted products in the interior of containers having the same or different shape and size, suitable for being used in operations of continuous cycle and particularly in presswork operating with injection or blow of plastic materials is described and the opening (2) for unloading the products which must be deposited and also the containers for collection (3) of the same products are static and in addition there is an intermediate device capable of collecting continuously the products which are unloaded from the same opening to be deposited always continuously in the interior of the same containers.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for automatically and evenly dispensing adequate amount of seeds into bedding compartments of a latticed and bottom-netted seed holder according to a ratio of volume expansion of seeds in the bedding compartment. The apparatus mainly includes a conveyor for forward moving latticed seed holders disposed thereon, a volume-based seed holder straddling the conveyor and having multiple fixed-volume through holes for accommodating seeds to be dispensed into the latticed seed holders, a seed feeding tank mounted on a rail rack over the volume-based seed holder for temporarily storing and dispensing seeds, and sweeping off extra seeds from the volume-based seed holder, and a seed storage for storing seeds to be supplied to the seed feeding tank. With the fixed-volume through holes on the volume-based seed holder, the amount of seeds in each bedding compartment of the latticed seed holder can be well controlled to avoid undesirable compression of seeds after they are soaked and expanded.

Abstract: A method including: a particulate material source and receiver, and wherein the source contains a discharge feature; moving material in the source in the direction of a member located at least partially within the source, the member defining an adjustable restriction therein such that the particulate material clogs within the restriction; mechanically agitating the particulate material in the source, at least adjacent to the restriction to thereby unclog the particulate material within the adjustable restriction; and dispensing particulate material through the adjustable restriction, through the discharge feature, and into the receiver.

Abstract: A system for sequentially establishing batches of predetermined numbers of items is disclosed. The system includes a feeder for continuously dispensing items serially and one at a time. A counter counts items as they are dispensed by the feeder and emits a batch control signal each time a predetermined number of items has been dispensed by the feeder. An item accumulator/separator separates items fed on a continuous basis into batches. The separator includes a diverter for diverting items forming each succeeding batch to a collection location separated from the location of items in the batch immediately preceding each separated batch while maintaining all items along a flow path from the feeder to a collection station. The diverter is operative to establish diversion of items of a succeeding batch in response to each such batch control signal. A collector is positioned at the collection station for sequentially collecting such batches and maintaining them in such separated condition.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to apparatus for delivering a predetermined portion of product to a plurality of containers. The apparatus includes a driven endless conveyor having a plurality "of" horizontal flat plates pivotally connected to one another. Fences extend along the length of each of the opposite sides of the endless conveyor adjacent the upper surface portion of each plate to confine product upon the upper surfaces of the plates as the conveyor is driven. Each of the plates has an opening extending therethrough. A cup having an open top portion, an open bottom portion, and a predetermined volume therein is disposed in the opening of each of the plates with the open top portion of the cup in register with the opening in the plate. Means are provided for closing the bottom portion of the cups. Means are provided along the path of travel of the endless conveyor for delivering product to the upper surfaces of the plates and thereby to the cups.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes a tank mounted over a conveyor, and containers being moved along a conveyor under the tank. An elongated slot is formed in the bottom of the tank and aligned over the containers on the conveyor, to dispense fluid into the containers. A continuous loop belt extends around a pair of drums, with a lower portion of the belt in sealed slidable engagement with the tank bottom, to cover the slot. The belt has a plurality of apertures extending uniformly around the entirety of the belt, spaced apart a distance equal to the spacing of the containers on the conveyor, such that fluid dispensed through the belt apertures sliding over the slot will fill a container below the tank. Preferably, the belt is driven by the same drive system which drives the conveyor, to synchronize the speed of movement of the belt with the speed of movement of the containers under the tank.

Abstract: An apparatus for and a method of filling a flowable product into a succession of receptacles as they pass continuously along a predetermined path is defined by an elongated hollow containment member mounted above the predetermined path which is formed with an axially extending slot therein. A metering screw having a helical thread is mounted for rotation within the containment member and is biased into sealing engagement with the containment member on each side of the slot. A distribution chamber is formed within the containment member substantially around the screw member except that the sealing engagement and the slot whereby flowable products supplied to the distribution chamber when the screw is rotated is distributed through the slot between adjacent screw portions of the screw member and leaves the containment member in a succession of spaced moving streams.

Abstract: A metering apparatus for the metered delivery of flowable or fluent material masses comprises a drum member rotatable about a substantially horizontal lengthwise axis. A cylindrical shell of such drum member contains a multiplicity of openings. A cell wheel is rotatably arranged within the drum member. The lengthwise axis of the cell wheel and the lengthwise axis of the drum member are arranged parallel and eccentric to one another and, optionally, these lengthwise axes can be moved relative to one another. Beneath the drum member there is arranged a transport device for receiving metered portions of the material mass. The cell wheel is provided with lamellae cooperating with an inner surface or wall of the drum member, and such drum member, while leaving free or unobstructed a lower region, is surrounded by a container for the material mass.

Abstract: A head for taking liquid samples and intended to be used in a sampling system associated with a nuclear fuel processing installation, includes a sampling tank (10) in which is removably received a needle body (16), which supports a sampling needle, to which can be fixed a vacuum sampling container (46). The needle body (16) has an extension (34) provided with holes, which surrounds the lower part of the needle (18) immersed in a cavity (26) of the sampling tank (10). The lower end (36) of said extension (34) seals a draining passage (32), which opens into the bottom of the cavity (26). This makes it possible to ensure a larger liquid quantity.

Abstract: A sand bag filling device comprises a trailer having a vertical post with a distribution head at a top of the vertical post. This distribution head is attached to a plurality of filling spouts which extend downwardly and outwardly from the head to positions surrounding the head. A rotatable chute is positioned at the top of the head for receiving sand from a conveyor and for supplying that sand to each in turn of the filling spouts. Emergency personnel can move a sand bag to each spout in turn with the amount of material being controlled so that the bag is filled before the distribution head moves the supply to the next adjacent filling spout.

Abstract: A method and means for delivering the liquid generated by a coreflood experiment to test tubes and the gas so generated to a gas outlet. A mixture of gas and liquid is fed through an axially rotating tube extending through the central portion of a sealed chamber in which the test tubes are arranged in a circular path. The tube has a transversely extending delivery portion which deposits liquid into the test tubes, while gas is collected through a conduit leading from the chamber. The tube is incrementally rotated through a mechanism which allows fluid from the core sample to flow into the tube at the same back pressure under which the experiment takes place.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling bakery dough, especially thick, sticky bakery dough, into cavity pans is disclosed. The bakery dough is fed from a source into a housing into which cavity pans are advanced by a conveyor. The cavity pans proceed beneath counter-rotating dough-feeding rollers and advance to a rotating compaction roller which rests under downward spring bias on the upper surface of the cavity pan and which rotates to force the dough into the cavities. The dough in the thus-filled cavities is levelled off and excess removed by a doctor blade or roll to which the pan is then advanced, the doctor blade or roll also being under downward spring-bias to maintain it in contact with the upper surface of the cavity pan being filled.

Abstract: Accurately reproducible filling to a selected headspace level of a rapidly moving line of containers is obtained by using a single feeder screw through at least a final portion of a filling region and an outfeed zone following the filling region. The containers are tilted to a predetermined angle, depending on the selected headspace level, during their progress through the filling region and then return smoothly to an upright condition in the outfeed transition zone, without splashing any of the liquid content. Apparatus for filling the containers includes a container support structure in the filling region that can be adjusted through a range of tilt angles in an arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the feeder screw. The apparatus also includes an elongated funnel for delivering liquid to the containers and that can be pivoted forward to permit access to the filling region.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying and dispensing non-fluid fluent material such as free-flowing packaging material includes a recycling system for automatically retrieving spilled material and a reservoir which automatically controls the input of material from a main supply based upon the height of material in the reservoir. Various air transport systems are incorporated.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for filling containers, such as can (C), has a tank (14) provided with a weir (30) over which liquid may fall and descend along a guide plate (32). The liquid falls from the guide plate as a sub-laminar rectangular sheet having, in transverse cross-section, a width (w) and a length (l). An endless stream of single-file series-abutting cans is moved beneath the guide plate, and through the length of the falling liquid sheet. Each can is just filled with liquid as it is moved the length of the liquid sheet, but without undue splashing of liquid or contamination of the can outer surfaces.

Abstract: A transport system for conveying and dispensing non-fluid fluent material such as free-flowing packaging material includes a recycling system for automatically retrieving spilled material and a reservoir which automatically controls the input of material from a main supply based upon the height of material in the reservoir. Various air transport systems are incorporated.

Abstract: An apportioning apparatus for depositing a selected amount of a particulate product onto a series of moving receptacles is provided. At least one bucket is mounted in a reciprocating carriage for receiving a selected amount of the product. The bucket includes a closure for the outlet end that selectively opens to deposite a selected amount of the product onto a moving receptacle, with the speed of movement of the carriage and bucket substantially matched to the speed of movement of the receptacle during the filling operation.

Abstract: Pusher arrangement simultaneously push the open end of an empty container against the inclined side of a downwardly opening delivery cone and simultaneously push a preceeding filled container from below the cone. A spring supported platform below the cone supports the container being filled and lowers it as it is filled. A continuously operating source of material delivers continually to the cone. A first control actuated by the filled container reverses the pusher arrangement. The spring device supporting the container being filled are adjusted to trip the control before the container is fully filled. A second control actuated at the fully advanced position of the pusher arrangement again reverses the pushed arrangement. A first spring connected to the platform has its opposite end connected to a selectively adjustable fixed anchor.

Abstract: Containers 6, adapted to receive a product which does not of itself give off a gas, receive an amount of a liquefied pressurizing gas from a tank 1 provided with an outlet nozzle 3. The containers 6 are aligned on a machine 7 which conveys them, in the direction of the alignment, under the tank 1 which is provided with trunnions 2 and is oriented in such manner as to be pivotable about an axis parallel to the direction of alignment. A control device 8 regulates the angular position of the tank 1. The amount of the liquefied pressurizing gas received in each container depends on the angular position of the tank relative to the vertical position.

Abstract: A container transport device for the filling of containers with semi-liquid material such as ice cream or the like with the primary aspects of this invention being related to the transportation of the containers from a supply conveyor to a filling station and thereafter to an area which may provide lid application and then to a delivery conveyor. The primary aspects of this invention are the positive control and movement of the containers through the various stations and the proper centering thereof with respect to the filling device.

Abstract: A horizontal filler comprising a rotating turret supporting open-top containers and mounting a turntable for receiving a falling stream of particulate material is provided with tiltable trays on said turntable disposed to collect individual divided amounts of material from said stream for discharge gradually and individually into respective ones of said containers.

Abstract: A carton filling system is provided for continuously and substantially uniformly filling a succession of cartons with a product for shipping. The system is uniquely adapted for handling irregular-shaped products, such as frozen parfried potato strips, for filling the cartons to have a maximum bulk density, and thereby maximize the quantity of product which can be contained in the cartons. The system is embodied in apparatus and method for orienting the product prior to and during filling of the cartons.

Abstract: A discharger is disclosed for a dry coke cooling chamber which utilizes a breeches chute having a plurality of outlets. The breeches chute is supplied with coke by a continuously operable conveyor which conveys coke from an outlet of the cooling chamber to an inlet of the breeches chute. A tilting table or other apparatus is provided in the breeches chute to selectively discharge the coke to one of the breeches chute outlets. A lock bin is provided at each of the outlets to receive coke and, at the same time to isolate the cooling chamber in a gastight fashion from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A rotating riffler for the purpose of withdrawing smaller laboratory-sized representative particulate samples from larger samples. This comprises a rotating disk having an interchangeable top plate of plastic foam having openings therein to accommodate sample containers. Where different size sample containers are employed, the plastic foam plate is changed to accommodate them. The rotating disk is mounted on a base containing a variable speed drive and is supported at the periphery by bearings rather than by the shaft. A slurry or dry volume of particles of which a smaller representative sample is required, is fed into a funnel-like device, then drops in a controlled flow into the sampling containers rotating below the funnel. "V"-shaped bridging devices having curved legs are attached between each pair of containers to prevent spilling.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for spreading a foamable composition for forming a polyurethane foam. The foamable composition is uniformly spread on all of a surface which is moved by scattering the foamable composition uniformly in its transversal direction. The foamable composition is fed to spread on a first surface and then, the foamable composition is scattered from the first surface as fine particles to the second surface. For example, the foamable composition (10) is fed to spread on a pair of rotated spreading rolls and then, the foamable composition is scattered as fine particles by a pair of rotated scattering rolls (3), (4) which are respectively contacted with the spreading rolls. This can be used for preparing a polyurethane foam sheet or a laminated product having a polyurethane foam layer.

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 method and an apparatus for distributing loose fibres or particles onto a moving web in an even layer thereon preparatory to production of a non-woven sheet of the fibre or particle material. The material is filled into a container having a generally V-shaped screen bottom extending crosswise over the moving web, and whipping members are rotated in the bottom space so as to whip the material adjacent the interior surface of the screen by a whipping movement causing the fibres or particles to be slung against the screen and the material to move in a flow lengthwise along the bottom surfaces, whereby when suction is applied to the outside of the screen bottom through the web the fibres or particles will get dispensed through the screen and deposited on the web. The combined whipping and slinging of the material contributes to a high capacity of the distribution.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling multi-cell or honeycomb cored panels wih fibrous insulation is described. Bales of insulation are reduced to particulate composition and evenly distributed within honeycomb panels.Insulation reduced to particulate composition is temporarily stored in an insulation feeder. Located within the feeder is a reciprocating grating that disperses the stored insulation at a controlled rate. Below the grating is an insulation conveyor belt that receives the dispersed insulation and transfers it to a point of discharge into a panel to be filled. The panel is conveyed over a vibrator to evenly distribute the insulation contained therein. The panel is also conveyed under reciprocating and rotary brushes that extend into the panel interior for uniformly packing the insulation to achieve an even predetermined insulation density. Flexible scrapers are located between the rotary brushes to scrape the surfaces of the panels clear of any insulation remaining on such surfaces.

Abstract: A potting and repotting machine forming part of an apparatus for filling pots, in particular for filling flower pots and the like with potting soil, is provided with an elongated bin which is open at the top and accommodates an endless chain conveyor fitted with carriers extending transversely to the transport direction, the potting and repotting machine being provided with at least one continuous pot guideway extending longitudinally of the bin and having variable width and depth, the carriers of the endless chain conveyor being designed as pushing members extending in the upper part of the chain above the bottom level of the guideway or guideways, so that the conveyor can be easily adapted to different pot sizes and pot configurations.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for distributing loose fibers or particles onto a moving web in an even layer thereon preparatory to production of a non-woven sheet of the fiber or particle material. The material is filled into a container having a generally V-shaped screen bottom extending crosswise over the moving web, and whipping members are rotated in the bottom space so as to whip the material adjacent the interior surface of the screen by a whipping movement causing the fibers or particles to be slung against the screen and the material to move in a flow lengthwise along the bottom surfaces, whereby when suction is applied to the outside of the screen bottom through the web the fibers or particles will get dispensed through the screen and deposited on the web. The combined shipping and slinging of the material contributes to a high capacity of the distribution.

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.