Abstract: An automated system for venting gas from a FOB is provided replacing a conventional manual venting button at the top of a FOB with a remotely controlled vent (bleed) valve attached to the FOB. After that the venting button is reinstalled in parallel with the vent valve. The automated vent valve can be implemented as a solenoid or pneumatic valve and is controlled by a controller. A tube connects FOB's vent outlet with a waste bucket. When the FOB is vented, a mix of gas, foam, and beverage is expelled from the FOB chamber and deposited in this waste bucket.

Abstract: A unit for carrying out an operation on a container fillable with a pourable product is disclosed. The unit comprises: a first area; a second area; at least one operative head, which is adapted to carry out the operation; at least one gripping device for gripping the container and which is movable between a rest position, in which the at least one gripping device receives or discharges the container; and an operative position, in which the at least one gripping device sets the container in a position in which the container undergoes the operation. The unit further comprises: a movable element, which is operatively connected to the at least one gripping device for moving the at least one gripping device between the rest position and the operative position, and which comprises a portion movable between the first area and the second area; and a bellow.

Abstract: A filler element includes a housing, a channel formed therein, a valve in the channel, an opening downstream from the valve that dispenses content into a container when the valve is open, a tube for fill-level adjustment, a controlled gas channel, and a collection space. The tube, which adjusts a fill level of content in the container, projects past the dispensing opening and extends into an interior of the container during filling thereof. This tube connects to a collection space separated from a content vat from which the content comes through the channel. To adjust the desired fill level, a gas pressure is applied to the interior through the tube, thereby displacing excess content from the container. The controlled gas channel permits the gas to enter the container interior.

Abstract: The invention concerns a brush-type deburring machine for deburring opposed ends of at least one elongate profile formed in a longitudinal direction during conveying in a conveying direction with two rows of conveying discs arranged in the conveying direction, wherein the conveying discs are arranged opposite one another in pairs and in each case have at least one aperture corresponding to an opposite aperture for receiving the at least one elongate profile, a gripping device by which the at least one elongate profile is capable of being inserted into the mutually corresponding apertures, with a pressing device arranged between the corresponding apertures and by which a force is capable of being exerted upon the at least one elongate profile in a direction radially towards the inside with respect to the conveying discs into the corresponding apertures.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. The sensor system includes a touch sensor mounted in the dispenser well and configured to sense the selection of a desired product level. A feedback array indicates the product level selected and tracks the product level within a container during the dispensing operation. The control automatically initiates a product dispensing operation based on the selection of a product level and the presence of the container in the dispenser well, and automatically terminates the dispensing operation when the product level in the container reaches the selected product level. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized.

Abstract: A method for actuating a dispensing system, wherein the system includes a dispenser cavity and a dispenser is provided.

Abstract: A dispenser is described having a support for the container to be filled, a source of liquid and a switch controlling the flow of liquid into the container. The container is supported by a support which urges the container up or down. The switch is operated by the container such that when the container is empty it urges against a resilient mechanism which activates the switch. When the container is filled its weight overcomes the resilient mechanism.

Abstract: A detergent dispenser having a support for the dispenser may be filled with liquid from a suitable source. A switch controls the flow of liquid into the dispenser. The support, which may be a cradle from which the dispenser hangs or a platform on top of which the dispenser sits, holds the dispenser in conjunction with a resilient urging mechanism. The switch is activated by an empty dispenser urging against the switch. The switch is deactivated by the weight of the dispenser being filled, thus overcoming the urging mechanism.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for dispensing a potable beverage (B) stored in a container (K). A tap (16) is attached to the container and provides a discharge passage (18) for the beverage. A valve (20) opens and close the passage. A valve control unit (32) operates the valve. The container is a pressurized container and the valve control unit also utilizes this source (G) of pressure to operate the valve. A controller (60) activates the valve control unit. The controller includes a sensor (64) for first sensing when a receptacle is positioned adjacent the tap, to activate the valve control unit, for beverage to be dispensed into the receptacle. The controller subsequently senses when the receptacle has been withdrawn to deactivate the valve control unit and stop dispensing of the beverage. Dispensing is also automatically stopped if the receptacle is left in place for a preselected amount of time. The apparatus is available in a "kit" form for retrofitting existing dispensers.

Abstract: An automated drinkmaker system which is designed to accept an input drink order, as from a cash register, and deliver the drink order, for different sizes and different flavors, with or without ice, completely finished in lidded containers to an output station. The automated drinkmaker system is designed for labor free processing of drink orders in high volume quick service or fast food establishments. The machine is designed around a carousel type of drink transporter which intermittently carries each drink to and from four circularly spaced stations, cup dispensing, ice dispensing, soda dispensing, lid application and marking. The carousel design allows a cup to be dispensed at one station while another cup is being filled with ice at a second station, and yet another is being filled with soda at a third station, etc. The use of carousels is extended to both cup and lid dispensing.

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the speed at which a fill step may be completed in an automatic packaging machine. Instead of the usual process where a gate opens and closes for dumping product into each empty box, a plurality of bottomless measuring cups and transfer cups are moved in an aligned sequence with the corresponding boxes. These cups move over planar surfaces which function as the bottoms of the cups and keep the product in place within the cups. At selected locations, the cups pass over interruptions in the surfaces so that the product may fall out of the cup and into an underlying structure.

Abstract: In a filling valve for a counterpressure filling machine for filling containers, such as bottles, cans and the like, comprising a filling valve body including a filling channel, a centering tulip for positioning a container below the filling channel in sealed connection therewith, second channels in said valve body coacting with said filling channel for at least one of evacuating, pressurizing and relieving a container located within said second channels, wherein the improvement comprises each said auxiliary valve includes an axially elongated control bolt located in said filling valve body for opening one of said second channels, said control bolt having a first end located within said filling valve body and a second end located on the outside of said filling valve body, a cam plate located opposite the second end of said control bolt outside of said filling valve body and selectively engageable by the second end of said control bolt, and means associated with said centering tulip for cooperating with said c

Abstract: An apparatus and method is illustrated wherein seedlings carried in spaced relation in cellular trays receivable for inversion with subsequent release into means for distributing the seeds over a larger area occupied by segregated portions of growing medium.

Abstract: An improvement in the generation of foam from a mixture of foam-forming material in a structure having a preferred configuration. Conveying means are used to convey the structure along a horizontal path. A plurality of foam gun heads are mounted in spaced relationship to each other over and transverse to said horizontal path. Each foam gun head includes a foam dispensing outlet and valve means for controlling the discharges of the foam-forming materials therefrom. First, sensing means are provided upstream of the foam dispensing outlets for sensing the passage of the structure thereby. A plurality of second sensing means are positioned upstream of the foam dispensing outlets in spaced relationship to each other in a direction transverse to the horizontal path, each one of the second sensing means being associated with one foam gun head for sensing the presence of the structure in a vertical direction.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding fluid into capsules in a capsule-filling machine embodying a cam-controlled roller movable into and out of squeezing relation to a flexible feed tube, and movable along the tube in a fluid-ejecting direction when disposed in such squeezing relation to the tube, with tube shut off means and ejector nozzle positioning means operable in timed relation to the actuation of the roller.