Abstract: A fluid servicing apparatus with new and used fluid tanks for exchanging fluid with a serviceable vehicular subsystem having a fluid reservoir includes a control system with dielectric sensing capabilities to monitor the fluid level within the tanks and, based upon such fluid levels or relative changes thereto, regulate the flow of fluid between the vehicular subsystem and the tanks through selective operation of a fluid flow rate control device.

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the versatility and the speed at which an automatic packaging machine may fill boxes or other containers. Two fill stations are provided for alternately filling empty boxes as they move in single file past two separate fill stations. If no empty box is available to receive the product, a transfer cup is diverted and travels over one of two alternate paths at the fill station would otherwise fill the missing box. The product dumped from any non-diverted transfer cup goes into a corresponding box. The product dumped from any diverted transfer cup is returned to the start of the fill cycle. This way, the machine may simultaneously (i) fill one box with two separate products, (ii) fill alternate boxes with two different products or product volumes, or (iii) fill different kinds of boxes with product. A swing arm enables a part to be moved at each of the fill stations so that it may be repaired, maintained or cleaned without having to disassemble the machine.

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: 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: A filling apparatus for metal containers has a rotatable bowl carrying filling syrup or other fluid with a plurality of filling valves arranged on the bowl bottom around its periphery to fill empty containers moved into traveling engagement with each valve. A control cam manipulates each valve in a repeating sequence through close, vacuum, fill and vent positions. A switching cam follower tracking the control cam and a cooperating switch activate the valving sequence if a can is present at a particular filling valve and de-activate the sequence if a can is not present. A pneumatic cylinder actuated by series connected proximity sensors for metal objects, such as cans, manipulates the cooperating switch to direct the switching cam follower for each filler valve into one control cam tracking mode if an empty can is in place below the filler valve or into a second valve closing mode if a can is not present.

Abstract: A valve mechanism for positive displacement, rotary receptacle filling machines having vertically movable valve stems operable by fixed cam tracks employs cam followers pivoted on the valve stems for movement in a vertical plane and horizontally settable means for locking them against such movement.

Abstract: A high speed vacuum syruper for containers has a rotatable bowl carrying filling syrup or other fluid with a plurality of filling valves arranged on the bowl bottom around its periphery to fill empty containers moved into traveling engagement with each valve. Each filling valve includes a ported valve seat mounted in an opening in the bowl bottom, a pivotable ported valve disc overlying the valve seat and a valve stem extending upwardly out of the bowl that carries a crank mounted control cam follower and a switching cam follower. A stationary control cam above the bowl and in tracking engagement with the control cam follower for each filling valve controls the location of the valve disc ports in relation to the valve seat ports to manipulate each valve in a repeating sequence through close, vacuum, fill and vent positions.

Abstract: A positive displacement rotary receptacle filling machine employs a receptacle detecting mechanism which detects the presence or absence of a receptacle in the file being fed to the machine at a point ahead of the filling position of such a receptacle and effects a presetting of the valve operating mechanism of such a machine at a point correspondingly ahead of the initial filling position, utilizing a settable trip shoe separate from the settable valve operating mechanisms of the machine for this purpose. The arrangement described results in a significant extension of the filling arc of the machine, making possible a corresponding significant increase in its speed.