Abstract: A magnetic recording medium is provided comprising a non-magnetic support and at least one magnetic layer comprising ferromagnetic metal particles principally containing iron, having a spindle shape and having an average major axis length of 0.15 &mgr;m or less, and a binder resin, and optionally further comprising, between the support and the magnetic layer, at least one adhesive layer or at least one non-magnetic layer principally containing a non-magnetic inorganic powder and a binder, and wherein center line average surface roughness Ra of the magnetic layer surface being 2 to 6 nm, said recording medium having the following properties; steel ball wear at 23° C. and 70% RH being 2×10−5 to 4×10−5 mm3, surface C/Fe ratio measured by Auger electron spectroscopy being 50 to 100, and coefficient of friction between the magnetic layer surface and an SUS rod having a roughness of 8 to 10 nm being 0.2 to 0.3.

Abstract: An apparatus including dispensers connected to a hopper enable discrete portions of filler material to be introduced into individual containers as they pass through a food canning operation. The dispensers are connected to a hopper and are operable to dispense discrete amounts of filler material that are stored in the hopper. The amount of filler material to be introduced into the containers brings a container weight to within desired tolerances of a selected target weight. The containers are provided to the dispensers by a timing screw that extends adjacent to a conveyor that conveys the containers. The timing screw is synchronized with a transfer gear that directs each container onto a platform below the dispensers.