Abstract: A valve housing which is internally formed with a filled liquid passage and a liquid valve which allows or interrupts a communication of the filled liquid passage are provided, and a liquid valve opening/closing air cylinder opens or closes the liquid valve to perform a filling operation of a filled liquid. An outlet portion located at the bottom end of the valve housing is formed by a separate liquid outlet member. A first liquid outlet member which is connected with a gas exhaust passage and used for a carbonated filling operation and a second liquid outlet member which carries a screen on its bottom end and used for a non-carbonated filling operation are interchangeably used. A filling valve which permits a combined use with a carbonated filling operation and a non-carbonated filling operation enables an accommodation for a filling operation which should take place in a clean environment.

Abstract: On a continuous machine for filling capsules with at least one pharmaceutical product, the top shell of a capsule is transferred by advancing the top shell inside a relative seat, which is normally connected to a suction device to retain the top shell as of a loading station, and is connected to a blow device to release the top shell at an unloading station; pneumatic connection of the seat to the suction device being cut off upstream from the loading station in a travelling direction of the seat, so as to pick up the top shell directly at the loading station.

Abstract: In a machine (1) for filling containers with fluid products, different fluid substances are directed by means of a rotary valve assembly (19) into a tank (7) furnished with separate compartments (12, 13, 14, 15), isolated one from another and equipped each with at least one filler valve (8) by which a given quantity of one of the fluid substances is dispensed from the tank (7) into each container.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on microscope slides are provided. Individualized slide temperature control is accomplished by the heating system according to the present invention that has thermal platforms radially mounted to the carousel for heating the slides and sensing the temperature of each. The heating system also permits automated de-waxing if necessary.

Abstract: Beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage having a filling machine for filling bottles and other beverage containers with a liquid beverage. The filling machine having a gas tube being configured and disposed to permit evacuation of gas from a beverage bottle to a chamber of a return gas duct without the gas contacting liquid beverage material in a beverage storage reservoir to essentially prevent contamination of the liquid beverage material in said beverage storage reservoir by the gas being evacuated from the beverage bottle.

Abstract: Machine for the aseptic treatment of containers (10) in bottling plant, of the rotary type provided with a plurality of stations (9) for treating the containers and so shaped as to cause the treatment of the containers to take place under substantially sterile conditions, is characterised in that it comprises sealing means that separate a non sterile area (11) of the machine from an area (12) maintained under sterile conditions and in which the treated containers (10) transit, said means comprising a fixed annular channel (15) at least partially filled with liquid in which slides a concentric annular element (16) associated with the rotating part (11).

Abstract: A filling valve apparatus having a body portion with an inner wall terminating at an aperture to define a sealing seat. The inner wall extends below the seat to define a trap for a fluid. A cage extends from the body portion with the cage having an inner wall mating with the inner wall of the body portion to define a continuous inner surface. A stem, having a seal, includes an outer surface that is complementary in configuration to the continuous inner surface to define a smooth passageway for the fluid as the fluid is directed into the container thereby ensuring a laminar flow of the fluid between the inner and outer surfaces and into the container. The filling valve apparatus also includes a pre-assembled body portion, valve assembly, cap assembly, lower vent tube assembly, and snift valve.

Abstract: The capsule filling machine is provided with special volumetric dosing stations each having two or more adjacent dosing units (9, 9?, 22), fixed at equal distances from each other on the periphery of the carousel and located outside and at a distance from the product feed hopper (2), in such a way that they can be rapidly and easily replaced when there is a change in the formal of the capsules to be filled, in the same way as all the other components of the machine, which is also designed for easy and rapid preparation for the washing and sterilization cycle.

Abstract: An apparatus for transferring a mold charge pellet to a molding machine having a mold with a mold cavity includes a hub rotated about an axis, at least one arm extending generally radially from the hub to rotate with the hub around the axis, and a cam system extending at least partially around the axis and operably coupled to the arm for moving the arm along a predetermined path with respect to the axis as the hub and the arm rotate around the axis. In one presently preferred embodiment, at least a portion of the arm traveling along a plane that is parallel to the axis during a portion of said path.

Abstract: Continuous circular motion filling machine is provided for filling containers. The machine includes a rotating platform having an in-feed section disposed to receive empty containers and an out-feed section disposed to transfer filled containers from the rotating platform. A filling turret is disposed generally above the rotating platform and is rotatable at a speed corresponding generally to that of the rotating platform. The turret includes a plurality of filling elements movable between a rest position and a filling position as the turret rotates. Radially extensible and retractable indexing arms are spaced around the platform. The arms are at a retracted position at the in-feed section and are subsequently extended as the rotating platform rotates so as to index the containers into groups on the rotating platform between respective indexing arms. Each group of containers is arranged in a desired pattern and spacing between adjacent arms corresponding to a pattern and spacing of the filling elements.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, and a container filling lifting device for lifting containers in container filling machines. The lifting device is designed to lift a container, such as a bottle, to a first level for filling in the absence of counterpressure, and to a second, different level for filling under counterpressure.

Abstract: At least one solid drug form is fed into a capsule, housed inside a pocket on a first conveyor movable along an endless first path extending in a given first plane, by means of a seat on a second conveyor movable along an endless second path extending in a second plane parallel to the first plane; the seat receiving the solid form from a vibratory distributor plate, and releasing the solid form to the pocket.

Abstract: A beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, a container filling plant, a closing station, a container information adding station in the form of a labeling station having a electromagnetic operated sleeve label cutting arrangement, the station being configured to add information to containers in the form of bottles and cans.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for processing containers or other articles by using continuous rotation of processing heads in a circular path about a single vertical axis and controlling the processing heads to independently rotate about a swivel axis causing them to move in a straight-line path while the heads are lowered to engage a group of containers or articles arranged in parallel rows. In this manner, a higher production apparatus and method are provided which is simpler, more reliable, requires less floor space, and easy to reconfigure for different applications.

Abstract: There is now provided a beverage bottling plant for filling bottles with a liquid beverage filling material, and a container filling plant container information adding station, such as, a labeling station having a sleeve label cutting arrangement, the station being configured to add information to containers, such as, bottles and cans.

Abstract: A unit for feeding powdery and/or granular products to containers includes a main body and a revolving funnel, through which the product reaches the main body. Driving means are provided for rotation of the revolving funnel with respect to the main body. Conveying and stirring means are carried by the funnel and driven into rotation within the main body to prevent formation of agglomerates.

Abstract: Device for supplying additives (A, B, C) and machine for filling containers (4) with a fluid product (6) supplied to delivery heads (5) by means of a header (7; 7; 107) and distribution ducts (7a; 7b) comprising means (10a, 10b, 10c, 11; 110A, 110B, 110C, 11) for supplying said additives (A, B, C) to the said header (7; 7; 107) receiving the base product (6).

Abstract: A machine for filling containers includes a series of filling stations, each of which is equipped with an impervious chamber for receiving a container to be filled. The chamber is opened in order to load or unload the container and closed in order to control the atmosphere in the chamber during the filling process. The chamber is delimited by an upper head section, which has a filling spout, by an essentially cylindrical lateral wall and by a base wall. The filling machine has element for modifying the volume of the closed chamber.

Abstract: The method of packaging a receptacle (2) with a product comprising different miscible ingredients comprises the steps of filling the receptacles (2) in part with a first portion of the ingredients in a first filling unit (4) comprising a series of filling stations (5), of transferring the receptacles to at least one second filling unit likewise comprising a series of filling stations (9), and of successively finishing off the filling of the receptacles with the remainder of the ingredients.

Abstract: A unit for feeding powdery and/or granular products to containers includes a main body and a revolving funnel, through which the product reaches the main body. Driving means are provided for rotation of the revolving funnel with respect to the main body. Conveying and stirring means are carried by the funnel and driven into rotation within the main body to prevent formation of agglomerates.

Abstract: A weight-based, multiple filler filling machine has a simplified wiring arrangement. The filling machine fills a plurality of bottles with a predetermined amount in weight of an article through associated ones of a plurality of valves. The weight of the article placed in each of the bottles is measured by a load cell. An arithmetic unit is mounted on the surface of or inside each load cell for determining the weight level of the article as measured by that load cell and controlling the associated valve in accordance with the determined weight level.

Abstract: Device for supplying additives (A,B,C) and machine for filling containers (4) with a fluid product (6) supplied to delivery heads (5) by means of a header (7;7;107) and distribution ducts (7a;7b) comprising means (10a,10b,10c,11;110A,110B,110C,11) for supplying said additives (A,B,C) to the said header (7;7;107) receiving the base product (6).

Abstract: Containers are filled with liquids by equipment incorporating a carousel rotatable about a vertical axis, and a number of filler heads mounted to the carousel, each comprising a platform on which to set a container, a nozzle aligned with the platform and serving to direct at least one type of liquid into the container, also a dynamometer associated with the platform and sensing the weight of the container. The equipment includes at least one tank holding at least one liquid to be batched into the containers, and a fixed pipeline of which a first end is connected to the tank and a second end is connected by way of a rotary coupling to a manifold at the top of the carousel.

Abstract: An automatic device for preparing mixed and non-mixed beverages having a load-bearing structure (22), a conveyor (21) designed to convey containers (26) into a set position under a motor-driven rotary head (12,32) having a plurality of receptacles (13,33) for ingredients to be poured into the containers (26) on the conveyor where each receptacle (13, 33) has an automatic-dosing actuation valve (24, 34) and the said device (10) includes an automatic system (20) for managing positioning of the dispensers over the containers.

Abstract: On a continuous machine for filling the bottom shells of capsules with a powdered product, the bottom shells are conveyed so as to be equally spaced along a given path with a first spacing; the machine having a number of metering wheels rotating about respective parallel axes, and each having a respective number of metering devices moving with the relative metering wheel along a relative portion of the path, each in time with a relative bottom shell; and the metering devices being equally spaced about the relative axis with a second spacing substantially equal to the product of the number of metering wheels and the first spacing.

Abstract: Apparatus for inserting a plurality of bags, in particular stand up bags filled with a beverage, into an outer container, including a bag conveyor and a feed conveyor for the container, the bags being insertable into the container under the action of gravity at an insertion point positioned above the feed conveyor. For further improving such an apparatus and for increasing the conveying speed, the bag conveyor can comprise a star conveyor which is rotatable about a substantially horizontal axis and which is provided with receiving compartments that can be loaded and unloaded on the circumference and which receive only a single bag in the conveying direction, and which has the same conveying direction as the feed conveyor above the feed conveyor at the insertion point.

Abstract: A filling machine including at least one filling tube (22), whereby a product flows through said filling tube and said filling tube is placed opposite the opening of a receptacle that is to be filled. The feed for the filling tube is controlled by a valve (30) which is arranged in a downward skewed position in relation to the tube and the valve is joined to the tube by a feed pipe (28).

Abstract: A weight-based, multiple filler filling machine has a simplified wiring arrangement. The filling machine fills a plurality of bottles with a predetermined amount in weight of an article through associated ones of a plurality of valves. The weight of the article placed in each of the bottles is measured by a load cell. An arithmetic unit is mounted on the surface of or inside each load cell for determining the weight level of the article as measured by that load cell and controlling the associated valve in accordance with the determined weight level.

Abstract: The present invention is a system for filling a container main body at least whose drum body is made of a flexible film, with a viscous material. A viscous material is charged by the charging means into container main bodies conveyed by the container conveying means, the drum body of the container main body is pressed by the pressing means to cause the surface of the viscous material to bulge, and the opening of the reinforcing component of the container main body is capped by the capping means, allowing the opening to be capped in an air-tight manner with a lid member while virtually all of the air inside the container main body is evacuated, and preventing air from being left over in the container main body so as to prevent hardening, curing and deterioration in the quality of the viscous material that can be caused by such remaining air.

Abstract: A fraction collector (1) for dispensing liquid from a liquid source into receptacles (23) carried on a rotatable turntable (6), wherein the turntable is connected to the fraction collector casing (5) via a support arm (7) such that the turntable is rotatably mounted at one end of said support arm, and said support arm at its other end being rotatably mounted to the fraction collector casing. Thereby it is possible to align any position of the turntable under a dispensing tube (4) to dispense a liquid into a receptacle placed anywhere on the turntable.

Abstract: A fraction collector (1) for dispensing liquid from a liquid source into receptacles (23) carried on a rotatable turntable (6), wherein the turntable is connected to the fraction collector casing (5) via a support arm (7) such that the turntable is rotatably mounted at one end of said support arm, and said support arm at its other end being rotatably mounted to the fraction collector casing. Thereby it is possible to align any position of the turntable under a dispensing tube (4) to dispense a liquid into a receptacle placed anywhere on the turntable.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for providing a precisely controlled amount of dry material to a container. A powder slug is formed, preferably under vacuum, in a dosing hole formed in a dosing plate. The powder slug represents a precisely metered amount of material to be deposited into the container. The dosing plate is translated to a position such that the powder slug is above, and may be expelled into, a container located in a dosing wheel that has been moved into proper position for container filling to occur. In another embodiment, a system is provided for automated container filling.

Abstract: An automated immunostaining apparatus having a reagent application zone and a reagent supply zone. The apparatus has a carousel slide support supporting a plurality of slide supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel slide support for consecutively positioning each of a plurality of slide supports in the reagent application zone. The apparatus also has a carousel reagent support having a plurality of reagent container supports thereon, and drive means engaging the carousel for rotating the carousel and positioning a preselected reagent container support in the reagent supply zone. The apparatus also has a reagent delivery actuator means positioned for engaging a reagent container positioned on a container support in the reagent delivery zone and initiating reagent delivery from the reagent container to a slide supported on a slide support in the reagent receiving zone.

Abstract: A method of operating a carbonated beverage filling machine for filling beverage containers, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans, with a beverage, and also a carbonated beverage filling machine for filling beverage containers, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans, with a beverage. The beverage in the corresponding container, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans, is carbonated in the container, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans, while the container, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans, is being filled in the carbonated beverage filling machine for filling beverage containers, such as beverage bottles and beverage cans.

Abstract: A filling apparatus of irregular—formed vessels having an intermittent swinging table (111) disposed above a continuous rotation table (5) and having a plurality of filling nozzles (121) at a same pitch as the vessel holding pitch, filling means for pushing out the liquid from the filling nozzles (121), vertical moving means for vertically moving the filling nozzles (121), a continuously rotating outside hollow shaft (119) to which the continuous rotation table (5) is mounted, a hollow shaft (116) disposed concentrically with the outside hollow shaft (119) for reciprocally rotating the intermittent swinging table (111).

Abstract: A filling installation comprising a fixed frame, a tank mounted on the fixed frame so as to rotate about an axis, and a lid associated with the tank and provided with a feed pipe, positioning means being fixed to the lid, and being mounted on the fixed frame to slide parallel to the axis of rotation between a position in which the lid is applied against an edge of the tank so as to close off said tank and a position in which the lid is spaced apart from the edge of the tank.

Abstract: A constant flow distribution valve, particularly suited as the filler valve for a canning system, is constructed in the form of at least three stacked circular plates. The top or uppermost one of these plates has an elongated slot formed in it near the circumference, and oriented perpendicular to a radius of the top plate or concentrically with the circumference of the plate. This plate is mounted in a non-rotational position in the canning apparatus. A second plate and an indexing member are mounted together for rotation beneath the first plate. The second plate has its center line aligned with the center of the top plate, and includes a series of equally spaced distribution openings through it, with the openings aligned with the slot in the first plate as the second plate is rotated. Beneath the second plate is an indexing member for locating containers to be filled beneath each of the distribution openings in the second plate.

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 rotary union assembly for use in a rotary filler device comprising a first product supply conduit, a second product supply conduit, and a product supply turret rotatably coupled to the first product supply conduit and the second product supply conduit, to, in turn, maintain substantially sealed coupling therebetween.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for automatically staining or treating multiple tissue samples mounted on microscope slides are provided. Individualized slide temperature control is accomplished by the heating system according to the present invention that has thermal platforms radially mounted to the carousel for heating the slides and sensing the temperature of each. The heating system also permits automated de-waxing if necessary.

Abstract: An apparatus for volumetric metering of small quantities of a product and dispensing them into containers (a) has a metering disk that revolves around a vertical axis and has metering chambers embodied as apertures disposed in groups on a pitch circle. To close the lower opening of the metering chambers, pushers with apertures are displaceably supported on the underside of the metering disk; in the filling position, they close the metering chambers, and in the evacuation position they open them. The pushers are pulled into the filling position by a spring and are pressed into the evacuation position by a controlled stop.

Abstract: A resin bottle 16 has an opening at its top end in which a thread 16a is formed, and also has a neck including a cylindrical portion 16b and a flange 16c which are disposed below the opening. An intermediate wheel 8 is disposed between a filler 6 which fills the resin bottle 16 and a capper 10 which caps the filled bottle 16. The intermediate wheel 8 is provided with a plurality of circumferentially spaced grippers 22 each gripping the cylindrical portion 16b of the resin bottle 16, and rotatively conveys the bottle while it is suspended by gripping the neck of the resin bottle. A support 32 is disposed above each gripper 22 for abutment against the opening of the resin bottle 16, whereby in the event the bottom of the bottle 16 is swung radially outward, the opening which is located above the cylindrical portion 16b that is gripped by the gripper 22 is urged by the support 32 from the radial inside, thus allowing the bottle to be maintained in its upright position.

Abstract: A filling apparatus of irregular-formed vessels having an intermittent swinging table (111) disposed above a continuous rotation table (5) and having a plurality of filling nozzles (121) at a same pitch as the vessel holding pitch, filling means for pushing out the liquid from the filling nozzles (121), vertical moving means for vertically moving the filling nozzles (121), a continuously rotating outside hollow shaft (119) to which the continuous rotation table (5) is mounted, a hollow shaft (116) disposed concentrically with the outside hollow shaft (119) for reciprocally rotating the intermittent swinging table (111).

Abstract: The machine provides for metering liquid pharmaceutical products into bottom shells, and has: a bottom part rotating about a respective vertical axis; a number of first vertical through holes formed in the bottom part; a piston movable reciprocatingly along a respective first hole; a bottom-shell belt meshing with a portion of the bottom part; a rotary top part defined by a vessel containing the pharmaceutical product; a rotary central part coaxial and angularly integral with the bottom part and the top part; a second hole, for each first hole, formed radially along the central part; and a valve housed in each of the second holes. Two separate channels are formed in the valve; and the valve rotates between a first angular position in which a first channel hydraulically connects the inside of the vessel to a metering chamber defined along the first hole, and a second angular position in which a second channel hydraulically connects the chamber to the inside of the bottom shell.

Abstract: Containers are directed onto a carousel rotatable as one about a vertical axis with a tank affording a fluid-tight enclosure and equipped with filler valves, each positionable over the mouth of a relative container; the tank is filled with a liquid substance until a given head has been established, whereupon the enclosure is negatively or positively pressurized, according to the type of liquid substance being handled, in such a way that the jet formed at the outlet of the filler valves will be dispensed at a selected discharge pressure different to the pressure deriving solely from the head of the liquid substance in the tank. The tank is depressurized when filled with foamable liquid substances, and pressurized when filled with viscous substances.

Abstract: A bag-loading machine and a bag-filling machine and combination thereof, the bag-loading machine including bag-carrying frame, a first motor coupled to the bag-carrying frame for moving it between a lower and a higher position, a bag-opening frame, a second motor for moving the bag-opening frame between an away position an a toward position wherein it pulls the front side of a bag away from the rear side while the bag-carrying frame is in its lower position, a blower mounted on the bag-carrying frame for maintaining the front side of the bag away from the rear side, the bag-filling machine including a second blower for blowing the bag to a fully opened position preceding the movement of first and second closed pads on a conveyor trough over the fully opened bag, the first motor thereafter moving the bag-carrying frame to its upper position so that the first and second closed pads are received within the open mouth of the bag, a third motor on the conveyor trough thereafter moving the first pad to clamp the fr

Abstract: A container filling assembly (10) including a carousel (12) having an in-feed station (20) and an exit station (30) for supplying empty containers (22) and exiting filled containers (22). A number valve stations (34) are supported by the carousel (12) for filling the containers (22). An enclosure (42) is associated with each valve station (34) for enclosing the container (22) on the valve station (34). The enclosure (42) has an elongated endless wall (44) with an upper periphery (46) for sealing engagement about at the valve station (34). An actuation device (48) moves the enclosure (42) vertically between a sealed position with the valve station (34) and an open position spaced vertically from the valve station (34). A bottom (50) is disposed within the endless wall (44) to create a sealed chamber (70) when the endless wall (44) is in the sealed position.

Abstract: A rotary liquid container-filling machine has valve assemblies (3), mounted on a rotating platform (2), each of provided with a duct (4) intercepted by an obturator (5) for regulating the supply of liquid from a storage tank (6) to the container (7) and having an air return pipe (8). A centering cone (10) receives in abutment the mouth of the container (7) to cause opening of the obturator (5) mounted at the bottom of each valve assembly (3). A flushing station (14) associated with the rotating platform (2), but fixed with respect thereto, is provided with at least one collecting tray (15) which is moved by a linear actuator (16) so as to be positioned underneath the valve assemblies (3) passing above it. For this purpose first a actuator means (17) opens each obturator (5) when valve assemblies (3) pass above the collecting tray (15).

Abstract: A filler product supply apparatus (10) and method has one or more conduits (17) for delivering filler product under pressure to a manifold (30). Filler product is delivered through manifold (30) to one or more filling heads (18, 28) integral with the manifold. The filling heads (18, 28) deliver the filler product directly from the manifold into containers.