Abstract: A set-up table or conveyor system for bottle handling machines with inlet and outlet star wheels and corresponding guide rails for the bottles. The drive mechanisms for the individual star wheels are located below and at a distance from the star wheels. The drive mechanisms and the associated drive shafts are covered by hoods or covers that can extend to the bottle transport level.

Abstract: Container filler apparatus having a bowl for receiving liquid and for dispensing the liquid into a multiple of containers, a plurality of liquid-outlet lower openings and collars depending from the bowl, a plurality of liquid-outlet control valve mechanisms cooperatively interfitted within respective ones of the collars, a distortable retainer spring between each valve mechanism and its respective collar for retaining the valve in its collar, and safety clips exterior of said bowl engaged between the valves and their respective collars whereby each said valve mechanism can be removed from the bowl solely at the exterior of the bowl by removing the safety clip and pulling the valve down a sufficient amount to release the retainer spring. The retainer spring is an annular canted coil spring. An annular seal is between each valve mechanism and its respective collar, adjacent to but spaced from the canted coil spring.

Abstract: A method of controlling the weight of granulated products on a multiple metering machine; the method operating on a machine performing a metering cycle in which at least two products are metered into a container; and the method including: a step wherein the dosage of each product is formed in a chamber; at least one step wherein one of the metered products is transferred from the chamber to the container; at least one step wherein one of the metered products is extracted from the chamber; and a step wherein the products inside the container are weighed at the end of the metering cycle.

Abstract: A circular filling machine 10 rotates a plurality of filling units 20 through a plurality of actuator stations 30 and 32. The filling machine 10 is characterized by an adjustment valve, including a seal 38 and a positioning member 40, for determining the quantity of the material 14 to be filled into the chamber 34. The seal 38 is biased downwardly against the positioning member 40 by a spring 50 to hold the seal 38against the inside of the chamber 34 in the closed position. The seal 38 may be moved vertically out of engagement with the positioning member 40 to an open position by a cam 62 and cam follower 64 to allow cleaning material 37 to flush the entire chamber 34. In addition, the vertical operating level of the seal 38 and positioning member 40 may be adjusted vertically in unison to adjust the level to which the chamber 34 may be filled to accommodate containers 11 of various different volumes.

Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump comprises a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a means for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Abstract: A beverage filling machine (10) for conserving beverage at the end of a production run of the type comprising at least one filling assembly (20) for filling a beverage container (22) and a supply tank (12) for supplying beverage (32) to the filling assembly (20). The machine (10) is characterized by the supply tank (12) including a an endless wall (42) movable between an open position disposed above a ledge (38) disposed vertically above said bottom (28) for allowing beverage (32) to level completely across the tank (12) and a closed position in sealing engagement with the ledge for dividing said tank (12) into an isolated volume (34) and a useable volume (36) for removing beverage (32) from said isolated volume (34) and allowing beverage (32) to level only in said useable volume (36). An actuator (46) moves the endless wall (42) vertically between the open and closed positions.

Abstract: A filling apparatus (10) for filling beverage containers (C) with carbonated liquid beverage (B) includes a rotating filling table (16) in which is supported a central tank (26). Beverage containers (C) are sequentially brought into registry with the filling table (16) where they undergo successive phases of vacuum, counter pressure, fill/vent, and snifting before they are released to a separate capping operation. A liquid supply (14) feeds liquid beverage (B) to the bottom of the central tank (26) and a CO2 supply (32) feeds pressurized CO2 into the top of the central tank (26). A plurality of valve housings (44) are spaced in generally equal radial and equal circumferential increments about the periphery of the filling table (16) and are associated with a beverage container (C) being filled. Liquid (36), gas (38) and vent (40) conduits extend between the central tank (26) and each valve housing (44).

Abstract: A filling apparatus (10) for filling beverage containers (C) with carbonated liquid beverage (B) includes a rotating filling table (16) in which is supported a central tank (26). Beverage containers (C) are sequentially brought into registry with the filling table (16) where they undergo successive phases of vacuum, counter pressure, fill/vent, and snifting before they are released to a separate capping operation. A liquid supply (14) feeds liquid beverage (B) to the bottom of the central tank (26) and a CO2 supply (32) feeds pressurized CO2 into the top of the central tank (26). A plurality of valve housings (44) are spaced in generally equal radial and equal circumferential increments about the periphery of the filling table (16) and are associated with a beverage container (C) being filled. Liquid (36), gas (38) and vent (40) conduits extend between the central tank (26) and each valve housing (44).

Abstract: In a device used for filling liquids in portions into bottles, cans or similar receptacles and having a plurality of volumetric dosing chambers, which are arranged on a rotor and which are connected to a storage reservoir for the liquid via a controllable inlet valve and to a filler neck via a controllable outlet valve, at least two sensors responding to different filling levels are arranged in each dosing chamber, the sensor arranged on a higher level closing the inlet valve when the filling level has risen to a specific height, and the sensor arranged on a lower level closing the outlet valve when the filling level has dropped to a specific height. The volume of one portion of the liquid to be canned or bottled is thus defined in a simple manner by the vertical distance between the two sensors, or rather the measuring points of said sensors.

Abstract: A system for filling bottles with pills including a drive wheel formed with an upper generally circular plate and a vertically spaced lower generally circular plate with concentric peripheries and axially aligned central apertures extending therethrough supportable on a drive shaft for rotation therewith. The plates are formed with a plurality of symmetrically located recesses on the peripheries of the plates for receiving bottles therein. A depth spacer is positioned within each recess and is radially movable toward and away from the axis of rotation and the peripheries of the plates. A pair of width plates are positioned on opposite sides of each recess to vary the width of each recess. The depth spacers and width plates allow the recesses to accommodate various sizes of bottles so that the openings in the bottles will be properly positioned at all times for use in automated pill dispensing systems.

Abstract: The consumer, and in particular the beverage consumer, frequently demands different packaging units which consist of different beverages or different assortments of beverages. That means that packaging units must be assembled which contain, for example, two bottles of a carbonated fruit-flavor beverage and four bottles of a beverage containing cola. The labelling and other packaging of the container must correspond to the product In the individual container. The packaging units are generally assembled either manually or semi-automatically. The invention relates to a method which simplifies the preparation of packaging units which contain different filling products. The invention is characterized by the fact that to fill the containers according to a Specified or selected filling formation with different filling products, i.e.

Abstract: This invention describes a cartridge pump and dispensing assembly for applications where cartridges containing liquid reagents are interchanged often. The cartridge pump comprises a reagent reservoir which directly empties into a metering chamber. A valve is at each end of the metering chamber. The two valves are aligned in the same direction so as to allow unidirectional liquid flow. The metering chamber is made of a compressible material, such as flexible tubing, so that when an external compression is applied to the chamber, the liquid contained therein is forcibly expelled. As the compression is removed, the metering chamber resumes its former shape and draws liquid into the chamber from the reagent reservoir. A dispensing assembly with electromechanical actuators for compression of the metering chamber and a means for sensing the amount of liquid contained within the reagent reservoir are also shown.

Abstract: The mechanism (27, 28) which regulates the volume of the distributors (16, 116) is connected to a shaft (41) coaxial to the shaft of the distributor carrousel. When the motor (63) is at standstill, the two coaxial shafts (2,41) rotate in the same direction and at the same speed. Whenever the motor (63) is activated in one direction or the other with the carrousel at the standstill or rotating, the inner shaft (41) rotates relative to the outer shaft (2), in the direction and to the extent necessary for the required regulation of volume of the distributors. The volume of the distributors is controlled remotely by a programmable processor (77).

Abstract: A pouch packaging machine has a rotary filling head wherein pouches receive diverse fluent products from filling tubes. Adjacent filling tubes, and therefore adjacent pouches, are supplied with alternating flavors of products by a distribution deck having a separate channels for each flavor desired. The channels empty into a series of funnels attached beneath the deck. The funnel spouts are aligned with inlets to the filling tubes. The mouths of the funnels span substantially the entire channel to allow sufficient time for the product to pass from a supply device, through the channels, funnels and filling tubes and into a pouch before the pouch leaves the filling head.

Abstract: A gravity dispensing unit for filling containers with powdered material, wherein a vessel for powdered material presents, underneath, at least one dispenser with a central supply conduit in turn presenting a shutter and made of porous material; the supply conduit extending in fluidtight manner through an annular chamber for receiving pressurized fluid, and through an annular intake manifold surrounding the annular chamber and presenting an annular, downward-facing inlet.

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 carousel bagger having a frame, a table rotatably mounted on the frame, a plurality of conveyor troughs extending radially outwardly from the table, each of the conveyor troughs including a trough and a conveyor, bag-gripping structure mounted at the outer ends of the troughs, and chutes formed integrally with the bag-gripping structure such that when a bag is properly gripped, the chute will always be in a position to guide produce from the conveyor into a gripped bag. A chute-clogging detection structure located in relationship to the chutes for stopping the bagger in the event a clogged chute is detected. A bag-detection structure for preventing the deposit of produce from a hopper into a conveyor trough in the event that a bag is not being held by the bag-gripping structure associated with the trough.

Abstract: The feeders for forming portions of the product, the product supply reservoir and the valves which switch the connection of the feeders between the reservoir and the feed nozzles located on the feeding and packaging carousel are separate from the carousel itself and are mounted in any position in which they can be easily inspected, and the feeders are connected to the nozzles by means of the fixed part of at least one rotary joint disposed coaxially on the carousel. This joint is characterized by high reliability in operation, is designed to facilitate washing and sterilization of all the circuits through which the product flows, and if necessary can be easily dismantled for inspection of the various components.

Abstract: Rotary beverage receptacle-filling apparatus for transparent receptacles has a plurality of receptacle sites spaced apart at its periphery with filling components with electrically driven controls controlling the flow of beverage. Stationary video cameras next to the apparatus measure the filling level in the receptacles near a level limit and to produce closing signals to the flow controls of those receptacle sites at which a receptacle reaches a limit level leading to the desired nominal level, if necessary taking into account any post-flow. One video camera covering several receptacle sites is provided as the measuring device and is connected to an image analyzer driving all controls.

Abstract: A system for charging compressed air cylinders with air for breathing incorporates a fragmentation containment chamber having walls of 1/4" minimum thickness steel plate and a carousel mounted in the front panel for transferring the cylinders into and out of the chamber. Specially configured locking plates are moved in and out of locking position for the carousel in accordance with the pressurizing operation. A rotary valve serves to insure that compressed air can only be transferred to the cylinders within the cylinder when they are in position for charging and not to the cylinders outside the chamber. A grating at the bottom of the chamber permits high pressure air to exit the chamber safely in case of any malfunction. Safety interlocks and automatic controls operate in accordance with rotation of the cylinders on the carousel results in the easy, rapid and safe charging of the breathing air cylinders.

Abstract: The known liquid filling apparatus of the type including a housing, an annular liquid feed passageway, a liquid valve, a holding member and a gas pipe, is improved so as to facilitate cleaning of the interior of the apparatus, so as to be applicable to a container having a small mouth diameter, and so as to facilitate replacement of a gas pipe. The improvement resides in that, on the inner circumferential side of the holding member disposed slidably along the housing, are disposed a circular ring provided slidably along the same inner circumferential surface and a spring for normally biasing the circular ring in the downward direction.

Abstract: Apparatus for admitting metered quantities of a liquid into discrete containers in the form of bottles, cans or the like has a rotary annular tank which carries at its underside a ring-shaped set of filling units each of which has a discrete metering vessel serving to receive a metered quantity of liquid from the interior of the tank for admission into a container which is placed into alignment with a centering and sealing sleeve movably mounted on each metering vessel. If the liquid is to be admitted into the containers at an elevated pressure, the supply of liquid in the tank is disposed beneath a plenum chamber and each filling unit is designed to admit compressed gas from the plenum chamber into the aligned container prior to admission of a metered quantity of liquid. The liquid which flows into a container expels the compressed gas which is returned into the plenum chamber or into a separate receptacle.

Abstract: A machine for introducing a quantity of powder into a plurality of containers. The machine includes a powder transporting member, which has a plurality of downwardly open chambers, and a container transporting member located below the powder transporting member. The powder transporting member and the container transporting member are continuously rotated in unison about a substantially vertical axis. The machine includes a reservoir for powder with which the chambers communicate during part of the rotation of the powder transporting member. A vacuum is applied to the chambers to cause powder to be drawn therein. Powder from each chamber is discharged into a container carried by the container transporting member.

Abstract: A sealant supply system for a sealant applying machine having a plurality of rotatable sealant applying head devices rotatable about a central axis of rotation and comprising support means for supporting the system on the machine; a rotatable sealant supply chamber means mounted on the support means for holding a supply of sealant material and having a bottom wall portion, a side wall portion, and an upper wall portion; coupling passage means in a lower portion of the chamber means for connection to the sealant applying head means to supply sealant thereto; a spindle means mounted on the upper wall portion of the chamber means for enabling rotation of the chamber means; a first central passage means in the spindle means enabling supply of air and sealant to the chamber means; bearing journal means and bearing means on an outer wall portion of the spindle means for rotatably supporting the spindle means; a non-rotatable housing means for receiving and rotatably supporting the bearing means and the spindle mean

Abstract: Apparatus for attachment to a can filler unit which apparatus functions to properly locate a can in relation to a filling apparatus so as to minimize any possible damage to a can and to provide a support for a sealing and pressure relief member when the can filling system is being cleaned.

Abstract: A container filling machine has a rotor which is adjustable in height and supports components for filling containers. A carrier support is mounted to support devices which are adjustable vertically on stationary columns. Interlock elements which are arranged radially on the rotor are operable to unlatch the support devices at a specific rotational position of the rotor and to support the support devices and carrier. The lever-shaped latch element of each support device projects into a recess for the interlock element in such a way that with a partial penetration of the interlock element into the support device the support device is still latched to the column but supported and further penetration of said interlock element results in the support device being unlatched so that when the height of the rotor is altered, the support devices and carrier are altered in height correspondingly.

Abstract: A can filling device for minimizing damage to cans during filling by providing full can pockets on a filler wheel having upper and lower arm portions which maintain the constant vertical orientation of the can during the filling process. A locator brush is disposed to induce an inward radial force relative to the rotating filler wheel to maintain the can within the can pocket. Additionally, a hold down guide assembly displaces the cans in a downward position on the rotating filler wheel to prevent damage by the spindle mechanism. Sufficient tangential clearance is provided by the star wheel pockets to prevent damage due to play between the rotating filler wheel and the star wheel. Close tolerances are provided in the radial direction to ensure full transfer of the can from the star wheel pocket to the filler wheel pocket.

Abstract: A filling machine includes a first revolving platform on which containers to be filled are supported, and a second revolving platform arranged, at an adjustable height, above the first, and having peripheral seatings for fixing thereto of a number n of dosage-delivery units less than or equal to the maximum number of dosage-delivery apparatus which can be accommodated peripherally on said second platform.Each dosage-delivery apparatus is functionally complete and comprises a control for the volumetric dosage of the product operable by a motor device at a velocity equal to the angular velocity of the second platform, and in the case of necessity for the correction of the dosage, at a velocity different from the angular velocity of the second platform.

Abstract: A can filling device for minimizing damage to cans during filling by providing full can pockets on a filler wheel having upper and lower arm portions which maintain the constant vertical orientation of the can during the filling process. A locator brush is disposed to induce an inward radial force relative to the rotating filler wheel to maintain the can within the can pocket. Additionally, a hold down guide assembly displaces the cans in a downward position on the rotating filler wheel to prevent damage by the spindle mechanism. Sufficient tangential clearance is provided by the star wheel pockets to prevent damage due to play between the rotating filler wheel and the star wheel. Close tolerances are provided in the radial direction to ensure full transfer of the can from the star wheel pocket to the filler wheel pocket.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and maintaining the level of a liquid in a container filling machine having a rotatable filler bowl includes a float disposed within the liquid in the bowl and having a permanent magnet disposed within the float body. A liquid level indicating bar is mounted within the bowl and is formed from a magnetically responsive material so that vertical movement of the float results in a vertical movement of the liquid level indicating bar. An infrared photo detector is provided for detecting the position of the liquid level indicator and controls are provided for increasing or decreasing the rate of flow of liquid into the bowl depending on the detected level of the liquid.

Abstract: A rotary filling apparatus and method are provided that are of the type which use gravity to fill liquids into a plurality of containers while they rotate about a rotary filling head. The apparatus includes a level control chamber having a sensor that is disposed from the axial center of the apparatus a distance that is substantially the same as that between this axial center and the nozzle orifice through which the liquids are dispensed into the container, so that the centrifugal force at the sensor is substantially the same as that at the dispensing nozzle when the rotary head is rotated during the filling operation in order to maintain a substantially constant hydraulic head during the operation. The nozzle orifice is included within a nozzle assembly that directs the liquid in a non-vertical direction toward a sidewall of each container being filled.

Abstract: An improved machine for filling solid food products into containers. The machine includes a feed hopper, a feed tube, a dosing assembly and a container filling station. The improvement of the present invention involves a dosing assembly which includes a plurality of needle-like elements adapted to advance cross-wise into the feed tube to temporarily halt the movement of food products, and then retract from the feed tube to allow continued movement of the food products.

Abstract: The invention comprises a turret type container-filling machine in which the containers are advanced to and from filling position by a continuous belt and in which the containers are metered into filling position by a pair of parallel screws shaped to engage and hold the container while the filling spout of the filling machine is being lowered to the container mouth. The containers are exited along a curved portion of the track which is canted toward the center of its curvature at an angle such that gravity neutralizes the centrifugal force engendered by the containers traveling that curvature.

Abstract: The invention relates to a filler for metering liquid products, into containers. The filler includes a vessel which is provided with a number of filling pipes communicating with the inside of the vessel and projecting from the bottom of the vessel, and which is provided with a feed pipe both ends of which open inside the vessel. In the feed pipe a pump is arranged which pumps product from the vessel to the outlet opening of the feed pipe which can be joined successively with the filling pipes as a function of the rotation of the vessel.

Abstract: A rotary filling apparatus is provided that is of the type which uses gravity to fill liquids into a plurality of containers while they rotate about a rotary filling head. The apparatus includes a level control chamber having a sensor that is disposed from the axial center of the apparatus a distance that is substantially the same as that between this axial center and the nozzle through which the liquids are dispensed into the container, so that the centrifugal force at the sensor is substantially the same as that at the dispensing nozzle when the rotary head is rotated during the filling operation in order to maintain a substantially constant hydraulic head during operation.

Abstract: An automatic, continuous barrel-filling method and an apparatus therefor which comprise the steps of supplying empty barrels, locating the bungholes of the barrels, inserting nozzles into the barrels through the holes, bunging the holes, and carrying the filled barrels out of the filler body, the barrels being sequentially and uninterruptedly passed through the foregoing steps thereby to be automatically filled with liquid and conveyed out.