Abstract: Method of treating a food product in a container to reduce or inhibit a microbial population on the food product, involving applying to the container an antimicrobial solution (applied in an amount effective to reduce or inhibit the microbial population), and placing the food product in the container. Also a system for treating food products, involving a bagging system, a spray system, and a rotating assembly for returning a spray wand to a resting position.

Abstract: A compact high speed food depositor comprises a pump driven by a first servomotor to feed food product through a multi-tube outlet to a stationary housing. A second servomotor drives a rocking cut-off valve within the housing to feed food product through three apertures in the housing. A computer with a touch screen controls the servomotors and calculates the required weight deposit along with the speed and placement of food product in the moving trays.

Abstract: A drive device comprises an air cylinder 123 for causing an operating member for a packaging operation to perform a reciprocating motion, a sensor 132 for detecting the cycle velocity or time of the air cylinder 123, a control valve 222 for controlling the pressure or flow rate of the fluid to be supplied to the air cylinder 123, and an a sequencer 201 for setting a reference value SV corresponding to the cycle velocity or time of the air cylinder 123, receiving a value PV detected by the sensor 132 as an input, calculating a valve opening degree so as to reduce the deviation of the detected value PV from the reference value SV to zero and setting the opening degree of the control valve 222 based on the calculated valve opening degree.

Abstract: The invention comprises a compact high speed food depositor which includes a pump driven by a first servomotor to feed food product through tubing and a second servomotor rotating a cutoff nozzle mounted about the tubing to deposit a predetermined accurate amount of food product in a tray moving along a belt. A computer with a touch screen controls the servomotor and calculates the required weight deposit along with the speed and placement of food product in the trays.

Abstract: A valve assembly for filling containers with metered quantities of materials includes a valve body having a chamber therein, the valve body having open-top and bottom ends with substantially smooth interior sidewalls defining the chamber. A valve element for opening and closing the openable bottom end of the valve body is disposed in the chamber adjacent to the openable bottom end. An actuator device, including a pair of air cylinders, provides for relative movement between a lower portion of the valve body in which the openable bottom end is disposed and the valve element in order to open and close the openable bottom end. A concentric sleeve is telescopically connected to the bottom portion of the main valve body, and is reciprocably movable in response to actuation of the air cylinders to open and close the valve.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for conveying a plurality of containers to a filling station for supplying the containers with paints or coatings. The conveyor is periodically driven to the filling station by a rotary actuator including a plurality of air motors which drive a pinion which in turn is connected to the drive shaft of the conveyor for moving the conveyor in one direction to the filling station. The conveyor drive shaft operates a cam which controls a valve in an air supply line for actuating a diverter valve which controls the supply of air to the rotary actuator. The conveyor is stopped when the cam closes the valve, this occurring when the containers reach the filling station.

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 device for providing a measured portion of food product on demand in which a portioned metering head has an inlet to receive the food product under pressure and an outlet to discharge the food product onto the food-receiving medium. There is a disk in the housing which has a disk passageway connecting the inlet and outlet passageways of the metering head. Within the disk passageway is a piston which can slide from one end to the other. By rotating the disk, the food product pushes against the piston causing it to push the food product previously within the disk passageway out into the outlet passageway of the metering head. The cycle repeats with the disk rotating 180.degree., once again positioning the piston adjacent to the inlet passageway. A photoelectric eye signals a control mechanism and connected air cylinder to rotate the disk each time a food-receiving medium is disposed under the metering head.

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: A novel beverage dispensing apparatus and process for use by a consumer in a grocery store to fill recyclable containers with beverages, such as soft drinks. The apparatus includes a retraction assembly which comprises a yoke configured to engage a bottle for retracting the neck of the bottle into a dispensing chamber where the opening of the bottle is sealed in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing nozzle. The beverage dispensing nozzle is configured with three ports--a syrup port, a carbonated water port and a relief port. Through the syrup port, a syrup may be introduced into the center of the bottle. The carbonated water port is configured such carbonated water may be directed through onto a side wall of the bottle. The relief port is positioned concentrically about the syrup port and between the syrup port and the carbonated water port and provides a port through which the fluid being displaced by the beverage entering the container may exit the container.

Abstract: An intermittently operated, indexing container conveying system is particularly configured for versatile use with an associated container filling apparatus. In distinction from previous arrangements, the present system includes a servo-drive motor for effecting intermittent indexing movement of a container-carrying endless conveyor. Programmable controls of the system facilitate operation of the system for optimizing efficiency, facilitating use of the system with containers of differing configurations, and with food products exhibiting varying physical properties (i.e., such as viscosities). The present system permits acceleration and deceleration rate of the conveyor to be selectively varied, as well as selective variation of indexing pitch and stop points of the conveyor.

Abstract: A novel beverage dispensing apparatus and process for use by a consumer in a grocery store to fill recyclable containers with beverages, such as soft drinks. The apparatus includes a retraction assembly which comprises a yoke configured to engage a bottle for retracting the neck of the bottle into a dispensing chamber where the opening of the bottle is sealed in fluid communication with a beverage dispensing nozzle. The beverage dispensing nozzle is configured with three ports--a syrup port, a carbonated water port and a relief port. Through the syrup port, a syrup may be introduced into the center of the bottle. The carbonated water port is configured such carbonated water may be directed through onto a side wall of the bottle. The relief port is positioned concentrically about the syrup port and between the syrup port and the carbonated water port and provides a port through which the fluid being displaced by the beverage entering the container may exit the container.

Abstract: A system which dispenses sauce or the like onto selected areas of plates moving in a train beneath a dispenser. The areas upon which the sauce is to be dispensed may for example be those containing meat portions of non-uniform width in directions normal to the direction of motion of the plate or the conveyor. A slot-shaped dispensing aperture on the lower side of the dispenser is automatically opened and closed progressively by a movable closure in such manner that the length of the open portion of the slot matches the corresponding dimension of the areas to be dispensed upon as they move beneath the dispenser. This enables complete coverage of these areas with the sauce, without dispensing it upon other portions of other areas where it is not desired.

Abstract: .Iadd.The present invention provides a simplified control apparatus for a system which fills a plurality of containers with fluid. The control apparatus functions to hold and to advance containers on a continuously moving conveyor while synchronizing the filling cycle for the containers. .Iaddend.