Abstract: Filler devices having an enclosure sub-assembly are provided herein. Filler devices may include at least one of a reservoir and at least one working valve for dispensing the product into a container. Enclosure sub-assemblies may include an enclosure frame, an enclosure member, at least one hinge, and at least one magnetic latch assembly, wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly comprises a body having a magnet associated therewith, and wherein the at least one magnetic latch assembly is fixedly secured to one of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position, and releasably, magnetically secured to the other of the enclosure frame or the enclosure member upon displacement of the enclosure member from a closed position to an open position.

Abstract: A machine for the preparation of pharmaceutical products has a pocket conveyor, mobile along a loop-shaped path and provided with a plurality of pockets, each adapted to receive and withhold a respective container, and a transfer device for transferring the containers with a rectilinear motion between the respective pockets and at least one operating station for executing an operation on the containers themselves.

Abstract: The invention relates to the filling of a frozen dessert product in a container, by performing the steps of: arranging at least one container to be filled on a slat conveyor, moving the container on the slat conveyor towards a dispensing nozzle, vertically displacing at least one slat supporting the container, and horizontally displacing the slat supporting the container in a direction perpendicular to the transport direction of the slat conveyor, while dispensing the product from the dispensing nozzle into the container.

Abstract: A device and a method for filling with a gas other than air an insulating glazing unit composed of at least two glass panes and at least one spacer frame, comprising a movable and a fixed bed. The fixed bed is provided with retractable suckers suitable to capture a lower flap of a glass pane and move therewith with a motion of retraction with respect to the movable bed, such as to provide straightening of the lower flap of the glass pane.

Abstract: A filling machine for filling a container with a pourable food product, comprising a tank, a support structure, a first fluidic line through which food product may flow, connected with the tank and connectable with the inner volume of the container a filling valve and a distributor comprising at least two ducts defining, with a cavity of filling valve, at least partially a second fluidic line along which a fluid may flow; distributor element comprising a first and a second control valve may either be left open in respective first configuration over the whole operation of filling machine or be displaced between open and closed configuration during a step of the operation of filling machine on the basis of one parameter between the nature of container and the nature of pourable food product.

Abstract: A delivery device for delivering composition in a container filler installation, the device comprising a tube having at least an end provided with a nozzle and an opposite end provided with means for fastening to a feed line of the filler installation, and the device further including a plate fastened to the tube and provided with a support having a portion extending in register with the nozzle to support a container. The invention also provides a filler installation including at least one such device.

Abstract: An integrated filler system to transfer a filler product from a filler product source to a product receptacle is provided. The integrated filler system includes a cylinder housing, a pallet valve disposed within the cylinder housing that contains a product flow aperture, and a piston inserted in a valve bore of the pallet valve. A linear actuator is connected to the piston to selectively actuate a linear travel of the piston within the valve bore. A rotary actuator is connected to the pallet valve to selectively position the product flow aperture to fluidly communicate with either a product input port or a product output port formed in the cylinder housing.

Abstract: Sandbags are filled with sand with a minimum of manual lifting. A truck has a sandbag filling unit thereon with a large sand hopper. The sand hopper has a sand holding tank underneath with one or more funnels for feeding the sand to sand blowers underneath. One or more compressors drive the sand into one or more hoses that are used to feed the sand into empty sandbags on a first conveyor located in close proximity so that workers can use the hoses to fill empty sandbags thereon. When the filled sandbags reach the end of the first conveyor, other workers would seal the bags. As the filled and sealed bags reach the end of the first conveyor, a second conveyor may be positioned to load the sandbags onto a transporting device or a pallet. One or more large sandbags are dropped into a breach of a levee.

Abstract: The inventive device is provided with a unit (1) comprising a body (3) which interacts with a pipette tip (24) in a vertical position in order to retain the content of the pipette tip (24) in the unit (1) and comprises a nozzle (2) having a capillary channel (4) insertable into a straw (25) oriented in a transversal position with respect to the body in such a way that, when the body is in a vertical position, said nozzle (2) is in a horizontal position. The inventive method consists in sampling a liquid substance initially contained in a top-open container (45) with the aid of the pipette tip (24) in the vertical position, in transferring the content of pipette tip (24) to the body (3) of the unit (1) prior to filling the straw (25) with the predetermined dose of a liquid substance transferred thereto from the unit (1).

Abstract: A bulk bag-filling machine with a traversing strap latching and traversing filler spout mechanisms. The strap latch mechanisms and the filler spout may be moved independently or in unison forwardly towards the front or forward most edge of the filling station, thereby permitting the operator of the filling apparatus to easily and safely suspend the heavy bulk bag's strap loops on the four strap latches and make the filler neck connection to the filling spout prior to traversing the strap latches and filler neck to their rearmost position, thereby positioning the bag for filling. Boxes may also be utilized by the adaptation of transfer tables in which case the strap latches are not required.

Abstract: Stationary and pivotable trays for semiconductor wafer transfer are disclosed. A first moving equipment is movable to move a container for holding one or more semiconductor wafers from a wafer loading and unloading position to a wafer tank immersion position. A second moving equipment is movable to move the container from the wafer loading and unloading position to a container loading and unloading position. A stationary tray is located under the wafer loading and unloading position to collect liquid dripping from the first moving equipment. A pivotable tray is located to one side of the stationary tray, to collect the liquid dripping from the first moving equipment when this equipment is moving to the wafer loading and unloading position, such that the pivotable tray is lowered. The pivotable tray is raised when the second moving equipment is moving to the wafer loading and unloading position.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for preparing a multi-compartment container having two open ends and a partition wall that forms a fluid-tight seal defining two compartments each holding a separate component to be mixed with one another by the end-user prior to use. The process and apparatus for filling the two-compartment container comprises filling one compartment with material through an opening at one end of the container; sealing the opening; rotating the container; filling the other compartment with material through an opening at the other end of the container; and sealing the other opening preferably with a removable seal.

Abstract: A plurality of bag making machines 2a and 2b for continuously producing irregular-formed vessels 1 having a flanged mouth plug, a plurality of transportation troughs 11a and 11b connected to the respective plurality of bag making machines 2a and 2b, a single-row transportation trough 4 for combining into a single row and transporting the irregular-formed vessels 1 fed from the respective transportation troughs 11a and 11b, and a plurality of relay movable troughs 15a and 15b capable of containing a predetermined amount of irregular-formed vessel from the corresponding transportation trough, and discharging the contained irregular-formed vessels to the single-row transportation trough are provided, a transportation disk 8 continuously rotating in a horizontal direction for taking up the mouth plug flange part from the tip of the transportation trough 4 and feeding the mouth-plugged irregular-formed vessel 1 to a continuously rotating rotary filling apparatus C is provided, the transportation disk 8 having an

Abstract: A filling assembly for an aseptically operating deep-drawing packing machine, wherein a conveying region for the web of packing sheet is provided within a pipe held in sterile condition. Arranged behind a packing sheet-forming station is a filling station comprising at least one loading tube stationary with respect to the conveying region yet displaceable in a direction vertical to the conveying region. In order to enable the packing machine to continue to run also during cleaning of the filling station, two filling stations are arranged in series on the pipe maintained in sterile condition within openings displaceable on the sterile pipe above the conveying region. Only one of the said filling stations is respectively in the operating position while the other of said filling stations is in the cleaning position. The filling stations in view of their displaceable openings on the sterile pipe are reciprocable between an operating position and a cleaning position.

Abstract: The dispenser comprises a plurality of delivery stations (20a-20b, 30) for the constituent substances of the drink, a delivery station (40) for empty cups, a location (10) for release of the drink to the user, and an automatic control unit which automatically controls the succession of operations involved in emitting the substances and cups. A cup handling device (60) is provided, comprising a gripping member (61) for gripping a cup (8), and means for moving said gripping member (61) in such a manner as to bring it, by a succession of movements, to the exit points of the delivery stations (20a-20b, 30, 40, 50); said handling device (60) is controlled by the automatic control unit in such a manner as to firstly bring the gripping member (61) to the station (40), then bring the gripped cup under the exit points of the other delivery stations (20a-20b, 30, 50), and finally bring the cup carrying the drink into the location (10) for its release to the user.

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: An apparatus including: a conduit operably connected to a source and extending downwardly therefrom, the conduit being adapted to permit a flow of particulate material from the source through the conduit; a fluidizing nozzle operably connected to the conduit and extending downwardly therefrom, the nozzle defining an inlet for receiving material from the conduit and defining an outlet for dispensing material from the nozzle to a receiver, the inlet defining an inlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the material and outlet defining an outlet cross sectional area perpendicular to the flow the material, the inlet cross sectional area being larger than the outlet cross sectional area; the nozzle being adapted with a plenum including an inlet port for receiving compressed gas and a chamber adapted to communicate the gas to the porous walls of the nozzle, and an outlet port for engaging a vacuum source to continuously evacuate the receiver while the nozzle is engaged with the receiver; a conveyor locat

Abstract: An apparatus for filling multiple receptacles with foodstuffs utilizing a tray having at least first and second apertures through the same. The first and second apertures each possess an entrance and an exit and a chamber within the tray body of a pre-determined volume. Each aperture is spaced from one another on the tray. A feed conduit is also utilized to transport foodstuffs from any one of multiple containers to the tray. The tray is reciprocated to permit alternate communication between the feed conduit and the entrances to the first and second apertures. A cover closes the exits of any one of the apertures at the same time the aperture chamber is being filled with a foodstuff. In addition, reciprocation of the tray removes the cover and permits the foodstuff to pass to a conduit which leads the foodstuff to a container.

Abstract: A method of adding flavor essences, aromas, and concentrates to beverages. These essences aromas, and concentrates, or any other flavors or flavor mixtures are added to the beverage after it has been filled to volume in a container and just prior to the final sealing of the container with a closure or lid. A rotary liquid dispensing machine deposits small quantities of flavor materials and a vacuum scavenging system reclaims residual flavors from dispensing nozzles prior to a next filling cycle.

Abstract: A filling machine for pasty or viscous products, especially fruit products and particularly a multirow filling machine for producing assortments of the packaged product, has for each row at least one metering or dosing station in which the metering piston is displaceable in a cylinder formed directly in the metering housing and adjacent a valve cylinder in which the valve member is provided. The valve member and piston are guided directly on the wall of the respective cylinders in this housing while the respective piston rods and stem extend upwardly through easily replaceable seals accessible from an observation space above the housing.

Abstract: A bottle filling machine comprising a rotary spoke assembly rotating in a vertical plane on a horizontal axis carries bottles between each spoke with their open necks facing radially inward toward the central axis of the rotating spoke assembly. A valve assembly is positioned around the central axis of the rotary spoke assembly, having a rotating valve cup which rotates with the spoke assembly and bottles carried between the spokes. Filler tubes extend from discharge apertures through the rotating valve cup to the open necks of the bottles. The valve assembly includes a stationary valve plate which bears against a corresponding bearing face of the valve cup. An inlet aperture and inset distribution groove of the valve plate flows distilled water or other fill material to and through the discharge apertures of the rotating valve cup as they rotate past to thereby fill the bottles.

Abstract: A multi-station filling apparatus and process for filling bulk containers while simultaneously enabling the deployment and staging of at least one empty container while at least one other container is being filled. The apparatus includes a container filling station operably positioned adjacent a substantially elevated filling chute, a container deployment station, a rotatable carriage and an automatic apparatus controller. The container deployment station is spaced apart from the container filling station so that an operator can attach an empty container thereat either prior to, or during, filling of another container at the container filling station--while avoiding physical exposure to any mechanisms, such as conveyors, associated with the container filling station. The rotatable carriage, which automatically rotates an empty container from the container deployment station toward and into the empty container filling station, includes an outer frame member and displaceable inner frame members.

Abstract: A semi-automated biological sample analyzer and subsystems are provided to simultaneously perform a plurality of enzyme immuno assays for human IgE class antibodies specific to a panel of preselected allergens in each of a plurality of biological samples. A carousel is provided to position and hold a plurality of reaction cartridges. Each reaction cartridge includes a plurality of isolated test sites formed in a two dimensional array in a solid phase binding layer contained within a reaction well which is adapted to contain a biological sample to be assayed. The carousel and cartridges contain structures which cooperate to precisely position the cartridges in each of three separate dimensions so that each cartridge is positioned uniformly. An optical reader operating on a principle of diffuse reflectance is provided to read the results of the assays from each test site of each cartridge.

Abstract: A device for automatic collection, intermediate storage and emptying of blood from slaughter animals, comprising an endless track (2), a number of containers (3) movable along the track and a filling station (4) and an emptying and washing station (5) which are arranged along the track. The containers are loosely arranged in relation to each other and to the track (2). As a result, the weighing (6) of a filled container can be carried out effectively immediately after the filling operation. Moreover, containers can temporarily be switched out from the normal path of progression along the track into and from a resting station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling bakery dough, especially thick, sticky bakery dough, into cavity pans is disclosed. The bakery dough is fed from a source into a housing into which cavity pans are advanced by a conveyor. The cavity pans proceed beneath counter-rotating dough-feeding rollers and advance to a rotating compaction roller which rests under downward spring bias on the upper surface of the cavity pan and which rotates to force the dough into the cavities. The dough in the thus-filled cavities is levelled off and excess removed by a doctor blade or roll to which the pan is then advanced, the doctor blade or roll also being under downward spring-bias to maintain it in contact with the upper surface of the cavity pan being filled.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling fluid products into container which comprises at least one feed line connectable with a reservoir for fluid products and a filling valve connects to the feed line. The filling valve comprises a tubular portion connected with the feed line. The tubular portion comprises, at its free end, a lateral end wall and an aperture. A slide sleeve is reciprocated by a positioning device and is movable coaxially of the tubular portion between open and closed positions. In its closed position, the slide sleeve sealingly engages the end wall to closed the aperture of the tubular portion. In its open position, the slide sleeve opens the aperture for product flow. Means are provided to lower the filling valve into a filling opening of a container positioned underneath the filling valve.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers from individual volumetric dispensers as both move rapidly along a straight-line path. The dispensers are moved in a closed loop and filled while travelling along another straight-line path opposite the dispensing straight-line path, by forcing flowable product upwardly into the open lower ends of the dispensers as they slide over a filler slot. To prevent flow of the product upward between the dispensers, a mechanism is provided which automatically locks the ends of the adjacent dispensers against each other to provide a seal against inter-dispenser product flow, and which automatically decouples the containers after their filling so they can turn with respect to each other, as is necessary as they negotiate curves in the closed-loop path along which they travel.

Abstract: An arrangement havign a closing member for filling mouthpiece of a filling machine for filling material of a pasty up to a chunky or lumpy consistency, whereby during the filling packaging containers are stepwise moved underneath the filling mouthpiece. When the filling material is very tough and hardens rapidly, it is desirable that the heap-like remanent tip Z of the filling material, which remains after the filling operation,is disposed in the middle of each packaging container. This achieved by means of a closing member that includes two identical oppositely rotatably movable cylinders, each one of which is provided with a rectangular recess. These recesses extend to each one of the cylinders in such a way that a disc-shaped base portion and a shank remain, which shank has a circular segment-shaped cross-section.

Abstract: In the fill apparatus, a container feed belt with a lifting frame at the entry end includes container supporting and centering pulleys for displacing the empty container in the horizontal direction by means of alignment pulleys engaging the container rim in order to rotate the container about its longitudinal axis. A first work station arranged above the container includes a rotary disk rotatable about a vertical axis with circumferentially arranged devices participating in the rotary movement of the rotary disk for unscrewing the screw plugs closing the container fill opening, measuring the moisture content and seeking the container's bunghole. A second work station following the first work station includes a filling device. A third work station having a filling device and a following third work station includes devices for screwing the screw plugs on to the container openings and for mounting safety caps.

Abstract: Containers (such as metal, glass, plastic, fiber, but not limited thereto) are sterilized in a section of the apparatus having a helical or spiral belt conveyor within an insulated casing through which air above atmospheric pressure at up to about 500.degree. F. is circulated by means of a heater and blower, in a recirculation path. The containers then travel along a straightline encased conveyor where sterile air above atmospheric pressure prevents ingress of non-sterile ambient air. During part of the path through the straight-line conveyor, the containers are driven by a helical screw which forces the containers into close proximity (in fact the out-turned flanges of the containers preferably overlap). Pre-sterilized, preferably cooled, product is delivered into the containers preferably through a curtain, slit-type filler. Other fillers, such as rotary fillers, may be used. The speed of the containers is timed to deliver the desired product volume into the containers.

Abstract: A high-speed rotary filling machine, for filling containers with carbonated beverages or other flowable substances, has a turret (38) mounted on a horizontal axis (31). The containers (30) are carried in radially-extending positions around the circumference of the turret, open ends facing inwards, and are filled by conventional filling valves (43) within the turret. The centrifugal effect of rotating the turret at high speed is utilized to enable filling to take place over an arc of rotation approaching 360.degree.. Spillage problems due to centrifugal effects are avoided by transferring the containers to a linear exit conveyor (58) tangentially at the lowest position (19) of turret rotation, without changing the linear velocity of the container.

Abstract: An improvement in the generation of foam from a mixture of foam-forming material in a structure having a preferred configuration. Conveying means are used to convey the structure along a horizontal path. A plurality of foam gun heads are mounted in spaced relationship to each other over and transverse to said horizontal path. Each foam gun head includes a foam dispensing outlet and valve means for controlling the discharges of the foam-forming materials therefrom. First, sensing means are provided upstream of the foam dispensing outlets for sensing the passage of the structure thereby. A plurality of second sensing means are positioned upstream of the foam dispensing outlets in spaced relationship to each other in a direction transverse to the horizontal path, each one of the second sensing means being associated with one foam gun head for sensing the presence of the structure in a vertical direction.

Abstract: In successive aligned groups, flower pots are gravity filled with earth in slight excess, the top compacted and leveled and a conical hole drilled in each to receive a plant, each successive operation being simultaneously carried out for the several pots in each group.