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 device for filling containers with free-flowing products under aseptic conditions comprises a conveyor system for intermittently conveying the containers along a conveyor path past appropriate filling stations in separate compartments inside a housing. The conveyor system comprises a guide assembly for guiding at least two carriers which interact with one another in order to position and retain containers, and a pusher mechanism with a chainless drive for displacing the carriers in the guide assembly each time, a container guide, which is arranged beneath the conveyor path of the containers, for supporting the containers, and a blocking device for temporarily blocking the movement of the carrier which is situated at the outlet of the device during operation.

Abstract: A method and a configuration are provided for transporting electrically conductive paint from a point at earth potential to at least one paint application device which is at a high voltage potential. A needed quantity of paint is filled into a cartridge at a point at earth potential. The filled cartridge is conveyed by a first conveying device to a second conveying device. The cartridges are then allocated to workpieces to be painted. The filled cartridge is transported by the second conveying device to the at least one paint application device. At the paint application device, the cartridge is connected to at least one spray head. The emptied cartridge is transported by the second conveying device to a third conveying device, and the third conveying device transports the cartridge back to the loading station, while a further cartridge is filled there and conveyed by the first conveying device.

Abstract: A link (20) is moved to a perpendicular (upper) direction based on a driving force F and a pin (22) provided on a link (16A) is moved along a guide groove (23) to a position shown in FIG. 5. Since the link (16A) is pivotally connected to a supporting unit (15) by a pin (14), the pin (22) can be moved along the guide groove (23) to a horizontal direction shown by an arrow without any change of its perpendicular position. By the movement to the horizontal direction, a clockwise rotating power around the pin (14) is generated in the link (16A). According to the cup type automatic vending machine of the invention, a cup transport mechanism can be driven by a small driving force, and the vending machine can be smaller without any deformation and circulation incapability of cups.

Abstract: A bottling apparatus has a frame and an endless conveyor element on the frame, having a horizontal working stretch extending in a transport direction through a filling station, and carrying a plurality of holder plates each formed with a row of seats adapted to fit snugly around necks of bottles. Couplings releasably secure the holder plates to the conveyor element with the holder plates spaced in the transport direction along the working stretch and the rows extending transverse to the transport direction. A drive advances the conveyor element stepwise in the transport direction in the working stretch and arrests each of the holder plates in the filling station with the bottles in its seats aligned with the fill tubes. A plurality of stationary upright fill tubes in the filling station above the working stretch are aligned with the seats of the holder plate in the filling station. The plates are lifted in the filling station off the conveyor element to engage the fill tubes down into the respective bottles.

Abstract: A bottling apparatus has a frame and an endless conveyor element on the frame and having a horizontal lower stretch, an upper stretch above the lower stretch, and upstream and downstream corners where the element changes direction. A plurality of pairs of upstream and downstream plates are each secured to the element with the plates of each pair having confronting edges each in turn formed with a cutout. The cutouts of each pair form in the straight stretches a seat adapted to fit snugly around a neck of a bottle. The edges are spaced apart at the corners so that, at the corners, they cannot hold a bottle. A drive advances the element in a horizontal transport direction in the lower stretch and separates the plates of each pair at the upstream and downstream corners.

Abstract: In the case of a machine installation for sterilizing, filling and closing containers it is provided that the above named devices are arranged together in a station, which is, with regard to drive, independent of the mechanism for feeding and removing the containers. A plurality of such stations can be provided, which preferably comprise a plasma sterilizing reactor.

Abstract: A desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the containers at the loading station.

Abstract: A bottling apparatus has a frame and an endless conveyor element on the frame and having a horizontal lower stretch, an upper stretch above the lower stretch, and upstream and downstream corners where the element changes direction. A plurality of pairs of upstream and downstream plates are each secured to the element with the plates of each pair having confronting edges each in turn formed with a cutout. The cutouts of each pair form in the straight stretches a seat adapted to fit snugly around a neck of a bottle. The edges are spaced apart at the corners so that, at the corners, they cannot hold a bottle. A drive advances the element in a horizontal transport direction in the lower stretch and separates the plates of each pair at the upstream and downstream corners.

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 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 desiccant feeder system comprising, a reservoir for desiccant canisters, means for delivering the canisters through a transfer tube to at a loading station, means for presenting the open end of containers one at a time at the loading station, means for circulating air at high velocity through the tubing including an adjustable internal ring-shaped nozzle to deliver desiccant canisters from the reservoir to the loading station, and a shuttle selectively actuatable to discharge at least one desiccant cannister to the containers at the loading station.

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 system for the alternative charging of at least one sack filling machine and/or of at least one truck with pourable material, which is stored in a plurality of silos, which are firmly braced by columns, whereby each of the truck and the sack filling machine can be moved under desired silo outlets, and whereby, following the filling of the sacks, the sacks can be transported from the filling system over a totally or partially traversible intermediate conveyor to one of several conveyor belts. The intermediate conveyor, assigned to at least one filling machine, is designed as a traversible elevator at least over some regions. When in the working position, the discharge end of the conveyor corresponds with one of the conveyor belts, arranged above the required passage height necessary to move the sack filling machine or the truck.

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 electric version of a dispenser unit and method of monitoring a request signal for filling empty baskets, movement of the empty baskets on a loading ramp via a stop gate, and movement of the filled basket between a loading station and a staging station via a basket lift. The stop gate is driven by an electric motor, and the basket lift is driven by another electric motor. Sensors are mounted in the stop gate and the basket lift to indicate positions of the stop gate and the basket lift, respectively.

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: A tire inflating method and apparatus, allowing inflation of different sized tires without changing over a tire inflation device. The tire inflation device has two chambers, an inner chamber and an outer chamber. The inner chamber is within the outer chamber and extends downwardly when a smaller sized rim is being used. The tire inflation device has a linear transducer, with a magnetic ring, that determines the height of the tire inflation head and knows when to shut off inflation. A method of inflating tires without changing over an inflation device is also provided. The method includes the steps of photo switches detecting the size of the rim being used, an inflation head adjusting to a corresponding size of the tire rim, and the inflation head inflating the tire and rim to a specified pressure.

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: A method for preventing bulges in liquid packaging. Disclosed is a mechanical process for squeezing the carton during the carton sealing process. When sealed, a partial vacuum is created, thus making the filled and sealed carton side walls concave. Over an extended period of time, the vacuum will release to the point of having a straight wall carton.

Abstract: When carrying out a method for sterile bottling of beverages, which comprises the steps of cleaning the bottles first in a cleaning station by means of lye, transporting them then to a separate filling station, filling them in said filling station with the previously sterilized beverage, and closing them finally in a closing station, the sterilization of the interior of the bottles by introducing steam and/or hot water is carried out several times successively in spatially separated stations. This fractional sterilization of the bottles achieves a very high germ destruction rate, the amount of energy consumed being low and the bottles being treated carefully. In addition, measures against a reinfection of the bottles in the area of transport between the stations can be dispensed with so that a good accessibility of the transport area is guaranteed.

Abstract: A device for filling containers contains a transfer mechanism drivable by a servodrive and which cyclically moves the containers initially to a filling station and then to a balance. By reverse rotation and optionally subsequent forward rotation of the servodrive by a small angle of e.g. 1.degree., it is possible to disengage the transfer mechanism from the containers, so that the latter can be weighed on the balance, without the measured result being falsified by friction between the transfer mechanism and the containers.By multiple rotating backwards and forwards the servodrive by a small angle, it is possible to vibrate the container, so that bridges and the like forming in the material to be filled can be eliminated.

Abstract: In a device for filling with heavy gas insulating glass panes (10) which are not yet pressed, there is a seal means (80) which can be moved between the plates of the device and which is movably guided via carriages (90, 91) on guide rails (92, 93) mounted on one of the plates (2). The seal (80) can be swivelled by a drive (100) around a horizontal axis (99) so that it is can be swivelled from a position in which it encloses an acute angle with a front side (102) of the plate (2), in which position it is pushed along the plate (2) into its active position in which it is aligned parallel to the front side (102) of the plate (2). The seal on the downstream side edge of the plates can move via parallelogram connecting rods so that it can be moved from a readiness position located next to the plates into a sealing position which adjoins the vertical edges of the plates.

Abstract: An apparatus for transporting containers intermittently. The apparatus has two guide rails which extend in a horizontal plane. Container carriers, which have receiving elements for the containers are disposed on the guide rails. The container carriers are fed by means of gearing embodied on them and transport gears embodied on the guide rails. Transfer devices and format changer devices are disposed on the ends of the guide rails. The output of the apparatus can be increased by subdividing it into continuous and intermittent feed zones.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine is provided which has a chute for directing objects such as cooked french fries into the interior of a rotatable loading drum. The drum is rotated by a motor about a horizontal axis at a speed to cause the french fries to first be carried upwardly and then to fall through a predetermined path within the drum. A staging carousel is provided for carrying a supply of varying sized packaging containers such as cups. The carousel can be rotated to a dispensing position where a single selected size container will be dispensed to an index carousel. The index carousel will move the container to a position within the drum to intercept the falling french fries to fill the container. A detector is provided for sensing when the container has been filled. Once the container is filled it is moved via various transfer mechanisms to a deposit or storage area which can accommodate a plurality of containers and has a mechanism for clearing space to receive additional containers.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method for destroying aerosol cans providing for their complete emptying, recovery, separation of various elements contained without losses, and the devices, automatic or not, for implementing the destruction method as well as the automatic piercing machine. The invention is related to the industrial sector of recovery and valorisation of waste products, the innovation of the method according to the invention allowing to pierce the aerosol can by means of a hollow needle (2) allowing to transfer the contents into a low pressure separation vat (8) making both housings, the aerosol can and the vat (8) to communicate, the invention using the resulting expansion in order to seperate the gases from the liquids, said gases thus expanded being sucked, compressed means of a compressor (13), liquified by an air-condenser (15) from where they are transferred into storage vats for treatment or reuse, the recovered liquids at the bottom of the vat (8) being transferred for reconditioning, treatment or destruction.

Abstract: A transporting apparatus for a container 1 has a sequentially arranged filling process path 13C for performing filling process for the container 1, a empty container infeed starwheel 12 for introducing the container 1 into the filling process path 13C, a discharge starwheel 16 for feeding out the container 1 from the filling process path 13C and a discharge conveyer 17. One of the empty container infeed starwheel 12, and the discharge starwheel 16 and the discharge conveyer 17 is arranged in an intersecting manner with respect to the filling process path 13C with a different level.

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 portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: Emptying bowls are transported by an intermittently traveling endless conveyor having an upper run for transporting the bowls in an upright position and a lower run for transporting the bowls in an inverted position. A belt which travels intermittently in synchrony with the conveyor is positioned to contact and cover the open tops of the bowls for retaining contents of the bowls therein as the bowls are transported from an upright position on the upper run to an inverted position on the lower run. The belt is retracted at a position beneath the lower run when the conveyor is stationary to release the contents from the bowls.

Abstract: An apparatus for automatically supplying a medicament into a container comprising a mechanism having a plurality of separate small medicament cups each containing a medicament so that the medicament may be supplied from the medicament cup to a test container for use in an elution testing device. The small medicament cups each containing a medicament is moved linearly one after another to a medicament supply position and placed on the position to be once held there then turned, whereby the medicament contained in the medicament cup is dropped out of an opening formed on upper end face of the cup.

Abstract: An improved filling system for containers of mixtures of liquid and solid material where the liquid/solid ratio is critical is disclosed. A prior art problem was that sticky solid material would adhere to the receptacle or bucket in which it was delivered to a filling chute or funnel and it would also stick to the funnel. This problem is solved by putting the sticky solid in the buckets and by using the liquid to flush the funnel and by using an air jet to remove any remaining particles from the buckets which are upturned over the funnel. Alternately, a part of the liquid may be placed in the delivery bucket and when it is tilted or turned upside down to fill the container the remaining part of the liquid is used to rinse the receptacle. The filling system is especially useful for soups containing noodles or other pasta products.

Abstract: An automatic chemistry analyzer includes sample cups circumferentially located on a sample wheel. Means moves the sample cups rotationally under cycloidal action to and away from a target location where a probe operates vertically in relation to the sample cups and an injection cell. The motion is effected by a cam operating with a cam follower formed by lobes circumferentially located about a drive wheel which houses the sample wheel or carousel.

Abstract: The invention greatly increases the versatility and the speed at which an automatic packaging machine may fill boxes or other containers. Two fill stations are provided for alternately filling empty boxes as they move in single file past two separate fill stations. If no empty box is available to receive the product, a transfer cup is diverted and travels over one of two alternate paths at the fill station would otherwise fill the missing box. The product dumped from any non-diverted transfer cup goes into a corresponding box. The product dumped from any diverted transfer cup is returned to the start of the fill cycle. This way, the machine may simultaneously (i) fill one box with two separate products, (ii) fill alternate boxes with two different products or product volumes, or (iii) fill different kinds of boxes with product. A swing arm enables a part to be moved at each of the fill stations so that it may be repaired, maintained or cleaned without having to disassemble the machine.

Abstract: A rotatable gravity filler capable of high speed filing of containers sealable with lids having a sprocket for providing stable support for each container, a shield disk to catch and removed drips, and a gate arrangement which closes tightly to prevent drips but is easily removable for cleaning.

Abstract: Containers such as beer kegs are cleaned and filled by movement along a linear treatment line, in step-wise fashion, and delivery to movable filling stations which are alternately brought into alignment with the treatment line. The filling procedure is accomplished continuously while the containers are moving, the filling station motion having a directional component which is angularly related to the axis of the treatment line, away from and back to the position of alignment with the treatment line.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system for use with a plurality of remote point of sale units with order entry keyboards, each having selector buttons for different flavors and cup sizes, the dispenser including an automatic cup dropper, an automatic ice dispenser, a transverse conveyor system for conveying an ice filled cup to any of a plurality of parallel lanes each having a forward conveyor system, a beverage dispenser valve associated with each of the lanes, and each forward conveyor system conveying a cup received from the transverse conveyor to a beverage fill station and then to a cup pick-up station. The dispenser can also be operated manually using buttons on the dispenser itself.

Abstract: An automatic beverage dispensing system for use with a plurality of remote point of sale units with order entry keyboards, each having selector buttons for different flavors and cup sizes, the dispenser including an automatic cup dropper, an automatic ice dispenser, a transverse conveyor system for conveying an ice filled cup to any of a plurality of parallel lanes each having a forward conveyor system, a beverage dispenser valve associated with each of the lanes, and each forward conveyor system conveying a cup received from the transverse conveyor to a beverage fill station and then to a cup pick-up station. The dispenser can also be operated manually using buttons on the dispenser itself.

Abstract: Accurately reproducible filling to a selected headspace level of a rapidly moving line of containers is obtained by using a single feeder screw through at least a final portion of a filling region and an outfeed zone following the filling region. The containers are tilted to a predetermined angle, depending on the selected headspace level, during their progress through the filling region and then return smoothly to an upright condition in the outfeed transition zone, without splashing any of the liquid content. Apparatus for filling the containers includes a container support structure in the filling region that can be adjusted through a range of tilt angles in an arc centered on the longitudinal axis of the feeder screw. The apparatus also includes an elongated funnel for delivering liquid to the containers and that can be pivoted forward to permit access to the filling region.

Abstract: A device for discharging material from a succession of filled open top transfer receptacles includes a guideholder having a pair of elongated parallel spaced-apart deadplates extending from an input end of the device toward an output end of the device. The spacing of the deadplates is sufficient to slidably receive the height of a transfer receptacle, and the length of the deadplates is sufficient to contain at least one transfer receptacle in a single station, and preferably two contiguous transfer receptacles in respective first and second stations. With two stations, the deadplates prevent loss of material from a receptacle in the first station but have openings in the second station to permit discharge of the contents of an inverted transfer receptacle in the second station.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) for filling containers, such as can (C), has a tank (14) provided with a weir (30) over which liquid may fall and descend along a guide plate (32). The liquid falls from the guide plate as a sub-laminar rectangular sheet having, in transverse cross-section, a width (w) and a length (l). An endless stream of single-file series-abutting cans is moved beneath the guide plate, and through the length of the falling liquid sheet. Each can is just filled with liquid as it is moved the length of the liquid sheet, but without undue splashing of liquid or contamination of the can outer surfaces.

Abstract: A bag filling machine, adapted to fill a plastic bag with a liquid product through a gland secured to the bag, comprises a conveyor for intermittently moving a series of the bags along a path. Adjacent pairs of the bags are connected together at a severable parting line, extending transversely relative to the path, and a cutting apparatus is adapted to sever the parting line. The apparatus comprises generally horizontally disposed first and second platens, spaced apart to define an opening therebetween, and extending transversely relative to the path of movement of the bags. Clamping bars are movably mounted above the platens to engage and clamp each adjacent pair of leading and trailing bags to the platens and to position the severable parting line over the opening defined between the platens. A cutter is slidably mounted in the apparatus for severing the parting line connecting the bags together.

Abstract: For passing stepwise bottles (F, F') in front of different stations, in order to more particularly take liquid samples, the bottles are placed in receptacles formed on a plate (24). The rotation of the plate is ensured by a lifting support action using compressed air delivered by injectors (18). Immediate rotation stoppage is obtained when a hole (38) formed in plate (24) faces the end of an optical fiber, whereof the opposite end issues onto an optical detector. Associated with an automatic sampling and dilution system, the assembly can be advantageously installed in a glove box or shielded enclosure in the nuclear industry.

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: Apparatus for simultaneously vibrating and weighing a bulk container, as it is being filled, and for automatically modulating the intensity of the vibrating motion during the filling operation as is being filled, to insure complete settling and compaction of the product without having product spilled out of the container by excessive vibration, especially during the latter stages of the filling operation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for dispensing frozen food products is based upon the frozen food product, e.g. ice cream, being packaged in a coiled tubular casing and providing means for cutting off incremental lengths after removing the casing and then forming a scoop of the food product with a scoop which transfers the charge to a dumping position where the charge is released into a suitable food container.

Abstract: A machine for automatically filling the capped spouts of flexible bags of a continuous strip which comprises a strip-feed section, a separated bag-feed section, a separator section and a filling and uncapping/capping section. The strip-feed section feeds the strip to the separator section where the leading bag is separated from the strip and is immediately advanced by the bag-feed section to the filling section. At the filling section, the bag is uncapped, filled and recapped.

Abstract: High speed container placement method and apparatus are provided for use in combination with high speed filling equipment for consumer products, such as instant coffee. A container separating device introduces groups of containers to a container placement and removal device for sequencing therethrough. The individual members of a group are transferred from a high speed annular turntable of the container placement and removal device to separate stationary work positions on a deck plate where they undergo a processing step such as filling the container by weight with an appropriate amount of product. Following this processing step, the containers are removed from their respective stationary work positions and returned to the high speed annular turntable to be ultimately discharged from the container placement and removal device. Simultaneously, the next group of containers is being fed into the apparatus to sequentially replace the fully processed group.

Abstract: Apparatus for the automated assembly of flowable materials into a receptacle for delivery to a selected location is disclosed. The apparatus includes a plurality of spaced flowable material dispensing means, a plurality of spaced receptacle storage means and a plurality of spaced receptacle delivery locations. A robot arm is provided to receive, support and transport the receptacles. The apparatus includes a computer adapted to cause the robot arm to select a receptacle at one of the receptacle storage means, transport it to more than one of the flowable material dispensing means in a predetermined sequence and deliver the receptacle with the assembly of flowable materials therein to a predetermined one of the receptacle delivery locations in response to a given computer command signal. Structural details of the robot arm and an embodiment of the apparatus specifically adapted to provide an automated bartender function are described.