Abstract: A balloon tying station for production of a balloon bouquet, having a rack with spaced-apart axles for spools of ribbon for selectively dispensing longitudinally and a balloon tying device having an elongated cantilever extending in the dispensing direction, so that a ribbon being dispensed longitudinally across the cantilever in the dispensing direction underlies a neck portion of a balloon, which neck portion extends stretchingly around the cantilever and looping over and under for pulling off the cantilever and catching the ribbon to tie the knot and secure the ribbon therein, and having a balloon holding device for receiving the ribbon for collecting together a group of balloons.

Abstract: An adapter assembly for an inflating device has a case body and a warning unit. The case body has a first chamber and a second chamber. The first chamber and the second chamber are formed in the case body and communicate with each other. The warning unit is mounted in the second chamber and has a selection module, multiple adjusting modules, a sounding body, and a cover body. The selection module is mounted in the second chamber and has multiple accommodating portions formed in the selection module. One of the accommodating portions communicates with the second chamber. The adjusting modules are respectively mounted in and communicate with the accommodating portions. The sounding body is mounted on the selection module and communicates with the accommodating portions. The cover body is mounted on the selection module, and has a least one sound hole communicating with the sounding body.

Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee in a reservoir and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee and brewing the coffee while protecting the reservoir. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection with teeth and a disengaging curved tooth against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it into a filter well beneath a coffee storage receptacle and then dropping it. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle. A hot water dispenser operates in conjunction with a valve means for cutting off steam from the coffee reservoir.

Abstract: This present application relates to a transport system for the transport of bottles or similar containers between at least a first machine, for example a blow molding machine for the manufacture of the containers out of plastic, and at least one second machine, for example a filling machine.

Abstract: A continuous strip bag feeder and loader that includes an integrated printer assembly for printing information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is mounted to a support frame and receives a continuous strip of bags from a feed assembly. The printer assembly includes a print head that prints the desired information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is positioned relative to the loading assembly such that after each individual bag is printed, the bag is immediately loaded with a product at the loading assembly. Thus, no printed bags are positioned between the loading assembly and the printer assembly, thereby assuring each bag is loaded with a product prior to the printing of another bag.

Abstract: A continuous strip bag feeder and loader that includes an integrated printer assembly for printing information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is mounted to a support frame and receives a continuous strip of bags from a feed assembly. The printer assembly includes a print head that prints the desired information on each individual bag of the continuous strip. The printer assembly is positioned relative to the loading assembly such that after each individual bag is printed, the bag is immediately loaded with a product at the loading assembly. Thus, no printed bags are positioned between the loading assembly and the printer assembly, thereby assuring each bag is loaded with a product prior to the printing of another bag.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprising:

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: The resin dispenser comprises a support frame, a probe with an adjustable loading volume mounted on the support frame and connected to a vacuum source, a hopper for containing a resin slurry, a holder for retaining one or more containers to be loaded at a loading position, a translation means for moving the probe from the hopper to the container, a fluid circulation pump and an air pump for circulating fluid in the hopper, and at least one control device. The hopper includes a means for continuous circulation and replenishment of solvent with a large reserve of resin, and has a small volume from which the resin is extracted. The method for dispensing comprises drawing resin from a dispenser trough in the hopper into the loading volume using a vacuum, moving the probe to the loading position, then activating an air actuator which expels a resin pellet from the probe into the container by initiating movement of the inner and outer tubes that define the loading volume.

Abstract: Spraying apparatus and methods that employ multiple nozzle structures for producing multiple sprays of particles, e.g., nanoparticles, for various applications, e.g., pharmaceuticals, are provided. For example, an electrospray dispensing device may include a plurality of nozzle structures, wherein each nozzle structure is separated from adjacent nozzle structures by an internozzle distance. Sprays of particles are established from the nozzle structures by creating a nonuniform electrical field between the nozzle structures and an electrode electrically isolated therefrom.

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 process for checking the tablet parameters weight, height and hardness by weighing and measurement, and to a device for carrying out the process as an individual device and preferably as a rotary tabletting press for permanently complying with preset tablet parameters. A process and a device for rapid, reliable, reproducible, and distortion-proof checking of optionally all parameters or selected parameters on one tablet and the overall checking of the weight on a plurality of tablets are guaranteed. This is accomplished so as to carry out individual and/or overall checks with a receiving container (1) provided for tablets (2), and the receiving container (1) is connected to stations (3, 10, 11) for the optional determination of the weight, the height, and the hardness of a single tablet (2), and from the receiving container, an individual tablet 2 and/or a plurality of tablets (2) are fed fully automatically to and removed from the individual stations (3, 10, 11) for determining the tablet weight.

Abstract: The dispensing device comprises a powder feeding container (1), an intermittently rotating body (7) provided with a circular channel (6) which receives the powder from the container (1) and is provided in its base with groups (X) of holes (9, 9A) alternately alignable with holes (12, 12A) present in an underlying intermittently rotating forming cylinder, a stationary closure member (10) lying below the rotating body (7) and comprising a series of holes (10B), a movable multiple pusher means (15, 16, 17, 18, 18A) which, when a group (X) of holes of the rotating body (7) become aligned with the holes (10B) of the closure member (10) and with a corresponding number of holes (12, 12A) of the forming cylinder (11), traverses the circular channel (6) and said aligned holes to feed into and compress within the holes (12, 12A) of the forming cylinder (11) given quantities of powder, which said forming cylinder conveys, compressed, into a position coinciding with a capsule base (2) which is aligned with a hole (12) of

Abstract: An apparatus for storing both coffee and nested stacks of cup-shaped coffee filters, and then automatically filling individual filters with selected amounts of coffee. Through a series of gears, an electric motor rotates an elastic projection against the topmost filter in the stack, dragging it beneath a coffee storage receptacle. Simultaneously, a rotating coffee dispenser fills with a selectable quantity of coffee and then dumps the coffee into the filter. The apparatus also includes a stirring device for insuring the stored coffee falls to the bottom of the coffee receptacle.

Abstract: Filling apparatus and method of operation are provided for rapid, selectively controlled filling of flexible, plastic, webbed containers with a liquid. The apparatus includes a cutter which separates the lead container from the web whereupon a shuttle delivers the separated container to a filling head. The filling head rapidly loads the container with the desired liquid whereupon the container is thereafter directed from the filling head along a specially constructed air table. Programmable controlls allow precise movement of the container handling and filling operation to ensure rapid and efficient container loading.

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: Articles are transferred by an apparatus having a hollowed frame lacking a continuous peripheral wall in which a guide is positioned for slidably containing an open-topped bowl. A hopper connected with a holding plate is positioned within the frame to reciprocate to be fixed to a bowl contained in the guide so that upon rotation of the frame which, in turn, rotates the hopper and holding plate and the guide containing a bowl having a product therein, the bowl in the guide is moved from an upright position to an inverted position. During the rotation, the hopper is covered to contain product and then, upon bowl inversion, the product is released.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device for preparing a photographic liquid which is to be applied in the manufacture of a photographic photosensitive material wherein multiple layers of photographic liquids are applied simultaneously. The present invention has at least one chemical measuring station which measures various kinds of chemicals sent from chemical storage tanks and prepares a photographic liquid which is to be applied to a film, supplies the measured chemicals to a pot and a conveys the chemicals in the pot to a hopper from which the chemicals are supplied to a liquid preparation tank.

Abstract: A gas operated balloon inflating machine for inflating balloons of the kind having a body and a filling neck terminated in a beaded edge. The apparatus includes a gas operated releasable clamping device to secure the beaded edge of the balloon between a support surface and a sealing surface thereby providing for inflation of the balloon from an aperture in the sealing surface. A gas operated control valve selectively supplies gas to the aperture from a reservior and a gas operated sealing device is used to seal the neck of the balloons after inflation. A logic controller selectively supplies pressurized gas from a high pressure source to the clamping device, control valve and sealing means to sequentially clamp, inflate, seal and release balloons. The exhaust gas from each of these devices is directed to the reservoir for inflation of the balloons. The size to which the balloons are inflated is preferably controlled by the size of the inflating reservoir and regulation of the pressure in the reservoir.

Abstract: Inflating apparatus and method disclosed has a base preferably mounted on the side of a gas-filled tank and located approximately at or below waist level. A balloon is mounted on a mounting sleeve on the base. The balloon is mounted so that an end section of the neck portion is expanded and everted back over a top lip of the mounting sleeve to form an air-tight connection with the mounting sleeve and the neck portion extends down through the sleeve. If a coating material is desired on the outside of the balloon the coating material is initially placed inside the balloon, the balloon is mounted on the top of the sleeve and turned inside out by being passed down through the mounting sleeve before inflation. A fill plug is pressed down against an end section of the balloon on top of the mounting sleeve to form an air-tight seal and gas under pressure is selectively passed into the balloon. A size gauge indicates when the balloon is a selected size.

Abstract: A machine which supports a stack of bins adapted to store small objects prior to shipment. The machine includes an elevator which acts in conjunction with the bin retainers and a programmable controller to remove one bin from the stack and lower it into a filling position. After the filling is completed the elevator lowers the filled bin onto a transport conveyor which removes the bin to a remote storage area.

Abstract: A vending machine for dispensing cups comprising a rotatable turret magazine for supporting a plurality of upright columns of cups. A pair of part-circular guide surfaces engage the bottom surface of the lowermost cup in each column, the guide surfaces rising uniformly above a horizontal base plate from a region of minimum cup height to a diametrically opposite position of maximum cup height. A fixed, arcuate cam surface is adapted to engage between the rims of the lowermost and next lowermost cups for stripping the lowermost cup from its column. The guide surfaces and cam co-operate such that, as the magazine is rotated, the lowermost cup from each column is stripped in turn, lowered to a discharge station and then, if that cup is not required, rejoined to its original column. When a desired cup arrives at the discharge station, the rotation of the turret magazine is stopped and that cup is released downwardly to a dispensing station.

Abstract: Small, compact and portable semen straw filling devices are hand operated by a single person.A single turn of the handle advances a straw for filling and renders the straw removable by a handheld syringe with which an operator may guide the straw into an ovaduct of a turkey before squeezing the syringe and expelling the semen into the ovaduct. The device is portable so that it may be taken directly to the domestic birds and used by one man to impregnate a large number of birds in a short amount of time.Using the present invention, a man simply cranks the filler, inserts the syringe, withdraws the syringe and straw, impregnates a bird, discards the straw and repeats the cycle. Turning a handle of one filler removes a straw from storage and aligns it with a nozzle while preloading a pump. Inserting the syringe triggers the pump, and withdrawing the syringe withdraws a loaded straw.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing plastic material from an extruder into a container; "plastic material" being a material sufficiently viscous to enable dispensation by severing, for example ice-cream, grease, margine or the like. The plastic material is extruded through an extruder opening having a flange therearound and the container is firstly raised to a position whereat the plastic material is downwardly extruded thereinto, whereafter the container and the extruder are relatively moved so that the container opening and peripheral edge thereof are moved across the extruder opening and flange, thereby severing the plastic material away from the extruder.

Abstract: A product feed apparatus for transferring a plurality of products such as cookies from a single holder to a corresponding plurality of transversely spaced apart conveyor lines. The apparatus includes a shuttle guide extending across the conveyor lines and including a gate opening normally covered by a gate. The product holder carries a stack of the products and terminates in a feed opening at one extremity of the gate opening. A shuttle is supported on the shuttle guide for movement past the feed opening to a discharge position. The shuttle includes a number of product openings which come into successive alignment with the feed opening on movement of the shuttle toward its discharge position so that on location of the shuttle in its discharge position the products are located in the product openings in overlying relation to the gate. The products are then transferred to the conveyor lines on opening of the gate.

Abstract: A balloon vending machine to accommodate inside a number of non-inflated balloons in advance and to offer the inflated balloons one by one upon demand. The non-inflated balloons are arranged inside in such a manner so that each balloon neck fitting with the balloon is engaged with a pair of rails, and the balloons are automatically taken out and delivered after slidingly moved along the rails and inflated with a gas. The balloon neck fittings consists of a check valve part and a sliding guide part engaging with the rails and is separated into these two parts at the time of delivery of a balloon.