Abstract: A method for filling bags with metered quantities of bulk products includes providing a first container and a second container having an assigned total volume. Each container is divided into two respective half-volumes, each half-volume being designed to feed product to a first station or a second station for filling bags, so that each container has a half-volume connected to the first station and a half-volume connected to the second station of the two stations. A first predefined metered quantity of product is provided inside the first container by dividing-up the metered quantity of product into two quantities equal to approximately half the metered quantity, each fed to a respective half-volume of the first container. A bag is conveyed to the first filling station. The bag is filled with the quantity of product of the first half volume of the first container.

Abstract: A method for filling a plurality of containers in cycles at a predetermined number of stationary filling units arranged in a row with a first spacing from each other. The method includes providing a plurality of positively guided containers in a row, one-by-one, wherein the containers have a uniform second spacing from each other, wherein the first spacing of the individual filling units is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers, and filling a predetermined number of the containers simultaneously at the filling units. The containers are shifted in cycles along the filling units in a transport direction by a step length, which is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers and which is shorter than a third spacing between a first filling unit and a last filling unit steps of filling and shifting are repeated over a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A method for filling a plurality of containers in cycles at a predetermined number of stationary filling units arranged in a row with a first spacing from each other. The method includes providing a plurality of positively guided containers in a row, one-by-one, wherein the containers have a uniform second spacing from each other, wherein the first spacing of the individual filling units is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers, and filling a predetermined number of the containers simultaneously at the filling units. The containers are shifted in cycles along the filling units in a transport direction by a step length, which is a whole-number multiple of the second spacing of the containers and which is shorter than a third spacing between a first filling unit and a last filling unit steps of filling and shifting are repeated over a predetermined number of iterations.

Abstract: A system and method for filling balloons. A reusable web holding uninflated balloons attached at the neck is loaded onto a machine for inflating balloons. This machine features a digital motion control apparatus which advances the web a precise distance. After the web advances, a supply nozzle is inserted into the neck of the uninflated balloon directly beneath the nozzle. The balloon is filled, the supply nozzle lifted, and the balloon is removed from the machine. The web is then advanced again and another balloon is filled.

Abstract: On a continuous machine for filling the bottom shells of capsules with a powdered product, the bottom shells are conveyed so as to be equally spaced along a given path with a first spacing; the machine having a number of metering wheels rotating about respective parallel axes, and each having a respective number of metering devices moving with the relative metering wheel along a relative portion of the path, each in time with a relative bottom shell; and the metering devices being equally spaced about the relative axis with a second spacing substantially equal to the product of the number of metering wheels and the first spacing.

Abstract: An opening apparatus that opens continuously conveyed bags with a gas supplied by nozzles. A plurality of nozzles having conical head sections and discharge openings at the tip ends are attached to a rotation transmitting member with equal spaces in between, and this rotation transmitting member is caused to revolve at a constant speed while maintaining a horizontal attitude by means of a parallel link mechanism. The nozzles revolve at a constant speed on a circular track in a vertical plane along the conveying direction of bags with the discharge openings consistently facing the bags. When the nozzles are at the lower point on the circular track, the head sections enter into the bags that are being conveyed at a constant speed, and a gas is caused to jet into the bags from the discharged openings, thus spread-opening the bags.

Abstract: A discharge device which, in a retainer type continuous-filling packaging system, extracts full bags (bags filled with contents) from retainers that are continuously fed at a constant speed and discharges these full bags after converting the movement of the bags into an intermittent movement of a plurality of rows. The discharge device includes a full-bag holding member conveying device and a product-conveying conveyor.

Abstract: A conveyer system for receiving, orienting and conveying pouches is disclosed. The conveyor system includes a plurality of pucks, each puck having a lower extent with a recess extending upwardly from the lower surface thereof and having an upstanding cylindrical wall. An indexing conveyer includes a belt in a closed loop configuration supported by an idler roller at one end and with a drive roller at the other end with a motor to drive the rollers and belt in a step and repeat operation. The exterior surface of the belt is formed with a plurality of plates with a cleat on each plate to receive the recesses of a plurality of pucks thereacross. An infeed conveyer has a spine alignable with the cleat at the input end of the indexing conveyor adapted to receive and orient pucks from the infeed conveyer to the indexing conveyer. The infeed conveyer has an input end and an output end, the output end being located adjacent to the input end of the indexing conveyer.

Abstract: Machine for filling containers (2) comprising a base (1a) and interchangeable elements for guiding (3) and moving (4) the said containers (2), which are supported by columns (11) joined to said base (1c), characterized in that it comprises automatic devices (10) for rapidly locking/releasing the said guiding and moving elements (3,4), which are coaxially inserted inside said support columns (11) and act on means (7;107) fixed to the said guiding and moving elements (3,4).

Abstract: The apparatus includes a battery support for supporting a battery at a fill position, a head assembly with a plurality of heads each with an opening formed therethrough, an acid tank, a circulating conduit with a pump for circulating acid, and a valve for stopping the circulation of acid. The head assembly is moved from an upper position to a lower position for engaging the head openings with the upper cell openings of the battery. A plurality of fill conduits extend from the circulating conduit between the pump and the valve to the heads for injecting acid into the battery openings by way of the head openings. A plurality of leveling tubes extend through the head openings and beyond the lower ends of the heads for with removing excess acid by way of a plurality of leveling chambers operated together with a piston.

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: An apparatus for filling a plurality of containers with a liquid includes a holding tank for holding a quantity of liquid and a plurality of filler pipes connected to the holding tank. A plurality of filler valves are provided, each filler valve corresponding to one of the plurality of filler pipes. A flowmeter is provided, located between the holding tank and one of the filler valves in one of the plurality of filler pipes, for generating a signal after a predetermined amount of liquid has flowed through the filler pipe. A device, responsive to the signal generated by the flowmeter, is provided for closing the plurality of filler valves.

Abstract: An automatic packaging machine can load light and fluffy particulate product without having it scattered over a large area. The system does this by using a plurality of inclined planes to cause said product to slide in successive small steps, as distinguished from simply dropping in a single fall. The system also tips a box and provides a vent to prevent air from being entrapped and compressed within a box as it is being filled.

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 machine having multiple stationary weighing and filling platforms serviced by parallel straight line in-feed and discharge container or material conveyors. Positive grippers transfer the containers or other material to be weighed transversely to stationary weighing and filling platform and the same or similar grippers transfer the containers from the platform to a parallel discharge track. This eliminates centrifugal forces, increased throughput reduces floor space and permits greater sensitivity in weighing since there is no inherent motion or vibration at the weighing station.

Abstract: An automatic high-speed filling machine with lowerable nozzles for simultaneously filling a predetermined number of containers, in which the control of the machine is transferred to the star wheel of the indexing mechanism, when the star wheel is released after completion of the filling operation; the drive actuating the filling units is thereby stopped while the star wheel performs its indexing function during rotation thereof.

Abstract: This relates to a filling apparatus for simultaneously filling plural containers, which apparatus includes a product supply, a dispenser and a conveyor system wherein plural containers are positioned beneath the dispenser and plural products are dispensed by the dispenser from the supply into the plural containers simultaneously. Most specifically, the apparatus includes a container positioner of the vane and screw type and the dispenser is in the form of a turret having a plurality of spaces in accordance with the number of containers to be simultaneously filled, the plurality of spaces being arranged in groups and disposed radially about the axis of the turret. Most particularly, the apparatus is intended for filling cans with tennis balls.

Abstract: A bottling machine wherein a nozzle holder having a plurality of charging nozzles is installed in rotatable and vertically movable fashion above a round table devised to hold a plurality of bottles on the periphery thereof and be capable of rotating intermittently, a member for elevating said nozzle holder and a member for biasing it to rotate opposite to the direction of rotation of said round table are provided, and said nozzle holder and round table are equipped with an engagement member so that they should be engaged with or disengaged from each other when the holder descends or ascends, whereby when the nozzle holder descends and rotates together with the table, the charging of the bottles is performed by means of the nozzles, and upon completion of the charging, the foregoing working member elevates the nozzle holder.

Abstract: An indexing system for filling machines used to fill small containers transported on an endless conveyor belt, which includes a container-driven star-wheel, a member preventing the free rotation of the star-wheel and a cam-operated control for enabling and disabling the free, container-driven rotation of the star-wheel.

Abstract: A filling machine for simultaneously filling several containers each with a predetermined amount of fluid, in which the containers are indexed by the use of a feed screw which moves the containers into the area of the machine where the nozzles are lowered into the containers to carry out the discharge of the fluid into the containers and are raised again, and/or in which the nozzle support structure is actuated to reciprocate in the direction of the movement of the containers while the containers are being filled and opposite this direction after the nozzles are raised clear of the top of the containers.

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.

Abstract: An indexing system for filling machines used to fill small containers transported on an endless conveyor belt, which includes a container-driven star-wheel, a member preventing the free rotation of the star-wheel and a cam-operated control for enabling and disabling the free, container-driven rotation of the star-wheel.