Abstract: A reader for mechanical actuation of fluids within a test cartridge. The instrument interface including multiple independently-controlled plungers aligned to respective fluidic pouches on a test cartridge that is inserted into a testing apparatus embodying the instrument interface. The plungers include tips for applying mechanical force to the respective fluidic pouches.

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: An apportioning apparatus for depositing a selected amount of a particulate product onto a series of moving receptacles is provided. At least one bucket is mounted in a reciprocating carriage for receiving a selected amount of the product. The bucket includes a closure for the outlet end that selectively opens to deposite a selected amount of the product onto a moving receptacle, with the speed of movement of the carriage and bucket substantially matched to the speed of movement of the receptacle during the filling operation.

Abstract: An arrangement for centering containers in a bottle treatment machine, particularly in a bottle filling machine, has centering elements arranged to be located below filling valves and movable in vertical direction, bottle lifting organs having a receiving plane and movable below the centering elements in the vertical direction, and a curved guiding element arranged to guide the bottle lifting organs so as to lower the latter in an outlet region and thereafter, after taking over a bottle and passing an inlet region, to raise them again, wherein the guiding element is formed so that the receiving plane of the lifting organs prior to a contact point between a filling path and an inlet star path, as considered in a supply direction of the bottles, coincides with a bottle supply plane of the inlet star, and during further rotation in direction toward the contact point the receiving plane of the lifting organs is located higher than the bottle supply plane of the inlet star.

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: A horizontal filler comprising a rotating turret supporting open-top containers and mounting a turntable for receiving a falling stream of particulate material is provided with tiltable trays on said turntable disposed to collect individual divided amounts of material from said stream for discharge gradually and individually into respective ones of said containers.

Abstract: Apparatus for filling containers whose upper ends are open and which are moved seriatim and stepwise to a filling station has a receptacle which is disposed at a level above a container at the filling station and below a metering device whose lower end can be opened to discharge a metered quantity of flowable material onto a normally horizontal bottom wall of the receptacle. The receptacle is thereupon pivoted to move a discharge opening thereof into the open end of the container at the filling station and to incline the bottom wall to such an extent that the metered quantity of flowable material slides off the bottom wall and enters the container by way of the opening. The opening is normally sealed by a flap which is opened when the opening extends into the open end of a container at the filling station.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling caulking tubes with a liquid composition with improved linkage and adjusting mechanisms for determining the amount of composition that is placed into the caulking tubes.

Abstract: A roller-gear drive means for the rotary filler head portion of a container filling machine having a stationary base portion which is equipped with a pair of rotary starwheel units for directing containers into and out of the filler head, comprising a drive motor mounted in the base portion in direct driving relationship with a first of the starwheel units through a pair of gear means secured one to the driveshaft of the motor and one to the mounting shaft of the aforesaid first of the starwheel units.

Abstract: A machine for filling bodies having elongated cavities such as culture medium paddles has a ring for supporting a plurality of bodies, means to continuously rotate the ring, filling means to deliver a liquid culture medium to a cavity on one side of the body, means to turn the body over to expose a second cavity, and second filling means to deliver a liquid culture medium to the second cavity.

Abstract: Feeder for packaging machines comprising a conveyor for transferring a number of containers which advance with intermittent motion and on which the containers receiving the portions of product are supported in parallel rows perpendicular to the direction of advancement of the conveyor. A flexible member is arranged in a closed path around a pair of pulleys of vertical axis so as to lie in a horizontal plane above the transfer conveyor and comprising two portions parallel to the rows of containers. A plurality of compartments are distributed along the flexible member at distances equal to that of the containers of each row and arranged to receive portions of product from portion delivery means disposed at said pulleys, and to discharge said portions by gravity through lower apertures closable by doors operated by control means.

Abstract: A mechanism for feeding fluid into capsules in a capsule-filling machine embodying a cam-controlled roller movable into and out of squeezing relation to a flexible feed tube, and movable along the tube in a fluid-ejecting direction when disposed in such squeezing relation to the tube, with tube shut off means and ejector nozzle positioning means operable in timed relation to the actuation of the roller.