Abstract: Apparatus for filling a plurality of capsules with a selected medicine, the capsules each having a closed lower end and an open top end and being mounted in the apparatus for filling the medicine into the capsules through the open top end, the apparatus comprising a dosing mechanism which separately measures a selected quantity of the medicine for input into each capsule; a capsule filling mechanism comprising a plurality of funnels each having an axis, the funnels each receiving a measured quantity of medicine and funneling the received medicine to an open delivery end of the funnels; the capsules being mounted such that the open top ends of the capsules are disposed at the open delivery ends of the funnels for receipt of the measured quantities of medicine; the filling mechanism further comprising a plurality of spiral spring mechanisms, the spiral spring mechanisms being insertable through the open top ends and removable from the capsules, the spiral spring mechanisms further being rotatable simultaneously

Abstract: A liquid transfer device including a holder for a pipette array. A flexible preformed membrane having cups is over the proximal openings of the pipettes and sandwiched therebetween with a housing with the cups extending into the proximal openings of the pipettes. A vacuum drawn in the housing everts the membrane from the proximal openings thereby creating reduced pressure in the pipettes which when their distal ends are immersed in a liquid will draw up some of the liquid into the pipettes in substantially equal amounts. In one embodiment a movable abutment is provided to control the upward travel of the everting membrane and thereby the amount of liquid drawn into the pipettes. A method for fabricating the preformed membrane is also shown.

Abstract: A device for loading dough into cylindrical containers is disclosed. A first conveyor is provided which delivers a plurality of cylindrical containers to a receiving surface which is declining with respect to the horizontal. The containers are oriented such that a central cylindrical axis of each container is substantially parallel to the container receiving surface as the containers approach the container receiving surface. A second conveyor then delivers a cylindrical object to the receiving surface in a direction that is substantially perpendicular to path of the containers in the first conveyor as the objects approach the container receiving surf ace. The second conveyor aligns the cylindrical objects and causes the objects to be inserted into the cylindrical container. Means for positioning the container on the container receiving surface and for releasing the cylindrical containers after filling is also provided. A method of inserting cylindrical objects into cylindrical containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container filler indexing counter is provided for an automatic filling machine, which consists of a conveyor having a belt and guide rail for carrying a plurality of containers therealong. Two cylinders are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the conveyor, in which the first cylinder is positioned as an incoming stop gate, while the second cylinder is positioned as an exit stop gate to form a filling area therebetween. Two fiber optic sensors are spaced apart and adjustably mounted to the guide rail of the conveyor, in which the first fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers entering the filling area, while the second fiber optic sensor is positioned as a counter for the containers leaving the filling area.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously filling multiple reservoirs of an IV delivery system comprises a support frame, port positioners on the support frame for positioning a plurality of fill ports of a multiple chamber reservoir, a plurality of injection pumps for injecting a predetermined amount of a fluid, coupling devices for coupling the injection pumps to a fill port of a reservoir, and an actuator for simultaneously coupling the couplers to the fill ports and filling said reservoirs with a predetermined amount of a fluid.

Abstract: A dual pneumatic tire inflator is provided for simultaneously adding and equalizing the air pressure in dual tires commonly employed in tractor trailer trucks, airplanes, tractors and other dual wheeled vehicles. The dual pneumatic tire inflator includes a housing having an inlet valve for receiving pressurized air from a common air pressure source and a pair of pressure hoses connected to a pair of locking valve tire chucks for engaging each valve of the dual tire assembly and a pressure gauge for indicating the common pressure of the dual tires and a relief valve for adjusting and equalizing the air pressure in the dual tires. The housing is preferably of an elongated body having an inlet disposed at one end, a pressure gauge disposed at the other and the two pressure hoses and pressure relief valve disposed in a planar relationship.

Abstract: A liquid charging method including the following steps. First, supplying liquid into and then discharging the liquid from an enclosed space provided above a pit block, to fill the liquid into a plurality of pits on the upper surface of the pit block. Each of the pits open at the upper surface of the pit block and have a small-diameter nozzle formed at the bottom of the pit block. Second, a tray having an array of containers with open upper ends is fed to be positioned below the pit block at a specified liquid-charged position. Pressurized air is supplied into the enclosed space to apply pressure on the liquid in the pits, thereby forcing the liquid in the pits to flow through the small-diameter nozzles into the array of containers on the tray.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers includes a food product fill pump having a valve member and pump piston operated by respective cam drives. A servo-controlled drive motor drives the cams, whereby the speed of the pump operation can be controlled independently of an associated container conveyor. Significantly, the servo-control of the apparatus permits the pump piston of the food pump to be operated during its container-filling advancing stroke at a substantially constant speed, while the pumping cycle time is selectively varied by selectively varying the speed of the piston retraction stroke.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for charging liquid into open, empty containers or capsules in a process of making liquid-filled capsules that are to be loaded into cigarette filters and may contain water, perfume or other substances to improve taste of cigarettes. Liquid is supplied to a hermetically enclosed space formed above a pit block and around the outer circumference thereof and then discharged from it to fill the liquid in a plurality of pits that pass through the pit block. Each pit has a narrow nozzle. A plurality of containers mounted on a tray are carried to a predetermined position under the pit block so that the containers are located immediately below the corresponding nozzles. An air pressure is supplied to the enclosed space to pressurize the liquid contained in the pits and thereby force the liquid to flow down the nozzles into the containers on the tray, which is then moved from under the pit block.

Abstract: The dosing device is provided with a storage container (1), in which is located a shaft (3) under the filling height of the product (23). The shaft has at least one bore (5), in which a bilaterally operating piston (6) is depressed by a driven actuating shaft (10) which can be adjusted for length, which enables the desired dosing volume to be obtained. The product arrives into a container via a shut-off valve (8). During operation of this dosing device, the actuating system (10) is raised in the lowest position of the piston, as a result of which the bore is filled with product and the shaft turned by a switchgear motor (4) through 180.degree., after which the piston during its downward travel ejects the volume contained in the bore. This dosing device allows a high filling frequency, precise and simple adjustment of the volume of the individual dosing units, highly aseptic filling and easy cleaning.

Abstract: A combination of a pipette and a liquid transfer apparatus is disclosed. The liquid transfer apparatus comprises a frame defining a liquid inlet aperture connected by a first passageway to a dispensing aperture, an air vent aperture connected by a second passageway that extends toward the first passageway, and a valve interposed between the two passageways to alternate between allowing continuous liquid flow along the first passageway, or continuous air flow along the second passageway and part of the first passageway.

Abstract: An apparatus including a reservoir mounted for gravity feed overlying an associated battery, wherein the battery includes a plurality of cell openings, with a valve member mounted within each cell opening, wherein each valve member is in fluid communication with a reservoir. Each valve member includes a reciprocatable indicator mounted within the valve member extending into the cell, wherein the indicator member includes a lower float portion to direct an indicator member reciprocatably within a transparent portion of the valve for visual indication of a need or lack thereof for additional water to be directed into an associated cell of the battery.

Abstract: A modular fill assembly is provided for use on a filling machine. The assembly defines a plurality of individual product discharge flow paths each communicating with a common supply. A plurality of fill nozzles are carried by the assembly for each filling a separate container. Individual valves for each flow path are each operable between an open configuration permitting the flow of the product through the associated flow path and a closed configuration occluding the associated flow path. Each valve has a separate actuator for operating the associated valve independently of the other valves.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for making a shaped frozen confection. The apparatus has a plurality of nozzles for extruding the shaped confection in a variety of contoured shapes. The nozzles simultaneously move in a vertical direction and circularly in a horizontal direction, thereby moving in a spiral path to produce a spirally-shaped frozen confection. A variety of differently shaped frozen confections can be made by varying the rate of extrusion from the nozzles, or the rate or direction of vertical movement of the nozzles.

Abstract: A seeding machine has a drum and roller urged together to define a seed trough. Bristles close one end of the trough and a hopper adjacent that end feeds a continuous supply of seeds to the trough. The seeds flow along the length of the trough and are discharged at the opposite end of the trough which is open. A funnel collects the discharged seeds and returns them to the hopper. The drum is provided with a series of axially extending rows of holes which are coupled to a vacuum source as each row passes through the tumbling seeds in the trough. A single seed is attracted to each hole and is carried by the drum to a discharge location where the hole in question is disconnected from the vacuum source and instead connected to a source of pressure which then acts to eject the seed from the drum.

Abstract: An ammunition powder measuring and dispensing apparatus in which a charging chamber rotates and translates in a helical course within a housing between inlet and outlet ports. The powder is gravity loaded and discharged from the chamber from a hopper above the inlet port and to a cartridge or shell below the outlet port. A micrometer-operated disc in the chamber adjusts the amount of the charge. The disc is concave to reduce crevices where powder can build up, and the chamber is tapered to small opening to improve cut-off leveling of powder at the inlet port.

Abstract: In a system for filling granular material into hard gelatin capsule wherein the granular material is portioned to a predetermined quantity by volume in a metering chamber and the portioned granular material mostly gravitates to a body of the hard gelatin capsule positioned beneath the metering chamber, an artificial force is exerted by a pusher rod on the granular material remaining in the metering chamber after the beginning of the gravitation. There also is an improved system for adjusting the capacity of the metering chamber. The improvements result in a greatly increased number of capsules which may be handled and filled at a time, a reduction in time required for the process and correspondingly in area occupied by the machine, and a remarkable improvement in the productivity. The uniformity and accuracy in the quantity of the granular material actually filled in the capsule are also remarkably improved.

Abstract: A device for filling a container with a highly viscous fluid substance comprises a tank for receiving the fluid substance of high viscosity; a communicating tube provided with a mechanism for discharging the substance in a constant flow rate and in communication with the tank; a filling nozzle connected to the discharging side of the communication tube and disposed so that a downward oriented discharge outlet thereof is positioned just above a path of a conveyor for transporting containers; an arm having an upper portion and a lower portion and to which the filling nozzle provided with a spool is mounted on the lower portion thereof; a horizontal axle supporting the arm in a freely rotatable and reversible manner at the upper portion thereof; and a mechanism for vibrating the arm on the horizontal axle serving as the vibration center.

Abstract: The dispensing pump is intended for metering pasty products into a group of molding bowls cylically advanced under the dispensing pump. The dispensing pump comprises a plurality of commonly drivable metering piston pumps (2) corresponding in number to the number of bowls disposed in series and in side-by-side relationship, with the pumps being provided with closing and opening elements associated with dispensing nozzles (7). To provide a compact and space-saving configuration with short and rectilinear conveying distances for the feedstock to be metered and thereby to provide favorable cleaning conditions, the dispensing pump is so constructed that the closing and opening elements are disposed in a flat valve block below the metering piston pumps. Feedstock distributor channels for each pump row are provided in the valve block in parallel to rotary slide valves with feedstock carrying channels pivotal by a common drive into the dispensing and metering position.

Abstract: In order to be able to simultaneously fill with a liquid, gaseous or solid flowable medium, without it being necessary to measure and monitor the filling volume or weight of each container, the filling plant has a pipeline system (10) for conveying the medium to be filled with a plurality of drawing-off lines (13, 113, 213) leading to the filling valves (20, 120, 220) and in which are arranged volume chambers (40, 140, 240) with rotors rotated by the medium flowing through the same, arranged jointly on a shaft (40) with a system pressure-dependent controlled brake (45). A balance (50) is only associated with a single filling valve (20) of the valves controlled by a control cylinder (25) and is used for controlling said cylinder (25). A feed pump (15) connected upstream of the filling valve (120) associated with balance (50) ensure a uniform exit velocity of the medium in the container when pressure fluctuations occur in the pipeline system (11, 13, 113, 213).

Abstract: Dispenser apparatus for simultaneously providing predetermined equal volumes of liquid to each of a plurality of wells. The apparatus includes a disposable multiple chamber dispenser module having a top surface and a plurality of dependent walls each defining a lower chamber for alignment with a corresponding well. Each chamber has an open lower nozzle end and extends upwardly to an opening in the top surface. A die plate having a plurality of concavities is provided with each concavity having an equal volume and a mouth. Each concavity is defined by an inner surface and corresponds to one of the chambers. The apparatus further comprises diaphragm means having a portion extending across the mouth of each concavity. Each diaphragm portion is movable from a first position across the mouth of its concavity to a second position in surface contact with the inner surface defining that concavity.

Abstract: In order to simultaneously fill several containers with a liquid, gaseous or solid flowable medium, without it being necessary to measure and monitor the filling volume or weight of each container, the filling apparatus has a pipe system (10) for carrying the medium to be filled. The pipe system includes a plurality of branch lines (13, 113, 213) leading to valves (20, 120, 220). In the branch lines there are arranged volume chambers (40, 140, 240) having impellers jointly placed on a shaft (41) with a system pressure-dependent braking device (45). The impellers are rotated by the medium flowing through the volume chambers. A balance (50) or a rotary piston meter (150) is associated with only one valve (20) of all the valves controlled by a control cylinder (25) and is used for controlling the latter.

Abstract: An automatic syringe filling system includes a pump for supplying liquid under pressure to a manifold that distributes the liquid to each of a plurality of syringes. Microswitches disposed at predetermined positions detect when the plunger of each syringe connected to the manifold has been extended a particular distance determined by the desired fill volume. When all of the plungers are extended this distance, the supply of liquid to the manifold is discontinued by closing a valve and deactuating the pump.

Abstract: A device for drawing, holding and dispensing a plurality of distinct, relatively low volume, liquid masses. A plunger plate with an array of plungers is received in a draw tube plate with an array of draw tubes. A piston tip is sealingly disposed in the draw tubes and the plungers are connected thereto. The draw tube plate can be received by a reservoir plate such that the draw tubes extend into an array of wells in the reservoir plate. By finger pressure the plunger plate can be reciprocated with respect to the draw tube plate to move the pistons in the draw tubes for drawing, holding and dispensing a plurality of distinct liquid masses. Preferably the pistons have an inverted concave, conical tip shape and mate with an inner, lower surface of the draw tubes.

Abstract: Containers for providing predetermined quantities of cement and aggregate to be transported to a site for on site mixing of concrete. The containers have two compartments which are self closing due to the weight of the contents, one compartment containing cement and the other aggregate. When placed on a ring-like support the compartments release their contents. The hopper of the concrete mixer provides support to permit the opening of the container mouths and has a water spray curtain to prevent the fine cement powder to be taken away by the wind, with the water spray providing the correct amount of water for the concrete.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for filling caulking tubes with a viscous liquid composition comprising, a frame; a drive at the lower portion of the frame driving a conveyor belt containing initially empty caulking tubes; a reservoir at the top portion of the frame having therein said viscous composition; a linkage driven by said drive and extending above the lower portion of said frame to the upper portion of said frame; a valve block including a valve core located immediately beneath said reservoir; and, a piston arrangement, wherein the viscous material passes through said valve block, said valve core and piston arrangement from said reservoir into the empty caulking cartiridges which apparatus is sufficiently strong to handle extremely viscous compositions without damage.

Abstract: The rehydrator is comprised of a first plate having a plurality of hollow tubes secured in through apertures and extending from one side of the plate perpendicular thereto. A plurality of rods are secured to a second plate disposed parallel to the first plate and extend through respective tubes in the first plate. The second plate is guided for movement toward and away from the first plate on a plurality of guide rods and springs are provided to normally bias the second plate away from the first plate. The rods slide loosely within the tubes and upon movement of the second plate downwardly into engagement with the first plate, the ends of the rods will extend beyond the tubes so that upon immersion of the ends of the rods and tubes into a solution, the withdrawal of the rods into the tubes will cause a predetermined amount of fluid to be drawn into the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus has means for containing a level of flowable hardenable material therein, and means is selectively operable for carrying a predetermined amount of the hardenable material from the level thereof in the containing means to a preselected position beyond the level of the remaining hardenable material in the containing means. Means is associated with the carrying means in its preselected position for extracting therefrom another amount of the hardenable material predeterminately less than the predetermined amount.A method of operating the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A mobile drum filling assembly that may be drawn along side a railroad tank car or other liquid containing tank to draw liquid therefrom, and sequentially fill a number of drums with predetermined weights of the liquid. The assembly is preferably of such design that two drums may be filled and weighed concurrently, with the weighed drums thereafter moving by gravity on conveyors to a platform where they are sequentially removed preferably by lift truck to an adjacent holding area, into adjacent warehouse facilities, or onto a truck bed or other vehicle for transportation to a desired destination. Fumes that may arise during the filling operation are together with air drawn upwardly by vacuum means to a wash tower, with the fumes being removed before the air with which they were mixed, is discharged to the ambient atmosphere. The liquid may be withdrawn from the tank car either by gravity flow, an electrically driven pump, or by pressurizing the interior of the tank car with air.

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 apparatus for the disbursement of a bulk solid sample comprising, a gravity hopper having a top open end and a bottom discharge end, a feeder positioned beneath the gravity hopper so as to receive a bulk solid sample flowing from the bottom discharge end, and a conveyor receiving the bulk solid sample from the feeder and rotating on an axis that allows the bulk solid sample to disperse the sample to a collection station.