Abstract: A bottling apparatus (1) in aseptic conditions of containers (100) made of a thermoplastic material, comprising: at least one mobile organ such as, for example, a blowing nozzle (24) that is partially located in a contamination-controlled environment (3) isolated from an external environment (4); a linear motor (6) for driving the mobile organ (24), the linear motor (6) comprising a cylindrical stator (7) and a rotor or magnetic shaft (8) integrally connected to the mobile organ (24), the separation volume between the rotor (8) and the cylindrical stator (7) being sanitisable by means of a sanitising fluid that passes through a grooved surface (14, 15, 18).

Abstract: An aseptic molding process of a container starting from a parison (20) made of a thermoplastic material, comprising steps of: blowing a first fluid into the parison (20) located in a mould (10); introducing the first fluid into the compensating chamber (14) of the mould (10) through an inlet (15); evacuating the first fluid from the molded container; evacuating the first fluid from the compensating chamber (14) through an outlet (16) fashioned therein; sterilising the compensating chamber (14) by supplying to the inlet (15) a second fluid containing a sterilising agent and evacuating the second fluid from the outlet (16) of the compensating chamber (14).

Abstract: The invention features compact systems and methods for vacuum liquid purification and extraction of a liquid sample.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to methods of maintaining sterility of an aseptic work zone of a blow-fill seal operation so that low acid foods may be aseptically processed and packaged. The methods of the present disclosure further provide for maintain the sterility of the aseptic work zone such that the aseptic work zone does not have to be enclosed in a separate sterile environment during the blow fill seal process. The methods of the present disclosure further provide a sterilization procedure that is compliant with FDA regulations related to the aseptic packaging of low acid food products. Further disclosed, are methods for producing a hermetically sealed container containing a low acid food product.

Abstract: Disclosed is a two station system for a flow cytometer that includes a sample station and a wash station. During washing, the user has access to the sample station to insert a new sample. This increases the efficiency of the workflow process. Rotary clamps are used to automatically clamp the sample station and wash station to the system. A low volume pressurized cavity is used to bring the pressure of the sample to a desired pressure, which further increases productivity of the system. A transparent body is provided in the sample station so a user can view the sample during the sampling process. A backwash process is used to clean the sample injection tube and the sample uptake tube. In addition, the wash station is designed to rinse the outer surface of the sample uptake tube.

Abstract: The present invention provides a multiple liquid dispenser having an upper section for receiving ice to form a cooling chamber. The cooling chamber has a spiral passageway extending through the ice having a plurality of layers of passageways. The spiral passageway has an upper end for receiving the liquid to be chilled by the surrounding ice and a lower end connected to multiple tubes for distributing the chilled liquid. The lower section has multiple liquid dispensers connected to the multiple tubes for receiving and dispensing the chilled liquid from the multiple liquid dispensers. The multiple liquid dispensers are spaced around the periphery of the lower section and has valves for opening and closing the liquid dispensers for dispensing the chilled liquid. A vertical stand is provided for supporting the upper and lower sections.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for preventing overfilling of a plurality of fuel tanks (8) at a gasoline station, in the event that fuel tanks are filled simultaneously by multi-chamber tank vehicles (7). The fuel tanks (8) are equipped with filling level threshold indicators (3) linked to a transmitter (1) for wireless transmission of a signal. A receiver (2) mounted in the tank vehicle (7) is provided to control one or several tank valves. In order to ensure safe closure of the tank valves, the filling level threshold indicators (3) of the fuel tanks (8) at the gasoline station are connected each to a signal line (5) leading to a common interface (4). Only one transmitter (1) along with an interrogation control device is provided for connecting to said interface (4) and cooperates with the receiver (2) mounted in the tank vehicle (7).

Abstract: A method of filling bottles or similar containers in a bottle or container filling plant and a filling system for filling bottles or similar containers in a bottle or container filling plant. The abstract of the disclosure is submitted herewith as required by 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b). As stated in 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b): A brief abstract of the technical disclosure in the specification must commence on a separate sheet, preferably following the claims, under the heading “Abstract of the Disclosure.” The purpose of the abstract is to enable the Patent and Trademark Office and the public generally to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and gist of the technical disclosure. The abstract shall not be used for interpreting the scope of the claims. Therefore, any statements made relating to the abstract are not intended to limit the claims in any manner and should not be interpreted as limiting the claims in any manner.

Abstract: A system for simultaneously filling a plurality of paintball pods with a reduced incidence of spilling includes a housing, a pod support, a reservoir, and a valve. The pod support includes a plate with at least one aperture configured to maintain at least one paintball pod in a vertical orientation. The pod support is configured to be positioned in the housing. The reservoir includes at least one opening in a bottom wall thereof. The valve selectively and controllably allows or obstructs a flow of paintballs from the reservoir to one or more paintball pods positioned in the pod support. The components of the paintball filling system may be coupled or nested into a single transportable unit.

Abstract: A refill apparatus for multiple containers is provided, which comprises a single piece, integrally molded primary container for holding matter. The basin of the container is comprised of a bottom with a plurality of apertures that are arranged in rows and columns for allowing drainage of matter from the containment portion through the apertures. The plurality of apertures are integrally molded and coupled with an upper portion of a corresponding number of conduits that are commensurately arranged in rows and columns along an exterior of the bottom for allowing matter from the containment portion to flow and drain into a lower portion of the conduits, which are comprised of discharge tubes for facilitating simultaneous flow and depletion of matter out of the containment portion and into a secondary set of containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides highly automated fluid delivery systems and related methods with significantly improved throughput relative to preexisting technologies. In particular, the invention relates to a fluid dispensing system that simultaneously produces multiple fluid mixtures on-the-fly in multiple multiwell plates. The invention also includes control system and machine software in addition to various systems and related methods for performing assorted downstream processes.

Abstract: In a gasoline pump system, means for concurrent filling of more than one car, tank or container with gasoline or other liquid petroleum products, comprising a display for guiding car drivers to a gasoline pump system having an outlet available for fueling, and a display for enabling each driver to identify the outlet used for filling his/her car, and to distinguish it from outlets used for filling other cars. A method for concurrent filling of more than one car, tank or container with gasoline or other liquid petroleum products, comprising the steps of: A. Guiding car drivers to a gasoline pump system having an outlet available for fueling; and B. Enabling each driver to identify the outlet used for filling his/her car, and to distinguish it from outlets used for filling other cars.

Abstract: A communion cup dispenser made in accordance with the present disclosure includes a number of tubes that hold the cups prior to the dispensing operation. A dispensing mechanism releases one layer of forty cups into an empty communion tray per one cycle of the handle. The dispenser has a feature named a shaker. This shaker is used in the event that one or more cups do not fall using the force of gravity alone. The inside diameter surface of shaker exit holes bump the cup or cups and cause them to fall. The shaker is used occasionally. The cup dispenser has a cup prelocator which is placed on top of the communion tray to assist the cups during their fall into the tray. The tube assembly dispensing mechanisms plus plates that provide a passage for the falling cups are held together by a frame.

Abstract: A loader for an automated pill dispenser has a plastic body with two rows of pill cavities which are positioned to overlie pill compartment blocks in the speciality pill dispensing carousel of a conventional automated pill dispenser. Two guides affixed beneath the loader body restrain a flat floor member, which has a handle to permit it to be moved between a retracted loading positioned and an extended dispensing position. The floor member has a single slot running its width through which front row pill cavities empty when the floor member is extracted. The guides define positioning holes which allow the loader to be rapidly brought into position with respect to the automated pill dispenser drawer. The loader may be filled with pills at a location remote from the automated dispenser, and rapidly engaged with and removed from the dispenser to most effectively make use of the dispenser's processing time.

Abstract: The high speed depositor allows the manufacturing plant, e.g., a modern large bakery, to double the production of the batter, filling and icing lines. The depositor is comprised of a food quality positive displacement pump, a high torque stepping motor, a microprocessor based controller and a depositing manifold with individual valves. Other supporting apparatus, which are inputs and outputs of the controller, include a rotary encoder to measure the degrees of revolution of the pump, an air solenoid valve to apply air (motive force) to the stepping motor and an on/off switch to start and stop the depositing operation. Each nozzle on the depositing manifold has a flow control device to equalize the flow and therefore each cup weight of product deposited into the baking pan. A feed tank or hopper supplies a constant flow of product to the suction of the depositor pump. The manifold is typically mounted a few inches above a conveyor which carries baking pans underneath the manifold nozzles.

Abstract: A viscous liquid dispenser (1) having a dispensing container (6) with a dispenser bottom (2) having a multiplicity of drainage holes (3) a grooved track (5) within the inside wall of the dispensing container parallel to and above the dispenser bottom, and a slidable damming plate (4) having a multiplicity of drainage holes (3) which is mounted in the grooved track and is capable of sliding between a closed position (FIG. 2) wherein the drainage holes of the slidable damming plate and the dispenser bottom are not aligned and an open position (FIG. 3) wherein the drainage holes of the slidable damming plate and the dispenser bottom are aligned is provided.

Abstract: The invention provides a container dispensing apparatus and a liquid dispensing apparatus. The container dispenser includes a housing, axial bores for receiving a column of containers and a central, axial bore, a vertical bar attached to and uprising from the housing, upright legs that are attached to the peripheral wall of the housing, a cover being positioned above the housing and having a number of downwardly extending rods and a downwardly extending, central pipe, a guide for the vertical bar attached to the cover, a pair of friction pads separating the guide for the vertical bar from the vertical bar while acting as a reenforceable break to allow lifting and lowering of the cover along the vertical bar, a handle engaged with the vertical bar, a fulcrum that is attached to the cover and that is engaged with and supports the handle. The liquid dispenser has a housing with a side wall and a bottom wall. The bottom wall is provided with a number of liquid dispensing openings that are selectively positioned.

Abstract: An improved oil drainage and disposal device comprising a generally box-like container having a large opening formed eccentrically in one surface of the container to permit a plurality of oil containers to be inserted into the interior of the container for storage and to allow oil being drained from a vehicle to enter the container through the opening, a plurality of annular openings formed in a second surface of the container perpendicular to the one surface for releasably retaining the necks of oil containers, closures mounted in each of the annular openings and resiliently urged into a position to seal the openings, and funnels formed in the second surface about each of the openings.

Abstract: A system for packaging, storing and dispensing discrete quantities of fluid has front and back sheets of fluid impervious material bonded together along seal lines to define a plurality of tubular containment channels including fill ports and discharge ports, and to define a filling manifold including a common fill port connected by a conduit to the separate fill ports. Each discharge port is provided with a frangibly capped, hollow dispensing tube and the seal lines further define cuffs releasably sealed about the dispensing tubes. After the channels are filled with fluid introduced at the common fill port, the sheets are further bonded to close the fill ports, and the filling manifold portion is removed.

Abstract: A device for providing a measured portion of food product on demand in which a portioned metering head has an inlet to receive the food product under pressure and an outlet to discharge the food product onto the food-receiving medium. There is a disk in the housing which has a disk passageway connecting the inlet and outlet passageways of the metering head. Within the disk passageway is a piston which can slide from one end to the other. By rotating the disk, the food product pushes against the piston causing it to push the food product previously within the disk passageway out into the outlet passageway of the metering head. The cycle repeats with the disk rotating 180.degree., once again positioning the piston adjacent to the inlet passageway. A photoelectric eye signals a control mechanism and connected air cylinder to rotate the disk each time a food-receiving medium is disposed under the metering head.

Abstract: An automatic water replenishing system is designed for use with multiple dye vats used for tinting eyeglass lenses, but the broad principles of the invention could apply to other systems used for replenishing individual ones of plural vats or reservoirs with water or some other liquid. A rotary water distributor rotates about an arc when it is signaled by water level sensors that the water in a particular vat is low. As the rotary distributor reaches the low reservoir, the LED carried by the distributor actuates a photo transistor adjacent the particular reservoir that needs replenishing, causing the motor to stop and the water supply solenoid valve to be actuated, filling the reservoir until a brief period of time after the level sensor indicates a full condition to the central control system.

Abstract: Filling apparatus for filling receptacles, the apparatus comprising a feed member connected to at least one filling spout via a flow control member connected to an output of a weight processing unit having an input connected to a weighing member in order to deliver opening or closing signals to the flow control member as a function of a weight measured by the weighing member, the apparatus further including a time measuring member associated with the weight processing unit for enabling the processing unit to calculate the flow rate of substance through the flow control member and to compare the calculated flow rate with a flow rate reference value, and to adjust the flow rate of the substance as a function of the result of the comparison.

Abstract: A method for filling insulated glazing units is disclosed. The method utilizes a vacuum chamber in which the insulated glazing units are placed. The insulated glazing units and vacuum chamber are evacuated simultaneously. The units are then refilled with a low conductance gas such as Krypton while the chamber is simultaneously refilled with air.

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: Apparatus for automatically dispensing accurately a predetermined quantity of a liquid required to be stored at room temperature including a syringe pump, a liquid tank, and a pump displacement mechanism for moving the syringe pump between the liquid tank and a container. The piston of the syringe pump is displaced by a piston displacement mechanism. A weigher measures weights of the tank and liquid in the tank as well as a draining system for draining the liquid of the liquid tank. Liquid is supplied to the liquid tank from a supply system. A control device controls displacement of the syringe pump and the piston of the syringe pump, actuation of the supply system and the drainage system, and reads measurement output signals of the weigher.

Abstract: A device for the simultaneous quantitative regulated filling of liquid or soft plasticized substances, such as butter, margarine, pastes or the like, by means of nozzles into adjacently arranged containers with the assistance of at least one control element interchangeably switchable from filling to discharging and at least one dosing piston. The device is arranged in such a way that two adjacent nozzles arranged in tandem are assigned one control element and one dosing piston. A passageway in the transition region from the actual dosing device to the nozzles can be adjusted preferably by means of a regulating valve whose angle of rotation can be altered. This regulating valve provides for an especially delicately sensitive and precise distribution of the product stream onto the one or the other nozzle for the purpose of balancing the output volume.

Abstract: A vacuum manifold for solid phase extraction of a plurality of liquid samples from reagent tubes removably connected by valves to a vacuum chamber through a removable vacuum tight cover closing. A plurality of parallel flow paths are provided through the cover for the flow of liquid samples into the vacuum chamber, through a plurality of valves rotatable about an axis parallel to the general direction of flow through the cover to provide flow adjustment and closing of the valves. A valve is also provided for attaching the vacuum chamber to a vacuum source to create a vacuum therein. An optional attachment is provided permitting treatment of materials with nitrogen or other gases using a manifold plate attached to a source of gas and providing a plurality of valve control means axially aligned to couple with the rotatable valves for passage of liquid into the vacuum chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of controlling the dividing of a paste composition from the dispensing cavities in a carrier in which floatable pistons in the cavities regulate the amount of paste composition which is discharged from the respective dispensing cavities. The stroke of each piston in its respective cavity is controlled in an operative state to regulate the amount of paste composition discharged from each cavity and each piston is selectively locked in its respective cavity in an inoperative state to prevent discharge of paste composition from the respective cavity.

Abstract: A duplex pipette comprises a housing, a pair of cylinders separately formed in the housing to extend substantially in parallel to each other, first and second piston members each having a lower end portion slidably received in one of the cylinders and a handle portion projecting outside the cylinder, and a pair of pipette tips mounted on the lower end of the housing by way of a connecting member, each of the pipette tips having a passage which communicates one of the cylinders with the outside of the housing. The connecting member is arranged so that the distance between the distal ends of the pipette tips can be changed. One of the piston members is arranged to be movable separately from the other piston member and the other piston member is arranged to be movable only together with said one piston member.

Abstract: A liquid storage and delivery system for use with protective masks having hand-operable bulb siphon pumps in line with conduits extending from a canteen assembly to the drinking mouthpiece of the protective mask. The system includes structure to allow a user to drink directly from a central storage/dispensing reservoir by connecting the conduits directly thereto, and also allows the canteen assembly to be refilled from the reservoir while maintaining the system's protective integrity.

Abstract: A laboratory device having a bifurcatable actuator plate assembly superposed and in coaction with a support plate means for securing a plurality of pump-actuated pipettes therebetween and responsive to the actuation thereof to accurately dispense liquids therefrom during a single cycle of the actuator and means for readily establishing a preselected quantity for the replicate liquid injections. The device is supported by height adjustable legs having rubber feet mounted thereto to insure stability.

Abstract: An aseptic packing machine comprising an enclosure defining a space swept through by a stream of sterile air and means for producing said stream of air. A station for producing containers, a filling station, a closing station and a transfer device cooperating with said stations are disposed inside the enclosure. The moving mechanical parts of said stations and said transfer device which are capable of being contaminating are located outside the part of said space which is maintained non-contaminating by said stream of sterile air.

Abstract: Apparatus for dispensing pasty flowable substances, and particularly for dispensing substances such as mustard and catsup for deposit on buns. The apparatus comprises a closed container having a plurality of compartments for containing mustard and catsup. A valve arrangement is associated with the container to uncover selected openings in compartments, and air under slight pressure is introduced into the container to assist in ejecting the mustard or catsup. A control is included to selectively provide for ejection of mustard, or catsup, or both.

Abstract: A hypodermic syringe apparatus includes a contact member having an apertured front plate and a hydraulic cylinder reciprocated mounting plate supports a group of hypodermic needles in slidable registry with the front plate openings, which pierce a liquid absorbent web backing the front plate. Each needle is connected by a flexible tube to an adjustable stroke piston pump where inlets are connected to liquid injectable holding receptacles. The pistons are simultaneously actuated by a motor driven drive cam carrying shaft, the motor being controlled by a handle carried switch to rotate the shaft one turn. The shaft carrying cam also controls the flow of liquid to the handle cylinder, and the absorbent pad is connected to a source of antiseptic. A marking pad is carried by the handle front wall to identify the puncture area. Another form of handle includes a flexible band separably encircling the operator's hand for specialized field use.