Abstract: A system may include a printhead for ejecting a first fluid including a polymer, the ejected first fluid forming a substrate with a thermal conductivity of less than 0.5 W/(m-K); a spreader to spread a layer of metal particulate on the substrate, wherein the printhead further ejects a second fluid, the ejected second fluid masking a portion of the layer of metal particulate on the substrate; and a pulse irradiation light source to fuse an unmasked portion of the layer of metal particulate.

Abstract: A filling unit (1) configured to receive container's mouth, and a dispenser (3) for dispensing liquid substance towards the container. The housing (2) comprises a cavity (26) which is delimited by a bottom wall (24), on which the dispenser (3) opens, and by a lateral wall (25) which at least partly has a truncated cone shape. The dispenser (3) has a dispensing duct (31) with a flow modifier (34) to impart a rotational motion so that the liquid substance comes out with a helical flow. When filling a container (90) of the first type, the liquid substance is dispensed directly into container's mouth (91) and flows onto an internal surface of container's lateral wall. When filling a container (95) of a second type, the liquid substance flows onto the lateral wall (25) of the housing (2) and, after having entered container's mouth (96), flows onto an internal surface of container's lateral wall.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.

Abstract: A filling device for a filling machine configured to fill receptacles with a pourable product, comprising: a tubular body having a longitudinal axis, defining a central flowing channel for the pourable product, and terminating at a lower end with an axial outlet opening adapted to deliver the pourable product to a receptacle to be filled, wherein the channel includes a tapered-section portion located at a given axial distance from, and above, the outlet opening and tapering towards the outlet opening up to a narrowed-section zone; a shutter movable within the channel; and at least one exhaust conduit arranged on an outer circumference than the channel with reference to the longitudinal axis; wherein the channel includes an enlarged-section portion located immediately below the tapered-section portion, having a larger diameter than the narrowed-section zone, and defining an expansion chamber receiving a bottom end opening of the exhaust conduit.

Abstract: In a method for opening a transport pocket (15), which is moved in a conveying direction (BR) along a running rail (11) extending in the conveying direction (BR) for the conveying of goods suspended on a carriage (12), simple and precise loading and/or unloading of the transport pocket (15) is enabled by the fact that the carriage (12) with the transport pocket (15) suspended thereon is stopped in its forward movement at a predetermined point of the running rail (11) in order to open the transport pocket (15), and that the transport pocket (15) of the carriage (12) is opened for loading and/or unloading of conveyed goods to be transported.

Abstract: A conveyor system for conveying an article that is stored while being suspended from a rail, the conveyor system including a bag having a body and a suspending member that suspends the body, and reorienting devices that reorient the bag. The bag has an opening on the body such that the article is dropped into and discharged from the opening. The reorienting devices include engaging members that are engaged with the body. The engaging members are engaged with the interior of the body so as to reorient the body from at least one of an orientation for conveying the article to an orientation for dropping the article into the opening or from the orientation for conveying the article to an orientation for discharging the article from the opening.

Abstract: A method and computer program product for defining a PWM drive signal having a defined voltage potential. The PWM drive signal has a plurality of “on” portions and a plurality of “off” portions that define a first duty cycle for regulating, at least in part, a flow rate of a pump assembly. At least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal are pulse width modulated to define a second duty cycle for the at least a portion of the “on” portions of the PWM drive signal. The second duty cycle regulates, at least in part, the percentage of the defined voltage potential applied to the pump assembly.

Abstract: A machine for filling containers, including a plurality of filling spouts, and a cleaning device comprising a plurality of individual tubular collecting elements rigidly mounted on a collection tube, and a device for moving the collection tube between a retracted position and a service position in which the collecting elements are in contact, via the upstream ends thereof, with the filling spouts. The collection tube laterally supports the collecting elements, such that, in the retracted position, the collecting elements are arranged between the filling spouts. The moving device capable of moving the collection tube from the retracted position thereof to the service position thereof by at least one downward vertical translational movement, followed by a horizontal movement.

Abstract: A conveyor installation comprises carrier bags for material to be transported, wherein the carrier bags are suspended from carrier dogs which are moved in a transport rail in a transport direction. At a loading and unloading station, the carrier bags are rotatable from their transport position, which is transverse to the transport direction, into a position which points in the transport direction, wherein an upper loading opening is opened at the same time. Backwards rotation of the carrier bags is caused by the force of gravity.

Abstract: Equipment to transfer powder from a drum into a tank comprising at least one handling device and one hopper assembly (T) connected to a tank (4). The handling device comprises a hollow cylindrical body intended to surround a drum (2) and to immobilise it to enable it to be turned upside-down, where the drum (2) is open and the powder is contained in at least one sealed bag. The hopper assembly (T) comprises a hopper (60) and a sealed enclosure (62) installed on the upstream end of the hopper, where said enclosure (62) comprises an aperture to enable the hollow cylindrical body loaded with the drum (2) and of the sack of powder to enter, and then, after removal of the hollow cylindrical body loaded with the empty drum (2), to be closed, and to allow the bag to be opened to allow the powder to flow into the hopper (60).

Abstract: Hot or Cold soup made fresh from scratch, can or concentrate is prepared in a suitable container and after its preparation is kept cool, blended and re-circulated for long term shelf life until a serving is requested. This serving volume of soup is automatically pumped and heated to serving temperature (hot soup) and served in a suitable container like a cup or a bowl. The entire system where the soup resides is always kept refrigerated. The only portion of the soup that is heated after its preparation is the one dispensed. If it is a soup that is served cold the heating prior to dispensing is by-passed.

Abstract: An overfill prevention device is provided for preventing overflow of a fluid storage tank. The overfill prevention device includes a filler cup designed to fit within the fill opening of the tank body and attach thereto. A seal that is adapted for receiving and sealing to a fill nozzle is placed between upper and lower regions of the filler cup. A breather piece, which defines a vapor path with first and second openings, is integrated with the filler cup. The first opening of the breather piece is fluidly coupled to the lower cup region, whereas the second opening is positioned above the first opening, located at or below the full level of the storage tank.

Abstract: A dispensing device that achieves both of preventing cross-contamination between reagents and attaching a lid to a reagent container is provided. The dispensing device of the present invention includes a dispensing nozzle 10 that aspirates and discharges liquid, a lid opening and closing part 26 that projects downward to be lower than the dispensing nozzle 10, and a drive unit that makes the dispensing nozzle 10 and the lid opening and closing part 26 drive in the vertical direction, in which the dispensing nozzle 10 drives in the vertical direction independently of the lid opening and closing part 26. The dispensing device that achieves both of preventing cross-contamination between the reagents and attaching the lid to the reagent container can be provided.

Abstract: A biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip, a biological material fixed carrier treatment apparatus, and a treatment method thereof. An object is to obviate attachment control and suction control for storing and retaining the carrier in the tip form vessel, to simplify complex reaction processes, and to make processing of the biological material fixed carrier to be easily executed as a result of a small-scale device configuration. The biological material fixed carrier enclosing tip comprises: a tip form vessel having an installation opening part that is installable to a nozzle, and a narrow tube that possesses an opening, through which fluid inflow and outflow is possible, that is narrower than the nozzle; a carrier in which a predetermined biological material is fixed or fixable, and has a size or a shape that is able to pass through the opening; and an enclosing section provided on the tip form vessel.

Abstract: A rotary container handling machine which has a stationary frame and a turntable supported thereby, which turntable has container handling devices for handling containers. The turntable is rotated by a drive. The drive comprises an encircling collar with a plurality of magnets, and at least one stator which overlaps one subsector of the collar to permit rotation of the turntable by an electromagnetic field generated by the at least one stator. The collar is disposed on either the stationary frame or the turntable, while the at least one stator is disposed on the other.

Abstract: An autonomous movable vehicle including: a propelling device; a fluid receiving conduit having at least one fill opening through which a container can be filled; at least one fluid dispensing opening through which a fluid is dispensed; and a controller that causes the vehicle to autonomously approach a fluid delivery station that is separate from the vehicle and that causes the fill opening to couple to the fluid delivery station, wherein when the fill opening and the fluid delivery station are in an interfacing position, fluid is transferred from the fluid delivery station into the container, and the fill opening of the fluid receiving conduit is disposed at a location spaced apart from and to one side of a central mirror axis of the vehicle which axis extends in the direction of travel of the vehicle.

Abstract: A conveyor installation comprises carrier bags for material to be transported, wherein the carrier bags are suspended from carrier dogs which are moved in a transport rail in a transport direction. At a loading and unloading station, the carrier bags are rotatable from their transport position, which is transverse to the transport direction, into a position which points in the transport direction, wherein an upper loading opening is opened at the same time. Backwards rotation of the carrier bags is caused by the force of gravity.

Abstract: A liquid crystal dropping apparatus is used in the manufacture of liquid crystal display devices, which is designed to apply vibration energy to liquid crystal charged in a liquid crystal container, thereby allowing the liquid crystal to be dropped as a spray. The liquid crystal dropping apparatus includes a liquid crystal container in which liquid crystal is charged so that a pressure is applied to the liquid crystal if gas is supplied into the liquid crystal container, an opening and closing device for opening and closing a liquid crystal discharge hole provided at a lower end of the liquid crystal container, and a vibration energy supply device for supplying vibration energy to the interior of the liquid crystal container.

Abstract: A combination loader and post cure tire inflator for use with a tire press is provided. A post cure inflator for inflating and curing vulcanized tires includes a plurality of inflator stations with each inflator station including a pair of axially aligned, vertically separable tire inflating chuck rings. A loading apparatus includes a loading arm movable along a linear track relative to the plurality of inflator stations to load and unload each vulcanized tire in a selected one of the plurality of inflator stations without rotating the vulcanized tires in a turnover operation.

Abstract: Apparatus useful for feeding a particulate starter material comprising nutrient and bacteria to a mixing tank, for solubilizing the starter material inside the mixing tank, for promoting growth of the bacteria and for discharging an aqueous slurry comprising the bacteria from the mixing tank. The apparatus preferably has a gravity-flow feeder and discharge port, does not require a pump, and comprises disposable parts.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for filling containers (3) with a filling material consisting of at least two components that are introduced separately into the respective container (3), with the aid of a filling element (1, 1a).

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for filling solid particles into a vertical tube by conveying the particles downwardly into the tube along a loading tool that softens the fall of the particles and provides even filling of the tube. The loading tool includes a center member and a plurality of damper members that can be adapted in particular cases to the actual type of particles and the tube diameter. The damper members can be stiff or flexible since they do not occupy a substantial portion of the cross section of the tube at any particular axial location. In operation, the center member can be jerked during the filling operation while simultaneously being lifted up gradually as the tube fills or it can be sequentially lifted. The damper members reduce the falling velocity of the particles and divert the particles from falling in straight downward paths. This avoids bridge formation and breakage of the particles during filling.

Abstract: A concrete delivery system includes a hopper having an open top and a discharge opening therein. A belt is trained around the front roller and the rear roller and the discharge opening is provided at the lower end of the hopper. A first positive displacement pump is connected to the liquid container and is driven by a rotatable shaft attached to one of the front or rear rollers for delivering the liquid from the liquid container to the mixer. A mixer is provided for mixing the material with the liquid and concrete mixture. The device includes a minimum of adjustment controls. An add mix fluid attachment may also be included in the addition to the liquid dispenser and this is controlled by the same shaft as the liquid dispenser is controlled.

Abstract: The invention relates to a container filling machine including at least one filling spout, and a cleaning device including a stationary collecting member with a passage opening, a sealing member that can be displaced between a retracted position and a service position in which said sealing member is capable of tightly sealing the passage opening of the collecting member for carrying out cleaning operations, and displacement means capable of displacing the sealing member from the retracted position to the service position thereof through at least one downward vertical translation displacement parallely to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, followed by a horizontal displacement, perpendicularly to the longitudinal axis of the filling spout, such that the sealing member is substantially centred along the longitudinal axis of the filling spout.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing substances, specifically powders and liquids, into a container, is designed as a compact module containing a weighing device with a load receiver, a holder device which is attached to the load receiver and serves to receive and loosely hold the container while the substances are dispensed into the container, and a liquid-dispensing device for dispensing a liquid into the container while the latter is seated in the holder device. The apparatus includes a clamping device for firmly gripping and immobilizing the container, so that a capping device that is not part of the apparatus can put a cap on the container or remove the cap from the container while the latter is seated in the holder device.

Abstract: An outlet conduit extends from an elevated water storage tank for discharging water into the tank of a tanker truck, which truck transports the water to a location of use, such as spraying the water at a construction site for dust control. A manually or remotely controlled valve actuator in a conduit extending from the storage tank controls the flow of water to the tanker truck. Power for operating the valve actuator is provided by batteries and solar panels to recharge the batteries. A remote control, actuated by a driver of the tanker truck, transmits radio frequency signals to the valve actuator to control opening and closing of the valve. A manual override accessible with a chain extending downwardly from the valve actuator may be used in the alternative to the remote control.

Abstract: On a continuous machine for filling containers with at least one product, each container is fed along a given path in time with a relative metering device, which withdraws the product from a tank, feeds the withdrawn product into the container, and has a piston and a cylinder movable axially with respect to each other; and a lock device provides for selectively locking the pistons and relative cylinders.

Abstract: A compact apparatus and method for filling a flexible pouch having an extended shelf life is provided. The machine includes a frame, a transport means disposed on the frame for transporting a pouch holder containing the flexible pouch. The machine also includes a receiving station for placing the pouch into the pouch holder, and an opening station for opening the pouch to separate the walls of the pouch, a filling station for filling the pouch and a closing station for closing the filled pouch. The machine further includes a pasteurization station. The flexible pouch includes a panel having an upper edge, an opposed lower edge and a first side edge and a second side edge extending therebetween the upper edge and the lower edge, the upper edges are sealed along an upper seam and a fitment opening means is disposed in the upper seam for accessing the product.

Abstract: There is provided a low-cost liquid supply apparatus using a system in which a liquid nozzle is moved, the apparatus being configured so that the installation area of the apparatus is small, a liquid vessel can be installed or removed easily without being hindered by equipment for moving the liquid nozzle, and further the number of parts is small. The liquid nozzle is attached to an arm capable of being turned reversibly around a turning shaft, and the movement of the liquid nozzle is controlled by the turning angle of the arm for either one axis of the X-axis and the Y-axis and is controlled by changing the length of the arm from the turning shaft for the other axis.

Abstract: Filling valve (12) including:—a hollow housing (21); a moving valve assembly (24) slidingly mounted in the housing (21), the moving valve assembly (24) and the hollow housing (21) together defining a liquid chamber (30) and a gas chamber (32); a liquid inlet (46) for putting the liquid chamber (30) into communication with a liquid supply pipe (14); a gas inlet (47) for putting the gas chamber (32) into communication with a gas supply pipe (17); wherein the moving valve assembly (24) includes: a hollow valve rod (25) provided with a through hole (43) opening in the gas chamber (32) at an upper end (37) of the valve rod (25), the valve rod being slideable with respect of the housing (21) between an open position in which the valve rod (25) opens an aperture (23) in the housing (21), thereby allowing liquid to flow from the liquid chamber (30) through the aperture (23), and a closed position in which the valve rod (25) closes the aperture (23), and a piston (26) slidingly mounted in the housing between an open p

Abstract: A device for filling a bag with bulk material. The device includes a charging hopper, a filling pipe adjoining the lower end of the charging hopper, a conveyor worm arranged in the filling pipe and drivingly connected to a rotary driving motor, as well as a height-adjustable closing element which is connected to the conveyor worm and which is arranged at the lower end of the filling pipe, wherein the rotary driving motor together with the conveyor worm and the closing element are arranged so as to be height-adjustable relative to the filling pipe.

Abstract: An apparatus and method is disclosed for processing containers or other articles by using continuous rotation of processing heads in a circular path about a single vertical axis and controlling the processing heads to independently rotate about a swivel axis causing them to move in a straight-line path while the heads are lowered to engage a group of containers or articles arranged in parallel rows. In this manner, a higher production apparatus and method are provided which is simpler, more reliable, requires less floor space, and easy to reconfigure for different applications.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco rod of a smoking product, wherein the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the tobacco rod is formed.

Abstract: A Dustless Stacker hood for suppressing dust generated during the stockpiling of materials such as coal. The Dustless Stacker hood receives coal from overhead chute; the received coal falls through Dustless Stacker hood to the top of a stockpile, and the Dustless Stacker hood confines dust inside Dustless Stacker hood. The dust-laden air swirls within the Dustless Stacker hood through a recirculation pipe and back to the overhead chute to enhance an agglomeration process which causes the dust particles stick together and fall to the top of stockpile.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco of a smoking product (2), wherein the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the rod is formed, as well as to a device for supplying a flowable medium to the tobacco of a smoking product (2), comprising a means by which the medium is introduced on a drum (1) of a cigarette machine, after the rod is formed.

Abstract: Edible frozen product extruding machine of the type using cartridges (3) which contain the frozen product (4) provided with an extrusion nozzle (5) and which rest on a platform (2), inside which cartridge acts a piston (6) which can move vertically by means of its stem (7) from the machine's driving devices, which centres its characteristics on incorporating to said stem (7) a side stop (8) which, in the downwards motion of piston (6) acts on a rod (9) which is parallel to stem (7) against the tension of a spring (11), which rod (9) is joined to a support (15) for cone (15) or vessel which receives the ice cream dose, so that with each operational cycle of the machine, initially cone (15) approaches nozzle (5) until the product is level with its opening, at which time stop (8) carries support (13) down, gradually distancing the cone from the nozzle as the classic overfilling of the cone is achieved, so that the frozen product considerably extends beyond its opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a system and method for automatically transporting receiving containers for sorted products. The containers are filled with the sorted products along a sorting stretch at individual, similar target stations, and automatically transported by means of a transport device after being filled. A full receiving container for sorted products is thus lowered, after a transport command has been triggered, by means of a transport device beneath a target station. The container is then placed on the transport device, if the device is not already occupied by a receiving container. The receiving container is then transported away from the target station by means of the transport device.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling pharmaceutical containers in a substantially sterile environment may include an upright wall dividing the apparatus into a substantially contamination free sterile zone and a non-sterile zone and an enclosure cooperating with the upright wall to define the sterile zone. The apparatus may also include a transfer apparatus that receives empty containers from a point outside the sterile zone and a transport at least partially disposed within the sterile zone that moves the containers through the sterile zone. The apparatus may include a filling apparatus that fills the containers with pharmaceuticals in the sterile zone as the containers are moved through the sterile zone. The filling apparatus may include at least one dispenser disposed within the sterile zone and a drive disposed in the non-sterile zone.

Abstract: A tube-filling machine has a supply device for transporting a tube through different processing stations. The processing stations include a filling station in which a filling pipe is introduced from above into the substantially vertical tube. A filling medium is introduced through the filling pipe into the tube using a dosing device. To introduce the filling medium into the tube with high reliability and to prevent soiling of the tube-filling machine due to defective filling, a sensor device for detecting the relative position between the tube and the inserted filling pipe is disposed in the filling station and a control device is provided which receives a position signal from the sensor device in dependence on which the dosing means can be controlled by the control device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a drug delivery device for mixing and delivering a drug by injection. The device includes a housing having a first port or opening therein that receives a first container that contains a fluid or powdered drug, for example a lyophilized drug. The housing can also include a second port or opening that receives a second container that contains a fluid to be mixed with the drug to form an injectable fluid. The device includes a manifold having a channel that fluidly connects the first and second containers. A penetrating membrane such as a needle is used to inject the drug into a patient which is in fluid communication with the first container. The needle is movable from a storage position in the housing to an injection position extending through the housing.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for conducting the operation of incorporating components and filing liquid for the assembly of a liquid-sealed vibration-proof mount by sequential steps of: depressing a liquid tank disposed above a main components body held to be faced upwardly toward it, installing an aperture at a bottom of the tank to the main body hermetically, supplying liquid onto the bottom to flow the liquid inside the main body and to store it on the bottom, incorporating a partition and other components into the main body in the liquid stored when detecting a definite liquid level with a liquid level detector tube and simultaneously sealing liquid, followed by discharging of the liquid from the bottom and removal of the liquid tank from the main body, whereby the operation can be conducted efficiently without causing error operation and suspending by use of a liquid tank having a small volume.

Abstract: A device for the application of a liquid substance has a baseplate, in which at least one cavity is recessed, and a container. In operation, the container and the baseplate are moved relative to each other in such a way that during the relative movement the container passes from one side of the cavity to the other side of the cavity. Such a device is particularly suitable for the application of flux, electrically conducting epoxy or soldering paste onto the bumps of a semiconductor chip.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for dispensing and distributing a powder is disclosed that uses a rotary dispenser to dispense the powder by gravity onto a movable platen, the platen being movable to a position adjacent to a build bed where the powder can be distributed across the build bed using a spreader. The method and apparatus are also suited to dispensing of a plurality of powders used in build beds for solid free-form fabrication and three-dimensional printing. It is preferred that a powder contacting surface of the apparatus be coated with a coating selected from the group consisting of: an anodized finish, a hardcoat anodized finish, siloxane, baked enamel, electroplated enamel, electroless nickel, coated elastomer, laminated elastomer, dipped latex, sprayed latex, polyvinyl chloride, nylon, polytetrafluoroethylene, polyurethane, an epoxy resin, or a polyester.

Abstract: An automatic fueling system containing a fueling machine having a nozzle mechanism comprising an injection pipe with a nozzle insertion sensor thereon, and a plurality of fueling nozzles contained in the injection pipe, each for dispensing a predetermined sort of fuel, and a fuel port sensor; and a data input/output unit for performing a signal transmission to and from the fueling machine; wherein the insertion of one of the nozzles is carried out to an automobile to be fueled having a signal generator thereon by the movement of the fueling machine based on the signal transmission between the fuel port sensor and the signal generator, and the fueling is suspended by the detection of a required level of fueling.

Abstract: A machine for the filling of containers, and in particular for the fillings of bottles, which combines advantages of a traditional isobaric machine with those of a machine operating under a slight depression, such as a good seal at a neck of a bottle and a minimum absorption of air by an introduced liquid. The machine allows performing steps of pre-evacuating air inside the bottle and insufflating an inert gas through the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: A filling assembly for an aseptically operating deep-drawing packing machine, wherein a conveying region for the web of packing sheet is provided within a pipe held in sterile condition. Arranged behind a packing sheet-forming station is a filling station comprising at least one loading tube stationary with respect to the conveying region yet displaceable in a direction vertical to the conveying region. In order to enable the packing machine to continue to run also during cleaning of the filling station, two filling stations are arranged in series on the pipe maintained in sterile condition within openings displaceable on the sterile pipe above the conveying region. Only one of the said filling stations is respectively in the operating position while the other of said filling stations is in the cleaning position. The filling stations in view of their displaceable openings on the sterile pipe are reciprocable between an operating position and a cleaning position.

Abstract: A balloon rotation apparatus includes a base; a rotator disk or plate rotatable on the base and having an air passage opening therethrough to a sealingly connectable balloon envelope; a motor drive including a plurality of resiliently tired wheels for supporting and rotating the rotator plate; a duct connected to the base and having a duct inlet for connection to a source of pressure gas, and a duct outlet located proximate rotator plate for feeding the pressure gas through the inlet passage for inflating the balloon and maintaining the inflation while the rotator plate is being rotated. The duct includes a flexible sheet enclosing at least a portion of the base having a ring rigidly supported proximate the rotator plate and having a portion of the sheet of the duct fastened thereto for forming the duct outlet, a plurality of leg supports being rigidly connected to the base and projecting outwardly from the sheet member of the duct.

Abstract: Methods and devices for dispensing fluids are provided, including a method of dispensing a fluid into an elongated chamber having a bottom that is at least partially closed. The method includes (a) inserting a dispensing tube into the chamber until a delivery end of the tube is adjacent the bottom of the chamber; (b) dispensing a predetermined quantity of the fluid through the delivery end into the chamber; and (c) moving the delivery end away from the bottom of the chamber, during dispensing, at a rate that maintains the delivery end on the surface of the fluid in the chamber throughout dispensing.

Abstract: A machine and method for filling bags with liquid through spouts attached to the bags, wherein a piston within a filling head that operates to control flow of the liquid from the filling head is also extended out of the filling head and into the spout, after the bag is filled, in order to push remaining material from the spout and through is bottom opening into the bag. The spout bottom opening is then closed, after which any remaining material adhering to the walls inside the spout and surfaces of the filling head are cleaned by forming a chamber between them through which a cleaning fluid is passed. This machine and method are particularly useful when filling bags with highly viscous and/or sticky liquids, such as thick food products. They avoid a result of having either to distribute messy bags of product with material remaining adhered to the outside of the spout and/or bag, or to first remove this material by an additional cleaning step.

Abstract: A filling head apparatus for filling a container in sterile conditions. The filling head comprises a regulating valve displaceable in three positions: open position, closed position, and displacement position. The inner wall of the spout of the container is cleaned by a pushing cylinder of the regulating valve traveling from the closed position to the displacement position. In addition, the filling head can freely move in respect to a sterile filling chamber encompassing the filling tip of the filling head. Furthermore, the filling head of the present invention comprises a diversion path to minimize the "water hammer" effect.