Abstract: A cylindrical housing 6 is secured to the bottom surface of an elevatable filling liquid tank 2, and a liquid injection pipe 16 is mounted on the bottom of the housing 6. An exhaust pipe 18 axially passes through the housing 6 and the liquid injection pipe 16, and is disposed for elevating movement. The exhaust pipe 18 is driven by an elevating mechanism 21. A holder 54 carrying a bottle mouth stuffing 52 is fitted in the housing 6, and is urged down by a spring 61. The bottle mouth stuffing 52 tightly engages the mouth of a vessel which is being raised as carried on a vessel receptacle, and accordingly its position is determined by the height of the vessel. The position of the liquid injection pipe 16 and the exhaust pipe 18 is modified in accordance with the elevation of the tank 2, independently from the bottle mouth stuffing 52. Accordingly, a void which remains in the top of the vessel after the vessel is filled with the liquid is adjusted only in accordance with the elevation of the tank 2.

Abstract: An adjustable container return device for use with a lift arm of a variable stroke lifter system for lifting variable height containers. The return device includes a vertically oriented rod threadedly movable at its bottom end relative to the lift arm; a laterally extending member operatively connected to the top end of the rod for vertical movement therewith; a retention mechanism operatively connected to said rod for retaining the laterally extending member in a selected radial direction so as to extend across an upper edge of an adjacent container; and an actuator mechanism for rotating the rod while permitting the rod to slidably move longitudinally, and thereby threadedly raising and lowering the rod relative to the lift arm, such that the laterally extending member accommodates different height containers.

Abstract: An automated dispenser for liquid and pulverulent materials dispenses the materials into a container located below a dispense head. The container is supported by a shelf extending in front of the dispenser. The shelf is divided into sections, with the section located below the dispense head being mounted for raising and lowering toward and away from the dispense head. A scissors lift mechanism supports the center shelf portion, and a locking arrangement at the bottom of the scissors lift mechanism locks the lift mechanism at a desired height. A foot pedal releases the locking arrangement, permitting the shelf portion to be moved to a different height.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: A powder filling apparatus for filling a container with powder is provided. In the powder filling apparatus, a bottle is carried into a plurality of work units moving around successively. While the work units move to work stations disposed in a circumferential direction successively, the bottle is filled with powder by equally evacuating the inside and the outside of the container and dropping powder into the container simultaneously with raising the pressure outside the container. The bottle filled with powder is then taken out from the work units successively while the work units move around.

Abstract: After a container is placed on a rest base beneath a beverage dispensing section where a dispensing outlet is provided, a dispensing button is depressed and a stepping motor constituting a base tilting drive device is driven for a predetermined time period to cause a linear head to be extended so that the rest base and hence a container is tilted as one unit. A dispensing valve drive device is operated to open a dispensing valve and dispense a bubbling beverage along an inner wall of the container, while suppressing any excessive formation of bubbles. When a bubble surface or liquid level of the beverage dispensed into the container rises to a predetermined level, the stepping motor is reversely driven to bring the container to an erect state. When the container becomes full with the beverage, the dispensing valve is closed, stopping the dispensing of the beverage.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for bulk food items is disclosed which receives bulk food items in a storage bin, portions food items from the storage bin, and dispenses measured portions of food items for further processing. The dispenser can include a rotary drum for conveying food items from the storage bin and a load cell for weighing the quantity of items conveyed from the storage bin into a secondary bin. The dispenser can also include a conveyor system for sequentially accepting, filling and returning a plurality of portion containers. The dispenser can include one or more inclined ramps for allowing containers to be slidably conveyed within the dispenser to and away from a basket filling station. In another embodiment of the invention, a method is disclosed for dispensing measured portions of bulk food items which includes several of the above-discussed operations. A container especially suited for use in the dispenser is also disclosed.

Abstract: Some paste or liquid products, used as cosmetics and medicines, for example, have to be protected from contact with air. Methods have been developed for vacuum packaging them. These methods are more concerned with eliminating air that may remain in the packaging filled with the product at the time the latter is closed (by welding, by sealed fixing of a dispensing valve, etc). No special precautions are taken during filling of the packaging which is carried out in air and inevitably causes unwanted air bubbles to be trapped. The present method avoids any inclusion of air in the product. The packaging, which consists of a variable volume reservoir, is filled while in its maximum content configuration in an hermetically sealed enclosure that is evacuated. The enclosure is formed by a bucket receiving the reservoir and to which a bell fits in a sealed way. The bell is connected to a system of vacuum pumps and to a store of the product.

Abstract: A lifting and stabilizing mechanism for an apparatus such as a bag elevator assembly for an automated filling machine having a stationary frame and a generally horizontal carriage mounted for vertical movement relative to the frame. The carriage is carried on a plurality of geared belts which each criss-cross the frame in an opposing "Z" configuration, and are alternately wrapped over and under opposed drive wheels and tensioning wheels rotatably mounted on the carriage. The opposing belts maintain the carriage in its horizontal orientation, and the drive wheels are rotated to provide the lift force for controllably raising and lowering the carriage. The drive belts are attached to and extend along vertical brace members of the frame using one of various clamping assemblies, and the vertical alignment of the carriage is augmented by a pin and channel guide assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling containers, especially bottles, with liquid material is provided. The apparatus has at least one filling element for dispensing the liquid material into a respective container in a controlled manner. A bell-shaped portion is provided for each filling element and has a chamber for completely accommodating a container during a filling process. The underside of the bell-shaped portion has an opening for the introduction and withdrawal of a container. The apparatus also has a support mechanism that forms a support surface for the container and is disposed below the filling element in the direction of a filling element axis. Via relative movement between the bell-shaped portion and the support mechanism in the filling element axis, the chamber at the opening of the bell-shaped portion can be closed and opened by the support mechanism.

Abstract: A feeding device having a hopper for storing and feeding a material having a low flowability such as powder, fibers or a mixture thereof. Comb-shaped obstruction plates are provided at the outlet side of the hopper so as to be slidable toward and away from each other to close and open the outlet opening. The slidable obstruction plates may be replaced with a single non-slidable plate having a plurality of openings. When in a stationary state, the material is prevented from dropping due to friction between it and the obstruction plate. The hopper may have its outlet opening elongated in one direction, with the area of the outlet opening being larger than half the area of the inlet opening.

Abstract: To fill receptacles (2) uniformly, without air inclusions and without soiling, the filling material is pressed into the continuously enlarging space between the receptacle bottom and a counter-bottom attached to the end of the filling head (1) facing the receptacle bottom and eccentrically traversed by the outlet opening (17) and at the same time the counter-bottom is rotated relative to the receptacle by the central axis.

Abstract: A low-resistance, liquid-tight seal for use in a valve having a nozzle that telescopes into an axial fluid passage in a valve body. The nozzle has a peripheral portion of reduced diameter near one end thereof for supporting a flat annular seal. The inner edge of the annular seal grips the nozzle while the outer portion of the seal undergoes a flip-flop action against the inner wall of the valve body as the nozzle moves in an out of the valve body. A closure can be provided for the nozzle which is opened by movement of the nozzle into the valve body and closed by the return motion of the nozzle.An improved valve and bottle-filling machine is provided for containers with low-crush resistance. The annular flip-flop seal provides a low resistance to movement when a container is used to push the nozzle into the valve body opening the fluid passage for filling the container.

Abstract: An ice cream dispensing machine having at least one storage container for storing liquid ice cream. The storage container is connected to a freezing cylinder that contains a mixing spiral. The freezing cylinder is connected to a dispensing apparatus that includes a vertically movable ice cream cornet holder. Cornet position sensing switches are employed to initiate machine operations. Timing clocks control the dispensing of the ice cream and provide a safety factor with respect to the maximum quantity of ice cream that can be dispensed during a single dispensing operation. The time interval between two successive dispensing operations is controlled to insure that sufficient time has elapsed for complete freezing of the liquid ice cream for the next dispensing operation.

Abstract: A vial holder for a septum closed vial is disclosed which vial holder enables automated vial insertion to and withdrawal from puncturing hypodermics for the removal of contents or the communication of electrodes to liquids within the sealed vial. The vial--a commercial item of manufacture--includes a cylindrical glass body closed at the bottom and terminating upwardly at a narrowed neck to an opening. The opening accommodates both a septum and a septum retaining cap. A vial holder having an inside vial containing cavity with inside dimension complementary to the outside dimension of the vial is disclosed. This vial holder is formed from elastic material such as semirigid commercially available plastics and is vertically slotted from an open top at least partially to and towards the bottom of the holder. The vial holder is provided at the open top with inwardly extending fingers which register to the outside of the narrow neck of the septum sealed vial.

Abstract: A liquid sample-spotting apparatus having a base, a holder which is mounted on the base by an elastic body such as a spring in such a manner that said holder is movable downward against an action of the elastic body for recovering the original form, and a manually operable micropipette which is detachably supported by the holder. A process for spotting a liquid sample on an analytical element using said apparatus, which comprises steps of moving downward the holder and the micropipette with a droplet of the liquid sample formed on the pointed end against the recovering action of the elastic body; stopping the downward movement of the micropipette when the droplet of the liquid sample bridges the micropipette and the surface of the analytical element to spot the droplet on the element; and elevating the micropipette to the original position by the recoverable action of the elastic body.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling bulk bags employ a filling tube assembly comprising an inner tubular wall having an auger disposed therein for forcing powdered material into a bulk bag and packing it densely therein, and an air-permeable outer tubular wall disposed coaxially about the inner tubular wall to define an exhaust chamber so that air in the material may be drawn inwardly through the outer tubular wall when the filling tube assembly is immersed in the material.

Abstract: Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for filling bottles with liquid to a predetermined fill height. A suction pipe is positioned relative to the bottle so that the pipe extends through the mouth of the bottle and the lower edge of the pipe is disposed at a fixed distance from the upper edge of the bottle and at a level slightly above the level of the predetermined fill height. Liquid is delivered by gravity into the bottle until the liquid level reaches the lower edge of the slightly elevated suction pipe. Then the suction pipe is lowered to the predetermined fill height and the supply of liquid is interrupted. The space above the liquid level in the bottle is connected with the outer atmosphere and excess liquid is drawn off by suction through the suction pipe until the liquid level in the bottle has dropped to the lower edge of the suction pipe.

Abstract: A bottle filling device which is intended to reduce oxidation of the liquid being filled by venting gas displaced from the bottle as filling occurs. If desired, the device can be used to fill bottles under a controlled atmosphere.

Abstract: A waste fluid receptacle for receiving engine oil, transmission fluids, coolants, hydraulic fluids, and other service fluids normally employed in motor vehicles, is mounted on a support secured beneath a service vehicle and is movable between retracted and extended positions. In the extended mode, the receptacle may be positioned beneath an engine or engine accessory sump on a vehicle or other piece of equipment to be serviced and in such position, may receive fluids drained therefrom during periodic service. An appropriate reservoir may be selectively coupled to said receptacle to receive for subsequent disposal the waste fluids collected initially in the receptacle.

Abstract: A safety push rod assembly includes a vertical sleeve adapted to extend through the marginal portion of the bonnet of a rotary container filling machine, in which the sleeve is rigidly mounted. Slidably mounted in the sleeve and extending above it is a tubular upper rod that supports a container rest, and slidably mounted in the upper rod and extending down below the sleeve is a lower rod provided with a transverse passage therethrough inside the upper rod, with a detent ball in each end of the passage and with an axial bore extending from the upper end of the rod down to the transverse passage. In the lower end of the bore and resting on both detent balls is a center ball pressed downwardly by a coil spring compressed between that ball and a stop in the upper end of the bore for urging the detent balls into engagement with the encircling upper rod that is provided with an annular groove receiving projecting portions of the detent balls to thereby normally hold the push rod assembly in extended position.

Abstract: A container filling device that raises a case of empty containers to be filled to engagement with a centering block and fill tube assembly. Each centering block surrounds a fill tube extending into the container and forms a seal around the neck of the container to be filled while providing communication between the interior of the container and a vacuum system. Fluid operated reciprocating piston pumps, through a system of check valves, draw measured amounts of liquid product from a bulk storage container and thereafter inject the measured amounts through the fill tubes into the containers while air is simultaneously exhausted from the containers by vacuum.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus having a filling station, a downwardly opening nozzle at the filling station for dispensing a stream of semi-fluid material, means for advancing containers past the filling station, and container elevator means at the filling station for lifting a container into a position in which the upper portion of the container extends around the nozzle. Continuously driven container feed rollers are mounted at opposite sides of the nozzle and are operated in timed relation with the container elevator, first toward the nozzle to feed the container upwardly along the nozzle and then away from the nozzle to allow the container to move down as it is filled.

Abstract: A liquid filling nozzle for filling liquid into a container under pressure. A piston is housed in a cylinder in a reciprocatingly movable manner, and one end of a hollow shaft is attached to the piston. Liquid flows into the cylinder from a tank through a check valve. Then a container comes into contact with a holding means attached at the bottom end of the shaft. The container raises the shaft to pressurize the liquid in the cylinder, thereby a check valve provided at the bottom portion of the shaft opens to discharge the pressurized liquid into the container.

Abstract: A bottle filling device which raises in-case bottles to be filled to engagement with a fill valve assembly which controls fluid communication between a fill tube inserted into each bottle and a pressurized fill tank. Cup members, which engage the bottle openings in fill position, communicate with a vacuum line, such that the combination of pressurized fill source and air-evacuated bottles realizes extremely fast filling. The fill tubes are the shafts of respective double acting fluid pressure operated cylinders of simple construction which position a port in the fill tube upper wall extremes within the fill tank confines or within pressure sealing cylinder end bushings to define respective open and closed fill-valve conditions.

Abstract: Apparatus and a process for drop-by-drop metering of fluids, especially biological fluids such as blood serum, wherein a removable container having a drop-forming platform is pressurized by apparatus not requiring apparatus contact with the fluid other than via the container. Preferably, a pressure detecting and feed back system can be included to ascertain whether or not the drop-forming sequence has been properly achieved.