Abstract: Apparatus for continuous flow weighing of a flowable material includes a pair of sequential conveyors. A first, control conveyor moves material from an inlet to a discharge point. A second, weighing conveyor is mounted for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis at its inlet end. The pivot point is positioned below the discharge of the control conveyor. The outlet end of the weighing conveyor is suspended from and weighed by a load cell. Electronic control circuitry monitors the material transport rate of the weighing conveyor which, in combination with the output of the loadcell, is used to determine the weight flow rate of material being discharged from the weighing conveyor. The material transport rate of the weighing auger is adjusted to result in a preselected weight flow rate.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for gently packaging a product having a consistency which can be affected by external influences and is composed of a plurality of separable components which are advanced along a transport path, includes a plurality of rods which are movable in longitudinal direction between a first position in which the rods extend transversely to the transport path and a second position in which the rods are withdrawn from the transport path. By alternating the back and forth movement between successively arranged rods, product components can descend in increments to thereby accomplish a separation of product components and loosening of the product.

Abstract: An improved volumetric batcher particularly suitable for a dosed feeding of a dishomogeneous and scarcely slidable as well as extremely fragile product, such as chamomile flowers, to be introduced in filter-bags. Several batching units placed side by side, provide operation with high-speed packing machines. Fed by a single container is the bottom of the container screw-feeders are provided to push the product in to a corresponding vertical loading conduit. A pneumatic piston in the loading conduit compress to a product in the batching chamber which is aligned with a hole passing through a fixed plate which supports the batcher. The batching chamber is located inside a mobile second plate of the batcher.

Abstract: A system for dispensing liquid from first and second containers is disclosed herein. The liquid dispensing system includes a first media transfer line, positioned in liquid-flow communication with the first container, for transferring liquid from the first container. A second media transfer line, positioned in liquid-flow communication with the second container, is disposed to transfer liquid from the second container. When placed in a first state a switchable valve prevents liquid from flowing through the first media transfer line and allows liquid to flow through the second media transfer line. In a second state the switchable valve prevents liquid from flowing through the second media transfer line while allowing liquid to flow through the first media transfer line. A liquid storage reservoir connected in liquid-flow communication with the switchable valve stores liquid received from the first and second media transfer lines by way of the switchable valve.

Abstract: In a control apparatus for measuring, mixing or regulating one or more liquids in some other way, the liquid or liquids is/are delivered to a vessel (1) through delivery pipes (3, 4). The vessel includes a container (2) having a spillway (8). Liquid which passes over the lid of the spillway is collected by a liquid-collecting device (9) connected to a container outlet valve (7) by means of an arm (12) which is subjected to the load of a spring (13). When the weight of the liquid collected in the device (9) exceeds the force exerted by the spring, the outlet valve will open. At the same time there is activated, for instance, a microswitch (17) which influences the supply of liquid through the delivery pipes (3, 4).

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: An apparatus for mixing a deionized water and a hydrofluoric acid precisely in the ratio of 100:1, so as to produce a mixture which are properly used in etching wafters. The mixing apparatus comprises a self-lubricating plastic container of a double construction which enables to obtain a more precise quantity of liquid. The mixing apparatus also comprises an electronic balance measuring the weight of the liquid mixture, an indicator indicating numerically the weight measured by the balance, a mixing tank mixing the liquids, and control valves supplying the liquids in large and small quantities, respectively. According to this arrangement, it is possible to obtain a mixture of a large quantity liquid or a small quantity liquid in a precise mixing ratio with a tolerance of within 1%. Thereby, any poor etching of wafers can be avoided.

Abstract: Granular material stored in a hopper is dispensed therefrom by a rotatable auger which conveys the material to a discharge port for dropping into an underlying container. The container is supported by pivoted arms which are operably connected to a weighing scale for indicating the weight of the material dispensed into the container. The arms are adapted to be swung by the container between closed positions embracing and holding the container and open positions releasing the container.

Abstract: An automatic level control system and method provide continuous proportional control of an inlet valve when the level of material in a storage container is between low and high limits. The system includes a main feedback loop and a nested feedback loop to insure proper control of the inlet valve through which material is added to the storage container. The main feedback loop provides a control signal indicating the desired setting of the inlet valve, and the nested feedback loop provides a control signal indicating the actual position of the inlet valve so that the two control signals can be compared for use in accurately moving the inlet valve to the desired position. The main feedback loop includes a computer into which different density values can be input for accurately determining the amount of material in the container as indicated by a weight sensor.

Abstract: An additive dispensing system for diesel fueled applications includes a diesel fuel system having either single or multiple tanks, a fuel level sensor, an additive tank, a fixed rate additive dispensing pump and a microprocessor operating on a logic basis whereby a minimum of three fuel level readings, taken at fixed periods and compared to one another and/or to predetermined standards, provide the input necessary to control the operation of the additive dispensing pump so as to maintain a predetermined concentration of additive in the diesel fuel system regardless of random refueling sequences.

Abstract: An adaptor is made to connect a standard sterilized water container to a standard aerosol flow passage that itself is connected to a heater. The flow control adaptor comprises a nipple that is connected to the water bottle above the heater and chamber and extends through and sealing relation to the chamber to position the nipple bottom at the heater platen which forms the bottom of the aerosol flow chamber. The bottom of the nipple adjacent the bottom of the chamber is formed with a relatively lower and smaller water feed aperture and a relatively higher and larger vent aperture that collective operate to maintain a constant level of water in the bottom of the aerosol flow chamber.

Abstract: A liquid dispensing system, comprising a liquid filled reservoir, a control microprocessor, and a plurality of outlets connected to the reservoir. A filter may be provided between the reservoir and the outlets for filtering the liquid. A valve provided with each outlet controls flow through the outlet. Each valve is individually controlled by the processor so that each outlet can be selected individually. The processor is adapted to receive a signal signifying a demand for liquid from a particular outlet. On reception of the demand, a selected valve is opened responsive to a signal from the processor while other valves remain closed, allowing liquid dispensing through only the selected outlet. An orifice included with each outlet and a predetermined pressure applied to the liquid sensed adjacent the selected outlet controls the rate of flow through the selected outlet. The controller provides a signal to the selected valve at the end of a predetermined time period to close the valve.

Abstract: A system for delivering measured amounts of liquid, such as reagents used in chromatography. Liquid is first moved under gas pressure from a reservoir, such as a reagent bottle, through a valve into a narrow pipe. It reaches a detector which, detecting its presence, closes the valve thus trapping an amount of liquid between the valve and the detector, this amount of liquid then constituting a `unit` or `pulse` of liquid. The movement of the valve is used to connect a gas supply which drives the `unit` or `pulse` out of the pipe to an ultimate destination, such as a chromatographic column. A further `unit` or `pulse` can then be moved into the pipe and this repeated so that delivery to the destination is made in a series of such `units` or `pulse`. By timing the delivery of one `unit` or `pulse`, an amount less than one `unit` or `pulse` can be delivered by passing liquid into the pipe for less than the time taken to deliver one `unit`.

Abstract: A noncarbonated beverage dispensing machine in combination with pressurized water and syrup supplies; the machine includes a beverage tank from which beverage is dispensed, a mixing head including normally closed electrically operated water and syrup valves connected with the water and syrup supplies and operable to conduct metered volumes of water and syrup into the beverage tank and a liquid level switching device in the beverage tank operating to simultaneously cause the valves to open when the liquid in the tank is at a predetermined low level and to cause the valves to close when the liquid level in the tank is at a predetermined high level. The water supply delivers a constant supply of water at a desired pressure to the water valve.

Abstract: A mastic control system for delivering a mastic material to a surface in a precisely controlled manner. The system includes a mastic pump, a regulator receiving the mastic from the pump, a nozzle receiving the mastic from the regulator, a transducer sensing the pressure of the mastic flowing through the nozzle, a comparator comparing a signal from the transducer and a command signal corresponding to a desired mastic pressure and operative to generate a control signal which is constantly adjusted in response to a sensed difference between the transducer signal and the command signal, and an air valve receiving the control signal and operative to selectively adjust a poppet valve of the regulator in a manner to adjust the delivery of the mastic to the nozzle in compensation for the sensed departure of the mastic pressure in the nozzle from the pressure value dictated by the command signal.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser comprises an open-topped flexible container (13) which tapers downwardly to a discharge opening (14). The container (13) is mounted on a load platform (11) of a load cell (10). The portion of the container (13) that forms the discharge opening (14) is between one permanent magnet (16) on the load platform (11) and another permanent magnet (17) which is fixed to the material of the container (13). The magnets (16 and 17) attract one another to close the discharge opening (14). An electro-magnetic actuator (18), spaced from the magnet (17), is operable on command from a computer (12) to attract the magnet (17) and open the discharge opening (14). The computer (12) controls a shut-off valve (18) to control filling of the container (13) in accordance with the weight read out from the load cell (10).

Abstract: In a method of dosing fibers, such as steel fibers to be mixed in concrete, a supply of fibers (5) is stored in first vibration feeder (2) and is moved from this by means of a second vibration feeder (3). For each dosing operation, a proportioned quantity of fibers (5) is transferred at a stepless rate or a stepwise declining rate from the first to the second vibration feeder (2, 3) while the second vibration feeder (3) stands still. This vibration feeder (3) then transports the transferred fiber quantity further on to the subsequent process while the first vibration feeder (2) stands still. The fibers can hereby be dosed more accurately and uniformly than known before.

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: The device for the dosed conveying of powder to a powder processing unit, particularly to a plasma spray device, comprises a volumetric dosing unit and a weighing unit which together allow a gravimetric powder dosing. The dosing unit includes: a rotatable dosing disc having a vertical axis of rotation; a drive unit mounted below said rotatable dosing disc; and powder feeding and withdrawal means mounted above said dosing disc. This dosing unit, having first and foremost a vertical extension, is fixed to a weighing platform which rests on a plurality of weighing cells. The drive unit is arranged below said weighing platform, in order to situate the center of gravity of said dosing unit at least approximately at the level of said weighing platform. This considerably reduces the liking of the dosing unit, as compared with a weighing platform arranged entirely above the dosing unit, thus allowing a gravimetric powder dosing with high accuracy and uniformity.

Abstract: A system for combining, mixing, and further processing ingredients to produce a specified weight of a composition in accordance with a specified recipe. The ingredients are discharged from hoppers into a central conveyor. Each hopper operates under control of a hopper controller that regulates the discharge rate and controls refilling of its associated hopper. The ingredients are mixed in the central conveyor as they are transferred to a processing device, such as a mill or roaster, and then discharged from the processing device into a network of conveyors for transfer to another location for further handling. The system operates under the control of a central controller which regulates the discharge rates of the various ingredients to optimize the feedrate to the processing device.

Abstract: A liquid actuated switch device including a case that defines an accumulator chamber with upper and lower portions and liquid inlet and outlet openings communicating with the lower portion of the chamber and connected with upstream and downstream sections of flow line delivery, a flow passage through which liquid is forcibly driven, a normally open liquid level actuated switch in the upper portion of the chamber and actuated to close by liquid in the chamber when the level of the liquid in the chamber rises to an actuating level where the pressure on the liquid and on the gases in the upper portion of the chamber are in subsequent equilibrium. The device includes a vent duct extruding between the upper portion of the chamber and the flow passage downstream of the chamber to balance the pressure on the gas in the chamber with the pressure on the liquid downstream thereof.

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. 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.

Abstract: A french fry cooking apparatus for deep-frying french fries includes a cooking unit having a plurality of frying baskets. Mounted above the cooking unit is a refrigeration unit which includes a first conveyor upon which a supply of frozen french fries is stored. The first conveyor discharges the fries onto a second conveyor which dispenses a metered quantity of fries to a delivery mechanism. The delivery mechanism includes a shaft and a rotatable directional chute for directing the frozen fries from the second conveyor into any one of the plurality of frying baskets. The frying baskets are pivotally attached to the cooking unit and are each movable by way of a drive unit between a loading/draining position for receiving fries from the chute and for draining oil from deep fried fries, a cooking position for deep frying the fries, and a dump position for discharging the deep fried fries from the frying basket. Deep fried fries are discharged onto a further conveyor which takes the fries to a holding bin.

Abstract: A gravimetric system for feeding flowable, solid, particulate materials includes an open-topped trough receiving the material from a hopper at one end and discharging it from the other end at a desired rate in terms of weight per unit of time. The trough is formed in two, longitudinally aligned and continuous sections with a rotatable auger extending through the hopper and trough to move the material from the hopper to the discharge end of the trough. The first trough section is fixedly supported and the second section is supported at two spaced points on each side in an essentially frictionless manner by contact of pointed terminal ends of upwardly extending pins with conical recesses in blocks affixed to the sides of the second trough section.

Abstract: A control valve includes a vertical housing having an upper float chamber, a lower valve chamber, and a valve seat support which is provided between the float chamber and the valve chamber, defines a passage communicating the float chamber and the valve chamber and has a bottom valve seat above the valve chamber. An inlet conduit extends outwardly from the housing and has an inlet and an outlet communicated with the valve chamber. An outlet conduit extends outwardly from the housing and has an inlet communicated with the passage and an outlet. A shaft is movable vertically, is provided inside the housing and has a valve block mounted on a bottom end of the shaft. An upper and a lower stop are respectively fixed on the shaft. An upper and a lower float are respectively movably sleeved around the shaft between the upper and lower stops. A perforated partition is mounted inside the housing between the upper float and the lower float.

Abstract: A weighing scale for continuously weighing a fiber layer running therethrough. The weighing scale includes an endless conveyor belt having a transporting face for supporting and advancing the fiber layer and a drive for circulating the conveyor belt. There is further provided a carrier frame on which the conveyor belt and the drive are mounted and a weighing cell for emitting a signal representing the magnitude of a weight applied thereto. The weighing cell supports the carrier frame, the conveyor belt and the drive. An elastic holding element is affixed to the carrier frame. The elastic holding element is elastically readily deformable in a vertical plane, while it is substantially unyielding in a horizontal plane, whereby the carrier frame is prevented by the elastic holding element from motions in horizontal directions.

Abstract: A weigh feeding apparatus for pourable substances such as granulates, powders and fluids consisting of a container equipped with a controllable device for discharging the substance, weighing apparatus for the container or for a conveyor arranged subsequently to the discharging device. Attached to this is an electronic circuitry provided with a computer for the regulation and control of the discharging device, which counts the digital measuring signals of the weighing apparatus during a period of time, compares them with a reference value and produces a setting or control value for the discharging device at a divergence of the signal.

Abstract: A plurality of individual plastic material ingredients are metered from respective individual material hoppers at controllable individual discharge rates, blended, and delivered to a common hopper. The blend of plastic material ingredients in the common hopper is discharged to an extruder or other material processing machine. The material processing rate of the processing machine is determined based on the sum of the discharge rates of the individual ingredients to the common hopper plus or minus the discharge rate of the blend from the common hopper to the processing machine. The discharge rates of the individual material ingredients from the individual hoppers to the common hopper is controlled as needed to maintain a preset recipe of the blend at the determined material processing rate of the processing machine.

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: The precision of a closed loop control system, for example of a loss-in-weight feeder, having a controlled operating section and a closed loop controlling section, is improved by adjusting the closed loop controlling section with regard to at least two stochastic precision disturbing signals. One such signal may represent disturbances that affect a sensor for ascertaining the actual weight of the scale. The other value may represent estimated bulk material density variations or disturbances. A model generator (7) provides spectra representing these disturbing values. A noise parameter estimator (17) selects those spectra most closely resembling the spectra of the disturbing values for producing an adjusting signal that is used to adapt the closed loop controlling section (5) to an optimal control. The closed loop controlling section (5) has connected thereto an evaluating circuit (14) including the model generator (7) for performing the correction or adjustment.

Abstract: A method of regulation of the charging of the feed hopper of an extruder with plastic granules, where it is necessary to supply the material in an amount such that the average level in the container or hopper remains constant with the least possible fluctuation despite the continual, and as a rule, uninterrupted removal of material from the container in the case of which, despite uninterrupted removal of material, the average level in the hopper or other container is maintained and is subject to the least possible fluctuation.

Abstract: The present invention is a variable blending dispenser for fluids, particularly for fuel dispensers. The dispenser controls variable valves according to volumetric data observed by flow meters on input lines to the dispenser, by calculating measuring error as the difference between desired blend ratio and the observed blend ratio calculated from volumes of blend components dispensed. The dispenser successively corrects the settings of the valves after dispensing predetermined volumes, the corrections determined by a volume based PID error function so that the total amount of each blend component is separately and accurately measured while providing the desired blend ratio.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device (1) for melting and injecting wax for the manufacture of wax parts in broken-mould casting. The device (1) comprises a wax boiler (2) having a wax-injection nozzle. The boiler being provided with a heating device (3) for melting the wax and keeping it molten. The wax boiler (2) is pressure-sealed with a removable lid (5) and has a pressure inlet connected to a pressure source (33). Furthermore, a deaeration valve (13) is provided on the lid. The wax boiler (2) is connected via a wax-replenishing channel (15) to a wax-premelting container and wax reservoir (14) containing a heating device (16). A shut-off valve (17) is provided in the wax-replenishing channel (15).

Abstract: An inverted water bottle, extending upwardly from a water dispenser, refills a container within the water dispenser, which container provides a source of water to a tap. Water from a source periodically refills both the water bottle and the container in response to upper and lower head pressure thresholds. A water processing system may be housed within the water dispenser to purify the water inflowing from the source of water.

Abstract: An elongated particulate material spreader hopper is provided for detachable mounting on the back end of a conventional sand/salt hopper truck to allow its use in summer for spreading of gravel and other particulate material in road building and resurfacing applications. Hydraulically powered screw conveyors are provided to distribute the material evenly across the full width of the spreader approximating a driving lane on a major highway. Doors or gates are provided to control the amount and width of the discharge of particulate material to the highway surface.

Abstract: A portioning dispenser for dispensing food items from bulk item containers is disclosed in which the dispenser can open and empty a bulk container and dispense a portion of its contents. In one embodiment, a container can be slit open and tipped on a pivotable platform to spill its contents to a feeder for further distribution while retaining a stack of unopened boxes thereabove. In some embodiments, the dispenser can discard an emptied container and replace it with an unopened container moved from a container hopper. In other embodiments, a vibrating feeder is used to shake emptied items into a transfer tray for weighing and dispensing. Additionally, a method for dispensing portions of bulk food items from bulk containers is disclosed which employs several of the steps mentioned above.

Abstract: The invention is in a pneumatic powder ejector comprising a suction stage and an injection stage. The suction stage includes a suction chamber (16), a venturi (14) communicating a primary gas to the suction chamber and a lateral suction input (18) offset in relation to the downstream and of the venturi. The injection stage includes a nozzle (22), an injection chamber (36) and a diffuser (38). The stages are located within and coaxially of the body of a tubular ejector. The nozzle includes a path for powder and primary gas between the suction chamber and diffuser, and is formed to provide a flow path of reduced dimension to communicate a secondary or entrainment gas between the diffuser and injection station.

Abstract: System for controlling the discharge rate of a material feeder. A weight scale connected to the material is sampled and the samples input to a digital processor. The digital processor determines for consecutive time intervals during discharge of said material, a weight loss over the time interval. The weight loss for the interval is compared with a desired weight loss which is calculated from a desired setpoint material discharge rate. The resulting error is averaged with subsequent errors to form a control signal for the material feeder. The calculation of errors over each subsequent interval increases the resolution of the control signal, increasing the ability to control discharge rates to compensate for changes in material density which otherwise affect discharge rates.

Abstract: A quantitatively supplying apparatus is provided which includes a weighing bucket having a discharge mechanism at the bottom, a load cell for detecting the weight of said weighing bucket, and a transferring conveyor for supplying goods to said weighing bucket continuously, in which shutters are arranged in a goods drop passage leading from said transferring conveyor to said weighing bucket so as to be actuated to shut the passage at least partially. According to this apparatus, the amount of the goods dropped can be reduced by closing the shutters partially, and the accuracy with which the goods are quantitatively taken out can be heightened by accurately detecting the time at which the amount of the goods reaches a fixed weight. The apparatus also enables the goods to be quantitatively removed accurately by closing the shutters completely when the fixed weight is reached and thus stopping the acceptance of the goods by the weighing bucket.

Abstract: A device for controlling the flow of foam which uses a piston-cylinder arrangement to receive foam at the rapid flow rate of a foam generator until the cylinder is substantially full of foam and then to dispense the foam at a lower flow rate by using the piston to gradually push the foam out of the cylinder.

Abstract: A product feeding device for use in a combination weigher which includes a plurality of conveyor troughs arranged radially for feeding product to corresponding weighing units and a central product feeder for distributively feeding product to the respective conveyer troughs. The device comprises a product detecting device which revolves around the central feeder for sequentially detecting the amount of product carried by each conveyer trough in order to control the amount of product fed to each conveyer trough.

Abstract: A system for the lubrication of a drive chain of a conveyor includes a container precharged with pressurized air and at least partially filled with lubricant. A pressure regulator located within the interior of the container is connected, at one end, to a container outlet and, at the other end, to a conduit for the flow of lubricant. An adjustable needle valve located externally of the container is connected to the conduit for regulating the flow of lubricant. A solenoid valve is connected to the conduit downstream of the needle valve for controlling the flow of lubricant, and a nozzle is located downstream of the solenoid valve for dispensing a lubricant onto the drive chain.

Abstract: A feed control device and method of reducing variations in the amount of product fed to receiving units from a dispersion feeding device of the type comprising a dispensing mechanism for dispersively dispensing product fed thereto radially toward the periphery thereof, and a feeding mechanism for feeding the product to a product feeding position on the dispensing mechanism. The control device includes apparatus for determining the displacement of the center of gravity of the dispensing mechanism due to the product being carried thereon, and apparatus for moving the feeding mechanism relative to the dispensing mechanism in response thereto. The control method comprises the steps of determining the displacement of the center of gravity of the dispensing mechanism due to the product being carried thereon, and moving the feeding device relative to the dispensing mechanism in response thereto.

Abstract: Vessel balance for bulk material having a tubular balance section for feed therethrough of bulk material. The balance is adapted during feed intervals of the bulk material to enable determination of the weight thereof. The section cooperates with a feed flap adjacent one of its ends to govern entry of the material into the section and has a closing member at an opposite end. The section and member are supported by at least two weight measuring elements carried by a fixed platform.

Abstract: An apparatus for drawing a pre-selectable quantity of liquid, in particular a quantity of water, comprises an input device, at which the respectively desired quantity of liquid to be delivered automatically can be fed in. Located in the path of the liquid is an electrically variable flow-control valve, whereof the position is varied automatically according to the pre-selected quantity of liquid, corresponding to a characteristic curve stored in a memory: the flow rate is chosen to be all the greater, the greater the pre-selected quantity of liquid. Due to this it is ensured that very different quantities of liquid can be drawn in times which are practical for use.

Abstract: The present invention is a variable blending dispenser for fluids, particularly for fuel dispensers. The dispenser controls variable valves according to volumetric data observed by flow meters on input lines to the dispenser, by calculating measuring error as the difference between desired blend ratio and the observed blend ratio calculated from volumes of blend components dispensed. The dispenser successively corrects the settings of the valves after dispensing predetermined volumes, the corrections determined by a volume based PID error function so that the total amount of each blend component is separately and accurately measured while providing the desired blend ratio.

Abstract: An apparatus for receiving loosely aggregated filamentary material, such as Easter grass, and producing, at a substantially uniform rate, weighed charges of the filamentary material. The apparatus comprises scales to weigh the charges to preselected weights, blowers to provide a stream of the filamentary material to the scales, conduits to convey the material from the outlet of the blowers to the scales, and a magazine which receives material charges at irregular intervals and dispenses the same charges at a substantially uniform rate.

Abstract: Components of a multi-component mixture are individually fed into a measuring container from the bottom through individual precision valves, the component being fluid rises in the container and its level is monitored by ultrasonic means which, in turn, input the measurement to a computer for comparison in memory to determine volume. When the measured level indicates a desired volume is achieved, the feed valve is closed. The contents are then drained from the bottom of the measuring container into a mixing container, and the next component measured in the same way until all components have been measured or the components are sequentially fed and measured until all of the components are present in the tube before discharge. The operation is under computer control which turns on and off the individual precision feed valves and opens a drain valve to drain the contents from the measuring container as well as determining when the proper volume or weight has been achieved.

Abstract: An automatic rate matching system is provided such that the delivery of bulk material is matched with the quantity of bulk material required by a process. An optical probe is used which determines the depth of material delivered into a hopper, prior to its retrieval for use in the process. The probe and associated electronic components output a signal to a CPU which then varies the speed of a belt conveyor based upon the depth of material. As the material depth decreases, belt speed is increased. Conversely, as material depth increases, belt speed is decreased. Therefore, the delivery rate of bulk material is matched to the quantity required in a process by varying the speed of the conveyor belt, based upon the depth of material in the hopper.

Abstract: A beverage making and dispensing apparatus comprising a pressurized water supply; a non-pressurized beverage syrup supply; a hydraulically driven proportional pump with water and syrup inlets connected with the water and syrup supplies, water and syrup outlets connected with a water delivery line and a syrup delivery hose; an aspirator-atomizer mixing device with an elongate mixing chamber with an outlet end, a water passage with an inlet end connected with the water delivery line and a nozzle end to direct a jet of water longitudinally of the chamber toward its outlet end, a syrup port communicating with the chamber and connected with the hose; a water valve to start and stop the flow of water from the pump into and through the mixing device; and, a flow control device in the hose downstream of the pump and upstream of the syrup port to establish a pressure drop and maintain a positive pressure at the syrup outlet of the pump that is less than the minus pressure at the syrup port and a pressure at the syrup