Abstract: The invention relates to a method of wrapping various products in packaging obtained from a strip. In the method, the strip is longitudinally folded along its center so as to form two longitudinal portions which are longitudinally coupled. The portions are then joined along transverse junction lines which define compartments having upwardly open mouths for inserting material. The compartments are then separated at the transverse junction lines, thus obtaining a set of independent bags which remain joined together at lateral areas near the mouth. The resulting bags are suspended from a conveyor travelling along a closed path in a loop. According to the invention, the path travelled by the bags is inside the path of the conveyor so that opposite corners of the bag mouths are brought together and consequently loosen the borders bounding the mouth so that metering means can be inserted along a circular portion of the path of the conveyor so that a preset amount of material can be discharged into the bags.

Abstract: Cells, particularly animal cells, are cultivated in roller bottles which are handled or processed by a system comprising a decapper, the first liquid sucking and filling machine in which culture medium is sucked and a bottle cleaning liquid is supplied, a bottle rolling mechanism for washing the inner wall of the bottle in a horizontally-reclined state while rolling the same, the second liquid sucking and filling machine in which the cleaning liquid is sucked and culture medium is supplied, and a capper. The decapper, the first liquid sucking and filling machine, the bottle rolling mechanism, the second liquid sucking and filling machine, and the capper are all located in an aseptic chamber in this order along a conveyor which extends between a bottle supply turn table and a bottle collecting turn table.

Abstract: The dispensing head disclosed comprises a chamber (2) with a bottom outlet (3), and a coaxial hollow plunger (8) the bottom end of which carries a plug (10) that registers in the outlet. The plunger is capable of axial shift between a raised position, and a lowered position in which the plug (10) blocks the outlet (3); on completion of the single batching cycle, the plug is lowered into the outlet and pressurized inert gas is directed through the plunger. The head also comprises a poppet (16) capable of axial movement between a raised position, in which it registers in the bore (11) of the plug (10), and a lowered position in which it is distanced from the mouth of the bore; the poppet is fixed to the bottom end of a slender stem (17) accommodated within the hollow plunger (8), and reciprocated in such a way that it keeps the bore (11) normally closed, and is moved into the lowered position only when the plug (10) happens likewise to be in its lowered position.

Abstract: A closable bag of flexible material is provided with a separate inlet member (3) with an opening for filling the bag with a substance, for instance liquid, which inlet member is fastened to the bag. A separate member (7) is arranged for closing the filling opening from inside the bag. The closing member (7) for its closing of the filling opening is arranged for releasable sealing engagement with the inlet member (3), thereby enabling a subsequent partial discharge and reclosing of the bag. The separate inlet and closing members (3, 7) are substantially resistant to deformation and have means (6, 12) for engagement by respective elements of an operating equipment (13-16) arranged outside the bag. The operating equipment includes a filling member connectable to the inlet member, and means for sterilizing a space formed between the filling and closing members.

Abstract: An automatic bag filling and packaging system includes a filling apparatus for filling a bag with a material through a bag mouth, and a bag supply apparatus for supplying the filling apparatus with individual bags. The bag supply apparatus has separating means for separating a chain of interconnected bags, each of which is sealed along its entire periphery, into individual bags at perforations between adjacent bags. The filling apparatus includes unsealing means and mouth widening means. The unsealing means includes a cutting member which, while a bag sealed along its entire periphery is being held, is operable to cut off one side edge of the bag to provide the bag with an unsealed mouth.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming, filling and sealing small liquid type containers is disclosed which is based on the forming and sealing of opposed container halves made from strip material. The apparatus and method take flat strip material and suitably form, shape and seal the strip material resulting in containers which are further processed to fill and seal the containers. Such a method and apparatus reduces the unit cost for packaging such products as cream in individual portion containers.

Abstract: The present invention provides an apparatus and method for loading articles into bags formed from a known roll of web material delineated by perforations at desired intervals. The web includes a first and second sheet of material. A sensor detects a perforation line and activates a sheet separator which opens or tears only the first sheet along a perforation line. The second sheet remains intact and preserves the web. A stream of air is directed at the open edge to inflate a bag. The bag is stabilized on a platform while articles are inserted. After articles are loaded, the second sheet is separated so that the bag is removed from the web and can be closed as desired.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method of filling an evacuated metal vessel ith a radioactive glass melt from a glass melting furnace. The metal vessel is equipped with a suction tube mounted at the bottom of the vessel. The steps of filling and sealing the metal vessel are carried out faster and with the furnace atmosphere properly sealed off. For this purpose the vessel is placed in a holding device which is positioned over a closable suction port of the glass melting furnace. The suction port is hermetically sealed off from the atmosphere of the cell and is then opened. The vessel is lowered vertically until the suction tube dips into the glass melt. After the vessel has been filled, the glass in the suction tube is frozen thereby forming a plug. The vessel is moved upwardly in the vertical direction until the suction tube is drawn out of the furnace. The suction port is closed and a sealing cover for the vessel is put into position over the port.

Abstract: A bag for containing flowable foodstuffs, made of a completely sealed laminated film, the bag having a reinforcing band attached thereto so as to ensure the opening operation made to one end of the bag for filling flowable foodstuffs to the inside and to facilitate the operation for expanding the opening, and having an adhesive band for enabling rapid, simple and reliable sealing for the bag after the flowable foodstuffs have been filled.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for successively forming, opening, filling and sealing plastic bags formed from a stock supply of plastic tubing and characterized by the elimination of handling of cut bags during formation and filling.

Abstract: Apparatus for and a method of filling a chain of successively connected bag containers, each closed at its bottom end with successive ones seamed at adjacent side edges, the chain defining sleeve means along the upper edge thereof, above said side seams. The invention comprises moving the chain of containers along a process line, from a source thereof to a discharge point, with said sleeve means uppermost, past a filling station having a filling head operable to charge flowable material received from a source thereof, from a filling nozzle of the filling head, into successive containers presented to the filling station and past a sealing station which is intermediate the sealing station and discharge point, the sealing station having sealing means for sealing the top of each filled container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically loading side seal bags, at least two at a time, which comprises delivering the bags to a first position below a rod conveyor which has a gap therein through which the bags are pulled and loaded in a second position. The bags are then conveyed away on the rod conveyor. Speed of loading is increased because succeeding bags are moved to the first position while the previous bags are loaded at the second position. The movement from the first to second position is short and relatively quick.

Abstract: A web of plastic bags is made from rollstock of a strong heat sealable plastic material for the bulk storage and dispensing of liquids by passing two aseptic sheets of the material into a press that heat bonds the longitudinal edges and laterally across the sheets to form a web of sealed bags. The longitudinally bonded strips are perforated to engage sprocket wheels which draw the web of bags to a position at which a dispensing fitment is bonded to the outer surface of one sheet, and then to a station which cuts a short lateral slit across only one sheet. The web then passes over and hangs from the sprocket so that the slit slightly opens to permit filling of the bag from the bottom up with a long pointed diving fill tube that isolates the bag contents from the slit. The area around the slit is then heat sealed against the opposite side of the bag to prevent leakage of the bag contents and the admission of contaminants into the bag.

Abstract: A mechanism for loading cassettes into soft-poly boxes which employs a poly box hopper and a cassette hopper. Poly boxes are advanced one after another by a pusher from the poly box hopper to successive stations for opening the box lid, loading the cassette into the box, closing the box lid and restacking the loaded box, in seriatim. The poly boxes index each succeeding poly box along a guideway by a pusher which pushes the poly boxes end to end therealong. At the lid opener station, the box is clamped and the lid is forced upwardly and skewed so as to properly enter a guidepath as the box travels to the next station. The cassette loading station properly orients a cassette and forces it into the waiting box with proper indexing and a forceful biasing downward of the cassette into the box. At the lid closure station, the cassette is fully forced into the box and the lid is forcefully closed thereon.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for continuously forming and filling plastic film by successively providing a continuous length of the film, slitting only the topside of the film at pre-determined intervals lengthwise of the film while tack sealing together both the top and bottom sides of the film at corresponding intervals, moving the slitted and tack sealed film into a bag forming and filling station, forming the plastic film successively into a plurality of open top bags, filling each bag with the desired material, thereafter simultaneously sealing the top of each filled bag and sealing the bottom of the next bag to be filled, removing each filled bag from the filling station and simultaneously advancing the next bag to be filled into the filling station.

Abstract: A method of easy opening bags, whereby longitudinal forces adapted to be applied at a force location intermediate the bag edges to at least one of the rib and groove elements of the bag tends to slide them relatively, and thereby effects curling of at least one of the rib and groove elements and separation of the elements from that interlock relation due to the resultant component of force in a direction tending to separate the rib and groove elements. Apparatus for this purpose is provided, especially suitable for use with a bag filling machine.

Abstract: A fitmentless, aseptic, temporarily sealed pouch is formed from two multiple-ply side walls sealed together at marginal edges. A portion of the seal is removable. Half seals joining the plies within each side wall are disposed in the side walls proximate the removable seal, but do not seal the side walls together. Apparatus and processes for handling, filling and sealing the pouch in an aseptic chamber include apparatus for moving the pouch through a sterilant bath, into and out of an aseptic chamber, a cutter for cutting off the removable seal, and vacuum jaws for engaging, stretching and opening the pouch. Once opened, the pouch is filled, then closed, sealed and moved out of the chamber through the bath.

Abstract: A process is disclosed for securely joining the two halves of telescoping capsules made of a thermoplastic material such as a rigid gelatin, which process involves spraying a tackifying agent such as steam on one or both of the capsules and rotating them together.

Abstract: The present method comprises the steps of positioning a bag on a supporting surface, the bag consisting of flexible film material such as plastic laminate. The bag is so constructed that its side walls are sealed along their peripheries, with one end having an unsealed portion. A filling hole is provided in one side wall of the unsealed bag portion. The bag before filling is flat, or in other words it is not inflated with air or other gas. The side walls of the unsealed portion (preferably a corner of the bag) are then separated to form an opening into which means is introduced to effect sealed registration of a filling head with the bag filling hole. A measured amount of liquid is then delivered through the filling opening to fill the bag, and after the bag has been filled the unsealed end portion of the bag is heat sealed to form a completely sealed bag. Before filling, it is desirable to evacuate air from the bag by applying suction.

Abstract: A machine and method for filling a container through an opening therein. The machine includes a machine frame defining a container conveying zone through which a container loaded into the machine moves during a filling operation. A container sterilizing assembly is mounted on the machine frame and defines a sterilizing station in the conveying zone, the sterilizing assembly being operable to aseptically sterilize the container, at least in a region incorporating the opening, when positioned at the sterilizing station. A container filling assembly is also mounted on the machine frame and defines a container filling station in the conveying zone, the filling assembly being operable to receive the sterilized container and fill the container through the opening therein with a product while maintaining at least the opening region of the container in an aseptic condition.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for aseptic filling of pre-sterilized non-rigid containers, especially foodstuffs containers. The said process involves taking laying hold of the container by means of air-suction, followed by sterilization of part of the container and the means holding same, then piercing of the actual container and subsequent introduction thereinto of sterile gas. This is followed by introduction of the foodstuff into the container and ultimate hermetical heat-sealing of the container thus filled. The apparatus used for carrying out the process comprises a movable workhead, positioned appropriately along a traverse overlying the conveyor bringing up containers for filling the workhead has means for taking hold of the container by suction, means for piercing the container, and for introducing sterile gas and foodstuff into the container. The workhead carries out such operations by moving into angularly distinct respective working postures.

Abstract: An automated bag filling mechanism particularly adapted to handle reclosable zipper lock-type plastic bags fed into the machine in a bag chain has a bag opening station, a filling station, a bag reclosing station, and a bag separation station, all successively serially arranged in the machine along a transport path in which the bag chain is conducted through the machine. Mechanical means are provided at each station to perform the functions of that station. The mechanical means are sequentially actuated and controlled by the movement of individual cam members keyed for rotation to a continuously driven rotary driveshaft. Means are provided to assure proper alignment or registration of each bag of the chain before the various work stations of the filling mechanism, despite tolerance variations in bag size, slippage in the drive devices, and/or slack development in the chain.

Abstract: An automated bag filling machine particularly adapted to handle reclosable fastener strip profile-type plastic bags fed into the machine in a bag chain employs stations for opening, filling, reclosing, and separating filled and closed bags from the remainder of the chain. The drive means for conveying the chain through the filling mechanism include stroke control devices which enable the operation of the machine to be changed over for handling bags of different width sizes. Means are also provided for automatically preventing the bags in the chain from excessively over traveling their proper registration points with the various work stations.

Abstract: A method for the handling of unstuffed envelopes which facilitates the subsequent handling of the envelopes stuffed as pre-sorted mail. The unstuffed envelopes are packed into a telescopic carton assembly, which includes first and second cartons having movable flap assemblies that are positioned within the interior of the respective cartons and are movable to positions outside of the respective cartons to convert the cartons into two self-contained containers. The telescopic carton assembly is separated by the mail sender into two cartons and the new unstuffed envelopes are removed therefrom. The movable flap assemblies of the two cartons are moved to positions outside of the interiors of the cartons. The envelopes are stuffed with pre-sorted mail and packed into the two cartons. The movable flap assemblies of the cartons are positioned so as to define the tops of self-contained shipping containers housing the stuffed envelopes for mailing and shipment of the pre-sorted mail.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for aseptically filling a flexible container having a rigid fitment including a neck, outer flange surrounding the neck, a frangible membrane and an outer rim. The apparatus includes an enclosed filling chamber including a platen with an opening, clamping jaws for holding the fitment in the opening, a vacuum head and sealing unit for removing a lid loosely placed on the fitment and supporting it within the sealing chamber while the sealing chamber, fitment and lid are sterilized, a fill tube which is retractable within a housing and shiftable to a position in sealed engagement with the neck to introduce product into the container. After the container is filled, the fill tube is withdrawn and enclosed in its housing, the lid is transferred back onto the rim and heat sealed in place. The fitment is then unclamped to end the filling cycle.

Abstract: An automated bag filling method and mechanism particularly adapted to handle reclosable zipper lock-type plastic bags fed into the machine in a bag chain has a bag opening station, a filling station, a bag reclosing station, and a bag separation station, all successively serially arranged in the machine along a transport path in which the bag chain is conducted through the machine. Mechanical means are provided at each station to perform the functions of that station. The mechanical means are sequentially actuated and controlled by the movement of individual cam members keyed for rotation to a continuously driven rotary driveshaft.

Abstract: A leaf collecting and bagging assembly is made up of a plastic bag having an open end and sheet means of plastic material integral with the bag and attached thereto around its opening, the integral sheet means being capable of being spread out on the ground to serve as a leaf collecting surface.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing an aseptic container for separately storing a sterilized powdered component and a sterilized liquid component under clean conditions. The container includes two sealed chambers having a frangible, sterilized connection therebetween, one said chamber containing the liquid component, and the other said chamber including a sealed vial containing a powdered component. The vial has an outer surface that is aseptic throughout its entire surface area, and the frangible connection provides a sterile pathway, when desired, between the interior of the vial and the interior of the liquid-containing chamber.

Abstract: Stacks of paper sheets are delivered onto the upper reach of an endless conveyor or onto the upper side of a platform which is movable through an open side and into the interior of a carton at a carton filling station. The open side of the carton is closed, by pivoting the corresponding side wall upwardly from a level at or below the level of the bottom wall of the carton, upon completion of insertion of a stack.

Abstract: Open mouth square ended bags are formed from a tube-like band and in a chain with the back wall and top end of each bag partially sealed together from each side wall to provide an open mouth therebetween. Each bag in turn may be filled through the mouth located between the back wall and top end, the bag expanding forwardly from the back wall by expanding gussets in the top and bottom ends.

Abstract: For filling successive spouted bags with a beverage or like fluid product to a prescribed weight, a filling valve assembly and a cap remover assembly are immovably mounted side by side in a germfree chamber formed over a weighing platform. After the germfree chamber and the interior of a filling head forming a part of the filling valve assembly have been sterilized, a bag is placed on or over the weighing platform, with its capped spout caught by a spout carrier arm, which is supported on the weighing platform for both linear up-and-down motion and pivotal motion about a vertical axis. Following the removal of the cap from the spout by the cap remover assembly, the arm carries the spout to a position under the filling valve assembly and holds the spout against the filling head.

Abstract: A tap attachable to a spout of a container for decanting a liquid such as wine into bottles has a rotary valve housing and a valve body provided with a detachable handle, part of that valve body being a tubular spigot fitting into a transverse bore of the valve housing to fill a bottle aligned with that bore. The spigot, when withdrawn from the bore after removal of the tap from the spout and plugging of the latter, is receivable in an internally threaded plastic cap for forcing it into the neck of a freshly filled bottle; to unseal the bottle, a complementarily threaded extremity of the handle detached from the valve body is screwed into the cap for extracting same.

Abstract: An off-line system for handling elongated magnetic articles such as axially leaded diodes 12 includes a magnetic receiving chute 20, a blocking mechanism 45, a magnetic loading station 75 for supporting at least one tray 55 and for loading diodes 12 therein, and a drive train 115. The chute 20 receives the diodes 12 and guides such diodes downwardly to an outlet 24 and the tray 55. Over a major accessible face of the tray 55 a cover 63 is slidably removable from a second end 60. At the loading station 75, the tray 55 is disposed in an upright manner resting on the second end 60 at a first elevation with a first end 59 extending at least to the outlet 24 of chute 20. An elevating mechanism 80 applied to the end 60 elevates tray 55 to a second elevation, while the cover 63 remains at about the first elevation. A portion of tray 55 is thereby opened adjacent the first end 59 which opening abuts to and registers with the outlet 24 of chute 20.

Abstract: An improved pet collar for the control of ectoparasites comprising solid synthetic polymer, recrystallized phosmet and plasticizer and method of manufacture.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of handling bottles utilizing a special rectangular, closed bottom, carton and divider combination. The divider has a depth less than the distance from the base to the top of the carton, and has partition members defining a plurality of partitioned spaces, including at least one main partition extending fully between two opposed side walls of the carton. The main partition has two projecting fingers, one at each end of the main partition, and the said opposed side walls of the carton have two pairs of apertures located so that the partition fingers will mate with a first pair of apertures when the divider is in a first position, and with a second pair when the divider is in a second position.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for filling and transferring a bag while maintaining the extended tab of the bag slidingly secured on holding pins. A first bag from a plurality of juxtaposed bags is opened and filled while its extended tab is maintained stationary on holding pins. After the bag is filled, the bag is caused to be displaced on the holding pin to a bag tieing position. During the displacement of the bag to its tieing position, a neck portion is formed in the upper part of the bag and this neck portion is fed against an adhesive tape which is simultaneously secured about the neck portion as it is formed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a machine and method wherein envelopes are removed from a supply hopper, one by one; transmitted to a cutting station wherein one edge of the envelope optionally may be severed; the envelope then being transmitted to a processing station at which the envelope is opened and held open by suction cups, for removal or insertion of contents by an operator. The envelope is thereafter transmitted to a detector station and then to a recovery station and then to a point of discharge. The dwell time of the envelope at the processing station may be adjusted as desired by the operator.

Abstract: A sealed, sterile connection may be provided between a pair or more of containers having transparent, flexible, thermoplastic sealed walls, each of which contains an opaque, relatively rigid, hollow sealing member in the general shape of a truncated cone, open at both ends. The containers are brought together into facing contact, and the hollow sealing members are nested together with portions of the transparent walls of the containers positioned therebetween. The nested, sealing member cones are irradiated with infrared or the like through the transparent container walls to heat the nested sealing members. As a result of this, heat is conducted to the portions of the transparent walls between the nested sealing members, to seal the portions of the transparent walls together in an annular area between the sealing means. A portion of the transparent walls retained in the nested sealing members may then be torn away to make a sterile connection between the two containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is proposed for sealing hard gelatine capsules or similar hollow containers filled with liquid, so that a secure sealing of the fill opening is attained with the aid of a sealant and in which an escape of the sealant--as a result of which the fill opening would be sealed either incorrectly or not at all--is avoided.

Abstract: A case packer for placement of loads through the bottom of a carton so as to accommodate loads of a type which cannot be dropped or placed into a carton from above or from the side. The apparatus includes a support plate mechanism mounted for elevational movement and supplied with individual case loads by a case conveyor. The cases themselves are delivered sequentially to a case packing station by a case conveyor. The plate mechanism is movable upwardly to locate the load within the downwardly open case. Flap engaging elements then fold opposed flaps beneath the plate mechanism and provide elevational support to the case and load within it. Plate shift means spreads the plate mechanism laterally from a position located between the load and the folded flaps to a position clear of the flaps. The plate mechanism can then be sequentially moved downward to clear the case before it moves outward from the case packing station.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for bagging bruisable discrete articles, such as apples. The apples are fed single file to a weighing device, and the feed of articles is terminated just before the desired predetermined weight of apples to be bagged. The weighing device is allowed to reach equilibrium, and then the weight of the apples is compared to the desired predetermined weight. If the weight is less than the desired amount, the apples are fed one by one to the weighing device until the predetermined weight is reached or exceeded, at which time the apples in the weighing device are dumped onto a pair of spiral brushes which convey the apples to a bagging station. At the bagging station, a bag is clamped and blown open, and is filled with apples being fed one at a time. The bag full condition is automatically sensed, at which point one of the clamps is released, and an arm supporting the other clamp is pivoted to swing the bag into operative association with an automatic tying machine.

Abstract: A method for making packaged gel refrigerant. Polyethylene tubing having a gusset fold along each side edge is cut off in desired lengths and one end of each is heat-sealed. A metered amount of dry, powdered gel base is inserted, and the other end of the bag is then heat-sealed to provide a closed and sealed bag containing the gel base. The bags may then be shipped to a remote location. There a hollow needle is moved to pierce the bag contents through the gusset fold and next to an upper sealed end, the cut leaving a small plastic flap still attached to the bag. A jet of a metered amount of water under high pressure is then sent through the needle to combine with the powder in the lower part of the bag, and then the needle is removed, the cut flap closing most of the needle-entry opening. The water and powder are then mixed together away from that opening, the freshly formed and still forming flexible gel being thereafter distributed substantially evenly throughout the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for filling petri dishes include the features of situating a stack of empty petri dishes at a dish-drop station where the stack rests with the lowermost petri dish of the stack on a stationary support. A moving structure engages this lowermost petri dish and moves it beyond the stationary support to a filling station, and during this movement of this lowermost petri dish to the filling station a lower dish member of the petri dish drops down from an upper lid member thereof and remains spaced beneath the upper lid member while being supported by a movable support which carries the lower dish member to the filling station. At the filling station a nozzle of a pump becomes situated in the space between the upper lid member and the lower dish member of the petri dish and fills a given quantity of agar into the lower dish member, whereupon this latter member and the upper lid member spaced thereover are moved to an elevating station.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for filling capsules having first and second sections that are telescoped within each other and which define an enclosed volume in the assembled condition. At least one and preferably a plurality of capsule filling stations are provided in a rotatable table. Each capsule filling station includes a first portion that is rigidly fixed to the table within a bore formed therein. The first portion receives the capsule section having the smaller transverse dimension. A second portion of the capsule filling station is D-shaped and is positioned within the same bore as the first portion. The second portion is selectively rotatable and is arranged to receive the capsule section having the larger transverse dimension.

Abstract: A method of mechanically packing a slaughtered bird, including poultry, comprising opening an inlet of an envelope resting on a support, pushing a bird resting with stretched legs on a support into the envelope by exercising a force on the body of the bird, then pressing the legs upwardly to locate the legs in a folded position on both sides of the body and thereafter sealing the envelope.