Abstract: In an inserting machine for collating inserts and placing a collation of said inserts into an envelope, a method is disclosed of determining the amount of postage to be applied to said envelope into which said collation of inserts have been inserted. The inserting machine includes a feed deck and a plurality of feed station adapted to selectively feed said inserts onto said feed deck.

Abstract: A weighing and packing device including a weighing section for successively weighing out quantities of product each having a predetermined weight and a packing section for successively packing the quantities of product delivered from the weighing section. The device further includes a metal detector for detecting a metallic substance included in each quantity of product and means for enabling removal of defective packages containing metallic substances from the normal conveying line.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus for successively packaging hen's eggs to obtain packs of eggs, in which the eggs to be packed are successively conveyed, the weight of each of the eggs conveyed is detected, then the eggs are divided and accumulated in the respective regions according to the detected weight, then a predetermined number of eggs are taken out from each region to form a set of eggs to be contained in one pack, and this set of eggs are placed in a plastic packaging container.

Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed stations 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items onto the track 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope to which postage need be allocated. One of the feed stations is a dual item station 32 from which items having a first weight and from which items having a second weight can be fed. A sensor 53 is provided proximate the dual item station 32 for determining the number of first weight items the number of second weight items fed from the dual item station 32. In order for data processing means 102 to calculate the amount of postage necessary, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations.

Abstract: Method and device for the vacuum filling of containers by using a continuous conveyor bringing the containers straight below two successive fixed stations. At one of the stations the filling of the containers is carried out, and at the other station a vacuum sealing of the containers is carried out.

Abstract: A machine for apportioning and packaging quantities of bulky particulate product has a weighing device (11), a conveying device (12) and a packing device (13). In order to ensure that the weighed product quantities (10) have approximately the same volume, a level sensor (32, 33), a compressing member (46) and a secondary apportioning device (50) are assigned to the conveying device. When the volume of product quantities is too large it is compressed, wherein bulky portions of the product break; when the volume is too small, a small quantity of product is added to the main quantity. In addition, an addition device (52), which supplies addition articles (53), is assigned to the conveying device.

Abstract: A combination weighing and packing system including a combination weighing machine and a packing machine which are functionally interlocked with each other so that batches of product weighed out by the weighing machine in accordance with a prescribed weight condition are packed successively in bags by the packing machine, and a common control unit having a display screen and a keyboard, which stores a number of operation parameters of the weighing and packing machines which are selectively displayed on the screen and can be changed or corrected easily by keyboard operation of an operator.

Abstract: An egg sorting and packing device comprising means for measuring the weights of eggs supplied, means for storing a plurality of egg weights measured by the measuring means, means for selecting eggs to be combined such that the total weight of eggs per one pack falls within a predetermined weight range by properly selecting and combining the eggs without being restricted by the weight-based class divisions, and means for packing the eggs selected by the selecting means.

Abstract: A film folding control apparatus of a wrapping machine is a type in which a length of film fed by a film feeding mechanism is extended at a predetermined section of the wrapping machine. An article to be wrapped is raised into taut engagement with the extended film from therebelow. The edges of the film are folded under the bottom of the article, thereby wrapping the article in the film, by a film folding mechanism comprising left, right and front folding plates. The control apparatus comprises a data setting device for setting film length data, film tension data and tray type data in dependence upon a number of an article to be wrapped. A preset memory stores this data in correspondence with the number of the article to be wrapped. A control unit is responsive to an input of the number of the article to be wrapped.

Abstract: A countertop wrapping machine for weighing and wrapping merchandise is disclosed. A single roll of film is supported by columns which extend upwardly from the back end of the machine. A shelf for supporting a weighing device is disposed near the bottom of the machine but high enough so that a web of film can pass thereunder. The wrapping machine also has a transverse electrically heated cutter bar with a knife edge which contacts only a small area of film. A hot plate is provided for heating portions of the film for heat sealing. One end of the roll of film is supported by a device which can be adjustably mounted on an axle to accommodate rolls of different widths. The other end of the roll may be supported by conventional means. The machine operator pulls a web of film manually along a path which extends from the film roll, under the shelf for the weighing device, and to the cutter bar.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for arranging paper rolls coming, e.g. from a winder into a package suitable for delivery. The rolls are identified, end-labelled, and their width, weight and diameter are measured, whereupon a package is formed of a suitable number of rolls at a wrapping station. According to the invention, the rolls are transferred, each in its turn, to a positioning station, where they are identified and end-labelled one by one, whereupon the identification data and measurement data of each roll as well as of a preceding roll, if any, placed in the waiting position of the positioning station, are compared with the specification data of the package to be delivered. When said data of the rolls correspond to the specification data of the package, the rolls are transferred to the wrapping station, whereas, in the contrary case, the rolls are shifted to the waiting position of the positioning station. Thus, this acts as a sort of a buffer store for paper rolls.

Abstract: An automatic molten substance bagging system which can fill a molten substance such as asphalt latex into a bag in a short period of time fully automatically without operation by hand. A bag is first supplied into a carrying can on a circulating conveyor system and is inflated with air. Then, the bag is filled rapidly with a fixed volume of a molten substance and then further filled moderately with the molten substance until a predetermined weight is reached. The thus filled up bag is sealed at a mouth thereof by a sewing machine, and finally a plurality of such filled up, sealed bags are transferred onto another conveyor for further processing while their carrying cans are left on the circulating conveyor system so as to repeat such a sequence of operations for further bags.

Abstract: A device for filling a package with a predetermined weight of items, such as pieces of chicken, is disclosed. The device, under the control of a computer, sorts predetermined quantities of chicken pieces to a plurality of pockets each of which is adapted to transfer the predetermined quantities of chicken pieces sorted thereto so that they may be passed to a partially filled package, upon receipt of a control signal from the computer. The device, under the control of the computer, selects which of the pockets contains pieces of chicken which should be added to the partially filled package in order to bring the contents of that package up to the predetermined weight.

Abstract: A portable apparatus for handling cheese, including a base and a turntable mounted on the base. The turntable has cutout recesses in the periphery thereof for moving molds in a circular locus. A platform is provided on the base for supporting the molds as they are being moved in a circular locus. The base includes stations. A filling and weighing station is provided on the base whereby curd is filled into the molds and weighed to a predetermined level. A compacting station is also provided on the base whereby the curd in the molds will be pressed to remove the air therefrom and packs the cheese within the molds. The recesses and the turntable are in registry with the stations on the base.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for package labeling is incorporated into a packaging machine wherein packages to be wrapped and labeled are conveyed from a package input station to a package wrapping and labeling station whereat an elevator raises packages into sections of wrapping material which are then wrapped about the packages. A label supply delivers labels for the packages to a label delivery station, and a label applicator is positioned over the elevator for receiving the labels from the label delivery station and applying them to sections of wrapping material prior to packages being wrapped therein. The labeling arrangement is best adapted for use in a packaging machine wherein the wrapping material is stretch film, and the sections of wrapping material are prestretched prior to application of labels thereto.

Abstract: An article bagging unit particularly useful in bagging ice cubes. A bag, positioned to receive articles to be bagged, is partially opened by an air blower and then fully opened by two pairs of fingers. Each of the fingers is movable into and out from a bag. After the fingers are moved into a partially open bag, one pair of fingers moves away from the other pair of fingers and spreads the front and the back of the bag. Next, a prescribed quantity of articles is delivered to the bag. Then the fingers are retracted from the bag and a pair of heat-sealing members converge to clamp the tops of the front and the back of the bag to seal the bag.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for filling flexible bulk material containers (8), having a balance (1) mounted in the upper area of a standing frame (20) or on a hanging frame, upper carrying means (5) suspended on the load receiving member (2) of the balance for hanging a flexible bulk material container in an upper area thereof, lower carrying means (7) for supporting the flexible bulk material container from below suspended on the load receiving member of the balance, a hoisting mechanism (3) fitted to the load receiving member of the balance for the upper and lower carrying means for moving same between a position in which the lower carrying means is in contact with the ground and a position in which the lower carrying means is raised from the ground, and a filling tube (12) fitted to the load receiving member of the balance for filling the flexible bulk material container from above.

Abstract: A system for packaging, weighing and labeling articles has a packaging device and a weighing and labeling device which are disposed parallel to each other. A turn conveyor connects an article outlet of the packaging device to an article inlet of the weighing and labeling device for turning the article substantially through 90 degrees.

Abstract: A wrapping machine includes a mechanism for feeding a stretchable film, means for lift an article to be wrapped, a mechanism for underfolding the film, means for controlling the timing at which various elements of the wrapping machine are actuated, and means for adjusting the tension of the film. The film feeding mechanism clamps opposite edge portions of the film, which has been cut to a predetermined length, by a plurality of grippers to apply a prescribed tension to the film and extend the film at a predetermined position of the wrapping machine. The article lifting means is adapted to raise an article to be wrapped, which has been fed in by infeed conveyance means, into taut engagement with the film extended at the predetermined position.

Abstract: A method of operating an article sorting machine automatically adjusts weight cutoff values defining size grades to compensate for variations in weight distribution of the articles. The method comprises the steps of monitoring the actual average weight of the articles classified into each size grade, periodically comparing the actual average weight of the articles classified into each size grade to values indicative of the desired average weight of the articles classified into each size grade, and modifying ones of the weight cutoff values if the actual average weight of the articles classified into selected ones of the size grades differs from the desired average weight of the articles to be classified into the selected ones of the size grades.

Abstract: A method of packing a semisolid compound into a bag comprising the steps of precooling a high temperature semisolid compound to such a temperature at which it can maintain the desired viscosity, filling said precooled semisolid compound into a packing bag made of synthetic resin while cooling its outer surface with water, heat-sealing an opening part of the bag, putting the bag in a water tank for cooling, removing the cooled bag and transporting it, and an apparatus for carrying out the above-described method.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for facilitating the rapid hand packing of fragile ingredients such as used in salads. Mechanisms are provided to transport empty containers to a filling station, introducing the ingredients by a hand raking procedure into the container and then further moving the containers to a weighing station and finally passing then for sealing and packaging.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the packaging of bulk materials composed of elongated pieces. The apparatus and method are particularly useful in the packaging of food materials such as french fries, carrots, celery hearts, and the like. The method includes the steps of weighing and apportioning the material, separating the material into individual pieces, causing free-fall of the pieces resulting in substantial alignment and guiding the pieces into a fill tube for packaging. Apparatus for packaging includes apportioning buckets, a transition chute with a stream-out member, a fill tube, and a packager. A bag catcher for settling the product within the package may also be provided.

Abstract: The invention of this application relates to a combination measuring apparatus which includes a cone-shaped dispersion table positioned below a feed port into which the commercial products which are the objects being measured are charged; pool hoppers and measuring hoppers disposed vertically as a predetermined number of units and connected to troughs which are disposed around the dispersion table via an electromagnetic oscillator or the like, whereby the measuring hoppers are supported by weight detectors such as load cells; and push rods for lid operation links, being moved back and forth by a driving device disposed inside the group of pool and measuring hoppers so that the object to be measured can flow and be measured.

Abstract: A fowl harvesting apparatus receives fowl which are conveyed upwardly and deposited in a metering tray which actuates a switch to cut off the conveyor when a desired number of fowl have been deposited in the tray. The tray is then moved downwardly on a supporting framework to be positioned adjacent an open coop compartment of a multi-compartment coop unit following which the tray is pivoted to deposit the fowl in the associated coop compartment. The multi-compartment coop unit is shiftable into one of two positions in which one of two vertically aligned banks of coop compartments is positioned in alignment with the fowl receiving and depositing tray. Conveyor is provided for removing the multi-compartment coop unit following the filling of same so as to permit the positioning of an empty multi-compartment coop unit on the apparatus for subsequent filling purposes.

Abstract: A dropped-article sensor is positioned beneath the platform conveyor of a wrapping machine wherein articles are received at a feed-in station and conveyed to a wrapping station along a conveyor path extending between and including the feed-in station and the wrapping station with sheets of wrapping material being wrapped about the packages at the wrapping station. Articles dropped from the conveyor path fall upon the dropped-article sensor which not only catches the articles, but generates a wrapping machine stop signal or interrupt such that the dropped article must be retrieved before restarting the wrapping machine.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for roll wrapping articles with stretchable netting material and simultaneously weighing the articles. The apparatus includes horizontal article support rollers supported on a rotatable table, the support rollers being quickly adjustably movable equidistantly toward and away from each other to accomodate articles of numerous sizes and weights while maintaining the center of gravity of the article generally centrally positioned with respect to the support rollers and the rotatable table.

Abstract: Merchandise discharged from a packaging machine in a lateral posture can be reliably aligned into a longitudinal posture, and the merchandise can then be sent to a labeling machine with one side of each article in sliding contact with an article-aligning member at all times, irrespective of the size of tray used. This enables the omission of the operations of correcting the posture and position of articles by an operator, and the articles can always be labeled at correct portions thereof, said turn conveyor is so formed that the height of a start end thereof can be regulated to enable the turn conveyor, alignment conveyor, weighing machine and labeling machine to be connected to a packaging machine which has an article discharge section at a height different from that of the turn conveyor or an intermediate conveyor connected to the discharge section of the packaging machine.

Abstract: In an insertion machine a track 20 moves groups of items past feed stations 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 and 42 during respective machine cycles. The feed stations selectively feed items, onto the track 20 for inclusion with a group of items and eventual stuffing into an envelope to which postage need be applied.In order for data processing means 102 to calculate the amount of postage necessary, an operator uses a keyboard and display 110 to input predetermined per item weight values for items held at select stations. The data processing means 102 uses the predetermined values indicative of the per item weight of items held in the stations to obtain a calculated total weight for each group of items.

Abstract: A method of material distribution for distributing free-flowing material is provided which consists of transporting the material in bulk from one location to another, siting a mobile bagging apparatus at the second location, unloading the transported material into the bagging apparatus, and bagging the material for use. In a preferred arrangement the mobile bagging apparatus has a receiving hopper for material, a weighing and bagging machine for metering the material into bags in predetermined quantities by weight, and a stitching machine for closing the bags. The material is suitably transported in bulk by transport ship.

Abstract: A system having a combinatorial weighing apparatus for obtaining an optimum weight of a batch of articles that exhibit a variable apparent specific gravity, and for packaging the weighed out articles in a packaging vessel. The system includes a volume detecting unit for detecting the volume of the articles supplied, a density detecting unit for detecting the density of the articles based on the volume value obtained from the volume detecting unit and a weight value obtained from the weighing apparatus, and a target weight adjusting unit for adjusting a target weight value within preset allowable limits on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the volume of the articles discharged into the packaging vessel becomes substantially constant. The system is also provided with a crusher for adjusting the size of individual articles on the basis of the detected density in such a manner that the density of the articles becomes substantially constant.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an integral weigh wrapper for wrapping products in stretch film, by weighing each product as it is placed on an infeed support surface, and feeding successive weight signals to a data processor. Successive signals are compared, and when a stabilized weight signal is received, as determined by the successive comparisons, the data processor produces a start signal which activates a drive motor to rotate one revolution. This initiates one cycle of operation of the weigh wrapper, in which the product is advanced from the infeed station to the wrapping station, a wrapping cycle is initiated for any product then in the wrapping station, and a previously wrapped product is advanced to a printing and labeling station--where it is automatically indexed, a printed label pneumatically applied to a selected location on the wrapper, and the wrapped and labeled product outputted.

Abstract: A method of producing packages and an apparatus for implementing the method wherein each package contains a whole number of stackable objects which are conveyed in a row for packaging and the weight of each package is to remain within given limits. The method includes counting a number of contiguous objects in the row, forming groups of objects each having the counted number of objects, determining the length of each respective group in the direction of the row, bringing each respective group to a balance scale only if the group has a length within predetermined limits, measuring the weight of each respective group and rejecting a group if its weights lies below a given weight value.

Abstract: A weighing scale and a label printer/applier are cooperatively combined with a wrapping machine to form a packaging machine into which a trayed commodity can be inserted and a wrapped and priced package removed. The weight of a trayed commodity is preferably determined as it is transported into the packaging machine. The tray size, known commodity and weight of the trayed commodity or package are utilized to determine the length and width of a sheet of film to be used to wrap the package. The package weight is passed to a label printer which calculates the price for the commodity being packaged, prints the label and passes it to a labeling head incorporated into a portion of the wrapping machine. The package weight is determined by subtracting a tare weight based on sensed package dimensions from the gross weight of the package to arrive at an accurate net pricing weight.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a semi-automatic mail insertion machine which assists an operator in placing materials into envelopes by presenting automatically unfolded and opened envelopes in rapid succession to the operator for manual placement of the materials therein. The machine includes a horizontal conveyor which, under operator control, incrementally advances the envelopes to be processed from one processing station to another in succession. An envelope stacker is positioned above the conveyor and a feed means feeds the envelopes to the conveyor prior to each advancement of the conveyor. The envelopes are conveyed to a first process station which automatically unfolds the pre-folded unsealed envelope flaps. The envelopes are then advanced to a second processing station which opens the envelopes and presents the envelopes to the operator in a manner which permits ready placement of materials into the envelopes.

Abstract: A plurality of elongated articles such as french fried potato strips are aligned with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel and packaged in such aligned condition by the apparatus and method of the invention. The articles are prealigned by a vibrating conveyor having longitudinal partitions dividing it into four tracks, so that the longitudinal axes of such articles are substantially parallel to their direction of travel which forms acute angle of about 45.degree. with the front wall of an alignment container into which the articles are fed. The alignment container is vibrated at a different frequency than the vibrating conveyor in order to settle and to further align the elongated articles with their longitudinal axes substantially parallel to the front wall of such container.

Abstract: A sheet-like material processing apparatus is provided with a pre-processing section and a post-processing section. In the pre-processing section, the sheet-like material set in the supply section is taken out sheet by sheet and those taken-out ones are sorted, by an inspecting device, into at least two kinds of sheet-like material. A transfer/sorting device physically sorts those sheet-like material on the basis of the sorting by the inspection device. The sorted sheet-like material are separately collected each for a given number of the sheet-like material by a sorting and collecting device, and then are bundled by a sheet bundling device. A transfer device transfers the given number of the bundled sheet-like material. Of those sheet-like material transferred by said transfer device, the unreusable ones are invalidated by an invalidating device.

Abstract: The disclosure concerns an integral weigh wrapper for wrapping products in stretch film, by weighing each product as it is placed on an infeed support surface, and feeding successive weight signals to a data processor. Successive signals are compared, and when a stabilized weight signal is received, as determined by the successive comparisons, the data processor produces a start signal which activates a drive motor to rotate one revolution. This initiates one cycle of operation of the weigh wrapper, in which the product is advanced from the infeed station to the wrapping station, a wrapping cycle is initiated for any product then in the wrapping station, and a previously wrapped product is advanced to a printing and labeling station--where it is automatically indexed, a printed label pneumatically applied to a selected location on the wrapper, and the wrapped and labeled product outputted.

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 device for filling a package with a predetermined weight of items, such as pieces of chicken, is disclosed. The device, under the control of a computer, determines which, of several pieces of chicken held in a plurality of holding means, should be added to a partially filled package in order to bring the contents of that package up to the predetermined weight.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for automatically filling bags, which have been automatically formed on a vertical-form-fill-seal machine, with a predetermined weight of particulate material, said apparatus comprising a feeder means including a weighing means for measuring the loss in total weight of the feeder means and its contents.

Abstract: A machine for packaging tea includes a rotary dispensing drum having rows of circumferentially spaced pockets into which tea flows by gravity through outlets at the bottom of a hopper. The tea is deposited in piles from the pockets on a web of packaging material which travels in contact with the periphery of the drum. The portion of the hopper containing the outlets is movable in relation to the drum so as to vary the effective area of the outlets and therefore the size of the deposited piles of tea.

Abstract: In a system for dispensing weighed or counted articles, articles are fed from a supply hopper by a vibratory conveyor to maintain a controlled level of articles in a bowl-shaped feeder hopper. In a weigher embodiment, articles are initially discharged from the feeder hopper through two discharge openings into an accumulator bucket. A weighing unit monitors the weight of articles in the bucket and signals a door to close one of the discharge openings as the weight of articles in the bucket begins to approach a predetermined weight. The weighing unit subsequently signals the feeder hopper drive to slow its feeding action as the weight of articles in the bucket more closely approaches the predetermined weight. The feeder hopper discharge openings are arranged near each other at locations where the door-controlled opening will provide a rapid, bulk feed of articles, while the other opening will provide a single-file trickle feed.

Abstract: Large capacity sacks are successively suspended from holding devices by their mouths and filled with pourable material through a conduit equipped with a dispensing mechanism. During filling, the sack comes to rest on a support which is part of weighing apparatus for controlling the dispensing mechanism. Before the sack contents have reached a predetermined final weight, the holding devices are lowered to relax the sack wall above the level of the contents, whereupon filling is completed at a trickle rate.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporating a microprocessor control is provided for automatically loading nuclear fuel pellets into fuel rods commonly used in nuclear reactor cores. The apparatus comprises first and second elongated members having "V" troughs for alternately receiving a plurality of fuel pellets to be loaded alternately in first and second fuel rods. The pellets are weighed while in the "V" trough of each elongated member and each elongated member is alternately relocated in axial alignment with a cooperating fuel rod. A guide bushing assembly is provided to assist the transfer of the pellets from each of the elongated members into awaiting fuel rods. A rod handling assembly incorporating rod handling means, a thumper assembly to facilitate the loading of fuel pellets into the fuel rods, an adjustable fuel rod backstop and a rod carousel carrying a plurality of fuel rods, presents two fuel rods to the guide bushing assembly at the appropriate stage in the loading sequence.

Abstract: A tube of thermoplastic netting is drawn through a work station in a radially collapsed, condensed condition. At the work station, the netting is angularly twisted to rope-like form, to increase its bulk density and, in such condition, is drawn between the die and platen of an ultrasonic welding horn. Periodically, the die and platen momentarily bear against a succeeding short length of the twisted, condensed rope-like form making a fused seal nugget integrating all strands of the netting at that site. The resulting product may be a long length of such tubing, having such a seal every so often, or a plurality of bags formed from the intermediate product by making one transverse cut through the netting tube beside each seal nugget.

Abstract: To control the completeness of the content which is not fixed in a package, the package is brought in an inclined position. In the case of incomplete packing, the content slides in the package whereby the distribution of weight changes, which change is measured.For safety, the package can then be inclined in opposite direction, whereupon the distribution of weight is measured again and the two values obtained are compared.

Abstract: An automatic weighing and bagging machine and method for holding and opening a first bag of a plurality of juxtaposed bags held in the machine in a manner whereby the first bag may be filled with a weighed product and released from the plurality of bags. The bags are of the type having an extended tab secured to a portion thereof and extending above a mouth opening of the bag. The machine comprises a holding device for engaging at least a portion of the extended tab of the first bag. A retractor member is also provided for opening the mouth opening of the first bag by pulling a side wall portion of the first bag opposite to the engaged portion of the tab and away from the engaged tab. The retractor member also clamps the side wall portion to hold the bag in an open position whereby the bag is held from opposed sides for filling the bag with the weighed product. A container is provided to hold and weigh the product to be bagged.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for pressing and binding voluminous material into bales, in which material in the form of several layers is supplied through a closable opening into a pressing chamber where compression takes place of each supplied layer. Final pressing is carried out at high pressure after a desired number of layers have been supplied into the pressing chamber, whereafter the pressing effect is lowered to a substantially lower pressure, so that the material compressed into a bale is permitted to expand, and the bale thereafter is discharged from said pressing chamber through a closable opening and bound while said substantially lower pressure is being maintained.

Abstract: A method of material distribution for distributing freeflowing material is provided which consists of transporting the material in bulk from one location to another, siting a mobile bagging apparatus at the second location, unloading the transported material into the bagging apparatus, and bagging the material for use. In a preferred arrangement the mobile bagging apparatus has a receiving hopper for material, a weighing and bagging machine for metering the material into bags in predetermined quantities by weight, and a stitching machine for closing the bags. The material is suitably transported in bulk by transport ship.