An apparatus for producing solid carbon and water by reducing carbon oxides with a reducing agent in the presence of a catalyst includes a reactor configured to receive reaction gas comprising at least one carbon oxide, at least one reducing agent, and water. The apparatus includes at least one mixing means configured to mix the reagents to form a combined feed, a first heat exchanger configured to heat the combined feed, at least one heater configured to further heat the combined feed, and a reaction vessel configured to receive the combined feed. The reaction vessel is configured to contain a catalyst, to maintain predetermined reaction conditions of temperature and pressure, and has an output configured to deliver a tail gas to the first heat exchanger. The system also includes a product separator, a water separation unit, and a product packaging unit.

A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

System for refilling with liquid a second inverted bottle disposed above a first bottle containing liquid via a filling interface, disposed between the two bottles, comprising a valve in two elastically deformable parts. Depending on the intensity of the application of a downward vertical force on the second bottle, the pump of this bottle is first depressed to open the vent under a first force, and, then, the valve deforms elastically under a second, more intense force in order to cause the transfer of the liquid from the first to the second bottle.

Two bagmaking and packaging machines are installed side-by-side. Each of the bagmaking and packaging machines includes a film supply unit in the rear portion, a former mechanism in the front portion, and a transverse sealing mechanism that transversely seals a top and a bottom of the film in the tubular shape into which a product supplied from a combination weighing apparatus is fed. Each of the bagmaking and packaging machines is disposed under a discharge chute of a corresponding combination weighing machine, which includes two combination weighing machines joined to each other substantially symmetrically in the left and right direction as viewed from above and a base member that supports the combination weighing machines. A maximum width of the bagmaking and packaging apparatus when viewed from the front is narrower than a width of the base member.

A gas dosing apparatus is provided that includes an inlet configured to receive gas, and a directional control valve connected to the inlet and having a first position and a second position. The gas dosing apparatus also includes a fixed volume reservoir connected to the directional control valve and receiving gas from the inlet, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the first position. The gas dosing apparatus further includes an outlet connected to the directional control valve and outputting a gas dose received from the fixed volume reservoir, via the directional control valve, while the directional control valve is in the second position.

A conveyance mechanism is provided. A bag body processing unit is installed with a roller unit. While the process transfer unit transfers a bag body processing unit from a first guide station to a second guide station, the roller unit moves from a first guide surface to a second guide surface and is placed on the second guide surface in the second guide station. In the second guide station, the roller unit is placed on the second guide surface, and a second guide part is moved from a first variation position to a second variation position while the roller unit is placed on the second guide surface, so that the roller unit is moved from a first height position to a second height position.

An apparatus includes a hopper, having a vent for articles, for storing articles; an arm connected to the vent of the hopper, for moving the position of the vent along with rotation around a rotating shaft, one end portion of the arm as an elongated member being connected to the rotating shaft extending in a horizontal direction; and a bag attachment portion including a bag support portion for supporting a bag into which articles are loaded, an attachment structure body for attaching an opening portion of the bag and a movable member for moving freely to a condition where the bag support portion is positioned at an appropriate inclined angle with respect to a horizontal direction. The vent of the hopper is adjustable to be positioned above the position of the opening portion of the bag supported when the arm and the bag attachment portion are moved.

A method for the portioned packaging of liquid or pasty products using a packaging machine. The product is fed via an inlet to a metering chamber, being metered in the metering chamber by a metering member to form a product portion, and the product portion being fed via a metering outlet to a package. In order to avoid impairments of products which are sensitive to crystallizing out in the inoperative state, the metering chamber is operated in continuous flow in at least one operating state of the packaging machine from the following group: downtimes of the packaging machine, start-up of the packaging machine and operation of the packaging machine, by the productwhether entirely or in a partial flowbeing removed entirely or partially from the metering chamber past the metering member via an outlet provided in addition to the metering outlet and being recirculated.

An apparatus for filling a device having a penetrable septum and a sealed chamber. The apparatus includes a filling member engageable with the penetrable septum to penetrate the septum, port(s), and a closure. The closure and filling member are movable between (i) a first position wherein the closure closes the port(s), and (ii) a second position opening the port(s). The filling member and/or septum is movable relative to the other between (i) a first position wherein the filling member is spaced from the septum, and (ii) a second position wherein the filling member is penetrated through the septum and in communication with the sealed chamber. A locking device is movable between (i) a locked position locking the closure and/or filling member in the first position, and (ii) an unlocked position allowing movement of the closure and/or filling member relative to the other and into the second position.

A valve comprises a shell, a flexible valve member sealingly mounted within the shell, and a valve body mounted atop the flexible valve member within the shell. The flexible member is moveable between closed and open positions to allow the flow of fluid therethrough. The valve is engageable with a filling device having flow ports and a surrounding closure. The closure and/or the shaft is movable between (i) a first position wherein the closure closes the port(s), and (ii) a second position opening the port(s). Alternatively, the valve may comprise a portion of a female connector and the filling device may comprise a portion of a male connector to form an aseptic fluid connector for the aseptic transfer of fluid therethrough.