Patent ID: 7878226

Claim:
A machine for filling containers with at least one granular product, the machine comprising conveying means for feeding each container continuously along a given path; at least one tank containing the product; at least one metering wheel mounted to rotate continuously about a respective substantially vertical longitudinal axis; a number of metering devices traveling with the metering wheel along a portion of said path in time with relative said containers to feed the product into the relative containers, each metering device comprising a metering cylinder for receiving the product from the tank, a drop chute for unloading the product in the metering cylinder into the relative container, and a piston which defines the bottom of the metering cylinder and moves along the metering cylinder, in a direction substantially parallel to said axis, to and from a feed position in which to feed the product to the drop chute; and actuating means for moving the pistons in said direction, the actuating means comprising at least one cam and, for each piston, at least one cam follower cooperating with the cam; and the machine being characterized in that the actuating means also comprise pneumatic push means for maintaining engagement of said cam by the cam followers.