A non-destructive measurement unit of gas concentration in sealed containers and an automatic filling and/or packaging line using such a unit are provided. The flexible containers are at least partially optically transparent, and the measurement unit comprises a light source for emitting a light beam at a wavelength tunable with an absorption wavelength of a gas contained in the sealed flexible container. The light source directs the light beam toward at least one inspection area, and a detector detects at least a portion of the beam after the beam passes through the inspection area and outputs data representative of an absorption spectrum of the gas. Means for generating a head space of predefined width into the sealed flexible container is adapted to advance the sealed flexible container by an advancement path which crosses the inspection zone and to maintain the predefined width of the head space during the advancement.

An apparatus and methods for producing at extremely high production speeds small pouches filled with tobacco or other granular, powdered or solid content is provided. An endless web substrate, with or without flavor film thereon, is formed into a tubular shape with a longitudinal seam. The tube is cut to individual lengths, and a procession of tubes is crimp-closed at one end, filled and crimp-closed at the other end to complete pouch production. During production, the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch are parallel to one another and the longitudinal seam of the pouch is midway between the sides of the pouch and orthogonal to the seams formed at the crimped ends of the pouch.

Disclosed is an alternative fuel fueling station useful for fueling both electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously. The alternative fuel fueling station includes a solid oxide fuel cell, an electrical conduit, and a compressed hydrogen conduit, such that the alternative fuel fueling station can fuel both the electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously.

Disclosed is an alternative fuel fueling station useful for fueling both electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously. The alternative fuel fueling station includes a solid oxide fuel cell, an electrical conduit, and a compressed hydrogen conduit, such that the alternative fuel fueling station can fuel both the electrical and hydrogen alternative fuel vehicles simultaneously.

Polycrystalline silicon chunks are packed for further processing and/or for shipment with minimal contamination by introducing the chunks into a cardboard container lined with a non-contaminating plastic. The process is economical, avoids the problems associated with packaging in plastic bags, and provides far less contamination and spillage during transport.

Polycrystalline silicon chunks are packed for further processing and/or for shipment with minimal contamination by introducing the chunks into a cardboard container lined with a non-contaminating plastic. The process is economical, avoids the problems associated with packaging in plastic bags, and provides far less contamination and spillage during transport.

Methods and systems for packaging a plurality of objects are disclosed. The system includes a base tray having a first end and a second end, an object reservoir positioned at the first end, a dispensing guide positioned at the second end, and a column guide disposed between the reservoir and the dispensing guide. The column guide is configured to convey objects from the reservoir to the dispensing guide using gravitational forces via a plurality of longitudinally extending guiding columns. A tilt tray having a front edge and a back edge is positioned above the column guide. The tilt tray has a front edge and a back edge, and is anchored to pivot between a forward-engaged position and a backward-engaged position. When the tilt tray is in the backward-engaged position, the back edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide, while the front edge is positioned to allow object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide. When the tilt tray is in the forward-engaged position, the front edge is positioned to prevent object movement along the column guide and into the dispensing guide, while the back edge is positioned to allow objects to pass underneath the back edge. The system is sized and configured for packaging golf balls in interchangeable object containers.

A multilayer film, which is suitable for producing packaged material in a vertical form filling and sealing packaging line, includes: a first skin layer and a second skin layer, each of which independently includes: ?30.0 wt % and ?45.0 wt % of an ethylene polymer having a density ?918 kg/m.sup.3 and ?930 kg/m.sup.3; and ?55.0 wt. % and ?70.0 wt. % of a first ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density ?900 kg/m.sup.3 and ?910 kg/m.sup.3; and a core layer positioned between the first and second skin layers, where the core layer includes: ?5.0 wt. % and ?25.0 wt. % of the ethylene polymer, ?25.0 wt. % and ?70.0 wt. % of the first ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer; and ?25.0 wt. % and ?50.0 wt. % of a second ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density ?850 kg/m.sup.3 and ?900 kg/m.sup.3.

A multilayer film, which is suitable for producing packaged material in a vertical form filling and sealing packaging line, includes: a first skin layer and a second skin layer, each of which independently includes: ?30.0 wt % and ?45.0 wt % of an ethylene polymer having a density ?918 kg/m.sup.3 and ?930 kg/m.sup.3; and ?55.0 wt. % and ?70.0 wt. % of a first ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density ?900 kg/m.sup.3 and ?910 kg/m.sup.3; and a core layer positioned between the first and second skin layers, where the core layer includes: ?5.0 wt. % and ?25.0 wt. % of the ethylene polymer, ?25.0 wt. % and ?70.0 wt. % of the first ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer; and ?25.0 wt. % and ?50.0 wt. % of a second ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density ?850 kg/m.sup.3 and ?900 kg/m.sup.3.

A device for filling liquid to pasty food products into prefabricated individual containers including a support rim, the device including carrier elements which are run by a drive continuously through the device, which carrier elements form receiving openings for the individual containers and include a top side that is oriented away from a direction of gravity and configured to carry the support rim of the individual containers that are inserted into the receiving openings; operating stations in whose operating range the carrier elements move during an endless cycle of the carrier elements in the device; at least one operating station that is configured as a sterilization device which de-germinates the carrier elements and the individual containers; a lifting device forming a portion of the sterilization device and configured to lift individual containers that are seated in the receiving openings and which contact a top side with the support rim.