A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.

Item-management systems, apparatus, and methods are described, preferably for management of items such as medicaments. In embodiments, an item-management system comprises a container defining plural cells, a docking station configured to receive the container, sources of visible information to indicate the cell(s) into which an item is to be loaded, and at least one controller operable to control the visible information sources to indicate the cell into which the item is to be received.

A package for containing liquid-exuding product is formed of a single sheet of film that is folded and sealed at certain locations. The package can include an active member, optionally in the form of absorbent, that is heat staked or otherwise attached to a portion of the sheet of film such that the active member is located on an interior surface of a bottom of the folded and sealed package.

A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.

A packaging installation that includes a grouping machine configured to form batches of products and a horizontal form-fill-seal packaging machine arranged downstream the grouping machine and being configured to receive the formed batches of products and to package them in individual packages. The grouping machine includes a receiving area to receive the products and a grouping area where the products are grouped into batches, and, for transporting products to the grouping area. The grouping machine includes a first product path and a second product path, different from the first product path, extending from the product receiving area to the grouping area. According to one embodiment, the grouping machine is configured to cause the products arriving at the grouping area from the first product path and from the second product path to have different orientations.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A masonry transport assembly for carrying a paver, tile, or quarried stone is disclosed. The masonry transport assembly generally includes a hinged clamping member including a first arm having a first length, a second arm having a second length, a hinge pivotally connecting the first arm and the second arm, a terminal gripping angled end extending from each of the first and second arms and on ends thereof opposite the hinge, a release mechanism secured to at least one of the first arm or the second arm, and, a mounting eyelet connected to at least one of the first arm or the second arm operatively arranged to receive and connect the support member.

The method includes infusing oxygen scavenging elements within at least a portion of an interior surface layer of at least one first polymer layer of a pouch material, the pouch material including a gas impermeable layer connected to the at least one first polymer layer, enclosing a consumable item within the pouch material, and joining ends of the pouch material to form a sealed inner cavity, the sealed inner cavity containing the consumable item.

A web of preformed bags includes a sheet material and a cushioning material. The sheet material includes two sheets that are arranged to form a series of bags. The sheets are connected together to form sides of each of the bags. Each of the bags is bounded by an opening and the sides where sheets are connected together. The cushioning material is coupled to inner surfaces of the sheets in each of the bags. The web further includes a line of weakness in at least one of the sheets between each of the bags. After an object is loaded in one of the bags, the opening of the one of the bags is configured to be sealed closed with the object therein such that the cushioning material in the one of the bags is arranged to cushion the object when the one of the bags is sealed closed.