An apparatus includes a vial engagement assembly, a cap engagement assembly, and a processor. The processor activates relative movement along a first dimension between the cap engagement assembly and a vial positioned in a stage of the vial engagement assembly to engage a cap engagement head with a cap secured to the vial. A rotary shaft is rotated about a first rotation axis to remove the cap from the vial via the cap engagement head. The processor then activates relative movement along a second dimension between the cap engagement assembly and the vial to provide deformation of a swab head of a swab shaft extending from the cap. The swab head deforms against an inner sidewall of the vial. The rotary shaft further rotates to rotate the cap, swab shaft, and swab head via the cap engagement head while the swab head deforms against the inner sidewall of the vial.

An apparatus includes a vial engagement assembly, a cap engagement assembly, and a processor. The processor activates relative movement along a first dimension between the cap engagement assembly and a vial positioned in a stage of the vial engagement assembly to engage a cap engagement head with a cap secured to the vial. A rotary shaft is rotated about a first rotation axis to remove the cap from the vial via the cap engagement head. The processor then activates relative movement along a second dimension between the cap engagement assembly and the vial to provide deformation of a swab head of a swab shaft extending from the cap. The swab head deforms against an inner sidewall of the vial. The rotary shaft further rotates to rotate the cap, swab shaft, and swab head via the cap engagement head while the swab head deforms against the inner sidewall of the vial.

The present invention is a marketing and distribution method for introducing and maintaining refillable containers for personal care products such as cosmetics, creams, lotions, and sprays. The refillable container is refilled at local refill stations at stores, kiosks, vending machines, and the like, to eliminate the need for new packaging with each purchase. The method is designed to reduce waste and costs associated with product packaging by using refillable containers to dispense personal care products.

The present invention is a marketing and distribution method for introducing and maintaining refillable containers for personal care products such as cosmetics, creams, lotions, and sprays. The refillable container is refilled at local refill stations at stores, kiosks, vending machines, and the like, to eliminate the need for new packaging with each purchase. The method is designed to reduce waste and costs associated with product packaging by using refillable containers to dispense personal care products.

A package delivery apparatus uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a package containing a product to a delivery destination area. The UAV uses GPS signals to guide it to the delivery destination area and an altimeter to determine its height above the delivery destination area. The UAV then adjusts its height to a preferred drop or release height for that package and product and releases the package. An optional camera allows a human operator to view the delivery destination area. An expandable foam package surrounds the product to protect the product from impact and moisture. The package may be streamlined to reduce air resistance and increase the range of the UAV. The package characteristics, such as its thickness, are determined based one or more of the weight and fragile nature of the product, and the drop height.

A package delivery apparatus uses an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to deliver a package containing a product to a delivery destination area. The UAV uses GPS signals to guide it to the delivery destination area and an altimeter to determine its height above the delivery destination area. The UAV then adjusts its height to a preferred drop or release height for that package and product and releases the package. An optional camera allows a human operator to view the delivery destination area. An expandable foam package surrounds the product to protect the product from impact and moisture. The package may be streamlined to reduce air resistance and increase the range of the UAV. The package characteristics, such as its thickness, are determined based one or more of the weight and fragile nature of the product, and the drop height.

A packaging system has a system for assembling a package, a method for assembling a package, and a machine for assembling a package. The packaging system comprises at least one main transportation unit and at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit, where the at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit moves three-dimensionally with respect to the at least one main transportation unit for providing the packaging material components to the main transportation unit and/or performing packaging process operations to a package in assembly present at the main transportation unit. The at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit includes a number of tools mounted on independently motion-controlled movers for providing the packaging material components to the package in assembly and/or providing the packaging operations to the packaging in assembly. In addition to assembling packages, the systems, methods, and machines may also be used for assembly of any other article.

A packaging system has a system for assembling a package, a method for assembling a package, and a machine for assembling a package. The packaging system comprises at least one main transportation unit and at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit, where the at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit moves three-dimensionally with respect to the at least one main transportation unit for providing the packaging material components to the main transportation unit and/or performing packaging process operations to a package in assembly present at the main transportation unit. The at least one moveable closed loop transportation unit includes a number of tools mounted on independently motion-controlled movers for providing the packaging material components to the package in assembly and/or providing the packaging operations to the packaging in assembly. In addition to assembling packages, the systems, methods, and machines may also be used for assembly of any other article.

A method for packaging products in boxes comprises the steps of: a) providing a plurality of boxes in a folded configuration, b) collecting one box in the folded configuration and modifying the configuration thereof so as to bring it into an open configuration which is suitable for containing said products, c) verifying the conformity of the box in the open configuration with at least one predetermined quality parameter, and d) if the box in the open configuration complies with the quality parameter, introducing the products into the box, otherwise e) if the box in the open configuration does not comply with the quality parameter, returning the box to the folded configuration.

Packaging bag receiving device for a packaging machine for receiving a plurality of packaging bags, comprising: a plurality of holder pairs for each holding a packaging bag, wherein each holder pair comprises a first holder and a second holder arranged at a predetermined distance therefrom, and wherein at least the first holder of a holder pair is displaceable with respect to the second holder of this holder pair; and a distance adjusting device for substantially simultaneously or concurrently adjusting the distances between the holders of each holder pair by displacing at least the first holder relative to the second holder of each holder pair.