There is provided a combustible product including a combustible substance. The combustible product includes an enclosure comprising a sheet of combustible material which folds about and encloses the combustible substance so as to form the enclosure. The enclosure includes a closed end portion, a single twisted end portion, and an enlarged portion extending between the end portions thereof. The closed end portion of the enclosure consists of a continuous, non-folded portion of said sheet of combustible material. The twisted end portion of the enclosure functions as a wick or handle.

The invention provides for a sensitive consumable goods delivery system that consisting of an container having antibacterial and antimicrobial properties, wherein the container is locked once the goods are placed therein. The delivery can be tracked via a barcode on the locking mechanism placed on the container.

A method and apparatus are shown for securing a top for a cardboard carton where the carton has a bottom wall and integral sidewalls, an initially open interior and initially open top flaps with outwardly extending ears. The top flaps are folded to a carton closing position which closes off the initially open interior of the cardboard carton. The ears are also folded to a position in contact with the sidewalls of the carton. A set of punches are aligned with the folded ears of the carton and are actuated to force a first layer of cardboard from a respective top flap through an underlying region of the carton sidewall. A set of platens are located so as to underlie and reinforce the sidewalls of the carton as the punching operation takes place.

A method and apparatus are shown for securing a top for a cardboard carton where the carton has a bottom wall and integral sidewalls, an initially open interior and initially open top flaps with outwardly extending ears. The top flaps are folded to a carton closing position which closes off the initially open interior of the cardboard carton. The ears are also folded to a position in contact with the sidewalls of the carton. A set of punches are aligned with the folded ears of the carton and are actuated to force a first layer of cardboard from a respective top flap through an underlying region of the carton sidewall. A set of platens are located so as to underlie and reinforce the sidewalls of the carton as the punching operation takes place.

A support plate (100, 150) for supporting a package (200) during filling with a foot product is disclosed. The support plate (100, 150) comprises a wall (104, 154) defining a cavity (112, 162) for receiving a top portion (212, 216) of the package (200). The wall (104, 154) has a slanted interior surface (108, 158) that is complementary to the top portion (212, 216) of the package (200). The support plate (100, 150) also comprises a support projection (116, 166) extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall (104, 154), the support projection (116, 166) being complementary to and for abutting the top portion comprising a concave top surface (216) and a concave surface (208) of the package (200). A system (320) comprising the support plate (100, 150) for use in a filling machine (400) and a filling machine (400) comprising a plurality of the systems (320) are also disclosed.

A support plate (100, 150) for supporting a package (200) during filling with a foot product is disclosed. The support plate (100, 150) comprises a wall (104, 154) defining a cavity (112, 162) for receiving a top portion (212, 216) of the package (200). The wall (104, 154) has a slanted interior surface (108, 158) that is complementary to the top portion (212, 216) of the package (200). The support plate (100, 150) also comprises a support projection (116, 166) extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall (104, 154), the support projection (116, 166) being complementary to and for abutting the top portion comprising a concave top surface (216) and a concave surface (208) of the package (200). A system (320) comprising the support plate (100, 150) for use in a filling machine (400) and a filling machine (400) comprising a plurality of the systems (320) are also disclosed.

Disclosed in the present invention is a system for forming a product package by online forming, filling and sealing, the system comprising: a sterilization apparatus, a forming apparatus, a conveyor belt, a filling apparatus and a first closing apparatus. Also disclosed is a method for forming a product package by online forming, filling and sealing. The method of the present invention integrates production and filling of large-volume packages, greatly shortening the supply chain and increasing production efficiency.

A packaging machine is provided for producing single and multiple compartment film wrapped pouches. Multiple linear motors allow aspects of the forming, filling, cutting and discharging to run at different speeds. The pouches are formed, filled and discharged from platens that are secured to movers that proceed through the packaging process by following magnetic fields created by independently controlled linear motors. Overall, cycle time is decreased as a result of speeding up parts of the process, including the platen return process, possible because there is no mechanical connection and not a single conveyor moving the platens while the other parts of the process may be simultaneously slowed down or even temporarily stopped. Changeover of platens, to accommodate different products, such as single compartment pouch to multiple compartment pouches, is also simplified because platens are simply connected to the movers and are thus easily removed and replaced.

A packaging machine is provided for producing single and multiple compartment film wrapped pouches. Multiple linear motors allow aspects of the forming, filling, cutting and discharging to run at different speeds. The pouches are formed, filled and discharged from platens that are secured to movers that proceed through the packaging process by following magnetic fields created by independently controlled linear motors. Overall, cycle time is decreased as a result of speeding up parts of the process, including the platen return process, possible because there is no mechanical connection and not a single conveyor moving the platens while the other parts of the process may be simultaneously slowed down or even temporarily stopped. Changeover of platens, to accommodate different products, such as single compartment pouch to multiple compartment pouches, is also simplified because platens are simply connected to the movers and are thus easily removed and replaced.

An apparatus for sealing or tying products, comprising a housing with at least a first tape dispenser and a star wheel, a slot defined by or through the housing, wherein the star wheel extends at least partly in said slot, wherein the star wheel comprises a series of first cells and a series of second cells, the first and second cells being intermittently disposed in the star wheel, each cell being open to a periphery of the star wheel and two opposite sides thereof, wherein an urging device is provided having at least one edge portion for urging at least one product to be tied into one of the cells, especially a first cell.