A support plate for supporting a package during filling with a food product is disclosed. The support plate can include a wall defining a cavity for receiving a top portion of the package. The wall has a slanted interior surface that is complementary to the top portion of the package. The support plate also comprises a support projection extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall, the support projection being complementary to and for abutting the top portion of the package, wherein the top portion can include a concave top surface and a second concave surface. A system that can include the support plate for use in a filling machine and a filling machine that can include a plurality of the systems are also disclosed.

A support plate for supporting a package during filling with a food product is disclosed. The support plate can include a wall defining a cavity for receiving a top portion of the package. The wall has a slanted interior surface that is complementary to the top portion of the package. The support plate also comprises a support projection extending in a parallel direction to and away from the wall, the support projection being complementary to and for abutting the top portion of the package, wherein the top portion can include a concave top surface and a second concave surface. A system that can include the support plate for use in a filling machine and a filling machine that can include a plurality of the systems are also disclosed.

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 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.

A method is described of filling and/or sealing a packaging container. The packaging container can include a packaging laminate and having a top portion and a lower portion including one or more side walls and an open base. The method can include: supporting the packaging container with the open base uppermost on a support with an upstanding portion, wherein the support engages the top portion of the packaging container and engages part of the one or more side walls via the upstanding portion of the support; and filling the packaging container via its open base and/or sealing the open base of the packaging container, wherein the support ensures dimensional stability of the packaging container during the filling and/or sealing step. A related apparatus, support and packaging container are also described.

A method is described of filling and/or sealing a packaging container. The packaging container can include a packaging laminate and having a top portion and a lower portion including one or more side walls and an open base. The method can include: supporting the packaging container with the open base uppermost on a support with an upstanding portion, wherein the support engages the top portion of the packaging container and engages part of the one or more side walls via the upstanding portion of the support; and filling the packaging container via its open base and/or sealing the open base of the packaging container, wherein the support ensures dimensional stability of the packaging container during the filling and/or sealing step. A related apparatus, support and packaging container are also described.

A packaging assembly and a method of operating such a packaging assembly, the packaging assembly comprises at least one of a thermoform packaging machine, a separation robot, a conveyor and a checkweigher. The separation robot is operable to adjust a distance between packages of a group of packages formed by the packaging machine. The conveyor and the separation robot may be operated together to provide a flow of packages that is supplied to the checkweigher, wherein the flow of packages may include substantially constant distances between the individual packages.

A packaging assembly and a method of operating such a packaging assembly, the packaging assembly comprises at least one of a thermoform packaging machine, a separation robot, a conveyor and a checkweigher. The separation robot is operable to adjust a distance between packages of a group of packages formed by the packaging machine. The conveyor and the separation robot may be operated together to provide a flow of packages that is supplied to the checkweigher, wherein the flow of packages may include substantially constant distances between the individual packages.