A rod-shaped body binding device includes a binding unit configured to bind a rod-shaped body by wrapping one end section of a binding tape around the rod-shaped body, a stopper configured to stop supply of the binding tape when the rod-shaped body is bound using the binding tape, and a tension regulation unit configured to continuously apply a predetermined tension to the binding tape between the stopper and the binding unit during the period from the beginning to the end of binding of the rod-shaped body by the binding unit.

A system for transferring a group of components of electronic cigarettes from a first to a second operating station includes a conveyor extends from a feeding zone to a disengagement zone and has a plurality of seats. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them into the seats at a first mutual distance. A disengaging and transferring device operates to disengage the components from their seats and transfer the components to a collecting zone. A compacting device operates in the collecting zone to move the components closer together and place them at a second mutual distance that is smaller than the first mutual distance. A tray faces and receives from the collecting zone the group of components which have been placed close together. A pushing device pushes the components from the collecting zone into the tray. A movement device transfers the tray to the second operating station.

A system for transferring a first group of components of electronic cigarettes from first to second operating stations includes a flat collecting surface extending from a feeding zone to a releasing zone. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them onto the collecting surface. A first abutment element abuts the first component of the first group. A second abutment element abuts the last component of the first group. A compacting and stabilizing device moves the components closer together and stabilizes their positions. A first movement device moves the first and second abutment elements along the collecting surface to transfer the first group to the releasing zone. A tray faces the releasing zone to receive the first group. A pushing device pushes the components from the releasing zone into the tray. A transferring device transfers the tray with the first group towards the second operating station.

A package comprises an airtight container having an oxygen permeability of less than or equal to 15 ml/m.sup.2dMPa and water vapor permeability of less than or equal to 2 g/m.sup.2d, and a sub-nano membrane structure accommodated in the airtight container. The sub-nano membrane structure having a porous support and a sub-nano membrane. The sub-nano membrane formed on the porous support and having an average pore diameter of less than or equal to 1 nm.

A package comprises an airtight container having an oxygen permeability of less than or equal to 15 ml/m.sup.2dMPa and water vapor permeability of less than or equal to 2 g/m.sup.2d, and a sub-nano membrane structure accommodated in the airtight container. The sub-nano membrane structure having a porous support and a sub-nano membrane. The sub-nano membrane formed on the porous support and having an average pore diameter of less than or equal to 1 nm.

The invention relates to a method for grouping preferably empty long products (4) embodied as tins, tubes or cartridges, the products (4) being delivered by a delivering conveyor device (5), preferably from a production line for producing the products (4), and placed on a conveyer belt (3) and transported thereby at a conveying speed along a conveying section (S) in a conveying direction (F), a product group (P) comprising a plurality of the products (4) being transferred by transfer means (7) at the same time from the conveyor belt (3) into receiving means (6), the transfer means (7) for transferring the products (4) being moved during the movement with the product group (P) in the conveying direction (F) at an angle, particularly perpendicularly, to the conveying direction (F) in a transfer direction (T) towards the receiving means (6), the receiving means (6) being moved perpendicularly to the conveying direction (F) and perpendicularly to the transfer direction (T), in order to be able to receive the subsequent product groups (P) above or below the already transferred product groups (P), after the transfer of each product group (P) or after the transfer of a plurality of product groups (P). The receiving means (6) and the transfer means (7) are moved along the conveying section (S) in the conveying direction (F) during the transfer of the product group (P), particularly synchronously with the conveyor belt (3) and the product groups (P) conveyed thereon and to be passed on, and following a successful transfer, are moved along the conveying section (S), in the opposite direction to the conveying direction (F), in order to transfer another product group (P) into the receiving means (6).

A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.

A system, and associated method, for launching and delivering separated food product in organized groups to a robotized packaging station for the product. The system initiates the delivery via a metered hopper of food product delivering the product to a launch V-belt that aligns the product end to end. A successive singulator belt, positioned adjacent to and receiving product from the launch belt, further organizes the product into a single file alignment. An optional separator belt may follow the singulator belt to create gaps between successive product units. The product is then delivered to a pick belt for product to be provided to the packaging robot. The system product information is from a single (per product delivery line) sensor, enabling intergrated end-to-end control from hopper to robot, and a nearly continuous motion of said pick belt.

Implementations of an automated round tube loading machine are provided. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine comprises a tube pickup mechanism, a tube stacking mechanism, and a tube loading mechanism. In some implementations, the automated round tube loading machine may further comprise a front side conveyor, a back side conveyor, and/or a computer system.

In some implementations, a method of operation of the automated round tube loading machine comprises the machine receiving, picking up, moving, dropping off, stacking, and loading a plurality of round tubes into a box.

A method and apparatus for manufacturing a tampon packaging where the packaging is manufactured separately from the tampon. A first transversal end is overlapped with a second transversal end of a strip of heat-sealable film. The first transversal end is heat sealed to the second transversal end of the heat-sealable film, thereby forming a tube of film.