A metering machine for filling free-flowing media into cavities of a mould that is to be filled is described. The metering machine has at least one independent metering unit which includes two dispensers, with a respective dedicated drive, and a nozzle unit. The nozzle unit is common to the two dispensers.

The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.

The invention relates to a packaged product 3 or group of products 33, such as a candy, wherein said product 3 or group of products 33 has an elongated form, wherein the package comprises at least one film 1,2 which encloses said product 3 or group of products 33, and wherein part of said film 1,2 extends from at least one outer end of the product 3 or group of products 33, and wherein said part of the film is bent away from the direction of the axis of the elongated product or group of products back towards a part of the film 2 that surrounds the product 3 and is bonded therewith. The invention also relates to an easy opening arrangement for packaged products, and to an array 19 or bandoleer of products with reduced packaging material.

Described herein is a method for making a package (300) comprising at least one sheet (100) of packaging material including at least one layer of paper, which is shaped so as to present a hollow portion (102) surrounded by a perimetral portion (104). The hollow portion (102) of the shaped sheet (100) a ratio between depth and width higher than 0.39, preferably between 1:1.8 and 1:2.5.

Process and corresponding apparatus for wrapping a product in a wrapper of sheet material, adhering to the surface of the product, the process comprising the steps of: providing a first and a second sheet of wrapping material, shaping said first sheet according to a cup-shaped configuration comprising a bottom portion substantially complementary to a bottom portion of the surface of the product, a tubular portion which extends above the top of the product when inserted in said so-shaped sheet and defining a mouth adapted for the introduction of the product and an annular flange terminal portion surrounding said mouth, introducing the product in said first shaped sheet, and connecting said second sheet to said annular flange so as to form a closed wrapper around said product. Following the introduction of the product and prior to connection of said second sheet with said annular flange, it includes the operation to make a bottleneck of said tubular portion of said first sheet in its region immediately above the top of the product, exerting on said annular flange a pressure suitable to bind the edges of flange or to limit its radial movement, so as to cause the adhesion of said tubular wall to a substantial portion of the top surface of the product.

A package for a confectionery item, said package comprising a film or wrap which encases the confectionery item and wherein opening means are provided in said package, the opening means comprising at least one transverse and one substantially perpendicular score lines defining a removable portion or releasable flap, and wherein the opening means are positioned such that opening thereof exposes a bite size portion of the confectionery item. Methods for constructing the packaging and products incorporating it form further aspects of the invention.

Sealed packaging for a confectionery product Food product packaging comprising a food product (P) in a sealed wrapper of sheet material, comprising a first sheet (2) shaped in a receiving configuration adapted to contain the product, having an end edge in the shape of a flange (4) and a second sheet (6) adhered to said flange (4) to form a sealed wrapper surrounding the product (P), comprising a body of sheet material (8) in the shape of a cup with a base (10) and a side wall (12), where the base (10) is made to adhere to said second sheet (6) and the adhesive force between said base (10) and said second sheet (6) is greater than the adhesive force between the second sheet (6) and said flange (4), so that a force tending to separate said body from the packaging causes the detachment of said second sheet (6) from the flange (4) with the opening of the packaging.

The present invention provides an improved product holding and dispensing package and an improved method for manufacturing, holding, and storing products, especially comestible products. In an embodiment, a package for comestible products may be provided. The package includes a package blank having walls that define a package interior. The package also includes a sheet disposed inside the package interior. The sheet wraps around a stack of comestible products and maintains the products in a stacked formation. The sheet also retains the comestible products against lateral movement within the sheet. In an embodiment, the plurality of comestible products are releasably attached to the sheet to prevent the comestible products from sliding out of the sheet. In an embodiment, the sheet may be attached to the package interior.

An assembly for the sorted conveyance of substantially plate-like products, the assembly comprises includes a stroke limiting shoulder, downstream of at least one supply line, a first pusher having a lateral surface that faces and is proximate to the stroke limiting shoulder, and at least one second pusher, which is adjacent to the other pusher. The pushers are substantially perpendicular to the advancement direction of the products and are independently movable from a first configuration, in which the respective end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the at least one supply line, to a second configuration, in which the end face faces and is proximate to the edge of the exit channel, surmounting the respective supply line. The exit channel includes consecutive receptacles for accommodating clusters of products.

A packaging process includes the steps of receiving distinct clusters of products, orienting layered groups, moving the groups closer together, and inserting the bundle within a respective package. With the receiving step, the sum of the products of the clusters is equal to the number of products that can be accommodated in a layer of the final package. The products are mutually stacked so as to constitute respective layered groups that constitute a bundle. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are oriented according to the correct alignment required for its entry into the final package. The layered groups that constitute a bundle are moved closer to mutually contact the last product of one group with the first product of the contiguous group. Finally, the bundle constituted by the compacted layered groups, is inserted within a respective package.