The disclosure relates to an apparatus for handling food portions which comprises a first conveying device, a rotation device with a second conveying device forming a depositing surface which can be turned about a vertical axis, a third conveying device, and a control unit. The first conveying device is configured such that it can at least in regions be arranged above the rotation device. The control unit is adapted to control the first conveying device such that food portions are deposited in a format arrangement by the first conveying device from above onto the depositing surface of the rotation device, to control the rotation device to rotate the depositing surface with the food portions about the vertical axis, and to control the second conveying device to convey the turned food portions onward onto the third conveying device.

A pill packaging device comprising a pill encloser, a pill dispenser mounted to the pill encloser, and a pill funnel, which routes pills from the pill dispenser to the pill encloser. The pill packaging device may include rolls of first and second packaging film mounted to first and second film mounts, a pill carrousel, a printer, a barcode scanner, and seal jaws.

A chip cutting system for use in loading, cutting, and packaging stacks of tortillas. The chip cutting system can include a loader, a vertical loading system, a processing line, a plurality of cutting stations, a sleeving area, an inversion portion, and an output portion.

An article feeder assembly having a pocketed separator and a discharge tube configured to deliver articles to the pocketed separator. Some embodiments include an initial feeder assembly in overlying relation with a track extending from the initial feeder assembly to the discharge tube. Articles are oriented in end-to-end orientation in the initial feeder assembly and delivered to the pocketed separator in vertical end-to-end orientation. As pocketed separator rotates with respect to discharge tube, vertical retention members pass through a tunnel in the discharge tube and rotate articles out of the discharge tube. The discharged articles are secured in pockets delineated by the retention members. Some embodiments use one or more cam mechanisms to properly orient the discharged articles as the pocketed separator rotates. Properly oriented articles are then delivered to an advancing mechanism, such as a conveyor system.

An article feeder assembly having a pocketed separator and a discharge tube configured to deliver articles to the pocketed separator. Some embodiments include an initial feeder assembly in overlying relation with a track extending from the initial feeder assembly to the discharge tube. Articles are oriented in end-to-end orientation in the initial feeder assembly and delivered to the pocketed separator in vertical end-to-end orientation. As pocketed separator rotates with respect to discharge tube, vertical retention members pass through a tunnel in the discharge tube and rotate articles out of the discharge tube. The discharged articles are secured in pockets delineated by the retention members. Some embodiments use one or more cam mechanisms to properly orient the discharged articles as the pocketed separator rotates. Properly oriented articles are then delivered to an advancing mechanism, such as a conveyor system.

A packing system for a plurality of articles comprising: first and second packages; wherein each of the first and second packages comprises: a housing comprising a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the rear wall comprises a recessed portion; an article disposed within the housing, at least a part of the article protruding from the front wall of the housing; wherein the rear wall comprises a recessed portion, a shape of the recessed portion corresponding to a profile of the at least a part of the article protruding from the front wall, wherein the front wall of the second package is adjacent to the rear wall of the first package.

A packing system for a plurality of articles comprising: first and second packages; wherein each of the first and second packages comprises: a housing comprising a front wall and a rear wall, wherein the rear wall comprises a recessed portion; an article disposed within the housing, at least a part of the article protruding from the front wall of the housing; wherein the rear wall comprises a recessed portion, a shape of the recessed portion corresponding to a profile of the at least a part of the article protruding from the front wall, wherein the front wall of the second package is adjacent to the rear wall of the first package.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

A packaging system includes a loading area configured to receive a product and a pusher assembly including a pusher arm and a support. The pusher assembly is switchable between a bundling orientation and a case packing orientation. In the bundling orientation, the support is disposed at a first end of the pusher arm. In the case packing orientation, the support is disposed at a second end of the pusher aim. The pusher assembly moves the product in a first direction from the loading area, along a bundling path, and to a bundler when in the bundling orientation. Conversely, the pusher assembly moves the product in a second direction from the loading area, along a case packing path, and into a case when in the case packing orientation.

A packaging system includes a loading area configured to receive a product and a pusher assembly including a pusher arm and a support. The pusher assembly is switchable between a bundling orientation and a case packing orientation. In the bundling orientation, the support is disposed at a first end of the pusher arm. In the case packing orientation, the support is disposed at a second end of the pusher aim. The pusher assembly moves the product in a first direction from the loading area, along a bundling path, and to a bundler when in the bundling orientation. Conversely, the pusher assembly moves the product in a second direction from the loading area, along a case packing path, and into a case when in the case packing orientation.