Overvarnished aluminum cans which are not usable because of label graphic errors or other reasons are conditioned for reuse by first treating the existing overvarnish to accept an opaque new layer of overvarnish. The opening of the can is engaged with a plug having a pin communicating with a pressurized gas supporting the can on a wheel to supply gas pressure according to the rotational position of the pin. The overvarnished can is pressurized to allow printing an opaque new layer of overvarnish on to the can over the existing overvarnish. The treated can is visually inspected and the internal coating resprayed, and the opaque overvarnish and the internal coating are cured in a final curing oven, the can being then ready for printing of new graphics or sold as a brite, silver or blank can where other graphics can be applied.

An autonomously operated system is configured to load at least one unbound deformable article into a container. The system includes a refillable cartridge configured to receive therein the article, at least one extendable conveyor being configured to extend into the refillable cartridge and deposit the article within the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter configured to selectively lower and raise the refillable cartridge relative to the at least one extendable conveyor, one or more sensors configured output a signal indicative of a fill height of the refillable cartridge, and at least one controller configured to, in response a received signal form the one or more sensors, instruct the driven lifter to at least one of raise and lower the refillable cartridge to at least one of one or more loading heights for receiving the article, and lower the refillable cartridge to an unloading position within the container.

A case packing apparatus for loading articles into a case that includes two or more airbags adapted to be positioned above the case; a vacuum reservoir positioned in fluid communication with the airbags; and a supply of compressed gas positioned in fluid communication with the airbags.

A case packing apparatus for loading articles into a case that includes two or more airbags adapted to be positioned above the case; a vacuum reservoir positioned in fluid communication with the airbags; and a supply of compressed gas positioned in fluid communication with the airbags.

Exemplary embodiments are directed to an apparatus for filling a central open space in a jar. The apparatus includes a base, an indexing station including a magazine, a blade, and a first actuator, a filling station including cartridges, and a second actuator. The magazine is rotatably mounted to the base. The platform of the cutting station is configured to receive a whole cucumber at a loading area and is incrementally indexed to reposition the whole cucumber from the loading area to a cutting area above the blade. The first actuator is configured to urge the whole cucumber through the blade and cut the whole cucumber into spears. The spears drop into and are held by one of the cartridges. The second actuator is configure to push at least one of the spears out from the cartridge into the central open space of the jar.

An apparatus and method are provided for efficient filling of bulk containers with free-flowing bulk materials. The apparatus is configured to support multiple industrial containers and fill them with bulk materials stored in a batching hopper in an effective and expedient manner. The filled bulk material containers are transported away for storage or use. The apparatus includes a rotatable multi-container support assembly for rotating the empty containers into a filling station under the batching hopper. A controller and data logger may be provided to control the apparatus and record the type, quantity and/or weight of each batch of the bulk material dispensed into the industrial containers.

Devices, systems, and methods for autonomously packing folded laundry articles into a container are described. A packing system includes a refillable cartridge, a queue conveyor having one or more folded laundry articles and stacks of folded laundry articles disposed thereon, at least one retractable conveyor loading end between the refillable cartridge and the queue conveyor for loading the folded laundry articles into the refillable cartridge, a driven lifter for selectively raising and lowering the into and out of the container, and a controller in operative configuration with processors and drives of all of the foregoing and one or more sensors detecting a fill height of the refillable cartridge. The refillable cartridge includes a removable receiving surface that moves from a closed position to an open position during loading of the folded laundry by the retractable conveyor and unloading of the folded laundry into the container.

A system, method, and apparatus comprise a funnel, at least one extendable arm affixed to the funnel, and at least one jam on an end of the at least one extendable arm wherein the jam is configured to hold the funnel in a container. The system, method and apparatus further comprise the funnel which cam comprises a collapsible funnel. Jaws can be formed on an end of the funnel. The embodiments include a scoop configured to measure and dispense a material. A spring can be configured in the at least one extendable arm.

A system, method, and apparatus comprise a funnel, at least one extendable arm affixed to the funnel, and at least one jam on an end of the at least one extendable arm wherein the jam is configured to hold the funnel in a container. The system, method and apparatus further comprise the funnel which cam comprises a collapsible funnel. Jaws can be formed on an end of the funnel. The embodiments include a scoop configured to measure and dispense a material. A spring can be configured in the at least one extendable arm.

A system for filling of big bags of various heights with material and a method for adjusting thereof, wherein a big bag is to be placed with its filling spout around an outer pipe and the bottom of the big bag rests on and underlying surface. The outer pipe is telescopically engaged to a feed pipe. The feed pipe is in sections extendible. The feed pipe is designed to fill a determined quantity of material in a vertical stream from an overlying dosage unit via the outer pipe and down into the big bag. The feed pipe at its upper connection includes at least one radial continous interface surface design to attach to another feed pipe's downward facing rim or to the underside of the dosage unit.