A system for (1) for filling of big bags (4) of various heights with material and a method for adjusting thereof, wherein a big bag (4) is to be placed with its filling spout (3) around an outer pipe (6) and the bottom (2) of the big bag (4) rests on an underlying surface (7). The outer pipe (6) is telescopically engaged to a feed pipe (5). The feed pipe (5) is in sections extendible. The feed pipe (5) is designed to fill a determined quantity of material in a vertical stream from an overlying dosage unit (8) via the outer pipe (6) and down into the big bag (4). The feed pipe (5) at its upper connection (5.3) includes at least one radial continuous interface surface design to attach to another feed pipe's (5.2) downward facing rim (5.6) or to the underside of the dosage unit (8.2).

Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags, including the following steps: a) an open-mouth bag is appended from beneath to a filling spout of a filling station by way of an at least partially upwardly motion, so that the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended; b) the filling process is started and bulk material is introduced into the open-mouth bag so that the freely suspended bottom end of the open-mouth bag unfolds; and c) the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported.

Apparatus and method for filling bulk materials into open-mouth bags, including the following steps: a) an open-mouth bag is appended from beneath to a filling spout of a filling station by way of an at least partially upwardly motion, so that the bottom end of the open-mouth bag is freely suspended; b) the filling process is started and bulk material is introduced into the open-mouth bag so that the freely suspended bottom end of the open-mouth bag unfolds; and c) the filling spout is lowered, so that the unfolded bottom end of the open-mouth bag is supported.

A cartridge processing system can have a base to support cartridges on an underlying support surface. The base can include a rack with support holes to support respective ones of the cartridges. In addition, a tray having a tray bottom can be removably placed on tops of the cartridges. A platform with platform holes can be substantially coaxially aligned with respective ones of the support holes. The tray can have a funnel extending from the platform. The funnel can form a perimeter around the platform holes, such that the platform holes can be conduits for product to be placed in the cartridges.

A cartridge processing system can have a base to support cartridges on an underlying support surface. The base can include a rack with support holes to support respective ones of the cartridges. In addition, a tray having a tray bottom can be removably placed on tops of the cartridges. A platform with platform holes can be substantially coaxially aligned with respective ones of the support holes. The tray can have a funnel extending from the platform. The funnel can form a perimeter around the platform holes, such that the platform holes can be conduits for product to be placed in the cartridges.

A tray sleeving system includes a robotic arm, an end-of-arm tool operably connected to the robotic arm and configured to selectively hold a sleeve blank, a conveyor system having a first sidewall proximate the robotic arm and a second sidewall distal from the robotic arm and separated from the first sidewall by a conveyor, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to cause the robotic arm to retrieve a sleeve blank with the end-of-arm tool; cause the robotic arm to push the sleeve blank against the second sidewall so as to cause the sleeve blank to transition from a flattened state to an open state; and cause the robotic arm to release the sleeve blank into a loading position on the conveyor.

A tray sleeving system includes a robotic arm, an end-of-arm tool operably connected to the robotic arm and configured to selectively hold a sleeve blank, a conveyor system having a first sidewall proximate the robotic arm and a second sidewall distal from the robotic arm and separated from the first sidewall by a conveyor, a processor, and a memory. The memory stores instructions for execution by the processor that, when executed, cause the processor to cause the robotic arm to retrieve a sleeve blank with the end-of-arm tool; cause the robotic arm to push the sleeve blank against the second sidewall so as to cause the sleeve blank to transition from a flattened state to an open state; and cause the robotic arm to release the sleeve blank into a loading position on the conveyor.

An apparatus for delivering a product into a container can include a filling unit, a drive unit configured to move the container with respect to the filling unit between a first position and a second position, and a controller. The filling unit can include a pump and a filling nozzle. The controller can: control delivery of the product through the filling nozzle; control the drive unit; register an operational end position of the drive unit corresponding to said second position; assign the registered operational position as a new initial position for the drive unit; calculate a new drive unit motion profile for controlling movement of the container from said second position to said first position based on said new initial position of the drive unit; and initiate delivery of the product through the filling nozzle into the container before the drive unit reaches said operational end position.

An apparatus for delivering a product into a container can include a filling unit, a drive unit configured to move the container with respect to the filling unit between a first position and a second position, and a controller. The filling unit can include a pump and a filling nozzle. The controller can: control delivery of the product through the filling nozzle; control the drive unit; register an operational end position of the drive unit corresponding to said second position; assign the registered operational position as a new initial position for the drive unit; calculate a new drive unit motion profile for controlling movement of the container from said second position to said first position based on said new initial position of the drive unit; and initiate delivery of the product through the filling nozzle into the container before the drive unit reaches said operational end position.

A mechanism for precisely filling containers such as plastic bags with cooked food to be frozen later is disclosed. The mechanism includes a base and a funnel. The base includes a planar portion for mounting upon a flat surface and a hollow sleeve unitary with and oriented transverse to the planar portion. The sleeve is hollow and is sized to contain a container such as a plastic bag. The funnel has an inlet portion into which cooked food is introduced, an outlet portion sized to be insertable into a container such as a plastic bag, and a flange unitary with the inlet and outlet portions. An inner surface of the inlet portion includes a fill line, for enabling the container to be precisely filled with cooked food.