A filling apparatus for filling containers, and a method of operation, are disclosed, whereby a plurality of container carriers are movable along an upper container guideway of the apparatus. Notably, a pair of servo drives in the form of linear actuators act generally in opposition to each other, at opposites ends to the container carriers movable along the container guideway, to accurately index and position the container carriers with respect to associated filling equipment. Servo-driven transfer wheels, positioned at respective opposite ends of the upper container guideway, effect movement of the containers to and from a return conveyor positioned beneath the upper container guideway, whereby the container carriers are moved from the downstream end of the filling region back to the upstream end thereof.

A filling apparatus for filling containers, and a method of operation, are disclosed, whereby a plurality of container carriers are movable along an upper container guideway of the apparatus. Notably, a pair of servo drives in the form of linear actuators act generally in opposition to each other, at opposites ends to the container carriers movable along the container guideway, to accurately index and position the container carriers with respect to associated filling equipment. Servo-driven transfer wheels, positioned at respective opposite ends of the upper container guideway, effect movement of the containers to and from a return conveyor positioned beneath the upper container guideway, whereby the container carriers are moved from the downstream end of the filling region back to the upstream end thereof.

A box packing device includes a push-in mechanism, a retention mechanism, a guide, and a control unit. The push-in mechanism pushes, into a box that is in a state in which an opening thereof faces sideways, the article through the opening. The retention mechanism retains the box that is in a state in which the opening faces sideways and lowers the box after the article have been pushed into the box by the push-in mechanism. The guide opposes the opening and is configured to prevent the article from falling out from the opening of the box that has been lowered by the retention mechanism. The control unit temporarily increases the distance between the box and the guide after the article have been pushed into the box by the push-in mechanism.

A method of manufacturing a spouted pouch aseptically filled with contents includes a supplying process, a sterilizing process, a stopper opening process, a filling process, a tightly re-stopping process, and a capping process. The sterilizing process, the stopper opening process, the filling process, and the tightly re-stopping process are performed in an aseptic chamber.

A method of manufacturing a spouted pouch aseptically filled with contents includes a supplying process, a sterilizing process, a stopper opening process, a filling process, a tightly re-stopping process, and a capping process. The sterilizing process, the stopper opening process, the filling process, and the tightly re-stopping process are performed in an aseptic chamber.

Apparatus for performing operations on semi-finished devices for producing disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes includes: a guide having a branch extending along a forming direction, and having a longitudinal plane; carriages movable along the guide, each guide includes a retaining element to retain a semi-finished device during operations thereon; a drive system for advancing the carriages along the guide; and operating stations spaced from each other along the forming direction, each having an operating arrangement for performing operations on the semi-finished devices carried by the retaining elements applying stresses on the semi-finished devices; wherein: the retaining element is arranged laterally relative to the longitudinal plane, the apparatus includes a stationary support located at the operating stations, and each of the carriages includes a contrast element cooperating with the stationary support and arranged to transfer stresses applied by the operating arrangement on the semi-finished devices to the stationary support.

A pack including at least one single-use capsule or pod for a portioned beverage which has two opposite bases, and a side wall connecting the two bases defining therewith a chamber for containing an aromatic substance; the pack has a sealed container for containing the capsule or pod housed in a protective inert gas atmosphere; more specifically the sealed container copies at least in part the shape of the capsule or pod.

A pack including at least one single-use capsule or pod for a portioned beverage which has two opposite bases, and a side wall connecting the two bases defining therewith a chamber for containing an aromatic substance; the pack has a sealed container for containing the capsule or pod housed in a protective inert gas atmosphere; more specifically the sealed container copies at least in part the shape of the capsule or pod.

A machine for filling cartridges for aerosol-generating devices includes a feed line, which supplies cartridges to be filled with their corresponding ends facing upwards, a filling station, which receives the cartridges and has at least one dispensing nozzle which is mobile along a path of forward stroke and is pre-arranged for dispensing a product, first inspection means for inspecting the cartridge ends in order to identify, for each one, a position of the corresponding open area; and an orientation station, which receives the cartridges that have been inspected and includes orientation means for rotating each cartridge about its own longitudinal axis based on the corresponding identified position, and bringing the open area into a pre-set reference position for enabling entry of the dispensing nozzle into the open area when the dispensing nozzle is driven along the path of forward stroke.

A machine for filling cartridges for aerosol-generating devices includes a feed line, which supplies cartridges to be filled with their corresponding ends facing upwards, a filling station, which receives the cartridges and has at least one dispensing nozzle which is mobile along a path of forward stroke and is pre-arranged for dispensing a product, first inspection means for inspecting the cartridge ends in order to identify, for each one, a position of the corresponding open area; and an orientation station, which receives the cartridges that have been inspected and includes orientation means for rotating each cartridge about its own longitudinal axis based on the corresponding identified position, and bringing the open area into a pre-set reference position for enabling entry of the dispensing nozzle into the open area when the dispensing nozzle is driven along the path of forward stroke.