A lid pick and place system having a primary magazine assembly and a pick and place assembly. The primary magazine assembly includes a base plate and at least one guide rod extending therefrom to define an elongated lid chamber with at least one lid bore. Rotation of the at least one guide rod within the at least one guide rod bore directs at least a portion of a lower offset flange beyond a lid bore perimeter and into a path of the elongated lid chamber. The pick and place assembly includes a connecting rod with a suction cup. A linear movement assembly is structurally configured to move the connecting rod linearly closer and further from the lower surface of the base plate. A rotative movement assembly structurally configured to rotate the connecting rod relative to the lower surface of the base plate.

A lid pick and place system having a primary magazine assembly and a pick and place assembly. The primary magazine assembly includes a base plate and at least one guide rod extending therefrom to define an elongated lid chamber with at least one lid bore. Rotation of the at least one guide rod within the at least one guide rod bore directs at least a portion of a lower offset flange beyond a lid bore perimeter and into a path of the elongated lid chamber. The pick and place assembly includes a connecting rod with a suction cup. A linear movement assembly is structurally configured to move the connecting rod linearly closer and further from the lower surface of the base plate. A rotative movement assembly structurally configured to rotate the connecting rod relative to the lower surface of the base plate.

The present invention provides an apparatus for receiving and processing containers by conducting a plurality of processing steps, the apparatus comprising a plurality of processing stations, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a processing step is conducted at each processing station, wherein the plurality of processing stations comprises an infeed station for receiving the containers; a filling station for filling the containers with a product; and an output station for dispensing the filled containers; wherein the apparatus is configured to move the containers through the plurality of processing stations in a rotary manner about a substantially horizontal central axis.

The present invention provides an apparatus for receiving and processing containers by conducting a plurality of processing steps, the apparatus comprising a plurality of processing stations, wherein the apparatus is configured such that a processing step is conducted at each processing station, wherein the plurality of processing stations comprises an infeed station for receiving the containers; a filling station for filling the containers with a product; and an output station for dispensing the filled containers; wherein the apparatus is configured to move the containers through the plurality of processing stations in a rotary manner about a substantially horizontal central axis.

A system for end-folding a wrapping onto a stack of bags includes a folding machine having a first folding station and a second folding station. The first folding station configured to receive the stack of bags with the wrapping partially covering the stack of bags and defining wrapping flaps, and is further configured to end-fold one or more of the wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags while leaving other flaps unfolded. The second folding station is downstream from the first folding station is configured to receive the stack of bags from the first folding station and further end-fold unfolded wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags.

A system for end-folding a wrapping onto a stack of bags includes a folding machine having a first folding station and a second folding station. The first folding station configured to receive the stack of bags with the wrapping partially covering the stack of bags and defining wrapping flaps, and is further configured to end-fold one or more of the wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags while leaving other flaps unfolded. The second folding station is downstream from the first folding station is configured to receive the stack of bags from the first folding station and further end-fold unfolded wrapping flaps of the wrapping onto the stack of bags.

Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.

Systems and methods for measuring tobacco for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to continuously communicate a vacuum to the measuring cavity. The measuring system is configured to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is configured to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas that overcomes the vacuum when the tube is in the second position.

An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation

An orientation module including a base configured to support at least one container, a camera positioned to scan the at least one container, a processor operatively connected to the camera configured to analyze an initial orientation of the container and determine a secondary orientation of the container, and a turning member positioned above the base configured to turn the corresponding container according to a command from the processor to rotate the container to the secondary orientation