In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A machine for making capsules containing powder product including a plurality of processing stations configured for performing respective processes for making capsules and movement means configured for conveying said capsules along a processing path extending through the plurality of processing stations. The movement means include a transfer drum and a plurality of units each designed to receive at least one capsule body. Moreover, each unit is coupled to a lateral surface of the transfer drum and is configured to rotate relative to the lateral surface about a respective orientation axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the transfer drum.

A machine for making capsules containing powder product including a plurality of processing stations configured for performing respective processes for making capsules and movement means configured for conveying said capsules along a processing path extending through the plurality of processing stations. The movement means include a transfer drum and a plurality of units each designed to receive at least one capsule body. Moreover, each unit is coupled to a lateral surface of the transfer drum and is configured to rotate relative to the lateral surface about a respective orientation axis parallel to an axis of rotation of the transfer drum.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A system and a method for gently loading, transporting and unloading frangible products using totes is provided. The system includes a loading station at a first location, an unloading station at a second location and a plurality of totes for use in storing the frangible products for transportation from the first location to the second location. The totes include an interior space that is upwardly curved for gently receiving the frangible products therein as they are laterally discharged off of a lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor. Two or more totes can be sequentially loaded along the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor using backpressure caused by accumulation of frangible product along the edge of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor to redirect incoming frangible products towards a downstream section of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor.

A system and a method for gently loading, transporting and unloading frangible products using totes is provided. The system includes a loading station at a first location, an unloading station at a second location and a plurality of totes for use in storing the frangible products for transportation from the first location to the second location. The totes include an interior space that is upwardly curved for gently receiving the frangible products therein as they are laterally discharged off of a lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor. Two or more totes can be sequentially loaded along the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor using backpressure caused by accumulation of frangible product along the edge of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor to redirect incoming frangible products towards a downstream section of the lateral discharge portion of the reciprocating conveyor.

A sterilization unit for sterilizing a product can include a body having an internal volume for receiving the product to be sterilized, and comprising at least one opening through which product can be introduced and/or withdrawn from the internal volume; a gas inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume for introducing one or more of an inert gas and a sterilizing gas into the internal volume during sterilization; a screen disposed in the gas inlet through which the one or more of the inert gas and the sterilizing gas must pass before entering into the internal volume; and a pressure release valve. The body can be capable of being pressurized to a pressure of 10 atm or more.

A sterilization unit for sterilizing a product can include a body having an internal volume for receiving the product to be sterilized, and comprising at least one opening through which product can be introduced and/or withdrawn from the internal volume; a gas inlet in fluid communication with the internal volume for introducing one or more of an inert gas and a sterilizing gas into the internal volume during sterilization; a screen disposed in the gas inlet through which the one or more of the inert gas and the sterilizing gas must pass before entering into the internal volume; and a pressure release valve. The body can be capable of being pressurized to a pressure of 10 atm or more.

There is provided a method and apparatus for filling at least one but typically a plurality of containers simultaneously with a predetermined quantity of flowable particulate or powder material. The method and apparatus allow the movement of the flowable particulate or powder material from a hopper into a filling assembly including channels located intermediate the containers and the hopper such that the exit ends of the channels are aligned with a respective container. Movement means cause relative movement between the said channels and the containers from a first position to a second position in which a second, exit, opening in the channels is located in a respective container cavity and moving flowable material from the hopper into a first, entrance opening of the channels so as to allow the predetermined quantity of the flowable material to pass through the channel under the influence of gravity and into the container cavity and then moving the channels and containers apart once the predetermined amount of flowable material has been entered into the containers. The size and shape and/or relative movement of the channels can be defined in order to accurately determine the said predetermined quantity of the flowable particulate or powder material which enters each of the containers even when the weight of the flowable particulate or powder material is relative light.

There is provided a method and apparatus for filling at least one but typically a plurality of containers simultaneously with a predetermined quantity of flowable particulate or powder material. The method and apparatus allow the movement of the flowable particulate or powder material from a hopper into a filling assembly including channels located intermediate the containers and the hopper such that the exit ends of the channels are aligned with a respective container. Movement means cause relative movement between the said channels and the containers from a first position to a second position in which a second, exit, opening in the channels is located in a respective container cavity and moving flowable material from the hopper into a first, entrance opening of the channels so as to allow the predetermined quantity of the flowable material to pass through the channel under the influence of gravity and into the container cavity and then moving the channels and containers apart once the predetermined amount of flowable material has been entered into the containers. The size and shape and/or relative movement of the channels can be defined in order to accurately determine the said predetermined quantity of the flowable particulate or powder material which enters each of the containers even when the weight of the flowable particulate or powder material is relative light.