A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.

An apparatus (100) for manufacturing pods (M) for beverage extraction machines is described, comprising: movement means to advance a belt (110) of waterproof material in a predetermined rectilinear direction (A), a plurality of forming plates (125) arranged below the belt and provided with at least one cavity (135), movement means to advance said forming plates in a synchronized manner with the belt, and a plurality of operational devices (165, 200, 300, 400, 500) arranged in succession along the belt; wherein said operational devices comprise for example one device for pressing down a portion of the belt into the cavity of the forming plate, a device for releasing a dose of a powder substance inside a cap (C1), a device for compacting the dose, a device for applying a second cap (C2), a device for sealing the second cap to the belt.

An apparatus (100) for manufacturing pods (M) for beverage extraction machines is described, comprising: movement means to advance a belt (110) of waterproof material in a predetermined rectilinear direction (A), a plurality of forming plates (125) arranged below the belt and provided with at least one cavity (135), movement means to advance said forming plates in a synchronized manner with the belt, and a plurality of operational devices (165, 200, 300, 400, 500) arranged in succession along the belt; wherein said operational devices comprise for example one device for pressing down a portion of the belt into the cavity of the forming plate, a device for releasing a dose of a powder substance inside a cap (C1), a device for compacting the dose, a device for applying a second cap (C2), a device for sealing the second cap to the belt.

An apparatus and method for compacting bulk material in an open container having a compacting device including a poker compactor, the poker compactor having an outer wall and being suitable to be inserted into an open container to cause the outer wall of the poker compactor to contact the bulk material and to degas and compact the bulk material in the open container. The outer wall of the poker compactor is at least partially formed by a gas-permeable, outer suction wall of a suction device and the poker compactor includes a vibration exciter to support degassing the bulk material by way of vibrating motion of the poker compactor generated by the vibration exciter. The vibration exciter is radially surrounded by a tube device and the suction wall surrounds the tube device.

An apparatus and method for compacting bulk material in an open container having a compacting device including a poker compactor, the poker compactor having an outer wall and being suitable to be inserted into an open container to cause the outer wall of the poker compactor to contact the bulk material and to degas and compact the bulk material in the open container. The outer wall of the poker compactor is at least partially formed by a gas-permeable, outer suction wall of a suction device and the poker compactor includes a vibration exciter to support degassing the bulk material by way of vibrating motion of the poker compactor generated by the vibration exciter. The vibration exciter is radially surrounded by a tube device and the suction wall surrounds the tube device.

The invention relates to a valve bag, in particular a cross-bottom valve bag, comprising a first wall and a second wall, which are joined to each other by means of side edges or side folds and by means of bottoms and which delimit a bag interior, comprising a valve, which is arranged in one of the bottoms and via which the bag interior can be filled with a filling material, and comprising venting openings in the first and/or in the second wall for venting the bag interior. At least one channel is provided on the outside of at least one wall, which channel covers the venting openings and is formed at least by two parallel fastening strips and by a cover strip, the cover strip likewise comprising venting openings, and wherein the shortest path between the parallel fastening strips along the cover strip is longer than the shortest path along the at least one wall or the cover strip, and/or the parallel fastening strips consist of stretchable material.

The invention relates to a plastic bag, in particular an FFS bag, comprising a first wall and a second wall, which are joined to each other by means of side edges or side folds and by means of bottoms and which bound a bag interior, wherein at least one bottom comprises a weld seam, which extends between the side edges and touches the side edges, and venting openings in the first and/or in the second wall for venting the bag interior, characterized in that at least one channel is provided on the outside of at least one wall, which channel covers the venting openings and is formed by at least two parallel fastening strips and by a cover strip, wherein the cover strip likewise comprises venting openings and wherein the shortest path between the parallel fastening strips along the cover strip is longer than the shortest path along the at least one wall between the parallel fastening strips or the cover strip and/or the parallel fastening strips consist of stretchable material.

The invention relates to a plastic bag, in particular an FFS bag, comprising a first wall and a second wall, which are joined to each other by means of side edges or side folds and by means of bottoms and which bound a bag interior, wherein at least one bottom comprises a weld seam, which extends between the side edges and touches the side edges, and venting openings in the first and/or in the second wall for venting the bag interior, characterized in that at least one channel is provided on the outside of at least one wall, which channel covers the venting openings and is formed by at least two parallel fastening strips and by a cover strip, wherein the cover strip likewise comprises venting openings and wherein the shortest path between the parallel fastening strips along the cover strip is longer than the shortest path along the at least one wall between the parallel fastening strips or the cover strip and/or the parallel fastening strips consist of stretchable material.

Apparatus and method for filling bulk goods into empty open bags (3) comprising at least one weighing unit (7) and at least one filling station (11-18) and a bag receiving unit (10) disposed thereat, wherein a bag (3) received by the bag receiving unit (10) is filled. The bag receiving unit (10) is configured as a receiving box (30) having a receiving space (31) to receive a bag (3). The receiving box (30) is provided with a suction aperture (34) to temporarily receive in the receiving box (30) the empty bag (3) intended for receiving in a form-fit at least in sections. The receiving box (30) comprises suction apertures (34) in a lower region (31a) and in at least one region (31b, 31c) above that which are controlled differently.

Apparatus and method for filling bulk goods into empty open bags (3) comprising at least one weighing unit (7) and at least one filling station (11-18) and a bag receiving unit (10) disposed thereat, wherein a bag (3) received by the bag receiving unit (10) is filled. The bag receiving unit (10) is configured as a receiving box (30) having a receiving space (31) to receive a bag (3). The receiving box (30) is provided with a suction aperture (34) to temporarily receive in the receiving box (30) the empty bag (3) intended for receiving in a form-fit at least in sections. The receiving box (30) comprises suction apertures (34) in a lower region (31a) and in at least one region (31b, 31c) above that which are controlled differently.