There is provided a lifting apparatus (16) comprising a lifting frame (16a) configured to be mechanically coupled to a packaging machine (12), and configured to couple with a feed device (14), wherein the lifting frame (16a) is configured to translate, raise and lower the feed device (14) relative to the packaging machine (12), and a packaging system comprising a packaging machine (12) with said lifting apparatus (16) wherein said packaging machine (12) is configured to detachably couple to a feed device (14), wherein the mass of the packaging machine (12) acts to counterbalance at least a portion of the mass of the feed device (14) whilst the feed device (14) is being translated, raised or lowered relative to the packaging machine (12). There is further provided methods of operating said packaging system for installing to and removing from the packaging machine (12) the feed device (14).

A tubular bag machine having a longitudinal sealing element having two transverse sealing jaws which are moveable against each other to transversely seal a film tube, having a mechanism which moves the transverse sealing jaws, a filling device for filling the unsealed tubular bags with a filling material, a separating element for separating individual filled tubular bags, a dosing device disposed upstream of the filling device, and a transfer element having several transfer containers between the filling device of the tubular bag machine and the dosing device. The filling material is transferred from the dosing device to the transfer containers, and the transfer containers are transported to a dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material is transferred to the filling device, and the transfer containers are transported back along a return transfer line.

A tubular bag machine having a longitudinal sealing element having two transverse sealing jaws which are moveable against each other to transversely seal a film tube, having a mechanism which moves the transverse sealing jaws, a filling device for filling the unsealed tubular bags with a filling material, a separating element for separating individual filled tubular bags, a dosing device disposed upstream of the filling device, and a transfer element having several transfer containers between the filling device of the tubular bag machine and the dosing device. The filling material is transferred from the dosing device to the transfer containers, and the transfer containers are transported to a dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material is transferred to the filling device, and the transfer containers are transported back along a return transfer line.

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 apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

A system for beverage cartridge preparation allows users to self-select, self-fill, and self-seal single use beverage cartridges for convenience. A frame assembly supports a cartridge handling system and a cartridge filling system. The cartridge filling system includes a fillable container and a portion dispensing system. The cartridge handling system includes a movement guide system moving the beverage cartridges, a sealing system for sealing the beverage cartridges after filling, and a motion system for actuating the cartridge handling system, the portion dispensing system, and the sealing system. The movement system includes mobility relative to operative members of the filling and handling systems and one or more single use beverage cartridges. Adaptive cartridge shapes and components are provided to fit a particular preparation system.

A system for beverage cartridge preparation allows users to self-select, self-fill, and self-seal single use beverage cartridges for convenience. A frame assembly supports a cartridge handling system and a cartridge filling system. The cartridge filling system includes a fillable container and a portion dispensing system. The cartridge handling system includes a movement guide system moving the beverage cartridges, a sealing system for sealing the beverage cartridges after filling, and a motion system for actuating the cartridge handling system, the portion dispensing system, and the sealing system. The movement system includes mobility relative to operative members of the filling and handling systems and one or more single use beverage cartridges. Adaptive cartridge shapes and components are provided to fit a particular preparation system.

An apparatus includes a fixed assembly and a reciprocating assembly. The fixed assembly includes a hopper, a first gas manifold, and a dispensing chamber, and the reciprocating assembly includes a channel assembly defining a channel conduit, a shield plate vertically aligned therewith, and a second gas manifold. The reciprocating assembly may move, in relation to the fixed assembly, to a first position to enable the channel conduit to be filled with bulk compressible material from the hopper, a second position to enable compressible material to be pushed from the channel conduit to the dispensing conduit and to be compressed in the dispensing chamber according to a first gas directed through the channel conduit by the first gas manifold, and a third position to enable the compressed material to be pushed out of the dispensing conduit according to a second gas directed through the dispensing conduit by the second gas manifold.