A method and system for filling a flexible film bag attached to a face plate with a flowable composition is disclosed. The system includes a chamber for receiving the flexible film bag and a fill tube for dispensing the flowable composition into the flexible film bag, where the fill tube is at least partially disposed in the film bag. The system also includes a first pump in fluid communication with the chamber, where the first pump creates a vacuum between an exterior surface of the flexible film bag and an interior surface of the chamber, such that the flexible film bag expands from an unexpanded state to an expanded state.

A method and system for filling a flexible film bag attached to a face plate with a flowable composition is disclosed. The system includes a chamber for receiving the flexible film bag and a fill tube for dispensing the flowable composition into the flexible film bag, where the fill tube is at least partially disposed in the film bag. The system also includes a first pump in fluid communication with the chamber, where the first pump creates a vacuum between an exterior surface of the flexible film bag and an interior surface of the chamber, such that the flexible film bag expands from an unexpanded state to an expanded state.

In a compact system containers are circulated in fixtures. Containers are fed from a bulk hopper by a conveyor into a primary orienting mechanism and then into the loading mechanism which also serves as the final orienting mechanism. Once a fixture is filled with containers, it is indexed into the filling position. The process conveyor ultimately moves the fixtures to the opposite end of the conveyor where a transfer mechanism indexes the fixture through a cap applicator and cap sealer. Caps are fed from a bulk hopper by a conveyor into a primary orienting mechanism and then through a final orienting/escapement mechanism into an applicator chute. Once the caps are applied, the fixture is indexed into a transfer position for downstream processing. Once emptied of containers, the fixtures are indexed onto a return conveyor where they are transported back to the loading and filling end.

In a compact system containers are circulated in fixtures. Containers are fed from a bulk hopper by a conveyor into a primary orienting mechanism and then into the loading mechanism which also serves as the final orienting mechanism. Once a fixture is filled with containers, it is indexed into the filling position. The process conveyor ultimately moves the fixtures to the opposite end of the conveyor where a transfer mechanism indexes the fixture through a cap applicator and cap sealer. Caps are fed from a bulk hopper by a conveyor into a primary orienting mechanism and then through a final orienting/escapement mechanism into an applicator chute. Once the caps are applied, the fixture is indexed into a transfer position for downstream processing. Once emptied of containers, the fixtures are indexed onto a return conveyor where they are transported back to the loading and filling end.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for handling and manipulating packages in automated or semi-automated fashion and packages adapted for the same. The systems may include package-holding devices, package-manipulating devices, and package-detection components for locating packages or portions thereof in a three-dimensional space. The packages may include features that enable automated or semi-automated handling and manipulation thereof, such as different types of opening/closing mechanisms with different geometric structures that allow for holding, shifting, and manipulating the packages and/or portions thereof with the package-manipulating devices. The packages additionally or alternatively may include mechanical fasteners, magnets, and/or spring-biased opening/closing mechanisms for keeping the packages closed prior to manipulation thereof. Such packages and systems may be used in a logistics network to the increase speed, accuracy, and efficiency of processing packages having, at least in part, a non-fixed geometry.

A tube holder is disclosed for carrying a tube to multiple processing stations of a tube filling machine. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tube holder includes a body comprising a receptacle configured for retaining a tube. The tube includes a dispensing end and an opposite open end for filling a cavity therein with a product. A retractable tube shaping device is movably disposed in the tube holder. The shaping device is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the shaping device is in the extended position, the shaping device engages the tube proximate to the open end and removes ovality which might interfere with the tube filling operation. In various embodiments, the shaping device comprises a plurality of vertically retractable straightening elements that engage the sidewalls of the tube to ensure circularity of the open tube end.

A tube holder is disclosed for carrying a tube to multiple processing stations of a tube filling machine. In one non-limiting embodiment, the tube holder includes a body comprising a receptacle configured for retaining a tube. The tube includes a dispensing end and an opposite open end for filling a cavity therein with a product. A retractable tube shaping device is movably disposed in the tube holder. The shaping device is movable between an extended position and a retracted position. When the shaping device is in the extended position, the shaping device engages the tube proximate to the open end and removes ovality which might interfere with the tube filling operation. In various embodiments, the shaping device comprises a plurality of vertically retractable straightening elements that engage the sidewalls of the tube to ensure circularity of the open tube end.

Systems, methods, and apparatuses for handling and manipulating packages in automated or semi-automated fashion and packages adapted for the same. The systems may include package-holding devices, package-manipulating devices, and package-detection components for locating packages or portions thereof in a three-dimensional space. The packages may include features that enable automated or semi-automated handling and manipulation thereof, such as different types of opening/closing mechanisms with different geometric structures that allow for holding, shifting, and manipulating the packages and/or portions thereof with the package-manipulating devices. The packages additionally or alternatively may include mechanical fasteners, magnets, and/or spring-biased opening/closing mechanisms for keeping the packages closed prior to manipulation thereof. Such packages and systems may be used in a logistics network to the increase speed, accuracy, and efficiency of processing packages having, at least in part, a non-fixed geometry.

A cyclic packaging process, such as VFFS or HFFS, packages a product with a viscosity of ?100,000 centipoise without leaving substantial air pockets in the package, by utilizing a means (38) for restricting upstream flow of viscous product in the strand of tubing (24). The result is that packages of uniform weight of the viscous product can be made without substantial air pockets therein, and without having to use metal clips. An apparatus (10) for carrying out the process is disclosed.

A cyclic packaging process, such as VFFS or HFFS, packages a product with a viscosity of ?100,000 centipoise without leaving substantial air pockets in the package, by utilizing a means (38) for restricting upstream flow of viscous product in the strand of tubing (24). The result is that packages of uniform weight of the viscous product can be made without substantial air pockets therein, and without having to use metal clips. An apparatus (10) for carrying out the process is disclosed.