Various aspects of the subject disclosure relate to a compounder system having a cartridge that includes controllable fluid pathways. The cartridge may include a syringe pump for moving fluid and/or gas, and one or more syringe valves or rotary valves for controlling which of the controllable fluid pathways is open for flow of the fluid and/or gas.

A method for filling a pod is provided. A pod is provided and has a housing defining a plurality of serving chambers arranged in an annular array and surrounding a drive hub. Data is received that is indicative of a customized nutritional supplement for the pod to a controller of an automated filling station. The customized nutritional supplement is filled into at least one of the plurality of serving chambers of the pod via the automated filling station by controlling a plurality of hoppers of the filling station to dispense the customized supplement into the plurality of serving chambers of the pod. Each hopper contains a corresponding ingredient available for the customized supplement.

A method for filling a pod is provided. A pod is provided and has a housing defining a plurality of serving chambers arranged in an annular array and surrounding a drive hub. Data is received that is indicative of a customized nutritional supplement for the pod to a controller of an automated filling station. The customized nutritional supplement is filled into at least one of the plurality of serving chambers of the pod via the automated filling station by controlling a plurality of hoppers of the filling station to dispense the customized supplement into the plurality of serving chambers of the pod. Each hopper contains a corresponding ingredient available for the customized supplement.

An operating station for a machine for filling and capping cartridges for electronic cigarettes is arranged along a feeding path of a conveying fine of the machine and includes: an operating device having operative positions for operating on the cartridges arranged in series along a direction parallel to the feeding path; and a device for transferring cartridges, which includes a first and second series of pick-up members, each having a number of pick-up members corresponding to the number of operative positions, and which is actuatable according to a movement of rotation about a vertical axis, for selectively interchanging positions of the series of pick-up members, between a loading/unloading position at the conveying line, wherein the pick-up members pick up or release the cartridges and a working position at the operative positions of the operating device, wherein the pick-up members pick up or release the cartridges from/into the operative positions.

An operating station for a machine for filling and capping cartridges for electronic cigarettes is arranged along a feeding path of a conveying fine of the machine and includes: an operating device having operative positions for operating on the cartridges arranged in series along a direction parallel to the feeding path; and a device for transferring cartridges, which includes a first and second series of pick-up members, each having a number of pick-up members corresponding to the number of operative positions, and which is actuatable according to a movement of rotation about a vertical axis, for selectively interchanging positions of the series of pick-up members, between a loading/unloading position at the conveying line, wherein the pick-up members pick up or release the cartridges and a working position at the operative positions of the operating device, wherein the pick-up members pick up or release the cartridges from/into the operative positions.

In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The apparatus includes a fitting comprising an inlet configured to connect to the water supply and a bulkhead joining the at least three branch assemblies. Each branch assembly includes a tube and an automatically-sealing balloon with a neck disposed around and removably attached to the tube. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to each balloon of the balloon-filling apparatus. The method further includes detaching one or more of the balloons from the balloon-filling apparatus using a force comprising gravity each detached balloon and the water contained therein. Each detached balloon automatically seals upon detachment.

A method of providing a plurality of filled product bags of sterile fluid includes positioning a bag assembly onto a filling machine. The bag assembly includes a tube, a filter assembly, bladders, and stems. A stem is attached to a bladder, forms a fluid passageway, fluidly connects to the tube, and provides fluid communication into the bladders. The method includes fluidly coupling an inlet of the filter assembly to a connection line in fluid communication with a fluid source, and filling the bag assembly with a fluid. Filling the bag assembly includes passing the fluid through the filter assembly, the fluid passageway, and into the bladder. The method includes sealing the fluid passageway at a location between the tube and the bladders. The method includes cutting the stem to form a partially filled product bag having the sealed passageway. The method includes performing an integrity test on the filter assembly.

A method of providing a plurality of filled product bags of sterile fluid includes positioning a bag assembly onto a filling machine. The bag assembly includes a tube, a filter assembly, bladders, and stems. A stem is attached to a bladder, forms a fluid passageway, fluidly connects to the tube, and provides fluid communication into the bladders. The method includes fluidly coupling an inlet of the filter assembly to a connection line in fluid communication with a fluid source, and filling the bag assembly with a fluid. Filling the bag assembly includes passing the fluid through the filter assembly, the fluid passageway, and into the bladder. The method includes sealing the fluid passageway at a location between the tube and the bladders. The method includes cutting the stem to form a partially filled product bag having the sealed passageway. The method includes performing an integrity test on the filter assembly.

A weight filling machine suitable for filling containers with two or more products of different types is provided. In particular, a weight filling machine comprising a filling unit and a supply unit for one or more products of different final composition for the filling of containers, where said one or more products comprise the same base composition for all the products and one or more additives, which are different for each different final composition, characterized in that the supply unit comprises a tank for the base composition and a plurality of mixing units, one for each different product, each of the mixing units being connected by means of respective supply lines to the filling unit is provided.