A standardized shipping tray is disclosed for use in an order fulfillment system. The standardized shipping tray includes a bottom panel that includes raised portions that assist to inhibit rolling on an object within along the bottom panel, and at least two flexible side panels that are adapted to fold inward under a force of a wrapping.

A method is provided for packaging live clams in a container. The method includes harvesting the live clams from sea water having a first temperature. The method further includes placing the live clams in a tank of sea water having a second temperature that is less than the first temperature. The method further includes drying, with a blowing device, an outside surface of the live clams after removing the live clams from the tank. The method further includes placing a number of the live clams in the container after the drying step. The method further includes applying a vacuum seal along a top of the container and over the live clams in the container.

An apparatus and method for filling a container with fragile fruit involving submerging the container in water to better distribute the fragile fruit within the container. The container may be filled with fragile fruit either before or after being submerged in water. The fragile fruit may be transported using a stream of water or other suitable fluid medium.

A package for holding pharmaceutical containers on a filling line includes: a transport and packaging container having a plurality of connected sidewalls, a base, an upper edge opposite the base, and a step defining a step height that is constant relative to the upper edge and less than an overall height defined between the upper edge and the base; and a holder placed in the transport and packaging container and having a plurality of holder openings formed therein. The holder is supported on the step and configured to hold a container in each of the holder openings so the held containers are suspended within the transport and packaging container. The step height is constant and independent of at least one of a shape, a type, or a size of each of the held containers.

A product tray (20) comprising a product pusher (10), wherein the product pusher (10) is formed from a length of elastically stretchable fabric or material arranged to wrap behind and to the sides of products (22) contained within the tray (20) to apply a resilient bias force to the rear surface of those products (22) contained within the tray (20).

Methods are provided for storing and preserving comestible finfish material, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, comestible finfish material is placed in a product containing space of a storage container atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the comestible finfish material. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the comestible finfish material to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

Packing for the spaced packing of elongated bar-like or rod-like articles, in particular of rods (16) that are stored in a packing sleeve (1) that is open on at least one end while maintaining a mutual radial separation between them, wherein on the opening (5) of the packing sleeve (1) a multi-part lattice support (10) consisting of at least one lattice-like top part (7) and at least one lattice-like bottom part (8) that is detachably connected with it can be placed, that the rods (16) with their base-side ends extend through the aligned lattice openings (14a, 14b) of the top and bottom part (7, 8) and the at least one bottom part (8) is detachably connected with the top part (7) and can slide in the interior of the packing sleeve.

Methods are provided for storing and preserving comestible mollusk material, preferably so as to extend shelf life of the same. In one optional method, comestible mollusk material is placed in a product containing space of a storage container atop a platform of a support structure. The storage container includes an internal compartment having the product containing space. The support structure defines the platform for supporting the comestible mollusk material. The internal compartment further includes a reservoir, configured to retain liquid, below the platform. The platform and/or support structure are configured to direct liquid exuded from the comestible mollusk material to the reservoir. Optionally, the reservoir comprises an absorbent material for absorbing liquid in the reservoir.

A system for transferring a group of components of electronic cigarettes from a first to a second operating station includes a conveyor extends from a feeding zone to a disengagement zone and has a plurality of seats. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them into the seats at a first mutual distance. A disengaging and transferring device operates to disengage the components from their seats and transfer the components to a collecting zone. A compacting device operates in the collecting zone to move the components closer together and place them at a second mutual distance that is smaller than the first mutual distance. A tray faces and receives from the collecting zone the group of components which have been placed close together. A pushing device pushes the components from the collecting zone into the tray. A movement device transfers the tray to the second operating station.

A system for transferring a first group of components of electronic cigarettes from first to second operating stations includes a flat collecting surface extending from a feeding zone to a releasing zone. A feeding device receives the components and feeds them onto the collecting surface. A first abutment element abuts the first component of the first group. A second abutment element abuts the last component of the first group. A compacting and stabilizing device moves the components closer together and stabilizes their positions. A first movement device moves the first and second abutment elements along the collecting surface to transfer the first group to the releasing zone. A tray faces the releasing zone to receive the first group. A pushing device pushes the components from the releasing zone into the tray. A transferring device transfers the tray with the first group towards the second operating station.