An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

An apparatus for dispensing and packaging dosed quantities of solid drug portions is provided. The apparatus includes multiple dosing stations, each dosing station having an output opening for dispensing solid drug portions, a collector for collecting dosed quantities of solid drug portions dispensed by the dosing stations and forwarding the dosed quantities of solid drug portions to a packager, and multiple fall ducts configured to guide the solid drug portions from the output openings to the collector, each fall duct having an outlet and a number of inlet openings, the output openings of the dosing stations being aligned with the inlet openings of the fall ducts when a fall duct is positioned adjacent to a column of dosing stations. Each fall duct includes a first part and a second part detachably connected together.

A method of manufacturing a comestible includes providing a comestible mass, forming said comestible mass into a comestible structure having a desired shape using a forming station, and applying a packaging material to a surface of said comestible structure while said comestible structure remains in contact with a portion of said forming station.

A method of manufacturing a comestible includes providing a comestible mass, forming said comestible mass into a comestible structure having a desired shape using a forming station, and applying a packaging material to a surface of said comestible structure while said comestible structure remains in contact with a portion of said forming station.

A packaging apparatus and method is provided. The packaging apparatus comprises: a support platform for supporting packaging containers positioned thereon; and a packaging container positioning apparatus for positioning packaging containers on the support platform. The packaging container positioning apparatus comprises: one or more rails that each form a path for conveying devices; a plurality of individually controllable conveying devices comprising at least a first conveying device and a second conveying device, each conveying device mounted on a rail for moving along the path; and a control system configured to control the conveying devices. The control system is configured to control each conveying device to engage: a packaging container, move along the path in a first conveying direction, and release the packaging container, to position the packaging container on the support platform.

A packaging apparatus and method is provided. The packaging apparatus comprises: a support platform for supporting packaging containers positioned thereon; and a packaging container positioning apparatus for positioning packaging containers on the support platform. The packaging container positioning apparatus comprises: one or more rails that each form a path for conveying devices; a plurality of individually controllable conveying devices comprising at least a first conveying device and a second conveying device, each conveying device mounted on a rail for moving along the path; and a control system configured to control the conveying devices. The control system is configured to control each conveying device to engage: a packaging container, move along the path in a first conveying direction, and release the packaging container, to position the packaging container on the support platform.

Implementations of the present invention extend to sanitary systems, methods, and devices configured to package food items with an even coating of an accurate amount of sanitizing agent, such as an antimicrobial agent. In one implementation, an exemplary system comprises a combination of air nozzles, anti-bacterial spray nozzles or spray headers, metering valves, and timers to achieve uniform distribution of an antimicrobial solution into a product package, and subsequently provide a uniform distribution of the antimicrobial solution to the food item.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be processed from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for redistribution on the conveying system, and a movement redistribution system for redistributing the certain selected objects on the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

A processing system including a singulation system is disclosed. The singulation system includes a conveying system for moving objects to be processed from a source area along a first direction, a detection system for detecting objects at the conveying system, and for selecting certain selected objects for redistribution on the conveying system, and a movement redistribution system for redistributing the certain selected objects on the conveying system for providing a singulated stream of objects.

Modular apparatus for filling and closing articles, in particular containers, which are randomly fed and transported via a transport system. The apparatus including a filling station; a closing station for closing the filled articles; an extraction system for transporting the filled and closed articles; first pick and place devices for picking up and positioning the articles; second pick and place devices for picking up and positioning the closing elements; a detection system for detecting the position and/or the arrangement of the articles and closing elements; a processing and control unit; grippers configured to hold an article in the filling station, to displace a filled article from the filling station into the closing station, to hold the article in the closing position during application of a closing element, and to displace a filled and closed article from the closing station into a position and/or orientation for extraction on the extraction plane.