The present invention relates to a lollipop production and down-stream processing apparatus (1) with a forming unit (2) and a down-stream processing unit (4) and a transfer wheel (3) in between the units (2,4) which rotates around a first axis (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6) which releasably hold the stick of the lollipop and which rotate relative to the transfer wheel (3) around a second axis of rotation (27) parallel to the first axis of rotation (26). The present invention further relates to a method to transfer a lollipop from a forming unit (2) to a down-stream processing unit (4) by means of a transfer wheel (3) which rotates around an axis of rotation (26) and which comprises a multitude of grippers (6), each gripping the stick of a lollipop and taking it out of the holding means of the forming unit (2) and handing it over to the holding means of a down-stream processing unit (4).

A packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged and related method. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the collector deposits the product collected from the pick-up area.

A packaging device for packaging products in batches, during which the products travel along a conveying direction in order to be packaged and related method. The batches include at least two products, arranged transversely to the conveying direction. The device includes a feeder for receiving products travelling in single file through an upstream pick-up area and conveying same to a set-down area for later packaging. The feeder includes: in the pick-up area, a transfer unit for transferring products arriving in single file to the unit; and at least one position-controlled movable collector for receiving and then moving at least one product in a controlled manner from the transfer unit to the set-down area. The device also includes a conveyor in the set-down area, on which the collector deposits the product collected from the pick-up area.

An ammunition packaging apparatus and system is reconfigurable to package a select caliber of ammunition by changing a set of components to those associated with the selected caliber of ammunition and selecting the corresponding operating procedure. An ammunition collating and packaging apparatus can be quickly reconfigured from packaging a first caliber of ammunition to packaging a second caliber of ammunition by quickly replacing a define set of components and modifying operationally timings to correspond to the selected caliber.

An ammunition packaging apparatus and system is reconfigurable to package a select caliber of ammunition by changing a set of components to those associated with the selected caliber of ammunition and selecting the corresponding operating procedure. An ammunition collating and packaging apparatus can be quickly reconfigured from packaging a first caliber of ammunition to packaging a second caliber of ammunition by quickly replacing a define set of components and modifying operationally timings to correspond to the selected caliber.

A guide member including: an upper main body that is positioned so as to enclose the filling valve and so as to be movable in a vertical direction relative to the filling port; and a lower main body that is positioned so as to enclose the upper main body and is configured to be slidable on the surface of the upper main body. The lower main body is provided with an abutting portion that protrudes inward relative to the inner surface of the lower main body and that is configured to abut against at least an opening portion of the container mounted on the container supporting unit, and the guide member is configured to allow the container to be lifted while keeping the abutting portion abutted against the opening portion, thereby guiding the opening portion to an appropriate position relative to the filling port.

A guide member including: an upper main body that is positioned so as to enclose the filling valve and so as to be movable in a vertical direction relative to the filling port; and a lower main body that is positioned so as to enclose the upper main body and is configured to be slidable on the surface of the upper main body. The lower main body is provided with an abutting portion that protrudes inward relative to the inner surface of the lower main body and that is configured to abut against at least an opening portion of the container mounted on the container supporting unit, and the guide member is configured to allow the container to be lifted while keeping the abutting portion abutted against the opening portion, thereby guiding the opening portion to an appropriate position relative to the filling port.

An automated method and system for stacking and loading wrapped or unwrapped facemasks into a carton in a facemask production line includes conveying individual wrapped facemasks in a continuous stream to a stacking location. At the stacking location, the facemasks are deposited into a vertical accumulator such that the facemasks are stacked in the accumulator. Upon reaching a predetermined fill level of facemasks in the accumulator, a bottom retainer in the accumulator is opened such that the stacked facemasks drop into a carton placed below the accumulator. Upon opening the bottom retainer, a mid-level retainer is actuated in the accumulator that captures facemasks that continue to be deposited into the accumulator at an intermediate height above the bottom retainer. The bottom retainer is closed after the stacked facemasks drop into the carton, and the mid-level retainer is then opened such that the facemasks captured by the mid-level retainer drop onto the bottom retainer.

An automated method and system for stacking and loading wrapped or unwrapped facemasks into a carton in a facemask production line includes conveying individual wrapped facemasks in a continuous stream to a stacking location. At the stacking location, the facemasks are deposited into a vertical accumulator such that the facemasks are stacked in the accumulator. Upon reaching a predetermined fill level of facemasks in the accumulator, a bottom retainer in the accumulator is opened such that the stacked facemasks drop into a carton placed below the accumulator. Upon opening the bottom retainer, a mid-level retainer is actuated in the accumulator that captures facemasks that continue to be deposited into the accumulator at an intermediate height above the bottom retainer. The bottom retainer is closed after the stacked facemasks drop into the carton, and the mid-level retainer is then opened such that the facemasks captured by the mid-level retainer drop onto the bottom retainer.

A component conveyance disk of a taping apparatus has a plurality of component transport units at an equiangular interval. Each component transport unit is formed of three component transport grooves in a peripheral portion of the component conveyance disk. Width direction centerlines of the respective component transport grooves are parallel to each other, with a portion thereof in a direction along the width direction centerlines opening toward a component storage chamber. Dimensions along the width direction centerlines of the opened portion of the respective component transport grooves are shorter than a length of the component. In addition, the respective component transport grooves have component guides that guide the components into the respective component transport grooves.