The invention relates to a tubular-bag machine and to a method for continuous or intermittent production of tubular-bag packages (02) which are filled with a product (03) in a tubular-bag machine (01) of this kind, the tubular-bag machine (01) comprising a screw-type metering device (10) in which a metering screw (OS) can be driven to rotate relative to a metering tube (06) for metering the product (03), and a compactor (07) by means of which the product (03) can be compacted by applying a vacuum and sucking out gas being provided ahead of, behind or within the metering tube (06), the compactor (07) comprising a suction bushing which is permeable to gas through fine pores and which extends coaxially with the metering tube (06), and at least part of the die suction bushing being surrounded by a vacuum chamber. By applying a vacuum, the pores of the suction bushing can be cleaned.

The invention relates to a tubular-bag machine and to a method for continuous or intermittent production of tubular-bag packages (02) which are filled with a product (03) in a tubular-bag machine (01) of this kind, the tubular-bag machine (01) comprising a screw-type metering device (10) in which a metering screw (OS) can be driven to rotate relative to a metering tube (06) for metering the product (03), and a compactor (07) by means of which the product (03) can be compacted by applying a vacuum and sucking out gas being provided ahead of, behind or within the metering tube (06), the compactor (07) comprising a suction bushing which is permeable to gas through fine pores and which extends coaxially with the metering tube (06), and at least part of the die suction bushing being surrounded by a vacuum chamber. By applying a vacuum, the pores of the suction bushing can be cleaned.

Filling apparatus (10) and method for automatically filling containers (100) for smoking articles with an incoherent material (M) of a smokable type. The apparatus (10) comprises delivery devices (22) comprising metering means (40, 41) configured to deliver a determinate quantity of incoherent material in each container (100). Each delivery device (22) comprises a funnel-shaped conveying member (52) which is configured to be made to vibrate during the delivery of the incoherent material (M) so as to prevent the incoherent material (M) which has been delivered by said metering means (40, 41) from accidentally remaining inside the conveying member (52).

Filling apparatus (10) and method for automatically filling containers (100) for smoking articles with an incoherent material (M) of a smokable type. The apparatus (10) comprises delivery devices (22) comprising metering means (40, 41) configured to deliver a determinate quantity of incoherent material in each container (100). Each delivery device (22) comprises a funnel-shaped conveying member (52) which is configured to be made to vibrate during the delivery of the incoherent material (M) so as to prevent the incoherent material (M) which has been delivered by said metering means (40, 41) from accidentally remaining inside the conveying member (52).

Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a predetermined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

A dosing apparatus for dosing a product in powder and/or granule form within containers includes a hopper (2) provided with an internal cavity (3) to contain the product, a dosing screw (4) rotatable about, and extending along, a rotation axis (X) inside the hopper and through the internal cavity, and a first driving shaft (5) arranged to rotate the dosing screw; the dosing apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling system (10) to removably connect a first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) to the first driving shaft (5), arranged externally to the hopper (2); the magnetic coupling system includes groups of magnets (21, 22, 23, 24) adapted to magnetically transmit a driving torque from the first driving shaft (5) to the dosing screw (4) and to reversibly fasten, longitudinally along the rotation axis (X), the dosing screw (4) to the first driving shaft (5); the first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) is arranged inside the hopper (2) and the first driving shaft (5) is hermetically separated from the first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) by means of a separation element (8) that is integral with the hopper (2).

A dosing apparatus for dosing a product in powder and/or granule form within containers includes a hopper (2) provided with an internal cavity (3) to contain the product, a dosing screw (4) rotatable about, and extending along, a rotation axis (X) inside the hopper and through the internal cavity, and a first driving shaft (5) arranged to rotate the dosing screw; the dosing apparatus also includes a magnetic coupling system (10) to removably connect a first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) to the first driving shaft (5), arranged externally to the hopper (2); the magnetic coupling system includes groups of magnets (21, 22, 23, 24) adapted to magnetically transmit a driving torque from the first driving shaft (5) to the dosing screw (4) and to reversibly fasten, longitudinally along the rotation axis (X), the dosing screw (4) to the first driving shaft (5); the first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) is arranged inside the hopper (2) and the first driving shaft (5) is hermetically separated from the first end (6) of the dosing screw (4) by means of a separation element (8) that is integral with the hopper (2).

Systems and methods for manufacturing and inserting a pre-determined number of material-filled pouches into containers are disclosed. A system includes a pouch providing system comprising a plurality of lanes, wherein each one of the plurality of lanes includes a pouch making machine and a hold-back structure. The system also includes a conveyor system structured and arranged to move a plurality of containers into alignment with the plurality of lanes. The system further includes a controller structured and arranged to control the hold-back structure in each one of the plurality of lanes such that the pre-determined pouches are inserted into the plurality of containers when the plurality of containers are aligned with the plurality of lanes.

Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.

Apparatuses and methods for tamping the contents of a container are disclosed. An embodiment of an apparatus includes a tamp head for tamping the contents of the container; and a container support assembly structured and arranged to temporarily support the bottom surface of the container during tamping, the container support assembly comprising a support element having a protrusion extending upward from a substantially flat and horizontal upper surface, wherein the protrusion is sized and shaped to correspond to the size and shape of the bottom surface of the container.