A dropping device, system and filling method. The dropping device includes a feeding port provided on an upper side of a dropping chute and configured to receive an object to be dropped; a first side wall extending from an edge of the feeding port in a direction deviated from a vertical direction by a first angle; and a second side wall disposed opposite to the first side wall and extending from an edge of the feeding port in a direction deviated from the vertical direction by a second angle. The second angle being greater than the first angle. A discharging port is provided on a lower side of the dropping device and configured to discharge the object.

Disclosed are a hopper, method and system comprising the hopper for separating slack from a mixture of product and slack, the hopper comprising a first gate that is moveable between respective open and closed positions; and a slack removal body the first gate and the slack removal body being arranged such that, when the first gate is in its closed position, they define a first product receiving volume therebetween wherein the slack removal body comprises a first internal chamber for receiving slack and a first filter wall that separates the first internal chamber from the first product receiving volume, the first filter wall being configured to prevent the passage of product therethrough, but to allow the passage of slack therethrough wherein the first gate is configured such that: when the first gate is in its open position a first path is provided for product to exit the first product receiving volume and when the first gate is in its closed position the first path is closed and product may be retained in the first product receiving volume and wherein the slack removal body is configured to remain substantially stationary as the first gate is moved between its respective open and closed positions.

An apparatus for counting and unloading pharmaceutical articles comprising an accumulation chamber. The accumulation chamber has an unloading mouth. A closing element of the unloading mouth is movable between a first closed and second open positions. The closing element comprises first and second abutment surfaces arranged at an angle to one another, in such a way that with the closing element positioned in the first closed position, the first abutment surface is inclined with respect to a first internal wall of the accumulation chamber defining a first accumulation volume for a first group of pharmaceutical articles between the first abutment surface and the first internal wall. The second abutment surface is inclined and with a second angle with respect to a second internal wall of the accumulation chamber defining a second accumulation volume for a second group of pharmaceutical articles between the second abutment surface and the second internal wall.

A method for filling bags with bulk products includes providing a quantity of product for filling a bag, dispensing the quantity of product through a connection duct towards a filling station provided with designed to fill a bag with the product, and filling the bag with the quantity of product in the filling station. The quantity of product is intercepted and retained inside the connection duct, before arrival and filling at the filling station and is deaerated. The deaeration of the product is achieved at two separate steps. A filling apparatus and a bagging machine are configured to implement the filling method.

Disclosed are a hopper, method and system comprising the hopper for separating slack from a mixture of product and slack, the hopper comprising a first gate that is moveable between respective open and closed positions; and a slack removal body the first gate and the slack removal body being arranged such that, when the first gate is in its closed position, they define a first product receiving volume therebetween wherein the slack removal body comprises a first internal chamber for receiving slack and a first filter wall that separates the first internal chamber from the first product receiving volume, the first filter wall being configured to prevent the passage of product therethrough, but to allow the passage of slack therethrough wherein the first gate is configured such that: when the first gate is in its open position a first path is provided for product to exit the first product receiving volume and when the first gate is in its closed position the first path is closed and product may be retained in the first product receiving volume and wherein the slack removal body is configured to remain substantially stationary as the first gate is moved between its respective open and closed positions.

The present disclosure generally relates to a system and method to pack and convey fresh produce, in particular, for flow packing produce with an aerated packaging material into package bundles of produce prior to sealing thereof for handling and delivery.

A powder supply apparatus including a container store for storing powder therein, a supply passage for supplying powder to the container, and a valve mechanism that opens and closes the supply passage. The valve mechanism includes a valve main body movable between a first and second position, and a valve seat configured so that the valve main body is seated thereon. The valve main body includes first and second seal portions. The valve seat includes first and second seat portions on which the first and second seal portions are seated, respectively. The valve mechanism defines a space sealingly closed when the first and second seal portions are seated on the first and second seat portions, respectively. The valve mechanism includes an exhaust passage that exhausts gas from the sealingly closed space and a pressure monitoring passage that monitors pressure in the sealingly closed space.