Apparatus and method for processing open-mouth bags comprising a handling device for exchanging open-mouth bags with a rotary packaging machine. The handling device comprises a rotating device that circulates around a rotation axis of the handling device and is provided with two gripping arms for gripping the open-mouth bags. The two gripping arms are disposed for separate, longitudinal movement transverse to the rotation axis of the rotating device to enable longitudinal movement of the gripping arms relative to the rotating device in addition to the circulating motion around the handling device.

A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

A sand bag shovel having an elongated rod connected to a connecting member and the connecting member attached to a scoop. The scoop has a pair of sidewalls and a front wall with tapered panels that form a peak. A funnel is used with the scoop that has a flange that extends outwardly from a top opening.

A table top appliance rapidly fills a pouch through some mechanical actuation or automation by inserting the pouch into the appliance and the machine fills the pouch. One embodiment of the food pouch filling station may be a mechanical version that includes a method to pump or push the contents of the container into the pouch. A second embodiment of the food pouch filling station may be an electric pump version that fills pouches and may have the option of controlling the amount of food dispensed. The food pouch filling station may also include a valve that connects to the pouch to control the flow to the pouch.

A table top appliance rapidly fills a pouch through some mechanical actuation or automation by inserting the pouch into the appliance and the machine fills the pouch. One embodiment of the food pouch filling station may be a mechanical version that includes a method to pump or push the contents of the container into the pouch. A second embodiment of the food pouch filling station may be an electric pump version that fills pouches and may have the option of controlling the amount of food dispensed. The food pouch filling station may also include a valve that connects to the pouch to control the flow to the pouch.

A device for packaging elongated items such as firewood pieces is described herein. The device includes: an elevated structure having an upper platform for receiving the elongated items from a separate conveyor; a diverter located on or above the platform for changing the direction of movement of the elongated items; and one or more elevator shafts having open bottoms. The elevator shafts are located adjacent to the platform and configured for receiving the elongated items after contact with the diverter and for holding the elongated items on support structures while a stack of elongated items is formed. The release of the stack of elongated items from the elevator shafts occurs via the open bottoms of the elevator shafts.

A material bag includes a bag body and a sleeve on the bag body. A periphery of an opening of the sleeve is provided with a plurality of flexible tabs. An interval is defined between every two of the tabs. The tabs are separated from each other by the interval and connected to the periphery of the opening of the sleeve, so they can be independently flipped to form force-bearing faces to be clamped by a clamping device. When the folded material bag is used for powder/particle material packaging, the clamping device will act on the tabs for clamping the sleeve of the material bag. The clamping device can complete the transfer of the material bag and the connection between the sleeve of the material bag and a filling cylinder.

A clamping and conveying device for a material bag filling system is provided. Through displacement of X-axis rails and a Z-axis rail and rotation of rotating arms, grippers can be rotated and inserted into a filling tube portion of a material bag. Cantilevers can be moved away from each other for the filling tube portion to be stretched. Through the rotation and return of the rotating arms, the displacement of the cantilevers and the clamping action of the grippers, the filling tube portion is clamped stably. The cantilevers are displaced to the bottom of the material filling device by the Z-axis rail and the X-axis rails. The filling tube of the material filling device is displaced to enter the material bag for blowing air and filling the material. Through a conveyor belt, the material bag with the filled material is conveyed to a sealing device for sealing.

A device for packaging elongated items that includes an upper platform for receiving the elongated items from a separate conveyor; a diverter mounted above the platform and two opposed elevator shafts having open bottoms. The elevator shafts are arranged laterally outward from outer edges of the platform and extend downward from the platform and are configured for receiving the elongated items after contact with the diverter and configured for holding the elongated items while a stack of elongated items is formed. The elevator shafts are provided with one or more support structures configured to hold the stack of elongated items as the stack is formed and to release the stack of elongated items from the device after the stack is formed, with the release of the stack of elongated items from the elevator shafts occurring via the open bottoms of the elevator shafts.

Disclosed are methods, systems, canisters, and other implementations, including a method of filling a filter canister with a particulate filter material to a desired packing density comprises providing a canister having a fill opening through which the particulate filter material is introduced into the canister, introducing the particulate filter material through the fill opening, and subjecting the canister to centrifugal forces for a time until the desired packing density is reached is provided.