A stabilizing upper tray for stabilizing cartridges during automated filling operations includes fill ports matching cartridge support locations in a lower support tray. Each fill port includes a bore, a circular recess to engage the upper rim of a cartridge, and an inwardly tapered needle-engaging surface adapted to be engaged by a fluid injection needle; a counterbore extends between the bore and the circular recess. As the upper tray is lowered over the cartridges, the enlarged recess of each fill port engages a corresponding cartridge and guides it into a vertical orientation within the counterbore. During filling operations, a mis-aligned fluid injection needle engages the inwardly tapered needle-engaging surface of the stabilizing upper tray and is guided through the fill port toward the cartridge. A method is also disclosed to form such a stabilizing upper tray through conversion of a conventional lower support tray.

A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.

A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.

The present invention relates to a device comprising a cassette (1) having an opening (2) in an axial direction of the cassette (1) and a support surface (3) transverse to the axial direction and extending around the opening (2) of the cassette (1), the cassette (1) being capable of receiving a cup in the opening with a outwardly extending flange of the cup supported by the support surface (3), and a supporting plate (4) having an opening in a normal direction of the supporting plate (4), wherein the cassette (1) comprises a resilient or flexible material, and a slot in which a part of the supporting plate (4) is received in close contact without cavities.

The present invention relates to a device comprising a cassette (1) having an opening (2) in an axial direction of the cassette (1) and a support surface (3) transverse to the axial direction and extending around the opening (2) of the cassette (1), the cassette (1) being capable of receiving a cup in the opening with a outwardly extending flange of the cup supported by the support surface (3), and a supporting plate (4) having an opening in a normal direction of the supporting plate (4), wherein the cassette (1) comprises a resilient or flexible material, and a slot in which a part of the supporting plate (4) is received in close contact without cavities.

A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

A method is described of filling and/or sealing a packaging container. The packaging container can include a packaging laminate and having a top portion and a lower portion including one or more side walls and an open base. The method can include: supporting the packaging container with the open base uppermost on a support with an upstanding portion, wherein the support engages the top portion of the packaging container and engages part of the one or more side walls via the upstanding portion of the support; and filling the packaging container via its open base and/or sealing the open base of the packaging container, wherein the support ensures dimensional stability of the packaging container during the filling and/or sealing step. A related apparatus, support and packaging container are also described.

A method is described of filling and/or sealing a packaging container. The packaging container can include a packaging laminate and having a top portion and a lower portion including one or more side walls and an open base. The method can include: supporting the packaging container with the open base uppermost on a support with an upstanding portion, wherein the support engages the top portion of the packaging container and engages part of the one or more side walls via the upstanding portion of the support; and filling the packaging container via its open base and/or sealing the open base of the packaging container, wherein the support ensures dimensional stability of the packaging container during the filling and/or sealing step. A related apparatus, support and packaging container are also described.

A makeup foundation filling machine includes: container supplying means for supplying at least one container in which a puff is contained to a fixed position on a stage; elevating means having a flow pipe which is elevated above the container arranged at the fixed position by the container supplying means and pressing and transforming the puff in a state where the flow pipe gets in contact with the puff during a lowering action of the flow pipe; and foundation supplying means for supplying foundation of a fixed volume to the puff through the inside of the flow pipe in the state where the flow pipe directly gets in contact with the puff pressed and transformed while the flow pipe lowers by the elevating means.

A makeup foundation filling machine includes: container supplying means for supplying at least one container in which a puff is contained to a fixed position on a stage; elevating means having a flow pipe which is elevated above the container arranged at the fixed position by the container supplying means and pressing and transforming the puff in a state where the flow pipe gets in contact with the puff during a lowering action of the flow pipe; and foundation supplying means for supplying foundation of a fixed volume to the puff through the inside of the flow pipe in the state where the flow pipe directly gets in contact with the puff pressed and transformed while the flow pipe lowers by the elevating means.