A packaging system for filling bulk materials into packages, including a filling unit with a filling box, and a filling box for a filling unit of a packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, including an upwardly opened takeup space for a package, wherein the takeup space is laterally enclosed by side walls. A partial vacuum device is provided, which is disposed in a corner portion between the side walls. The method for filling packages provides for a package to be guided to the takeup space of such a filling box of a filling unit of a packaging system. The partial vacuum device is then activated for aspirating a flexible wall of a package into the corner portion between the side walls of the takeup space of the filling box.

A packaging system for filling bulk materials into packages, including a filling unit with a filling box, and a filling box for a filling unit of a packaging machine for filling bulk materials into packages, including an upwardly opened takeup space for a package, wherein the takeup space is laterally enclosed by side walls. A partial vacuum device is provided, which is disposed in a corner portion between the side walls. The method for filling packages provides for a package to be guided to the takeup space of such a filling box of a filling unit of a packaging system. The partial vacuum device is then activated for aspirating a flexible wall of a package into the corner portion between the side walls of the takeup space of the filling box.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.

The present disclosure is directed to single use beverage dispensing containers or pods that are used to make beverages from materials that may have limited solubility. Beverage pods of the present disclosure may be made to break open along a bottom surface of the pod when the pod is placed into a beverage making machine. When the beverage pod capsule comes into contact with a piercing element of a beverage making machine, thinner or embossed parts of the beverage pod may be stressed and crack open forming a breakaway opening that exceeds the diameter of a hole in the beverage machine's piercing element. A flow of liquid provided to a top of the beverage pod would mix with a beverage making material and the liquid and the material could escape the pod through the breakaway opening in the beverage pod.

In one example, a process for manufacture of a pulp-based dispensing capsule is disclosed. The process includes providing one or more mesh tool sets that are each contoured to one or more preform shapes of the dispensing capsule. Note that each preform shape is a partially shaped version of a final form shape of the pulp-based dispensing capsule. The process also includes providing a holding tank containing a suspension that includes water and pulp fibres; and arranging the mesh tool sets to allow immersion into and withdrawal of the mesh tool sets from the suspension. The process also includes applying a vacuum to the mesh tool sets so as to draw pulp fibres from the suspension onto the mesh tool sets while immersed in the suspension to form a preform pulp fibre mat; and in a second toolset, deforming each preform shape in the preform pulp fibre mat towards the final form shape by the application of pressure.

In one example, a process for manufacture of a pulp-based dispensing capsule is disclosed. The process includes providing one or more mesh tool sets that are each contoured to one or more preform shapes of the dispensing capsule. Note that each preform shape is a partially shaped version of a final form shape of the pulp-based dispensing capsule. The process also includes providing a holding tank containing a suspension that includes water and pulp fibres; and arranging the mesh tool sets to allow immersion into and withdrawal of the mesh tool sets from the suspension. The process also includes applying a vacuum to the mesh tool sets so as to draw pulp fibres from the suspension onto the mesh tool sets while immersed in the suspension to form a preform pulp fibre mat; and in a second toolset, deforming each preform shape in the preform pulp fibre mat towards the final form shape by the application of pressure.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.