Apparatuses and methods for filling bags are provided. Some apparatuses include a shovel and an elongate lever arm that may be arranged in a bagging or pivoting orientation, a storage orientation, and a shovel orientation. In the bagging orientation, the elongate lever arm may be rotatably coupled to the shovel. In the storage orientation, the apparatus may be configured for compact storage. In the shovel orientation, the elongate lever arm may extend proximally from the shovel to function as an extension of the shovel arm.

An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

An automated packaging station is capable of being used to package objects. The automated packaging station includes a supply of web material, a surface (202), an aperture (206) therein, and a closing system. The automated packaging station is configured to form the web material into a pouch. The aperture (206) is configured such that an object can be inserted therethrough. The automated packaging station is configured to bias open the pouch beneath the surface such that the object inserted through the aperture falls into the pouch. The closing system is configured to close the pouch to form a package around the object in response to the object being inserted through the aperture. The object is capable of being shipped to a recipient in the package.

A wrap replacing apparatus according to the embodiments includes: an insertion port into which a medical device wrapped in a first bag is inserted; a peeler configured to peel off the first bag from the medical device inserted into the insertion port; a wrapper configured to wrap in a second bag the medical device from which the first bag is peeled off; and a take-out port from which the medical device wrapped in the second bag is taken out.

A wrap replacing apparatus according to the embodiments includes: an insertion port into which a medical device wrapped in a first bag is inserted; a peeler configured to peel off the first bag from the medical device inserted into the insertion port; a wrapper configured to wrap in a second bag the medical device from which the first bag is peeled off; and a take-out port from which the medical device wrapped in the second bag is taken out.

A sandbag filling system includes a support frame, a driving unit, a conveyor unit, and a hopper chute. The support frame includes a feed gate and an adjustable mount and is configured to receive a material and guide the material to a conveyor belt. The driving unit is arranged in the support frame and includes a motor connected to a drive shaft. The conveyor unit is arranged in the support frame as well and includes a conveyor belt configured to be moved by the driving unit. The hopper chute is arranged below the feed gate of the support frame and located proximal to the conveyor belt.

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 bread slicer comprising a loading compartment (6) adjacent to the front side (2) which is connected to a receiving compartment (7) situated near the rear side (3) of the bread slicer, an access opening (8) for placing a loaf of bread (16) to be sliced in the loading compartment (6) by a user who is positioned in front of the front side (2), a cutting member to cut slices off the bread (16) as it is moved between said compartments (6,7), a support surface (9) for the bread (16) extending in said compartments (6,7)

The support surface (9) is inclined at an angle (α) between 25° and 70° with respect to a horizontal line.

A method includes separating a portion of a flattened tube of stock packing material to a custom length to form a pouch pre-form and closing a first end of the pouch pre-form leaving a second end of the pouch pre-form open. The method can include placing product into the pouch pre-form and closing the one open end of the pouch pre-form to form a closed pouch containing the product.

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.