A system and method for closing and sealing a cone is provided. One embodiment extends a first closing head in a first downward slant onto an open top of the cone filled with the smokable material to form a first fold on the top of the cone; extends a sealing head downward onto the first fold; extends a second closing head in a second downward slant onto the open top of the cone to form a second fold on the top of the cone; extends the sealing head downward onto the first fold and the second fold; extends a third closing head in a third downward slant onto the open top of the cone to form a third fold on the top of the cone; and extends the sealing head downward onto the first fold, the second fold, and the third fold.

A dosing device for feeding an infusion product includes: a tower for containing loose infusion product, tubular channels for feeding and discharging the product, first containers for receiving the product from the channels; each channel actuated by an actuation device for releasing a quantity of product; a fixed platform supporting the first containers, a plurality of elements for weighing the product in the containers and supported by the platform; a control unit in communication with each actuating device and with each weighing element, to detect the value measured by each element and actuate the corresponding channel until reaching the quantity of product. Reference elements are independent of the weighing elements are associated with the platform each supporting a weight of predetermined value; each reference element is in communication with the control unit to transmit a signal equivalent to the measured value of the reference weight by the reference element.

A dosing device for feeding an infusion product includes: a tower for containing loose infusion product, tubular channels for feeding and discharging the product, first containers for receiving the product from the channels; each channel actuated by an actuation device for releasing a quantity of product; a fixed platform supporting the first containers, a plurality of elements for weighing the product in the containers and supported by the platform; a control unit in communication with each actuating device and with each weighing element, to detect the value measured by each element and actuate the corresponding channel until reaching the quantity of product. Reference elements are independent of the weighing elements are associated with the platform each supporting a weight of predetermined value; each reference element is in communication with the control unit to transmit a signal equivalent to the measured value of the reference weight by the reference element.

A transfer element for being arranged between a dosing device and the filling device of a tubular bag machine, the dosing device allowing for the dosing of a prespecified filling quantity of the filling material to be filled into a tubular bag, and the transfer element comprising at least one input station, at least one dispensing station and several transfer containers, and a prespecified filling quantity of a filling material being transferable from the dosing device to the transfer containers in the input station, and the transfer containers being transported to the dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material being transferable from the transfer containers to the filling device in the dispensing station, and the transfer containers being transported back to the input station along a return transfer line, the transfer element being controlled by a transfer control system, the transfer control system controlling the transfer process for transferring the filling material from a transfer container to the filling device of the tubular bag machine in the dispensing station a) in accordance with the position of the transfer container relative to the filling device and/or b) in accordance with the speed of the transfer container.

A transfer element for being arranged between a dosing device and the filling device of a tubular bag machine, the dosing device allowing for the dosing of a prespecified filling quantity of the filling material to be filled into a tubular bag, and the transfer element comprising at least one input station, at least one dispensing station and several transfer containers, and a prespecified filling quantity of a filling material being transferable from the dosing device to the transfer containers in the input station, and the transfer containers being transported to the dispensing station along a transfer line, and the filling material being transferable from the transfer containers to the filling device in the dispensing station, and the transfer containers being transported back to the input station along a return transfer line, the transfer element being controlled by a transfer control system, the transfer control system controlling the transfer process for transferring the filling material from a transfer container to the filling device of the tubular bag machine in the dispensing station a) in accordance with the position of the transfer container relative to the filling device and/or b) in accordance with the speed of the transfer container.

The disclosure relates to a metering apparatus for free-flowing material and to a method for operating such a metering apparatus. The metering apparatus has a metering duct having a closed cross section and further has a rotary drive (M). The metering duct is wound in the form of a screw with a vertical longitudinal axis. The free-flowing material is fed to the metering duct. The metering duct is set via the rotary drive (M) in an oscillating rotary motion about its longitudinal axis with individual rotary strokes, wherein, with each rotary stroke, a partial quantity of the free-flowing material falls out of a lower discharge opening of the metering duct.

A dispensing system comprises a main base with a hopper insertion hole. An upper base, fixed above the main base by spacers, comprises a stirrer insertion hole. A lower base, below the main base, has a hopper insertion hole with an aperture larger than a diameter of a hopper, and is coupled to the main base by a guide. A rotatable hopper, disposed in the insertion hole of the main base, comprises a bottom surface with metering holes. A stirrer, inside the hopper and fixed to the upper base, feeds material into the metering holes. A gate, on a bottom surface of the lower base, comprises a bottom surface with a dispensing hole. The gate diameter is greater than the hopper. A gate spring, between the bottom of the main base and an upper surface of the lower base, is mounted parallel to a sliding motion of the lower base. A vibration device agitates the assembly on the main base.

A dispensing system comprises a main base with a hopper insertion hole. An upper base, fixed above the main base by spacers, comprises a stirrer insertion hole. A lower base, below the main base, has a hopper insertion hole with an aperture larger than a diameter of a hopper, and is coupled to the main base by a guide. A rotatable hopper, disposed in the insertion hole of the main base, comprises a bottom surface with metering holes. A stirrer, inside the hopper and fixed to the upper base, feeds material into the metering holes. A gate, on a bottom surface of the lower base, comprises a bottom surface with a dispensing hole. The gate diameter is greater than the hopper. A gate spring, between the bottom of the main base and an upper surface of the lower base, is mounted parallel to a sliding motion of the lower base. A vibration device agitates the assembly on the main base.

An apparatus for filling sandbags includes a hollow housing tube, an auger, and a motor. The hollow housing tube includes an intake end, a curved central portion, and a discharge end. The hollow housing tube includes a discharge chute at the discharge end. The auger includes a shaft and flightings. The auger is at least partially disposed within the hollow housing tube. The auger includes a first end connected to a motor at the discharge end of hollow housing tube and a second end connected to a sand screw auger bit at the intake end of the housing tube. The auger includes a plurality of connected auger sections. A portion of the plurality of connected auger sections is disposed in the curved central portion of the hollow housing tube and is flexibly connected. The motor is operable to transmit rotational torque through an entire length of the auger.

An apparatus for filling sandbags includes a hollow housing tube, an auger, and a motor. The hollow housing tube includes an intake end, a curved central portion, and a discharge end. The hollow housing tube includes a discharge chute at the discharge end. The auger includes a shaft and flightings. The auger is at least partially disposed within the hollow housing tube. The auger includes a first end connected to a motor at the discharge end of hollow housing tube and a second end connected to a sand screw auger bit at the intake end of the housing tube. The auger includes a plurality of connected auger sections. A portion of the plurality of connected auger sections is disposed in the curved central portion of the hollow housing tube and is flexibly connected. The motor is operable to transmit rotational torque through an entire length of the auger.