Described is a unit for filling containing elements (2) of single-use capsules (3) for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising: a line (4) for transport of containing elements (2) designed to contain a dose (33) of product; a station (SR) for filling the containing elements (2) comprising: at least a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33); a substation (ST1) for forming a dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1); at least a second containing seat (S2) designed to receive the dose (33) from the first containing seat (S1); a substation (ST2) for transferring the dose (33) from the first containing seat (S1) to the second containing seat (S2); devices (7) for moving the first containing seat (S1) between the forming substation (ST1) and the transfer substation (ST2) and vice versa; a substation (ST3) for releasing the dose (33) from the second containing seat (S2) to a containing element (2); further devices (8) for moving the second containing seat (S2) between the transfer substation (ST2) and the release substation (ST3) and vice versa.

Machine and method for producing a substantially cylindrical article, which comprises a tubular body, a container element, arranged in the area of one end of the tubular element, a heat generating element, partially housed inside the container element, and loose material for generating flavour; in use, the loose material is inserted into the container element, vertically oriented, and the heat generating element is partially inserted into the container element by being moved downwards, so as to obtain a combined element; subsequently, the combined element is at least partially inserted into the tubular body.

A pipette for volumetrically metering powder includes an outer metering casing enclosing a metering chamber. The metering casing defines a free end of the pipette whereat the metering casing forms an opening. The metering chamber has an opposite end lying opposite to the free end of the pipette and the opposite end of the metering chamber is delimited by an air-permeable retaining element. The retaining element is configured as a flexible filter defining a plane and having a back side facing away from the metering chamber. An air-permeable support core supports the filter at the back side thereof and is rigid transversely to the plane of the filter.

A pipette for volumetrically metering powder includes an outer metering casing enclosing a metering chamber. The metering casing defines a free end of the pipette whereat the metering casing forms an opening. The metering chamber has an opposite end lying opposite to the free end of the pipette and the opposite end of the metering chamber is delimited by an air-permeable retaining element. The retaining element is configured as a flexible filter defining a plane and having a back side facing away from the metering chamber. An air-permeable support core supports the filter at the back side thereof and is rigid transversely to the plane of the filter.

Described is a unit for filling containing elements (2) of single-use capsules (3) with a dose (33) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising: a line (4) for transporting containing elements (2); a station (SR) for filling the containing elements (2) with a dose (33) of product which comprises: at least a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) provided with a device (6) for releasing a predetermined quantity of product defining the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1), the release device (6) comprising a hopper (38) and at least one rotary element (40a) having a helical profile which extends between a first end and a second end, configured to rotate about a respective axis (X4) of rotation; a drive and control unit (15) configured to drive the rotary element (40a) according to a speed of rotation variable as a function of an angular position of the first end of the rotary unit (40a).

A filling unit for filling containing elements (2) of single-use capsules (3) with a dose (33) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising:a line (4) for transporting the containing elements (2);a station (SR) for filling the containing elements (2) with a dose (33) of product comprising at least a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1) equipped with a device (6) for releasing a predetermined quantity of product defining the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1), the release device (6) comprising: a hopper (38) for feeding product; at least one rotary element (40a; 40b) having a plurality of blades (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60E, 60F); and a filling chamber (61) positioned below the rotary element (40a; 40b), the rotary element (40a; 40b) being configured to create a feeding flow of product from the feed hopper (38) towards the filling chamber (61).

An apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco includes a dosing assembly and a dosing air source. The dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material. The dosing assembly also includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. The dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing chamber to the discharge opening. A method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air.

An apparatus for accurately dosing moist smokeless tobacco includes a dosing assembly and a dosing air source. The dosing assembly defines a loading chamber and a dosing chamber for containing a quantity of moist smokeless tobacco material. The dosing assembly also includes a discharge opening communicating with the dosing chamber. The dosing air source communicates with the dosing chamber and is operable to deliver compressed air to the dosing assembly so as to move moist smokeless tobacco material from the dosing chamber to the discharge opening. A method of pouching moist smokeless tobacco includes placing a predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco in a dosing chamber having a predetermined volume, and ejecting the predetermined quantity of moist smokeless tobacco to pouching apparatus using compressed air.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for filling orders with used container. A system for filling orders comprises an order database storing a plurality of orders, a used container database storing dimensions of a plurality of used containers, and a control circuit coupled to the order database and the used container database. The control circuit being configured to: determine a container requirement of an order in the order database based on dimensions of products in the order, determine whether an available used container in the used container database meets the container requirement of the order, in an event that an used container meets the container requirement of the order, assign the used container to the order, and in an event that no available used container meets the container requirement of the order, select a new container for the order.

An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.