Disclosed are various embodiments or a robotic gripper. A mechanical gripper is affixed to an end effector of the robotic arm. A mount is also affixed to the mechanical gripper. An air nozzle may be affixed to the mount. The air nozzle can include an egress directed towards the mechanical gripper.

A device for the vacuum storage and vacuum transport of dry or wet grain under anaerobic conditions is provided, comprising: an enclosure sealed to all types of gas having at least one filling element, the filling element, when in the open position, allowing the enclosure to be filled with grains and, when in the closed position, further allowing the enclosure to be tightly sealed, and at least one non-return air valve allowing gaseous fluid transfer by the suction of air through the valve only from the inside of the enclosure to the outside of the enclosure. The device further comprises a handling arrangement associated with the enclosure and comprising a transport bag suitable for receiving the sealed enclosure and having straps that form loops that can be gripped directly by a user or by lifting equipment.

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

An apparatus includes a product metering device, first and second container preparation systems, and a controller. The product metering device is configured to dispense a product. The first and second container preparation systems are configured to dispense first and second containers, respectively, for receiving the product from the product metering device. The first and second container preparation systems include first and second severed container material transporting devices, respectively, operable to transport the first and second containers, respectively, from the first and second container preparation systems, respectively, to the product metering device. The controller simultaneously controls (i) one of the first container preparation system and the second container preparation system to prepare one of the first container and the second container, and (ii) the product metering device to dispense the product into the other of the first container and the second container.

An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.

An exemplary web of preformed bags includes first and second layers, first and second side, first and second side seals proximate the first and second edges, a plurality of transverse seals extending between the first and second side edges, an opening in the first layer, and a line of separation in the second layer, and first and second cuts in the first and second side seals. The first and second cuts are configured to reduce or eliminate a breaking force necessary to break the first and second side seals when the web is torn along the line of separation.

A filling machine for filling flexible pouch type packages, comprising a transport unit (6) arranged for intermittent, edgewise advancement of the packages (2) from an upstream station (ST1) to a downstream station (ST3) via a filling station (ST2). The transport unit (6) is movable in a reciprocating manner between a first end position A and a second end position B. The transport unit (6) comprises a first gripping member (10) arranged to retrieve packages (2) in a non-filled state from the upstream station (ST1) and to deliver the packages (2) to the filling station (ST2). The transport unit (6) comprises a second gripping member (11) arranged to retrieve packages (2) in a filled state from the filling station (ST2) to deliver the packages (2) to the downstream station (ST3). The transport unit (6) comprises a suction cup member (13) arranged for opening-up of the filling channel (5) of the packages (2) state retrieved by the first gripping member (10) while the transport unit (6) is moved from the first end position A to the second end position (B). The suction cup member (13) comprises for each package (2) retrieved by the first gripping member (10) a pair of oppositely arranged suction cups (27) which are movably arranged in order to engage and separate side wall sections defining the filling channel (5) of the associated package (2).

An apparatus and method for forming and filling spout film bags which are transferred by a transfer wheel including blowing nozzles, to a filler arranged downstream of the transfer wheel. A blowing nozzle can be placed on the spout upper edge of the spout of a spout film bag and then a defined pressure pulse can be introduced into the interior of the spout film bag through the spout by the blowing nozzle to form the spout film bag. The apparatus can include a transfer wheel having a plurality of receiving stations and blowing nozzles assigned to the receiving stations, the blowing nozzles being able to be placed on the spout upper edges of the spouts in order to introduce a defined pressure pulse, and a filler, arranged downstream of the transfer wheel, for filling the formed spout film bags.

An apparatus and method for forming and filling spout film bags which are transferred by a transfer wheel including blowing nozzles, to a filler arranged downstream of the transfer wheel. A blowing nozzle can be placed on the spout upper edge of the spout of a spout film bag and then a defined pressure pulse can be introduced into the interior of the spout film bag through the spout by the blowing nozzle to form the spout film bag. The apparatus can include a transfer wheel having a plurality of receiving stations and blowing nozzles assigned to the receiving stations, the blowing nozzles being able to be placed on the spout upper edges of the spouts in order to introduce a defined pressure pulse, and a filler, arranged downstream of the transfer wheel, for filling the formed spout film bags.

An automatic packaging system for continuously and automatically packaging products without interruption using triple circulation systems. The triple circulation systems include an unpackaged product feeding circulation system continuously feeding unpackaged products via circulation, a package feeding circulation system continuously feeding packages via circulation, and a packaged product circulation conveying system continuously transporting packaged products wrapped in the packages via circulation. The automatic packaging system continuously and automatically packages products without interruption, thereby efficiently improving productivity.