Systems and methods for distributing one or more products are described herein. The systems include at least one communication network; a distribution server and a device for refilling a container with the one or more products. The device includes a supply tank configured to retain the one or more products; a sensor configured to detect a level of the one or more products in the supply tank; a device communication interface operable to communicate with the distribution server; and a device processing unit. The device processing unit is operable to: receive a signal from the sensor indicating the level of the one or more products, determine whether the level is below a minimum threshold level; when the level is below the minimum threshold level, generate a request for a distributor to distribute more of the one or more products to the device; and communicate the request to the distribution server.

Systems and methods for distributing one or more products are described herein. The systems include at least one communication network; a distribution server and a device for refilling a container with the one or more products. The device includes a supply tank configured to retain the one or more products; a sensor configured to detect a level of the one or more products in the supply tank; a device communication interface operable to communicate with the distribution server; and a device processing unit. The device processing unit is operable to: receive a signal from the sensor indicating the level of the one or more products, determine whether the level is below a minimum threshold level; when the level is below the minimum threshold level, generate a request for a distributor to distribute more of the one or more products to the device; and communicate the request to the distribution server.

A device for transporting and filling bags, preferably open bags, comprising a filling device, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, having multiple filling openings distributed over the circumference of the filling device, and comprising a feeder, using which an empty bag can be fed to a filling opening, wherein the feeder comprises at least one holding unit for a bag, which is movable normally to the axis of rotation of the filling device, wherein the holding unit has two separate holders, wherein the holders are each movable forward and backward along the same open trajectory, wherein the first holder is mounted so it is movable on the filling device, while the second holder is mounted so it is movable on a spatially-fixed guide.

A device for transporting and filling bags, preferably open bags, comprising a filling device, which is rotatable about an axis of rotation, having multiple filling openings distributed over the circumference of the filling device, and comprising a feeder, using which an empty bag can be fed to a filling opening, wherein the feeder comprises at least one holding unit for a bag, which is movable normally to the axis of rotation of the filling device, wherein the holding unit has two separate holders, wherein the holders are each movable forward and backward along the same open trajectory, wherein the first holder is mounted so it is movable on the filling device, while the second holder is mounted so it is movable on a spatially-fixed guide.

A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

The mechanism comprises: a syringe comprising a syringe body, a piston comprising a piston head sealingly closing the syringe barrel, a rod and a gripping member carried by the rod; a movement actuator for moving the plunger in two opposing directions along the axis of movement of the piston in the syringe body, the movement actuator comprising a movement member and a locking device for locking the gripping member, capable of switching from an open configuration for receiving the gripping member to a closed configuration for immobilizing the gripping element in which the gripping member is secured in translation with the movement member in the two opposing movement directions.

The mechanism comprises: a syringe comprising a syringe body, a piston comprising a piston head sealingly closing the syringe barrel, a rod and a gripping member carried by the rod; a movement actuator for moving the plunger in two opposing directions along the axis of movement of the piston in the syringe body, the movement actuator comprising a movement member and a locking device for locking the gripping member, capable of switching from an open configuration for receiving the gripping member to a closed configuration for immobilizing the gripping element in which the gripping member is secured in translation with the movement member in the two opposing movement directions.

A sealing machine and method for sealing a preformed tray (2) with a plastic film (26), the method comprising a cooling step in which, by acting on the outside of the tray (2), heat is removed at least from the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2) while the heated plastic film (26) is applied over the tray (2) and a food product (25), and the sealing machine (1) comprising a supporting element which defines a housing (7) which has a fixed bottom surface (9) suitable for making contact, in use, with the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2), a plurality of ducts (19) which define a flow path (20) for a cooling fluid in the supporting element, and a cooling system (17) configured to cool the cooling fluid bringing it to a temperature equal to or less than 10° C., and preferably equal to or less than 6° C.

A method including transporting fragile fruit into a hopper. The method also includes transferring the fragile fruit from the hopper into a container that is at least partially submerged in a fluid. The method additionally includes raising the container out of the fluid while the fragile fruit are within the container. Other embodiments are described.

A packaging machine with a bottom-supporting device, which intermittently moves a packaging bag to each one of packaging stations where each packaging process is performed, fills the packaging bag with an object to be packaged, and seals a bag mouth. The bottom-supporting device capable of supporting a bottom of the packaging bag is configured to be present in all the packaging stations. The bottom-supporting device includes a bottom support which supports the bottom of the packaging bag, an elevator that raises and lowers the bottom of the packaging bag, and a pneumatic drive unit which controls the raising and lowering of the bottom support by the elevator and vibration of the bottom support.