An apparatus for filling a product into a container is provided. The apparatus can include a filling unit that can deliver the product into the container, the filling unit can include a pump and a filling nozzle at its one end. The apparatus can also include a drive unit for moving the container in relation to the filling unit between a first position, in which a bottom end of the container is arranged at a maximum distance from the filling nozzle, and a second position, in which the bottom end of the container is arranged at a minimum distance from the filling nozzle. A controller can control delivery of the product through the filling nozzle and the drive unit.

A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

A box packing apparatus supports a box with a sideways facing opening while at a loading location. After loading the box is moved from the loading location. The box packing apparatus includes a supporting and moving component, arms, and a feed mechanism. The supporting and moving component supports the cardboard box in the loading location and moves the cardboard box after loading in the loading location. The arms temporarily support the cardboard box as it is delivered to the loading location with the opening thereof facing sideways, while the supporting and moving component moves the cardboard box. The feed mechanism feeds the articles into the cardboard box through the opening while the box is supported by the arms.

To provide an article gripping system that reduces the installation area of the apparatus and further shortens the amount of time from when it grips to when it feeds articles. An article gripping system (110) switches between a first positional relationship in which a container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by a first gripping unit (15A) but does not obstruct discharge of articles by a second gripping unit (15B) and a second positional relationship in which the container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by the second gripping unit (15B) but does not obstruct discharge of articles gripped by the first gripping unit (15A), so the gripping units do not move while they are holding the articles, and the articles can be prevented from falling out of the gripping units (15).

To provide an article gripping system that reduces the installation area of the apparatus and further shortens the amount of time from when it grips to when it feeds articles. An article gripping system (110) switches between a first positional relationship in which a container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by a first gripping unit (15A) but does not obstruct discharge of articles by a second gripping unit (15B) and a second positional relationship in which the container (50) obstructs discharge of articles gripped by the second gripping unit (15B) but does not obstruct discharge of articles gripped by the first gripping unit (15A), so the gripping units do not move while they are holding the articles, and the articles can be prevented from falling out of the gripping units (15).

A transporting apparatus for a packing machine has a mounting base, a weighing mechanism, a raising mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The raising mechanism has a raising driver and a raising frame being drivable by the raising driver. The lifting mechanism has a lifting driver and a lifting frame being drivable by the lifting driver. The transmitting mechanism has a transmitting driver and a transmitting frame being drivable by the transmitting driver. The weighing mechanism, the raising mechanism, the transmitting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism are fixed apart on the mounting base, which reduces noises and vibrations during operation and improves convenience of mounting and detaching.

A transporting apparatus for a packing machine has a mounting base, a weighing mechanism, a raising mechanism, a transmitting mechanism, and a lifting mechanism. The raising mechanism has a raising driver and a raising frame being drivable by the raising driver. The lifting mechanism has a lifting driver and a lifting frame being drivable by the lifting driver. The transmitting mechanism has a transmitting driver and a transmitting frame being drivable by the transmitting driver. The weighing mechanism, the raising mechanism, the transmitting mechanism, and the lifting mechanism are fixed apart on the mounting base, which reduces noises and vibrations during operation and improves convenience of mounting and detaching.

A box moving device is disclosed. The box moving device changes the position of a box having four side surfaces. The box moving device is equipped with a conveyor and a movement control unit. The movement control unit drives the conveyor to cause the box to move from a first position to a second position. The conveyor can alternately switch between a first state, in which it is contracted along a moving direction of the box, and a second state, in which it is extended along the moving direction of the box. The movement control unit causes the box to move from the first position to the second position by driving the conveyor that is in a holding mode in which it holds at least one of the side surfaces of the box and simultaneously switching the conveyor from the first state to the second state.

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 device for co-metering liquid and/or pasty products includes: a first metering unit for metering a first product; a second metering unit for metering a second product; and a nozzle including a first duct supplied by the first metering unit and opening out into a first orifice, a second duct supplied by the second metering unit and opening out into a second orifice, and a third duct opening out into a third orifice. The device is configured such that the third duct is supplied by the first and second metering units such that a mixture of the first and second products is discharged by the third orifice.