In one aspect, methods for producing packaged edible materials are provided. In a further aspect, edible material dispensing apparatus are provided. In additional aspects, pod units are provided including those adapted for containing equine supplement or feed materials.

Disclosed are a cushion conveying device and method, and a cushion rolling packaging apparatus and method. The cushion conveying device includes a frame, a conveying platform, a pressing mechanism and a folding mechanism. At least one gap area is provided on the conveying platform. The pressing mechanism is movable back and forth to contact and press at least one part of the cushion on the conveying platform. The folding mechanism includes at least one folding member movable back and forth to pass through the gap area, the folding member is capable of extending out of the gap area to abut against the cushion on the conveying platform, so as to turn up and fold the cushion.

Disclosed are a cushion conveying device and method, and a cushion rolling packaging apparatus and method. The cushion conveying device includes a frame, a conveying platform, a pressing mechanism and a folding mechanism. At least one gap area is provided on the conveying platform. The pressing mechanism is movable back and forth to contact and press at least one part of the cushion on the conveying platform. The folding mechanism includes at least one folding member movable back and forth to pass through the gap area, the folding member is capable of extending out of the gap area to abut against the cushion on the conveying platform, so as to turn up and fold the cushion.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A cleaner assembly for an apparatus for making pouch products includes a cleaner roller and a poker roller. The cleaner roller may counter rotate with a rotatable drum of the apparatus, in contact with an upper surface of a first elastic layer on the rotatable drum, and at a greater tangential speed than at least one surface of an outer circumferential surface of the rotatable drum or an upper surface of the first elastic layer. The poker roller includes projections that are each configured to extend into one or more divots of the rotatable drum. The poker roller may counter rotate with the rotatable drum and at a same tangential speed as the at least one surface such that the projections extend into and out of separate, respective divots of the rotatable drum based on the counter rotation of the poker roller and the rotatable drum.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

In an example embodiment, an apparatus for making pouch products includes a conveyor system. The conveyor system includes a first receiving location along a path of the conveyor system, and a dosing location along the path of the conveyor system. The apparatus also includes a first material dispensing station configured to transfer a first material to the first receiving location. The first material includes a first elastic layer and a first support layer. The first material dispensing station includes a dispenser roller configured to hold a roll of the first material, a plurality of rollers configured to convey the first material from the dispenser roller to the first receiving location, and a stripper plate configured remove at least a portion of the first support layer from a portion of the first elastic layer.

A packaging machine using extensible film for products fed in groups or individually includes a conveyor feeding the product, a product positioning unit, a film winding unit and a discharge conveyor positioned at the outlet of the winding unit. The winding unit is a ring winder having a ring rotating with respect to guiding rolls, positioned on a supporting frame, and arranged on a plane perpendicular to the advance direction of the products. A shelf is provided beneath the winding unit, cantilevered for extending in the advance direction of the products, and connects the feeding conveyor with the winding unit. A vacuum-effect gripping unit is positioned beneath the shelf for gripping the film and carries a cutting unit. The vacuum-effect gripping unit and the cutting unit can be moved alternatingly and selectively from a withdrawn rest position of the shelf to an extended position for gripping and cutting the film.

A packaging machine using extensible film for products fed in groups or individually includes a conveyor feeding the product, a product positioning unit, a film winding unit and a discharge conveyor positioned at the outlet of the winding unit. The winding unit is a ring winder having a ring rotating with respect to guiding rolls, positioned on a supporting frame, and arranged on a plane perpendicular to the advance direction of the products. A shelf is provided beneath the winding unit, cantilevered for extending in the advance direction of the products, and connects the feeding conveyor with the winding unit. A vacuum-effect gripping unit is positioned beneath the shelf for gripping the film and carries a cutting unit. The vacuum-effect gripping unit and the cutting unit can be moved alternatingly and selectively from a withdrawn rest position of the shelf to an extended position for gripping and cutting the film.