An apparatus for the automated filling of cartridges of e-vapor devices may include a filling drum configured to receive at least one cartridge of an e-vapor device. The apparatus may additionally include a needle assembly including at least one hypodermic needle. The needle assembly is configured to transition between a lowered state and a raised state. The lowered state is where the hypodermic needle is moved down into the cartridge, while the raised state is where the hypodermic needle is lifted up and away from the cartridge. The apparatus may further include a pump assembly configured to pump a pre-vapor formulation into the cartridge when the needle assembly is in the lowered state. The pump assembly may include a variable amplitude cam system configured to adjust an amount of the pre-vapor formulation for pumping to the cartridge without changing start and stop times for the pumping.

A container fill station includes a seal bar configured to temporarily contact an open end of a container, to temporarily seal an interior of the container from a surrounding atmosphere, a fill head configured to be moved by a fill head actuator through a sealed opening in the seal bar, a fill head valve located in a fluid pathway between a liquid source and the fill head outlet, and an outflowing gas valve in fluid communication with the interior of the container. Therein, control of a liquid fill rate is provided by opening the outflowing gas valve a select amount while simultaneously opening the fill head valve. During a filling operation method, the interior of the container may be temporarily sealed and pressurized, or filling may be done at ambient/atmospheric pressure, preferably with the fill head outlet being disposed below the liquid's surface during filling.

A container fill station includes a seal bar configured to temporarily contact an open end of a container, to temporarily seal an interior of the container from a surrounding atmosphere, a fill head configured to be moved by a fill head actuator through a sealed opening in the seal bar, a fill head valve located in a fluid pathway between a liquid source and the fill head outlet, and an outflowing gas valve in fluid communication with the interior of the container. Therein, control of a liquid fill rate is provided by opening the outflowing gas valve a select amount while simultaneously opening the fill head valve. During a filling operation method, the interior of the container may be temporarily sealed and pressurized, or filling may be done at ambient/atmospheric pressure, preferably with the fill head outlet being disposed below the liquid's surface during filling.

A container fill station includes a seal bar configured to temporarily contact an open end of a container, to temporarily seal an interior of the container from a surrounding atmosphere, a fill head configured to be moved by a fill head actuator through a sealed opening in the seal bar, a fill head valve located in a fluid pathway between a liquid source and the fill head outlet, and an outflowing gas valve in fluid communication with the interior of the container. Therein, control of a liquid fill rate is provided by opening the outflowing gas valve a select amount while simultaneously opening the fill head valve. During a filling operation method, the interior of the container may be temporarily sealed and pressurized, or filling may be done at ambient/atmospheric pressure, preferably with the fill head outlet being disposed below the liquid's surface during filling.

A container fill station includes a seal bar configured to temporarily contact an open end of a container, to temporarily seal an interior of the container from a surrounding atmosphere, a fill head configured to be moved by a fill head actuator through a sealed opening in the seal bar, a fill head valve located in a fluid pathway between a liquid source and the fill head outlet, and an outflowing gas valve in fluid communication with the interior of the container. Therein, control of a liquid fill rate is provided by opening the outflowing gas valve a select amount while simultaneously opening the fill head valve. During a filling operation method, the interior of the container may be temporarily sealed and pressurized, or filling may be done at ambient/atmospheric pressure, preferably with the fill head outlet being disposed below the liquid's surface during filling.

A device for producing filled containers has a transport device which is configured for transporting containers which are filled with a liquid and are closed by a closure. Furthermore, the apparatus has a penetration device which is configured for producing an opening in at least one region of the closure and/or of the container, and an application device, which applies a flowable and in particular gaseous medium to the interior of the container through this opening (or feeds the gaseous medium to this interior). Furthermore, the apparatus has a closing device which closes the opening again.

A device for producing filled containers has a transport device which is configured for transporting containers which are filled with a liquid and are closed by a closure. Furthermore, the apparatus has a penetration device which is configured for producing an opening in at least one region of the closure and/or of the container, and an application device, which applies a flowable and in particular gaseous medium to the interior of the container through this opening (or feeds the gaseous medium to this interior). Furthermore, the apparatus has a closing device which closes the opening again.

A fluid distribution system is configured to distribute fluid from a first vessel to second vessels includes a hub assembly and a frame assembly. The hub assembly has an input cap, a distribution cap, a first clamp, and a second clamp. The input cap defines an inlet and the distribution cap is sealingly secured to the input cap with a plenum being defined between the input and distribution caps. The distribution cap includes conduit connectors that each defines an outlet in fluid communication with the plenum. The first clamp is disposed over the distribution cap and is engaged with the input cap to secure the input cap to the distribution cap and the second clamp is disposed over the input cap and engaged with the distribution cap to secure the distribution cap to the input cap. The frame assembly supports the hub assembly and is configured to secure each of the secondary vessels at a predetermined distance relative to the hub assembly.

A fluid distribution system is configured to distribute fluid from a first vessel to second vessels includes a hub assembly and a frame assembly. The hub assembly has an input cap, a distribution cap, a first clamp, and a second clamp. The input cap defines an inlet and the distribution cap is sealingly secured to the input cap with a plenum being defined between the input and distribution caps. The distribution cap includes conduit connectors that each defines an outlet in fluid communication with the plenum. The first clamp is disposed over the distribution cap and is engaged with the input cap to secure the input cap to the distribution cap and the second clamp is disposed over the input cap and engaged with the distribution cap to secure the distribution cap to the input cap. The frame assembly supports the hub assembly and is configured to secure each of the secondary vessels at a predetermined distance relative to the hub assembly.

A counter-pressure filler system includes a vertically-translatable platform capable of supporting a container, a pressurizable chamber having an entrance aperture, the chamber enclosing a seaming chuck and at least one seaming roller, a vertically-translatable enclosure comprising an upper portion configured to engage a portion of said chamber around the entrance aperture, thereby creating a pressurizable atmosphere within said vertically-translatable enclosure and the pressurizable chamber. The seaming chuck is configured to allow a beverage ingredient to pass therethrough and into said container.