Described is a unit for filling containing elements (2) of single-use capsules (3) with a dose (33) of product for extraction or infusion beverages, comprising: a line (4) for transporting containing elements (2); a station (SR) for filling the containing elements (2) with a dose (33) of product which comprises: at least a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) provided with a device (6) for releasing a predetermined quantity of product defining the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1), the release device (6) comprising a hopper (38) and at least one rotary element (40a) having a helical profile which extends between a first end and a second end, configured to rotate about a respective axis (X4) of rotation; a drive and control unit (15) configured to drive the rotary element (40a) according to a speed of rotation variable as a function of an angular position of the first end of the rotary unit (40a).

A method and apparatus are provided for handling beads such as lyophilized beads or cryo beads to enable reliable singulation of the beads and facilitate accurate dosing. The bead handling equipment (100) includes an equipment housing (102) containing a hopper (104) and a bead dispenser (103), a gas delivery system (105), and an inspection system (120). The housing 102 may be pressurized by supplying pressurized gas to the housing 102 from the gas delivery system 105. The bead dispenser includes a piston 106 operative to singulate individual beads from the stream of beads exiting the hopper 104 and to deliver individual beads to a feed channel 108 and to a container 110. The inspection system 120 identifies bead fragments, or beads that are otherwise mis-sized, so that such beads can be rejected and not delivered to the container 110.

A method and apparatus are provided for handling beads such as lyophilized beads or cryo beads to enable reliable singulation of the beads and facilitate accurate dosing. The bead handling equipment (100) includes an equipment housing (102) containing a hopper (104) and a bead dispenser (103), a gas delivery system (105), and an inspection system (120). The housing 102 may be pressurized by supplying pressurized gas to the housing 102 from the gas delivery system 105. The bead dispenser includes a piston 106 operative to singulate individual beads from the stream of beads exiting the hopper 104 and to deliver individual beads to a feed channel 108 and to a container 110. The inspection system 120 identifies bead fragments, or beads that are otherwise mis-sized, so that such beads can be rejected and not delivered to the container 110.

A fixture for dispensing a powder is disclosed. The fixture has a base and a beam with a first end, a second end, and a fulcrum disposed between the first and second ends and coupled to the base. The fixture also has a load transfer beam having a first end and a second end that is fixedly coupled to the base. A force sensor is coupled to the load transfer beam. The beam can rotate about the fulcrum with respect to the base and the second end of the beam makes a point contact with the first end of the load transfer beam.

Systems and methods for metering a granular material for packaging in pouches are disclosed. A system includes a hopper structured and arranged to hold a granular material in a hopper cavity. The system also includes a measuring system including a measuring cavity and a tube that is slidable in the hopper cavity between a first position unaligned with the measuring cavity and a second position over and aligned with the measuring cavity. The measuring system is structured and arranged to move a portion of the granular material from the hopper cavity to the measuring cavity when the tube is in the first position. The measuring system is structured and arranged to move the portion of the granular material from the measuring cavity to a pouch making machine using pressurized gas when the tube is in the second position.

A compostable material for packaging food products comprising a coffee-based granular material and at least one binding agent selected from methylcellulose, methylcellulose derivatives, mixtures thereof.

An apparatus for dosing solid particulate material into one or more receptacles, the apparatus comprising: a reservoir for containing an amount of solid particulate material; a dosing unit comprising a dose collection position for collecting a predetermined dose of solid particulate material from the reservoir, and a dose release position for releasing the solid particulate material into the one or more receptacles; a receptacle handling unit for retaining the one or more receptacles, arranged to at least periodically align at least one of the one or more receptacles with the dosing unit when in the dose release position; and optionally a receptacle closing unit for closing the one or more receptacles once filled with the solid particulate material; wherein the dosing unit comprises one or more dosing chambers arranged to displace relative to said reservoir, and/or vice versa, along a perpendicular axis Y such that at least a portion of the chamber(s) is capable of being immerged into, and emerged out of, the solid particulate material at least when the dosing unit is in the dose collection position, the reservoir being arranged to impart a fluid-like state to the solid particulate material at least for the duration of the displacement.

A module for dispensing a powder is disclosed. The module has a channel having an entry port, a hopper coupled to the entry port and configured to receive the powder, and a piston partially disposed within the channel and configured to reciprocate within the channel. The piston has a retracted position configured to allow the powder to move from the hopper through the entry port into the channel.

Filling unit for a manufacturing machine for the production of disposable cartridges for electronic cigarettes; the filling unit has: a cylindrical tank which is arranged horizontally, is mounted so as to rotate in a stepwise manner around a vertical rotation axis, is delimited, at the bottom, by a base disc having a circular shape, and is delimited, on the sides, by a cylindrical side wall; a feeding duct that feeds a flow of tobacco inside the tank; a plurality of groups of seats, each of which is obtained in the base disc and is adapted to receive and contain a corresponding dose of tobacco; and a transfer device which is arranged in a fixed position and cyclically transfers the doses of tobacco contained inside the seats of a group standing still.

An apparatus configured to provide portioned instances of a compressible material includes a channel assembly, a gas source, a cutting assembly, and a discharge assembly. The channel assembly holds a bulk instance of the material extending through upper and lower channels of a continuous channel. The gas source supplies gas to compress the bulk instance. The cutting assembly moves in relation to the channel assembly to isolate the upper and lower channels, severing upper and lower material portions of the bulk instance. The discharge assembly directs gas to impinge on a lower face of the cutting assembly to discharge the lower material portion as a portioned instance. The channel assembly may be moveable, where operation of the gas source, cutting assembly, and/or discharge assembly are based on moving the channel assembly between various positions. The gas supply may be controlled based on a determined property of the portioned instance.