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).

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 mixing-dosage apparatus for rotary machines for packaging containers includes a mixing portion and a dosage portion. The two portions have a selective fluid connection using a flow control valve, which acts between the two portions so as to feed the dosage duct with consecutive loads of mixed food mass. Each load has a volume that is approximately equal to the volume of the mixing chamber.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods are provided herein for reusing containers. A system for container reuse comprises an order database storing a plurality of orders associated with an order fulfillment facility, a conveyor system, and a control circuit. The control circuit being configured to determine container capacity requirements of the plurality of orders in the order database based on dimensions of products in each order, predict container usage for fulfilling orders at the order fulfillment facility based at least on the container capacity requirements of the plurality of orders, determine whether a used container received at the conveyor system should be retained based on a container dimension of the used container and the container usage predicted for the order fulfillment facility, and cause the conveyor system to route the used container to a fulfillment area or a disposal area based on whether the used container should be retained.

A method of manufacturing a comestible includes providing a comestible mass (22), forming said comestible mass into a comestible structure (26) having a desired shape using a forming station (20), and applying a packaging material (54) to a surface of said comestible structure (26) while said comestible structure remains in contact with a portion of said forming station (20).

Machine and method for producing a substantially cylindrical article, which comprises a tubular body, a container element, arranged in the area of one end of the tubular element, a heat generating element, partially housed inside the container element, and loose material for generating flavour; in use, the loose material is inserted into the container element, vertically oriented, and the heat generating element is partially inserted into the container element by being moved downwards, so as to obtain a combined element; subsequently, the combined element is at least partially inserted into the tubular body.

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 filling 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 the containing elements (2);a station (SR) for filling the containing elements (2) with a dose (33) of product comprising at least a first containing seat (S1) designed to receive a dose (33) of product; a substation (ST1) for forming the dose (33) inside the first containing seat (S1) equipped 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) for feeding product; at least one rotary element (40a; 40b) having a plurality of blades (60A, 60B, 60C, 60D, 60E, 60F); and a filling chamber (61) positioned below the rotary element (40a; 40b), the rotary element (40a; 40b) being configured to create a feeding flow of product from the feed hopper (38) towards the filling chamber (61).

A mixing-dosage apparatus for rotary machines for packaging containers includes a mixing portion and a dosage portion. The two portions have a selective fluid connection using a flow control valve, which acts between the two portions so as to feed the dosage duct with consecutive loads of mixed food mass. Each load has a volume that is approximately equal to the volume of the mixing chamber.

A dosing station for a capsule filling machine comprises a dosing unit in which capsule lower parts are filled with a filling material via a filling apparatus and a drive unit with at least one drive that drives at least one component of the dosing unit. The drive unit is arranged beneath a supporting plate, and detachable fastening and coupling means detachably fastens the dosing unit on the supporting plate. Where the dosing unit is detachably fastened on the supporting plate, the at least one drive is coupled to the at least one component. In the detached state of the dosing unit from the supporting plate, the coupling of the at least one drive to the at least one component is canceled. In this way, the dosing unit can be removed as a module from the dosing station.