A system for discharging product from a bag, the system including: a vibration unit arranged to support the bag and to vibrate so that the product exits an opening of the bag; a conduit having an inlet that is located below the vibration unit to receive the product; a downstream equipment connected to the conduit to receive the product from the conduit; wherein a protective cage is arranged around the inlet of the conduit, the protective cage having an open position to allow access to the inlet, and a closed position to restrict access to the inlet.

Filler apparatus includes plural descent channels receiving pharmaceutical articles falling from transport channels of a vibrating conveyor. Sensors detect the articles inside the descent channels. A container has a mouth receiving the articles from the descent channels, a first chamber with a first discharge, a second chamber with a second discharge, and a separating wall dividing the mouth into a first entry section, for the first chamber, and a second entry section, for the second chamber. The wall is disposable either in a first position, wherein the entry sections can receive articles from an identical number of descent channels, and at least in a second position, wherein the entry sections can receive pharmaceutical articles from different numbers of descent channels.

Filler apparatus includes plural descent channels receiving pharmaceutical articles falling from transport channels of a vibrating conveyor. Sensors detect the articles inside the descent channels. A container has a mouth receiving the articles from the descent channels, a first chamber with a first discharge, a second chamber with a second discharge, and a separating wall dividing the mouth into a first entry section, for the first chamber, and a second entry section, for the second chamber. The wall is disposable either in a first position, wherein the entry sections can receive articles from an identical number of descent channels, and at least in a second position, wherein the entry sections can receive pharmaceutical articles from different numbers of descent channels.

A system including a flume. The flume can include a fluid and be configured to receive crops. The system also can include crop selectors each sized to move the crops individually from the flume into a scale. The system additionally can include the scale. The scale can be configured to weigh the crops while the crops are in the scale. The system further can include a container carrier configured to (i) hold a container that is submerged in the fluid while the crops are dumped from the scale into the container and (ii) lift the container out of the fluid to allow the fluid to drain from the container while the container holds the crops. Other embodiments are described.

Methods for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate goods (1), containing the following steps: a) producing an electron beam (5), b) pasteurizing and/or sterilizing the goods (1) by the electron beam (5) in a treatment zone (3), wherein the electrons of the electron beam (5) have an energy that lies in the range of 80 keV to 300 keV, preferably from 140 keV to 280 keV, and more preferably from 180 keV to 260 keV, the goods (1) are exposed to the electron beam (5) for a treatment time which lies in the range from 5 ms to 25 ms, and the electron beam (5) has a mean electron current density in the treatment zone (3) which lies in the range of 10.sup.15 s.sup.−1.Math.cm.sup.−2 to 2.77.Math.10.sup.15 s.sup.−1.Math.cm.sup.−2.

Methods for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate goods (1), containing the following steps: a) producing an electron beam (5), b) pasteurizing and/or sterilizing the goods (1) by the electron beam (5) in a treatment zone (3), wherein the electrons of the electron beam (5) have an energy that lies in the range of 80 keV to 300 keV, preferably from 140 keV to 280 keV, and more preferably from 180 keV to 260 keV, the goods (1) are exposed to the electron beam (5) for a treatment time which lies in the range from 5 ms to 25 ms, and the electron beam (5) has a mean electron current density in the treatment zone (3) which lies in the range of 10.sup.15 s.sup.−1.Math.cm.sup.−2 to 2.77.Math.10.sup.15 s.sup.−1.Math.cm.sup.−2.

A devices (10) and method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The device contain at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone (19) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. The device (10) comprises a vibration surface (11) which vibrates to convey and individualize the material. The first vibration surface (11) has a plurality of grooves (12) into which the material is conveyed and individualized. The device (10) has a material channel (21) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam in the region of the treatment zone (19). The device (10) has at least one auxiliary channel (22) through which a fluid flows, between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21), and is separated from the material channel (21). A cartridge (24) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material is also disclosed.

A devices (10) and method for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material. The device contain at least one electron source (20) for generating an electron beam and a treatment zone (19) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam. The device (10) comprises a vibration surface (11) which vibrates to convey and individualize the material. The first vibration surface (11) has a plurality of grooves (12) into which the material is conveyed and individualized. The device (10) has a material channel (21) in which the material is pasteurized and/or sterilized by the electron beam in the region of the treatment zone (19). The device (10) has at least one auxiliary channel (22) through which a fluid flows, between the electron source (20) and the material channel (21), and is separated from the material channel (21). A cartridge (24) for pasteurizing and/or sterilizing particulate material is also disclosed.

A method for transferring medical products comprises the steps of conveying medical products on an oscillating conveyor having a plurality of conveying lanes arranged next to each other to a delivery area of the conveyor lanes and from the delivery area into at least one shaft; detecting a defective product in one of the conveying lanes; and activating a diverter device for defective products, which is arranged adjacent to the delivery area of this conveying lane, when a defective product is detected, wherein the diverter device, upon activation, is shifted or pivoted into an activated position, in which the diverter device is located in a transport path of the defective product.

A vibratory conveyor includes a feed tray, an electromagnetic linear actuator and a movable drive train interconnecting the feed tray and the electromagnetic linear actuator such that the electromagnetic linear actuator will move the feed tray during energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A sensor assembly is positioned to detect movement of the electromagnetic linear actuator. A controller connected to receive an output of the sensor assembly and connected to control energization of electromagnetic linear actuator, wherein the controller is configured to adjust energization of the electromagnetic linear actuator based upon the output of the sensor assembly. A vibratory conveyor in which the movable drive train includes at least one parallel spring element therealong is also disclosed.