In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

A dosing and packaging apparatus (1) for long pasta comprising at least one dosing unit (2) and a cartoner (3) below the dosing unit. The dosing unit comprises a weighing device (21, 22) for doses of long pasta, and the cartoner comprises trays (31, 33) for containing doses of weighed long pasta, a chain conveyor (32) for horizontally moving the trays, and a device for forming and filling cartons with the doses of long pasta from the trays. The dosing unit comprises a rotor (23) with more than one compartment (25) for pouring doses of weighed long pasta directly into the trays. The rotation of the rotor and the horizontal motion of the trays are synchronized so that each compartment pours a dose of weighed long pasta into a respective tray placed immediately below the rotor.

A dosing and packaging apparatus (1) for long pasta comprising at least one dosing unit (2) and a cartoner (3) below the dosing unit. The dosing unit comprises a weighing device (21, 22) for doses of long pasta, and the cartoner comprises trays (31, 33) for containing doses of weighed long pasta, a chain conveyor (32) for horizontally moving the trays, and a device for forming and filling cartons with the doses of long pasta from the trays. The dosing unit comprises a rotor (23) with more than one compartment (25) for pouring doses of weighed long pasta directly into the trays. The rotation of the rotor and the horizontal motion of the trays are synchronized so that each compartment pours a dose of weighed long pasta into a respective tray placed immediately below the rotor.

A doser assembly includes a hopper assembly configured to receive filler material, a vibration transmission assembly coupled to the hopper assembly, and a paddle in a hopper opening that extends through the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly includes a shaft that is configured to rotate around a central rotation axis, an eccentric that is fixed to the shaft and has a center that is radially offset from the central rotation axis, a connecting rod that is pivotably connected to the center of the eccentric, and a bracket that is pivotably connected to the connecting rod. A first end of the paddle is pivotably coupled to the hopper assembly at a paddle pivot joint. The paddle is fixed to the bracket of the vibration transmission assembly separately from the hopper assembly. The vibration transmission assembly is configured to cause the paddle to reciprocatingly pivot around the paddle pivot joint.

A medical dispensing system with dispensing and pathway components, each of which of a plurality of dispensers and pathways, respectively. The dispensing and pathway components are controlled to minimize contamination between the items being dispensed. Both the dispensing and pathway components have arcs around which the dispensers and pathways are arranged.

A medical dispensing system with dispensing and pathway components, each of which of a plurality of dispensers and pathways, respectively. The dispensing and pathway components are controlled to minimize contamination between the items being dispensed. Both the dispensing and pathway components have arcs around which the dispensers and pathways are arranged.

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.

A metering device for the volumetric metering of powder, including pharmaceutical powder, and the simultaneous metering and filling of target cavities with metered powder, as well as a metering system and an associated method are shown. One embodiment of the metering device includes a metering station with a powder storage container, a filling station, and a movable metering member. The metering member has a flat transfer surface that includes metering cavities, which correspond in number and geometry to target cavities arranged in the filling station, and also to metering openings in the metering station. The metering cavities each have an open end and a base, wherein an air-permeable filter element forms at least a part of the base of each. The metering member includes a central pressure channel connected to the metering cavities through the filter elements for applying a negative or positive pressure to the metering cavities.

A metering device for the volumetric metering of powder, including pharmaceutical powder, and the simultaneous metering and filling of target cavities with metered powder, as well as a metering system and an associated method are shown. One embodiment of the metering device includes a metering station with a powder storage container, a filling station, and a movable metering member. The metering member has a flat transfer surface that includes metering cavities, which correspond in number and geometry to target cavities arranged in the filling station, and also to metering openings in the metering station. The metering cavities each have an open end and a base, wherein an air-permeable filter element forms at least a part of the base of each. The metering member includes a central pressure channel connected to the metering cavities through the filter elements for applying a negative or positive pressure to the metering cavities.