A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a dispensing mechanism, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information memory may store data that comprises one of a glossiness level of a surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions; that is used by the controller to adjust a sensor; and that comprises parameters of movement of the dispensing mechanism of one or more of maximum torque, rotation angles, and rotation positions of the movement of the dispensing mechanism used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a dispensing mechanism, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information memory may store data that comprises one of a glossiness level of a surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions; that is used by the controller to adjust a sensor; and that comprises parameters of movement of the dispensing mechanism of one or more of maximum torque, rotation angles, and rotation positions of the movement of the dispensing mechanism used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions. A stationary part of the station is to be mounted to a frame of an apparatus for packaging solid drug portions, the stationary part comprising a first part of a dispensing device. A controller and a drive for driving an individualizing mechanism for dispensing separate solid drug portions is comprised by the first part. A detachable part is coupled to the stationary part and comprises a storage container for receiving a plurality of solid drug portions. A second part of the dispensing device, and an information memory means is comprised in the second part. Information reading means on the stationary part are coupled to the controller, wherein the information reading means can read information stored in the information memory means, if the detachable part is coupled to the stationary part. The information memory means store data that are used by the controller to control the operation of components of the dispensing device.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions. A stationary part of the station is to be mounted to a frame of an apparatus for packaging solid drug portions, the stationary part comprising a first part of a dispensing device. A controller and a drive for driving an individualizing mechanism for dispensing separate solid drug portions is comprised by the first part. A detachable part is coupled to the stationary part and comprises a storage container for receiving a plurality of solid drug portions. A second part of the dispensing device, and an information memory means is comprised in the second part. Information reading means on the stationary part are coupled to the controller, wherein the information reading means can read information stored in the information memory means, if the detachable part is coupled to the stationary part. The information memory means store data that are used by the controller to control the operation of components of the dispensing device.

A unit (1) for dosing a confectionery mass includes a base body (2), a dosing chamber (26) for containing a confectionery mass and a rotary piston (3) being reversingly driven to alternatingly fill the dosing chamber (26) with confectionery mass and to remove confectionery mass from the dosing chamber (26). The rotary piston (3) has a filling cycle for filling the dosing chamber (26) with confectionery mass during which it is rotatingly driven in a first direction of rotation (28). The rotary piston (3) has a removing cycle for removing the confectionery mass from the dosing chamber (26) during which it is rotatingly driven in a second direction of rotation (29) being opposite to the first direction of rotation (28). The filling cycle and the removing cycle form one complete working cycle.

Systems and methods for continuous production of filled capsules. The system includes a continuous blender for receiving and continuously blending ingredients discharged from one or more feeders to form a blended mixture. The system includes a capsule filling machine to receive empty capsules and fill the mixture in them to provide filled capsules. The system includes multiple sensors configured at predefined positions within the system to monitor the attributes associated with the ingredients, mixture, empty capsules, and filled capsules. The system includes a control unit to control the feeders, blender, capsule filling machine and other components of the system to bring the attributes within a predefined range to ensure that the filled capsules are of predefined quality.

A food processing system is disclosed. The food processing system includes a food scaling portion, a food bagging portion and a chute portion connecting the food scaling portion to the food bagging portion. The food processing system also includes a foreign object sensor arranged about the chute portion. The foreign object sensor and the chute portion cooperatively form a foreign object sensing zone within a passage formed by the chute portion that extends along a portion of a length of the chute portion. The food processing system also includes at least one sensor testing conduit extending through one or both of the food scaling portion and the chute portion. An exit opening of the at least one sensor testing conduit is arranged in an opposing relationship with respect to the foreign object sensing zone. A foreign object sensor apparatus for detecting non-foodstuff material is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

A food processing system is disclosed. The food processing system includes a food scaling portion, a food bagging portion and a chute portion connecting the food scaling portion to the food bagging portion. The food processing system also includes a foreign object sensor arranged about the chute portion. The foreign object sensor and the chute portion cooperatively form a foreign object sensing zone within a passage formed by the chute portion that extends along a portion of a length of the chute portion. The food processing system also includes at least one sensor testing conduit extending through one or both of the food scaling portion and the chute portion. An exit opening of the at least one sensor testing conduit is arranged in an opposing relationship with respect to the foreign object sensing zone. A foreign object sensor apparatus for detecting non-foodstuff material is also disclosed. A method is also disclosed.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a dispensing mechanism, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information memory may store data that comprises one of a glossiness level of a surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions; that is used by the controller to adjust a sensor; and that comprises parameters of movement of the dispensing mechanism of one or more of maximum torque, rotation angles, and rotation positions of the movement of the dispensing mechanism used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions.

A storage and dosing station for storage and dispensing dosed quantities of solid drug portions includes a controller, an information reading device coupled to the controller, a dispensing mechanism, a detachable storage container configured to store solid drug portions, an outlet configured to output the solid drug portions and an information memory. The information memory may store data that comprises one of a glossiness level of a surface of the solid drug portions and a reflectivity level of the surface of the solid drug portions that is used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions; that is used by the controller to adjust a sensor; and that comprises parameters of movement of the dispensing mechanism of one or more of maximum torque, rotation angles, and rotation positions of the movement of the dispensing mechanism used by the controller to control dispensing of the solid drug portions.