System, method and apparatus for processing cartridges en masse

Abstract

A cartridge processing system can have a base to support cartridges on an underlying support surface. The base can include a rack with support holes to support respective ones of the cartridges. In addition, a tray having a tray bottom can be removably placed on tops of the cartridges. A platform with platform holes can be substantially coaxially aligned with respective ones of the support holes. The tray can have a funnel extending from the platform. The funnel can form a perimeter around the platform holes, such that the platform holes can be conduits for product to be placed in the cartridges.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A cartridge processing system, comprising:
 a base configured to support cartridges on an underlying support surface, the base having a rack with support holes configured to support respective ones of the cartridges;   a tray comprising a tray bottom configured to be removably placed on tops of the cartridges, a platform with platform holes configured to be substantially coaxially aligned with respective ones of the support holes, and the tray has a funnel extending from the platform, wherein the funnel forms a perimeter around the platform holes, such that the platform holes are configured to be conduits for product to be placed in the cartridges; and   a guide configured to be located adjacent the rack.   
     
     
         22 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the base and the rack are integrally formed as a single, monolithic structure. 
     
     
         23 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the base and the rack are separate components, such that the rack can be placed on and removed from the base. 
     
     
         24 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the rack comprises a plurality of racks, each of which can be selectively used with the base. 
     
     
         25 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the support holes comprise a support hole inner diameter that is greater than a cartridge outer diameter of the cartridges. 
     
     
         26 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein both the base and the platform are substantially flat. 
     
     
         28 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein a tray portion of the tray comprises a receptacle configured to engage the guide. 
     
     
         29 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein guide portions of the guide are configured to be located on opposite lateral sides of the rack. 
     
     
         30 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the guide is configured to guide alignment of the tray with the rack, such that the tray is configured to be vertically spaced apart from the rack when the tray is seated on tops of the cartridges. 
     
     
         31 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the platform of the tray is opposite the tray bottom. 
     
     
         32 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 31 , wherein the tray bottom comprises cartridge recesses that circumscribe respective ones of the platform holes, and the cartridge recesses are configured to receive tops of respective ones of the cartridges. 
     
     
         33 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the platform holes have a platform hole diameter that is less than a cartridge inner diameter of the cartridges. 
     
     
         34 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 33 , wherein the platform holes taper down in diameter from the platform to the tray bottom. 
     
     
         35 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 21 , wherein the cartridges are configured to comprise upper plugs having a plug axial depth of insertion. 
     
     
         36 . The cartridge processing system of  claim 35 , further comprising a tamper configured to engage the tray, the tamper having a plurality of extensions configured to extend through respective ones of the platform holes and into respective ones of the cartridges.