Apparatus and Method for filling a Container with Articles

An apparatus for filling a container in an empty state with articles through a container opening while the container opening faces sideward to provide the container in a filled state. The apparatus comprises a receiving station for receiving the container in the empty state at a first vertical level; a discharging station for discharging the container in the filled state at a second vertical level; and a filling station for receiving and filling articles into the container in the empty state in between the first and second vertical levels while the container opening faces sideward for receiving articles into the container. The apparatus further comprises a container transfer handler for receiving and taking the container in the empty state at the receiving station, holding and transferring the container from the receiving station to the filling station and presenting the container opening facing sideward at the filling station for filling ofthe container with articles through the container opening, holding and transferring the container in the filled state from the filling station to the discharging station, and releasing the container in the filled state at the discharging station.