Abstract: A device for welding the bottom flange of a stiffener on the side of a skin. The stiffener and the skin are made of a composite comprising a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The device comprises a punch, an anvil and a press to make a clamping between the punch and the anvil. The punch comprises a part forming a pressure table with a cross-section width less than or equal to the width of the stiffener bottom flange and a heating element with width less than the width of the pressure table. The anvil comprises a cooling component and has a cross-section width smaller than the width of the skin. A method for implementing the device.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for closing preferably bag-type packaging units by compression, which units have regions of differing thickness along the package opening to be closed, such as square bottom bags for instance, in particular made of coated or uncoated paper, paperboard, plastic, film, and/or woven material, which packaging units have at least one suitable sealing surface that is integrated in or applied to the material for permanent bonding to a surface that is adjacent to or opposite and pressed against the material, wherein the closing apparatus has a pressing device with at least one pressure device and at least one counter-pressure device between which the packaging units can be compressed, preferably with the application of heat, in the region of their sealing surface(s). In order to achieve a uniformly durable closure, the pressure device and the counter-pressure device have zones of different pressure and/or different temperature along the package opening to be closed.

Abstract: A method of severing and sealing a film formed of a thermoplastic material includes heating a cutting edge implement to a temperature sufficient to melt but not to burn the thermoplastic material, feeding a plurality of layers of the film between the cutting edge implement and an opposing surface, and moving the cutting edge implement, which is preferably a supported hot wire, and the opposing surface relative to one another to pinch the plurality of layers of film therebetween. Thereafter, any relative lateral movement between the cutting edge implement, the film, and the opposing surface is suspended, while the cutting edge implement and the opposing surface are relatively biased together with the plurality of layers of film pinched therebetween, until the cutting edge implement cuts through the plurality of layers of film, contacts the opposing surface, and seals the plurality of layers of film together.

Abstract: A closing apparatus for closing preferably bag-type packaging units by compression, which units have regions of differing thickness along the package opening to be closed, such as square bottom bags for instance, in particular made of coated or uncoated paper, paperboard, plastic, film, and/or woven material, which packaging units have at least one suitable sealing surface that is integrated in or applied to the material for permanent bonding to a surface that is adjacent to or opposite and pressed against the material, wherein the closing apparatus has a pressing device with at least one pressure device and at least one counter-pressure device between which the packaging units can be compressed, preferably with the application of heat, in the region of their sealing surface(s). In order to achieve a uniformly durable closure, the pressure device and the counter-pressure device have zones of different pressure and/or different temperature along the package opening to be closed.

Abstract: The invention relates to top seal driver assembly for sealing the top opening of a pouch comprising Motor means for driving a rocker bar mounted on a central drive shaft, the rocker bar being connected on opposite ends to an outer seal rod drive bar and to an inner seal rod drive bar, the outer seal rod drive bar being connected to outer seal drive rods, and the inner seal rod drive bar being connected to inner seal drive rods, the outer and inner seal drive rods being supported in a box frame with bearing means, wherein outside dovetail bars are mounted to the outer seal drive rod and inner dovetail bars are mounted to the inner seal drive rod, wherein seal bar assemblies are mounted to the dovetail bars, wherein the box frame contains the central drive shaft, the rocker bar, the outer and inner seal rod drive bars and the outer and inner seal drive rods.

Abstract: A container packaging apparatus includes a side edge chuck member that positions and holds both side ends of an opening of a packaging bag in place during a deaeration operation, suppressing development of crimps in a sealed area of the packaging bag. A high level of sealing of the packaging bag and thus the packaging of a container case with a resultant high level of quality in a stable manner can be obtained.

Abstract: For the heat treatment of cigarette packs (10) having an outer wrapper made of shrink film, the packs (10) can be conveyed in pairs, one above the other, through a shrink-fitting subassembly (20). During a standstill phase, heating plates (22, 23, 24) butt against upwardly and downwardly oriented pack surfaces in order to transmit heat. The heating plates (22, 24) can be moved upward and downward in order that the pack (10) is free of loading during the conveying cycle.

Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.

Abstract: A bag manipulating method and assembly including a pair of bag grippers that receive and grip opposing side edges of a bag positioned in a loading station. The bag grippers are movable in a plane substantially normal to a longitudinal axis of the loading station. The bag manipulating assembly also includes upper and lower bag spreader assemblies, each having a suction cup to apply suction to the bag and a spreader plate that is insertable into the bag and movable to spread apart the bag. Preferably, the bag grippers move toward each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis while the bag is being spread apart to facilitate opening the bag. To facilitate closing and sealing the bag, the bag grippers move away from each other in a plane substantially normal to the longitudinal axis after the bag has been filled.

Abstract: A method for the production of packs of rolls of paper, in which the rolls are collectively wrapped with a sheet of plastic film which is folded and sealed, allows a rational method of closing one front surface of packs and the simultaneous automatic production of an opening at the surface for the pack handle. An apparatus for implementing the method comprises suction plates, which move vertically in opposite directions to join end flaps of the sheet of plastic film, closing the pack. The flaps are joined with the aid of means designed to neatly arrange the material of the side surface of the sheet between the flaps inside the flaps as they are joined. Further means seal the two flaps and make a pack handle opening.

Abstract: A bag loading method and assembly including a bag tray for holding a stack of bags and a conveyor assembly positioned above the bag tray. The conveyor assembly is movable between a first position, where the conveyor assembly engages a bag, and a second position, where the conveyor assembly is inclined with respect to the bag tray. Preferably, the conveyor assembly includes first and second rollers, a body portion between the first and second rollers, at least one vacuum generator communicating with the body portion for providing vacuum to the conveyor assembly, and an endless belt encircling portions of the rollers and the body portion. The endless belt engages the bag from the bag tray when the conveyor assembly is in the first position, and moves the bag to a position where the bag can be opened and filled when the conveyor assembly is in the second position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the end closure of packaging tubes is provided. In one embodiment, the tube which is to be sealed presents an intermediate wall having a surplus length across the tube cross-section, and the intermediate wall is fixed at the filling end of the tube to the tube wall and along two joining locations extending along the length of the tube. A hot air nozzle with two sub-members forming a gap therebetween is inserted into the opening in the filling end, and parts of the intermediate wall and the inside of the tube intended for sealing are heat activated in a non-contacting manner. Apparatus for producing a clamping action is pressed against the heat activated tube end and the intermediate wall. This apparatus includes a pair of clamping jaws arranged for translatory motion perpendicular to the tube axis and initially in a direction at an angle to a line through the joining locations.