Abstract: The wrapper which surrounds the product is formed from two pieces, for example, of thin aluminium foil. The first piece is shaped to a generally cup-shaped configuration so as to house the product substantially completely also leaving a projecting edge in the region of the mouth portion of the cup-shaped configuration. The second piece, which retains a substantially flat configuration, is applied and welded to the projecting edge. The rim formed as a result of the connection of the two pieces is then subjected to a shaping operation against the product, conferring on the rim a generally case-like configuration. A case-like housing body with a flat base wall which can support the product is thus formed, the case-like housing body being constituted by an integral part of the wrapper.

Abstract: A thermoformed package for a pill-like product is provided. Such a package comprises a first enclosure portion defining a plurality of receptacles, each receptacle being adapted to house the product therein. A sealing layer operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to seal each of the receptacles. A second enclosure portion operably engages the first enclosure portion so as to form a plurality of cells, wherein the second enclosure portion defines a plurality of caps corresponding to the plurality of receptacles. Each cell comprises one of the plurality of receptacles sealed by the sealing layer and the corresponding one of the plurality of caps operably engaged with the receptacle. The plurality of receptacles and/or the plurality of caps are separably engaged so as to allow the cells to be separated.

Abstract: According to a method for forming a blister band (1) for blister packs (10) in blistering machines (M), a band (1) of heat-formable material is moved stepwise through a preheating station (5), a forming station (6), where a regular series of blisters (20) is formed, a filling station (8), where which said blisters (20) are filled with relative articles, a sealing station (9), in which the blister band is sealed with a covering band (11), and a cutting off station (13), where the blister band is cut into single blister packs (10). The method includes gradual heating, during the stepwise movement of the band (1) in the preheating station (5), of respective areas (24a,24b,24c) of the band (1). The areas (24a,24b,24c) are distributed regularly within a cold grid-like zone and have extension suitably bigger than the extension of the blisters (20) made in the region of the heated areas (24a,24b,24c).

Abstract: A process for manufacturing packaging (12) with good barrier properties against passage of water vapor and gases is such that recesses are shape-formed in a film-shaped material (22) to act as containers (26) to accommodate contents. After cutting the shape-formed film into individual units of packaging (12), these are coated in vacuum with materials exhibiting the desired barrier properties. A device for carrying out the process comprises a shaping station (14) for shape-forming the containers (26) from the film-shaped material (22), a cutting station (16) for cutting the packaging (12) out of the shape-formed, film-shaped material (22), and a vacuum-coating station (18) for coating the packaging (12). The process and the device make it possible to manufacture e.g. light-transparent blister packs within a packaging line, whereby the good barrier properties against passage of water vapor and gases can be achieved using relatively cost-favorable starting materials.

Abstract: A paper composite for realizing packages in three-dimensional form having a layer of yieldable paper with a degree of yieldingness in any direction not less than 10% and impermeablilizing film having a yieldingness compatible with yieldable paper. A method for realizing packages where a leaf of composite is faced to a cavity of at least a mould, the leaf being bounded in correspondence of a continuous edge of the cavity, and subsequently tangentially stretching the leaf of composite to adhere to an inner surface of the cavity to obtain a concave valve. The valve has the shape of the cavity. The package obtained is a concave container having a closure film applied to the filling, and may have two concave valves joined together along the facing edges.

Abstract: The invention herein provides for a blister pack which confines the movement a dosage form in order to resist damage thereto during handling and transportation while permitting removal of the intact dosage form, and apparatus and methods for the same. In particular, the invention provides a blister pack wherein the blister includes a protruding region between the opening and the base, thereby producing a constricted area or “neck” in the blister. In a preferred embodiment, the protruding region comprises an inwardly directed annulus formed in the blister wall. Accordingly, vertical movement of the dosage form is confined as a result of the protruding region, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage to the dosage form caused by agitation of the blister pack. The invention is particularly useful in packaging frangible pharmaceutical dosage forms formed in situ within in the blister, such as freeze dried dosage forms and rapidly dissolving oral dosage forms.

Abstract: The present inventors have discovered that an easily measured property, namely complex viscosity, directly relates to physical film compatibility and have further identified a class of polyolefin materials, which are particularly amenable to exhibiting such properties. It is important to note that this discovery assumes that the film material is first chemically compatible with the thermoplastic composition to be packaged. The invention is particularly useful for low viscosity thermoplastic compositions having a Brookfield viscosity of less than about 10,000 cPs at 350° F., such as pressure sensitive hot melt adhesive compositions which are typically applied by melting the packaged adhesive composition in a melt tank wherein the melt tank lacks an active mixing means.

Abstract: A method for producing stand-up blister packages, and in particular a stable, easy-to-fill stand-up blister package that has no undercut of the blister dome, and can be produced with a high cycle number, without malfunctions and with a good, reproducible quality, in hot-seal machines. For this purpose, a fold line is produced through the heating of a linear region, independently of the heating during the process of sealing the blister edges with the carrier part. The apparatus has a corresponding heating station for heating and creating a fold line in the blister dome.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed container is provided with a dispensing nozzle terminating in an aperture surrounded by locking lugs. A removable closure portion unitary with the dispensing nozzle and delineated by a frangible web that circumscribes the opening is provided as well so that the closure portion may be severed from the cap portion at the frangible web. An apparatus for fabricating such container is provided which includes a main mold assembly for molding the container body and dual seal mold assemblies for molding the container cap portion and container closure. The main seal mold assembly includes a top surface having a knife edge and an annular cavity. After the main seal mold assembly is closed during the molding process, a forming assembly including a mandrel is extended through the parison into abutting contact with the parison over the top surface of the main seal mold assembly.

Abstract: A process for producing a thermoformed package comprises the steps of placing a first sheet of film over a forming die having at least one cavity, heating the film to mold the film into the at least one cavity thereby forming at least one recess in the film, placing a composition in the at least one formed recess; and sealing a second sheet of film across the at least one formed recess to produce at least one closed package. The film is heated by a heating plate having at least one concave depression which in use overlies the at least one cavity, wherein the heating step involves the step of bringing the film into intimate contact with the or each depression.

Abstract: A system for continuously manufacturing security tags involves supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a supply station and then forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web. Resonator strips are inserted in the housing cavities downstream of the plastic forming. The housing cavities with the inserted resonator strips are closed and sealed with lid stock material which is placed over the open ends of the housing cavities. Bias strips are attached to the outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavity. Cover strip material is then placed over the bias strips and outer surface of the lid stock material.

Abstract: A water soluble package containing a fluid substance for release on dissolution of the package, the package having a dome shaped body portion for containing the fluid substance comprising a first sheet of a water soluble material thermoformed to form a body wall of the body portion, and a second sheet of water soluble material superposed on the first sheet and sealed thereto along a continuous region of the superposed sheets to form a base wall of the body portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for covering the top of a container with a cap made of a plastic material, wherein the container is hermetically sealed by said cap thereby protecting the top portion of the container and the contents of the container from contamination.

Abstract: A sealing tool for sealing a package trough with a covering film includes a bottom part, side parts oriented transverse and side parts oriented parallel to the direction of package trough feed, wherein the side parts oriented transverse to the direction of feed can be displaced downwardly, while the other parts of the bottom sealing tool are fixed in their spatial arrangement, relative to the frame of the machine.

Abstract: A heat shrinkable film with improved shrink characteristics has ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching. A multilayer embodiment includes a first layer of an acid copolymer, an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, or blends of the two; and a second layer of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with nine to twenty percent by weight vinyl acetate, with narrow molecular weight distribution and a high degree of short chain branching.

Abstract: A process and a device for packaging products in thermoformed boxes, uses a single strip of thermoplastic or thermoformable material to produce cavities (B) and covers (A) and to fold them down (13) about the product to be packaged before thermowelding (14) their edges.

Abstract: Different ways are disclosed for manufacturing air cell dunnage in which the variation in thickness of the individual bubble walls is significantly reduced. In one embodiment, the bubbles are formed from a plastic sheet having regions which vary in thickness so that when these regions are vacuum formed into bubbles, they result in bubbles having an approximately uniform wall thickness. The sheets are extruded through a die which is shaped to profile the thickness of the sheet from side to side. Longitudinal profiling of the thickness is provided by means of shaping bars which move vertically with respect to the extruded sheet. The variation in wall thickness also can be reduced using flat plastic sheet by controlling the application of the vacuum to the hemispherical dies which form the bubbles. The vacuum may be applied progressively through rings of apertures from the bottom or opening of the bubble to the top or apex of the bubble.

Abstract: A method of molding and filling aseptic containers comprises the steps of sterilizing preforms, heating the sterilized preforms to a temperature appropriate to orientation, molding the heated preforms into containers by an orientation blow molding process, filling the molded containers with an aseptic liquid and hermetically closing the filled containers each with an aseptic closure. The sterilizing step is performed by bringing a sterilizing gas into contact with surfaces of the preforms.

Abstract: The band 10 which stores little parts 20 in many storing dents 14 arranged along a longitudinal direction and packs the little parts 20 by covering surfaces of the storing dents 14 with a cover tape 30, and is made of a flexible material having a compress-forming nature, and comprises storing dents 14 which are compress-formed from a surface to a fixed depth in a thickness direction.

Abstract: A manufacturing method for forming gelatin capsules comprising: supplying two gelatin sheets having preformed pockets between die rollers; partially suturing the gelatin sheets together by means of the die rollers to form a pocket; weighing powder or particulate capsule content in a weighing hole aligned with said pocket; utilizing a pusher to push said capsule content through said weighing hole and into the pocket; and completing the suturing of the gelatin sheets by means of the die rollers to envelop said capsule content in said pocket.

Abstract: A blister pack comprises a blister assembly (10) including two blister parts (11, 12) which are interconnected and foldable towards each other, each blister part (11, 12) having a set of blisters (16). The blisters (16) of one blister part (11) are so offset relative to the blisters (16) of the other blister part (12) that, after folding, the blisters (16) of the two blister parts (11, 12) engage between each other. The blister pack further comprises a protective unit (20) including two closure panels (21, 22) and preferably one intermediate panel (23), which is defined by two folding lines (24, 25). The blister pack also comprises a supporting unit (30) including at least one base panel (31), which has at least one hole (33). The supporting unit (30) is connected to said blister assembly (10) such that the blisters (16) of at least one blister part (11) are aligned with said at least one hole (33).

Abstract: Blister pack, for example to accommodate items such as pharmaceutical items in the form of capsules, coated capsules, ampoules etc., from a base part and a lid part made from strip shaped packaging material. The base part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders and the lid part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders; the base and lid parts lie on a plane of symmetry and the base and lid parts are joined at their shoulders over the whole or part of the surface area in the region of the plane of symmetry; the recesses in the base and lid parts which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry form compartments and the contents are contained in the compartments. The blister packs may be manufactured, for example, by folding or turning over an endless strip of packaging material along a line of symmetry.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: A method for making a suture package includes injection molding a shallow polymer tray for holding a suture. Fenestrations formed in a substantially flat floor area of the package cause the package to lay flat by interrupting material stresses set up by, e.g., differential cooling during injection molding.

Abstract: The band 10 which stores little parts 20 in many storing dents 14 arranged along a longitudinal direction and packs the little parts 20 by covering surfaces of the storing dents 14 with a cover tape 30, and is made of a flexible material having a compress-forming nature, and comprises storing dents 14 which are compress-formed from a surface to a fixed depth in a thickness direction.

Abstract: A mold is formed the interior volume of which corresponds to the exterior envelope required for the container (2). A core corresponding to the shape required for the cavity (14) to be formed inside the container (2) is prepared. Said core is placed inside the interior volume of the mold and an appropriate plastics material is injected under pressure into said interior volume to constitute an envelope comprising two substantially parallel walls (5, 6) extending at a predetermined small distance from each other between two common lateral edges (9, 10), with a common transverse edge (16) at the same end as the neck (14b). The product to be packaged is injected into the interior of the envelope. The transverse edge (15) of the body (14a) is closed by welding the plastics material.

Abstract: Aseptically sterilized package of a liquid nutritional product manufactured by (a) providing a multi-layered plastic sheet having at least one polymeric structural layer and at least one polymeric barrier layer; (b) passing the sheet through a peroxide bath; (c) locating the sheet in a sterile environment; (d) applying heat a plurality of times to the sheet; (e) forming the sterilized sheet into a container having a body portion; (f) filling the body portion with a liquid nutritional product; (g) sealing the container with a tabbed, multi-layered closure; and (h) separating the sealed container from the remainder of the sheet. Preferably the liquid nutritional product is infant formula. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the sheet is a laminate having two structural layers, each being about 45% of the laminate thickness and secured to either side of the barrier layer, which is about 5% of the laminate thickness, by an adhesive layer of about 2.5% of the laminate thickness.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a receptacle from a generally flat thermoplastic blank has an upstream conveyor extending along a path in a transport direction through a loading station, a heating station downstream of the loading station, and a forming station downstream from the heating station. The conveyor has a plurality of supports forming a plurality of respective throughgoing apertures spaced apart in the direction. A supply at the loading station positions a respective blank atop each of the apertures of the conveyor with a central region of each blank exposed through the respective aperture and a periphery of each blank engaging and supported by the respective support A drive connected to the conveyor advances it and the blanks carried on it step-wise through the heating and forming stations. At the heating station at least the central region of each blank is heated to a softening point.

Abstract: A method and system for continuously manufacturing security tags involve supplying housing stock material in a continuous web from a supply station and then forming housing cavities in the housing stock material without separating the continuous web. Resonator strips are inserted in the housing cavities downstream of the plastic forming. The housing cavities with the inserted resonator strips are closed and sealed with lid stock material which is placed over the open ends of the housing cavities. Bias strips are attached to the outer surface of the lid stock material remote from the housing cavity. Cover strip material is then placed over the bias strips and outer surface of the lid stock material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for making various packages that are easily assembled into arrays for use in small runs of articles that are to be stuffed in the packages. One type of package is particularly suitable for attachment to a header card another package is designed to facilitate the insertion of debit cards. An array of receptacles are formed and placed on a sheet and a pattern of adhesive formed on another sheet. The receptacles are registered with the pattern in such manner that top edges of the receptacles are in contact with and can pull of the adhesive so that the receptacles are conveniently placed on a header card. Several embodiments are shown and described.

Abstract: A system and method for sterile packaging of beverages in plastic containers forms the plastic containers and fills them with sterile beverages in a common sterile environment. The containers are formed from a blow molding process in which the containers reach elevated temperatures sufficient to at least inpart sterilize the interior of the containers, are filled with sterile beverages immediately after the containers are formed in the same sterile environment. This eliminates the need for heavy use of sterilizing fluids for the plastic containers such as hydrogen peroxide or the like.

Abstract: Process for manufacturing blister packs, for example to accommodate items such as pharmaceutical items in the form of capsules, coated capsules, ampoules etc., from a base part and a lid part made from strip shaped packaging material. The base part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders and the lid part exhibits permanently shaped recesses which are surrounded by shoulders; the base and lid parts lie on a plane of symmetry and the base and lid parts are joined at their shoulders over the whole or part of the surface area in the region of the plane of symmetry; the recesses in the base and lid parts which are symmetrically arranged with respect to the plane of symmetry form compartments and the contents are contained in the compartments. The blister packs may be manufactured, for example, by folding or turning over an endless strip of packaging material along a line of symmetry.

Abstract: A process for applying a biobarrier member to a vent opening in a foil member used for medical device packaging. The process provides for cutting a biobarrier member from a roll of stock and sealing the biobarrier member about the vent opening in the foil member. The seal is tested for integrity and the biobarrier member is tested for porosity.

Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Abstract: A method of preparing filled plastic containers by preparing a formed plastic precursor by thermoforming, pressure molding, or tabletting in a precursor preparation station, heating the plastic precursor in a heating station to a compression molding temperature, preparing a plastic preform by compression molding the heat plastic precursor in a preform production station, blow molding the preform into the configuration of a final container in a blow molding station, and filling the blow molded container in a filling station, wherein the preform preparation, blow molding and filling are performed sequentially in physically proximate operations.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced patterns each formed including depressions (196, 198) and/or grooves (24). Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In the preferred form, the food items include one or more continuous strings (14e, 14f) and one or more continuous, thin strips (14c, 14d) of food adhered to the support material (16).

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with high accuracy a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m into cavities having a size corresponding to the volume of powder to be filled, wherein said device comprises oscillating and rotating means for breaking down aggregates formed in the finely divided powdered medicament and filling and for compacting it in said cavities. The invention also includes a method of filling with high accuracy of a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 .mu.m and to fill said finely divided powdered medicament into cavities, wherein the finely divided powdered medicament is transported and compacted in said cavities by oscillating and rotating means.

Abstract: A toner bottle for containing powder toner includes a toner supply opening at one longitudinal end; lateral recesses or projections extending in a direction crossing with a longitudinal direction of the bottle; and a plurality of longitudinal recesses or projections extending substantially in the longitudinal direction in both sides of the lateral recesses or projections.

Abstract: Apparatus (10) is disclosed including first and second forming rollers (18, 21) which rotatably abut with an anvil roller (20). The forming rollers (18, 21) each include a periphery forming a continuous forming surface including a plurality of axially and circumferentially spaced patterns each formed including depressions (196, 198) and/or grooves (24). Food (14) is simultaneously fed by a saddle (36, 36') between a continuous strip of support material (16) and a continuous ribbon of film material (66) as they pass between a first abutment nip of the first forming roller (18) and the anvil roller (20). In a preferred form, the saddle (36') is in the form of a block having a trough (24) supplied by food under pressure. Radially disposed barriers (132) divide the trough (24) into axial portions.

Abstract: A barrier package for the storage of lens wafers used in fabricating laminated lenses, comprises a package adapted to be sealed to enclose therein a lens wafer and formed of a multilayer material, including a metallic layer, of low moisture transmission rate, so that conditions of humidity inside the sealed package are substantially isolated from humidity conditions external of the package. Lens wafers so stored exhibit minimum distortions to interface curvature. Instead of or in addition to being stored in a barrier package, the lens wafers can also be coated with a moisture barrier coating to achieve isolation from external humidity fluctuations. The moisture equilibrated precision lens wafers are suitable for use in optical devices.

Abstract: A continuous lamina (3) is indexed through a forming station so as to be arranged around a tubular element (14); edges of the lamina (3) are welded together to form an unexpanded envelope (2a) which is then inflated when the envelope (2a) is closed in a die (11) through opposite sides of which said tubular element (14) passes; a container (2) formed by expanding said envelope (2a) is then filled and closed while a following envelope (2a) is being expanded.

Abstract: Process and plant for packaging in the fluid state substances which are sticky or soft at room or handling temperature, wherein the substance (A) is cast in a mould (1) provided with holes and lined, by means of vacuum thermoforming, with a thin film of plastic material (4) which is non-sticky at the room temperature and compatible, in the fluid state, with the sticky or soft substance (stage I). The free-surface of this substance thus formed is cooled (stage II) and finally covered with a non-sticky material (25) which is then heat-sealed with the film (stage III). The sealed materials are finally cut in the region of the sealed joint (stage IV).

Abstract: A continuous particle monitoring system for use in a filling machine is provided. The filling machine has a plurality of processing stations in which containers are conveyed to each processing station to execute at least one process to collectively form, fill and seal each container. The filling machine also includes an air intake in fluid communication with a clean air supply. A chamber is connected in fluid communication with the air intake to receive the clean air supply. The particle monitoring system is constructed and arranged to monitor the clean air supply within the chamber. To this end, the particle monitoring system includes a sampling probe arranged in the chamber and oriented anisoaxially with respect to the clean air supply. The sampling probe preferably includes a substantially tubular body having a sampling port arranged at an end thereof. Also, a mounting plate for securing the probe within the filling machine is formed in the tubular body.

Abstract: The described invention is directed to a process and a device for the production of a specimen carrier (18) and to the specimen carrier (18) itself An easily manageable specimen carrier (18) for the measurement of tagged specimens (19) is produced by a device by means of a more economical process in which the detection sensitivity of C.sup.14 .beta.-radiation is substantially improved. A specimen carrier (18) of this kind with specimen locations (8) which are enclosed on all sides by sheets (2, 20) is provided in that a sheet (2) is provided with depressions (3), a specimen (19) is placed in each of these depressions (3), a second sheet (20) is placed upon the sheet (2) carrying the specimens (19) and/or the sheets (2, 20) are connected with one another (see FIG. 1).

Abstract: A blister-pack package is made by forming a strip with a plurality of fields of upwardly open pockets and filling the pockets with respective objects while leaving at least one pocket empty and then scanning the fields and determining an address of the empty pocket in the respective field. A refilling head is then loaded at a stationary location with at least one of the objects. The loaded refilling head is then positioned above the empty pocket in accordance with the determined address, and the object is dropped from the loaded and positioned head into the empty pocket.

Abstract: A flower pot cover for providing a decorative cover for an item, such as a floral grouping. The flower pot cover comprises a base portion and a skirt portion. The base portion has an upper end, a lower end, a bottom having a first thickness and a continuous sidewall extending generally between the upper and lower ends of the base portion. The skirt portion is positioned circumferentially about the upper end of the base portion and extends a distance therefrom. The skirt portion is substantially flexible and has a third thickness which is less than the first thickness of the bottom of the base portion. The base portion and the skirt portion cooperate to provide the flower pot cover with a shape sustaining configuration.

Abstract: A press-through packaging or blister package having excellent moisture-proofness, transparency, and superior processibility by vacuum or pneumatic forming, comprising of a formed product having blisters thereon prepared by forming a sheet or film of a non-stretched layer made from one or more non-crystalline polyolefin resins selected from the group consisting ofa cycloolefin random copolymer obtained from a non-ring-opening polymerization of ethylene and a cycloolefin having a molecular structure represented by the general formula (1), with an intrinsic viscosity (.eta.) of 0.01-100 dl/g determined in decalin at 135.degree. C. and a softening temperature (TMA) of 50.degree.-200.degree. C., anda graft-modified product of said cycloolefin random copolymer, ##STR1## in which n is zero or 1, m is zero or any positive integer, q is zero or 1, R.sup.1 -R.sup.18 as well as R.sup.a and R.sup.

Abstract: This invention pertains to a method and apparatus for wrapping an article, wherein a metal foil is pleated and then formed in to a dished shape such that the pleats unfold, and then an article is placed within this dished shape.

Abstract: A system of the present invention includes a deep draw package enclosing a three dimensional item such as for example a blood collection tube or the like, and an apparatus and method for making the same. The deep draw package includes an upper film and a lower film each having a cavity formed therein, with the films sealingly joined together along the periphery of the cavities to form an item containing compartment therein. A tab member is provide along one edge of the films to facilitate opening of the package. The apparatus and method of the present invention include a number of sub-assemblies for providing an upper film and a lower film, forming cavities in the films, placing the item in one of the cavities, sealing the films together along the periphery of the cavities to form a continuous web and cutting the continuous web into strips having the desired number of packages formed therein.

Abstract: A method of producing a tinned food container has a container body 1 of a flat material, especially aluminum strip or tinplate strip which is deep-drawn and which, at least in the region of its planar end flange, is provided with a coating 2, especially a sealing coating, and has a cover 4 provided with a further coating, especially a further sealing coating, and is made of a foil material, especially aluminum foil, is sealed on to the edge flange under the influence of pressure and/or heat. To make the production method more economical, and for producing a container body with an intermediate sealing layer 3 additionally inserted during the sealing-on operation, first the blank for the container body 1 and intermediate sealing layer 3 is punched in one piece out of the flat material. Then the intermediate sealing layer 3 subsequently is separated from the container body 1 in the region of the edge flange.