Abstract: The invention relates to a machine for shaping, filling and closing expanded polymer containers, comprising a lower unwinder (1) for an expanded polymer web (4), a preheating station (3) for preheating the web, a container thermoforming station (5), a filling area (6) for filling the containers, an upper unwinder (7) for a closing film for closing shaped containers, a container closing station (10), a cutting station (11) and a drag system (12) for dragging the web (4) along the different stations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enclosing a palletized container of fresh containers of perishables inside a modified atmosphere-containing plastic bag/enclosure stretched over the containers and over upwardly-folded and sealed margins of a plastic sheet placed between the pallet and the containers to seal the containers of perishables inside the bag/enclosure and to facilitate forming and maintaining a modified atmosphere inside the bag/enclosure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for antimicrobial injection in a web packaging pasteurization system are provided. A pressurized mixture of pasteurizing medium and at least one antimicrobial agent is applied to the surfaces of a food product. According to a preferred embodiment, the at least one microbial agent is injected into and thereby mixed with the pressurized supply of pasteurizing steam prior to its discharge into a pressurized chamber and application to the food surfaces. Preferably, the mixture is introduced into the pressurized chamber at an inflow rate and vented from the chamber at an outflow rate that is slower than the inflow rate such that the pressure in the chamber increases to increase the temperature of the mixture to an effective temperature for killing bacteria.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.

Abstract: A process for aseptic packaging of sterile liquids in flexible containers including a pre-chamber pressurized with a sterilized inert fluid that is injected through an auxiliary line and flows out to activate a sterile barrier such as to allow complete asepsis of the packaging process. A pressing device compresses the film to form a seal against the outer surface of the feed tube that introduces sterile liquid into the aseptic packaging chamber.

Abstract: A method for making a two component device where the two components are in separate containers with one container inside the other. The method includes placing a first container between the top and bottom of a second container in a die that draws a vacuum between the top and bottom of the second container when they are sealed to form the container. The vacuum preferably ranges from about 8 to about 13 psi. The two components are selected to react to achieve a result, such as the generation of heat.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a non-rectilinear flexible package comprising an in-line process including application and selective sealing of a semi-rigid strip to an inner wall of the package and further including a dual-stage die-cutting technique to remove and cut a non-linear shape into a formed web of film. The semi-rigid strip is sealed to one interior wall of the package but not the other to provide a reinforced opening to the package through which a material can be dispensed. Additionally, the dual stage die-cutting method comprises first cutting and removing a portion of the web material prior to filling the package and again cutting and removing a portion of the web material after filling, resulting in a package having a narrowed neck adjacent the closed reinforced opening at an upper portion of the package and a body of the package that is tapered towards the reinforced opening.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the automated manufacture of self-sealing inflatable dunnage bags includes a bag making machine. The bag making machine includes a plurality of sheet roll spindles and a plurality of heat sealing rollers. A first bag sheet roll is retained on a first bag spindle. A second bag sheet roll is retained on a second bag spindle. A strip bag sheet roll is retained on a strip spindle. A plurality of first openings are formed through the first bag sheet. A plurality of second openings are formed through the strip bag sheet. Each edge of the strip bag sheet is heat sealed to the first bag sheet with a first roller. A first bag roller seals an end partition across the first and second bag sheets. The edges of the first and second bag sheet are heat sealed to each other with a second bag roller.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus including a receptacle, a ram, a film dispensing assembly and first and second elongate members. The receptacle defines a central axis and has a dispensing end with first and second substantially linear and parallel opposed edges that define an axial limit of the dispensing end. The plastic film material forms a film tube about the receptacle. The first and second elongate members are substantially parallel with the first and second edges. In operation, the ram is extended to eject the batch of material through the dispensing end into the film tube. Retracting the ram forms a partial vacuum within the film tube between the batch of material and the ram. The first and second elongate members compressively engage the film tube between the batch of material and the dispensing end and thereby form folded flaps in the film tube. A method of packaging is also disclosed.

Abstract: A container has a product chamber for containing a product. The product chamber has a product opening that opens into the exterior. A closure member is releasably mounted on the product opening. The container further includes an additive chamber for containing an additive, and a pressure valve that connects the additive chamber and the product chamber with each other. The pressure valve has a closed position when the pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the pressure inside the additive chamber, and an open position for discharging additive from the additive chamber into the product chamber when the pressure inside the product chamber is lower than the pressure inside the additive chamber. The pressure inside the product chamber is higher than the ambient pressure and the pressure inside the additive chamber is both lower than the pressure inside the product chamber and higher than the ambient pressure.

Abstract: A modified atmosphere flow-wrap system and method and components thereof are provided for packaging a food product in a reduced oxygen atmosphere in a continuous or partially-continuous process. In one aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a saturation tunnel for saturating the food products with modified gas to reduce an amount of residual oxygen therein. In another aspect, the flow-wrap system includes a flow-wrapping station with a modified gas lance that extends into film webbing used to form the food product packages to insert modified gas into the film webbing and restrict oxygen from entering the food packages.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material. The process relates to optimizing both, the evacuation of the headspace in the pouch and the accuracy of the flowable material filled in the pouch. Specifically, the present invention employs a process that includes a multiple-step or a continuous compression of the pouch headspace to accomplish the goals. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enclosing a palletized container of fresh containers of perishables inside a modified atmosphere-containing plastic bag/enclosure stretched over the containers and over upwardly-folded and sealed margins of a plastic sheet placed between the pallet and the containers to seal the containers of perishables inside the bag/enclosure and to facilitate forming and maintaining a modified atmosphere inside the bag/enclosure.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance 1 for sealing food product or other articles in a flexible container, the appliance comprises a housing containing a roll of container material 19, an electric motor and associated drive system for causing the container material to automatically advance out of the housing at a predetermined length, a heat element 89 for creating seals on the container material, a vacuum chamber 39 for creating vacuum pressure within a section of container material, and a cutting mechanism 26 for cutting off the container material to create a sealed container containing the food product.

Abstract: The invention relates to a pre-packaged, pre-moistened towel, which is customized. The towel is made from a woven cloth material, which can be customized by printing logos, designs or words on the towel. The towel can be either disposable or reusable.

Abstract: A method for packaging the vacuum device includes providing a pre-packaged container having an exhaust through hole defined therein and a sealing element placed into the exhaust through hole, pumping the pre-packaged container to create a vacuum, heating and softening the sealing element to seal the exhaust through hole, and cooling the melted low-melting glass to package the pre-packaged container.

Abstract: A process for producing an airbag packet for an airbag module is provided. The airbag is folded up in a folding apparatus to form an airbag packet. Then, the airbag packet is enclosed in a gastight manner by a flexible envelope, wherein the airbag packet is at least partially enclosed by the envelope while it is still in the folding apparatus.

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: A dual actuator cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body defining first and second axially aligned and separated internal cavities, which extend along aligned longitudinal axes. A first piston is movably mounted in the first internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the first internal cavity, and a second piston is movably mounted in the second internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the second internal cavity. A first actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the first piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body, and a second actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the second piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body. Movement of the first piston within the first internal cavity and movement of the second piston within the second internal cavity causes movement of the first and second actuator rods, respectively, in an axial direction along the longitudinal axes of the first and second internal cavities.

Abstract: A process for producing an airbag packet for an airbag module is provided. The airbag is folded up in a folding apparatus to form an airbag packet. Then, the airbag packet is enclosed in a gastight manner by a flexible envelope, wherein the airbag packet is at least partially enclosed by the envelope while it is still in the folding apparatus.

Abstract: A linear motion, reciprocating vacuum packaging apparatus and method. Articles to be packaged are advanced in linearly in an upstream-downstream direction, such as by a platen conveyor. A linearly movable, reciprocating vacuum system includes a series evacuation chambers (116a-c), each of which is moved into engagement with one of the platens so that the article enclosed within the evacuation chamber (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes.

Abstract: In the case of a method for the gastight packaging of objects using a film material fitting tightly on the objects using a vacuum, the object being placed in a tray and a deep-drawable film being attached to the tray for sealing, it is provided that a tray having at least one peripheral rim is used to form the packaging, the deep-drawable film is cut to the size of the peripheral rim, and that the deep-drawable film is subsequently and/or simultaneously applied to the peripheral rim in a gastight manner. A device preferably for carrying out this method has at least one cutting device for the deep-drawable film.

Abstract: In a web packaging machine (10) and method packaging a food product (P) between upper and lower webs (14 and 25), wherein the lower web (14) is transported through a series of stations which form the lower web (14) into a component of a package at a forming station (18), and receive the food product (P) at a loading station (20), and close the package with the upper web (25) at a closing station (26), a pasteurization station (300) is provided between the loading station (20) and the closing station (26) and pasteurizing the food product (P).

Abstract: A method for making pods (1) for products for infusion comprises the steps of: feeding a first portion (5) of filter material; making a compressed disk (2) of product, the disk being equivalent to a single dose of the product, at respective dosing and forming stations (3, 4); placing the compressed disk (2) on the first portion (5) of filter material; and superimposing a second portion (6) of filter material over the first portion (5) of filter material with the compressed disk (2) on it in such a way as to form the pod (1). The invention also relates to an apparatus that embodies this method.

Abstract: An airtight apparatus includes a package and a lid. The lid is bonded to the package and defines an airtight space, together with the package. The lid includes an optical window which allows the passage of optical signals, a holding part which holds the optical window, and a deformable part which is formed on an outer circumferential edge of the holding part and which is able to deform when applied with a load smaller than a load that deforms the holding part.

Abstract: A plastic container comprised of a closed base, a body portion, and a neck portion with a dispensing opening. The closed base includes a substantially rigid support portion and a flexible portion. The body portion preferably includes a shoulder portion and a substantially rigid wall portion that includes a plurality of reinforcement formations. The container is configured so that the flexible portion of the base contracts upwardly about the support portion in response to vacuum pressures generated within the container, while the substantially rigid support portion of the sidewall remains substantially firm, for example, to accept or receive a label. If desired, the shoulder portion may include a logo and/or one or more pressure relief formations. A method for producing hot-filled, labeled containers is also disclosed.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system includes a series of vacuum chambers that are carried by a movable combination support member and vacuum manifold, which defines an interior connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum chambers are in communication with the interior of the combination support member and vacuum manifold, through vacuum valves carried by the combination support member and vacuum manifold and conduits that extend between the vacuum valves and the vacuum chambers. The combination support member and vacuum manifold is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, to move the vacuum chambers into and out of engagement with platens that support packages located below the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers and platens are movable in an upstream to downstream direction, to advance the packages while the packages are being evacuated by the vacuum chambers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a packaging machine which has transport means in the form of two transport chains (5, 6) for lateral grasping and transporting of a length of material (7) consisting of packaging material. In particular with longer plants above approximately 10 meters in transport length the stretching property of the transport chains owing to the load has a marked effect on the precision of the transport distance. This results in fluctuations of the transport distance between the two transport chains and therefore distortions of the length of material, which, depending on the type of packaging material, can even lead to tearing of the length of material.

Abstract: Deep draw packaging includes placing an object (C) in a concave container portion (1) formed by molding a film with small shrinkability (A), that is a film having a residual thermal shrinkage rate at 100° C. of 1 to 15 %. The film (A) is formed by stretching a film having deep draw moldability and then thermally relaxing the film. The film has a surface which is formed of a heat sealable material which becomes the inner wall of the container portion. The concave container portion (1) is thereafter transferred to to a vacuum packaging apparatus (5) where it is covered by a cover portion (2) formed of a film (B) which can be heat welded to the film (A). A side face portion (11) and a bottom face portion (12) of the concave container portion (1) are thermally shrunk into close contact with the object (C). Less curling is exhibited when an upper peripheral portion (13) of the concave container portion (1) is sealed with the film (B).

Abstract: A method of filling a collapsible package in a cartridge for use with a caulking gun is provided. The method comprises pressurizing an internal space of a collapsible package to expand the package. Drawing a vacuum external to the collapsible package and removing the positive internal pressure. The vacuum maintains the package in an expanded state. A nozzle is then inserted into the collapsible package to reverse fill the package with a vicious material.

Abstract: A packaging machine former (10) having a base (11) upon which there is mounted a former member (12). Strip bag material passes over the member (12) to be arranged from a strip configuration to a tubular configuration into which product to be packaged is delivered. The base (11) and member (12) have passages through which a gas is delivered to be included with the product in the bags being formed.

Abstract: A filling and sealing device includes an upper part forming a bell and a lower part forming a bowl, receiving a container to be sealed with a film in the chamber defined by the two parts. The upper part has a wall, on the side supplying the sealing film, inserting and filling elements emerging inside the chamber between the sealing film and the lower edge of the wall for inserting products into the chamber and for filling the container therein. Preferably, the upper part also includes above the inserting and filling elements, a slot for passing through the sealing film, closing and locking elements with controlled actuation for closing the slot and lock the film relative to the upper part, and elements for introducing and/or removing fluid (gas).

Abstract: A method and a system of transporting a commodity includes the step of placing the commodity in a flexible hermetic container. The commodity is stored in the flexible hermetic container for at least a specific time period. The commodity is then moved from the flexible hermetic container to a shipping container having an insect barrier liner. The commodity is transported in the shipping container. The specific time period is a sufficient time period to kill substantially all of the insects that have infested the commodity prior to placement in the flexible hermetic container. In one embodiment, a vacuum is drawn on the flexible hermetic container to reduce the specific time period and an optional small amount of pesticide can be injected into the flexible hermetic container to which a vacuum has been applied to further reduce the specific time period. An inert gas is used to reduce the specific time period.

Abstract: Pouches which can then be filled and sealed are made by thermoforming a film (29) into moulds (23) in a conveyor (8, 10, 11, 21) while holding the side edges (45) of the film to the side margins (46) of the conveyor by under-pressure applied to the underside of the film through a plurality of holding orifices (44) which extend up through the conveyor and into each side margin (46).

Abstract: A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film.

Abstract: There is provided a method for manufacturing pre-padded food-containing bag by perforating across a continuous web of flattened tubular thermoplastic material, forming an opening in a layer of the perforated web, separating the layers of the web, inserting an absorbent the pad through the opening into the inside of the tubular web and making a seal across the tubular web at predetermined lengths to form a bag. The result is that a continuous web of bags containing absorbent pads at discrete intervals. There is also provided an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A sealing device includes a top part forming a bell and a bottom part forming a vat, receiving a container to be sealed with a film in the chamber defined by the top and bottom parts. The top part includes on a side supplying the film, a slot for the passage of the film running through a wall of the top part, and a device, preferably an inflatable pipe, for obstructing the slot and blocking the film. The wall of the top part also includes a device for inserting and/or extracting fluid, opening inside the chamber between the slot and the wall lower edge, for extracting gas under vacuum, injecting gas and/or filling the container.

Abstract: A bagging and packaging machine for forming a bag from a strip of bag material and introducing an article into the bag includes a gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas into the bag to substitute for air contained in the bag and a gas supply control means for controlling supply of the inert gas by the gas supply means into the bag. The bagging and packaging machine is designed to allow the inert gas to be supplied under high pressure at a flow rate sufficient to increase the gas replacement rate in the bag when the machine is started, to be supplied under low pressure at a flow rate lower than the high pressure flow rate during a bagging and packaging operation subsequent to the start of the machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for wrapping a plurality of soft elements, comprising the steps of stacking the elements, compressing the stack in a direction of stacking, and thus forming a package, inserting in a feeding direction the package into a film, preferably a plastic film, which at least partly consists of a thermoplastic material and which in an at least partly overlapping manner surrounds the package, sealing the film in the feeding direction, and cutting and optionally sealing the film transversely of the feeding direction. The method is characterised in that the step of sealing the film in the feeding direction is carried out by supplying from a nozzle towards the film a pressurised heated gas towards the portions of the film that overlap each other, so that they change into an at least partly molten state and are joined. The invention also relates to a device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A form-fill-and-seal (FFS) packaging machine is described wherein a zipper is attached to the package simultaneously with the sealing operation at the sealing and evacuation station. The attached zipper is thereafter welded in place at the zipper welding and cutting station. A zipper blank feeder and a channel-forming die with an impulse sealer are integrated into the sealing die of a packaging machine forming a combination work station. The zipper is installed at an existing work station and shares the existing lifting device. This enables the retrofitting of an FFS packaging machine to include a zipper attachment function without changing the footprint thereof. The combination work station forms a channel for the zipper blank between the thermoformed web and the lidstock. While the sealing die is providing a seal about the lid, the impulse sealer in the channel-forming die attaches the zipper to an initial attachment portion of the packaging film.

Abstract: Method and device for packing bags filled with product in a box. The bags are made gas-permeable and after the bags have been filled with product the residual volume of gas therein is removed by drawing off the gases present in the bag by means of suction. This is achieved by conveying the bags over a belt on which vacuum is acting. Prior to this step the bags can be subjected to a vibratory treatment in order to optimise the position of the product in the bags.

Abstract: A system for packaging articles, such as stacks of greeting cards or the like, includes an article handler, a group of film handlers, and a side sealer. Each of the film handlers includes a film roll holder, which is adapted to hold a roll of folded over film having a closed side and an open side. The film handler also includes a film holding arrangement adapted to hold open the film along an open side, and cross cutter including an end cutting and sealing blade arrangement positioned transverse to the length of the film and adapted to cut and seal an end of the film adjacent an end of an article. The article handler is positioned adjacent the film handlers.

Abstract: A bagging and packaging Machine has a substitute gas supply passage provided in a tube member 13 forming a part of a bag former 10 for forming a strip of packaging material into a bag. By securing a generally elongated plate 21 to a front inner side of the tube member 13 to thereby form the substitute gas supply passage 20 that extends in a direction parallel to the longitudinal sense of the packaging material from an upper portion down to a lower end portion of the tube member 13 and by rendering the cross-sectional area of the substitute gas supply passage 21 to be larger at a lower portion thereof than at an upper portion, the structure can be obtained in which a required quantity of substitute gas can be introduced into the bag-shaped packaging material at a moderate flow velocity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for inserting an oxygen scavenger into a modified atmosphere package for extending the shelf life of food, especially raw meats. A scavenger feeder feeds a chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A separator separates the oxygen scavenger located at an exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. An adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the oxygen scavenger which has been separated from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A conveyor conveys the separated oxygen scavenger to a position which is adjacent to a film layer which is used to form an outer package of the modified atmosphere package so that the oxygen scavenger is attached to a surface of the film layer by the adhesive. The film layer is subsequently formed into the outer package so that the oxygen scavenger that is attached to the film layer is contained within the outer package.

Abstract: A method for determining bag size to adequately accommodate a food product filled into a ba y a form and fill machine, and subsequently determining the appropriate case pack configuration. The method efficiently and accurately determines a bag size that is large enough to accommodate the product that falls into the bag without interfering with the sealing process of the bag and while determining the appropriate amount of fill within the bag. The method uses various empirically determined relationships from historical bag sizing trials for a specific product and applies these relationships to a series of models in order to solve for a bag length. The method eliminates the need for costly and time-consuming bag sizing trials.

Abstract: A packaging device, particularly for foodstuffs or technical materials, comprising a bell-shaped vacuum chamber. A single-folded film can be placed in the vacuum chamber and the foodstuff can be inserted from the open longitudinal side of the film. Inside the bell-shaped vacuum chamber there is also provided a first transverse thermal bonding bar, which is laterally adjacent to a cutting blade, and a second thermal bonding bar, both bars being L-shaped. At least one nozzle for introducing gas is furthermore provided so as to face the longitudinal or transverse open side of the single-folded film.

Abstract: A unique method and apparatus for inserting an oxygen scavenger into a modified atmosphere package for extending the shelf life of food, especially raw meats. A scavenger feeder feeds a chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A separator separates the oxygen scavenger located at an exposed end of the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. An adhesive applicator applies adhesive to the oxygen scavenger which has been separated from the chain of interconnected oxygen scavengers. A conveyor conveys the separated oxygen scavenger to a position which is adjacent to a film layer which is used to form an outer package of the modified atmosphere package so that the oxygen scavenger is attached to a surface of the film layer by the adhesive. The film layer is subsequently formed into the outer package so that the oxygen scavenger that is attached to the film layer is contained within the outer package.

Abstract: A bagging and packaging machine for forming a bag from a strip of bag material and introducing an article into the bag includes a gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas into the bag to substitute for air contained in the bag and a gas supply control means for controlling supply of the inert gas by the gas supply means into the bag. The bagging and packaging machine is designed to allow the inert gas to be supplied under high pressure at a flow rate sufficient to increase the gas replacement rate in the bag when the machine is started, to be supplied under low pressure at a flow rate lower than the high pressure flow rate during a bagging and packaging operation subsequent to the start of the machine.

Abstract: A platen machine for filling and sealing packages is provided having an upper platen and a lower platen journalled and independently moveable on a common alignment shaft to provide a close tolerance sealing mechanism with an independently operated heat seal element. The novel platen machine relocates clamping forces from the support frame to the alignment shaft so that the common alignment shafts bears the clamping forces and the carrier merely relies upon the frame to support the weight of the machine and not clamping forces. The upper platen moves toward the lower platen and the lower platen moves toward the upper platen to clamp a package between the two platens before an independently operated heat seal element is activated to advance to the clamped package and provide a heating and sealing cycle independent of the clamping cycle. Optional filling, gassing and evacuation can be provided during the clamping of the package without involving the separate heating and sealing operation.