Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the top of a package for a food product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of oppositely disposed first and second sealing jaws configured for reversibly engaging each other over the top of the package, at least one wedge on the first sealing jaw configured for contacting a first top portion of the package to form a first gable panel, a key on the second sealing jaw configured for contacting a second top portion of the package to form a second gable panel, at least one lug on the key configured for reducing skewing of the package prior to sealing, and a rubber dolly on either the first or the second sealing jaw, the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw being configured to form and seal a fin between the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw thereby sealing the top of the package. A system for forming, filling, and sealing a package containing a food product comprising the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing the top of a package for a food product is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a pair of oppositely disposed first and second sealing jaws configured for reversibly engaging each other over the top of the package, at least one wedge on the first sealing jaw configured for contacting a first top portion of the package to form a first gable panel, a key on the second sealing jaw configured for contacting a second top portion of the package to form a second gable panel, at least one lug on the key configured for reducing skewing of the package prior to sealing, and a rubber dolly on either the first or the second sealing jaw, the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw being configured to form and seal a fin between the rubber dolly and the opposing sealing jaw thereby sealing the top of the package. A system for forming, filling, and sealing a package containing a food product comprising the apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A packing and filling machine produces a container by forming web-shaped packing material into a tube, filling the tube with liquid food up to a liquid level, and laterally sealing the tube with a seal jaw and a counter jaw under the liquid level. The machine includes a diagnostic device having a pressure flange above the position of the lateral sealing under the liquid level and including sterilized gas to detect a vibration propagated when the packing material is clamped by the seal jaw and counter jaw and to diagnose the residual quantity of sterilized gas from the vibration thus detected. The packing and filling machine operating at high speed does not damage the external surface or the longitudinal sealing portion of a packing container, and even the forming/lateral sealing pressing from the opposite sides at high speed does not have a tendency to vary or oscillate the liquid level.

Abstract: A packing and filling machine produces a container by forming web-shaped packing material into a tube, filling the tube with liquid food up to a liquid level, and laterally sealing the tube with a seal jaw and a counter jaw under the liquid level. The machine includes a diagnostic device having a pressure flange above the position of the lateral sealing under the liquid level and including sterilized gas to detect a vibration propagated when the packing material is clamped by the seal jaw and counter jaw and to diagnose the residual quantity of sterilized gas from the vibration thus detected. The packing and filling machine operating at high speed does not damage the external surface or the longitudinal sealing portion of a packing container, and even the forming/lateral sealing pressing from the opposite sides at high speed does not have a tendency to vary or oscillate the liquid level.

Abstract: Forming devices in packaging machines of the type which reforms tubular packaging material of substantially circular cross-sectional configuration into individual package containers of quadrilateral cross-sectional configuration normally consist of pairwise cooperating forming flaps which are of U-shaped cross-section. In order to prevent the packaging material from being pinched between the shank surfaces of the flaps when the flaps are caused to surround the packaging material tube, the shank surfaces are designed to be undulatory, i.e. alternatingly with projections and recesses which fit in one another and guide the packaging material tube into the U-shaped recesses of the flaps without pinching the packaging material tube.