Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising: a belt body (13), one rotatable portion (12) coupled to the belt body (13) and configured to turn relative to the belt body (13). The rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements (17), with each one of said sub-elements being rotatably connected to an adjacent sub-element and having first opposite side portions and second opposite side portions; each one of the sub-elements (17) further comprises: one or more first annular features (19) at each of the first opposite side portions, one or more second annular features (20) at each the second opposite side portions.

Abstract: A conveyor for a packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor having a conveyor belt (2) with a rotatable portion (12) comprising a plurality of sub-elements (17). Each one of the sub-elements (17) comprises first annular features and second annular features. The first annular features of a sub-element mate with the second annular features of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat where a pin is inserted to rotatably connect the two adjacent sub-elements. The rotatable portion (12) carries driving pieces which are put into motion by a control mechanism such that upon displacement of the conveyor belt (2) a corresponding rotation by 90° or multiples thereof is imparted to the rotatable portion (12). A packaging apparatus using the above conveyor belt is also described.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising: a belt body (13), one rotatable portion (12) coupled to the belt body (13) and configured to turn relative to the belt body (13). The rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements (17), with each one of said sub-elements being rotatably connected to an adjacent sub-element and having first opposite side portions and second opposite side portions; each one of the sub-elements (17) further comprises: one or more first annular features (19) at each of the first opposite side portions, one or more second annular features (20) at each the second opposite side portions.

Abstract: A conveyor for a packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor having a conveyor belt (2) with a rotatable portion (12) comprising a plurality of sub-elements (17). Each one of the sub-elements (17) comprises first annular features and second annular features. The first annular features of a sub-element mate with the second annular features of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat where a pin is inserted to rotatably connect the two adjacent sub-elements. The rotatable portion (12) carries driving pieces which are put into motion by a control mechanism such that upon displacement of the conveyor belt (2) a corresponding rotation by 90° or multiples thereof is imparted to the rotatable portion (12). A packaging apparatus using the above conveyor belt is also described.

Abstract: A composite belt assembly for a band sealer is provided. The composite belt assembly comprises a belt comprising a main belt; a first layer; and a second layer; wherein the first layer is arranged in contact with the main belt, preferably between the second layer and the main belt; and the first layer includes an attachment portion, configured to contact the main belt and the second layer. There is also provided a band sealer comprising a composite belt assembly and a packaging line comprising the band sealer. There is further provided a method for heat sealing a package, comprising providing a composite belt assembly, gripping a bag neck of the package using the composite belt assembly, guiding the bag neck of the package along a movement plane using the composite belt assembly providing a sealing element configured for heat sealing a plastic material of the bag neck, and applying heat to at least part of the bag neck through the first layer of the composite belt assembly using the sealing element.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for manufacturing supports (6) and/or packages (80) comprising a supplying station (1) presenting a roll support (1a) configured to receive a feed roll (2) and to rotate it around a respective unwinding axis (A) to unroll consecutive portions of plastic film (3); and a cutting station (10) configured for carrying out a cutting procedure comprising separating, from an unrolled portion of plastic film (3) coming from the feed roll (2), either a strip (4) or a plurality of distinct film sheets (5) obtained from a same strip shaped portion (400). The strip (4) or the strip shaped portion (400) have a width, measured parallel to the unwinding axis (A), and a length, measured perpendicular to the unwinding axis (A), wherein the width of said strip shaped portion (400) is larger than the length of the same strip shaped portion (400).

Abstract: A support includes a central portion configured to receive one or more products, a perimeter band which completely surrounds the central portion, a projection defined at the perimeter band and exhibiting at least one raised portion emerging with respect to the perimeter band and extended away from the central portion. The raised portion includes a through channel crossing the projection and having an access opening which is completely extended at a position spaced from the perimeter band and is configured to enable gas to pass into the through channel through the projection. The central portion and the perimeter band are made of sheet material.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and process for packaging a product wherein a plastic film is tightly applied to a support. The plastic film is positioned above the support by means of a transport system; moreover, a stop structure or plate is active on the film portion present in the packaging station for enabling to efficiently hold the same.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process can be used for packaging a product wherein a plastic film is tightly applied to a support. The plastic film is positioned above the support by means of a transport system; moreover, a stop structure or plate is active on the film portion present in the packaging station to efficiently hold the same.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: A support includes a central portion configured to receive one or more products, a perimeter band which completely surrounds the central portion, a projection defined at the perimeter band and exhibiting at least one raised portion emerging with respect to the perimeter band and extended away from said central portion. The raised portion a through channel crossing the projection and having an access opening which is completely extended at a position spaced from the perimeter band and is configured to enable gas to pass into the through channel through the projection. The central portion and the perimeter band are made of sheet material.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a control unit, a loading station that positions a tubular film around a product to be packaged, a sealing station, a control unit that controls the sealing station to create one or more seals on the tubular film, an evacuation assembly that includes a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, and a means for moving the product relative to and from the evacuation assembly. The first member includes a deformable portion. The first and second members are relatively movable between: a first configuration, in which the first and second members are spaced apart from one another, a second configuration, in which the deformable portion contacts at least part of the second member and/or part of the tubular film, and a third configuration in which the deformable portion is compressed in a compression direction towards the second member.

Abstract: It is described an apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) comprising: a forming station (2) configured for receiving a base film (3) and for forming with it a precursor body (4) having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, and a packaging station (8) configured for receiving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for attaching the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other. A movement device (13) is configured for moving at least one of said forming (2) and packaging stations (8), for conferring to the precursor body (4) a step-by-step discontinuous movement along a predetermined advancement path (T). It is also described a packaging process using the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A packaging process includes providing a semi-sealed package containing a product to be packaged, providing a vacuum chamber, adjusting a spacing between members of the vacuum chamber to open the vacuum chamber, relatively positioning the package and the vacuum chamber such that a terminal portion of an end of the package is positioned within the vacuum chamber and a non-terminal portion of the end is positioned outside the vacuum chamber, an intermediate portion of the end passing through the opening, adjusting the spacing to bring the members substantially sealingly in contact with one another, the intermediate portion being received in the opening, creating, within the vacuum chamber, an internal vacuum pressure to determine a gas flow through the opening causing opposing layers of the film at the second end to maintain a substantially spaced-apart configuration, and to aspirate both gas from inside the package and gas through the opening.

Abstract: A device (1) for evacuating gas from a package (50) in a packaging apparatus, the package (50) having an open end (55), the open end (55) having a terminal portion (54), a non-terminal portion (52), and an intermediate portion (53) located between the terminal portion (54) and the non-terminal portion (52) of the open end (55), the device (1) comprising a vacuum chamber (10) having an elongated opening (14) extending along a longitudinal axis of the vacuum chamber (10), an evacuation means configured for providing the vacuum chamber (10) with an internal vacuum pressure that is lower than an ambient pressure outside the vacuum chamber (10), means for moving (30) a package (50) relative to the vacuum chamber (10), and a control unit (60) programmed for controlling the means for moving (30) to relatively move a package (50) to be evacuated with respect to the vacuum chamber (10), the package (50) and the means for moving (30) each being arranged with respect to the vacuum chamber (10) so that a main movement di

Abstract: It is described an apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) comprising: a forming station (2) configured for receiving a base film (3) and for forming with it a precursor body (4) having a plurality of tray-shaped elements (5) adjacent to each other, and a packaging station (8) configured for receiving said precursor body (4) and a closing film (9), the packaging station (8) being configured for attaching the closing film (9) to the precursor body (4) at least at an upper opening (5a) of a predetermined number of said tray-shaped elements (5) for forming packages (C) flanked to each other. A movement device (13) is configured for moving at least one of said forming (2) and packaging stations (8), for conferring to the precursor body (4) a step-by-step discontinuous movement along a predetermined advancement path (T). It is also described a packaging process using the apparatus (1).

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a control unit, a loading station that positions a tubular film around a product to be packaged, a sealing station, a control unit that controls the sealing station to create one or more seals on the tubular film, an evacuation assembly that includes a first member and a second member arranged opposite the first member, and a means for moving the product relative to and from the evacuation assembly. The first member includes a deformable portion. The first and second members are relatively movable between: a first configuration, in which the first and second members are spaced apart from one another, a second configuration, in which the deformable portion contacts at least part of the second member and/or part of the tubular film, and a third configuration in which the deformable portion is compressed in a compression direction towards the second member.

Abstract: It is disclosed a plate for a mould station to form a flanged hollow plastic container by shaping a flat billet, the plate comprising a base, a frame, an outer core to form a container of a first size and an inner core to form a container of a second size, smaller than the first size, wherein the frame is integral with the base and wherein the frame defines a frame upper surface; wherein the outer core, in a first configuration, is held elastically with its upper surface flush with the frame upper surface and, in a second molding configuration, is held with its upper surface recessed with respect to the frame upper surface; wherein the inner core, in a first configuration, is held elastically with its upper surface flush with the frame upper surface and, in a second molding configuration, is held with its upper surface recessed with respect to the frame upper surface; and wherein a retention system is provided to retain said billet substantially adhering to at least the upper surface of the inner core.