Abstract: The present invention relates to a counter rail and a dolly, suitable for use in an apparatus for heat sealing a laminated packaging material for packaging of a liquid or flowing product, wherein the counter rail and the dolly each are made of a substantially plastics material. The invention also relates to an apparatus for heat sealing and to a sealing/cutting apparatus including said counter rail and dolly, as well as to a packaging machine including such a sealing apparatus and counter rail and dolly of the invention. Furthermore, the invention relates to a method of producing said counter rail and dolly by means of co-injection molding.

Abstract: The device (1) for heat sealing a tube (3) of packaging sheet material filled with a pourable food product, has first and second jaws (8, 9) movable towards each other to grip the tube (3) under pressure and heat seal the tube. The first jaw (8) has a heating element (14) having a pair of substantially straight active surfaces (17), which extend on opposite sides of and parallel to an intermediate plane (&pgr;). The second jaw (9) has a pair of pressure pads (22), which are housed in respective seats (23) and cooperate with the active surfaces (17) of the heating element (14). Each of the pads has a first longitudinal portion (24) supported rigidly in a seat (23), and a second longitudinal portion (25) supported pliably in the seat (23) and located adjacent to and on the opposite side of the first longitudinal portion (24) with respect to the intermediate plane (&pgr;).

Abstract: Filters for the supply of inert gas to packing machines are sterilized by passing steam and sterile air through the filters via a number of ducts, valves and governors. A simple method for achieving the sterilization is obtained by sterilizing the filter jointly with the antiseptic packing machine which may be done by connecting one side of the filter in series to the circulation system of the machine for sterilization by a chemical sterilizing agent. In this way the abovementioned arrangement is simplified considerably in that a large number of valves and ducts becomes superfluous.