Abstract: A dancer assembly for feeding a web of film having ports extending therefrom to a former for folding the web of film. The apparatus includes a dancer having a roller located between two tracks that allow the roller to move vertically along the tracks. The web of film being fed around the roller and vertically upwards toward the former. A quarter turn member for changing the flow path of the film from a substantially horizontal flow path to a substantially vertical flow path. And a member for moving horizontally, as a unit, the dancer and quarter turn member while maintaining a fixed spacial orientation of the dancer and the quarter turn. A method of feeding a web of film to a former is also provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning a port within an aperture of a web of film, including a chain loop having a plurality of forks for releasably retaining ports. The chain loop is fed around a first, a second, and a third rotatable sprocket. The first and second rotatable sprockets are coupled to a frame and located in a substantially aligned relationship to each other, perpendicular to a portion of the film, the third sprocket is located at a position offset from a plane defined by the first and second sprockets. The first and second sprockets can be moved from a first position to a second position and from the second position to the first position. During operation, the rotation of the third sprocket is releasably prevented, to accurately regulate the rotation of the first sprocket an indexer is provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying a web of material is provided that automatically changes the roll of material from an exhausted roll to a new full roll of material. The apparatus includes a plurality of spindles for supporting a plurality of rolls of material, the spindles being coupled to a rotatable carousel, a locking member for selectively preventing the rotation of the carousel is provided as well as a mechanism for selectively rotating the carousel. The apparatus also includes a member for splicing an end of a first roll of material to an end of a second roll of material.

Abstract: A device for positioning fitments in a perforated film. The device according to the invention includes a transporting member that brings the fitments into the vicinity of a perforated film, preferably below the latter, a member for positioning the fitments perpendicular to the perforations in the film, and an engaging member for pushing the ports through the perforations of the film so that at the exit of the device the film is equipped with fitments.

Abstract: The invention consists of a device for welding and perforating a thermoplastic film folded back on itself. The device consists of a support for supporting two electrically heated welding strips and a perforation device. The perforation device is movably supported between the welding strips. The support is transversely movable with respect to the film. The welding strips consists of a non-heating portion and a heating portion. The non-heating portion is at least equal in length to the heating portion.

Abstract: Device for continuous cleaning and/or decontaminating a band of a thermoplastic film comprising a housing (1) where the band (7) follows a sinuous trajectory between return cylinders (8, 10, 40, 41, 9) and is subjected to the action of demineralized and/or distilled water jets projected by nozzles, (20, 43, 45, 22) mounted on spraying ramps (19, 42, 46, 21), the direction of jets being preferably opposite to the feed direction of the band (7).

Abstract: A device for guiding a web of flexible film that has been folded back upon itself so as to maintain the edges of the web of film precisely positioned for subsequent sealing. The device includes a smooth support plate positioned so as to be received between two folds of the web of film with pressure being applied to hold the folds against the plate by means of rollers. The rollers are mounted to maintain the folds against the support plate and to assume different orientations relative to the direction of movement of the web.

Abstract: Device for welding a mouthpiece to a thermoplastic film comprising a frame, a support plate carried by the frame and moveable with respect to the latter, a welding head rigidly connected to the support plate, and at least one annular heating resistance carried by the welding head and having electric supply rods arranged at two diametrically opposite points. The device comprises diffusion means for diffusing a cooling gas at the vicinity of the fixation of the supply rods to the heating resistance; preferably, the cooling gas diffusion means comprise channels extending in the welding head and surrounding the supply rods.The invention also relates to the mounting of the welding device on a moveable frame and its association with a film blocking device.

Abstract: A method of radio frequency sealing attaches a seal member to a cylindrical, hollow, access port of a container. The method uses two sets of spaced apart die elements to generate an axial electric field along a region where the port and seal member overlap. An external peripheral ring is formed about an exterior surface of the port. The method can be used with containers having a sealed periphery as well as those previously filled with a fluid.

Abstract: An apparatus for continuously filling flexible bags or pouches with a perfusion liquid contained in a reservoir to which the perfusion liquid is fed from a source.The apparatus comprises regulating means including a sensor which sends a signal as a function of the level of the liquid in reservoir and is connected to a regulator that continuously regulates the feeding of the perfusion liquid to said reservoir, so as to maintain the level of the liquid in reservoir close to a pre-set level.

Abstract: A shaping device for a web of flexible film having projecting ports comprising a shaping plate having a slit, for receiving the film, and an opening for receiving the port. An adjustable member is provided for limiting the length of the slit. A member is also provided for guiding the port into the opening.