Abstract: A forming member for controlling the volume of packages of pourable food products formed from a tube of packaging material and sealed at a number of sections of the tube crosswise to an axis of the tube; the forming member having: a main wall which cooperates cyclically with a first portion of the tube extending between two consecutive sections; and at least one flap extending alongside the wall. The flap is movable, with respect to the wall, between a first position, in which it cooperates with a second portion of the tube, extending between the two consecutive sections, to control the volume, between the two consecutive sections, of the package being formed, and a second position, in which it is detached from the second portion.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a tray sealer comprising an endless conveyor and a sealing station for sealing a tray with a cover film, said sealing station including a sealing-tool upper part and a tray support provided with an edge support for accommodating a tray edge. The disclosure is characterized in that the edge support comprises at least two edge support sections which are movable relative to one another. The disclosure also relates to a suitable method for operating a tray sealer.

Abstract: A sealing jaw for producing sealed packages of a food product from a tube of packaging material includes a supporting body, and a first work surface which interacts, in use, with a second work surface on a further jaw to grip the material to be sealed and perform a sealing operation; one of the jaws defines an anvil, and the other of the jaws defines heating means; the jaw has connecting means for connecting the first surface to the supporting body; the connecting means define a curved third and a curved fourth surface made of rigid material and cooperating mutually to allow the first surface to oscillate with respect to the supporting body when gripping the packaging material prior to the sealing operation.

Abstract: Device for closing bags for containing powder or granular materials, suitable for installation within a belt, roller or similar line for conveying bags, including at least one sealing head (52) and a conveyor member (27) for feeding the bags (60) to the sealing head (52), characterised in that the sealing head (52) presents drive elements (51, 53, 54, 55) causing it to advance, during the sealing process, at the same speed as the conveyor member to enable it to seal a bag (60) while the conveyor member is moving.

Abstract: A heating element for a film-sealing apparatus comprises a heating wire segment formed of a first metal having a first reflectance to laser radiation of a predetermined wavelength. The heating element further comprises a first conductor lead comprising a wire having one end joined to a first end of the heating wire segment, and a second conductor lead comprising a wire having one end joined to a second end of the heating wire segment. The first and second conductor leads have a lower electrical resistance than the heating wire segment, and are formed of a second metal having a second reflectance to laser radiation of the predetermined wavelength, the second reflectance being higher than the first reflectance. Each of the first and second conductor leads is lap-welded to the respective end of the heating wire segment using laser radiation of the predetermined wavelength.

Abstract: For processing flat objects (10), in particular for packing printed products or small groups thereof, using a continuous packing material, the objects are conveyed in a conveying stream in which they are arranged in succession and essentially parallel to the conveying direction, and possibly between two layers of packing material, along a part of the periphery of a processing drum (1). The processing drum (1) has axially extending support elements (2) and tool elements (3) regularly alternating around its periphery. A radial position of the supporting and tool elements is adjustable, to accommodate varying formats of the objects to be processed. The processing drum also includes a pressing belt (4) extending from an entry point (A) to an exit point (B) on the drum periphery and holding and pressing the objects being conveyed on the drum periphery against the tool elements.

Abstract: An outlet device for chocolates and like products (100) for use with a wrapping machine (50) which has a device (51) for moving each product (100). The outlet device has a first belt (2) for moving products (100) to be rolled, which is operated by an actuator (10), through a first connecting device (5), which connects the first belt (2) to the actuator (10), moving the first belt in a first direction (A) in accordance with the rotary motion of the actuator (10). A rolling device (4) faces the first belt (2) and is used for rolling products (100) moved by the first belt. A second belt (3) moves products (100) which do not require rolling, the second belt also operated by the actuator (10), through a second connecting device (6), the second belt rotated in a second direction (B) also in accordance with rotation of the actuator (10).

Abstract: An apparatus for closing a slider-operated zipper on a moving filled package, comprising means for performing the following steps: conveying a package forward in a straight line; guiding a slider on a zippered portion of the package through a channel as the package moves forward; blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel as the package continues to move forward; and releasing the slider when the force being exerted by the slider in the forward direction reaches a level substantially equal to a predetermined threshold. This apparatus can be employed in association with a continuous band sealing apparatus. The means for blocking forward movement of the slider at a predetermined position inside the channel are a pair of spring-loaded plungers, e.g., ball plungers. If the slider end stop is weak, the slider will be pulled off the advancing package and will fall onto an ejection ramp.

Abstract: The present invention includes apparatus and methods for sealing an envelope. A sealing nip is formed by an upper roller and a lower roller. The upper roller is mounted on an upper shaft and the lower roller is mounted on a lower shaft. A mechanism associated with the lower shaft adjusts the orientation of the lower shaft to match the orientation of the upper shaft.

Abstract: A latitudinal seal mechanism includes seal jaws 78, fixed cams 75, cam followers 76, a pair of partial cams 88, partial cam followers 78a, rotational shafts 80, coupling members 79, and shaft support portions. The seal jaws 78 are heated, and move circularly such that the seal jaws 78 abut on and move away from tubular film. The fixed cams 75 have shapes that correspond to locuses of movement of the seal jaws 78. The cam followers 76 support the seal jaws 78, and move along the fixed cams 75. The rotational shafts 80 move the cam followers 76 relatively about rotational centers of the rotational shafts 80. The coupling members 79 couple the rotational shafts 80 and the cam followers 76. The shaft support portions rotatably support the rotational shafts 80. The partial cams 88 have a shape that corresponds to a locus of movement of the pair of seal jaws 78 when the pair of seal jaws 78 holds the tubular packaging films.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the end closure of packaging tubes is provided. In one embodiment, the tube which is to be sealed presents an intermediate wall having a surplus length across the tube cross-section, and the intermediate wall is fixed at the filling end of the tube to the tube wall and along two joining locations extending along the length of the tube. A hot air nozzle with two sub-members forming a gap therebetween is inserted into the opening in the filling end, and parts of the intermediate wall and the inside of the tube intended for sealing are heat activated in a non-contacting manner. Apparatus for producing a clamping action is pressed against the heat activated tube end and the intermediate wall. This apparatus includes a pair of clamping jaws arranged for translatory motion perpendicular to the tube axis and initially in a direction at an angle to a line through the joining locations.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing films together along a path includes a sealing shoe and a counter shoe defining a clearance through which the films pass. The sealing shoe includes an elongated optical energy source having a length dimension oriented generally parallel to the sealing path; a reflector for focussing light emitted by the energy source; a window transparent to the light and having an outer surface adapted to be oriented toward the counter shoe for sealing the films by the light; and a firing arrangement for activating the energy source. The window and the counter shoe are urged toward one another.

Abstract: A slitter machine of the type where tab lock cases of varying height, width, and length are advanced therethrough in a product flow direction on a machine bed by a main drive motor, is presented. The slitter machine includes a frame, a centerline, a leading flap lifter and a trailing flap lifter. The leading flap lifter and trailing flap lifter are mounted are mounted to the frame on opposite sides of the centerline, and extend at an incline relative to the machine bed. Each flap lifter includes a tear drop assembly attached to a drive chain and actuated by a pair of cams to rotate the leading flap and the trailing flap toward a closed position. A chain track is disposed in each of the flap lifting assemblies, with the drive chains disposed therein. Each chain track has a first section having a first distance between the drive chains and a second section having a second distance between the drive chains. The second distance is greater than the first distance.