Abstract: A strapping device including a tensioner operable to apply a strap tension to a loop of wrapping strap, a friction welder operable to produce a friction weld connection at two areas of the loop of wrapping strap disposed one on top of the other, a motor operable in a first rotational direction to drive the tensioner and in a second opposite rotational direction to drive the friction welder, and a control device. The control device is configured to, in response to receiving a first designated input: (1) operate the motor in the first rotational direction to drive the tensioner until a predetermined strap tension is reached in the loop of wrapping strap; and (2) afterwards, automatically operate the motor in the second different rotational direction to drive the friction welder to produce the friction weld connection.

Abstract: There is described a folding unit for producing folded packages of pourable food products from relative sealed packs. The folding unit comprises conveying means fed with a plurality of packs at an input station and advancing the packs along a forming path to an output station, and folding means cooperating, in use, with each pack to perform at least one folding operation on the pack; the conveying means comprise an endless transport element formed by a plurality of mutually hinged rigid modules and looped about at least one driving sprocket and at least one idler element; the idler element comprises cam means cooperating with respective cam followers of the modules and so shaped to compensate the periodical variation of the radius of the modules on the driving sprocket due to their rigidity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a bag made of a polymeric material by applying heat activated layers on different portions of the bag, wherein the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer have respective heat activation temperatures below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material; creasing the bag along a fold line, applying heat at a temperature below the softening point temperature of the polymeric material to activate the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer to adhesive states after the bag has been filled with contents; and folding the bag to form an adhesive-to adhesive seal by contact between the heat activated first adhesive layer and the heat activated second adhesive layer.