Abstract: A forming jaw for producing a succession of sealed packages from a tube of sheet packaging material filled with a pourable food product and fed in a direction parallel to its longitudinal axis is disclosed. The jaw includes sealing structure that seals a cross section of the tube; and forming structure that imparts a predetermined shape to the tube between two successive sealed cross sections. The forming structure has first and second surfaces for interacting with the tube and which extend respectively in a direction crosswise to, and in a direction parallel to, the axis of the tube. The first surface has a convex portion which exerts pressure on, to control filling of, the packages being formed.

Abstract: A method for preparing dental instruments for sterilization in which the instruments are put into a relatively large see-through heat sealable plastic bag. The bag is placed over a surface of an impulse heater and an arm is lowered to clamp the bag and apply two heat seals across the bag; one heat seal to enclose the instruments and a second parallel heat seal. A knife carried by the arm is used to cut between the two heat seals. This cutting operation forms a custom sized closed bag containing the instruments to be sterilized that is placed into an autoclave and sterilized. The cutting also forms a second bag, smaller than the original bag that is reserved for use in a subsequent packaging operation.

Abstract: There is described an induction sealing device for heat sealing packaging material for producing sealed packages of pourable food product and fed in a first direction. The sealing device has induction means interacting with the packaging material by means of a pair of first active surfaces and a pair of second active surfaces interposed between the first active surfaces in the first direction; and the second active surfaces have, in the first direction, a width greater than the width of the first active surfaces at least along most of the length of the first and second active surfaces in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A heat-sealing device moves a tube-shaped packaging material through operation of a seal jaw and counter jaw under the liquid surface of liquid food, and heat-seals a seal zone containing a cutting predetermined zone in the tube transverse direction. The tube-shaped packaging material is formed from the packaging material web, and is filled up with liquid food. The operation surface of the seal jaw facing the seal zone has a substantially flat surface. The heat-sealing device has a removal/mixture mechanism on the operation surface of the counter jaw. The removal/mixture mechanism removes seal prevention impurity from this seal zone and/or mixes the impurity with the melting/softening packaging material in this seal zone. Thus, even if the packaging laminated material is covered with an oxide, residual substances, or impurities, the heat-sealing device reduces the bad influence of the seal prevention impurity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sealing apparatus prevents a sealing failure by preventing a tunnel (through passage) to form in the step portions in the vicinity of both end portions of longitudinally sealed portions, when the tubular laminated packaging material is transversely ultrasonically sealed. An ultrasonic sealing apparatus, in which a laminated packaging material containing a thermoplastic resin layer and a paper layer is formed into a tubular form and the tubular laminated packaging material is transversely ultrasonic sealed, includes a horn having an elongated and flat sealing face and an opposing jaw having an elongated pressing face which presses the laminated packaging material in cooperation with the sealing face of the horn, wherein the center portion in longitudinal direction of the pressing face of the opposing jaw is narrower than both end portions of the pressing face. Further, at a center portion in longitudinal direction of a pressing face of the opposing jaw, a recess having an arc shape, etc.

Abstract: A packaging machine has a former with a guiding member and tube for forming an elongated bag-making material into a tubular form, a longitudinal sealer disposed on the front side of the tube for sealing mutually overlapping side edge parts of the tubularly formed bag-making material in a longitudinal direction and a transverse sealer for sealing the longitudinally sealed bag-making material in a transverse direction transverse to the longitudinal direction to thereby package articles dropped down. The tube has a conical part at the top and a cylindrical part extending downward from the conical part. The cylindrical part has an opening on the back side such that articles dropped through the interior of the tube can directly contact the bag-making material and will be prevented from becoming clogged. An unopened part may be provided to the cylindrical part of the tube below the opening in order to maintain a circular cross-sectional shape of the bag-making material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a bag provides a tube of material that is passed over a former. A portion of the tube is folded over the former to define the rim of the bag. Portions of the rim are then welded. The apparatus includes arms that move transverse to the tube. The arms carry crimping fingers that pivot to fold the tube up and in over the former.

Abstract: An automated reclosable packaging manufacturing equipment for applying zipper tape to bag making film, especially as part of a form-fill-seal process, and a method of joining a zipper flange of a zipper assembly to bag making film without “seal-through” of the zipper flanges. The method comprises the steps of: (a) pressing a web of bag making film and first and second zipper flanges of a zipper assembly together along the length of the latter, with the first zipper flange sandwiched between and in contact with the web of bag making film and the second zipper flange; and (b) during step (a), causing heat to be conducted through the web of bag making film into the first zipper flange. The amount of heat conducted through the web of bag making film must be sufficient to seal the web of bag making film to the first zipper flange without sealing the first zipper flange to the second zipper flange.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sealed packages containing pourable food products from a tube of heat seal sheet packing material fed along a vertical path and filled continuously with the food product. The tube is pressure gripped at equally spaced cross sections of the tube by at least two pairs of jaws acting cyclically and successively on the tube. The tube is cut at each of the cross sections along a respective parting line. The packing material of the tube is heated sealed on opposite sides of the parting line.

Abstract: A heat sealing and cutting mechanism to form a heat seal and a cut across a tube of flexible packaging material includes a carrier to contact the tube. A pair of closely spaced heat sealing bands are disposed on the carrier and are energizable to form closely spaced heat seals across the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube. The heat sealing bands are configured to define temperature gradients along the heat sealing bands. A cutting wire is also disposed on the carrier and is positioned between the heat sealing bands. The cutting wire is energizable to cut the tube when the carrier is in contact with the tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for reducing wrinkles in a film includes a first pair of cylindrical rollers including a first roller and a second roller, the first and second roller each in parallel juxtaposed relation to each other, and each having a substantially smooth surface; and a second pair of cylindrical rollers including a third roller and a fourth roller, the third and fourth roller each in parallel juxtaposed relation to each other, and at least one of the third and fourth roller having a chevron pattern disposed on the surface thereof; the first pair of rollers being adjacent to and spaced apart from the second pair of rollers. A method for reducing wrinkles is also disclosed herein.

Abstract: A shaping shoulder has a shoulder part and a prism part, joined at a shaping edge, for producing a web, shaped longitudinally in the web transport direction and having an open or closed cross-section and at least one area inside the web in which the cross-section is curved outwardly. The shoulder part has a web inlet and extends from the web inlet to the shaping edge. The prism part has an exit for the shaped web and extends from the shaping edge to the exit. The shaping edge is slanted relative to a cross-sectional prism plane. The prism cross-section is curved partially inwardly and outwardly not only in the vicinity of a web edge. The curvature of areas of the shaping edge belonging to outwardly curved areas of the prism part extend counter to the exit and the corresponding shoulder part areas are curved away from the exit.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for cutting and/or sealing a web has a pair of counter-rotating rotors mounted on parallel axes and having radially projecting arms between which the web is momentarily gripped for cutting and/or sealing. Sealing is performed by heated pressure outer faces on the rotor arms. Cutting is performed by cutter and anvil bars on the opposed arms engaging the web. Bearer faces on the arms beyond the pressure faces set a gap between the pressure faces and a rectangular-section tongue and groove in mating contact faces one side of the pressure faces locate the pressure faces laterally. The cutting means are adjusted by a wedge bar bearing on the inner face of the cutter bar or anvil. The wedge bar is movable in the direction of rotation and has an outer face inclined in the same direction. Means accessible from the leading and/or trailing faces of the rotor arms are provided for adjusting the wedge bar and clamping the cutter and anvil bars.

Abstract: Form-fill-seal machine includes parts for moving a web of packaging material through the machine according to a process path and parts for transforming the web into filled bags, as well as a zipper strip applicator device for supplying a zipper strip for each bag transverse to the process path, by use of a first and a second conveyor, which in the supply direction of the zipper strip are placed one behind the other and are both provided with parts for retaining the zipper strip during supply, a blade being placed between the first and the second conveyor for cutting the zipper strip and the first and the second conveyor being provided with their own first and second drive.

Abstract: A high speed vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine has a dual pump pouch-filling system, adjustable packaging material roll holders and side-seal jaws that are longer than pouches being formed in the machine, and which move with the packaging material traveling through the machine. Packaging material is moved in a semi-continuous manner and has side seals formed therein that are slit by a slitter system and pulled downwardly by a multi-jaw, rotary cross-seal system. After being completed, the formed pouches are cut off by a reciprocating or rotary cut-off system.

Abstract: A bagging and packaging machine for forming a bag from a strip of bag material and introducing an article into the bag includes a gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas into the bag to substitute for air contained in the bag and a gas supply control means for controlling supply of the inert gas by the gas supply means into the bag. The bagging and packaging machine is designed to allow the inert gas to be supplied under high pressure at a flow rate sufficient to increase the gas replacement rate in the bag when the machine is started, to be supplied under low pressure at a flow rate lower than the high pressure flow rate during a bagging and packaging operation subsequent to the start of the machine.

Abstract: A tubular bagging machine in which expanding elements projecting away from the fill pipe are provided in order to create bags with welded edges. A separate longitudinal welding device for welding of an area adjacent to the edge of the tube is provided. It is thus possible to produce directly side-by-side a longitudinal seam and a welded edge. A bag-opening aid or a reclosing aid can be integrated into the longitudinal seam or the edge.

Abstract: A vertical type forming, filling and sealing machine according to the present invention includes a film shaping mechanism for forming long lengths of film into tubular shapes, a vertical sealing mechanism for heat sealing the edges of the film formed by the film shaping mechanism in the longitudinal direction of the film to form tubular film, a supply nozzle for supplying contents into the tubular film, and two horizontal sealing mechanisms for heat sealing the tubular film in its width direction. A first horizontal sealing mechanism heat seals opposing inner surfaces of the tubular film except for a portion in the width direction. A second horizontal sealing mechanism is placed below the first horizontal sealing mechanism and heat seals the area which is not heat sealed by the first horizontal sealing mechanism.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for forming and filling tubes containing a product, with the filling process taking place from the longer side of the tube, rather than the shorter side. An elongated product delivery tube contains product diverters that evenly spread out the product, allowing a clean seal in less time. An optional vibrator helps the product to settle quickly. Throughput is increased over the prior art, as well as facilitating improvements in opening the tube and in marketing.

Abstract: A form-fill sealing machine (1) for manufacturing resealable packages (W) includes a tearable line forming device (30) that serves to form tearable lines (104) in a film (F). A labeling device (40) serves to stick re-stickable labels (103) onto the film in positions to cover respective tearable lines. A tube forming device (60) serves to form the film into a tubular film (T). A first sealing device (80) serves to seal lapped edges of the tubular film so as to form a lengthwise sealed portion (111). A second sealing device (90) serves to seal the tubular film in a crosswise direction, so that crosswise sealed portions (109) are formed on the tubular film. Each tearable line is positioned between two adjacent crosswise sealed portions and adjacent to one of two adjacent crosswise sealed portions.

Abstract: In order to reduce the percentage of leaks in sealed packages, the sealing jaws contain one or more raised regions that correspond to problem areas for leaks, i.e., adjacent to back seals and folds in the package design. The raised regions are raised approximately 4-20 mils above the regions that seal the normal two layers of material.

Abstract: A self-aligning zipper seal module adapted for quick change-out in a sealing carriage. The zipper seal module allows for a quick modification of a sealing carriage in order to accommodate different package dimensions. The module is stored and is installed in a closed and aligned position by use of an aligning handle. The module is easily installed or removed with a single tool and is designed to reduce the potential for operator injury by isolation from heat sources and by virtue of the aligning handle. The various seal facings of the module are oriented to equalize pressure on the facings during sealing and increase stripping efficiency. The zipper seal facings incorporate a novel insert design, thereby eliminating the need for stocking different sized facings to accommodate various bag widths. A return module of similar design is used to quickly return the sealing carriage to a standard configuration.

Abstract: A vertical form, fill, and seal apparatus for making different types of packages is provided. The packaging material travels around the outside, and the product goes through the inside, of the form-and-fill tube. A fin sealing mechanism, pleat sealing mechanism, and horizontal sealing mechanism are used in combination to make the different types of packages.

Abstract: A process for continuously manufacturing and filling multiple cavity bags, includes the steps of forming a wrapping into a tubular sleeve shape from at least one sheet of plastic material, feeding the forming plastic sleeve along a forming column, sealing the wrapping along a first longitudinal seal to form a sleeve, feeding the sleeve along two cores, sealing bottom and central parts of the sleeve to form a partially sealed bag with two separate cavities therein, filling each of the cavities formed in the partially sealed bag through filling mouths for the cavities, closing the filling mouths to form a closed bag, cutting off the closed bag from the previous bag, and removing the closed bag.

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating one or two vertical creases along the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Such creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.

Abstract: A flat bottom bag or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating two vertical creases along opposite sides of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. These creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing packages made from a heat-sealable material has sealing jaws, which are subdivided by a recess or by slits into two zones. What is essential is that the two zones are eastically joined together by means of a connecting web, so that when a transverse seam is sealed, it is possible to compensate for a different number of layers of packaging material along the transverse seam. The apparatus according to the invention is relatively simple in structure and makes high sealing qualities attainable.

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: The bag filling and forming machine employs a chute for conveying a flow of loose fill material, a form for enveloping a sheet of plastic film about the chute, a heat-seal roller for sealing the overlapped edges of the film to form a tube and heat-seal bars for sealing the tube at spaced apart positions to form the top and bottom of bags. A pair of conveyors are provided for continuously moving the formed tube relative to the chute and fingers are provided for spreading the tube into a flattened configuration for heat-sealing purposes. A hot wire or cutting knife is provided for cutting off a filled bag after heat-sealing.

Abstract: A packaging machine for making a variety of types and styles of bags and seals, durable, substantially air-tight bags at high speed, different size and make of bags, and different amounts and types of product in the bags. The machine includes a film drive and pinch roll pair, a pair of film pull belts, and a pair of zipper drive rollers for pulling plastic film and zipper strip through the machine. The machine is convertible from one for producing reclosable edge fin seal bags to another for producing nonreclosable midline seal pillow type bags. Conversion from one to another is facilitated by having the pinch seal assembly mounted so that it can be pulled out of the machine, indexed 90°, and pushed back into the machine. The film pull belts are part of a self-contained pull belt unit which can be adjusted or removed from the machine, inverted and placed back into the machine. Different formers, fill tubes, and/or vertical sealing units are used to produce different types and styles of bags.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for making gusseted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: A device for producing tubular bags filled with bulk goods from continuous foil tubes. The device includes a pair of sealing tools that seal or weld the foil tubes in bag-length intervals. A pair of closing bars connected to the sealing tools are biased toward each other and press the foil tubes before the sealing tools are closed. A stripper is provided to remove the residue of the bulk goods from the area of the seal by a wiping motion in the direction of bag movement through the device. The closing bars are connected to the stripper so that through a closing movement of the closing bars, the stripper is pulled along in the run direction of the foil while touching the foil to strip the area to be sealed before the sealing tools close.

Abstract: A device for manufacturing tubular bag packages has a forming tube with a rectangular cross section. In order to produce reinforcing seams in a projection of the broad side walls of the tubular bag package, the device has a forming and folding device. The forming and folding device has two forming plates attached to the forming tube and a folding frame with folding plates. The relatively simply embodied device according to the invention makes it possible to form the reinforcing seams with less stress on the packaging material.

Abstract: A rotary mechanism for cutting and/or sealing a web has a pair of counter-rotating rotors mounted on parallel axes and having radially projecting arms between which the web is momentarily gripped for cutting and/or sealing. Sealing is performed by heated pressure outer faces on the rotor arms. Cutting is performed by cutter and anvil bars on the opposed arms engaging the web. Bearer faces on the arms beyond the pressure faces set a gap between the pressure faces and a rectangular-section tongue and groove in mating contact faces one side of the pressure faces locate the pressure faces laterally. The cutting means are adjusted by a wedge bar bearing on the inner face of the cutter bar or anvil. The wedge bar is movable in the direction of rotation and has an outer face inclined in the same direction. Means accessible from the leading and/or trailing faces of the rotor arms are provided for adjusting the wedge bar and clamping the cutter and anvil bars.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a filling device (13) for filling a tube T of packaging material having an open upper end and a closed lower end with contents in a predetermined amount at a time, and a device (14) for forming containers C by sealing and cutting the filled tube T transversely thereof into a length corresponding to one container at a time. The amount of contents to be filled into the container and the capacity of the container are so determined that the capacity is greater than the amount of contents to be filled.

Abstract: A former for forming an elongated planar bag-making material into a tubular form is composed of a hollow cylindrical tubular part and a shoulder part which has a planar guide section and is connected to the tubular part along a connecting line surrounding the tubular part. Both the tubular and shoulder parts are formed by cutting a tube-forming piece and a shoulder-forming piece from a flat blank sheet in appropriate shapes and bending these pieces into the shapes of the tubular and shoulder parts. The connecting line is designed such that the angle between its tangent and the axial direction of the tubular part changes at a constant rate. Portions of the edges of the tube-forming and shoulder-forming pieces may be in a shape of a parabola or a hyperbolic function curve, and these pieces are obtained by making a numerical control program from the desired shapes of the curve and controlling a laser cutter by the program to cut a blank sheet in the desired shapes.

Abstract: Form-fill-seal machine comprising means for moving a web of packaging material through the machine according to a process path and means for transforming the web into filled bags, furthermore comprising a zipper strip applicator device having means for supplying a zipper strip for each bag transverse to the process path, which supply means comprise a first and a second conveyor, which in the supply direction of the zipper strip are placed one behind the other and are both provided with means for retaining the zipper strip during supply, a blade being placed between the first and the second conveyor for cutting the zipper strip and the first and the second conveyor being provided with their own first and second drive means.

Abstract: A cutter cleaning apparatus for a filling machine which prevents liquid food adhering to the cutting knife from dirtying cut ends of packaging material. A web-shaped packaging material is continuously sealed in the longitudinal direction thereof to be formed into a tubular shape, a liquid food is charged into the tubular packaging material (11), and the tubular packaging material (11) is nipped from opposite lateral sides at a position below the surface of the liquid food, so that a laterally sealed portion (S) is formed. Subsequently, the laterally sealed portion (S) is cut in order to obtain an original-shape container. The cutter cleaning apparatus includes a cutting knife (21) for cutting the laterally sealed portion (S), and cleaning medium supply means for supplying a cleaning medium to the tip end of the cutting knife (21).

Abstract: A zipper sealer machine for use with a form, fill and seal machines and the method for bonding strips of reclosable fastener material to the film of a form fill and seal machine. Strips of reclosable fastener material arc cut and the cut ends fused together by cutter-fuser jaws. A sensor senses when the cutter-fuser jaws become fully closed and when they begin to open so that other steps in the operation can be based on when the jaws actually begin to open and when they are actually fully closed rather than when the signal is sent that causes them to open and close. The cutter-fuser jaws have been coated with an anti-stick substance to prevent sticking of the flanges to the cutter-fuser jaws. The cut strips of reclosable fastener material are held on an edge of the rotor that is remote from the film surface. Upon rotation of the rotor the held strip of reclosable fastener material is moved to a location adjacent to the film surface.

Abstract: A forming, filling and sealing machine comprises three sealing mechanisms for heat sealing a film, a folding mechanism for inwardly folding the width direction middle part of the film along the longitudinal direction of the film, and an injection pipe for injecting in filling materials. A first sealing mechanism heat seals a long sheet film to be carried downwards with both side ends overlapped with each other, the heat sealing being applied to the overlapped both side ends along the longitudinal direction of the film. A second sealing mechanism heat seals at least the top of two ridge portions formed by the folding mechanism in the film along the longitudinal direction of the film. A third sealing mechanism is disposed below the injection pipe for horizontally heat sealing the film and cutting the heat sealed portion.

Abstract: A fruit-packaging machine includes a plastic bag web outputting device mounted to a frame for supplying a plastic bag web that is enclosed at two lateral sides thereof when it passes through a side-enclosing device. A fruit-conveying device conveys fruit to be packaged into a plastic tube that is then enclosed by a final enclosing device. An operative plate is secured to an enclosing seat of the final enclosing device. The operative plate is operably connected to an actuating plate that pivots a shaft extension of a pivotal shaft by a follower rod. A receiving plate is connected to the pivotal shaft to pivot therewith, thereby receiving the packaged fruit and conveying the packaged fruit to a conveyor.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a control method for a box motion type end-sealing carried out by a longitudinal type or lateral type bag forming, filling and packaging machine, which can permit the end sealing time period to be set as long as possible even if a linear section (a sealing length of a predetermined stroke) is made constant. There is provided a method of controlling an end-sealing time period for a bag forming, filling and packaging machine.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus and method with single drive unit operating a drive roller and a cross-cut mechanism with the drive motor assembly being internalized within the drive roller. The apparatus is particularly designed for feeding, solely through use of a full film width contact drive roller, film material derived from a single supply roll of two ply film material. The arrangement avoids tracking problems, as well as any requirement for a supply roll driving, braking and tension monitoring. The supply roll can be laid in position on underlying, passive support rollers prevented from inertia induced over-rolling by a passive friction device which tension in the film material being fed between the single, cylindrical drive roller and an opposing pair of spaced, driven rollers in a pinching relationship with the film material being fed past the drive roller.

Abstract: A machine for producing cushioning product is provided which allows a user to select a length of product to be produced from a plurality of selectable lengths.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus applied to a vertical type flexible package forming, filling and closing machine includes a heater block arranged near a filling tube and having a heating ridge, and a web guide attached to the outer surface of the filling tube and having a pair of guide rails, and the heating ridge cooperates with the pair of guide rails to hold the joint of a traveling package web therebetween in such a manner that the joint is elastically deformed in convex form in cross section, whereby the joint is concentratedly applied with heat and thus is heat-sealed.

Abstract: A forming, filling and sealing machine comprises three sealing mechanisms for heat sealing a film, a folding mechanism for inwardly folding the width direction middle part of the film along the longitudinal direction of the film, and an injection pipe for injecting in filling materials. A first sealing mechanism heat seals a long sheet film to be carried downwards with both side ends overlapped with each other, the heat sealing being applied to the overlapped both side ends along the longitudinal direction of the film. A second sealing mechanism heat seals at least the top of two ridge portions formed by the folding mechanism in the film along the longitudinal direction of the film. A third sealing mechanism is disposed below the injection pipe for horizontally heat sealing the film and cutting the heat sealed portion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for feeding substantially free flowing solid product charges (P'") in a continuous vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine (10) is disclosed. Improved transitional product flow from the computerized weigher (W) to the bag former and closer is obtained by tracking and sampling the charges along the flow path. In the method, the steps include sensing the presence of the charges along the flow path at two locations, comparing each sensed charge presence to a defined time target that has previously been determined and adjusting at least one operating step in accordance with any deviation found to cause the charge or charges to approach the defined time target for optimum operation. Either a predictive time adaptive control (77) requiring operator input, or computer control (76) can be incorporated into the method. A series of product charge flow enhancers (102, 103; 131; 121) are provided along the flow path to assist in maintaining the charges within the time target.

Abstract: The formation of a tubular web in a form-fill process is achieved by drawing the web along a tapering guide (6) and then along a forming tube (20) the axis of which is at a small angle to the guide plate and intersects the guide. The web is drawn along the guide and tube by opposed drive rollers (24) at a station along the length of the forming tube, the rollers gripping the edges of the web together. The side margins of the web are folded over from a central portion when the web travels along the guide plate but the side edges are brought together only after they reach the forming tube. The drive rollers (24) or sealing rollers (26) further along the forming tube seal the edges together to form a closed tube.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal packaging machine produces a dummy bag from a film by starting to move seal jaws after the film has been pulled over a specified length or for a specified length of time from the moment when an eye mark on the film is detected by a detector. If the position on the film at which it was cut is displaced from the intended position, this displacement is inputted such that the specified length or the specified length of time is automatically corrected. If any of the parameters defining the pattern of transverse sealing operation is changed, the specified length or the specified length of time can also be automatically adjusted.

Abstract: A packaging unit (1) for continuously producing aseptic sealed packages (2), containing a pourable food product, from a tube (14) of packaging material filled with the food product and fed along a vertical supply path (A); the unit (1) has a first and second chain conveyor (10, 11) respectively having a number of jaws (12) and a number of counter-jaws (13), which interact with the tube (14) to grip and heat-seal the tube at successive cross sections and so define a strip (25) of packages (2) connected to one another by respective transverse sealing bands (26); and the unit (1) also has a first and a second cutting member (54, 55) located beneath the conveyors (10, 11) and symmetrically on opposite sides of the supply path (A), rotating synchronously and in opposite directions about respective axes of rotation (G, H) crosswise to the supply path (A), and cooperating with the strip (25) of packages (2) to cut the strip (25) along the sealing bands (26) and draw the packages (2) away from the chain conveyors (10