Abstract: An automated container production line or automatically removing, orienting, filling, sealing and providing a label and applying a straw to the outside of the labeled container is provided which utilizes a novel orienting conveyor for receiving unoriented containers from a supply bin and orienting the containers for a plurality or novel short production lines having a positioning screw conveyor which intermittently starts and stops the advancement of the containers as groups of containers in which various groups of containers are simultaneously filled, sealed, inspected and then subsequently transported to a sleeving device for adding labels, a heat shrink tunnel for fastening the sleeve to the container and then to a novel straw applicator for subsequently attaching a straw to the outside of the container.

Abstract: A case sealer has a frame with a conveyor for moving boxes into a pair of spaced-apart lateral conveyors. The lateral conveyors have converging centering conveyor belts that center the boxes and first advancing conveyor belts that open to the width of the box to be sealed. A floating head located over the lateral conveyors folds the box end and side flaps into a closed position. The box is then picked up by a pair of second advancing conveyors that adjust to the width of the box. The second advancing conveyors are mounted on a seal dispensing platform carrying a tape dispenser for sealing the box flaps shut.

Abstract: A lithographic apparatus includes an illumination system for providing a beam of radiation, an article support for supporting a flat article to be placed in a beam path of the beam of radiation on the article support, a backfill gas feed arranged in the article support for feeding backfill gas to a backside of the article when supported by the article support, and a clamp for clamping the article against the article support during projection. According to one aspect of the invention, the apparatus includes a controller for controlling the clamp and/or the backfill gas feed pressure so as to release the clamp prior to reducing the backfill gas feed pressure.

Abstract: A self-dimensioning machine for closing upper flaps of parallelepiped boxes including a base with support surface for the boxes, a couple of drive belts placed at the two sides of the support surface for engagement with the sides of the boxes, a device for detecting the position and horizontal dimensions of the boxes for controlling the movement of the drive belts, a rod pivoted on a head above the support surface descending from a rest position to engage, straighten and partially close the front flaps of the boxes, a vertically mobile touching group for detecting the height of the boxes and successively to the head in the advancement direction of the boxes, a central longitudinal guide carried by the touching group and positioning itself in a horizontal position above the support surface at a height corresponding to the height of the boxes for completing the closing of the front flap.

Abstract: Screw cap tightener apparatus comprising a turntable, a spindle mounted on the turntable to rotate relative thereto, a screw cap gripper head secured to the spindle, drive means to rotate the spindle by exerting an off-center drive force on the spindle, means for engaging a portion of the spindle that is stationary in rotation to detect a force applied in reaction to the drive force, and means for stopping tightening, said means being connected to the detector means to stop tightening when the force applied in reaction exceeds a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: A rotary capping apparatus and feedback control apparatus for regulating torque applied to screw-on type caps for containers is disclosed. The present system is integrated into a machine suitable for a clean-room environment. The apparatus includes a supporting frame whereon a computer-controlled driving mechanism including a servomotor for transmitting a predetermined torque to an inflatable gripping device actuated by compressed air for gripping and torquing such caps is provided. The inflatable gripper is imparted with automatic vertical height adjustment to accommodate containers of various sizes. The present rotary capping apparatus provides an integrated closed loop feedback control system utilizing a computer for setting parameters for regulating the application of such torque and a servocontroller interfaced for bidirectional communication with the computer.

Abstract: The method comprises viewing by of a magnetic recording camera the zone for the opening of vials and for metered filling thereof and continuously recording the zones visually during the operation of the installation and simultaneously carrying out the identification marking of each full glass container, with indelible marking means, at the outlet of the installation.

Abstract: A machine for filling bags with comestible liquids, includes a transfer station rotatable about a vertical central axle mounted on a plate secured to the machine frame, multiple filling stations each comprising an element for gripping and holding the base of a removable closure for a bag and an element for manipulating the upper portion of the closure, and a filling device coacting with the opening of the open closure following removal of its upper portion and supplied with liquid by a pump connected to a reservoir, the assembly of these elements being managed by a control device. The control device is a device with cams mounted fixedly on the machine. The invention is more particularly applicable to the field of packaging and dispensing of liquids, in particular comestible liquids, in small flexible receptacles.

Abstract: A decoration correction method for a form-and-seal unit (1) for producing sealed packages of a pourable food product from a tube (2) of packaging material fed along a feed path, and having two pairs of jaws (7) movable along the feed path and opened and closed so as to travel, cyclically and alternately with each other, along a form-and-seal portion along which the pairs of jaws (7) are closed and travel integrally with the tube, and along a repositioning portion along which the pairs of jaws open and move with respect to the tube (2). To make a decoration correction, a nominal trajectory (P) of the jaws (7) is modified along the repositioning portion on the basis of a position error of the tube (2) with respect to a nominal position. A first solution provides for correcting the travel of the jaws by selectively modifying the amplitude of the trajectory; and a second solution provides for correcting the phase of the jaw trajectory.

Abstract: In a machine for obtaining strip packages a station feeds products to a packaging group, which places and seals each of the products in a relative welded pockets distributed along a continuous strip. In a working station, situated in cascade with the packaging group, a feeler group, a printing group, a working group, a drawing group, a cutting group cooperate to supply at the outlet a plurality of strip packages. The packaging group is arranged in a vertical configuration and the configuration of the working group is horizontal. Direction-changing means make the continuous strip pass from a vertical configuration to a horizontal one.

Abstract: Herein described is a device for closing the front flap in a self-dimensioning machine for closing the upper flaps of parallelepiped boxes of the type comprising a base with support surface for the boxes, a couple of drive belts that can be motorised placed at the two sides of said support surface and that can be brought close to each other to make a drive engagement with the sides of the boxes and a head above said support surface, that carries devices for closing the front, rear and side flaps of the boxes and can be commanded to descend from a rest position to engage the above-mentioned devices with the upper flaps of the boxes and close them. Means for detecting the position and the dimensions of the boxes for the automatic command of the machine movements are provided for.

Abstract: The method is aimed at indirectly determining the energy absorbed by a conducting layer (5) forming part of a strip of packaging material (1) to be sealed transversely. The method is based on measuring parameters correlated with the power supplied by a current source (45) to the packaging material (1) during sealing, and with the temperature of the conducting layer (5). The temperature measurement takes into account the temperature of the product to be packed, the characteristics of the packaging material, and the characteristics of the mechanical sealing members; correct cutting of the packaging material after sealing is also determined; and the parameters are monitored by measuring associated quantities and by comparison with permissible values.

Abstract: A post processing cap applicator for applying a cap to a closure spout after erection, spout attachment, filling and sealing of a carton accommodates custom caps. Cartons are conveyed through the applicator in a first forward direction. A cap supply is configured to dispense caps and to position an edge of a cap in a path defined by movement of the closure spout through the applicator. The closure spout engages the edge of the cap. The applicator includes a rotating, torque-applying element and a drive operably connected to the torque-applying element. The drive is operable in a first direction to tighten the cap onto the spout to a predetermined torque and, once the predetermined torque is reached, to stop tightening the cap. A method for post processing cap application is also disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and method for optimally designing automobile door seals. The system comprises data storage, data management and model design. The data storage consists of a plurality of storage units, each of which has data necessary for each condition. The data management consists of a plurality of mode selection units for selecting a mode from the data storage according to the characteristics of a door seal to be developed. The model design designs a complete door seal by imposing a variety of conditions on a model selected from the data management and performing various tests.

Abstract: Control system and apparatus for controlling power consumption of a heat chamber such as a shrink tunnel. The system and apparatus of the present invention is modification to conventional systems, and takes advantage of the inherent equipment usage model in a packaging process. When the shrink wrap sealer has been idle for a predetermined duration, control circuitry in the shrink tunnel forces the tunnel to enter an energy savings mode.

Abstract: A film is drawn out from a film roll and continuously transferred, and margins of the film are overlapped and is sealed to produce a vertical seal by paired vertical seal rollers to shape the film into a tubular form. A product content is filled into a tube-shaped portion of the film, and the tube-shaped portion of the film is sealed to produce a lateral seal by paired lateral seal rollers and to thereby form a bag. At least one lateral seal roller of the lateral seal rollers is movably provided and there are provided a pusher device for pushing at least one seal roller against the other seal roller, a joint detector provided upstream in a film transfer direction of the paired lateral seal rollers for detecting a joint in the film, and a controller which reduces or eliminates a pushing force exerted by the pusher device when a specified time period has elapsed after detection of the joint in the film by the joint detector.

Abstract: A drive device comprises an air cylinder 123 for causing an operating member for a packaging operation to perform a reciprocating motion, a sensor 132 for detecting the cycle velocity or time of the air cylinder 123, a control valve 222 for controlling the pressure or flow rate of the fluid to be supplied to the air cylinder 123, and an a sequencer 201 for setting a reference value SV corresponding to the cycle velocity or time of the air cylinder 123, receiving a value PV detected by the sensor 132 as an input, calculating a valve opening degree so as to reduce the deviation of the detected value PV from the reference value SV to zero and setting the opening degree of the control valve 222 based on the calculated valve opening degree.

Abstract: An automatic tablet dispensing and packaging system for processing a prescription input into tablet containing serial paper bags comprises a tablet dropping unit having a hopper guiding each tablet batch from the unit to drop therethrough, and shafts each having top and below-top peripheries and an axial line between the bottom and below-top peripheries. A top roller extends from the top periphery to have a top radius, an axial plate radially extends from the axial line to intermittently seal substantially folded paper sheet in a sidewise sealing format by mutual engagement rolling of the top rollers. Below-top rollers extend from the below-top periphery to have a below-top radius less than the top radius. Edge rollers provided below the below-top rollers to seal therebetween lengthwise sealing portions of the widthwisely sealed paper sheet.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.

Abstract: In a device for screwing a screw cap onto a container with a magnetic coupling arranged between a spindle which can be driven and the closing head, in the circumferential area of permanent magnets connected to the closing head, an inductive detector for determining the state of motion is provided. As a result, the simplest means are provided to allow the monitoring of the number of revolutions of the closing head, and defects, such as incorrect container clamping, incorrect closing cone and incorrect threadings, can be reliably detected.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that can automatically remove lids from trays and place lids on trays. Further the device can sense the presence of a lid on a tray and can sense the dimensions of the tray. Based on the sensed dimensions of the tray, the device can select an appropriate sized lid to place on the tray. In one embodiment of the invention, a device holds a lid with a lid manipulator having lid holders. At least one end mechanism is attached to at least one end of the lid manipulator, and the end mechanism folds the lid flaps of an appropriate lid. Guided by the lid manipulator, lids are then positioned on the tray.

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 strap detector is used with an automatic strapping machine. The strap detector includes a strap detector mounting bracket mounted to the automatic strapping machine, and a pivot block attached to the mounting bracket. The pivot block has an aperture formed therein. A shaft is positioned in the pivot block aperture, and a finger is mounted to a free end of the shaft. A guide block is positioned along the shaft and spaced from the free end, and a sensor is operatively coupled to the detector mounting bracket proximal the guide block. The finger is engaged by sealed strapping material and, when the strapping material is properly sealed, movement of the strapping head away from the articles moves the guide block into a position to change a state of the sensor.

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 device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.

Abstract: A device for and method of robotically crating objects, such as consumer goods, being capable of securing an upstanding enclosure to a recyclable pallet having structural uprights. The device conveys a pallet and enclosure assembly into a work station, installs a number of threaded fasteners into predetermined locations in the top and two adjacent sides of the assembly, rotates the assembly one-hundred eighty degrees, installs fasteners into the two remaining sides, rotates the assembly back to the initial position, and conveys the secured crate assembly out of the work station. The device includes the ability to detect the number of times a recyclable pallet has been used, and to adjust the exact locations of fasteners accordingly, thereby assuring that new fasteners are always installed into an unused fastener location.

Abstract: The objective of the present invention is to provide a solution filling and plugging system to a container capable of shortening the overall length of the transporting and filling line, and coping with containers in a variety of shapes with a change only to the chuck retaining the container.

Abstract: An apparatus for blending polymer powder and pigment inside of a blender that heats the polymer through agitation of the blending process. The apparatus includes a control scheme that monitors the condition of the powder and discharges the powder from the blender just before the powder reaches its melting point. The apparatus monitors the flowability of the powder as well as the temperature. As an additional method of controlling the temperature inside of the blender, the blending speed can be varied by virtue of a variable speed motor that is attached to the blender.

Abstract: A screw capper includes a capping head which comprises a chuck for holding a cap, a motor for driving the chuck for rotation, a cam mechanism for elevating the chuck, and an air cylinder for imparting a load to the chuck. A load imparted by the air cylinder is controlled by a controller to be zero from the beginning of a screwing and tightening operation until an angle of rotation of the chuck exceeds a specific angle where the load is changed, and is controlled to a higher value upon detection of an angle of rotation of the chuck which exceeds the specific angle in the course of the screwing and tightening operation. The arrangement allows a reliable screwing and tightening to be achieved as compared with the prior art while preventing a damage to threads or the occurrence of a cocked cap.

Abstract: An inspection station for checking the correct placement of a lid on a filled plastic container that is traveling on a conveyor that includes: a detector plate assembly (16) that has a flat surface (32) and an inclined surface (44); a support assembly (18); a mounting assembly (22) for attaching the detector plate assembly (16) to the support assembly (18) for holding the flat surface (32) in a predetermined parallel relationship with a top or conveying surface (30) of the conveyor (12) while simultaneously allowing vertical displacement thereof; a first sensor (54) for detecting the presence of a plastic container (20) to be checked or inspected; a second sensor (56) for sending a signal when the detector plate is within a selected range of vertical displacement.

Abstract: Apparatus for producing (folding) cartons or for closing the same by applying adhesive strips (13) to folding flaps (11) during an upward movement of the cartons (10) by a closing conveyor (21), the closed cartons (10) being transferred in the region of an upper transfer station (33) to a removal conveyor (22) and defective cartons (43), previously detected by monitoring, being able to be conveyed past the removal conveyor (22) into the region of a transfer station for such defective cartons (43).

Abstract: A strap detector is used with an automatic strapping machine. The strap detector includes a strap detector mounting bracket mounted to the automatic strapping machine, and a pivot block attached to the mounting bracket. The pivot block has an aperture formed therein. A shaft is positioned in the pivot block aperture, and a finger is mounted to a free end of the shaft. A guide block is positioned along the shaft and spaced from the free end, and a sensor is operatively coupled to the detector mounting bracket proximal the guide block. The finger is engaged by sealed strapping material and, when the strapping material is properly sealed, movement of the strapping head away from the articles moves the guide block into a position to change a state of the sensor.

Abstract: A bag welding method and assembly includes an upper jaw movable in a substantially vertical plane and a lower jaw movable in the same substantially vertical plane as the upper jaw and supported on the frame via two support members. A pressure sensor is coupled to the jaws for measuring a welding pressure between the jaws. A processor coupled to the pressure sensor receives a signal from the pressure sensor to determine the conditions under which the weld was created. Preferably, the pressure sensor is mounted on one of the support members, or alternatively, can be mounted in a recess in one of the upper and the lower jaws. The welding assembly also preferably includes a temperature sensor for measuring the temperature between the welding jaws during sealing. The welding assembly can also include a timer for determining the length of time in which the welding jaws seal the bag.

Abstract: A vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine with transverse sealers incorporates a timing controller for adjusting the timing for clamping a tubularly formed film with the sealers such that articles being dropping in to be packaged will not be caught in between. A display device displays a time axis or parallel axes along which markers indicate the times of arrival of the falling articles to be packaged and the sealers at the clamping position for the sealers. As the user moves the marker for indicating the arrival time of the sealers, the timing controller adjusts the operating mode of the sealers such that the sealers will clamp the film at the time specified by the user according to the displayed time of arrival of the articles.

Abstract: A vertical pillow type form-fill-seal packaging machine with transverse sealers incorporates a timing controller for adjusting the timing for clamping a tubularly formed film with the sealers such that articles being dropping in to be packaged will not be caught in between. A display device displays a time axis or parallel axes along which markers indicate the times of arrival of the falling articles to be packaged and the sealers at the clamping position for the sealers. As the user moves the marker for indicating the arrival time of the sealers, the timing controller adjusts the operating mode of the sealers such that the sealers will clamp the film at the time specified by the user according to the displayed time of arrival of the articles.

Abstract: An installation for the packaging of a product in containers closed with a stopper, including in particular a filling machine (1), a stopping machine (3) and, upstream of this, a device (6) for the dynamic storage of stoppers suitable to drive the stoppers continuously and with a pre-specified pitch, the number of stoppers present simultaneously in the device (6) being at least equal to that of the containers present in a pre-specified part (7) of the installation, means (8) for the control of the supply of stoppers being provided upstream of the device (6) to control a device (10) for supplying containers located upstream of the pre-specified part (7); thus, for every container engaged in the pre-specified part (7) corresponds a stopper present in the device (6) supplying the stopping machine (3) and, in the event of an incident in the supply of stoppers upstream of the device (6), the supply of containers from the pre-specified part (7) is controlled (9, 10) while maintaining the operation of the terminal p

Abstract: A control system and control method for use in a machine for wrapping an article in plastic film are disclosed, the machine including a sealing head and a corresponding anvil movable by a pneumatic cylinder from an initial separated position to a contact position. The cylinder has an air exhaust outlet for exhausting air from the cylinder during operation of the cylinder from its initial state to an actuated state. A selectively actuatable valve disposed in the outlet selectively directs exhausting air through a first path of relatively low airflow resistance and a second path of relatively high airflow resistance. The valve directs exhaust air flow from the first path into the second path during operation of the cylinder and just prior to the cylinder being placed in the actuated state to cushion contact between the head and anvil.

Abstract: A capping apparatus 1 includes torque measuring means 12 which detects an output torque when a chuck 7 is driven for rotation by a motor 9. Initially a cap 5 is held by the chuck 7. The cap 5 is fitted over a mouth of a vessel 2, and then the chuck 7 is rotated through one revolution in a clamping direction. A resulting output torque is detected by the torque measuring means 12, and the output torque rapidly increases at the position where the threads on the cap 5 and the vessel 2 abut against each other (an incipient position of meshing engagement P). The cap 5 is rotated through a given angle of rotation as referenced to the incipient position of meshing engagement P, thus threadably engaging the cap 5 with the vessel 2. The invention allows a uniform clamping of cap 5 at the completion of the capping operation.

Abstract: An apparatus for supplying and applying cap bodies (51) to a packaging container includes a gas supplying device (11) which supplies a hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture obtained by electrolyzing water, a burner unit (22) that is connected to the gas supplying device (11) for receiving hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture from the gas supplying device (11) and burning the hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture and a pickup apparatus (80) which transports a cap body (51) to a heating position above the burner unit (22). The burner unit (22) is provided with a plurality of nozzles (31) that are arranged in a pattern that corresponds in shape to the shape of the underside periphery of the cap body (51). A shield plate (57) is positionable above the nozzles (31) to deflect the hydrogen-oxygen gas mixture emitted from the nozzles (31), and an igniter (32) is disposed adjacent one of the nozzles (31), to ignite the mixture emitted from the nozzle (31).

Abstract: In an apparatus for machining a material web by means of a sonotrode, the pressure force of the sonotrode is determined and is used as a control signal for the advance of the sonotrode, as a result of which the nip height is set.

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: In a tubular bagging machine with two cross-sealing jaws 1, 2, which are movable toward one another and thereby cross-weld a foil tube, product that moves between the cross-sealing jaws 1, 2, interferes with the cross seam, and results in a leaky cross-seam of a tubular bag. In order to reliably recognize entrapped product 10, it is suggested to measure the performance resistance of the servomotor on the cross-sealing jaws 1, 2, which are moved by a servomotor drive 4, in order to determine product entrapment. The machine controller 8 can additionally receive from the drive 4 a value for the jaw position, which position value corresponds to a desired momentary jaw pressure. A product entrapment is determined from a high or measured performance resistance value from the desired value. A reliable product entrapment recognition is achieved through the use of the light-metal cross-sealing jaw.

Abstract: The cap is screwed on by a friction clutch (33) that gives a tightening torque less than the desired ideal torque. The cap (C) gripping head (47) is connected not only to the driven part of the clutch but also, through a composite drive shaft (233, 54), to a freewheel (57) engaging with a mechanism which, after the screwing of the cap by the clutch, is acted on by a wedge (89) of programmable and adjustable interference mounted on a guide connected to a load cell (84). When this mechanism is acted upon by the wedge, it receives from it the small rotation required to complete the screwing of the cap and the reaction of the wedge to the mechanism is detected by the load cell, which emits an electrical signal proportional to the effective tightening torque applied to the cap.

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; 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 cooperate with and grip the tube (14) to heat-seal the tube at successive cross sections (54) by means of induction heating elements (29) on the jaws (12); and each jaw (12) has a pair of movable elements (60) for interacting with and correcting supply of the tube (14), and the travel of which is controlled by a control assembly (95) in response to a signal (107) related to the position of designs (31) on the packaging material.

Abstract: A capping machine (10) and method for installing a cap (12) having a threaded portion onto a container (14) having a threaded portion, the threaded portion of the cap corresponding to the threaded portion of the container, the capping machine having a rotatable turret (20) and a rotatable cap chuck (16) which grips the cap and positions the cap on the container. The cap chuck is rotated by a spindle (22) driven by a servo motor (24) at adjustable and reversible rotational velocities independent of the rotational velocity of the turret. The number of rotations of the cap is determined by monitoring the number of rotations of the servo motor compared to the number of rotations of the turret and is transmitted to a spindle drive control(70). The torque imparted to the cap is monitored by a torque monitor (50) and is transmitted to the spindle drive control. The rotational velocity of the cap is adjustable in response to the compared monitored number of rotations and monitored torque.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a powered crimping tool used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. The powered tool has a vertical housing portion which the user holds to activate the crimping action. The crimping action results from a motor causing a plunger to move downward, thereby initially closing a plurality of jaws and continuing downward to cooperate with the jaws to secure the cap on the bottle or vial. Means are provided to adjust the starting point of the crimping cycle or the plunger upper limit as well as the finishing point of the crimping cycle or the plunger lower limit.

Abstract: Featured is a web sealing device for controlling the sealing pressure so as to carry out a sufficient sealing while monitoring the sealing pressure directly acting on the web. Also featured is a packaging container producing equipment using the aforementioned sealing device and a packaging container producing method using the same. When sealing a part of web W by engaging hooks 16a, 16b, which directly give a sealing pressure to the web W in order to seal a part of both web N by heating and melting both side surfaces of a double web while pressing the same, the strain amount of the hooks 16a, 16b is measured by a strain gauge 23.

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; the unit (1) has a first and second chain conveyor (10, 11) respectively having a number of first and second jaws (12, 13) which interact with and grip the tube (14) at respective equally spaced cross sections (88) to perform, at the cross sections (88), respective sealing operations on the tube (14); and the unit (1) also has a monitoring device (91) for monitoring the sealing operations, and in turn having at least one fixed sensor (92; 93) cooperating with each second jaw (13) to generate at least one monitoring signal (S1, S2; S3, S4) related to an operating value (Vo) of a quantity associated with the second jaw (13), and a comparing circuit (99) for comparing the operating value (Vo) with at least one predetermined reference value (Vf) of the aforementioned quantity, and for generating a fault signal (S5) indicating malfunct

Abstract: A method and means of detecting the seals of a package is disclosed herein. The invention includes coloring the inner coating of a laminated material that is used to create a package on a form, fill and seal packaging machine. The invention also discloses coloring the longitudinal strip of the package. The coloring of the inner coating allows an operator to distinguish between an acceptable seal and a defective seal since a delamination, which is acceptable, may appear to be a defective seal without the inner coating coloring. The colored longitudinal strip also allows one to distinguish between a defective longitudinal seal and a delamination of the longitudinal strip.

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 are 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. Relief area that have been coated with an anti-stick substance have been provide in the engaging surfaces of the cutter-fuser jaws to avoid fusing of the flanges and 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.