A method of manufacturing a pack of smoking articles. The method comprises providing a planar blank of an inner support frame comprising a front panel and a rear panel connected by a bottom panel, and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel to form an inner support frame in a receiving configuration. In the receiving configuration, the front and rear panels diverge in a direction away from the bottom panel and define an opening remote from the bottom panel. The method includes inserting a bundle of smoking articles through the opening into the inner support frame and folding the front and rear panels together about the bottom panel from the receiving configuration to an enclosed configuration to enclose the bundle of smoking articles. The method includes wrapping the bundle of smoking articles and inner support frame with a film to form a sealed pack of smoking articles. Also an apparatus for manufacturing a pack of smoking articles according to such a method.

A sealant tape including a base portion, first sealing portion and second sealing portion is provided. The first sealing portion includes a first ridge and the second sealing portion includes a second ridge. The sealant tape is applies to a perimeter portion of a tool such that the base portion of the sealant tape couples to the perimeter of the tool, and a vacuum bag is placed over the tool, contacting the sealant tape, and ultimately is sealed onto the tool via the sealant tape.

To modify the headspace in a container to remove vacuum pressure, a container has a seal or cap which may provide a temporary opening into the container which is sealable under compression to provide a controlled raising of the internal pressure as the heated contents of the container cools. A sealing chamber (84) may enable the introduction of a fluid into the headspace (23b) to force the fluid level (40) lower. Other methods and apparatus are described.

The present disclosure relates to removing residual air in a packaged product. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a residual air reduction device and to methods of using such device to reduce the amount of residual air in a packaged product. Such a device is employed during the manufacturing process to release air trapped in a product matrix and/or in a head space of the package as the package contacts the device. In some embodiments, the device and methods of the disclosure are useful in reducing residual air in a pouch package by at least 5% in comparison to a pouch package manufactured without use of the device and/or methods described herein.

The present invention is directed to methods for filling a container wherein the filled container has no headspace. The present invention is further directed to methods for stabilizing an aqueous drug substance solution by filling a container with the aqueous drug substance solution wherein the filled container has no headspace. The present invention is further directed to methods for detecting headspace in a container.

The present invention is directed to methods for filling a container wherein the filled container has no headspace. The present invention is further directed to methods for stabilizing an aqueous drug substance solution by filling a container with the aqueous drug substance solution wherein the filled container has no headspace. The present invention is further directed to methods for detecting headspace in a container.

The invention relates to a vacuum chamber packaging machine with spring fracture detection. A first electrical line can be provided connecting springs to a controller, where interruption of the line due to a fractured spring may be detected by the controller via an applied voltage, so that no safety deficiency arises.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a package made on a form, fill and seal machine. In one aspect the invention comprises the steps: providing a package material on a product conduit of a form, fill and seal machine; forming a first end seal on the package material to form a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with product; and settling the product in the partially formed package while continuously conveying the package material along the product conduit. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a product settler comprising a first object positioned to cause an impact against a package material. The impact agitates the package material and settles a product from an unsettled height to a settled height while the package material is continuously conveyed.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a package made on a form, fill and seal machine. In one aspect the invention comprises the steps: providing a package material on a product conduit of a form, fill and seal machine; forming a first end seal on the package material to form a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with product; and settling the product in the partially formed package while continuously conveying the package material along the product conduit. In a second aspect, the invention comprises a product settler comprising a first object positioned to cause an impact against a package material. The impact agitates the package material and settles a product from an unsettled height to a settled height while the package material is continuously conveyed.

This relates to an amorphous form of daclatasvir and its salts and process for preparation thereof. In particular, it relates to an amorphous form of daclatasvir and daclatasvir dihydrochloride. It also relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising an amorphous form of daclatasvir or daclatasvir dihydrochloride for oral administration for treatment of Hepatitis C virus (HCV).