Methods and apparatus, including computer program products, are described for controlling web tensioning in a food packaging machine comprising a plurality of sub-systems. One or more local variable value are received, which indicate measurements by the food packaging machine of one or more physical parameters for a web tensioning sub-system. One or more remote variable values are received, which indicate measurements by the food packaging machine of one or more physical parameters for one or remote sub-systems. One or more control parameter values are determined for the web tensioning sub-system, by processing the remote and the local variable values using a reinforcement learning model and a local control model. One or more control parameters of the web tensioning sub-system are adjusted in accordance with the determined control parameter values.

A method of forming dual layer water soluble packets includes drawing a base film into a cavity of a mold, drawing air through openings in the base film, metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the cavity, metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product, and, sealing a lid film to the base film.

A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

A method for compacting a slug of product and apparatus for accomplishing the same. The invention describes collecting weighed product in an intermediate settling device to form a compact slug of product. The device can comprise a single settling chamber or can comprise multiple settling chambers which are axially rotatable. The slug can be compacted by jostling and/or vibrating the settling device. Thereafter, the product is discharged to a packaging apparatus. Because the product in the final package is denser, a smaller package can be utilized reducing manufacturing and shipping costs.

A continuous method of manufacturing a detergent water-soluble pouch includes providing a first water-soluble film moving in a first direction, and forming a cavity in the first water-soluble film; providing a feed of first detergent particles to a rotating discretizing element comprising at least one pocket, rotating the loaded pocket of the rotating discretizing element from the first portion of the rotating arc to the second portion of the rotating arc, and dosing the first detergent particles from the loaded pocket to the cavity of the first water-soluble film when the loaded pocket is in a position within the second portion of the rotating arc, to form a loaded cavity.

A continuous method of manufacturing a detergent water-soluble pouch includes providing a first water-soluble film moving in a first direction, and forming a cavity in the first water-soluble film; providing a feed of first detergent particles to a rotating discretizing element comprising at least one pocket, rotating the loaded pocket of the rotating discretizing element from the first portion of the rotating arc to the second portion of the rotating arc, and dosing the first detergent particles from the loaded pocket to the cavity of the first water-soluble film when the loaded pocket is in a position within the second portion of the rotating arc, to form a loaded cavity.

A method of forming dual layer water soluble packets includes drawing a base film into a cavity of a mold, drawing air through openings in the base film, metering an amount of a first product of a first color onto the base film in the cavity, metering an amount of a second product of a second color onto the amount of the first product, and, sealing a lid film to the base film.

Disclosed are a system and method for packaging seaweed and/or aquatic plants. The system includes a wrapping mechanism configured to wrap the seaweed or aquatic plants in a lightweight material, a sealer configured to seal the lightweight material with the seaweed or aquatic plants therein, and a unitizer or link former configured to form fastened units from the lightweight material with the seaweed or aquatic plants therein. The method includes placing or depositing the seaweed or the aquatic plant(s) on a sheet of a lightweight material, wrapping the seaweed or the aquatic plant(s) in the lightweight material, and sealing the lightweight material to form a packaged unit or link in which the seaweed or aquatic plant(s) is sealed or otherwise contained in the lightweight material.

Provided are a method and an apparatus for extruding into a tube and filling the tube at a high speed and simultaneously sealing the tube. Specifically provided is a method for producing a polymer tube, containing a liquid therein and being sealed at constant intervals, the method including an extrusion step of continuously melt-extruding a polymer material through a die into at least one tube, while feeding a liquid into the tube to obtain at least one liquid-containing tube; and sealing step of discontinuously pressing the at least one liquid-containing tube between a pair of pressurizing members at constant intervals to cause pressure-bonding before the tube solidifies, while continuously taking up the extruded tube.

An apparatus for the production of tube blister packages includes dispensing stations and a collection apparatus for providing medication doses to a blister packaging apparatus. The blister packaging apparatus fills the received medication doses, by groups, into pockets of a tube blister package. An inspection buffer apparatus disposed between the collection apparatus and the blister packaging apparatus includes a buffer apparatus for temporarily storing at least one group of medication doses intended for being filled into a pocket, a sensor apparatus for detecting an image and/or predetermined properties of the temporarily stored group of medication doses, and an evaluation and control device. The evaluation and control device determines whether the temporarily stored group of medication doses corresponds to a group of medication doses to be filled in, and if so, passes the temporarily stored group on to the blister packaging apparatus.