A process and apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) arranged on a tray (4) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a packaging assembly (8) configured for tightly fixing one or more film sheets to one or more trays. The packaging assembly includes a lower tool (22) defining a prefixed number of seats (23) for receiving the trays and an upper tool (21) facing the lower tool and cooperating with the upper tool to define a packaging chamber (24). The packaging assembly (8) is configured to operate at least in a first operating condition, where said packaging chamber (24) is open, and in a second operating condition, where said packaging chamber (24) is hermetically closed. First injection apertures (90) are positioned in corner regions of the seat and are configured to inject streams of gas in a direction substantially parallel to and above the flange (4c) of a tray (4) positioned in said seat. The process includes the step of activating injection of a plurality of streams of gas through said first apertures (90) in order to form a controlled atmosphere inside the tray before closing the tray with the film.

A process and apparatus (1) for packaging a product (P) arranged on a tray (4) is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a packaging assembly (8) configured for tightly fixing one or more film sheets to one or more trays. The packaging assembly includes a lower tool (22) defining a prefixed number of seats (23) for receiving the trays and an upper tool (21) facing the lower tool and cooperating with the upper tool to define a packaging chamber (24). The packaging assembly (8) is configured to operate at least in a first operating condition, where said packaging chamber (24) is open, and in a second operating condition, where said packaging chamber (24) is hermetically closed. First injection apertures (90) are positioned in corner regions of the seat and are configured to inject streams of gas in a direction substantially parallel to and above the flange (4c) of a tray (4) positioned in said seat. The process includes the step of activating injection of a plurality of streams of gas through said first apertures (90) in order to form a controlled atmosphere inside the tray before closing the tray with the film.

Packaging apparatus (1) comprises a packaging assembly (8) which has a supply unit (300) configured to supply electric energy to a conductive element of a heating head by causing an electric current flow through this conductive element; the conductive element defining a heating surface configured to heat seal one or more parts of said film. The electric conductive element comprising: a supporting substrate (206), at least a conductive structure engaged on the supporting substrate (206), at least one protective layer (208) covering the conductive structure as this latter is engaged between the supporting substrate (206) and the protective layer (208). The conductive element comprising at least one first and one second contacting tabs each integral with said conductive structure; each of said contacting tabs protruding transversally from a prevalent development surface of the conductive structure towards the supporting substrate (206) for defining a terminal contacting end. The heating head (700) comprising a first and second electric terminals respectively engaged with said first and second contacting tabs; each of said electric terminal is configured for stably constraining opposite faces of the respective contacting tab which define the thickness of said tab.

Packaging apparatus (1) comprises a packaging assembly (8) which has a supply unit (300) configured to supply electric energy to a conductive element of a heating head by causing an electric current flow through this conductive element; the conductive element defining a heating surface configured to heat seal one or more parts of said film. The electric conductive element comprising: a supporting substrate (206), at least a conductive structure engaged on the supporting substrate (206), at least one protective layer (208) covering the conductive structure as this latter is engaged between the supporting substrate (206) and the protective layer (208). The conductive element comprising at least one first and one second contacting tabs each integral with said conductive structure; each of said contacting tabs protruding transversally from a prevalent development surface of the conductive structure towards the supporting substrate (206) for defining a terminal contacting end. The heating head (700) comprising a first and second electric terminals respectively engaged with said first and second contacting tabs; each of said electric terminal is configured for stably constraining opposite faces of the respective contacting tab which define the thickness of said tab.

Various embodiments relate to plastic-metal junctions and methods of making the same via laser-assisted joining. The present invention provides a method of forming a junction between a metal form and a solid plastic. The method can include laser treating a surface of a metal form to generate a feature (e.g., a plurality of at least one of pores and grooves) in the surface of the metal, wherein the laser has an angle of incidence with the surface of the metal of other than 0 degrees. The method can include contacting the metal surface including the feature with a flowable resin composition. The method can include curing the flowable resin composition to form the solid plastic, to provide the junction between the metal form and the solid plastic.

Various embodiments relate to plastic-metal junctions and methods of making the same via laser-assisted joining. The present invention provides a method of forming a junction between a metal form and a solid plastic. The method can include laser treating a surface of a metal form to generate a feature (e.g., a plurality of at least one of pores and grooves) in the surface of the metal, wherein the laser has an angle of incidence with the surface of the metal of other than 0 degrees. The method can include contacting the metal surface including the feature with a flowable resin composition. The method can include curing the flowable resin composition to form the solid plastic, to provide the junction between the metal form and the solid plastic.

The invention pertains to an improved PVDC composition including certain cinnamate dienophiles qualified for food contact, which possess an optimized balance of effectiveness in preventing discoloration upon exposure to radiation, with no negative impact on the barrier properties, in particular cinnamates of formula (I), wherein: each of R.sub.1, R.sub.2, R.sub.3, equal to or different from each other, is H or a C.sub.1-C.sub.12 hydrocarbon group, to layers made therefrom, to multi-layer assemblies comprising the same, and to the use of said assemblies for packaging, in particular for packaging foodstuffs.

##STR00001##

The invention pertains to an improved PVDC composition including certain dienophiles qualified for food contact, which possess an optimized balance of effectiveness in preventing discoloration upon exposure to radiation, with no negative impact on the barrier properties, in particular sorbate esters of formula (I), wherein R.sub.1 is a C.sub.1-C.sub.12 hydrocarbon group, preferably a C.sub.1-C.sub.6 alkyl group, to layers made therefrom, to multi-layer assemblies comprising the same, and to the use of said assemblies for packaging, in particular for packaging foodstuffs.

##STR00001##

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.

Disclosed are preforms which incorporate improvements in the region of the neck and upper segment of the body to allow the production of lightweight containers, such as bottles suitable for containing water or other beverages. In accordance with certain embodiments, the improvements include a thinner neck finish area than conventional bottles, where the thinner area is extended into the upper segment of the body portion below the support ring. Reducing the thickness in these areas of the bottle allows for less resin to be used in forming the preform and bottle.