Disclosed are a cushion conveying device and method, and a cushion rolling packaging apparatus and method. The cushion conveying device includes a frame (10), a conveying platform (20), a pressing mechanism (30) and a folding mechanism (40). At least one gap area is provided on the conveying platform (20). The pressing mechanism (30) is movable back and forth to contact and press at least one part of the cushion on the conveying platform (20). The folding mechanism (40) includes at least one folding member (41) movable back and forth to pass through the gap area, the folding member (41) is capable of extending out of the gap area to abut against the cushion on the conveying platform (20), so as to turn up and fold the cushion. The cushion, when conveyed to the conveying platform (20), is folded in an overturning mode by the pressing mechanism (30) and the folding mechanism (40) cooperatively, so that the folding action is simple and fast. The folded cushion is directly conveyed to the next process through the conveying platform, without additional adjustment to the cushion, such as overturning the cushion, so that the operation is stable and reliable.

Disclosed are a cushion conveying device and method, and a cushion rolling packaging apparatus and method. The cushion conveying device includes a frame (10), a conveying platform (20), a pressing mechanism (30) and a folding mechanism (40). At least one gap area is provided on the conveying platform (20). The pressing mechanism (30) is movable back and forth to contact and press at least one part of the cushion on the conveying platform (20). The folding mechanism (40) includes at least one folding member (41) movable back and forth to pass through the gap area, the folding member (41) is capable of extending out of the gap area to abut against the cushion on the conveying platform (20), so as to turn up and fold the cushion. The cushion, when conveyed to the conveying platform (20), is folded in an overturning mode by the pressing mechanism (30) and the folding mechanism (40) cooperatively, so that the folding action is simple and fast. The folded cushion is directly conveyed to the next process through the conveying platform, without additional adjustment to the cushion, such as overturning the cushion, so that the operation is stable and reliable.

Machine (10) comprising a feed unit (16) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, toward different working units (18, 19, 20, 21) configured to automatically carry out different workings on the tubular elements (12), including a deformation to make a bellows (13), a cut to make a pointed end (14), or an end cut obliquely, a bending in correspondence with the bellows and a packaging of each straw, the deformation being carried out before the cut.

Machine (10) to produce straws (11), preferably made of paper, comprising a feed unit (16) configured to feed a plurality of tubular elements, preferably made of paper, to different working units (17, 19, 20, 21) configured to automatically carry out different workings on the tubular elements (12), including at least one cut to make a pointed end (13), or an end cut obliquely, a deformation to make a bellows (14), a bend in correspondence with the bellows (14) and the packaging of each straw (11).

A film-enclosed bath article and a method of manufacturing the same is disclosed. The method includes providing a formed bath article enclosing the formed bath article in a water-soluble film. The formed bath article is capable of producing a gas upon contacting a liquid. The water-soluble film has a thickness between approximately 10 μm and approximately 28 μm. The method further includes heating the water-soluble film to a temperature of at least approximately 300° F. to cause the water-soluble film to shrink around the formed bath article.

There is provided a method of manufacturing sachets. The method involves moving a web of semi-rigid material through a cutting station and simultaneously cutting a discrete cut in the web of semi-rigid material while the web of semi-rigid material continues to move through the cutting station. The method also includes sandwiching the web of semi-rigid material between a first flexible web of material and a second web of flexible material such that the first web of flexible material seals the discrete cuts in the semi-rigid web of material and the second web of flexible material forms a continuous elongate reservoir with the web of semi-rigid material. There is also provided an apparatus for cutting a web of material. The apparatus has a cutting roller and at least one cutting element protruding beyond the exterior surface of the roller, wherein the cutting element has a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Another apparatus for cutting a web of material the apparatus has a first cutting element and a second opposing cutting element, each cutting element having a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Each cutting element is associated with a cam and a rail that are arranged such that the first cutting element follows a path and the second cutting element follows a path that mirrors the path of the first cutting element. The paths have adjacent sections and/or intersecting sections in which the cutting elements come together to discretely cut the web of material while leaving the material intact.

There is provided a method of manufacturing sachets. The method involves moving a web of semi-rigid material through a cutting station and simultaneously cutting a discrete cut in the web of semi-rigid material while the web of semi-rigid material continues to move through the cutting station. The method also includes sandwiching the web of semi-rigid material between a first flexible web of material and a second web of flexible material such that the first web of flexible material seals the discrete cuts in the semi-rigid web of material and the second web of flexible material forms a continuous elongate reservoir with the web of semi-rigid material. There is also provided an apparatus for cutting a web of material. The apparatus has a cutting roller and at least one cutting element protruding beyond the exterior surface of the roller, wherein the cutting element has a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Another apparatus for cutting a web of material the apparatus has a first cutting element and a second opposing cutting element, each cutting element having a cutting profile that is at least partly a zigzag shape. Each cutting element is associated with a cam and a rail that are arranged such that the first cutting element follows a path and the second cutting element follows a path that mirrors the path of the first cutting element. The paths have adjacent sections and/or intersecting sections in which the cutting elements come together to discretely cut the web of material while leaving the material intact.

A packaging unit and method for packaging pharmaceuticals into pouches. The packaging unit includes a dispensing area to receive cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals and packaging equipment in communication with the dispensing area. The packaging unit also includes a control system coupled to the packaging equipment to control operation of the packaging equipment and a chute connecting the dispensing area to the packaging equipment. The chute includes a plurality of tracks, each track corresponding to one of the cassettes supported on the dispensing area. The packaging unit includes a receptacle supported by the packaging equipment between the chute and a feed stock roll. The plurality of tracks converge to direct the pharmaceuticals that are dispensed from the cassettes into the receptacle and the receptacle directs the pharmaceuticals received from the plurality of tracks as a group into the pouches formed by the feed stock roll.

A packaging unit and method for packaging pharmaceuticals into pouches. The packaging unit includes a dispensing area to receive cassettes that contain pharmaceuticals and packaging equipment in communication with the dispensing area. The packaging unit also includes a control system coupled to the packaging equipment to control operation of the packaging equipment and a chute connecting the dispensing area to the packaging equipment. The chute includes a plurality of tracks, each track corresponding to one of the cassettes supported on the dispensing area. The packaging unit includes a receptacle supported by the packaging equipment between the chute and a feed stock roll. The plurality of tracks converge to direct the pharmaceuticals that are dispensed from the cassettes into the receptacle and the receptacle directs the pharmaceuticals received from the plurality of tracks as a group into the pouches formed by the feed stock roll.

A non-destructive, non-invasive method for inspection of bonding patterns of packages for products, such as patches or medicated patches, involves thermally probing the packages and the bonding patterns and retrieving a thermal response thereof. The inspection is based in the analysis of the thermal response.