A bulk-based packaging material is provided, comprising at least one crease line for facilitating folding of the packaging material to a package. The at least one crease line is formed as an imprint on a primary side of the packaging material, and as an embossment on a secondary side of the packaging material, wherein the imprint is formed as an elongated groove having a triangular profile.

The method for packaging articles provides to form a tubular wrapping of thermosealable sheet material inside which the articles to be packaged are prearranged, regularly distanced, and to feed said tubular wrapping to a cut station at which grip means, suitable to grasp in succession said articles, operate. The transverse cut of the tubular wrapping is performed in suitable step relationship in the section upstream the article grasped by said grip means and the prepackaged article is transferred to a closure rotatable head for closing the package, rotatable at a plurality of operative stations. In a first operative station the bellows folding of the open ends of the portion of tubular wrapping containing the article is performed. Successively, the sealing of said bellows folded ends of the wrapping is performed to obtain the airtight closure of the package.

The method for packaging articles provides to form a tubular wrapping of thermosealable sheet material inside which the articles to be packaged are prearranged, regularly distanced, and to feed said tubular wrapping to a cut station at which grip means, suitable to grasp in succession said articles, operate. The transverse cut of the tubular wrapping is performed in suitable step relationship in the section upstream the article grasped by said grip means and the prepackaged article is transferred to a closure rotatable head for closing the package, rotatable at a plurality of operative stations. In a first operative station the bellows folding of the open ends of the portion of tubular wrapping containing the article is performed. Successively, the sealing of said bellows folded ends of the wrapping is performed to obtain the airtight closure of the package.

The present invention relates to a tube cutting knife monitoring system for a filling machine for manufacturing packages from a tube, the filling machine comprising a tube cutting knife (18) and a hydraulic system (20) adapted to actuate the tube cutting knife, wherein the monitoring system comprises: a pressure sensor (22) adapted to detect hydraulic pressure of the hydraulic system when the tube cutting knife is cutting the tube; and a logging system (26) adapted to log the hydraulic pressure detected by the pressure sensor.

Provided is a bag making and packaging machine capable of accurately detecting, with a simple configuration, the timing at which an article that is dropped and supplied from an article supply device disposed above the bag making and packaging machine, will arrive at a lateral sealing mechanism. A bag making and packaging machine receives articles dropped and supplied from a combination weighing machine disposed above the bag making and packaging machine and packages the articles in a bag to be made. The bag making and packaging machine includes a lateral sealing mechanism, a servo motor, and a falling time detector. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals a packaging material of a cylindrical shape. The servo motor drives the lateral sealing mechanism.

Provided is a bag making and packaging machine capable of accurately detecting, with a simple configuration, the timing at which an article that is dropped and supplied from an article supply device disposed above the bag making and packaging machine, will arrive at a lateral sealing mechanism. A bag making and packaging machine receives articles dropped and supplied from a combination weighing machine disposed above the bag making and packaging machine and packages the articles in a bag to be made. The bag making and packaging machine includes a lateral sealing mechanism, a servo motor, and a falling time detector. The lateral sealing mechanism laterally seals a packaging material of a cylindrical shape. The servo motor drives the lateral sealing mechanism.

The present invention relates to a multilayer film, especially to a multilayer thermoplastic film, which may be used for food packaging, wherein the multilayer film according to the present invention may be provided, on its inner side, with a food additive, particularly with a flavoring and/or coloring and/or an aroma producing food additive (such as e.g. a liquid smoke), which food additive is then released and transferred onto the surface of a foodstuff encased in the multilayer film during cooking and/or processing of the foodstuff.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.

A method and apparatus for settling a product in a partially formed package. In one aspect, the invention comprises the steps: providing a partially formed package; filling the partially formed package with a product; and settling the product in the partially formed package. The settling step comprises rotating a paddle wheel comprising at least one paddle against the partially formed package. In a second aspect, the invention comprises an improved product settler for settling product in a partially formed package. The improved product settler comprises a paddle wheel. The paddle wheel comprises at least one paddle that is positioned to cause an impact against the partially formed package. The impact agitates the partially formed package and thereby settles the product.

The invention relates to a discharge control device, comprising a hopper (1) receiving a metered product amount where it is deposited, discharge control elements (3) movable between a closed position and an open position by a driving mechanism, and a fill tube (2) connecting the discharge control device with a fill nozzle of the form-fill-seal machine whereby a bag is filled with product, wherein the driving mechanism of the discharge control elements (3) comprise a motor (7) driving the movement of one of the discharge control elements (3), and a synchronizing connecting rod (9) synchronizing the movement of the discharge control element (3) driven by the motor (7) with the other discharge control element (3). The invention allows filling bags reliably and more quickly.