A system for forming retained container groups from an arrayed container group (ACG) via application of an adapted retainer blank to the ACG is generally provided. The system is advantageously characterized by a container conveyance apparatus for conveying arrayed container groups, a supply of retainer blanks from which retainer blanks are dispensable, and a processing station characterized by a segment of the container conveyance apparatus, a die block, for receipt of a dispensed retainer blank from the supply of retainer blanks, and a robotic arm equipped with an end of arm tool (EOAT). The robotic arm is operable so as to selectively position the EOAT within the processing station, the EOAT positionable for urged engagement of a dispensed retainer blank received upon the die block so as to form and secure an adapted retainer blank, the robotic arm thereafter positionable to register the secured adapted retainer blank with a conveyed ACG conveyed on the segment of the container conveyance apparatus of the processing station, the robotic arm further positionable to apply the secured adapted retainer blank to the registered conveyed ACG to thereby form at least two retained container group packs from the registered conveyed ACG.

A method for producing a consumable product having ingredients or supplements with enhanced bioavailability or absorption rate by the consumer's body. The consumable product is disposed within a squeezable plastic tube which can be refrigerated or frozen. One of the sealed ends of the tube is removed to access the consumable product therein.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.

A device (10) for sealing three-dimensional objects (16) in the bag opening (14) of a film bag (12) comprises a clamp (36, 38) for the film bag (12), which has a pair of clamping shoes (42, 44) on each side, between which the edge of the film bag (12) is held. A heat sealer (26, 28) is provided for sealing the three-dimensional object (16) in the bag opening (14) of the film bag (12), wherein the heat sealer (26, 28) has a pair of sealing jaws (26, 28) between which the bag opening (14) of the film bag (12) can be sealed. The two clamping shoe pairs (42, 44) of the clamp (36, 38) are moved apart from one another during the sealing process.

Providing a packaging apparatus that can inhibit a reduction in printing quality with respect to a film. A packaging apparatus 1 includes: a film conveyance device 100 that conveys a film F; a moving mechanism that conveys a container C having an opening; a sealing device 40 that seals, with the film conveyed thereto by the film conveyance device, the opening of the container conveyed thereto by the moving mechanism; a printer 140 that is disposed upstream of the sealing device in a conveyance path of the film and prints information in a predetermined position on the film while being conveyed; and a controller that controls the operation of the film conveyance device. The film conveyance device has the accumulation mechanism 120. The accumulation mechanism is disposed between the printer and the sealing device in the conveyance path of the film and temporarily accumulates the film printed with the information. The controller controls the film conveyance device so that the accumulation mechanism accumulates at least the film that is utilized for one packaging operation in the sealing device.

A system for controlling a manufacturing process for packaging units is disclosed, the packaging units are manufactured from a packaging material comprising machine readable identifiers. A control unit associates the identifiers with corresponding data images of the packaging units, wherein for a first process application to manipulate packaging material based on a first set of process parameters, the control unit is configured to store at least part of the first set of process parameters to the associated data image, wherein for a subsequent second process application to manipulate said packaging material, read at least part of the first set of process parameters stored in said associated data image to control the second process application based on at least part of the first set of process parameters.

A system for controlling a manufacturing process for packaging units is disclosed, the packaging units are manufactured from a packaging material comprising machine readable identifiers. A control unit associates the identifiers with corresponding data images of the packaging units, wherein for a first process application to manipulate packaging material based on a first set of process parameters, the control unit is configured to store at least part of the first set of process parameters to the associated data image, wherein for a subsequent second process application to manipulate said packaging material, read at least part of the first set of process parameters stored in said associated data image to control the second process application based on at least part of the first set of process parameters.

A bag-making and packaging apparatus includes a bag-making and packaging unit, a film feeding unit, a splicing device, and a control unit. The control unit allows a bag-making operation to continue by utilizing an auto-feeding function that feeds to the bag-making and packaging unit a film F spliced by the splicing device to take the place of a film F currently being fed to the bag-making and packaging unit. When the control unit judges that at least one of the film feeding unit and the splicing device is malfunctioning in a case where the control unit is utilizing the auto-feeding function, the control unit stops the auto-feeding function and executes a non-auto-feeding mode. The non-auto-feeding mode allows the bag-making operation to be continued by the bag-making and packaging unit and a film roll holding unit that is operable among plural film roll holding units.

A reclosable package may comprise a first web thermoformed into a trough shape and a second web that encloses a product cavity with the first web. A first sealing extends over at least a portion of the first web and the second web and connects the first web and the second web. The first sealing at least partially defines a periphery of the product cavity. The package further includes a zipper element comprising a third web, a fourth web and a zipper track that is arranged at an outer border of the third web and the fourth web. The zipper element extends from an overlapping region of the first web and the second web, and the zipper track is arranged outside of the overlapping region. Furthermore, in the overlapping region, the third web is fused with the first web and the fourth web is fused with the second web.