An inspection device includes: an illumination device that irradiates an object with near-infrared light; a spectroscope that disperses reflected light from the object irradiated with the near-infrared light; an imaging device that takes a spectroscopic image of the reflected light dispersed by the spectroscope; and a processor. The processor obtains spectral data at a plurality of points on the object based on the spectroscopic image obtained by the imaging device, selects, from among the spectral data at the plurality of points, a group having a highest density of luminance values of a predetermined wavelength component as a dense spectral data group, and performs a predetermined analysis for the object based on the dense spectral data group and detects a different type of object.

A blister assembly comprises at least one collapsible blister adapted, as it is collapsed, to eject a liquid contained therein. The blister assembly comprises a first layer (130) having at least one blister chamber (150) and a second layer (131) sealed to the first layer at least around a periphery of the at least one blister chamber such that a liquid is contained between the first layer and the second layer. The seal between the first and second layers comprises a first planar portion having a first peel strength and a second planar portion having a second peel strength, wherein the first peel strength is greater than the second peel strength, such that when pressure is applied to the blister, the second portion of the seal breaks to release the liquid contained within the chamber into the liquid inlet. The blister assembly further comprises at least one discontinuity (142) formed in the first and second layers in the region of the first portion of the seal, such that a shear force is required to delaminate the first and second layers in that region.

An assembly for manufacturing containers by thermoforming, which includes a magazine of thermoplastic sheet-like blanks, a feeding station for feeding the blanks, a heating station for heating the blanks, and a station for thermoforming containers starting from the blanks. The feeding station includes a closed-loop path and at least two conveyor elements, which move, following each other, along the path between a loading position, in which the conveyor element faces the blank magazine, and an unloading position, in which the conveyor element faces the heating station. The heating station includes a heating carousel, wherein, in the active condition, the conveyor element in the unloading position moves with a substantially linear motion with a speed that is substantially equal to a peripheral speed of the heating carousel.

An assembly for manufacturing containers by thermoforming, which includes a magazine of thermoplastic sheet-like blanks, a feeding station for feeding the blanks, a heating station for heating the blanks, and a station for thermoforming containers starting from the blanks. The feeding station includes a closed-loop path and at least two conveyor elements, which move, following each other, along the path between a loading position, in which the conveyor element faces the blank magazine, and an unloading position, in which the conveyor element faces the heating station. The heating station includes a heating carousel, wherein, in the active condition, the conveyor element in the unloading position moves with a substantially linear motion with a speed that is substantially equal to a peripheral speed of the heating carousel.

A station for sealing thermoformed containers for a packaging line and a method for sealing the containers includes a sealing carousel which rotates continuously about a central axis and includes sealing heads which are radially spaced apart from said central axis. Each sealing head is adapted to receive at least one container to be sealed at a first, input, peripheral region, which is outside the sealing carousel; receive at least one closing seal at a second, input, peripheral region, which is outside the sealing carousel; and hold the closing seal and the container during the rotation of the sealing carousel and couple them together. The station further releases the container complete with the closing seal at a third, output, peripheral region, which is outside the sealing carousel and angularly spaced from the first and from the second region.

The blister pack for medicinal products comprises a bottom film in which blister pockets are formed, which are surrounded by webs of the bottom film. The blister pockets comprise a two-level shape with a first recess and second recess situated lower down. A lidding film is sealed to the webs of the bottom film and to a strip of active material, which is arranged in each blister pocket. The medicinal product is accommodated in the second recess, and the strip of active material is accommodated in the first recess. The first recess comprises, in a bottom area thereof, a peripheral rib, which extends around the second recess, or at least two projecting knobs, which are arranged next to the second recess, wherein the strip of active material rests on the rib or on the knobs.

The blister pack for medicinal products comprises a bottom film in which blister pockets are formed, which are surrounded by webs of the bottom film. The blister pockets comprise a two-level shape with a first recess and second recess situated lower down. A lidding film is sealed to the webs of the bottom film and to a strip of active material, which is arranged in each blister pocket. The medicinal product is accommodated in the second recess, and the strip of active material is accommodated in the first recess. The first recess comprises, in a bottom area thereof, a peripheral rib, which extends around the second recess, or at least two projecting knobs, which are arranged next to the second recess, wherein the strip of active material rests on the rib or on the knobs.

A sealing machine and method for sealing a preformed tray (2) with a plastic film (26), the method comprising a cooling step in which, by acting on the outside of the tray (2), heat is removed at least from the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2) while the heated plastic film (26) is applied over the tray (2) and a food product (25), and the sealing machine (1) comprising a supporting element which defines a housing (7) which has a fixed bottom surface (9) suitable for making contact, in use, with the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2), a plurality of ducts (19) which define a flow path (20) for a cooling fluid in the supporting element, and a cooling system (17) configured to cool the cooling fluid bringing it to a temperature equal to or less than 10° C., and preferably equal to or less than 6° C.

A sealing machine and method for sealing a preformed tray (2) with a plastic film (26), the method comprising a cooling step in which, by acting on the outside of the tray (2), heat is removed at least from the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2) while the heated plastic film (26) is applied over the tray (2) and a food product (25), and the sealing machine (1) comprising a supporting element which defines a housing (7) which has a fixed bottom surface (9) suitable for making contact, in use, with the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2), a plurality of ducts (19) which define a flow path (20) for a cooling fluid in the supporting element, and a cooling system (17) configured to cool the cooling fluid bringing it to a temperature equal to or less than 10° C., and preferably equal to or less than 6° C.

A packaging machine is for forming a product cavity in a web including a forming die box defining a recess into which the product cavity is formed. An insert is axially movable in the recess to thereby vary a depth of the recess. A variable depth mechanism selectively moves the insert to vary the depth of the recess. The packaging machine includes a latching mechanism that moves the forming die box into and between a first position in which the forming die box is spaced apart from the die box base and a second position in which the forming die box is supported by the die box base.