A system for semi-automatically closing flexible containers includes a continuous deformable web and a semi-automatic device for closing containers with the web. The device includes a frame having a slot for receiving an open end of one container at a time, feeding means for feeding the web, web cutting means and deforming and closing means. The web has labels integrally joined thereto at a substantially constant distance from each other, to thereby form a labeled web having a predetermined cross section. The cutting means are configured to cut the web into sections whose length is equal to the distance and to form labeled clips with the labels located halfway of the sections, The deforming and closing means are coordinated with the cutting means to deform and close each labeled clip around the open end of one container at a time while keeping the labels centered on each container.

A system for semi-automatically closing flexible containers includes a continuous deformable web and a semi-automatic device for closing containers with the web. The device includes a frame having a slot for receiving an open end of one container at a time, feeding means for feeding the web, web cutting means and deforming and closing means. The web has labels integrally joined thereto at a substantially constant distance from each other, to thereby form a labeled web having a predetermined cross section. The cutting means are configured to cut the web into sections whose length is equal to the distance and to form labeled clips with the labels located halfway of the sections, The deforming and closing means are coordinated with the cutting means to deform and close each labeled clip around the open end of one container at a time while keeping the labels centered on each container.

A dispensing box with a roll tensioner houses a material roll and maintains a material cutting edge in an upward position for easy grasping during use. The roll tensioner comprises distal and proximal end sections with opposing bottom tabs separated by a spring back reversion section. A roll tensioner slide assembly integrated in the front wall of the dispensing box has opposing parallel slits terminating at opposing parallel slots with parallel locking flaps. Opposing bottom tabs of a roll tensioner are inserted through the parallel slots, resting in a first position during non-use and adapted to be slid down into a second position in the parallel slits when later engaged for use to retain the material cut edge in the upward position for easy grasping. The locking flaps have break-away top and bottom walls abutting a bend wall and are in a stored position and later opened outward to a locking position during use to prevent movement of the roll tensioner.

In some embodiments, systems and methods for a tamper-resistant securing device for use with a closeable container include a housing assembly, a lock member, and an identifier. The housing assembly can be configured to be moved from a sealed configuration to an unsealed configuration. The lock member can be at least partially enclosed within the housing assembly and the lock member can be configured to be moved between an unlocked orientation and a locked orientation. The identifier can be accessible when the lock member is in the locked orientation. The housing assembly and the lock member are configured to inhibit or permit movement of the lock member based on the sealed or unsealed configuration of the housing assembly.

A method and apparatus of packing product in a tubular casing is provided. The method includes providing a continuous length of tubular casing, providing an expansion plug within the tubular casing, grasping the casing upstream end with a casing grabber, moving the casing grabber away from the expansion plug towards an outlet end of a product feed conduit, feeding product from the product feed conduit through the casing upstream end into the tubular casing, and cutting the tubular casing downstream of the product to sever an upstream casing segment from the remaining continuous length of tubular casing.

A method for transferring a sensor of a production apparatus with a sensor assembly positioned in a housing includes connecting at least one of (1) supply lines, and (2) sensor signal lines to a sensor section of the sensor. A first end of a sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing section of the sensor. A second end of the sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing container. The sensor with the sealing sleeve are inserted into the sealing container. A first end of the sealing container is sealingly connected to an access opening defined by the housing of the production apparatus. The access opening is opened and the sensor is transferred from the sealing container to an interior of the housing.

A method for transferring a sensor of a production apparatus with a sensor assembly positioned in a housing includes connecting at least one of (1) supply lines, and (2) sensor signal lines to a sensor section of the sensor. A first end of a sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing section of the sensor. A second end of the sealing sleeve is sealingly connected to a sealing container. The sensor with the sealing sleeve are inserted into the sealing container. A first end of the sealing container is sealingly connected to an access opening defined by the housing of the production apparatus. The access opening is opened and the sensor is transferred from the sealing container to an interior of the housing.

In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to a plurality of balloons removably attached to the apparatus, such that each balloon contains water. The method further includes simultaneously detaching from the apparatus the plurality of balloons, with each balloon having water from the water supply provided therein and each balloon automatically sealing upon detachment.

In a method embodiment, an example method for simultaneously filling balloons with water, using an apparatus sufficiently compact to be operated while being held by hand, is disclosed. The method includes attaching the apparatus to a water supply. The method further includes simultaneously providing water from the attached water supply to a plurality of balloons removably attached to the apparatus, such that each balloon contains water. The method further includes simultaneously detaching from the apparatus the plurality of balloons, with each balloon having water from the water supply provided therein and each balloon automatically sealing upon detachment.

A first film can be conveyed through a horizontal form-fill-seal machine that contains tooling stations in which bottom sealer bars are positioned in different tooling stations relative to side sealer bars. The first film can be processed by the machine to form a first pouch. After the first pouch is formed, a vertical height of one or more of the side sealer bars and/or one or more of the bottom sealer bars can be selectively adjusted. The same bottom and side sealer bars remain in the machine during the selective adjusting of the vertical height. After the selective adjusting of the vertical height of the component, a second film can be conveyed through the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. The second film can be processed by the machine to form a second pouch having at least one dimension that is different than the first pouch.