A method for transversally sealing a packaging material tube, comprises placing a transversal sealing section of the tube between a sonotrode and an anvil. The transversal sealing section comprises a first two-layer sub-section, a three-layer sub-section and a second two-layer sub-section, transmitting ultrasonic acoustic vibrations, having a frequency and an amplitude, from the sonotrode into the transversal sealing section, thereby melting the plastic foil in the transversal sealing section, and pressing the tube together between the sonotrode and the anvil to bond the plastic foil such that transversal sealing is formed. The anvil has a ridge comprising various sub-sections for receiving various ones of the sub-sections of the tube, wherein the ridge has equal height in at least some of the sub-sections. The frequency, amplitude, pressure and paperboard properties are chosen to achieve equal temperature in the first two-layer sub-section, the three-layer sub-section and the second two-layer sub-section.

A method for transversally sealing a packaging material tube, comprises placing a transversal sealing section of the tube between a sonotrode and an anvil. The transversal sealing section comprises a first two-layer sub-section, a three-layer sub-section and a second two-layer sub-section, transmitting ultrasonic acoustic vibrations, having a frequency and an amplitude, from the sonotrode into the transversal sealing section, thereby melting the plastic foil in the transversal sealing section, and pressing the tube together between the sonotrode and the anvil to bond the plastic foil such that transversal sealing is formed. The anvil has a ridge comprising various sub-sections for receiving various ones of the sub-sections of the tube, wherein the ridge has equal height in at least some of the sub-sections. The frequency, amplitude, pressure and paperboard properties are chosen to achieve equal temperature in the first two-layer sub-section, the three-layer sub-section and the second two-layer sub-section.

Packaging material is provided. The packaging material can include at least one web layer having a surface that includes first and second regions. When corresponding first regions are overlaid with each other and corresponding second regions are overlaid with each other, the overlaid first and second regions can cooperatively surround a cavity. The packaging material further can include a first sealing material disposed in the first region and configured to seal together the corresponding first regions upon application of first conditions to the first sealing material, and a second sealing material disposed in the second region and configured to seal together the corresponding second regions upon application of second conditions to the second sealing material. The second sealing material can be configured such that the first conditions applied to the second sealing material are insufficient to cause the second sealing material to seal.

Packaging material is provided. The packaging material can include at least one web layer having a surface that includes first and second regions. When corresponding first regions are overlaid with each other and corresponding second regions are overlaid with each other, the overlaid first and second regions can cooperatively surround a cavity. The packaging material further can include a first sealing material disposed in the first region and configured to seal together the corresponding first regions upon application of first conditions to the first sealing material, and a second sealing material disposed in the second region and configured to seal together the corresponding second regions upon application of second conditions to the second sealing material. The second sealing material can be configured such that the first conditions applied to the second sealing material are insufficient to cause the second sealing material to seal.

A pouch conditioner having a roller frame positioned over a bottom conditioning belt is disclosed. The roller frame includes a housing that has a pair of opposed guide plates, between which are positioned a plurality of conditioning rollers, a top conditioning belt, and a top conditioning belt drive. The top conditioning belt is disposed about the conditioning rollers. Each of the conditioning rollers is coupled to the guide plates by a pair of actuators that provide each roller with independent articulation and individual compressive force. The distance between the bottom conditioning belt and the top conditioning belt defines a conditioning gap through which product containers are advanced. The height of the conditioning rollers relative to the bottom conditioning belt may be varied to provide a graduated conditioning gap.

A pouch conditioner having a roller frame positioned over a bottom conditioning belt is disclosed. The roller frame includes a housing that has a pair of opposed guide plates, between which are positioned a plurality of conditioning rollers, a top conditioning belt, and a top conditioning belt drive. The top conditioning belt is disposed about the conditioning rollers. Each of the conditioning rollers is coupled to the guide plates by a pair of actuators that provide each roller with independent articulation and individual compressive force. The distance between the bottom conditioning belt and the top conditioning belt defines a conditioning gap through which product containers are advanced. The height of the conditioning rollers relative to the bottom conditioning belt may be varied to provide a graduated conditioning gap.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is the deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.

A hot-fill PET container or bottle (10) filling with a liquid at an elevated temperature has a side wall (9) extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (11) and a base (21) in its unfolded or pre-fill position. The panel (11) is transversely oriented and has a decoupling or hinge structure or element (13), an initiator portion (1) and control portion (5) of a steeply angled inverting conical section between 30 and 45 degrees. The control portion enables the inversion of the panel (11) into the container (10) to compensate for vacuum or reduced pressure induced within the container as the liquid cools down. The base (2) can also have a plurality of reinforcing ribs (3).

In a method and apparatus for producing a small pouch with a predetermined amount of particulate material therein, a predetermined amount of the particulate material is portioned from a bulk supply and compacted into a single discrete caplet. The caplet is then deposited into an open hollow pouch closed at one end thereof, and the open end is then closed with the caplet between the closed ends of the pouch. The caplet in the pouch is then compressed to return it to its particulate form. The particulate material may be granular or shredded tobacco.