A segmental crimper comprises at least three crimper segments and an actuator. The crimper segments are arranged circumferentially about a crimper axis that defines axial and radial directions. The crimper segments are movable relative to each other in a manner such that the crimper segments collectively define a variable size aperture that is aligned with the crimper axis. Each of the crimper segments comprises a radio frequency heating element. The actuator is operatively connected to the crimper segments in a manner such that movement of the actuator causes all of the crimper segments to simultaneously move relative to each other and alters the size of the aperture.

A segmental crimper comprises at least three crimper segments and an actuator. The crimper segments are arranged circumferentially about a crimper axis that defines axial and radial directions. The crimper segments are movable relative to each other in a manner such that the crimper segments collectively define a variable size aperture that is aligned with the crimper axis. Each of the crimper segments comprises a radio frequency heating element. The actuator is operatively connected to the crimper segments in a manner such that movement of the actuator causes all of the crimper segments to simultaneously move relative to each other and alters the size of the aperture.

A pressure jaw assembly (1) for a sealing jaw arrangement of a filling machine. The pressure jaw assembly (1) comprises a pressure jaw frame (10), a pressure element (20) arranged to be moved relative the pressure jaw frame (10), a compressing means (40) arranged at least partly between the pressure jaw frame (10) and the pressure element (20). The compressing means (40) is arranged to influence the relative movement between the pressure element (20) and the pressure jaw frame (10). The pressure jaw assembly (1) further comprises a guide (50, 52) for guiding the pressure element (20). The guide (50, 52) is connected to the pressure jaw frame (10), and the guide (50, 52) is arranged externally of the pressure element (20).

An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.

A method of producing flexible polypropylene fabric bags with heat fused seams comprising providing fabric pieces, wherein each fabric piece has a coated side and an uncoated side; positioning fabric pieces so that a coated side of one fabric piece faces a coated side of another fabric piece; selecting an area of fabric to be joined for forming a seam or joint; applying heat to the area to be joined that is less than the melting point of the fabrics, for forming one or more seams or joints and wherein the heat fused seams or joints of a resulting polypropylene bag retains at least 85% of the fabric strength without using sewing machines.

A fluid impervious stitching method for a seam of a vapor-permeable virus-barrier laminate. The laminate comprises: at least one thermoplastic resin fiber layer; at least one vapor-permeable virus-barrier thermoplastic elastomer film layer; and a bonding layer located between the two layers and formed of an adhesive capable of being fused with the two layers. In the stitching method, overlapping or stacking is performed to form a seam, and heat sealing is performed on the laminate at the seam. The temperature of heat sealing is higher than the melting point of a material layer having the highest melting point in the laminate, but lower than the temperature at which perforation or decomposition occurs in any material layer in the laminate. The heat-stitched seam has excellent windproof, vapor-permeable, virus barrier and liquid-barrier performance, has a smooth appearance without wrinkles, and feels soft. Also provided is a protective textile product prepared by means of the stitching method.

A package for use with a beneficial agent delivery device. The package includes at least one filling chamber having a sealed penetrable access region, at least one compartment configured to hold a content, wherein the content includes at least one of a beneficial agent or a constituent of a beneficial agent, and at least one channel connecting the at least one filling chamber in fluid communication with the at least one compartment. At least a portion of the package is resealable to contain the content.

A machine and method for converting film into bags or other articles includes a web traveling from an input section to a rotary drum, to an output section. The rotary drum includes at least one seal bar with a sealing zone and a weakening zone, or it can include or at least one sealing die that extends in the machine direction. The single sealing zone or sealing die may be a heated perforator, and may include a heating wire. The heating wire may be an NiCr wire stitched into the heater, and be disposed on a cap or on the seal bar. The weakening zone may create a line of weakness that is uniform or varies in intensity. The sealing zone may include temperature zones, cartridge heaters, cooling air, or heated air, or a source of ultrasonic, microwave or radiative energy.