A web packaging machine for forming a food product package from a lower web of packaging material and an upper web of packaging material includes a frame, a die member supported by the frame and configured to form or close the food product package, and a clamping device comprising a first end that is pivotally coupled to the frame and an opposite, second end that is configured to secure the die member to the frame. The clamping device is pivotable into and between a locked position in which the clamping device clamps the die member to the frame and an unlocked position in which the clamping device is pivoted away from the die member such that the die member can be moved relative to the frame.

An apparatus comprising a packaging machine, which comprises a control unit having a process parameter generator designed to determine specific process parameters for a production process of the packaging machine. The control unit of the packaging machine also comprises a recipe generator for an adjustment process of the packaging machine preceding the production process or can be connected to a recipe generator of the apparatus, which generator is designed as a separate unit. The respective recipe generator comprises a set of rules for determining recipe variables for the adjustment process of the packaging machine and is designed to generate the recipe variables with reference to a plurality of data and to form therefrom a recipe data set for the adjustment process of the packaging machine. A method for using the apparatus is also included.

An apparatus comprising a packaging machine, which comprises a control unit having a process parameter generator designed to determine specific process parameters for a production process of the packaging machine. The control unit of the packaging machine also comprises a recipe generator for an adjustment process of the packaging machine preceding the production process or can be connected to a recipe generator of the apparatus, which generator is designed as a separate unit. The respective recipe generator comprises a set of rules for determining recipe variables for the adjustment process of the packaging machine and is designed to generate the recipe variables with reference to a plurality of data and to form therefrom a recipe data set for the adjustment process of the packaging machine. A method for using the apparatus is also included.

A sealing plate for use with a packaging machine that integrates a seal formed indicia into a portion of a package seal. A package having a seal formed indicia integrated into the package seal, which when the package is opened undergoes undergo a visual transformation, and a method of making the same.

A packaging assembly and a method of operating such a packaging assembly, the packaging assembly comprises at least one of a thermoform packaging machine, a separation robot, a conveyor and a checkweigher. The separation robot is operable to adjust a distance between packages of a group of packages formed by the packaging machine. The conveyor and the separation robot may be operated together to provide a flow of packages that is supplied to the checkweigher, wherein the flow of packages may include substantially constant distances between the individual packages.

A packaging assembly and a method of operating such a packaging assembly, the packaging assembly comprises at least one of a thermoform packaging machine, a separation robot, a conveyor and a checkweigher. The separation robot is operable to adjust a distance between packages of a group of packages formed by the packaging machine. The conveyor and the separation robot may be operated together to provide a flow of packages that is supplied to the checkweigher, wherein the flow of packages may include substantially constant distances between the individual packages.

Pouches that include a water-soluble film and a composition at least partially enclosed by the water-soluble film in at least one compartment, where the water-soluble film includes a polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH) resin blend. Methods of making and using such pouches and films.

A method and apparatus for pleating or otherwise shaping a web are described herein. The method and apparatus may have numerous applications. In some embodiments, the method and apparatus are used in the formation, filling, and sealing of unit dose packages for consumer products. A method and apparatus for forming sealing two moving webs together, which webs have portions that are non-planar are also described herein.

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1), which unrolls a lower film web (8) from a supply roller (52) and transports it intermittently or continuously along the packaging machine and thereby forms packaging recesses (6) in the lower film web (8) in a forming station (2), after which the packaging recesses are filled with a product (16) to be packaged, wherein an upper film web (14) is subsequently sealed onto the lower film web (8) in a sealing station (15), wherein the upper film web (14) is unrolled from a supply roller (22). Provided downstream of the supply roller is a dancer (20), which has at least one, preferably two rollers (23.1, 23.2), which are provided on a linkage (23.4), which, driven by a rotary drive, rotates about an axis of rotation (23.3) and thereby stores a certain length of film web (8, 14) and/or produces a certain tension in the film web (8, 14).

The present invention relates to a packaging machine (1), which unrolls a lower film web (8) from a supply roller (52) and transports it intermittently or continuously along the packaging machine and thereby forms packaging recesses (6) in the lower film web (8) in a forming station (2), after which the packaging recesses are filled with a product (16) to be packaged, wherein an upper film web (14) is subsequently sealed onto the lower film web (8) in a sealing station (15), wherein the upper film web (14) is unrolled from a supply roller (22). Provided downstream of the supply roller is a dancer (20), which has at least one, preferably two rollers (23.1, 23.2), which are provided on a linkage (23.4), which, driven by a rotary drive, rotates about an axis of rotation (23.3) and thereby stores a certain length of film web (8, 14) and/or produces a certain tension in the film web (8, 14).