A packaging machine comprising a machine frame, at least one work station attached to the machine frame, and a transport device with a transfer unit for feeding trays to the work station, wherein the transfer unit comprises a suction plate for transporting trays in a predetermined transport plane. The suction plate may comprises at least one reception mold which is formed at least in part having the shape of an inner contour of an upper opening region of a tray facing it, provided to the reception mold for reception and transport, so that the reception mold during transport in the transport plane of the tray is arranged in a positive-fit manner in its upper opening region and aligns the tray in the transport plane in a predetermined position on the suction plate. The invention also relates to a method for supplying trays to a work station of a packaging machine.

The invention relates to a method for mechanically closing, in particular beading, a package for, in particular, food products, which package is made up of at least two foil half-shells which are mechanically closed at their encircling edge sections in contact with one another by means of a closing unit, wherein the closing unit comprises: a package carrier with an outer ring and a package receiving ring, and also at least two closing tools, specifically: a positioning tool for positioning the edge sections, which bear against one another, of the foil half-shells to be closed, and also an attachment tool for attaching the edge sections, wherein the method comprises the following steps: inserting the foil half-shells into the packaging receiving ring, wherein the foil half-shells bear against one another by way of their encircling edge sections, positioning the edge sections, which bear against one another, by means of the positioning tool, attaching the edge sections by means of the attachment tool, characterized in that the package carrier carries the package to be closed during the entire process.

The invention relates to a method for mechanically closing, in particular beading, a package for, in particular, food products, which package is made up of at least two foil half-shells which are mechanically closed at their encircling edge sections in contact with one another by means of a closing unit, wherein the closing unit comprises: a package carrier with an outer ring and a package receiving ring, and also at least two closing tools, specifically: a positioning tool for positioning the edge sections, which bear against one another, of the foil half-shells to be closed, and also an attachment tool for attaching the edge sections, wherein the method comprises the following steps: inserting the foil half-shells into the packaging receiving ring, wherein the foil half-shells bear against one another by way of their encircling edge sections, positioning the edge sections, which bear against one another, by means of the positioning tool, attaching the edge sections by means of the attachment tool, characterized in that the package carrier carries the package to be closed during the entire process.

The invention relates to a tool system for use in a packaging device for packaging food products, particularly hollow chocolate articles, with film packaging, wherein said packaging device comprises a plurality of processing units for processing the film packaging, having at least three tool parts, specifically a tool middle part as well as a tool bottom part and a tool top part, which can interact during operation such that processing may take place. The function of the tool middle part is to receive at least one film semi-finished product of the film packaging being processed and convey it between individual processing units of said packaging device, wherein the tool middle part is capable of interacting with at least one further tool part of the tool system respectively, and each of said further tool parts is a tool part of one of the processing units serving to process the film semi-finished product from reception thereof on the tool middle part to completion thereof as film packaging. The tool middle part has at least one interface which allows it to be compatible with at least one tool part of each of said processing units.

The invention relates to a tool system for use in a packaging device for packaging food products, particularly hollow chocolate articles, with film packaging, wherein said packaging device comprises a plurality of processing units for processing the film packaging, having at least three tool parts, specifically a tool middle part as well as a tool bottom part and a tool top part, which can interact during operation such that processing may take place. The function of the tool middle part is to receive at least one film semi-finished product of the film packaging being processed and convey it between individual processing units of said packaging device, wherein the tool middle part is capable of interacting with at least one further tool part of the tool system respectively, and each of said further tool parts is a tool part of one of the processing units serving to process the film semi-finished product from reception thereof on the tool middle part to completion thereof as film packaging. The tool middle part has at least one interface which allows it to be compatible with at least one tool part of each of said processing units.

An actuator system for fabricating a cavity within thermoplastic material includes a plurality of actuators arranged in an array. When dimensions of an item are determined, the actuator system may be programmed with data regarding such dimensions to fabricate a cavity for the item. A subset of the actuators, and distances by which each of the actuators is to be extended, may be selected based on dimensions of the item, in order to fabricate a cavity within the thermoplastic material that may accommodate the item therein. Additionally, the actuators and the distances may be selected based on intrinsic or extrinsic data regarding the item, and a cavity fabricated within the thermoplastic material may include one or more buffer zones or protective regions that are specifically formed with respect to aspects of the item.

High-speed methods to close tubular plastic wrappers may include providing a packaging film on a mandrel in the form of a hollow tube, forming a folded surface by rotating the hollow tube and mandrel while counter-rotating a plate having a plurality of folding blades extending outwardly therefrom, to form a plurality of folds that define the folded surface, substantially perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the hollow tube, each folding blade engaging a portion of the protruding tube portion, applying heat and pressure to the folded surface to form a closed end, inserting the tampon into the tube, and closing the first end of the tube. The film material comprises at least one thermoplastic surface, and the mandrel has a first end extending from a revolving platform and a second end, distal the first end. The mandrel can rotate with respect to the revolving platform on which it is mounted.

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.

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.

A method of making a web of multi-dose cleaning products may include forming first and second pluralities of internal holders in a first film, forming a first plurality of external holders in a carrier sheet corresponding with the first plurality of internal holders, and forming a second plurality of external holders in the carrier sheet corresponding with the second plurality of internal holders. The method may also include filling each of the first plurality of internal holders with a first cleaning composition, and filling each of the second plurality of internal holders with a second cleaning composition. Furthermore, the method may include sealing a second film to the first film to define first and second pluralities of pouches, folding the carrier sheet so that each of the first plurality of pouches overlaps a corresponding one of the second plurality of pouches, and sealing together overlapping portions of the carrier sheet.