A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.

A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.

An apparatus including: a plurality of forming molds, each mold including: a leading edge; a trailing edge; a mold face; a plurality of first recesses in the mold face positioned across the mold face, each first recess in fluid communication with a first vacuum duct; a leading face extending from the leading edge in a direction away from the mold face; a trailing face extending from the trailing edge in a direction away from the mold face; wherein at least a portion of the leading face is recessed relative to the mold face proximal the leading edge or at least a portion of the trailing face is recessed relative to the mold face proximal the trailing edge; wherein the plurality of forming molds is arranged leading edge to trailing edge as a first mold belt.

An apparatus including: a plurality of forming molds, each mold including: a leading edge; a trailing edge; a mold face; a plurality of first recesses in the mold face positioned across the mold face, each first recess in fluid communication with a first vacuum duct; a leading face extending from the leading edge in a direction away from the mold face; a trailing face extending from the trailing edge in a direction away from the mold face; wherein at least a portion of the leading face is recessed relative to the mold face proximal the leading edge or at least a portion of the trailing face is recessed relative to the mold face proximal the trailing edge; wherein the plurality of forming molds is arranged leading edge to trailing edge as a first mold belt.

A film fin sealing device is disclosed herein which may have a groove defining a base. The base of the groove of the fin sealing device may be oriented at a skewed angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor of a heat sealing machine. Edges of a thermoplastic sheet or two stacked layers of thermoplastic sheets are introduced into the groove of the film fin sealing device and placed in contact therewith to both heat and fuse the distal edge portions of the thermoplastic sheet(s) to join the edge portions thereof to form a fin seal.

A film fin sealing device is disclosed herein which may have a groove defining a base. The base of the groove of the fin sealing device may be oriented at a skewed angle with respect to a longitudinal direction of the conveyor of a heat sealing machine. Edges of a thermoplastic sheet or two stacked layers of thermoplastic sheets are introduced into the groove of the film fin sealing device and placed in contact therewith to both heat and fuse the distal edge portions of the thermoplastic sheet(s) to join the edge portions thereof to form a fin seal.

A heat-sealing apparatus for forming a composite heat seal structure, includes a belt conveying, heating and press bonding portion configured to convey and heat a heat seal material to form a band-shaped peelable seal, and a die roll press bonding portion configured to add a linear peelable seal to the band-shaped peelable seal in a longitudinal direction of the band-shaped peelable seal for forming the composite heat seal structure.

A heat-sealing apparatus for forming a composite heat seal structure, includes a belt conveying, heating and press bonding portion configured to convey and heat a heat seal material to form a band-shaped peelable seal, and a die roll press bonding portion configured to add a linear peelable seal to the band-shaped peelable seal in a longitudinal direction of the band-shaped peelable seal for forming the composite heat seal structure.

A packaging apparatus (1) for heat sealing packages (P) comprising a vacuum chamber (4) having an elongated opening (5) extending along or parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the vacuum chamber (4) and a conveyor (8) configured for receiving semi-sealed packages (P) and for moving the semi-sealed packages (P) relative to the vacuum chamber (4) along a main movement direction (M) such that each semi-sealed package (P) positioned on the conveyor (8) may have, during the relative movement of the semi-sealed package (P) with respect to the vacuum chamber (4), a terminal portion (TP) passing through the elongated opening (5) with its opening relatively moving within the vacuum chamber (4), while the main portion (MP) relatively moves outside the vacuum chamber (4). The packaging apparatus (1) further comprises evacuation means (9) fluidly communicating with the vacuum chamber (4) for evacuating gas present in the semi-sealed packages (P) and forming evacuated semi-sealed packages (P). The packaging apparatus (1) further comprises a heat sealer (13) configured for heat sealing the terminal portion (TP) of each evacuated semi-sealed package (P) thereby forming heat sealed packages (P). The packaging apparatus (1) is provided with at least one pre-heating unit (39, 40) arranged along the main movement direction (M) upstream of the heat sealing station (14) for pre-heating at least a band of the terminal portion (TP) of each evacuated semi-sealed package (P). A packaging process is also disclosed. The packaging process may use the packaging apparatus (1).

A packaging apparatus (1) for heat sealing packages (P) comprising a vacuum chamber (4) having an elongated opening (5) extending along or parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the vacuum chamber (4) and a conveyor (8) configured for receiving semi-sealed packages (P) and for moving the semi-sealed packages (P) relative to the vacuum chamber (4) along a main movement direction (M) such that each semi-sealed package (P) positioned on the conveyor (8) may have, during the relative movement of the semi-sealed package (P) with respect to the vacuum chamber (4), a terminal portion (TP) passing through the elongated opening (5) with its opening relatively moving within the vacuum chamber (4), while the main portion (MP) relatively moves outside the vacuum chamber (4). The packaging apparatus (1) further comprises evacuation means (9) fluidly communicating with the vacuum chamber (4) for evacuating gas present in the semi-sealed packages (P) and forming evacuated semi-sealed packages (P). The packaging apparatus (1) further comprises a heat sealer (13) configured for heat sealing the terminal portion (TP) of each evacuated semi-sealed package (P) thereby forming heat sealed packages (P). The packaging apparatus (1) is provided with at least one pre-heating unit (39, 40) arranged along the main movement direction (M) upstream of the heat sealing station (14) for pre-heating at least a band of the terminal portion (TP) of each evacuated semi-sealed package (P). A packaging process is also disclosed. The packaging process may use the packaging apparatus (1).