An apparatus (1) for processing cups (2), adapted to be filled with coffee or other products, whether solid or liquid, and to be closed with respective lids to form corresponding capsules, comprises: a plurality of pockets (50) for housing the cups (2); an infeed station (4) for receiving the cups (2) and placing them in respective pockets (50) of the plurality of pockets (50); at least one tool (31) for applying a process to a rear face (23B) of an annular flange (23) of a cup (2) housed a respective pocket (50), to form a sealing profile (230); an outfeed station (6) configured to release the cups (2) with the sealing profile (230) formed on them.

A tray sealer comprises a conveyor arrangement for conveying packaging trays along a conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement comprises a first conveyor device for conveying a first line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, a second conveyor device running laterally alongside the first conveyor device for conveying a second line of packaging trays along the conveying direction, and a center guide which is arranged between the first conveyor device and the second conveyor device and extends along the conveying direction. The conveyor arrangement further comprises a third conveyor device for conveying packaging trays along the conveying direction. The third conveyor device extends adjoining the second conveyor device in terms of the conveying direction laterally alongside the first conveyor device.

A sealing machine and method for sealing a preformed tray (2) with a plastic film (26), the method comprising a cooling step in which, by acting on the outside of the tray (2), heat is removed at least from the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2) while the heated plastic film (26) is applied over the tray (2) and a food product (25), and the sealing machine (1) comprising a supporting element which defines a housing (7) which has a fixed bottom surface (9) suitable for making contact, in use, with the bottom wall (3) of the tray (2), a plurality of ducts (19) which define a flow path (20) for a cooling fluid in the supporting element, and a cooling system (17) configured to cool the cooling fluid bringing it to a temperature equal to or less than 10° C., and preferably equal to or less than 6° C.

A sealing device for sealing a lid material to sealing areas of a blister web comprises a first, heated sealing tool and a second sealing tool arranged opposite each other and movable relative to each other. A first intermediate element of elastic material is attached to the first sealing tool on a side facing the second sealing tool, and a second intermediate element of thermally-insulating material is attached to the second sealing tool on a side facing the first sealing tool. The first and second sealing tools are movable relative to each other between an opened position and a closed position, in which at least sections of the first intermediate element and of the second intermediate element exert pressure on each other. In the closed sealing position, the first intermediate element rests on the lid material and the second intermediate element rests on lands of the blister web.

An apparatus (1) for processing plastic cups (2), adapted to be filled with coffee or other products, whether solid or liquid, and to be closed with respective lids to form corresponding capsules, comprises: a plurality of pockets (50) for housing the cups (2); an infeed station (4) for receiving the cups (2) and placing them in respective pockets (50) of the plurality of pockets (50); at least one tool (31) for applying a process to a rear face (23B) of an annular flange (23) of a cup (2) housed a respective pocket (50), to form a sealing profile (230); an outfeed station (6) configured to release the cups (2) with the sealing profile (230) formed on them.

A vibration measurement device measures vibration of at least one of the first sealing member and the second sealing member. A determination device determines quality of the sealing process according to a measurement result of the vibration measurement device from before the first sealing member and the second sealing member reach the closed position to after the first sealing member and the second sealing member reach the closed position. The sealing drive unit causes relative movement between the first sealing member and the second sealing member from an open position at a moving speed determined according to a type of the bag, to place the first sealing member and the second sealing member in the closed position.

Described herein are polymeric composites that can include a kaolin filler dispersed within a thermoplastic polymer matrix. The kaolin filler can exhibit an aspect ratio of from 20 to 50, as measured by laser scattering, a mean particle size of from 0.75 microns to 2 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the kaolin filler exhibits a ratio of aspect ratio to mean particle size ranges from 4 to 5, as measured by laser scattering. In some embodiments, less than 30% by weight of the kaolin filler exhibits a particle size of less than 0.5 microns e.s.d., as measured by Sedigraph. The composites can exhibit improved mechanical properties such as flexural strength, tensile strength, and heat deflection temperature. The composites can be used to form articles, for example, by thermoforming.

A coinjection molded multi-layer container includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer. The inner layer includes a first polymeric material and forms an inside surface of the container. The outer layer includes the first polymeric material and forms an outside surface of the container. The barrier layer is located between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes a second polymeric material less permeable to gas than the first polymeric material. The barrier layer is biased toward the inside surface or the outside surface such that the inner layer and the outer layer have different thicknesses.

A coinjection molded multi-layer container includes an inner layer, an outer layer, and a barrier layer. The inner layer includes a first polymeric material and forms an inside surface of the container. The outer layer includes the first polymeric material and forms an outside surface of the container. The barrier layer is located between the inner layer and the outer layer and includes a second polymeric material less permeable to gas than the first polymeric material. The barrier layer is biased toward the inside surface or the outside surface such that the inner layer and the outer layer have different thicknesses.

A carrier (1) for the simultaneous measurement of sealing temperature, sealing time and sealing force in a primary packaging line for ophthalmic lenses comprises a temperature sensing plate (2), a force sensing plate (3), and a supporting plate (4). Temperature sensing plate (2) is arranged atop force sensing plate (3), which is arranged atop supporting plate (4).