According to one embodiment a thermosealing machine is provided that includes a movable lower mold with a box formed by a box base, a box structure, and a box frame attached to the box structure. The box frame includes a frame cavity, and the lower mold includes a pad coupled to the box frame with freedom of vertical movement. The thermosealing machine includes a lower stop and an upper stop, the upper stop being operatively coupled to the pad and vertically movable with the pad. The upper stop is configured to move between an inoperative position and an operative position. In the operative position the upper stop is arranged in the path of travel of the lower stop. In the inoperative position the upper stop is arranged outside of the path of travel of the lower stop.

A plant for packaging capsules comprising a main frame (20) on which is positioned a system for moving capsules (30) to make one or more capsules (12) advance along a first predetermined axial direction (A-A) from an inlet (22) to an outlet (24). The plant comprises a plurality of operating stations (200, 201, 203) for packaging a substance into a plurality of capsules (12), wherein the system for moving capsules (30) comprises a movement device that comprises a pair of sliding profiles (36) that extend along said first predetermined axial direction (A-A) and are connected to the main frame (20), a first movable frame (87, 88, 89) movable in transverse direction with respect to the first predetermined axial direction (A-A), a driving member mounted slidable on an upper movable beam (88) of the first movable frame (87, 88, 89) along said predetermined axial direction (A-A) and positioned between the pair of sliding profiles (36). Said driving member comprises a plurality of drive pins (212) particularly suited to drive a capsule transport support (100) containing said one or more capsules (12).

An apparatus for the production and filling of food containers includes at least one device for forming a sheet made of polymeric material to provide accommodation receptacles which have at least one access opening, at least one filling unit adapted to fill, through the access opening, the accommodation receptacles with at least one type of food, and at least one sealing unit to seal the access opening with a closure film. The apparatus includes at least one device for removing portions, and at least one laser emitter for providing a weakening portion at a respective connecting edge between adjacent accommodation receptacles. The polymeric material is chosen from: polyethylene terephthalate and polypropylene and copolymers thereof.

The apparatus includes a first section which accommodates the filling unit, the sealing unit, and the device for removing portions, and a second section, separate from the first section, which accommodates the laser emitter.

Systems, apparatuses, and methods to secure a film to a container are provided. An example sealing device utilizes film from a supply of film to seal a lid onto a container. Various sizes of containers are usable with some example sealing devices. Additional features, such as printing on the film and piercing the film for ventilation and/or insertion of a straw are contemplated. One or more markings along the film may be utilized for confirming that an approved film has been loaded into the sealing device. In response, various components or features of the sealing device may be appropriately enabled or disabled. The one or more markings may also be utilized to convey data to the sealing device regarding the installed film, such as for improved operation thereof.

A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position, in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, and a loading position spaced from the packaging position in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. The packaging apparatus comprises a barrier configured to intercept the package during the movement of the lower tool from the packaging position to the loading position.

A container has a product in a product-receiving area and has a sealing area surrounding the product-receiving area. A length of film is arranged over the container. A space above the film is evacuated using an evacuating portion of an upper sealing module arranged over the film, so as to cause a portion of the film to conform to the upper sealing module. An area of the film is cut out by moving a cutting tool relative to the upper sealing module from a recessed position to a cutting position. The cut-out area of film includes the portion of the film conformed to the upper sealing module, is brought into contact with the sealing area of the container by moving the upper sealing module relative to the container, and is sealed to the sealing area of the container using a heat sealing portion of the upper sealing module.

A conveyor belt comprising: a belt body (13), one rotatable portion (12) coupled to the belt body (13) and configured to turn relative to the belt body (13). The rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements (17), with each one of said sub-elements being rotatably connected to an adjacent sub-element and having first opposite side portions and second opposite side portions; each one of the sub-elements (17) further comprises: one or more first annular features (19) at each of the first opposite side portions, one or more second annular features (20) at each the second opposite side portions. The first annular features (19) of a sub-element mate with the first annular features (19) or with the second annular features (20) of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat (21) located between the two adjacent sub-elements and extending along an axis of rotation; one pin (22) is inserted in said coupling seat (21) formed between the two adjacent sub-elements to rotatably connect the two adjacent sub-elements (17). It is also disclosed a packaging apparatus using the above conveyor belt.

System for heat shrink sealing open-topped containers wherein the system includes a housing or enclosure wherein a majority of a bulk roll of film material is accessible when the cover is open. The system preferably includes two opposing rollers that are configured to engage the film and cause it to move to a dispensing position. In a preferred aspect, the system includes a movable sealing unit that accommodates use of the lidding system with open ended containers having various sizes and shapes. In a more preferred aspect, the system includes an indicia generating device operable to label sealed containers and a knife that generates a perforation in the film during sealing operations.

An apparatus (100) for manufacturing capsules (10) under vacuum for preparing beverages is described, comprising: a plurality of support elements (105) and a driving system (120) adapted to move said support elements (105) and stop them in a plurality of operative stations, wherein each support element (105) comprises a row of housing seats (115), wherein the operative stations comprise at least: a loading station (145) for inserting into the housing seats (115) a glass-shaped body (15), a filling station (150) for filling glass-shaped bodies (15) with a food substance adapted to produce a beverage, a covering station (155) for applying and fixing on the glass/shaped bodies (15) a closing film (45), and a sealing station (160) for placing under vacuum the inner volume of the glass-shaped bodies (15) and for sealing the closing film (45) and wherein said sealing station (160) comprises: a plurality of bell-shaped members (280), each of which is adapted to overlay to one respective housing seat (115) and has mouthpiece directed downward, a movement apparatus (300) for moving each bell-shaped member (280) in vertical direction between a raised position to a lowered position, a vacuum generating apparatus (340) to reduce the inner volume of bell-shaped members (280), and a plurality of welding elements (390), each of which is contained inside a respective bell-shaped member (280) for airtightly welding the closing film (45) on the glass-shaped body (15) contained in the housing seat (115).

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.