Described is a compensating device applicable on intermittent advancement packaging machines with wrapping material constituted by a film made of a flexible plastic material, for continuous compensating of a stretching of the film during drawing thereof, the machine comprising a first drawing group of the film, a mobile element able to exert a determined force on the film during advancement, the mobile element being conventionally known as a dancer and a second drawing group of the film arranged downstream of the first drawing group, where each drawing group is provided with a sensor for detecting markers located at regular intervals along the film, the compensating device being constituted by a third drawing group, located between the first and second drawing groups, the third drawing group being provided with a marker sensor, the third drawing group being provided with independent motorisation and an automatic roller opening system.

Described is a compensating device applicable on intermittent advancement packaging machines with wrapping material constituted by a film made of a flexible plastic material, for continuous compensating of a stretching of the film during drawing thereof, the machine comprising a first drawing group of the film, a mobile element able to exert a determined force on the film during advancement, the mobile element being conventionally known as a dancer and a second drawing group of the film arranged downstream of the first drawing group, where each drawing group is provided with a sensor for detecting markers located at regular intervals along the film, the compensating device being constituted by a third drawing group, located between the first and second drawing groups, the third drawing group being provided with a marker sensor, the third drawing group being provided with independent motorisation and an automatic roller opening system.

In methods of making disposable, flexible containers for fluent products, methods of sealing the flexible containers when such containers include expansion materials, are disclosed. The methods include forming a partially completed container blank that has layers of flexible materials. The layered structure includes a first space for a fluent product, and a second space for an expansion material. The methods of sealing the flexible containers include adding an expansion material into the second space and pressing parts of at least some of the layers together to close off the second space.

In methods of making disposable, flexible containers for fluent products, methods of sealing the flexible containers when such containers include expansion materials, are disclosed. The methods include forming a partially completed container blank that has layers of flexible materials. The layered structure includes a first space for a fluent product, and a second space for an expansion material. The methods of sealing the flexible containers include adding an expansion material into the second space and pressing parts of at least some of the layers together to close off the second space.

A heat sealing packaging machine and method for assembling that includes a package platform for supporting a package, a film carriage carrying a supply of film material, a sealing platform adjacent the package platform and including a conveyor for laterally moving the package to be sealed to a shrink tunnel. The carriage is laterally movable to adjust the position of the film material and a lifting mechanism raises and lowers the sealing platform and the shrink tunnel. The shrink tunnel is laterally movable with respect to the sealing platform and includes a latch mechanism for locking a lateral position of the shrink tunnel.

A heat sealing packaging machine and method for assembling that includes a package platform for supporting a package, a film carriage carrying a supply of film material, a sealing platform adjacent the package platform and including a conveyor for laterally moving the package to be sealed to a shrink tunnel. The carriage is laterally movable to adjust the position of the film material and a lifting mechanism raises and lowers the sealing platform and the shrink tunnel. The shrink tunnel is laterally movable with respect to the sealing platform and includes a latch mechanism for locking a lateral position of the shrink tunnel.

Methods of opening and adding expansion materials to containers made from flexible materials. The methods involve forming a partially completed container blank that may have four layers of flexible materials. The partially completed container blank may be opened by separating a portion of the first layer from a portion of the second layer by bending portions of the second, third, and fourth layers toward a first direction; and dosing the partially completed container blank, by adding an expansion material out of a dispenser and into a space disposed between a portion of the first layer and a portion of the second layer.

Methods of opening and adding expansion materials to containers made from flexible materials. The methods involve forming a partially completed container blank that may have four layers of flexible materials. The partially completed container blank may be opened by separating a portion of the first layer from a portion of the second layer by bending portions of the second, third, and fourth layers toward a first direction; and dosing the partially completed container blank, by adding an expansion material out of a dispenser and into a space disposed between a portion of the first layer and a portion of the second layer.

An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.

An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.