An apparatus for packaging an object with a tubular film, includes: a main frame, a stretch frame for stretching the tubular film and for applying the tubular film to the object, and a top frame having a feeding device for delivering a tubular film from a film magazine to the stretch frame and having a cutting device to cut the tubular film to a predetermined length. The top frame is moveable at the main frame between a working position and a maintenance position. In the maintenance position the top frame is located outside the work space.

An apparatus for packaging an object with a tubular film, includes: a main frame, a stretch frame for stretching the tubular film and for applying the tubular film to the object, and a top frame having a feeding device for delivering a tubular film from a film magazine to the stretch frame and having a cutting device to cut the tubular film to a predetermined length. The top frame is moveable at the main frame between a working position and a maintenance position. In the maintenance position the top frame is located outside the work space.

A handling device includes an opening/buffering/positioning station that is equipped with an elongate core element for sleeve material to be pulled over an upstream end while automatically opening up the sleeve shape, and a holding construction that is configured to keep the core element in place while the sleeve material is pulled over and guided along it. An operable cutter is provided at a downstream end for each time cutting of a length of the sleeve material while leaving behind a new leading sleeve end portion at the downstream end. A gripping assembly is configured movable back and forth between the downstream end and a sleeve handling station for each time gripping the new leading sleeve end portion and then pulling the length of the sleeve material from the core element towards the sleeve handling station.

A handling device includes an opening/buffering/positioning station that is equipped with an elongate core element for sleeve material to be pulled over an upstream end while automatically opening up the sleeve shape, and a holding construction that is configured to keep the core element in place while the sleeve material is pulled over and guided along it. An operable cutter is provided at a downstream end for each time cutting of a length of the sleeve material while leaving behind a new leading sleeve end portion at the downstream end. A gripping assembly is configured movable back and forth between the downstream end and a sleeve handling station for each time gripping the new leading sleeve end portion and then pulling the length of the sleeve material from the core element towards the sleeve handling station.

A method for manufacturing a number of tubular packagings filled with a liquid, particularly a sterile liquid. The method includes providing a tube which is wound onto a first reel and is filled at least partially with the liquid, and unwinding the tube from the first reel and dividing it into a number of tubular segments by means of successive welding operations. The tube is displaceable through a welding device substantially vertically and substantially free of mechanical tension. A temperature prevailing in the welding device can be kept constant during each welding operation by having liquid circulate through the welding device. One or more welding parameters can further be recorded during each welding operation and be stored together with data about the liquid. A system for performing this method.

A method for manufacturing a number of tubular packagings filled with a liquid, particularly a sterile liquid. The method includes providing a tube which is wound onto a first reel and is filled at least partially with the liquid, and unwinding the tube from the first reel and dividing it into a number of tubular segments by means of successive welding operations. The tube is displaceable through a welding device substantially vertically and substantially free of mechanical tension. A temperature prevailing in the welding device can be kept constant during each welding operation by having liquid circulate through the welding device. One or more welding parameters can further be recorded during each welding operation and be stored together with data about the liquid. A system for performing this method.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-hood machine and method of operating a stretch-hood machine to wrap an item with tubular film. The method includes drawing tubular film from a roll of film and forming a first seal section at a first end of a section of the tubular film, where the first seal section extends across only a portion of a width of the tubular film so as to provide a partial seal with a first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film. Using reefing devices, the tubular film is lowered around the item to wrap the item within an interior of the tubular film. The first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film provides access between the interior of the tubular film and the exterior environment.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a stretch-hood machine and method of operating a stretch-hood machine to wrap an item with tubular film. The method includes drawing tubular film from a roll of film and forming a first seal section at a first end of a section of the tubular film, where the first seal section extends across only a portion of a width of the tubular film so as to provide a partial seal with a first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film. Using reefing devices, the tubular film is lowered around the item to wrap the item within an interior of the tubular film. The first opening at the first end of the section of tubular film provides access between the interior of the tubular film and the exterior environment.