A method of providing a plurality of filled product bags of sterile fluid includes positioning a bag assembly onto a filling machine. The bag assembly includes a tube, a filter assembly, bladders, and stems. A stem is attached to a bladder, forms a fluid passageway, fluidly connects to the tube, and provides fluid communication into the bladders. The method includes fluidly coupling an inlet of the filter assembly to a connection line in fluid communication with a fluid source, and filling the bag assembly with a fluid. Filling the bag assembly includes passing the fluid through the filter assembly, the fluid passageway, and into the bladder. The method includes sealing the fluid passageway at a location between the tube and the bladders. The method includes cutting the stem to form a partially filled product bag having the sealed passageway. The method includes performing an integrity test on the filter assembly.

A method of providing a plurality of filled product bags of sterile fluid includes positioning a bag assembly onto a filling machine. The bag assembly includes a tube, a filter assembly, bladders, and stems. A stem is attached to a bladder, forms a fluid passageway, fluidly connects to the tube, and provides fluid communication into the bladders. The method includes fluidly coupling an inlet of the filter assembly to a connection line in fluid communication with a fluid source, and filling the bag assembly with a fluid. Filling the bag assembly includes passing the fluid through the filter assembly, the fluid passageway, and into the bladder. The method includes sealing the fluid passageway at a location between the tube and the bladders. The method includes cutting the stem to form a partially filled product bag having the sealed passageway. The method includes performing an integrity test on the filter assembly.

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.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags, comprising a storage device with a supply of bag film, a control device for controlling, a conveying device for conveying the bag film and/or the bag body along a conveying path, a welding device with welding means for making a bottom seam in the bag film and a cutting device with a cutting means for separating a predetermined film length of the bag film to form the bag body of an open-mouth bag. The control device controls the conveying device so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body and the bag film and a distance between the bag body and the bag film is generated prior to making the bottom seam. The control device controls the conveying device and the welding means so that while welding the bottom seam the welding means extend at least up to the bottom end of the bag body.

Apparatus and method of manufacturing open-mouth bags, comprising a storage device with a supply of bag film, a control device for controlling, a conveying device for conveying the bag film and/or the bag body along a conveying path, a welding device with welding means for making a bottom seam in the bag film and a cutting device with a cutting means for separating a predetermined film length of the bag film to form the bag body of an open-mouth bag. The control device controls the conveying device so as to cause a relative motion of the bag body and the bag film and a distance between the bag body and the bag film is generated prior to making the bottom seam. The control device controls the conveying device and the welding means so that while welding the bottom seam the welding means extend at least up to the bottom end of the bag body.

A packaging apparatus with an improved pinch roller apparatus, fluid supply apparatus, and/or a sealing apparatus. The pinch roller apparatus (e.g., comprising one or more guide and/or pinch rollers) is used to deliver film material to the fluid supply apparatus (e.g., nozzle and blower apparatus, or the like) that fills one or more chambers of the film material with fluid (e.g., air, gas, or other like fluid), and the film material is then sealed by a sealing apparatus (e.g., using one or more heating elements with an improved temperature sensor configuration) that seals the fluid within the one or more chambers in order to form the inflated article (e.g., inflated packaging material). In particular, the sealing apparatus provides improved sealing through the improved accuracy of the temperature reading in the heating zone, in part, by locating a sensor between a heating element and a protective member that covers the sensor.

A packaging apparatus with an improved pinch roller apparatus, fluid supply apparatus, and/or a sealing apparatus. The pinch roller apparatus (e.g., comprising one or more guide and/or pinch rollers) is used to deliver film material to the fluid supply apparatus (e.g., nozzle and blower apparatus, or the like) that fills one or more chambers of the film material with fluid (e.g., air, gas, or other like fluid), and the film material is then sealed by a sealing apparatus (e.g., using one or more heating elements with an improved temperature sensor configuration) that seals the fluid within the one or more chambers in order to form the inflated article (e.g., inflated packaging material). In particular, the sealing apparatus provides improved sealing through the improved accuracy of the temperature reading in the heating zone, in part, by locating a sensor between a heating element and a protective member that covers the sensor.

A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

There is described a forming assembly (10a, 10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising: a track (13a, 13b); a first element (15a, 15b), which is cyclically movable along the track (13a, 13b) and comprises, in turn, one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a) adapted to seal the pack (3); and a second element (14a, 14b), which is cyclically movable along the track (13a, 13b) and comprises, in turn, a first half-shell (21a, 21b; 21a′, 21b′) adapted, in use, contact the tube (2) so as to bound at least part of a respective pack (3) and control the shape of the pack (3) during the formation thereof; the first element (15a, 15b) and the second element (14a, 14b) are self-movable along the track (13a, 13b) independently of one another.

A method and apparatus for making a structurally resilient package with a desired shape on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine. The method comprises sealing a film to form a back seal; forming a first end seal to form a partially formed first package; flattening a first side of the partially formed first package to form a flat first side; filling the partially formed first package with product; forming a second end seal on the partially formed first package to form a first package from the partially formed first package; flattening the second side of the first package to form a flat second side, wherein the flattening the first side and the flattening the second side occur on a first machine.