A method for dividing a blister strip having a plurality of blister-packaged drugs apportioned into separate sections of the blister strip is provided. A blister strip with a substrate having a plurality of depressions for drug portions is provided and an image of the substrate is generated by a 3D-sensor device, the image including depth information. A control device evaluates the image with image analysis. Based on the analysis results, an arrangement of the depressions is determined and control signals for a separating device are generated. The blister strip is then divided into a plurality of blister strip parts based on the control signals.

In a transfer device and a process for discrete elements, fed in a line with a predetermined spacing, variations in the dimensions of the discrete elements resulting in a variation in a release spot included in a release segment, are absorbed by an alignment of the receiving elements. A transport device of the transfer device has receiving elements, each configured to receive a respective discrete element and moving along a transport path at a predetermined speed. The discrete elements are transported on a release device of the transfer device along a release path with a linear development. The release path has a release segment intersecting the transport path at a receiving segment of the transport path. The transport device includes a moving mechanism for the receiving elements to align the receiving elements at the receiving segment, where the release segment is superimposed on the transport path at the receiving segment.

A flexible structure inflation device, comprising an inflation assembly configured for insertion between first and second overlapping film layers of a web of material, the inflation assembly having a fluid conduit configured directing a fluid in between the layers to inflate the web; and a cutting member held magnetically in an operative position adjacent the inflation assembly to cut the film passing over the inflation assembly.

Described herein is a wrapper (1) for food products, in particular confectionary products, comprisinga wrapping sheet shaped so as to define a curved portion (2) within which a product is housed;a tear strip (6) applied on an inner side of said sheet, andan adhesive label (16) applied on the outer side of said curved portion (2) and on one end of said tear strip (6). The adhesive label (16) provides hermetic closing of the wrapper which is provided with a cut (12) at said one end of the tear strip (6) and at the same time comes to constitute, together with the tear strip (6) the means for opening the wrapper.

A first film can be conveyed through a horizontal form-fill-seal machine that contains tooling stations in which bottom sealer bars are positioned in different tooling stations relative to side sealer bars. The first film can be processed by the machine to form a first pouch. After the first pouch is formed, a vertical height of one or more of the side sealer bars and/or one or more of the bottom sealer bars can be selectively adjusted. The same bottom and side sealer bars remain in the machine during the selective adjusting of the vertical height. After the selective adjusting of the vertical height of the component, a second film can be conveyed through the horizontal form-fill-seal machine. The second film can be processed by the machine to form a second pouch having at least one dimension that is different than the first pouch.

Method, machine and installation for vacuum packaging of products, where a plurality of individual bags closed at one end and open at the opposite end with at least one product therein are generated. For generating the bags, a transverse cut and a complete transverse seal on both sides of the transverse cut are made on the film tube, and a transverse cut without complete transverse seals on the sides thereof is made at a distance (L) substantially equal to the desired length of the bag to be generated from the transverse cut and seal on both sides. Each bag is oriented at 180 degrees with respect to the bag previously generated in the forward movement direction.

Contour cutting system (1), in particular for cutting water-soluble pods (3), the contour cutting system comprising a controller (5), at least one cutting head (7) and at least one cutting member (9), wherein the cutting member comprises: a cutting segment (27) defining a cutting edge (37) forming a closed cutting shape (28), the cutting segment comprising a cutting conductor (31) in thermal contact with the cutting edge, the cutting conductor having a resistance chosen to allow the cutting edge to become hot as a result of a current running through the cutting conductor, wherein the contour cutting system is configured for conducting the electric cutting current from the to the cutting conductor, such that the cutting edge reaches a cutting temperature at or above a minimum suitable temperature for cutting a product from a foil (41), preferably a product comprising a water soluble pod (3) comprising PVOH.

An apparatus for skin application of a thermoformable film (9) to a support (3), comprising a supporting element (4), defining a working chamber (6) for receiving a support (3), and a closing element (5), which has a lower heating face (8). The supporting element (4) and the closing element (5) are movable between a home position, in which the working chamber (6) is open, and a working position, in which the upper opening (7) is completely closed by the lower heating face (8). The supporting element (4) comprises a housing portion (15), defining a housing (19) for the support (3), a distancing portion (16), between the housing portion (15) and the upper opening (7) and defining a distancing space (21) interposed between the housing (19) and the upper opening (7), and cutting means (23) which surround the housing (19).

A flexible pouch for holding a fluid includes a front and rear side that together define a compartment, a rim, and a spout. The compartment is for holding a fluid and has a longitudinal axis that extends through the long axis of the compartment and a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. The rim is provided around the compartment and is formed by coupling the front and rear sides together. The spout is positioned at a top end of the pouch. The spout has a notch defined in the top end thereof and has a convex shape on a top cut edge thereof. The rim has a bottom cut edge that has a continuously concave shape from one side of the pouch to the other side of the pouch.

Apparatuses and methods are provided in relation to a wrapping machine for wrapping packages, and more particularly, to a film-breaking apparatus for use with a wrapping machine having a dispenser carriage movable along a wrapping axis for wrapping a film around a package. The film-breaking apparatus includes a trigger arm coupled to the dispenser carriage; a puncturing arm including a puncturing member, the puncturing arm pivotably connected to the trigger arm such that the trigger arm is free to rotate relative to the puncturing arm in a first rotational direction, and rotationally coupled to the puncturing arm in a second rotational direction. The puncturing arm is configured to puncture the film being dispensed by the dispenser carriage with the puncturing member when rotated by the trigger arm.