A packaging assembly (10) that includes a weighing machine (11) that delivers batches of product to a packaging machine (18). A film drive assembly (17) pulls strip bag material pass a former shoulder (41), to form tubular bag material into which batches of product are to be delivered, with the tubular bag material being longitudinally sealed, transversely sealed and transversely cut by the packaging machine (18).

A unit configured to form a tube for producing sealed packages starting from a sheet of packaging material having opening devices pre-applied thereon, comprises at least one guiding assembly configured to interact with the sheet of packaging material to fold it gradually into a tube shape; the guiding assembly comprises a plurality of folding rollers delimiting a passage for the sheet of packaging material and each having a lateral wall configured to cooperate in contact with the sheet of packaging material to control the folding thereof; the folding rollers comprise at least one folding roller having at least one recess on the lateral wall thereof, the recess defining a slot configured to be engaged by the opening devices.

Methods, computer program products and apparatus for producing encased products use a rotary encoder with a measuring wheel, the measuring wheel residing against a depression of a wheel saddle that has a shape that curves inward with a radius of curvature that corresponds to an outer perimeter radius of a cooperating measuring wheel.

Apparatus, systems, devices, methods with thin walled sizing mandrels that are capable of packaging low temperature explosives emulsions at high volumes and lower pressures. The packaging systems can include a rotating table having a vertical column comprising a plurality of circumferentially spaced apart clippers; a pump; and a tubular sizing mandrel in fluid communication with the pump. The tubular sizing mandrel has a downstream end segment that merges into a segment with a plurality of radially spaced apart, longitudinally extending flat outer surfaces, the flat surfaces can be bounded laterally (circumferentially) by chamfered edges.

System, hardware, and methods for agitating a package pre-form containing a charge of product elements thus to provide for product settling in the package pre-form before forming the final transverse seal. The product is caused to settle in the package pre-form by apply a plurality of rapid jerk-type acceleration forces to the packaging material, thus to cause rapid longitudinal and/or lateral acceleration in the packaging material.

A device to inspect a longitudinal heat seal in tubular bag material. The seal is formed by a heated sealing bar (14). Downstream of the bar (14) is a heat sensing camera (20) that sends a signal to a central processing unit (21). The unit (21) will then identify any faults in the seal.

In an automated machine that forms a vertically positioned and horizontally traversing web of plastic film into bags and fills the bags with material, the apparatus maintains tension in the plastic film web and supports and maintains the web horizontally aligned as it traverses through the machine. The apparatus includes upstream and downstream guide rollers. The upstream roller is mounted on an arm which is rotatably biased about a vertical axis and is thereby moveable. The upstream roller has an outer concave perimeter surface and the downstream roller has an outer convex perimeter surface. A longitudinal edge portion of the web extends horizontally from an upstream location, around the upstream roller, to and around the downstream roller and to a downstream location. The web extends vertically below the longitudinal edge portion. A rotational sensor coupled to the arm provides an output signal representative of the location of the arm.

A form-fill-seal machine 100 has a pull-down belt mechanism 23, a vertical sealing mechanism 2, and a controller 29. The pull-down belt mechanism conveys a cylindrical film Fm. The vertical sealing mechanism applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film which is conveyed by the pull-down belt mechanism, and seals the cylindrical film. The controller controls the pull-down belt mechanism, and the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the cylindrical film by the vertical sealing mechanism. The controller applies pressure and ultrasonic oscillation to the cylindrical film immediately before reaching a first point in time when the cylindrical film begins to be conveyed. The controller changes at least one of the pressure and the amplitude of the ultrasonic oscillation applied to the film according to the speed of the film in a time period after reaching the first point in time.

System, hardware, and methods for agitating a package pre-form containing a charge of product elements thus to provide for product settling in the package pre-form before forming the final transverse seal. The product is caused to settle in the package pre-form by apply a plurality of rapid jerk-type acceleration forces to the packaging material, thus to cause rapid longitudinal and/or lateral acceleration in the packaging material.

An oral sachet designed to be placed in a users mouth, the oral sachet. The oral sachet includes permeable paper that does not contain fiberglass. The permeable paper forms a pouch that includes a top seal arranged at first end of the pouch, a bottom seal arranged at a second end of the pouch opposite from the first end, a vertical seal that extends from the top seal to the bottom seal, and a cavity located between the top seal and the bottom seal. Granular contents, including at least one granular or powdered component, are arranged within the cavity of the permeable-paper pouch.