Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.

A system and method for producing a disposable undergarment, with the lateral edges of the undergarment bonded by means of an ultrasonic horn. When a blank is formed for an individual undergarment, the lateral edges of opposing edges of the blank will form the seam. When the edges are sealed together, a seam is formed. The individual undergarments may be later separated along the seams.

A unit for forming absorbent sanitary articles including a drum rotatable about its axis of rotation and having a circumferential peripheral surface movable along a feed direction, first feeding means for feeding a succession of pairs of panels of material facing the circumferential peripheral surface and configured to position each pair in such a way that the respective two panels are facing each other and transversely aligned with the feed direction and second feeding means for feeding a continuous web of material suitable for defining at least part of the main body of an absorbent sanitary article, and configured to position the web on the circumferential peripheral surface of the drum in such a way that each panel projects partly sideways from the web. The unit comprises an ultrasonic sealing station located along the circumferential peripheral surface of the drum, in a zone located operatively downstream of the second feeding means, and configured to attach each panel of the pair to the web at at least one plurality of sealing points arranged in succession along the feed direction.

The sealing device for packages that includes a control unit, a sealing station, an unwinder for a film web, a cutting device provided upstream of the sealing station and used for producing film sections of the film web, a film feed device for feeding the film sections to the sealing station, a conveying device for conveying packages into the sealing station. Preferrably, the packages include food packed in a gas-tight manner. Further, the sealing station may comprise upper and lower sealing elements that are configured for clamping the package and the film section in common between the lower and upper sealing elements and for sealing the film section onto the package. The sealing device may also include the sealing elements being adapted to be synchronously moved along with the continuously moving package during the sealing process.

An off-axis prepreg material manufacturing machine may include a robot configured to position a prepreg piece adjacent to an end of a prepreg layer. The machine may additionally include an alignment system configured to sense a position of the prepreg piece relative to the prepreg layer and generate a position signal representative thereof. The machine may also include a controller configured to receive the position signal and cause the robot to adjust the position of the prepreg piece such that an end edge of the prepreg piece and an end edge of the prepreg layer are in substantially abutting contact.

A vertical form fill and seal apparatus, for packaging particulates, includes a package sealing assembly that has opposed sealing jaws operatively coupled to each other by mechanical connection at a common pivot point. A first jaw actuator is mechanically coupled to the opposed sealing jaws to pivot the jaws in a controlled manner about the common pivot point. A second actuator is mechanically coupled to the package sealing assembly and is configured to impart controlled reciprocating motion to the package sealing assembly. A controller is configured to control the first actuator and to control the second actuator thereby causing the jaws to describe a preset locus of travel, allowing flexibility of type of bag being made without change-out of jaws. The packaging film may move continuously, or may optionally be controlled to move intermittently through the VFFS.

A packaging device, particularly for packaging trays containing food products or technical materials in a controlled atmosphere and by means of a film of plastic material, comprising an upper chamber and a lower chamber, which can be fastened by mutually superimposing them and are each provided internally with a plurality of heat-sealing and/or cutting and/or die-cutting elements arranged concentrically, the lower chamber being provided centrally with a plurality of supporting elements for a tray.

Apparatus and methods are provided for creating tubular devices, e.g., as components for catheters, sheaths, and or other devices sized for introduction into a patient. In one embodiment, a method is provided for making a tubular device using a sheet of material including a coated first surface. The sheet is rolled around a mandrel until longitudinal edges of the sheet are disposed near or adjacent one another, e.g., without attaching the longitudinal edges together. A tubular braid is positioned over the sheet-wrapped mandrel, one or more tubular segments are positioned over the tubular braid, and heat shrink tubing is positioned over the tubular segments. The resulting assembly is heated to cause the tubular segments to at least partially reflow and/or otherwise laminate the tubular segments to the tubular braid and sheet. The heat shrink tubing and mandrel are then removed to create the tubular device.

A unit for forming absorbent sanitary articles including a drum rotatable about its axis of rotation and having a circumferential peripheral surface movable along a feed direction, first feeding means for feeding a succession of pairs of panels of material facing the circumferential peripheral surface and configured to position each pair in such a way that the respective two panels are facing each other and transversely aligned with the feed direction and second feeding means for feeding a continuous web of material suitable for defining at least part of the main body of an absorbent sanitary article, and configured to position the web on the circumferential peripheral surface of the drum in such a way that each panel projects partly sideways from the web. The unit comprises an ultrasonic sealing station located along the circumferential peripheral surface of the drum, in a zone located operatively downstream of the second feeding means, and configured to attach each panel of the pair to the web at at least one plurality of sealing points arranged in succession along the feed direction.

According to an aspect of the present disclosure, an adjustable induction foil sealing device is used to hermetically seal a container. The device can be adjusted to accommodate differently sized containers. The device includes a power supply cabinet, first and second rail assemblies and an adjustment assembly coupling the rail assemblies together and coupling the rail assemblies to the cabinet. Each rail assembly has an induction sealing coil and conductive contacts. The contacts on the rail assemblies are in electrical contact with the contacts on the cabinet. The adjustment assembly is configured to adjust the relative positions of the rail assemblies relative to each other and relative to the cabinet, while maintaining the electrical connection of the contacts.