A machine for converting two different types of webs of inflatable material to two different types of inflated cushioning material includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement is configured to provide air at a lower pressure to a first web of a first type of inflatable material to inflate the first type of inflatable material, and to provide air at a higher pressure to a second type of inflatable material to inflate the second type of inflatable material. The inflation arrangement includes a guide pin configured to the first and second webs and align the first and second webs on the machine. The sealing arrangement is configured to seal the first type of inflatable material and the second type of inflatable material to create the two different types of inflated cushioning material. The tensioning device is configured to provide a lower tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement, and to provide a higher tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation arrangement and the sealing arrangement.

A flow path sealing structure according to at least one embodiment of the present disclosure, which is disposed on a way of a flow path formed by fusion bonding a pair of resin sheets that are superimposed on each other, includes a widened portion surrounded by a widened seal portion formed by fusion bonding together the pair of resin sheets around a periphery thereof, and one end and another end of which are in communication with the flow path, together with being formed to be wider than the flow path, and a weakly sealed portion formed to extend in a widthwise direction in the widened portion, and which partitions the widened portion in a liquid-tight and airtight manner into the one end and the other end, together with being capable of being opened by increasing an internal pressure of the widened portion.

The embodiment includes: a planar graphite heater; a clamp device that moves the graphite heater, which is arranged between a first bonding surface W1a of a first composite material member and a second bonding surface of a second composite material member facing the first bonding surface, in a traveling direction with the graphite heater being in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface; and a control unit that controls the graphite heater to heat the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface while the graphite heater is in contact with the first bonding surface and the second bonding surface.

A method for manufacturing a thermoplastic composite product includes: providing a first and second thermoplastic composite component made from a consolidated stack of thermoplastic composite plies, said first and second component having a first and second ply drop off, respectively. The first and second components are positioned such that the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off are aligned, and the first and second components are fixedly connected by means of heating. The stacks of plies for the first and second components are constructed by stacking the plies in a stacking direction wherein the plies are arranged such that plies at a different position along the stacking direction are laterally offset relative to each other for the purpose of forming the first ply drop off and the second ply drop off, respectively, before consolidating.

A method for producing a package comprising a formed part having at least one product cavity, and a lidding film covering the at least one product cavity, comprises the steps of: (a) defining a seam; (b) dividing the seam into a plurality of sections; (c) determining a pull-off force for pulling the lidding film from the formed part at least for a first section; and (d) sealing the lidding film to the formed part by means of a sealing device, wherein at least one first sealing temperature is selected for the first section based on the pull-off force determined according to step (c).

A method for producing and inspecting a package comprising at least one product cavity of a formed part sealed by a lidding film comprises the steps of: (a) sealing the lidding film to the formed part along a seam by means of a sealing device, which comprises a sealing contour with a plurality of segments; (b) detecting, by means of the sealing device, a parameter characteristic of the sealing quality of the seam in each segment; and (c) detecting a problem with the sealing according to step (a) based on the parameter detected according to step (b) in each segment.

A sealing apparatus for a secondary battery is disclosed, the sealing apparatus configured to seal a battery case of the secondary battery with an electrode assembly therein. The sealing apparatus comprises: a pair of sealing blocks which press the outer circumferential surface of the battery case; and a heating unit which is provided in the pair of sealing blocks and heat the pair of sealing blocks. The pair of sealing blocks comprise: lead sealing regions configured to press the lead sealing portion of the battery case; and case sealing regions configured to press the case sealing portion of the battery case. The heating unit heats the lead sealing regions and the case sealing regions of the pair of sealing blocks at different temperatures.

A machine includes an inflation arrangement, a sealing arrangement, and a tensioning device. The inflation arrangement provides air at a first pressure to inflate a first web of a first type of inflatable material, provides air at a second pressure to inflate a second web of a second type of inflatable material, receives the first and second webs, and aligns the first and second webs on the machine. The first pressure is different from the second pressure. The sealing arrangement seals the first and second types of inflatable material. The tensioning device provides a first tensioning force to the first web as the first web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements and provides a second tensioning force to the second web as the second web moves between the inflation and sealing arrangements. The first tensioning force is different from the second tensioning force.

A film-closure apparatus is provided which is suitable for closing plastic film material using heat. The apparatus comprises a guide path along which at least part of a plastics film material can pass; a drive means for moving the film material along the guide path; and a printed circuit board comprising a circuit substrate having first and second major board surfaces and a perimeter edge surface, and an electrically conductive heating element which is provided on the circuit substrate along at least part of the perimeter edge surface. The electrically conductive heating element is positionable on the guide path to apply heat to the film material thereon.

Packaging apparatus comprises two counter-rotatable sealing dies for pressing together two tissue webs to produce pockets for containing a substance for preparing beverages and to seal around said pockets, and two heating drums for heating the sealing dies and each being positioned inside a respective sealing die, wherein a first heating zone of each heating drum comprises a first plurality of circumferentially distributed infrared heating elements, and a second heating zone of each heating drum comprises a second plurality of circumferentially distributed infrared heating elements.