The invention relates to a sealing body, where heat-producing elements of a heating element are contacted from the rear side thereof. Other aspects relate to a sealing body where the site of the heat production and the site of the heat dissipation (i.e. the point of action) are as close to each other as possible. Other aspects relate to a sealing body comprising a heat element with a built-in temperature sensor. Other aspects relate to a sealing body with a defined sealing contour. Other aspects relate to a sealing body having a three-dimensionally structured contact surface. Other aspects relate to a sealing body with a circular, annular, or strip-type heat element. Other aspects relate to a sealing body with built-in electronic circuits. Other aspects relate to a sealing body that can cool the heating element as required. Other aspects relate to a sealing body that can suck up the material to be welded.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling welding. One embodiment is a method for controlling welding of a composite part. The method includes locating a linear fiber optic sensor along a composite part comprising a matrix of thermoplastic reinforced by fibers, measuring temperatures along the weld line via the linear fiber optic sensor, performing induction welding at the composite part along the weld line, determining a continuum of weld temperatures along the weld line, and controlling the induction welding based on the continuum of weld temperatures.

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 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 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.

A method for producing a package which has a formed part with a product cavity, and a lidding film covering the product cavity. According to the method, a seam is defined, the seam is divided into sections, a pull-off force for pulling the lidding film from the formed part at least for a first section is determined, and the lidding film is sealed to the formed part. The sealing temperature for the first section is selected based on the pull-off force.

Systems and methods are provided for controlling welding. One embodiment is a method for controlling welding. The method includes initiating induction welding by operating an induction coil along a weld interface of a first composite part comprising a matrix of thermoplastic reinforced by fibers, in order to join the first composite part to a second composite part, determining a measured magnetic field strength at a location distinct from the induction coil, and determining a welding temperature at the weld interface of the first composite part based on the measured magnetic field strength.

A material welder for welding at least two portions of a weldable material together, including: a top bar assembly and a bottom bar assembly, a portion of the top bar assembly directly above a portion of the bottom bar assembly, the top bar assembly including a first and second heating element substantially in the same plane and the bottom bar assembly including a first and second heating element substantially in the same plane, at least one heating device adapted to selectively heat the first heating elements and/or second heating elements, an actuator device adapted to move the top bar assembly towards the bottom bar assembly and/or the bottom bar assembly towards the top bar assembly, such that the first heating element of the top bar assembly aligns with the first heating element of the bottom bar assembly and the second heating element of the top bar assembly aligns with the second heating element of the bottom bar assembly; a contact surface of the top bar assembly and a contact surface of the bottom bar assembly adapted to contact the material during a welding process.