The present invention is directed to a substrate, in particular textile material to which one or more antimicrobial and/or hydrophilic and/or stain release agents are adhered. The agent(s) is/are adhered to the substrate in such a manner that they are not released from the textile even if the textile is wetted or washed, so that the textile is reusable. Washability and/or usability of the textile are improved where one or more hydrophilic and/or stain release agents are adhered to the textile. The substrate can be used, e.g., in a reusable sanitary napkin or other hygiene product. The structure of the hygiene product is disclosed, together with a process of attaching the different layers of the hygiene product together by ultrasonic welding. The invention further relates to a method of finishing a substrate by applying and binding antimicrobial and/or hydrophilic and/or stain release agents to the substrate so that the agents are essentially irreversibly adhered to the finished substrate.

The invention relates to a method for laser beam plastic welding, having the following steps: arranging a first mold part which substantially absorbs laser radiation on a receiving area, irradiating the first mold part using an electromagnetic radiation source, detecting the heat of the first mold part by means of a detector, generating an absorption profile of the first mold part, arranging a second mold part which is substantially transparent to laser radiation on the first mold part, and irradiating the two mold parts along the contour of a welding seam to be produced using a machining laser such that the energy input produced by the machining laser is controlled by a controller on the basis of the generated absorption profile of the first mold part.

A manufacturing device is used for manufacturing a package including a resin sheet and a predetermined work wrapped with the resin sheet. The manufacturing device includes: a sealing unit that thermally welds overlapping parts of the sheet; and an inspection device that inspects a sealing quality of the sealed portion thermally welded by the sealing unit. The sealing unit makes, by the thermal welding, a thickness of the sealed portion after the thermal welding smaller than a total thickness of the overlapping parts prior to the thermal welding. The inspection device obtains thickness information on the thickness of the sealed portion and determines the sealing quality of the sealed portion based on the thickness information.

An apparatus and a process can be used for packaging a product wherein a plastic film is tightly applied to a support. The plastic film is positioned above the support by means of a transport system; moreover, a stop structure or plate is active on the film portion present in the packaging station to efficiently hold the same.

The present invention refers to an apparatus and process for packaging a product wherein a plastic film is tightly applied to a support. The plastic film is positioned above the support by means of a transport system; moreover, a stop structure or plate is active on the film portion present in the packaging station for enabling to efficiently hold the same.

A sports ball may include a bladder having one or more pockets attached thereto wherein the pockets have holes for allowing air to escape the pockets. The pockets may include insert(s) such as sensors, a battery or a microprocessor. The pockets may also include one or more damping members to further protect the insert(s).

A process for packaging a product arranged on a support comprising unrolling a film, moving the film to a packaging assembly defining at its inside a packaging chamber, progressively moving a number of supports inside the packaging chamber of the packaging assembly, closing the packaging chamber with the film sheets held above the respective support, optionally causing one or both of: a gas withdrawal from the hermetically closed packaging chamber and gas injection of a gas mixture of controlled composition, heat sealing the film to said support, wherein the heat sealing uses one or more heaters having heating surfaces which are heated for discrete and short time periods only. An apparatus for performing the above process is also disclosed.

This disclosure relates to a machine (1) for sealing containers (91) using a film (95). The machine (1) comprises a first jaw member (21), comprising a plurality of seats (20) for respective containers (91) to be sealed, and a second jaw member (22), facing towards the seats (20) of the first jaw member (21). The first jaw member (21) and the second jaw member (22) are movable one relative to the other between a first condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are separated from each other by an interspace (23) suitable for receiving a film (95), and a second condition, in which the two jaw members (21, 22) are clamped together and, in use, press the film (95) against the containers (91) in the seats (20). The seats (20) are side by side one after another along a longitudinal line (200) extending between a first side (231) and a second side (232) of the interspace (23). The machine also comprises a film feeding device (3) facing towards the first side (231) of the interspace (23), and a positioning apparatus for positioning the film (95) in the interspace (23). The film (95) positioning apparatus comprises a first gripping device (4), which is positioned at the second side (232) of the interspace (23), and a second gripping device (5), that is movable parallel to the longitudinal line (200) between a first position close to the film feeding device (3) and a second position close to the first gripping device (4). The second gripping device (5) in the first position is capable of gripping one edge of the film (95) which projects from the film feeding device (3) and is capable of pulling the gripped film (95) with a movement towards the second position, thereby positioning the film (95) in the interspace (23) at said plurality of seats (20). The first gripping device (4) is capable of gripping the edge of the film (95) positioned by the second gripping device (5). This disclosure relates also to a method for sealing a plurality of containers (91).

A clamping apparatus for clamping shaped parts which may be welded along a welding contour by irradiation with a laser beam, includes a first clamping plate used as a holder for a first shaped part, a second clamping plate which is designed to apply a clamping force to the first shaped part and a second shaped part arranged thereon, an outer clamping jaw including a recess and an inner clamping jaw arranged in the recess, which together form the second clamping plate, a passage gap for a laser beam formed in sections between the outer clamping jaw and the inner clamping jaw, and one or more fastening elements which connect the outer clamping jaw with the inner clamping jaw in sections and which bridge the passage gap. The clamping apparatus includes a mirror element arranged such that a laser beam is reflected onto a section of the welding contour.

An extensible bearing element of a tool for sealing a bottom or a lid of a cardboard package on a body of said package has a generally polygonal shape and a cross-sectional profile. The bearing element is formed by two parallel extension sections extending along an extension direction, each connected, at one of their ends, to a bearing section. The extension sections and the bearing section define an inflation cavity. The extension sections are configured to extend along the extension direction when the bearing element is inflated. The bearing section comprises a substantially flat, free bearing surface that contacts the package body. The bearing surface extends along a plane substantially normal to the extension direction. The bearing section further comprises, at the junctions with the extension sections, beveled release portions. An inflation device comprising such an extensible bearing element is also described.