There is described a forming assembly (10b) for forming a plurality of sealed packs (3) starting from a tube (2) of packaging material, comprising first conveying means (15b) movable along a first path (Q) comprising: a first operative branch (Q1), which has a main elongation direction parallel to an advancing direction (A) of the tube (2); and a first return branch (Q2) comprising an initial portion (35b) which is arranged immediately downstream of the operative branch (Q1) and extends transversally to the advancing direction (A); first conveying means (14b, 15b, 14b′) comprise one of a sealing element (22b) or a counter-sealing element (22a); and a first half-shell (21b), which is movable along the operative branch (Q1) between: a first rest position, in which it is detached from the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); and a first operative position, in which it grips the tube (2) or the formed pack (3); the first half-shell (21b) is arranged in the first operative position along a first portion (34b) of the first operative branch (Q1); the first half-shell (21b) is kept in the first operative position along an initial portion (35b), so as to grip and convey the pack (3) in a staggered position with respect to the advancing direction (A); and moves, from the first operative position to the rest position at an end (36b) of the initial portion (35b) opposite to the first portion (34b), so as to discharge the pack (3) in a staggered position with respect to the advancing direction (A).

An apparatus for sealing an open end of a package comprises a first longitudinally extending sealing jaw, bearing mounted on a first eccentric shaft rotatable around a first rotational axis, and a second longitudinally extending sealing jaw, bearing mounted on a second eccentric shaft rotatable around a second rotational axis, the second sealing jaw being parallel with the first sealing jaw. At least one motor drives rotation around the first and second rotational axis in opposite directions, wherein the first and the second sealing jaws oppose each other, and are allowed to oscillate between sealing and open positions by moving towards and away from each other. A first and second transversally extending guiding bar cooperate with the first and second eccentric shaft via guiding pins running in guiding grooves, such that transverse play between the first and the second eccentric shaft and the first and second sealing jaw is allowed.

A cartridge for a dispensing device contains at least one elongate film pouch, which is inherently non-rigid and which has a chamber for receiving a composition. The cartridge also contains a head part for interacting with the film pouch. The film pouch has an opening on a side facing the head part, which is closed by a cover. The cover has a predetermined breaking region. A method can be used for producing such a cartridge.

An apparatus for quality assessment of a sealing section of a package for food products. The package includes at least a robustness layer and a plastic layer. The sealing section is formed by holding a first section and a second section of the package against each other while providing heat such that the plastic layer of the first and second section melt and the first and second section adhere to each other. The apparatus includes a sample holder arranged for fixating a sample including the sealing section of the package. At least part of the sample holder is transparent, a magnification device arranged on a first side of the sample holder, and an illumination device arranged on a second side of the sample holder. Light is provided to the magnification device through the sample holder The first and second side are opposite sides of the sample holder.

An inductor for transverse sealing a packaging material tube filled with food product comprises a main body comprising first and second sealing surfaces facing the packaging material during a sealing state, a recess in the main body for receiving a knife during a cutting state, and an electric conductor arrangement, in the main body for inducing eddy currents in the packaging material during the sealing state. The first/second sealing surfaces each comprise a top section, an inner sealing section between the recess and the top section, and an outer sealing section between the top section and an outer edge of the inductor. The inner sealing section is inclined towards the recess, and the outer sealing section is inclined towards the outer edge, so that product in the tube is pushed away from a sealing band of the tube as the first/second sealing surfaces are pressed towards the sealing band.

During a manufacturing method, an induction welder is provided that includes a concentrator and a coil extending through a receptacle in the concentrator. The receptacle projects into the concentrator from a face surface of the concentrator. A first thermoplastic body arranged with a second thermoplastic body are provided. The first thermoplastic body is located next to the face surface. The first thermoplastic body is induction welded to the second thermoplastic body to provide a weld seam between the first thermoplastic body and the second thermoplastic body. The concentrator extends along a portion of the weld seam. The induction welding includes: generating an electromagnetic field with the coil; and concentrating a portion of the electromagnetic field with the concentrator onto a region of the first thermoplastic body.

During a manufacturing method, an induction welder is provided that includes a concentrator and a coil extending through a receptacle in the concentrator. The receptacle projects into the concentrator from a face surface of the concentrator. A first thermoplastic body arranged with a second thermoplastic body are provided. The first thermoplastic body is located next to the face surface. The first thermoplastic body is induction welded to the second thermoplastic body to provide a weld seam between the first thermoplastic body and the second thermoplastic body. The concentrator extends along a portion of the weld seam. The induction welding includes: generating an electromagnetic field with the coil; and concentrating a portion of the electromagnetic field with the concentrator onto a region of the first thermoplastic body.

A system and method for welding thermoplastic components is provided. The system includes a component positioning system and a welding subsystem. The component positioning system includes a trailing force applicator having first and second lateral side trailing force applicators disposed on opposite lateral sides of a weld line. The welding subsystem is configured to weld the thermoplastic components together at a weld zone. The first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are laterally spaced apart from the weld zone, and at least a portion of the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators are disposed aft of the weld zone. During welding the first and second lateral side trailing force applicators and a welding subsystem probe are moved relative to the thermoplastic components, or vice versa.

Methods and apparatus' for induction welding a first workpiece to a second workpiece at a welding region may include a metallic strip. The metallic strip may be a mesh. The properties of the metallic strip, such as, for example, pore size, thickness, and density, may be configured to conduct heat uniformly across the welding region and prevent eddy current formation across a workpiece. The metallic strip may be embedded in a workpiece or may be fixed to an induction welding tool that acts on the welding region during induction welding. A removable polymer tape may be disposed between a workpiece and a metallic strip fixed to an induction welding tool. The workpieces may be thermoplastic composite structures and thermoplastic composite stiffeners in aircraft structures.

A liner bridge for a lined pipeline has bores extending through a tubular wall and terminals fitted in the bores, each terminal being exposed to an inward side of the wall for conducting electricity to an electrofusion element. A sealing interface between each terminal and its surrounding bore has one or more projecting formations of the terminal and at least one complementary formation of the bore engaged with the or each of the projecting formations. The interface can also include a sealing mass in the bore.