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 applying a cellulose-based annular body to a perimeter flange of a container includes a supporting unit and an operating unit. The supporting unit has a seat to receive a body of the container and is surrounded by an annular portion on which the annular body and the flange rest, such that the annular body is interposed between the annular portion and the flange. A heating device heat the annular body. The supporting unit includes an annular recess, surrounding the annular portion, to at least partly house an annular end bead of the flange. The apparatus includes a forming device, movable along a respective axis of movement between a far position and an engaging position. In the engaging position, the forming device engages and deforms the annular bead pushing said annular bead into the annular recess.

An apparatus for heat-sealing a lidding film (2) to a supporting element (3), comprising a movement track (5), which extends between an infeed zone and an outfeed zone, a conveying unit (8) and a heat-sealing device (6) which is fitted along the movement track (5), the device (6) comprising a supporting unit (10) and a closing unit (11) which are movable between a home position in which they are at a distance from each other and an operating position in which they are coupled to clamp, in use, the lidding film (2) and a supporting element (3); wherein the conveying unit (8) is configured to support the supporting element (3) and to move and is associable with the movement track (5) for moving on it; the conveying unit (8) comprising one or more active portions (12) which are configured to support the supporting element (3) from below and to couple to the supporting unit (10) to define with it a clamping unit for clamping the supporting element (3) against the closing unit (11).

A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

A method of closing a packaging tray comprises arranging a packaging tray between a lower tool and an upper tool of a sealing station, positioning a cover film above the packaging tray between the lower tool and the upper tool, and pressing together the cover film and the packaging tray by a lower sealing surface of the lower tool and an upper sealing surface of the upper tool cooperating with the lower sealing surface. During the pressing together, a connection is established between the cover film and the packaging tray along a sealing seam. While the cover film and the packaging tray are being pressed together, an overpressure is locally generated by supplying pressurized gas from a pressurized-gas source, the overpressure cooperating as a counterpressure with the lower sealing surface or with the upper sealing surface so as to press the cover film and the packaging tray together.

A fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers is provided. The fin sealer is configured to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller.

The present disclosure provides an apparatus for forming a stream of individual packets, comprising a folder arranged to form a tubular web structure, a feeder arranged to feed the formed tubular web structure to a nip; a first rotor comprising a first sealing jaw and a knife, a second rotor comprising a second sealing jaw and an anvil, the sealing jaws, the knife and anvil rotating into opposing relation at the nip so as to form a severed, completed packet beyond the nip. The apparatus includes an open ended packet catcher adjacent the first and second rotors, which is arranged to catch the severed, completed packets beyond the nip whereby a stream of packets is established. The packet catcher includes a stripper disposed in a proximal location to at least one of the anvil, the knife and the sealing jaws when the anvil, the knife and/or the sealing jaws are rotated beyond the nip, whereby, should a completed packet stick to any of the anvil, the knife and/or the sealing jaws, the stripper is operative to free the stuck packet from the anvil, the knife and/or the sealing jaw. The present disclosure provides a fin sealer and method to seal a radially outwardly directed fin of a tubular web structure by directing the fin through a nip between a first and a second fin sealing rollers while communicating heat to the fin through at least one of the fin sealing rollers, the fin sealer being further arranged to maintain a nominal face-to-face relation between an outer annulus of the first fin sealing roller and an outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller with a flexible connection between a hub element of the second fin sealing roller with the outer annulus of the second fin sealing roller. A cooling system is also provided, which is operative upon one of the rotors of a cut and seal station.

The present invention provides apparatus and methods for growing fullerene nanotube forests, and forming nanotube films, threads and composite structures therefrom. In some embodiments, an interior-flow substrate includes a porous surface and one or more interior passages that provide reactant gas to an interior portion of a densely packed nanotube forest as it is growing. In some embodiments, a continuous-growth furnace is provided that includes an access port for removing nanotube forests without cooling the furnace substantially. In other embodiments, a nanotube film can be pulled from the nanotube forest without removing the forest from the furnace. A nanotube film loom is described. An apparatus for building layers of nanotube films on a continuous web is described.

A composite belt assembly for a band sealer is provided. The composite belt assembly comprises a belt comprising a main belt; a first layer; and a second layer; wherein the first layer is arranged in contact with the main belt, preferably between the second layer and the main belt; and the first layer includes an attachment portion, configured to contact the main belt and the second layer. There is also provided a band sealer comprising a composite belt assembly and a packaging line comprising the band sealer. There is further provided a method for heat sealing a package, comprising providing a composite belt assembly, gripping a bag neck of the package using the composite belt assembly, guiding the bag neck of the package along a movement plane using the composite belt assembly providing a sealing element configured for heat sealing a plastic material of the bag neck, and applying heat to at least part of the bag neck through the first layer of the composite belt assembly using the sealing element.

A method of closing a packaging tray comprises arranging a packaging tray between a lower tool and an upper tool of a sealing station, positioning a cover film above the packaging tray between the lower tool and the upper tool, and pressing together the cover film and the packaging tray by a lower sealing surface of the lower tool and an upper sealing surface of the upper tool cooperating with the lower sealing surface. During the pressing together, a connection is established between the cover film and the packaging tray along a sealing seam. While the cover film and the packaging tray are being pressed together, an overpressure is locally generated by supplying pressurized gas from a pressurized-gas source, the overpressure cooperating as a counterpressure with the lower sealing surface or with the upper sealing surface so as to press the cover film and the packaging tray together.