An inflatable-cushion inflation and sealing device is provided. The device includes an inflation assembly that inflates with a fluid a cushion cavity disposed between overlapping portions of first and second plies of a film, which plies form a flexible structure. The device also includes a sealing mechanism having a first compression element having a curved surface operable to bend the flexible structure about a bend axis, a second compression element positioned such that the first and second compression elements are operable to receiving the flexible structure at a first pinch area in which the first compression element and the second compression element are positioned against the flexible structure to pinch the flexible structure, and a third compression element configured for receiving the flexible structure at a second pinch area in which the first compression element and the third compression element contact the flexible structure.

The invention relates to a method for producing packaging (18) from paper material (5), in particular paper, cardboard or paperboard, said method comprising the following steps: forming packaging (18) from a blank (19) made of paper material (5), which paper material overlaps at at least one joining site (21); positioning the at least one joining site (21) between a sonotrode (2) and an anvil (3); applying the joining site (21) with a joining force in a joining force direction (6); and making the sonotrode (2) ultrasonically vibrate in order to ultrasonically weld the paper material (5) at the joining site (21), which method is characterised in that the paper material (5) is moistened, preferably on the inner sides of the joining sites (21), before forming the packaging (18) and/or while forming the packaging (18) and/or after forming the packaging (18) and/or during the ultrasonic welding.

A grain-popping machine and associated pod-based popping method is disclosed. The grain-popping is configured to receive a pod. Each pod includes a plurality of cells, with each cell preferably containing a single grain kernel or seed, flavoring, and a cooking medium such as oil or shortening. In a preferred embodiment, the pod is loaded into the grain-popping machine through a slot so that it is held in position adjacent to a heating element. The heating element is activated to begin a popping sequence. When each grain kernel or seed in the pod reaches popping temperature, it absorbs the flavoring in its cell and ejects through the bottom of the pod, which can be weakened to ease ejection, into a bowl positioned in a receiving area of the grain-popping machine. The pod is then removed and disposed of.

A sealing station configured to heat seal a wall made from heat-sealable film material, preferably metal-free heat-sealable film material, onto one another wall of heat-sealable material, e.g. another wall of heat-sealable film material, to create a sealed seam. The sealing station comprises an impulse sealing device comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least the first jaw comprises at the respective front surface thereof at least one, e.g. a single elongated, impulse heatable member that extends along the respective front surface and that is covered by a heat-resistant non-stick covering.

A sealing station configured to heat seal a wall made from heat-sealable film material, preferably metal-free heat-sealable film material, onto one another wall of heat-sealable material, e.g. another wall of heat-sealable film material, to create a sealed seam. The sealing station comprises an impulse sealing device comprising a first jaw and a second jaw, wherein at least the first jaw comprises at the respective front surface thereof at least one, e.g. a single elongated, impulse heatable member that extends along the respective front surface and that is covered by a heat-resistant non-stick covering.

Various embodiments of the present disclosure provide a strapping device with a combined tensioning-and-welding assembly. The tensioning-and-welding assembly includes a tensioning-and-welding wheel that is: (1) rotatable about a tensioning-and-welding-wheel rotational axis to tension strap around a load; and (2) longitudinally movable along the about a tensioning-and-welding-wheel rotational axis to seal two overlapping portions of the strap together.

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