Composite belt, band sealer and band sealing method

A packaging line comprising a band sealer (100) comprising a composite belt assembly (160, 160′), the belt assembly (160, 160′) comprising:

• a main belt (162, 162′);
• a first layer (166, 166′);
• and
• a second layer (168, 168′);
• wherein
• the first layer (166, 166′) is arranged in contact with at least one of the main belt (162, 162′) and the second layer (168, 168′);
• and
• the first layer (166, 166′) includes an attachment portion (166a, 166a′) connected to at least one of the main belt (162, 162′) and the second layer (168, 168′);
• the packaging line comprising one or more of:
• a feeding station configured to provide packages (80);
• at least one conveyor, in particular a conveyor belt, (71) configured to convey the packages (80) along a main movement direction (60) from the feeding station to the band sealer;
• and,
• a vacuum station configured to evacuate the packages (80) and/or to provide the packages (80) with a controlled internal atmosphere.

A method (300) of heat sealing a package (80), comprising:

• providing (302) a composite belt assembly (160, 160′) comprising a belt (160, 160′), the belt assembly (160, 160′) comprising:
• a main belt (162, 162′);
• a first layer (166, 166′);
• and
• a second layer (168, 168′);
• wherein
• the first layer (166, 166′) is arranged in contact with at least one of the main belt (162, 162′) and the second layer (168, 168′);
• and
• the first layer (166, 166′) includes an attachment portion (166a, 166a′) connected to at least one of the main belt (162, 162′) and the second layer (168, 168′);
• gripping (304) a bag neck (82) of the package (80) using the composite belt assembly (160, 160′);
• guiding (306) the bag neck (82) of the package (80) along a movement plane (70) using the composite belt assembly (160, 160′);
• providing (308) a sealing element (130, 130′) configured for heat sealing a plastic material of the bag neck (82);
• and
• applying (310) heat to at least part of the bag neck (82) through the first layer (166, 166′) of the composite belt assembly (160, 160′) using the sealing element (130, 130′).