Abstract: Methods and apparatus for maintaining a sanitary disposal and storage bin for consumed medical products using a storage bin with a liner bag and an attached shielding grommet in the shape of a circle flattened on one end which, when soiled, may itself be placed in the liner bag within the container.

Abstract: The invention is directed at a process for enabling the packaging of a powder (32), in particular a pharmaceutical product powder, including the steps of: providing a first bag (9) from a flexible packaging material; fixing the opening (19) of the first bag (9) to a lower outlet (11) of a DCS (drum containment system) glove box (1); inside the DSC glove box (1) pulling a continuous liner (14) at a closed end of the liner (14) and inserting the liner (14) into the first bag (9), thus providing a second bag (16) inside the first bag (9); filling the second bag (16) with the powder (32), in particular through an upper opening of the DCS glove box (1); closing the second bag (16) by disconnecting the continuous liner (14); closing the first bag (9) and removing the first and second bags (9, 16) from the DSC glove box (1). Furthermore the invention is directed at an apparatus for performing the process.

Abstract: A liner emptying device and a liner filling device as well as methods using them for contamination-free filling and emptying of a liner. This contamination-free filling and emptying prevents any danger to the health of the people working with the packaged substances. Both the liner emptying device and the liner filling device are connected to the liner via a fastening device and the residual films sealing off the device can be removed via an access port, whereby the liner can be filled or emptied without contaminating the surroundings.

Abstract: The packaging method glues or otherwise secures a sheet of shrink wrap film to the bottom of a shipping package or carton. The sheet extends upward on both sides so as to be temporarily attached to the flaps of the shipping carton, typically by dots of glue. After the contents are placed in the shipping carton, the film is folded over the contents. Then a label, typically with a bar code, holds the film in place. The package is scanned to assure that the label is in place, and the package is exposed to a heat tunnel to shrink the shrink wrap film. The flaps of the carton are then sealed in a conventional way.

Abstract: A bag (10) adapted for insertion into a container and a method of folding the bag is disclosed. The bag has two panels (14, 16) and a neck portion (30) passing between the panels. The neck portion has a spear portion (34) extending into the bag between the panels through which an alcohol beverage may pass into and out of the bag. The bag has a first plurality of folds (50) on each of the panels extending orthogonal to the spear. A first side of the bag is folded inwards over itself in a first spiral-like manner (70) in a plurality of folds sections along fold lines extending parallel to the spear. A second side of the bag is folded inwards over itself in a second spiral-like manner (78) in plurality of fold sections along fold lines extending parallel to the spear.

Abstract: The application relates to a flexible container (3) made of film material for containing drinks, comprising a fin opening as well as film storage means which delimit a first compartment and a second compartment (17, 18, 19) of the container and which release a second compartment (18, 19) when a predetermined degree of filling of the first compartment (17) is reached. By means of the film storage means, which, for example, can be formed by folding the side strips (20, 21) double in the longitudinal direction and holding them in place with the aid of adhesive tape, adhesive or fusion welding of the film material, uniform filling of the first compartment can be obtained, the flexible container largely remaining out of contact with the walls of the surrounding outer container.

Abstract: A collapsible shipping container for lightweight materials, typically edible grain particles and flakes, including a box-like sealable container and a synthetic resinous lining element, all of which are disposable after a single usage. The containers are fully preassembled in collapsed condition for storage, and require only unfolding to erected condition prior to insertion of the liner, the filling of the liner with contents, the sealing of the liner, and the closing of the container with a lid or cover.

Abstract: A device and process for filling flexible receptacles set on rigid or semi-rigid outer receptacles, includes, prior to usage, rolling up a flexible receptacle having upper loading and lower unloading mouths, and fitting a wrapping around the rolled-up receptacle; and during usage, fitting the flexible receptacle in a rigid or semi-rigid outer receptacle such that the lower unloading mouth of the flexible receptacle is positioned in a lower recess of the rigid or semi-rigid receptacle, fitting an upper bridge having a slot on the outer receptacle to control unfolding of the flexible receptacle during a filling operation, fitting the loading mouth in a corresponding support of the upper bridge, fitting surplus flexible material of the flexible receptacle in the slot in the upper bridge, and connecting an outer unloading conduit with the loading mouth of the flexible recipient to fill the flexible recipient with a material.

Abstract: A composite container having a detachable liner and a method for making the container are provided according to the present invention. The method includes providing a tubular body ply formed of a paperboard material and adhering the liner ply using a standard adhesive applicator. The method also includes heating a heat-releasable adhesive disposed between the liner ply and the body ply such that the liner ply substantially releases from the body ply. The liner ply remains adhered to the opposed ends of the container, thus providing a free medial portion between the opposed ends that can move inwardly if a negative pressure is created within the sealed container, thus equalizing the pressure within the container with that outside the container.

Abstract: The design comprising bag (36) formed with deep side gussets (42, 44). It has a body portion and a neck. The front face, rear face and gussets are heat welded together at the base of the bag. At the neck (56) the front face is welded to the front sheets of the gussets and the rear face is welded to the rear sheets of the gussets so that the gusset can open at these parts. At the free ends of the neck (66) the front face, rear face and gussets are heat welded together to be held together when the bag is opened.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for automatically lining a container having at least one open end. A bag-type liner having a leading sealed, and a trailing unsealed, end is fed along a predetermined liner path, with the trailing unsealed end suspended above the container. A plurality of clamps grab the sides of the bag at the unsealed end and separate the unsealed end by pulling the sides apart. A vacuum is then activated to draw air out of the container through the bottom of the container, drawing the wall of the liner material against the interior surface of the container, thereby fully opening the liner in the container. If the container has two oppositely facing open ends, a vent can be positioned under one of the open ends for drawing air out from the container. If the container has only one open end, a plurality of vacuum tubes can be inserted into the bottom of the container along the interior surface of the container for drawing air out of the bottom of the container.

Abstract: A bag filling machine comprising a supply hopper, a material flow control mechanism and a rotatable bag filling spout is herein disclosed. The rotating bag filling spout is constructed and arranged for rotation about a vertical axis and is connected to the supply hopper through the material flow control mechanism so as to convey bulk commodities stored in the supply hopper into a bag that is to be filled. After the bag has been filled, the rotatable bag filling spout rotates to close the bag. A sealing mechanism is also provided to seal the filled bags once they have been closed by the rotating bag filling spout.

Abstract: A device in the form of a funnel (1) and comprising a holder (2) and a folded bag (36), for filling a container (8) such as an oil barrel or a standard container such as a type IBC, in such a manner that the bag forms an insulated lining between the product, e.g. oil, with which the container has to be filled, and the actual container. The device further comprises a lining (24) for mounting in the container's filling opening (10), and in the lining there is mounted a bottom member (22) which is surrounded by the bottom of the bag (36), the latter and the bottom member being pushed into the bag's main part from the top and down through the bag's opening (23). When the container is filled the funnel (1) is first screwed by means of the lining (24) into the filling opening (10), and a supply pipe (14) with enclosed push rod (18) is pushed down through the holder (2), passing the bag (36) in an evacuated state down to the bottom of the container.

Abstract: An easily removed sleeve is provided for use within bulk containers of viscous product such as fruit fillings and fruit chunks. The sleeve has an open bottom and an inside surface which, when used, is positioned between the product and the sidewall of the container. The sleeve is readily removable from between the container and the viscous product by simple grasping and pulling by hand.

Abstract: A container stuffing apparatus and method of stuffing or nesting containers are provided that preferably includes an erected outer container dispenser for dispensing one of a plurality of erected outer containers in a predetermined direction of manufacture and collapsed inner container dispenser positioned in a direction substantially transverse to the predetermined direction of manufacture for dispensing one of a plurality of collapsed inner containers. An erector is positioned downstream from the collapsed inner container dispenser in the direction substantially transverse to the predetermined direction of manufacture for erecting the dispensed and collapsed inner container. The erector preferably includes an advancer responsive to the collapsed inner container dispenser for advancing the dispensed inner container downstream during the erection of the inner container.

Abstract: An inner bag is adhered by an adhesive to the substantially entire region of a pouring spout attaching panel of a carton blank, and to substantially half regions of panels bordering the pouring spout attaching panel, which are on the side of a pouring spout. The inner bag is adhered to the carton at a part which is remotest from the pouring spout and is normal to a direction of movement made by the inner bag when air is drawn. The inner bag is adhered to the carton blank at the substantially entire region of the pouring spout attached panel, and four corners on the side of the panel, which enables the inner bag to be set up into a square shaft with high precision upon the setting-up of the carton blank.

Abstract: A process for the final containerization of bulk cheese discharged from a vertical cheese forming tower operates with variant methods to accommodate direct filling of the final container or preliminary filling for transfer to the final container. In accordance with both methods, initial filling utilizes a false bottom container which allows the cheese section to be lowered into the container for sealing and either final closure or inversion and transfer to another final container such as a fixed bottom steel barrel. Both methods utilize a step of placing a closure over the open top of the initially filled container, and an inverting step to expose the opposite end of the container for a final closure. Common apparatus may be used in the system of the present invention to accommodate either embodiment of the containerization method.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a method and apparatus for automatically lining a container having at least one open end. A bag-type liner having a sealed and unsealed end is suspended in the container with the sealed end down. A plurality of clamps grab the sides of the bag and open the unsealed end by pulling the sides apart. Air is then withdrawn from between the liner and container thereby expanding the liner in the container. If the container has two oppositely facing open ends, a vent can be positioned under one of the open ends for drawing air out from the container. If the container has only one open end, a plurality of vacuum robes can be inserted at the four corners of the container between the liner and the container for drawing air out from between the liner and container.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for aseptically producing, harvesting and packaging a pharmaceutical product. A section of the apparatus includes an aseptic reactor and structure for introducing a reactant thereinto so that a reaction can be conducted for the purpose of producing a pharmaceutical product. The pharmaceutical product is subsequently introduced into a filter/dryer for the purpose of recovering the pharmaceutical product. Thereafter, the filtered/dried pharmaceutical product is delivered to a hammer mill for delumping or a micronizing mill for calibration and sizing the recovered product to produce a final powdered product. Thereafter, the final powdered product is introduced into a dosing device and aseptically introduced into a transportable bin. The small bins are encased inside of a sterile bag for transport and further aseptic handling.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus and process for producing and using the same is provided having a tubular lining material defining a hollow-space therein with the lining material being folded outwardly over itself providing a chamber in which a casing material is positioned circumferentially over an inner layer of the lining material.

Abstract: A method of making a food package including a food package tray and a food package jacket. The method involves placing a food package tray on a mandrel such that the inner surface of the tray contacts at least a portion of the mandrel. After this, the food package jacket is placed on the food package tray so that the food package jacket partially surrounds the food package tray. The food package jacket is then secured to the food package tray to make the food package. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus and process for producing and using the same is provided having a tubular lining material defining a hollow-space therein with the lining material being folded outwardly over itself providing a chamber in which a casing material is positioned circumferentially over an inner layer of the lining material.

Abstract: A method of making a food package including a food package tray and a food package jacket. The method involves placing a food package tray on a mandrel such that the inner surface of the tray contacts at least a portion of the mandrel. After this, the food package jacket is placed on the food package tray so that the food package jacket partially surrounds the food package tray. The food package jacket is then secured to the food package tray to make the food package. An associated apparatus is also provided.

Abstract: A sealed system for facilitating the safe transfer of hazardous material through a port in the floor of a containment enclosure to an open topped storage container positionable in precise axial alignment below the port and supported on a lift cart for vertical movement toward and away from the port. The port is defined by a vertically depending flange or enclosure ring in the floor of the containment enclosure and is closeable by a seal cover within said containment enclosure positionable for sealing engagement with the periphery of the port. The port is also closed alternately by a sturdy plastic bag supported from a seal ring engageable in leak-proof sealed relation with the port and partially contained within the storage container supported on the lift cart. A succession of bags are positioned under the port, elevated into sealed relation with the port, filled, sealed shut, severed from the sealed port and lowered and removed for permanent storage.

Abstract: A method of loading product into a soft bag held within a rigid case comprises loading the case onto a vertically movable case support in a direct path beneath a chute to which the product is fed. The bag is opened while it is held between the chute and the case with the case spaced below the bag. The case is then raised to meet the bag from below after the bag is opened and the open bag is then pushed into the case. From there, the bag is loaded with the product which is dropped from the chute into the bag.

Abstract: There is provided a cardboard packaging for liquids which consists of a folding box, an inner bag arranged therein and made from a plastic material, and of a withdrawal nozzle which is accessible from the outside through a hole formed in one wall of the folding box. The withdrawal nozzle comprises a base plate which is welded or bonded in liquid-tight fashion to the bag at the inner side of said bag in a weldless area thereof. The inner bag is only bonded to and easily detachable from the folding box wall that includes the hole for the withdrawal nozzle, but, apart from this, is not bonded to the walls of the folding box. The withdrawal nozzle is therefore secured against rotation, and the bag is sufficiently fixed in the folding carton. In addition, it can easily collapse during emptying, and the packaging can be easily disassembled into its cardboard and plastic parts after use (FIG. 2 ).

Abstract: A cuffing assembly for flexible bags inserted into a receiving open carton includes cuffing fingers at each carton corner. The fingers are movable between a retracted position for insertion into a bag and an extended position in which they can overlap the carton corners. Air is discharged through air outlets adjacent the outer ends of the cuffing fingers to minimize frictional forces between the bag and cuffing fingers to prevent tearing of the bag as the cuff is being formed and during subsequent retraction of the cuffing fingers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is for inserting a flat flexible bag having a rigid fitment into a bottle through a small bottle finish, and expanding the bag inside the bottle. The flat flexible bag can be grasped and oriented via the fitment utilizing a friction chuck. The fitment also enables the bag to be sealed to the bottle in an air-tight manner by interference fit. A biased plunger extends into the bag through the fitment. The plunger helps push the bag through a funnel while a vacuum is applied to the bag through the plunger. The funnel includes two angled plows which cause the bag to fold in a "C" shaped configuration. This insures reliable expansion of the bag upon releasing a blast of air into the bag. During the expansion process an air vent channel permits escape of the air between the bag and the bottle. An exemplary package formed utilizing this method and apparatus is a squeeze pump package having a thin film beam spring vent valve.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a fluid, including the steps of punching spout or outlet plug fitting holes in both a plate of a tubular blank of the carton and a plastic film constituting the internal bag at a predetermined place where a spout or outlet plug is attached to the tubular blank and the internal bag, the tubular blank containing the plastic film and having a closed bottom wall, fitting the spout or outlet plug in the spout or outlet plug fitting holes from inside the tubular plug, and welding the spout or outlet plug to the plastic film.

Abstract: Electrostatic method and apparatus for opening liners within containers and maintaining such liners in spread apart disposition preparatory to filling comprises (1) A.C. electrostatic ionizing means for directing a stream of bipolar air ions toward the outer walls of the containers substantially symmetrical therewith, and (2) D.C. electrostatic charging means for directing an ion wind of a single polarity toward the interior of liners within the containers whereby the liners and the containers will be charged to opposite polarities to cause electrostatic pinning of the liners to the interior of the containers and effect opening thereof while the net charge on the package is substantially neutral. Subsequent to opening, the spread apart liners in the containers may be easily filled with the appropriate material.

Abstract: A cuffing assembly for flexible bags inserted into a receiving open carton includes paired cuffing fingers that span each carton corner. The fingers are movable between a retracted position for insertion into a bag and an extended position in which they can overlap the outer surfaces adjacent to each carton corner. Diagonal clamp forces can be applied to the cuffed bag between the fingers of each pair as required.

Abstract: An apparatus for filling bags with bulk material includes a filling device for consecutively charging bags with the bulk material; a traction device leading into and out of a region of the filling device; and a plurality of spaced spreading devices, carried by the traction device, for expanding each bag to facilitate charging thereof by the filling device. Each spreading device has first and second mutually cooperating pivotal spreading fingers having a retracted state and an expanded state.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: A new bag cassette having a main bottom panel formed by a diagonal panel defined by a pair of spaced parallel fold lines and a pair of side panels is used to protect and position a bag and for squaring a carton. The bag spout is held in a reinforcing panel connected to the main bottom panel by a spacing panel and the bag is protected by the envelope formed by folding the two side panels perpendicular to the diagonal panel. To square a box having a cross section substantially corresponding with the periphery of the main panel, the cassette is inserted into the box with a diagonal panel extending diagonally between the pair of opposed corners of the box and with the side panels in folded enveloping position substantially perpendicular to the diagonal panel. As the cassette is moved down into the box it tends to force the box into squared position. Folding out of the side panels into a position parallel to the diagonal panel completes the squaring and positions the cassette in the bottom of the box.

Abstract: In a method and a device for producing bags wrapped in a carton, carton blanks are fed to a first conveyor in which a square tubular half-finished carton is produced which is fed to a second conveyor wherein the half-finished carton is formed into a box-like shaped carton, into which a bag made of film in a bag making apparatus is inserted. The bag wrapped with carton is then filled with a product to be packed and sealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing custom-sized foam braced packaging. The apparatus includes means for automatically adjusting the assembler to meet the particular needs of individual package sizes without the requirement for retooling being imposed. Rails are formed from foam and an outer wrap or covering which are then mitered to define a package shape. Packaging material is then adhered to the rail frame to complete the package.

Abstract: The machine comprises a thermoforming box (116) which receives the container (126) and which is itself fitted into a cutting box (100), a heating die (148) mounted in vertically slideable manner above the said boxes and capable of squeezing a thermoforming film (44) or a closing film on the upper edge of the thermoforming box and of thermoforming the film (44) inside the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packing a meat product, such as ham, in foil, in which a mould is used to accommodate a bag-shaped foil. The apparatus includes a first support member for supporting the bag and the mould. A mechanism is also provided for turning-down the collar of the bag around the top edge of the mould. A second support is provided for supporting the mould containing the bag-shaped foil filled with meat product together with a second mechanism for turning-up the collar of the bag. A third support is provided for supporting the mould with the filled bag-support foil, and a sealing appliance is provide for sealing the collar.

Abstract: A process for forming a separable laminate container includes the steps of coextruding at least two substantially non-adhering thermoplastic compositions to form a tubular parison having a relatively thick outer layer and a relatively thin inner layer. The parison is subsequently blow molded and trimmed to provide an open-ended container body and an inner liner which is separable along the interior walls of the container body to permit closing and/or sealing of the liner, independent of the container. A lid may also be applied to the container body.

Abstract: With the device and method, ground meat is pumped through an elongated discharge tube into a plastic bag at the bottom of a frustoconical-shaped mold casing. The mold casing cooperates with a pneumatic or air inflatable elastic resilient piston that causes the meat being pumped through the discharge tube to be packed tightly down to a desired texture. As more meat is pumped into the bag and mold casing, the piston when inflated has a varying diameter and the mold casing moves axially downward with respect to the resilient piston to allow for more room for meat in the mold casing and bag until a point is reached where the discharge tube along with the inflated piston are forced out of the mold casing by downward movement of the mold casing.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for inserting pouches into boxes or lining boxes with pouches is disclosed. Rather than manually line boxes, the apparatus takes a pouch from a horizontal stack of pouches, opens the pouch over an open box, partially inflates the pouch, and, inserts the pouch into the box. A vertically reciprocating mandrel is included with tucker fingers to fold the bag's mouth over the outside perimeter of the box thus presenting a line box ready to receive a product.

Abstract: A bag is put on a forming block while air streams are blown out through air holes of the forming block, then air streams are sucked through the air holes into the block so that the bag is attracted to the exterior of the block, and while this condition is kept, an outer packaging box is put on the block with the bag held therebetween. Subsequently, air streams are again blown out through the air holes to inflate the bag, and then the inflated bag and the outer packaging box are removed together form the forming blick. In this way, the bag is inserted in crease-free condition into the box.

Abstract: Apparatus and method wherein at a single operating station a flexible liner bag can be formed and inserted into an outer bulk container, and then the bag can be filled and its open end closed and sealed automatically.

Abstract: The invention relates to process and apparatus for the automatic insertion of prefabricated box-shaped bags made of flexible packaging material into large box-shaped containers with a capacity of more than 100 liters. The bags are suspended on rolling carriages in such a way that two opposing sides are extended at the bag edge, the rolling carriage equipped in this way is transported to a transfer point where one side of the bag is received by a pulling device, and as a result of movement of the pulling device the bag is extended fully at its upper edge. Subsequently, the bag is received by a spreading device and introduced by way of the spreading device into a large container. The edges at the upper margin of the bag may be cut to form marginal side flaps for transfer into appropriate retaining devices on the large container.

Abstract: A method of installing a continous moisture proof essentially disposable film liner within a convertional cargo trailer to protect moisture sensitive cargo during shipment. A polyolefin bag is inflated directly into an empty tractor trailer by attaching the bag opening to the outlet of a blower and blowing a gentle stream of air into the bag as suction is applied to the interior of the cargo trailer between the sidewalls of the trailer and the expanding polyolefin bag. In this manner, the bag inflates from the rear of the trailer forward, while the air trapped between the bag and the inside walls of the trailer is removed by suction, thus sealing the bag to the interior of the trailer. Once the bag is properly inflated and in contact with the inside of the trailer, it has been found that it tends to remain in place for sufficient time to load the cargo, even without continued use of the blower.

Abstract: An extruded cylinder of plastic material having open ends and die-cut flaps on opposite sides is a supporting holder for limp plastic bags. The holder is formed by an inexpensive process of extruding plastic and cutting the tube into cylinders of the proper length and simultaneously die-cutting the flaps in the sides of the cylinder. The holder is flattened during manufacture and packaged in the flattened condition.

Abstract: Apparatus for cartoning liquid-filled pouches. A horizontal intermittent motion cartoner conveys cartons in a vertical orientation. At a first station, a hole is formed in a lower major flap. At a second station, glue is applied in a circular pattern around the hole. The flaps are then closed with the glue exposed to the inside bottom of the carton. A liquid-filled pouch is deposited by gravity into the carton. The upper portion of the pouch is tamped within the carton and the upper flaps closed and sealed.

Abstract: A disposable, flexible, expandable lantern-shaped liner open at two ends is provided for use with a pneumatically-assisted, cup-shaped bag of the type used for transporting, storing and discharging diverse materials. The liner is equipped with pressure-sensitive adhesive spots for adherence and conformity to the shape of the bag upon inflation of the bag and liner. Liner are provided for detaching the liner from the bag for convenient disposal following discharge of material.

Abstract: An automatic machine for placing a plastic bag into a larger feedstuff bag. The plastic bag and feedstuff bag to open by the action of two vacuum holders connected to the upper and lower vacuum tanks. A push rod is then introduced, via the opening of the plastic bag to push the plastic bag into the feedstuff bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of forming containers useful in vacuum packaging applications which require that the packaged product be wrapped in an air-impervious enclosure.According to one aspect of the invention, the method comprises a step wherein a substrate of an air pervious, semipervious or impervious material is mold formed, and a subsequent step wherein an impervious film is applied on the molded substrate and adhered thereto to produce an impervious substrate. In another aspect, a product is placed on the impervious substrate and enclosed by an impervious film in a vacuum skin packaging process.