Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated leak testing, capping, labelling, evacuating and loading collapsible plastic containers in bulk into magazine clips for subsequent handling operations is provided. The apparatus is compact and intergrated, defining discrete stations for each stated method step.

Abstract: A tubular container for expansible food products is provided according to the present invention that includes a flexible liner having opposed end portions secured to respective ends of a tubular body wall. The tubular body wall has opposed ends and inner and outer surfaces and comprises a wound strip of material having opposed side edges. An end closure is secured to each end of the tubular body wall and can hermetically seal the container. A vent hole may be formed through the body wall and the label by way of a laser for allowing the passage of air therethrough. The flexible liner is secured to the respective ends of the tubular body wall by way of an adhesive band between the liner and the inner surface of the tubular body wall.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus is disclosed having a novel vacuum sensor system. The vacuum sensor system includes first and second sensors in communication with a control circuit, which sensors are provided to detect first and second preset vacuum levels as a container is being evacuated. The control circuit further includes a timer for measuring the elapsed time between detection of the first and second preset vacuum levels. The control circuit computes an additional time period necessary to reach a target vacuum level after reaching the second preset vacuum level by multiplying the elapsed time between the first and second preset vacuum levels by an algorithmic factor stored in the control circuit. The algorithmic factor is a numerical constant that is derived for a particular pump type, and is based on the pump characteristics and selected values for the first and second preset vacuum levels and the target vacuum level.

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or thin grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel, and a thin layer of foam is applied to the outer surface of the vacuum insulated panel to provide a protective outer surface.

Abstract: Described and/or claimed herein is a method for vacuum sealing articles in a substantially air-tight container comprising the steps of: 1) placing the article in the container; 2) turning on a vacuum source having an elongated nozzle end; 3) inserting the nozzle into the container; 4) sealing the container as completely as possible around the nozzle; 5) waiting for air to be withdrawn from the container through the nozzle; 6) removing the nozzle from the container; and 7) completely sealing the container with the article therein.

Abstract: A method for producing a compressed fluid container is provided comprising charging a container with a fluid while simultaneously sealing the container. A double-walled compressed gas cylinder is also provided.

Abstract: A powder filling method and a powder filling device for filling a powder such as toner, chemical, cosmetics or food material in a powder container efficiently at a high density includes the steps of inserting an air aspirating pipe in a powder filled in a powder container, aspirating air in the powder through the air aspirating pipe, and moving one end of the air aspirating pipe from a bottom portion to a top portion of the powder container, corresponding to an amount of the powder filled.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of a first ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, and a second outer layer of a second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties and heat-sealing characteristics.

Abstract: A process for packing, cooling and shipping fresh produce incorporates a standard corrugated paperboard, stackable container without utilizing any water resistant chemical compounds, together with a moisture-impervious plastic bag which is inserted into the paperboard container. The free ends of the plastic bag extend upwardly and above the top plane of the paperboard container as produce is packed and thereafter allows an opening for a preselected amount of free water to be applied over the fresh-packed produce. Thereafter, the top of the bag is tucked in providing a loose closure and the package is palletized and inserted into a cooling chamber having a relatively low humidity where the temperature of the produce is rapidly brought down to its storage and shipping temperature. By having the paperboard container avoid the presence of any high humidity environment, the basis weights of the paperboard components can be reduced.

Abstract: A process for packaging foodstuffs in substantially rigid containers. A desired quantity of foodstuff to be packaged is placed in the container, a quantity of aqueous liquid in an amount sufficient to generate, when boiled, a volume of vapor sufficiently in excess of the volume of the container to substantially completely displace all other gases from the container, is added. The container is closed but not sealed, so as to permit communication between the interior of the container and the ambient atmosphere. The container and its contents are warmed to a temperature sufficient to generate the volume of vapor when the container is subjected to a pressure lower than atmospheric pressure. The temperature is kept as low as possible so that no cooking of the foodstuffs occurs. After warming, the containers are exposed to a low pressure so that the liquid in the container boils. The boiling liquid generates vapor in the container sufficient to drive out and displace other gases from the container.

Abstract: A process for packing, cooling and shipping fresh produce incorporates a standard corrugated paperboard, stackable container without utilizing any water resistant chemical compounds, together with a moisture-impervious plastic bag which is inserted into the paperboard container. The free ends of the plastic bag extend upwardly and above the top plane of the paperboard container as produce is packed and thereafter allows an opening for a preselected amount of free water to be applied over the fresh-packed produce. Thereafter, the top of the bag is tucked in providing a loose closure and the package is palletized and inserted into a vacuum chamber where the temperature of the produce is rapidly brought down to its storage and shipping temperature.

Abstract: Several vacuum process steps are applied to substrates such as a wafer using a vacuum container for storing and transporting the substrates under vacuum. The vacuum container comprises a container body having a main opening for inserting a substrate and taking out the substrate, a lid engageable with the container body for closing and sealing the main opening of the container body, and a gate provided on one of the container body and the lid for performing at least one of evacuating an interior of the vacuum container and raising the pressure of the interior of the vacuum container to ambient.

Abstract: A vacuum ejector includes an air ejector connected to a vacuum pump by a tube and controlled by a control switch to withdraw air from a food container. The air ejector includes a cap for covering the food container, a plug fastened to the cap by a screw joint, a valve received within a top recess on the cap and coupled to the plug to control the air passage between the food container and the vacuum pump, and a connector detachably connected between the plug and the tube being connected to the vacuum pump. The vacuum effect can be achieved quickly and conveniently for keeping the food fresh or for other vacuum treatment.

Abstract: A stabilized aqueous dentifrice composition capable of producing or, in the presence of saliva, leading to the production of antimicrobially effective concentrations of hypothiocyanite ions (OSCN--) are herein described. The composition contains both an oxidoreductase enzyme and its specific substrate, for the purpose of producing hydrogen peroxide of at least the minimum effective concentration. The aqueous dentifrice compositions of the present invention can be stabilized against premature enzyme/substrate interaction by controlling the level of dissolved oxygen in the aqueous dentifrice carrier. Optionally, a peroxidase enzyme may be included to act upon the aforementioned hydrogen peroxide, thereby oxidizing salivary thiocyanate ions to produce the antimicrobial concentrations of hypothiocyanite ions (OSCN--).

Abstract: A stabilized aqueous composition capable of producing or, in the presence of saliva or other humoral fluid, leading to the production of antimicrobially effective concentrations of hypothiocyanite ions (OSCN--) are herein described. The composition contains an oxidoreductase enzyme and its specific substrate, for the purpose of producing hydrogen peroxide of at least the minimum effective concentration, and in addition, catalase for the destruction of hydrogen peroxide to prevent premature oxidoreductase enzyme decomposition. Optionally, a peroxidase enzyme may be included to act upon the aforementioned hydrogen peroxide, thereby oxidizing thiocyanate ions to produce the antimicrobial concentrations of hypothiocyanite ions (OSCN--).

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating gas from a container having collapsible walls. The apparatus is especially useful for removing air from flexible collapsible containers which comprise soft goods such as disposable hospital gowns, surgical paper and plastic wastes which must be transported and disposed of in a safe fashion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a vacuum-package filled with granular material. In this method, the package filled with granular material and made from a thin-walled and flexible packaging foil is placed in a holder surrounding the bottom and sidewalls of the package and comprising flat, parallel walls, and a vacuum is applied to the contents of the package and the package is subsequently vacuum-sealed hermetically. According to the invention, the contents of the package, during at least a part of the evacuation step, are compressed by moving the flat and parallel walls of at least one pair of opposite sidewalls of the holder toward each other in mutually parallel manner against the package. The invention further relates to an apparatus for use in the invention.

Abstract: The first object of the invention is a process for closing or sealing a flexible tube filled with a liquid, creamy or semi-pasty product (7), in which its skirt (2) is nipped below its open end so as to bring about a closure (10) allowing the escape of the air contained in the tube when the latter is transversely compressed and then after compression the closure (10) is transformed into a tight closure and the open end (17) of the tube is sealed. According to the invention, skirt (2) is nipped with elastically tightened parallel surfaces (10) and the skirt (2) is compressed to the right of the product contained (7), in such a way that the upper level of said product (7) remains below or at the lower limit of closure (10) and the end portion (17) of the tube (1) passing beyond said closure (10) is sealed, so as to avoid any pollution by the product deteriorating the seal. The second object of the invention is an apparatus for performing this process.

Abstract: A composite body fluid sample container is provided which incorporates safety features for containing diseased samples of such fluids from touching and/or contaminating anyone handling the samples. The composite includes a glass sample container, either evacuated or not, depending upon use which has disposed thereon a "shrunk down" sleeve of a thermoplastic film. In the event that the glass is cracked or broken, the sleeve holds the sample from spilling or leaking onto the hands of a person handling the container, or otherwise spreading a diseased sample by spilling, leakage, or cutting by broken glass.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the sealing of a container (10) by means of a wafer (20). The container comprises one or more joining means (14, 16) which are adapted so that by a joint (12), e.g. a welding joint, they are connected in a leakproof manner, to the wafer in an edge zone (21) of the same. The wafer is held against a contact surface (32) of a retaining means so as to be moved by the same until it rests in its edge zone (21) against anyone of the joining means (14, 16). While the contact with the retaining means is maintained, the wafer is connected by a fixing means (50) in its edge zone in a leakproof manner to anyone of the joining means through the fixing means supplying energy to the edge zone so that a joint (12) is formed. The invention makes it possible to fix in a leakproof manner a previously cut wafer to the opening part of a container.

Abstract: This invention relates to a new package for soft toys. The toys are compressed in the direction from front to back to twenty percent or less of their uncompressed thickness, and they are held in compression between front and rear plastic sheets between which a vacuum is maintained. The front sheet is transparent, and the toys are designed and constructed so as to be recognizable when viewed through a transparent plastic sheet.

Abstract: A package and method of packaging for powder and other fluent material wherein a first covering is provided over a receptacle and affords access to the receptacle interior, and a second covering is applied over the first covering to effectively seal the contents in the receptacle.

Abstract: An evacuating pump has a hollow cylindrical body, a cap at one end of the body, and a nozzle at the opposite end. A plunger disposed within the body has a piston attached to an inner end of a reciprocating rod, while the outer end of the rod extends through a bore provided in the cap. When the plunger is withdrawn, a vacuum is created at the nozzle, while on the inward stroke, a check valve flap seats over the nozzle inlet to prevent air from being injected through the nozzle. Air being compressed on the inward stroke escapes around the peripheral edge of the piston.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: A relay is sealed with a sealing compound when the relay housing is in a closed state, thus causing an air cushion to be formed in the inside, with an afterflow of sealing compound into the interior being prevented. Following gelling or curing of the sealing compound, a vent hole is pierced into the relay housing which, if required, may be closed following degassing of the interior space of the relay.

Abstract: In a method of dispensing metered quantities of snuff and of packaging the individual quantities of snuff, the individual snuff quantities are shaped while being packaged, there being used an upwardly and downwardly open frame (1) divided by internal walls into a plurality of spaces (5) of the same size. These spaces (5) are closed downwardly by means of a base sheet (2) welded to the frame, a metered quantity of snuff is evenly distributed in the spaces (5) and the frame (1) is hermetically closed on the top side by means of a top sheet (10), optionally after being placed in a vacuum chamber (9) or after mechanical compression of the snuff in the individual spaces (5).

Abstract: A unitary protective envelope device for packaging fragile articles has an outer wall and a conformable inner wall. A mass of compressed resilient open-celled cellular material is enclosed in the space between the walls and held in compressed condition under vacuum. The material upon exposure to atmospheric pressure expands, forcing the inner wall conformingly against articles in the envelope and converting the envelope into an impact-absorbing pod embracing and conforming closely to its contents. In one preferred embodiment a compressed slab of open-celled foam held in compressed condition in a vacuum-sealed sack positioned between the walls expands to embrace the contents of the envelope when the sack is punctured.

Abstract: The foil welding device for welding thermoplastic foil bags in its upright position enables the hanging of the bags onto the suction nozzle whereat the bag can be filled with food and thereafter air can be sucked therefrom and it can be welded, while in lying position the device is provided for welding bags from which air need not be sucked.

Abstract: A method of producing a package of a product, which product does not include a significant amount of gas, comprising taking a shape-retaining container having a charging opening, charging the container with the product to a level which leaves a substantial headspace and, in any suitable order,(a) completely sealing the opening with a closure of stretchable material, and(b) deforming the closure inwardly onto the product to reduce the headspace and continuing the deformation, to move product adjacent the closure into the remaining headspace, until the headspace is eliminated by the continued movement of product and closure,the method being such as to form a package which is substantially gas free and substantially hydraulically solid.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for over-wrapping or bulk packaging of commodities on a pallet or the like supporting surface. The apparatus comprises a supporting surface on which commodities are adapted to be over-wrapped or bulk packaged with a sealable flexible wrapping material, a movable enclosure surrounding the supporting surface and forming an open-topped chamber with said supporting surface. The aforesaid chamber is adapted to receive flexible packaging material, and the movable enclosure is movable relative to the supporting surface to permit access to the supporting surface. Means for gripping and engaging opposed portions of the flexible wrapping material are provided as are means for evacuating air from the flexible wrapping material after the commodities have been inserted therein. Means are also provided for sealing the flexible wrapping material in said chamber to form a seal across the wrapping material.

Abstract: An improved method of making and filling a package for containing a slab of sliced commestible product disposed in overlapping array, the package including a backing board having rounded and upwardly disposed corners with a smooth radius and lateral edges all of which are covered by the overlapping array of sliced commestible, and a film of transparent flexible material snugly enclosing the backing board and the overlapping array of sliced commestible product with the overlapping array of sliced commestible product interveningly cooperating with the lateral edges and rounded corners of the backing board to prevent puncturing of the film by the lateral edges and upwardly extending rounded corners of the backing board.

Abstract: The high temperature strength of a heat seal which bonds irradiatively cross-linkable thermoplastic materials together to form a receptacle can be significantly improved by irradiating the receptacle after the seal has been formed. This technique is especially effective for improving the high temperature seal strength of packaging film laminates such as those having a layer of an olefin homopolymer or copolymer and a layer of hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: A pre-packaged blood collecting and separating device and process of its preparation are disclosed in which the device contains a mixture of liquid polybutadiene and an inorganic, inert filler, such as silica, as a thixotropic gel adapted at rest to form a sealing barrier between separated blood phases. The device and gel are subjected to sterilizing radiation to form a substantially sterile device, substantially free of backflow contamination, without degradation of the physical properties of the gel.