Abstract: An apparatus and method for making a receptacle from a generally flat thermoplastic blank has an upstream conveyor extending along a path in a transport direction through a loading station, a heating station downstream of the loading station, and a forming station downstream from the heating station. The conveyor has a plurality of supports forming a plurality of respective throughgoing apertures spaced apart in the direction. A supply at the loading station positions a respective blank atop each of the apertures of the conveyor with a central region of each blank exposed through the respective aperture and a periphery of each blank engaging and supported by the respective support A drive connected to the conveyor advances it and the blanks carried on it step-wise through the heating and forming stations. At the heating station at least the central region of each blank is heated to a softening point.

Abstract: Method of closing tubular bags for fruit and vegetable products.The method comprises:1) closing the bag which has been filled, forming a region with a structure similar to a cord by twisting or other means;2) superimposing a laminar element which can be welded to the bag on the closure region so that the said laminar element is partially wound on the closure region of the bag surrounding it completely, the said laminar element being partially superimposed on itself at the end of the winding;3) intimately welding the superimposed laminar element to the closure region of the mesh bag on which it has been superimposed and onto itself in the overlapping region;4) once welded, cutting the welding region transversely, defining two closure regions at the upper end of one bag and at the lower end of the next bag.

Abstract: A food container includes a recessed film membrane which seals the container. The recessed film membrane is applied with an apparatus which includes a container holder and a film membrane applicator. The film membrane applicator applies the film membrane to the container and seals the film membrane to the container. The applicator includes a sealing head which places the film membrane into the container. The sealing head seals an edge of the film membrane to an inner wall of the container using heat. The film membrane is moved through the applicator and cut. The sealing head includes two lips to provide a double seal between the film membrane and the inner wall of the container.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus perform the steps of:a. providing a film including a first film component peelably adhered to a second film component;b. providing a support member for supporting a product thereon;c. forming a seal between the second film component and the support member, the seal extending around the product to define a sealed enclosure for the product between the film and the support member;d. separating the first film component from the second film component within a predetermined region of the film located outside of the sealed enclosure; ande. severing the film within the predetermined, separated region to form an edge on the first film component within the separated region, thereby providing a tab for peeling the first film component from the second film component.

Abstract: A process for applying a biobarrier member to a vent opening in a foil member used for medical device packaging. The process provides for cutting a biobarrier member from a roll of stock and sealing the biobarrier member about the vent opening in the foil member. The seal is tested for integrity and the biobarrier member is tested for porosity.

Abstract: A machine for the automated packaging of armed sutures or; in effect, surgical needles having sutures attached thereto and, more particularly, a package feed arrangement in an automated machine including a package tray supplying carousel arrangement and robotic pivot arm mechanism for the high-speed feed of package trays for the individualized packaging of single or individual surgical needles each having an attached suture into a tray and detachable cover providing a suture package utilized for the packaging of the individual or single needles and attached sutures.

Abstract: A process of welding plastic vials and closure suitable for sterile filling operations is disclosed. Following a mechanical seal, a heated die is used to fuse the container and closure into a hermetic seal capable of use in the pharmaceutical industry.

Abstract: A base member for a blister package for the containment of a contact lens includes a planar flange extending outwardly about a cavity for housing the contact lens. Proximate the peripheral edge of the flange, there is formed a continuous groove into which there is pressed the material of a flexible cover sheet of the blister package so as to clampingly engage the base member.

Abstract: A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Abstract: The invention involves containers and associated methods for the storage of devices in a moist environment without immersing the device in liquid. The containers have a moisture source that has a liquid supply isolated from a main chamber holding the device. The moisture source is in vapor communication with the main chamber to maintain a high relative humidity. The containers are conducive to storing the device in a sterile environment.

Abstract: A food packaging machine and a method of food packaging with which food can be put into a container, and a film heat sealed to the container to cover the top of the container.

Abstract: A canister including an elongated hollow plastic body having a wall with inner and outer surfaces, an edge portion on the wall defining an open end, an end on the edge portion extending transversely to the inner and outer surfaces, a porous plastic member having an outer edge portion extending across the open end and fused to the end, an inner portion on the porous plastic member located radially inwardly of the outer edge portion and extending into the body and fused to the inner surface of the wall adjacent the end thereof, and a gas-treating material in the body. A method of fabricating the above canister including the steps of applying pressure and vibratory welding energy to the porous member to thereby cause the member which was originally planar in shape to have its outer edge compressed against the end of the body and fused thereto and the central portion inwardly of the outer edge forced into the body and its outer edge fused to the inner surface of the body adjacent the end.

Abstract: A package containing a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor for use in forming film packaging envelopes. The package, and the method of forming the package include the selection of a suitable substrate board, and the application of a thermally activated adhesive film containing a quantity of vapor phase corrosion inhibitor onto the surface of the board. The films are thermal forming resins, such as a copolymer of ethylene and a vinyl monomer having an acid group thereon, and with the film resin also being blended with a vapor phase corrosion inhibitor. The vapor phase corrosion inhibitors used in the adhesive and in the film are selected from the group consisting of blends of alkali metal molybdates, alkali metal nitrites, triazoles, and amine salts. In forming the package, the films are initially heated or formed separately, and thereafter moved into contact with the substrate, this being undertaken with the peripheral areas of the film thereby becoming bonded to the substrate.

Abstract: In can production, a press apparatus is provided for tightly connecting a first contact surface of the can wall running around an axis to a second contact surface of a base, a lid or a closure membrane. If the press parts (16) are arranged essentially fixed in the axial direction or are held in a radial guide and can be moved radially by an actuating element (8) displaceable in the axial direction, the can need not also be moved during pressing. The contact regions of the can wall and of the separation element are guided in the region with the press surfaces. The end face of the can rests against a stop which is connected to the radial guide for the press parts and is immobile at least during the pressing process. Owing to the conical abutting region (18) between the actuating element (8) and the press parts (16), these can be pressed outward by means of an axial movement of the actuating element (8).

Abstract: A canister including an elongated hollow plastic body having a wall with inner and outer surfaces, an edge portion on the wall defining an open end, an end on the edge portion extending transversely to the inner and outer surfaces, a porous plastic member having an outer edge portion extending across the open end and fused to the end, an inner portion on the porous plastic member located radially inwardly of the outer edge portion and extending into the body and fused to the inner surface of the wall adjacent the end thereof, and a gas-treating material in the body. A method of fabricating the above canister including the steps of applying pressure and vibratory welding energy to the porous member to thereby cause the member which was originally planar in shape to have its outer edge compressed against the end of the body and fused thereto and the central portion inwardly of the outer edge forced into the body and its outer edge fused to the inner surface of the body adjacent the end.

Abstract: A plant for manufacturing containers, for example for food use, consisting of a number of compartments equal to or greater than one, which comprises a station for the initial shaping of a container starting from a relative punched cardboard blank, a station for the final shaping of the edges of the container already shaped by said initial shaping station and a station for closing the container with a lid, in which each blank is fed by feed means to the initial shaping station, means for transferring the shaped container being provided between the stations, the container having a number of compartments greater than one, the initial shaping station comprising a forming head assembly consisting of a number of forming heads equal to the number of compartments into which the container is divided, counteracting means cooperating with the forming heads to deform the blank, and means for discharging the thus shaped container, the forming heads being movable at least one relative to the other and the counteracting mea

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing a container with a cap and a seal member which is adhered to the neck. The seal member is inserted into the cap before the cap is applied to the neck by moving the cap in an axially downward direction relative to the neck to substantially seat the cap on the neck so that the cap cannot be removed without unscrewing the cap. The seal member is firmly held against the neck by the cap while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In one modification, a pressure application applies a downward directed force to urge the cap against the neck while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In another modification, the cap is tightened onto the neck at a fine adjustment station to eliminate gaps between the underside of the cap and the neck before the seal disc is adhered to the neck.

Abstract: A packaging film which comprisesa) a sealing ply comprising a mixture ofa.sub.1) 40 to 80% by weight of a C.sub.2 -C.sub.3 random copolymer having a C.sub.2 content of 1-15% by weight ora.sub.2) 40 to 80% by weight of a polymer blend consisting ofa.sub.2.1) 60 to 98% by weight of a crystalline copolymer of propylene with ethylene and/or an .alpha.-olefin of the general formula CH.sub.2 =CHR, where R is a linear or branched alkyl radical having 2-8 carbon atoms, containing 85-99.5% by weight of propylene, anda.sub.2.2) 2 to 40% by weight of a resilient copolymer of ethylene with propylene and/or an .alpha.-olefin of the general formula CH.sub.2 =CHR, containing 20-70% by weight of ethylene, ora.sub.3) 40 to 80% by weight of a highly amorphous polypropylene having a crystalline polypropylene fraction of up to 10% by weight with an enthalpy of fusion of not more than 40 J/g and a melt flow index between 0.

Abstract: A canister including an elongated hollow plastic body having a wall with inner and outer surfaces, an edge portion on the wall defining an open end, an end on the edge portion extending transversely to the inner and outer surfaces, a porous plastic member having an outer edge portion extending across the open end and fused to the end, an inner portion on the porous plastic member located radially inwardly of the outer edge portion and extending into the body and fused to the inner surface of the wall adjacent the end thereof, and a gas-treating material in the body. A method of fabricating the above canister including the steps of applying pressure and vibratory welding energy to the porous member to thereby cause the member which was originally planar in shape to have its outer edge compressed against the end of the body and fused thereto and the central portion inwardly of the outer edge forced into the body and its outer edge fused to the inner surface of the body adjacent the end.

Abstract: A peelable, heat-sealable foil for closing containers, for example cups, of synthetic plastics material, in particular polystyrene, consists of one single, biaxially oriented layer of impact-resistant polystyrene, and in particular of impact-resistant polystyrene in admixture with a styrene-butadiene-di-blockcopolymer.

Abstract: A cast iron container for containing contaminated waste has a lid or cover sealed thereto by molten lead which is deposited in a channel or groove formed between the cover and the container.

Abstract: A multi-compartment container (12) is charged with a plurality of doses of powdered medicament so that the volume of each dose is less than that of the respective compartments in which it is contained. A respective protuberance (for example 92) is inserted into each respective compartment, which is then filled with medicament (91) and the protuberance is then removed. The container may take the form of an apertured plate, in which case the filling step can be achieved by placing the container (12) on a porous bed (22) and in communication with a reservoir (80) of particulate material, and then passing gas through the reservoir, the apertures in the container (12) and the bed (22).

Abstract: The invention is a packaging method including providing a tray with heat-sealable rims; loading the tray with a product to be packaged; applying a lid on top of the tray, the tray rims and lid having contacting surfaces being made of materials which can be heat bonded to each other at a lid sealing station to effect sealing of the lid to the tray rims, the lid comprising a biaxially oriented heat-shrinkable film having a maximum shrink force, measured at the temperature in the lid sealing station during sealing, of 0.05 kg/cm in at least the transverse direction; and heat-sealing the lid to the tray rims. A modified atmosphere can be introduced between the lid and the tray. The invention is also a package including a product; a tray in which the product is placed, the tray having heat-sealable rims; and a lid heat-sealed to the tray rims, wherein the lid comprises a biaxially oriented heat-shrinkable film having a maximum shrink force of 0.05 kg/cm in at least the transverse direction.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing a product in a tray having an outwardly extending flange is provided. A permeable web is secured to an inner periphery of flange and the secured portion is severed from the web to form a permeable lid. An impermeable web is then secured to an outer periphery of the flange and then severed from the web to form a peelable, impermeable lid. The outer periphery of the flange is protected from damage when the permeable lid is severed from the permeable web by elevating the permeable web above the outer periphery of the flange and severing the web at the elevated portion.If a fresh red meat product is to be packaged, the tray may be at least partially evacuated and then at least partially filled with a gas which is lower in oxygen content than air. Prior to retail sale, the impermeable lid may be removed to cause the packaged meat product to bloom to a red color.

Abstract: A multiple bottle package including a plastic tray including a base wall, an integral peripheral wall extending upwardly from the base wall, and an integral peripheral flange extending radially outwardly from the upper edge of the peripheral. The base wall has a plurality of bottle receiving recesses for receiving the bases of bottles. A plurality of bottles corresponding in number with the number of recesses are placed in the recesses with each bottle having a base received in a recess in the base wall of the plastic tray. Each bottle has a body portion extending upwardly from said base of said bottle, a tapered shoulder portion and a neck portion. The recesses are positioned such that the portions of said body portions of said bottles are in abutting relationship. The peripheral wall of the tray has generally vertical undulations engaging the bottles along the peripheral wall. A canopy overlies and is bonded to the tray.

Abstract: A capping apparatus including a cap chute which is particularly suitable for applying a press-on twist-off cap having a tamper-evident ring to a container such as a glass jar. The cap chute has a guide extension and profiled components which control the cap so that it is maintained in the correct orientation within both the capping apparatus and during collection by the container.

Abstract: An indexing motion apparatus and method for advancing and vacuum sealing a plurality of connected, preformed trays. The connected, preformed trays are supplied by an indexing conveyor belt assembly which delivers the preformed trays to an advancement mechanism indexingly driven by a programmable servo motor. After the preformed trays are loaded and evacuated, a flexible web of packaging material is disposed in overlying relation to the preformed trays and sealed thereto. A cutting mechanism severs the sealed, preformed trays longitudinally and transversely.

Abstract: A unitary storage structures for the fluid components of a inflator of a vehicular airbag passive restraint system. The unitary storage structures facilitate the storage, testing, transportation and assembly of such components in the inflator. Advantageous methods of filling the storage chambers and of testing the filled structures for leaks prior to their transportation and assembly into the inflator housing are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a double packages for preventing caking of powders or granules which comprises an inner container having high water vapor permeability for packaging article, an outer container having no or low water vapor permeability for packing said inner container, and desiccants placed between said inner container and said outer container.

Abstract: The present invention, which relates to post hydration processing of contact lenses and the packages into which the lenses are placed, includes several assemblies which are ideally suited to performing the various steps which are associated with post hydration processing.

Abstract: A method for making sterile suture packages employs a frame assembly line, a sterilization line and a blanker/cartoner line. A web of foil is advanced in a series of movements through the frame assembly line to assemble a frame containing needle-suture assemblies in a plurality of cavities in the frame, the frame having top and bottom aluminum foils with heat seal coatings on their facing surfaces. The cavities are formed in the bottom foil of each frame by a combination of pressurized air and mechanical plugs which are forced against the bottom foil and an underlying die having recesses for defining the cavities. A blanking operation following sterilization and sealing separates individual packages, each containing one needle-suture assembly, from the frame. The packages are then conveyed by belts through inspection stations and reoriented for loading into shipping cartons.

Abstract: A packaging arrangement for packaging products, such as contact lenses, in packages such as blister packs. The packaging arrangement includes a rotary index table defining on its upper surface a plurality of identical, radially-oriented support pallets, equally spaced apart around the rotary index table. Each support pallet is designed to support an array of individual package bases thereon, and is sequentially rotated to stop at angularly spaced radial positions in the rotary packaging machine. At a first radial position, the rotary packaging station receives blister package bases, each having a product deposited therein, and places the package bases in the support pallet then at the first radial position.

Abstract: A process of manufacturing product packages having a multilayer backing member, a plastic product enclosure adhered to a front layer of the backing member, and a removable panel in a back layer for enclosing ancillary materials. The process includes the steps of printing a plurality of backing member patterns on a sheet of backing member material, applying a heat-resistant coating to back layer portions of the backing members, applying a heat-seal coating to front layer portions of the backing members, cutting the sheet to define individual backing members and the removable panel, and applying adhesive to and folding together the front and back layer portions with the ancillary materials therebetween so as to form individual backing members. A plastic product enclosure and the product may then be heat-sealed to the backing member.

Abstract: A method for filling and closing a package which is initially open on its upper side and has sealable plastic material about the periphery (2) of that side. The package is first conveyed to a location (6), where it is filled. Thereafter, a covering foil sheet (12) is sealed to periphery (2) to cover the open side. The package is brought to a standstill at the filling location (6), and filled through an opening (11) in a strip of the covering foil (7). The strip of covering foil (7) is then moved in a direction (10) lateral to the direction of conveyance (5) of the package, until the open side of package (1) is covered by the foil strip (7). A foil cover piece is then punched from the foil strip (7), leaving a new opening (11), and is sealed to the periphery (2) of the open side of the package (1). The sealed package (1) is then moved from filling location (6) by the conveyor belt (4).

Abstract: A method for and an apparatus of sealing containers are disclosed. Before causing thermal fusion of a thermoplastic resin sheet or film and a flange of a container, the flange and thermoplastic resin sheet or film and the flange are pre-heated by respective container and sheet material pre-heaters.

Abstract: A plate having wells therein for receiving chemical substances is provided with a coverplate covering said filled wells. The process for sealing the wells by providing a joining seam running around the wells provides the joining seam such that it has a profiled cross-section in order to increase the contact surface between the plate and the coverplate. To this end a welding die has a front surface provided with projecting profiled regions and being heated to a temperature in the region of the melting point of the coverplate. The welding die is placed on the coverplate means and remains there for a fixed first period. Then the welding die is pressed down through a fixed path and remains in this position for a fixed second period. Removing the welding die from the coverplate is the last step in the process.

Abstract: A food container includes a recessed film membrane which seals the container. The recessed film membrane is applied with an apparatus which includes a container holder and a film membrane applicator. The film membrane applicator applies the film membrane to the container and seals the film membrane to the container. The applicator includes a sealing head which places the film membrane into the container. The sealing head seals an edge of the film membrane to an inner wall of the container using heat. The film membrane is moved through the applicator and cut. The sealing head includes two lips to provide a double seal between the film membrane and the inner wall of the container.

Abstract: After manufacturing, by known means, a tubular body (30), the successive drawing of two pieces is carried out in order to form two cups (50, 70). Two cups (50, 70) are simultaneously inserted into the body (30) with the drawing tool and their lateral parts (51, 71) are joined to the inner face of the body (30). The prescoring (32) and grooving (33) of the lid are then carried out. Next the end of the body (30) is folded over in order to form a seam (35), thus completing the lid. After filling the body, a bottom comprising two cups (50', 70') and a seam (35') are installed, as previously. The body (30) and the external cups (50, 50) are made of the same rigid material.This type of package is intended equally well for packaging chemicals, foodstuffs and other industrial products.

Abstract: Process for the filling of a piston-cylinder unit, for example a shock absorber, with compressed gas and for closing the gas chamber of the piston-cylinder unit with a sealing element in the form of a base. The piston-cylinder unit is placed in an apparatus which apparatus can be connected to a compressed gas source from which the gas chamber is filled. The base is inserted by the apparatus into the open end of the piston-cylinder unit, after which the piston-cylinder unit, now under pressure and closed off by the base, is closed by, the process of welding.

Abstract: A rotary valve including a housing with a cylindrical bore enclosing a rotatably mounted cylindrical tube. The cylinder has a first array of apertures and the housing has a second array of apertures. Each aperture of the first array aligns with an aperture of the second array once during a revolution of the cylinder so that pressurized fluid in the cylinder is ejected through the aligned apertures. The device has numerous applications such as in controlling the loading of transport tubes with fragile integrated circuit packages as well as in providing driving force in a conveyor system and distributing water in an irrigation system.

Abstract: A device for heat shrinking thin film onto open-topped containers to form spill-resistant covers is shown. A radiant energy source is intermittently energized in association with timers to direct radiant energy towards the thin film. An energy absorbing body is associated with the thin film to absorb energy and create heat adjacent to the film which in turn causes the thin film to shrink. The energy absorbing body can be the adaptation of the thin film to be opaque to the radiant energy by either being coated with an energy absorbing coating such as printing, or being made partially opaque by means of tinting. The container can also be adapted to absorb energy by including a darkened band adjacent the upper edge of the rim. The device can also interpose an energy absorbing body, such as a darkened aluminum screen adjacent to the film to be heated to cause the thin film to shrink.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modified atmosphere packaging uses a rotary conveyor to transport a plurality of trays to be packaged between a plurality of stations in a circular arrangement. The trays may be loaded onto a receiving platform by depositing them over movable beds which can reciprocate downwardly in order to permit the trays to be removably held inside slots in a removable platform. Since the platform is removable from the conveyor, it may be centered in any particular station by lifting the platform from the conveyor and guiding it into a precise alignment at a particular station. The package may then be filled, its atmosphere replaced with one lower in oxygen content, and then the desired atmosphere sealed within the package. This can be done in the continuous fashion so that the film is severed from a continuous web.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for manufacturing containers filled with product are disclosed. The method includes partially introducing an end piece into the open end of a filled tubular container, softening the end of the container and a corresponding portion of the end piece which is to be molded, thereto, contacting a transverse end wall of the end piece with an abutment device with a flange for direct contact with the transverse end wall, cooling the abutment device with a cooling medium in order to indirectly cool the flange in order to prevent the flange from adhering to the transverse end wall, and closing the container by relatively displacing the abutment device carrying the end piece and the tubular container.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product employing a tray having side walls defining a cavity in an outwardly directed flange extending around the perimeter of the tray, the flange being adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: High transparency, low-haze, static dissipative cover tapes for two-piece surface mount device packaging tapes are described comprising a metallized backing film, e.g. a polyester film one side of which is coated with a thin layer of aluminum, and a heat-sealable adhesive, e.g. an adhesive comprising a styrenic block elastomer, a tackifier, a plasticizing agent, an antiblock agent, and a conductive material such as nickel flakes. The cover tapes of this invention can be used with carrier tapes made from either polystyrene or polyvinyl chloride, and demonstrate a consistent peel strength of between 30 and 80 grams.

Abstract: A package, packaging method, and packaging apparatus for facilitating the packaging of large meat products and exchanging the ambient atmosphere to establish a desired gaseous atmosphere that extends the shelf life of the product. The package includes a pair of preformed relatively rigid plastic domed or cupped members which abut along a sealing surface. The upper and lower package portions include flanges which are adapted to facilitate not only the formation of the package but its subsequent opening. A reciprocatable filling tube maintains the separation between the upper and lower package portions to permit gas exchange and then may be reciprocated downwardly to allow the upper package portion to abut atop the lower package portion for sealing connection.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for modified atmosphere packaging uses a rotary conveyor to transport a plurality of trays to be packaged between a plurality of stations in a circular arrangement. The trays may be loaded onto a receiving platform by depositing them over movable beds which can reciprocate downwardly in order to permit the trays to be removably held inside slots in a removable platform. Since the platform is removable from the conveyor, it may be centered in any particular station by lifting the platform from the conveyor and guiding it into a precise alignment at a particular station. The package may then be filled, its atmosphere replaced with one lower in oxygen content, and then the desired atmosphere sealed within the package. This can be done in the continuous fashion so that the film is severed from a continuous web.

Abstract: An apparatus (105, 301) for enclosing a microfabricated component (225) includes a package base (120, 405, 910), a package lid (110, 510, 950) and a seal (215) coupled to the package base (120, 405, 910) and to the package lid (110, 510, 950). The apparatus (105, 301) further includes a conductive loop (210, 610, 920) thermally coupled to the seal (215). Electrical energy is supplied to the conductive loop (210, 610, 920) to heat the conductive loop (210, 610, 920) and seal (215) to melt the seal (215) and thereby to seal the package base (120, 405, 910) to the package lid (110, 510, 950), providing a sealed environment for the microfabricated component (225).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the packaging of an article in a plastic-card package which includes a flat card having a window aperture cut therein fed to the apparatus, and a flat, thermoformable plastic sheet, cut-to-size larger than the aperture and smaller than the face of the card and positioned to cover the aperture. The perimeter of the sheet is heat tacked by an adhesive to the card at a plurality of points around the perimeter of the aperture, and the thermoformable material is heated to form a blister in the sheet and to heat seal the edges of the formed blister to the card. The blister is filled, and the filled blister is covered with a backing cover sheet, and the card sealed to form a package.

Abstract: In order to prevent spilling the contents or fracturing a package being filled, a rigid tray is moved into a filling area by pushers in which the pusher is advanced under controlled acceleration and then deceleration for gently stopping the pusher in contact with or in close proximity to a filled tray. A short time delay in movement of the tray is provided and then the pusher is advanced along with the tray moved thereby under a controlled acceleration into a sealing station. The tray is brought under controlled deceleration to stop in the sealing station at a predetermined position where another short time delay is provided in the stop position of the pusher. The pusher is then retracted to a safe position out of the way in order to permit the sealing of the tray without the interference of the pusher while the tray is sealed. The sealed tray is then transferred to an outfeed area and the sequence is repeated for filling and sealing a following tray.