Abstract: A vacuum chamber has its cover 11 adjustable in height by way of two rams 37 and 38 which lift a chamber cover ceiling 39 relative to a sidewall assembly 35, with the agency of an equalizing cylinder 41 to ensure identical lifting and lowering of the ceiling. During adjustment, an inflatable seal 33 around the periphery of the ceiling 39 is relaxed to allow the sliding movement and then after adjustment the seal 33 is re-inflated to ensure complete sealing between the ceiling 39 and the sidewall assembly 35.

Abstract: A vacuum chamber packaging machine for packing goods in bags, comprises a chamber having a lower chamber part and an upper chamber part which is movable relative to the lower chamber part. The bag is hermetically closed by generating a seal joint. Cutting means are provided for severing the bag collar projecting beyond the seal joint. Means for supplying blow air into the chamber and an opening for blowing the severed bag collar out of the chamber are provided for removing the severed bag collar from the chamber.

Abstract: A packaging machine for the packaging of materials to be disposed comprises a container for receiving an open bag as well as evacuation means and a lid which can be opened and hermetically seals the container from the exterior. In order to avoid a contamination of the lid at the inner side thereof, the bag has a collar and a seam connected thereto. The latter is hooked in supporting bolts of the lid.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging apparatus suitable for use in packing fluid foodstuffs or the like into bags. In a chamber are disposed a pair of support members having surfaces opposite relative to each other which are individually formed with suction holes. When a bag is fed between the pair of support members, vacuum is applied through the suction holes so that opposite surfaces of the bag are sucked into the opposite surfaces of the support members. Subsequently, the support members are moved away from each other, whereupon the mouth of the bag is opened. An object is fed into the mouth-opened bag for being vacuum packed therein. The resulting vacuum packaged product is supported in position between the pair of support members, being thereby flatly shaped.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: A vacuum storage device comprises a base member, a housing sealingly and removably mounted on the base member to form a storage chamber, a pressue reducing device mounted on either of the base member and housing, and a means for introducing air into the storage chamber. The pressure reducing device comprises a barrel and a bellows pump housed therein, the bellows pump comprising a bellows body with an inlet valve, which opens the bellows body to said storage chamber during the suction stroke, and an outlet valve, which opens the bellows body to the open air during the dischargeing stroke. The pressure reducing device includes a means for communicating its barrel chamber with the storage chamber.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, a plurality of upwardly open receptacles are moved along a first path by a first conveyor and a plurality of packages are formed and inserted into each receptacle respectively. The packages may be filled before or after insertion into the receptacle. A plurality of covers are movable on a second closed path by a second conveyor and are brought into sealed engagement with a respective receptacle to define a sealed chamber. A pressure control device is connected to each chamber by means of a rotatable plenum chamber and a plurality of flexible conduits connected between the rotatable plenum chamber and each sealed chamber. After subjecting the contents of each package to the desired pressure, each package is sealed and subsequently removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: A machine for vacuum-sealing a block of cheese in a tube of heat-sealable plastics material forming the lining of a cheese box mounted on a wheeled dolly, the tubular lining having an open end which projects out of the cheese box. The machine comprises a frame having an upright wall fitted with transverse rails for supporting the dolly carrying the cheese box, a hollow casing open at one end and mounted on the frame for movement between an open position permitting movement of the dolly and cheese box onto the rails and a closed position in which the casing cooperates with the wall to form a chamber enclosing the rails, dolly and cheese box, and means for evacuating air from the chamber. The machine also has gripper mechanism for holding taut the open end of the lining tube, and welding mechanism for sealing the open end of the tube when the chamber is evacuated, the gripper and welding mechanisms being enclosed within the chamber.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automatically filling a plurality of flexible vessels or pipettes with liquid in a controlled manner. The vessels are sorted, inserted into a filling rack and then inserted in the rack into a vacuum container with their filling ports or tubes inserted into the liquid. The container and hence the vessels are evacuated to a desired pressure, which then is released to fill the vessels with a desired amount of liquid. The vessels then are removed in the rack and sealed for later use. The sealed vessels then can be labeled prior to use.

Abstract: A method and means for vacuum sealing perishable materials in bags fabricated of vacuum gas impermeable material. A method according to the present invention includes: partially filling a bag fabricated of gas impermeable material with perishable product, loosely positioning clamping means about the open end of said bag, isolating the loosely clamped bag in a sealed treatment zone, drawing a vacuum in the treatment zone to evacuate the interior of said loosely clamped bag, maintaining the vacuum for a period of time to equalize vacuum pressure within the treatment zone and the loosely clamped bag, rapidly breaking the vacuum to expel remaining gases from the bag and to compress the clamping means to seal the bag, separately sealing the clamped-end of the bag and removing the clamping means to obtain a vacuum packed product.

Abstract: A method of evacuating and sealing the vacuum chamber of a stainless steel vacuum bottle includes the steps of piercing the outer bottle with only very small openings into the vacuum chamber and closing the openings by means of an electron-beam welder after the bottle is heated and the vacuum chamber evacuated.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine for producing sealed vacuum packages is disclosed which includes an improved sealing station. The sealing station has a heatable sealing member and a backing member for co-operation therewith, and deflector means are associated with the scaling member to deflect the air and moisture sucked off from the evacuating chamber of the evacuating and sealing station in operation in order to direct said air and moisture away from the sealing member to avoid contact therebetween, so that the air and moisture contained therein will substantially not be heated by the sealing member which is heated in operation. As a result, the moisture contained in the air sucked off from the evacuating chamber will not expand under the action of heat from the sealing member, and a substantially better vacuum will be achieved with the same capacity of the evacuating system.

Abstract: In a vacuum packaging machine having a forming station and an evacuation and sealing station, wherein each station has a chamber made of an upper and a lower part, and each part comprises a base portion (top cover or floor, as the case may be) and four upstanding walls, one or both of said chamber parts is made from material having an appropriate cross-sectional shape, preferably U-shaped, forming the base portion and opposite side walls, the front and rear walls being secured thereto in the form of covers. The cross-sectional shape may be double U-shaped, providing accommodation for connections for chamber supply requirements (vacuum, air, power). Also the cooling plate for the lower part is secured on the under-side of the floor of said part and mounts it on the means for imparting chamber opening and closing movement to the lower part, while the cooling plate for the upper part is inside the chamber, on the under-side of the top cover.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for sealing containers. The apparatus includes a slideable carrier closure member in the form of a plate and a closure member that is retained in a recess in the face of the carrier closure member. The two closure members are guided between an open position and a closed position. In the open position the carrier closure member is removed to one side of the opening of a first container and in the closed position the closure member is aligned for sealing the container. The apparatus permits two containers to be joined together, equipment inside one container to be transferred to the other container and the containers to be thereafter separated while continuously maintaining the containers and the equipment sealed from the atmosphere.

Abstract: A method is provided for rapidly distributing mixed gases throughout a partially evacuated ball mold. The invention is particularly useful in the pressurizing of tennis ball centers with a mixture of air and a low permeability gas. By this invention, the distribution of the low permeability gas throughout the mold can be accomplished by first partially evacuating air from the mold then injecting the mixed gases into the mold.

Abstract: A mechanism and method for filling containers within a sterile chamber under aseptic conditions includes a vertically disposed nozzle (48) which forms an extension of the sterile chamber and which is arranged to have its lower outlet end inserted into an open container to be filled and which is provided with valve closure element (51) which is opened when the nozzle is at its lowermost position and which remains open during filling of the container which is accompanied by upward movement of the nozzle and of the closure element while maintained in open position so as to prevent splashing together with a drip proof seal (49, 52, and 53) for preventing dripping following closure of the valve means.

Abstract: A process for packaging bulk commodities such as meat comprises vacuum sealing the commodity into a bag of plastics material and then causing the material of the bag to expand by a further reduction in pressure of the environment surrounding the bag. The material expands into contact with heaters which heat the material and when the environment surrounding the bag is returned to normal pressure, the material closely encloses the commodity.

Abstract: A vacuum packing machine has means for automatically pulling the extending open end 6 of a product bag back into the vacuum chamber 2 when the cover 3 is closed. Such means comprises a spring loaded rod 10 fastened to the cover for pressing the end of the bag into a groove 9 hollowed out in the edge 8 of the packing machine housing 1.

Abstract: A roller surfaced stacking plate 4 is slidably hinged at one end to a framework 5 in the vacuum chamber 2 of a packing machine. The framework may be vertically raised and lowered by a pneumatic cylinder 8 and a linkage 12, 14, 19, and is horizontally displaced during such movement by reason of its pivotal connection to a counterpoise bar 22. A tilt lever 26 is pivotally connected between the framework and plate, and one end thereof bears against a bolt pin 29 extending into the vacuum chamber. With such an arrangement the plate 4 and framework 5 lie in a horizontal plane when they are retracted within the chamber 2, and the plate 4 is tilted out over the edge 31 of the machine to slidably discharge the vacuum packed products when the framework is raised. The depth of retraction within the chamber is adjustable to accommodate bagged products of various thicknesses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for rapidly distributing a first gas throughout a chamber that contains both the first gas and a second gas. The invention is particularly useful in the pressurizing of tennis ball centers with a low permeability gas, where the diffusion rate between the low permeability gas and air is very slow. By this invention, the distribution of the low permeability gas throughout the mold can be accomplished in a much shorter period of time by a mechanical mixing method and apparatus that involves circulating the mixture of gases inside the mold through a conduit and pump located outside the mold.

Abstract: In a vacuum-sealing method and apparatus for various articles to be packed under vacuum, the improvement consisting in that a hot-air circulating closed-loop path is provided within the vacuum-packaging enclosure, so as to have hot air circulating unidirectionally in order to sweep the package virtually concurrently with the evacuation and autogenous welding stage. A swingable flap valve inserted in the hot-air path upstream of the specially provided heating means ensures such a unidirectional hot air flow. By so doing, the vacuum-packing operations can be more efficiently and quickly completed. The package wrappers are made of a thermoplastics, heat-shrinkable material.

Abstract: In a vacuum packaging machine there is provided the combination of a sealing unit and vacuum unit. The sealing unit comprises first and second sealing dies and the vacuum unit comprises a primary spacer located adjacent the input end of the sealing dies. The primary spacer is spaced from the first die to form a first web feeding passage therebetween and is spaced from the second die to form a second web feeding passage therebetween. The vacuum unit also includes a secondary spacer located adjacent the input end of the dies and mounted for movement between a retracted position permitting closure of the dies to effect sealing and an extended position maintaining at least a portion of the webs which passed through the first and second web feeding passages, in a spaced relationship to permit evacuation of the container space formed between the webs.

Abstract: Objects are packed in respective receptacles in a unitary body of sheet material having orifices open in a common direction. An annular edge portion of the body envelops the orifices and one or more rib portions of the body separate each orifice from each other orifice. A cover of sheet material is superimposed in a vacuum chamber on the edge portion and the orifices and sealed gastight to the edge portion. When the body with the sealed cover is exposed to atmospheric pressure, the cover is pressed by the air against the rib portions and may be sealed thereto. The sealing die employed in this process need only clamp the edge portion of the sheet material body against a suitable backing die.

Abstract: A process for packaging bulk commodities such as meat comprises vacuum sealing the commodity into a bag of plastics material and then causing the material of the bag to expand by a further reduction in pressure of the environment surrounding the bag. The material expands into contact with heaters which heat the material and when the environment surrounding the bag is returned to normal pressure, the material closely encloses the commodity.

Abstract: An apparatus for the continuous preparation and packing of freeze-dried material, having a horizontally movable web and successively disposed forming, freezing, freeze-drying, heat-sealing, punching and transport devices. The freeze-drying devices consist of two successively disposed freezers having separate refrigerant circuits, and a primary drying tunnel and a secondary drying tunnel having separate evacuating and heating systems and hermetically closable air locks located ahead of the primary drying tunnel, between the primary and secondary drying tunnels, and at the end of the secondary drying tunnel the air locks comprise compressible and expandable walls, retractable tables and upwardly and downwardly opening slide valves for sealing the primary drying tunnel hermetically from the secondary drying tunnel. An advancing mechanism is coupled to the air locks and movable in the horizontal direction for advancing the movable web in conjunction with the expansion and compression of the air lock walls.

Abstract: This invention discloses a packaging apparatus and method for large size products such as subprimals of meat. The products to be packaged are characterized as often having irregular surfaces and voids which make sealing of the film without wrinkles very difficult, particularly after bringing to a condition of reduced pressure. There is shown apparatus for forming a drape of film from two rolls of film and into this drape of film is advanced the product to be packaged. This drape is formed into a tubular film around the product and with this tube open at both ends. Into these open ends of the tube are moved spreader probes or bars which operate as pairs and are moved away from one another by a pneumatic cylinder which is actuated by appropriate apparatus so that the spreader probes as they move apart cause the film in these ends to be brought to a narrow opening and under a slight stretch. This elongated opening is substantially equally spaced from a theoretical center line of the tubular film.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a method and an apparatus for carrying out that method of transferring an unsealed container of a liquid containing dissolved gas from a filling station to a sealing station where a closure is applied while avoiding foaming and frothing of liquid from the container and the attendant loss of liquid by subjecting the container and contents during such transfer to an ambient super atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: Vacuum aspirator for medical use of the kind which is required to be sterilized by steam and then evacuated so as to be ready for use. Object of the invention is to provide an aspirator which is suitable for repeated use and re-sterilization. The aspirator is provided with an outwardly-opening, non-return valve which may be in a closure plug of a flask of the aspirator or mounted at or inserted in the end of a suction connection remote from the flask of the aspirator.

Abstract: A machine and method for evacuating sealed packages formed from flexible sheet material and for flushing or filling, as required, the evacuated package with an inert gas. The product enclosed within the package is preferably a food product such as luncheon meats, sausage, cheese, or the like. In constructing the package, one or more spaced apart apertures are formed in one sheet and a slit is formed in the other sheet so that preferably the slit will be on the opposite side of the package from the apertures. An initial peripheral seal is made between the two sheets to enclose the slit, apertures and product. The package is then evacuated through the slit with the sheets being separated and then the slit is sealed and gas introduced through the apertures, or, for a gas flushed package, the slit may be sealed after gas is introduced. Next the apertures are sealed thus forming a gas flushed or filled package.

Abstract: An improved automatic and continuous packaging machine is disclosed formed by a support table supporting a turret, the turret being generally hexagonal in configuration said machine further including a plurality of six processing stations for processing a food package, including a first station provided with a magazine for containing a plurality of food pouches, and deposition means for retrieving and depositing a single food pouch on the turret, a second processing station for automatically imprinting upon the food pouch pre-determined indicia, and also including pouch opening means for opening the pouch to its substantial dimension, a third processing station provided with protection means for determining the presence of a properly opened food pouch and in response to the proper signal, food loading means for loading a food product into the open food pouch.

Abstract: A service unit capable of supplying sterile utilities including compressed air and water and preferably both hot and cold water, disinfectant and suction, is particularly adapted to be connected to machines for the packaging of foods, medicines and the like under aseptic conditions to provide servicing utilities. The service unit has the advantage of being capable of supplying sterile utilities to such aseptic packaging machines from outside the aseptic screen surrounding the packaging workspace and thus to be capable of providing sterile services to several packaging machines in turn.

Abstract: A system for evacuating selectively two side-by-side chambers having a common wall with a pressure passageway therein includes a closure slidable between two positions where one chamber is connected to sub-atmospheric pressure with the common pressure passageway while the other is connected to ambient, and including circuit means for controlling the application of pressure and the release of same.

Abstract: This invention discloses a packaging apparatus, method and the resulting package for large size products such as subprimals of meat. The products to be packaged are characterized as often having irregular surfaces and voids which make sealing of the film without wrinkles very difficult, particularly after bringing to a condition of reduced pressure. There is shown apparatus for forming a drape of film from two rolls of film and into this drape of film is advanced the product to be packaged. This drape is formed into a tubular film around the product and with this tube open at both ends. Into these open ends of the tube are moved spreader probes or bars which operate as pairs and are moved away from one another by a pneumatic cylinder which is actuated by appropriate apparatus so that the spreader probes as they move apart cause the film in these ends to be brought to a narrow opening and under a slight stretch.

Abstract: A packaging device for forming a package having upper and lower sheets closed by the upper sheet being weldably secured to the lower sheet. The lower sheet is formed into a container for holding various types of material. The packaging device has an evacuating chamber having two chamber halves relatively movable with respect to each other. A nozzle bar is mounted on one of the chamber halves and is movable therewith toward and away from the other chamber half. A passageway is provided between the nozzle bar and the corresponding chamber half on which it is mounted and is adapted to receive the upper sheet therethrough. The lower sheet formed into a container is moved through a passageway between the two chamber halves when the chamber halves have been moved apart. A seal is provided around the nozzle bar and between the chamber halves to permit an evacuation of the evacuating chamber when the chamber halves are in mating engagement with each other.

Abstract: In the present method and apparatus materials such as hot and/or liquid foodstuffs are sealed into pouches or containers formed between layers or foils of a synthetic material, whereby gas above the material is evacuated prior to sealing of the containers or pouches. In order to avoid splashing of the material onto the sealing surfaces of the foils, the temperature of the material is measured just before the sealing step. The vacuum is adjusted as a function of the measured temperature to inhibit boiling of the material being packed and thus preventing the splashing of the material.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a sealing unit for an autoclave for sterilizing contents packaged in pouches and sealing the latter, the sealing unit including a plurality of relatively movable pressure bars which are moved through the lost linkage connection such that open mouthed pouches which are held between opposing pairs of jaws by pairs of clips are first subjected to a sterilization media and thereafter are heat sealed closed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an adjustable sealing device for sealably receiving a flexible receptacle, including a wall having an aperture disposed therethrough and a gate for closing variable portions of the aperture and having a recess adapted to traverse the aperture to form a variable size opening through the device, the opening being effective to receive a receptacle therethrough and being sealable by the receptacle. The device is adapted to form a seal between the gate and the wall and to guide the gate. Also disclosed are improvements in known apparatus and methods for vacuumizing bags and other receptacles.

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for disposing of radioactive waste materials by placing them into a steel drum together with cement and water, mixing the contents, and then storing the drum for a period of time to permit partial decay of radioactive materials. Also disclosed are remotely controlled apparatus for filling, closing and agitating the drum including special means for unscrewing a cap from the drum, for holding the cap during filling, and for replacing the cap after filling.

Abstract: Disclosed is a protective housing unit for a liquid sample container. Basic components include an outer housing member and an inner housing member, which are defined by cylindrical sections. The outer member has an open top, an opening in the side wall, and a bottom which connects to a drain line. Positioned within the outer member is a plate for supporting a liquid sample container, such as a bottle. The inner member has an open top, an open bottom, and an opening in the side wall. Also, the inner member is adapted to fit down into the outer member and to rotate within the outer member. A liquid sample is directed into the container through a fill pipe, which connects to an inlet line and which extends through the top of the inner member and down into the container. During filling, the sample container can be completely enclosed by rotating the inner member to mis-align the side wall openings in each member.

Abstract: The invention disclosed is directed to a packaging assembly including a body having an open channel for supporting a trough-shaped web having a product disposed therein; a cover cooperable with the body and the web to form a substantially air-tight chamber about the product, at least one of the body and the cover having a hole for aid in vacuumizing the chamber; means for moving the body and cover into and out of chamber-forming relation; and means operable within the chamber for sealing the web to form a sealed web package containing the product. A process for packaging is also disclosed.