Abstract: A lift mechanism for simplifying the raising and lowering of a machine component has a base and a frame structure. The lift mechanism may include a lift arrangement interposed between the base and the frame structure that allows for the raising and lowering of the frame structure about a single lift point. The lift mechanism may also include various shafts, drive members, links, and arms, which in combination translate rotational movement of a motor into linear vertical motion. For instance, a drive link and an arm may be rotatably attached to one another, as well as a drive shaft and a second shaft. Additionally, a drive member may be associated with the motor. In operation, the drive member may be rotated by the motor, and a drive belt transmits rotation of the drive member to the drive shaft, the second shaft, the drive link, and the arm.

Abstract: A web material advancement arrangement is provided with an entry drive system. The web material advancement arrangement can receive a web material from a storage roll and advance the web material through a machine, such as a packaging machine. The entry drive system may be arranged at the entry end of the web material advancement arrangement to push the web material in a downstream direction from the entry end toward the exit end of the web material advancement arrangement The entry drive system may include a motor that simultaneously rotates a pair of drive sprockets which may push clip assemblies that carry outer edges of a web material so that rotation of the drive sprockets pushes the web material in a downstream direction.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A mandrel for supporting a roll of flexible web material has a brake mounted thereto that can be selectively activated to apply a braking force to rotation of the roll of flexible material about the mandrel. The brake includes an inflatable bladder and a shoe, such that when the bladder is inflated the shoe is pushed into engagement with the core of the roll of flexible material. The mandrel is particularly well suited for use with a packaging machine in which a sheet of flexible material is indexed form the supply roll. Before the completion of an indexing cycle, the bladder may be inflated such that further advancement of the sheet of flexible material or rotation of the supply roll is countered and inhibited. This braking of the supply roll advantageously introduces tension to the sheet of flexible material without the use of a dancer roll arrangement.

Abstract: A forming tool usable with a packaging machine utilizes adhesive bonds rather than weld joints or fasteners to interconnect structural components of the forming tool. Using adhesive rather than weld joints and mechanical fasteners provides smooth interfaces thereby reducing the collection of bacteria, germs and cleaning residue on the surfaces of the forming tool, which is particularly advantageous for forming tools used with packing machines used in sanitary environments, such as for food or pharmaceutical packaging.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus has a lift mechanism to lower and raise a tool, such as a formation box that functions to form cavities in a web of flexible material. The lift mechanism has a series of arms, supported by belt driven carriages, which move in tandem to raise and lower the formation box. The arms are arranged into two sets such that when the arms within each set are moved closer to one another, the formation box is raised, and when the arms within each set are moved away from one another, the formation box is lowered. The common driving of all arms by a belt allows the indexing of the formation box to be well controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging system having an automatic bag cutter. The vacuum packaging system includes a housing constructed to sealingly engage a platen. A vacuum system is constructed to remove the gas from a container, or bag, placed between the housing and the platen. A blade is operable to sever excess material of the bag whereupon the bag is evacuated by the vacuum system, and a seal bar seals the severed end area of the bag.

Abstract: A dual actuator cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body defining first and second axially aligned and separated internal cavities, which extend along aligned longitudinal axes. A first piston is movably mounted in the first internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the first internal cavity, and a second piston is movably mounted in the second internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the second internal cavity. A first actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the first piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body, and a second actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the second piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body. Movement of the first piston within the first internal cavity and movement of the second piston within the second internal cavity causes movement of the first and second actuator rods, respectively, in an axial direction along the longitudinal axes of the first and second internal cavities.

Abstract: A conveyor belt construction includes a flexible conveyor belt defining inner and outer surfaces, and a series of clamp assemblies that are used to mount conveying members to the conveyor belt. One of the clamp members defines a convex engaging area that engages one of the surfaces of the conveyor belt, and the other of the clamp members defines a concave engaging area that engages the other surface of the conveyor belt. The clamp members are secured together and the belt is sandwiched between the concave and convex areas of the clamp members. The conveyor belt construction is engaged about a pair of rotatable members. The concave and convex areas of the clamp members take up a length of the conveyor belt, to tighten the conveyor belt onto the rotatable members without the use of a belt tensioner. The conveying members may be in the form of platens mounted to the outer clamp members.

Abstract: A linear motion, reciprocating vacuum packaging apparatus and method. Articles to be packaged are advanced in linearly in an upstream-downstream direction, such as by a platen conveyor. A linearly movable, reciprocating vacuum system includes a series evacuation chambers (116a-c), each of which is moved into engagement with one of the platens so that the article enclosed within the evacuation chamber (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: A vacuum control valve includes a valve body defining a cavity, an inlet opening and a vent opening. A vacuum supply control member is movably mounted at the inlet opening, and is movable between an open position to open the inlet opening, and a closed position to close the inlet opening. A vent control member is movably mounted at the vent opening, and is movable between an open position to open the vent opening, and a closed position to close the vent opening. The vacuum supply control member and the vent control member are movable independently of each other, for selectively controlling the supply of vacuum when the vacuum supply control member is in the open position and the vent control member is in the closed position, and for selectively venting vacuum when the vacuum supply control member is in the closed position and the vent control member is in the open position.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system includes a series of vacuum chambers that are carried by a movable combination support member and vacuum manifold, which defines an interior connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum chambers are in communication with the interior of the combination support member and vacuum manifold, through vacuum valves carried by the combination support member and vacuum manifold and conduits that extend between the vacuum valves and the vacuum chambers. The combination support member and vacuum manifold is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, to move the vacuum chambers into and out of engagement with platens that support packages located below the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers and platens are movable in an upstream to downstream direction, to advance the packages while the packages are being evacuated by the vacuum chambers.

Abstract: A dual actuator cylinder assembly includes a cylinder body defining first and second axially aligned and separated internal cavities, which extend along aligned longitudinal axes. A first piston is movably mounted in the first internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the first internal cavity, and a second piston is movably mounted in the second internal cavity for movement along the longitudinal axis of the second internal cavity. A first actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the first piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body, and a second actuator rod has an inner end interconnected with the second piston and an outer end located exteriorly of the cylinder body. Movement of the first piston within the first internal cavity and movement of the second piston within the second internal cavity causes movement of the first and second actuator rods, respectively, in an axial direction along the longitudinal axes of the first and second internal cavities.

Abstract: A child resistant cap and tube assembly including a tube for containing a product and having an end portion with a recessed thin wall section puncturable to provide a discharge opening and a shoulder for limiting axial movement on the end portion. The cap has a central axis for alignment with the tube to slidably engage it. A piercer is normally spaced from the thin wall section in a first position and operable to puncture the thin wall upon movement of the cap to a second position. On the cap is formed a shoulder engaging portion for preventing movement to the second position without it being intentionally manipulated to a shoulder disengaging position. This portion may comprise a skirt detatchably attached to the end of the cap to prevent movement of the cap to the second position until the skirt is removed. Alternatively, this portion may comprise a ring and groove with the piercer being located on the other end of the cap whereby the intentional manipulation includes disengagement of the ring and groove.

Abstract: A child resistant cap and tube assembly, comprising a tube for containing a product and having an end portion with a recessed thin wall section puncturable to provide a discharge opening and a shoulder for limiting axial movement on the end portion. A cap is provided having a central axis for alignment with the tube and sized to slidably engage the end portion. An axially centered puncture is positioned to be aligned with the thin wall section and normally spaced from the thin wall section in a first position and operable to puncture the thin wall upon movement of the cap to a second position for opening the discharge opening. The cap further includes a shoulder for preventing axial movement of the cap from the first position to the second position without intentional manipulation of the shoulder to a shoulder disengaging position.

Abstract: A dual compartment container assembly having two adjacent compartments separated by a common wall segment. The container includes a discharge end on the container which is operable to permit dispensing of the contents of the container. The container also includes a filling end on the container which is sealed after contents are placed in the compartments. The adjacent compartments have outer arcuate walls extending from junctions with the common wall segment to form bellows like compartments with the arcuate walls being joined at each junction with the common wall segment to form axially aligned pivotal junctions. In a preferred embodiment, the common wall segment is pleated to have a first length prior to filling and a second unpleated longer length after the filling end is sealed. This forms a straight line seal at the filling end and defines the bellows part of the compartments which therefore taper outwardly from the straight line seal to the discharge end of the container.

Abstract: A dual compartment container assembly which comprises a container having two adjacent compartments defined by a common wall and a pair of outer arcuate walls. The container has a filling end which is sealed after contents are placed in the compartments and, of course, has a discharge end at the other axial end of the container. The common wall is pleated to have a "s" shaped curved first width prior to filling and an straightened longer width forming a straight line seal at a point spaced from the filling end. The outer walls and the common wall terminate axially at the filling end to provide a filling end seal region. Pressure forms the seal at the filling end by joining the ends of the outer walls and the seal includes the end of the common wall in the seal. The outer walls are joined with the common wall to form axially aligned pivotal junctions to define bellows by causing the compartments to taper outwardly from a point axially inward from the straight line seal.