Abstract: A heat sealer module for a heat-sealing station of a packaging apparatus has a sealing belt for contacting a terminal portion of semi-sealed packages and for guiding the terminal portion of the semi-sealed packages along a main movement direction; the heat sealer module also has a first driving belt and a second driving belt to assist in accompanying the packages in proper position for sealing. A heat sealer having opposed heat sealer modules. A packaging apparatus for heat sealing packages having a vacuum chamber with an elongated opening and a conveyor for receiving semi-sealed packages and for moving the semi-sealed packages relative to the vacuum chamber is disclosed. The packaging apparatus includes evacuation means for evacuating gas present in the semi-sealed packages and forming evacuated semi-sealed packages. The packaging apparatus includes the heat sealer for heat sealing the terminal portion of each evacuated semi-sealed package thereby forming heat sealed packages.

Abstract: A method and a device can be used for setting vacuum time in a packaging apparatus and in a packaging process. The method and device provide for determining, from pressure signals or from humidity signals detected in the vacuum chamber, a reference time instant. The method and device also provide for commanding a vacuum device either to stop extracting gas from the vacuum chamber or to execute one or more prescribed steps preluding to end of the vacuum cycle at expiration of a delay time interval following said reference time instant.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus (1) for heat sealing packages (P) comprising a vacuum chamber (4) having an elongated opening (5) extending along or parallel to a longitudinal axis (L) of the vacuum chamber (4) and a conveyor (8) configured for receiving semi-sealed packages (P) and for moving the semi-sealed packages (P) relative to the vacuum chamber (4) along a main movement direction (M) such that each semi-sealed package (P) positioned on the conveyor (8) may have, during the relative movement of the semi-sealed package (P) with respect to the vacuum chamber (4), a terminal portion (TP) passing through the elongated opening (5) with its opening relatively moving within the vacuum chamber (4), while the main portion (MP) relatively moves outside the vacuum chamber (4). The packaging apparatus (1) further comprises evacuation means (9) fluidly communicating with the vacuum chamber (4) for evacuating gas present in the semi-sealed packages (P) and forming evacuated semi-sealed packages (P).

Abstract: A drying system and method of operating the drying system to dry a printed shrinkable web are disclosed. A web transport is adapted to convey the printed web between a heating apparatus and a cooling apparatus. The heating apparatus directs heat toward the web and the cooling apparatus concurrently chills the web. A temperature sensing device is adapted to develop an indication of a temperature of the web and the controller is adapted to adjust a temperature of at least one of the heating apparatus and the cooling apparatus in accordance with such indication.

Abstract: A packaged product has a product surrounded by a vacuum skin package. The vacuum skin package has a support member and an implosion-resistant thermoplastic top web. The top web conforms with both the upper surface of the product, and an uncovered portion of the upper surface of the support member. The thermoplastic top web comprises an ethylene/?-olefin copolymer in an amount of from 55 wt % to 85 wt %, based on total weight of top web, and/or a blend of ethylene/?-olefin copolymer and cyclic olefin copolymer. Also disclosed is a vacuum skin package containing the implosion-resistant top web.

Abstract: A package includes a first panel and a second panel. The first and second panels are sealed to each other to form a pouch (200). The pouch includes a main section and a channel section. The package further includes a product disposed within the pouch. The product is capable of flowing from the main section through the channel section to a tip (212) of the pouch. The pouch includes a valve (224) that has a curve extending transversely across the channel section. The curve is configured such that, when the product flows through the curve, the product flows by a convex side of the first panel in the curve and a concave side of the second panel in the curve.

Abstract: A multilayer film having a soluble tie layer and method for dissipating the soluble tie layer from the multilayer film is disclosed. The multilayer film having a first outer layer; a first soluble tie layer comprising at least 10 wt %, at least 40 wt %, or at least 50 wt % of a neutralized ethylene acrylic acid copolymer. The soluble tie layer dissipates from the multilayer film when placed in a caustic solution.

Abstract: A multilayer film having a heat seal layer and a high oxygen transmission layer. The high oxygen transmission layer being made from a blend of a heterogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer; and at least one of: ethylene acrylate copolymer; homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer; ethylene acrylic acid; ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer; and styrene butadiene block copolymer. The multilayer film having an oxygen transmission rate of at least 8,000 cc (STP)/m2/day/1 atm at 23 C at 0% RH measured according to ASTM 3985.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: The package includes a plurality of food packages (16) continuing fresh meat food products (17). Each food package is vacuum packaged in a case ready package with a permeable film. The case ready package being sealed within a master pouch (12) having a modified atmosphere. The modified atmosphere having an elevated concentration of carbon monoxide. The fresh meat (17) being in the case ready package and not in direct contact with the modified atmosphere. The fresh meat (17) retaining acceptable color within the case ready package after being removed from the master pouch.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a web handling system comprises a plurality of cross-grooved idler rollers, an imaging drum, a nip roller adjacent the imaging drum and forming a nip therewith, and a spreader roller disposed between the plurality of idler rollers and the nip roller. Each idler roller is disposed no more than a first distance from an adjacent idler roller, spreader roller, and nip roller and the spreader roller is disposed no more than a second distance from the nip. The first distance is in a range of 38 to 28 inches, 36 to 30 inches, or 35 to 33 inches and the second distance is in a range of 6 to 11 inches, 6.5 to 9 inches, or 7.0 to 8.5 inches.

Abstract: A package includes a support having a base having a product thereon, a peripheral flange surrounding the base and forming at least one gripping tab, and a film engaged with the peripheral flange to define a housing compartment for the product. The support has a first surface and a second surface, with the second surface presenting heat bonding properties to the film that are different from heat bonding properties of the first surface to the film. The gripping tab includes a first portion and a second portion arranged above the first portion. The gripping tab is externally defined by the second surface and includes a peripheral edge which is part of a radially external perimeter of the peripheral flange.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus includes a frame, a lower tool engaged with the frame and configured to receive one or more supports, and an upper tool configured to engage a film portion with at least one support. The lower tool is movable relative to the frame at least between: a packaging position, in which the lower tool is aligned with the upper tool, and a loading position spaced from the packaging position in which the lower tool is configured to receive said support. The packaging apparatus comprises a barrier configured to intercept the package during the movement of the lower tool from the packaging position to the loading position.

Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a laminate film, which can be transparent or white or colored (as described in the specification), comprising a first bi-axially oriented polyester film laminated to a second bi-axially oriented polyester film, wherein said first bi-axially oriented polyester film comprises a polyester base film comprising at least one polyester layer comprising one or more co-polyester(s) comprising units of terephthalic acid and at least a diol, said second bi-axially oriented polyester film comprises a polyethylene terephthalate base film, an inorganic vapor deposited layer, and an optional outer protective layer directly adhered to said inorganic vapor deposited layer, said inorganic vapor deposited layer comprising an inorganic compound selected from the group consisting of oxides, nitrides and oxynitrides of Al, Ti, Si, Zn, Sn, and mixture thereof, and a glue layer is interposed between said first bi-axially oriented polyester film and said second bi-axially oriented polyester

Abstract: A conveyor belt comprising: a belt body (13), one rotatable portion (12) coupled to the belt body (13) and configured to turn relative to the belt body (13). The rotatable portion comprises a plurality of sub-elements (17), with each one of said sub-elements being rotatably connected to an adjacent sub-element and having first opposite side portions and second opposite side portions; each one of the sub-elements (17) further comprises: one or more first annular features (19) at each of the first opposite side portions, one or more second annular features (20) at each the second opposite side portions.

Abstract: A process, product, and system for detecting a defective vacuum in a packaged product. The process may include providing a packaged product including a product enclosed within a packaging article. The packaging article may include a film having at least one layer containing a fluorescence-based indicator. The process may further include exposing the packaged product to incident electromagnetic energy to produce an excited fluorescence-based indicator, such that the excited fluorescence-based indicator emits fluorescent electromagnetic energy; and determining, based on the fluorescent electromagnetic energy emitted by the excited fluorescence-based indicator, that gas is present within the packaging article.

Abstract: A cyclic packaging process, such as VFFS or HFFS, packages a product with a viscosity of ?100,000 centipoise without leaving substantial air pockets in the package, by utilizing a means (38) for restricting upstream flow of viscous product in the strand of tubing (24). The result is that packages of uniform weight of the viscous product can be made without substantial air pockets therein, and without having to use metal clips. An apparatus (10) for carrying out the process is disclosed.

Abstract: A conveyor for a packaging apparatus comprising a conveyor having a conveyor belt (2) with a rotatable portion (12) comprising a plurality of sub-elements (17). Each one of the sub-elements (17) comprises first annular features and second annular features. The first annular features of a sub-element mate with the second annular features of an adjacent sub-element forming a coupling seat where a pin is inserted to rotatably connect the two adjacent sub-elements. The rotatable portion (12) carries driving pieces which are put into motion by a control mechanism such that upon displacement of the conveyor belt (2) a corresponding rotation by 90° or multiples thereof is imparted to the rotatable portion (12). A packaging apparatus using the above conveyor belt is also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a package for containing a product comprising a support (1) which has: a base (2) configured for receiving one or more products, a perimetral edge (6) which surrounds the base (2), a removable portion (21) extending as a prolongation of the perimetral edge (6) away from the base (2). The package further comprises: a closing film (10) engaged with a portion of the perimetral edge (6) and with the removable portion (21) for defining a housing compartment (22) for the product, a gripping portion (22) emerging from the perimetral edge (6); the removable portion (21) and at least a part of the closing film (10) are configured for being separated from the support (1) during an opening step of the package.