Abstract: A packaging apparatus and a method of operating the apparatus are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a product comprises a packaging assembly to fix a film sheet to a support. The packaging assembly includes a lower tool having seats for receiving the support and an upper tool facing the lower tool and comprising a film holding plate for holding the film sheet. The film holding plate has an active surface for receiving the film sheet, where the upper and lower tools cooperating to define a packaging chamber. The packaging assembly is open to receive the film sheet in a first operating condition and is hermetically closed in a second operating condition. The film holding plate has a lateral surface extending substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the active surface, the film holding plate comprising ejectors arranged in the lateral surface for ejecting a stream of gas substantially parallel to said plane and substantially away from a center of the active surface.

Abstract: An automated process assesses an amount of meat remaining on a trimmed animal carcass by generating image data of the carcass and processing the image data in a computer to calculate the amount of meat remaining on the carcass. The automated process can be carried out using an equation developed by counting pixels in an area of interest in images of a plurality of reference trimmed carcasses from which the remaining meat is thereafter scraped and weighed, to produce data points used to develop the equation which is then used to calculate the amount of meat remaining on a trimmed carcass as it proceeds down a processing line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to packaging films, more specifically to cross-linked packaging films useful in vacuum skin packaging applications characterized by versatile sealing properties, especially by unexpected versatile sealability on polyester and on different substrates, to a method of packaging by using said films and to packages obtained therewith. Said packages show high drip retention, easy openability and good performance in microwave applications.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a polymer blend and to multilayer heat shrinkable films containing at least a layer made of said polymer blend, to flexible containers made of said film, such as bags, pouches and the like, useful for packaging articles, in particular food items. The invention also relates to a process for the manufacturing of such multilayer heat shrinkable films.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dispensing system for dispensing a packaged product, e.g. a condiment, onto one or more areas. A package including a pouch having the product therein cooperates with a dispensing gun to dispense a dose of product. In various aspects the invention includes a packaging system that includes a container and a flexible package; a package with a frangible seal, the package including a flexible pouch; a dispensing assembly for dispensing a product from the package; a dispensing gun system; a method of making a package; and a method of dispensing a product. The packaging system includes a container such as a rigid sleeve, and a flexible pouch positioned within the container interior, and also includes a valve that enables the product to exit the pouch interior and be dispensed. An optional diffuser coordinates with the valve to dispense product from one or more product outlets.

Abstract: Package (1) for beverages having an alcoholic contents (B) comprising: a wood barrel (2) configured for containing a predetermined quantity of an alcoholic beverage (B), at least one jacket (4) made of a plastic material film engaged outside the barrel (2) for covering at least a preponderant part of a lateral wall (2c) of the barrel itself, the jacket (4) comprises an elastically deformable tubular element (5) fitted at least partially around the lateral wall (2c) and exhibiting at least one elastically deformed portion intimately adhering to the barrel (2) lateral wall (2c); further an apparatus and process for making the package (1) by applying on the barrel (2) the jacket (4) having the shape of a first and second shells (7, 10) opposite to each other, are described.

Abstract: According to one aspect, an ink composition includes a colorant, a polyurethane having a peak average molecular weight range of from about 25,000 g/mol to about 35,000 g/mol, and a solvent. The ink composition has a total solids content of less than about 12% by weight, and a ratio of colorant to polyurethane between about 1:1 and 1:2 by weight.

Abstract: An apparatus for heat shrinking a package, comprising: a chamber configured such that a package on a surface of the apparatus may be heat shrunk via a heating fluid in the chamber; and a preheat container configured to supply a preheated liquid to a heat tank from which the heating fluid is supplied to the chamber; wherein the preheat container is above the surface such that liquid in the preheat container can be preheated by heat from the chamber.

Abstract: A device for sealing and cutting a film in a packaging apparatus, a packaging apparatus including the device, and a process using the device are provided. The device includes first and second members, one or both of which are movable with respect to the other. One of the members includes an elongated blade, and one of the members includes a cutting means positionable in a plurality of positions. The process includes creating a first seal on a tubular film, thereby creating a semi-sealed package, creating a second seal on the semi-sealed package, thereby creating a sealed package, creating a substantially transversal cut in the tubular film, thereby separating the semi-sealed package from a subsequent portion of the tubular film, and creating an incision in a section of the first or second seal, the incision defining a pre-determined breaking zone in the tubular film of the sealed package.

Abstract: A monitoring device and a method of operating the monitoring device are disclosed. The monitoring device includes a first substrate adapted to be secured to a structure, a second substrate, and a third substrate disposed between the first and the second substrates. The monitoring device further includes an electronic circuit affixed to the third substrate, wherein the electronic circuit comprises at least one light emitting device and a processor, and the at least one light emitting device is positioned such that light emitted thereby is directed outwardly through the second substrate. The processor selects a plurality binary values to transmit, and in response, to operates the at least one light emitting device in one of an on state and off state in accordance with each binary value.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging a product comprises a packaging assembly to fix a film sheet to a support. The packaging assembly includes a lower tool having seats for receiving the support and an upper tool facing the lower tool and comprising a film holding plate for holding the film sheet. The film holding plate has an active surface for receiving the film sheet, where the upper and lower tools cooperating to define a packaging chamber. The packaging assembly is open to receive the film sheet in a first operating condition and is hermetically closed in a second operating condition. The film holding plate has a lateral surface extending substantially perpendicular to a plane defined by the active surface, the film holding plate comprising ejectors arranged in the lateral surface for ejecting a stream of gas substantially parallel to said plane and substantially away from a center of the active surface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a vacuum skin packaging process, to a tray suitable for a vacuum skin packaging process and to the package thus obtained.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a configuration circuit. A first sensor is polymer monolayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a first condition. A second sensor is a polymer bilayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a second condition. The resistance across the first sensor and second sensor are compared to determine whether an ambient/environmental condition has been detected. Indication of detection of an ambient/environmental condition, magnitude of the condition, and the time may be stored.

Abstract: A position control system includes a roller rotatable about a longitudinal axis thereof and a pivotable member having a first member end rotatable about a first pivot axis and a second member end coupled to the roller. The second member end is rotatable about a second pivot axis spaced from the first pivot axis and the first and second pivot axes are movable relative to one another. A motor is adapted to move the roller along the longitudinal axis wherein movement of the roller along the longitudinal axis causes the pivotable member to pivot the roller relative to the longitudinal axis. A control system is responsive to a sensed parameter for controlling the motor. A position control method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A product arranged in a support can be packaged. A film is unrolled, a number of supports are progressively moved inside the packaging chamber of a packaging assembly, the packaging chamber is kept open for a time sufficient for a number of supports and for the film or for film sheets to properly position inside the packaging chamber, causing the film sheets or film portions to adapt to the shape of a cavity formed in the upper tool of the packaging assembly and the film sheets or film portions are sealed to respective supports. An apparatus can perform the above process.

Abstract: Multilayer barrier heat shrinkable films and flexible containers made therefrom, such as bags, pouches and the like, useful for packaging articles, in particular food items are described. These films are characterized by particular shrinking properties, which provide for tight packages reducing the drip loss from the product packaged therein. Moreover, the bags obtained from such films are endowed with very good optical properties and high abuse resistance.

Abstract: A package includes a chamber portion, a hollow frame adjacent to the chamber portion, and a frangible chamber closure zone between the chamber portion and the frame. A method of releasing at least one agent into a chamber portion of a package includes rupturing a frangible closure between the chamber portion and a hollow frame to release the at least one agent contained in the hollow frame into the chamber portion. A process of packaging includes providing a base web; placing a product on the base web; positioning over the product a lid web; fixing the lid web to the base web to form a chamber portion enclosing the product; fixing the lid web to the base web to form a hollow frame adjacent to the chamber portion; and including an agent in the frame.

Abstract: A product can be packaged in vacuum skin packaging. The product is arranged on a support. A film sheet is provided above the support with the product being arranged between the support and the film sheet. The film sheet is air-tightly fixed to the support. A wall of the support is perforated to form at least one through hole. At least a portion of air is removed from within the support underneath the film sheet through the at least one hole.