Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packaging a continuous packaged body of the invention is so constructed that a seal bar and a seal table are mounted in the respective skirt parts of seal blocks opposite to each other with a tube film interposed between them, and in the case of nipping the tube film by both seal blocks plural intermittent teeth spot close the tube film on the inner sides of both skirt parts as one points in the transfer direction of a material to be packaged. Simultaneously, in ports of the face of a standing gap formed thin along the outsides of the above intermittent teeth, the tube film is flared by vacuum suction force, and from the section of the tube film cut by forcing a cutting edge in the seal bar into a receiving groove cut in the seal table, the air in the tube film is sucked through the spot closing gap and the receiving groove.

Abstract: An apparatus for mechanically taking out packaged articles housed in a large-sized tray onto a conveyer line. A tray housing a multiplicity of packaged articles is conveyed onto a support conveyer bridging between a pair of side plates, the packaged articles are pressed inside the tray by lowering a support plate, then the side plates are rotated for 180 degrees around a main shaft with the packaged articles kept in the same pressed condition, the support plate is lowered integrally with the packaged articles at a determined position, and the emptied upside-down tray is discharged outside along rails attached to the inner surfaces of the side plates. Thereafter, while being pressed to the upper support conveyer, the packaged articles are returned to an original lower position by rotating the side plates and discharged outside by rotating the support conveyer.

Abstract: The apparatus and method of the invention provide a heat source adapted to direct heated air for shrinking a heat-shrinkable film wrapped around a package primarily to end seams of the package to avoid discoloration and distortion of printed central portions of film. The package is received by the apparatus with the end seams oriented transverse to the direction of travel. An arcuate conveyor section rotates the package 90.degree. and onto a shrink tunnel conveyor. A pair of upwardly directed long nozzles which are oriented parallel to the travel direction of the shrink tunnel conveyor blow hot air at the end seams only, leaving the top and bottom central film portions to shrink slowly by contact with warm ambient air in the tunnel.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus directed, in the first preferred embodiment, to insulating a selected portion of a heat shrinkable film prior to applying heat. The insulating material is a roller applied liquid such as water which acts as a partial thermal barrier and restricts shrinkage in the coated portions of film. Portions of the film to which no insulating material is applied are shrunk to a greater extent than portions to which insulating material is applied. According to a second embodiment, a moderate amount of heat is applied by a heating plate to a portion of the film bottom. Application of greater amounts of heat subsequently shrink other portions of the film to a greater extent, and the moderately shrunk selected portion retains a smooth and wrinkle-free surface. Both embodiments are adapted to improve the quality, appearance and readability of printed portions of the film wrap.

Abstract: In a film packaging machine wherein a pair of sealing bars are caused to move linearly with said film so as to increase the sealing cycle time, a pair of control belts are mounted so as to reciprocate in unison with said sealing bars. The control belts, which are oriented vertically at opposite edges of a central product conveyor and adapted to grip a product being wrapped, are rotated from a drive apparatus mounted to the machine body at a speed which equals the linear speed of reciprocation. Thus, the control belts do not rotate when the reciprocating motion is in the same direction as the direction in which the film and product move, and rotate at double the linear speed of reciprocation when the reciprocating motion is in the opposite direction.