Abstract: A process and apparatus for maximizing the production rate of a modular vacuum packaging machine comprising a container forming station wherein a unit of containers is formed from film web, a loading station wherein product is loaded into a unit of containers, a sealing station adapted to simultaneously vacuum seal at least two units of containers with film web, a conveying means for indexing the containers through the stations, and a control means comprising a means for activating the container forming and loading stations after every index of the conveying means and a means for activating the sealing station after every at least second index of the conveying means, whereby optimum efficiency of the packaging machine is achieved.

Abstract: A packaging machine comprises a frame, at least two work stations arranged behind each other and carried by the frame and transport means for advancing the packaging material. In order to simplify the manufacture and to reduce the weight of the frame parts the lateral frame parts have a substantially U-shaped cross-section having an upper cross-link and two downwardly directed sidewalls. The free ends of the sidewalls are connected by connecting members.

Abstract: A packaging machine for producing a reclosable package from a bottom film, a top film and a closure strip therebetween shall be designed to facilitate the generation of a hermetic seal in particular in the region of the closure strip with low film consumption. To this end a sealing station for sealing an edge portion between the product and the closure strip and an evacuation and sealing station having a chamber for sealing the package including the edge portion are provided.

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 feeding means for feeding a material web in a packaging machine comprises feeding chains, sprocket wheels and an engagement element for feeding the feeding chains. In order to facilitate the insertion and clamping of the material web the engagement member is designed such that in a first portion of the travelling section the movable clamping member is lifted from the fixed clamping member in a substantially vertical direction and in a second portion of the travelling section following the first portion the movable clamping member is additionally moved laterally away from the edge of the material web to be gripped.

Abstract: A packaging machine is provided having an intermittent foil advance with printing means. During the working cycle of the packaging machine the foil is passed through rotary type printing means for obtaining an improved printing format and generating larger printing formats under narrow space conditions.

Abstract: In a packaging machine for packing in packages formed in a material web a printing means having type bars for printing on the material web reciprocally movable between a rest position having a distance from the material web and an operating position, and an inking wheel and drive means for moving the inking means in a direction transversely to the type bars and for applying ink onto the type bars. In order to eliminate the frequent exchange of an ink ribbon the inking wheel is designed such that ink is applied to the type bars only in case the inking wheel is heated to a temperature being above room temperature, and the inking wheel is disposed in a casing which at least partly surrounds the inking wheel and which is designed to be heated and to be moved reciprocally together with the inking wheel.

Abstract: Apparatus for uniformly preheating sheet material between opposed, spaced, parallel, heated members movable relative to each other into heat-transferring engagement with the sheet material, characterized in that one of said members has a uniformly-flat, unyielding surface and the other a yieldable surface embodying a plurality of uniformly-distributed protrusions between which there are recesses.

Abstract: A packaging machine having a molding station for molding a container from a web of material using a molding die provided with a side wall, a bottom area and an edge area. A rotating cylinder or roll is arranged in at least part of the edge area to prevent damage to the web of material.

Abstract: A feeding means for feeding a material web in a packaging machine comprises feeding chains, sprocket wheels and an engagement element for feeding the feeding chains. In order to facilitate the insertion and clamping of the material web the engagement member is designed such that in a first portion of the travelling section the movable clamping member is lifted from the fixed clamping member in a substantially vertical direction and in a second portion of the travelling section following the first portion the movable clamping member is additionally moved laterally away from the edge of the material web to be gripped.

Abstract: A method of producing a package is provided wherein a product is brought into a depression formed using a shrinkable sheet material, a cover is brought over the depression, the sheet material is shrunk by heating and the depression is closed with a cover by heat-sealing. In order to shrink the depression free from creases onto different and irregular product surfaces steam is admitted to the sheet material having a saturation temperature above the sheet material temperature such that the steam condensing at the sheet material transfers its heat of condensation to the sheet material. The apparatus for performing the method comprises a sealing station with an upper tool and a lower tool movable relatively thereto and having a chamber for receiving the depression, the chamber being connected with a steam generator.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for producing containers from thermoplastic sheet material are disclosed. The sheet material is heated to its plastic state and clamped at its periphery. Then a moulding die is advanced substantially normally towards and against the clamped heated sheet material. The moulding die has a temperature below the temperature of the heated clamped sheet material and is provided with a projecting peripheral portion and/or a recessed central portion directed towards the sheet material. By further advancing the moulding die by a predetermined amount against the sheet material, this is deformed and shaped into the desired container. A cooling air flow is directed against the clamped heated sheet material in a region thereof adjacent to the peripheral portion of the moulding die to avoid reduced wall thickness at the edge and corner regions of the container by excessive stretching of the sheet material. Thus, stable containers of uniform wall thickness may be produced.

Abstract: The packaging machine has a molding station comprising a reciprocating molding die for shaping thermoplastic sheet material to form packaging containers. Reciprocating drive is transmitted to the molding die by first engagement means provided laterally thereon and cooperating second engagement means provided laterally of the moving path of the molding die and opposite the first engagement means. The molding die may be moved into a retracted position at one end of its moving path, and when in this retracted position, the first and second engagement means are disengaged so that the molding die and any members secured thereto may be readily removed for replacement thereof and/or of molding inserts provided in a lower part of the molding station. In a preferred embodiment, the first and second engagement means are formed by a driving chain and engagement members, respectively, the engagement members being shaped to engage the chain links.

Abstract: A packaging machine which has a station in which a thermoplastic packaging foil is heated to its thermoplastic state by contacting with the surface of a heating plate. The contacting surface of the heating plate has a plurality of raised zones adjacent to and surrounded by interconnected retracted zones which together form a venting channel for preventing the inclusion of any residual air between the foil and the contacting surface of the heating plate. The raised zones are generally convex in shape, with continuous curvature towards the retracted interconnected and surrounding zones so that, in use, the foil may be applied across its total surface on the contacting surface of the heating plate without inclusion of residual air therebetween, thus achieving uniform heating of the packaging foil and avoiding any deformation or warping thereof.

Abstract: A method of and an apparatus for producing containers from thermoplastic sheet material are disclosed. The sheet material is heated to its plastic state and clamped at its periphery. Then a moulding die is advanced substantially normally towards and against the clamped heated sheet material. The moulding die has a temperature below the temperature of the heated clamped sheet material and is provided with a projecting peripheral portion and/or a recessed central portion directed towards the sheet material. By further advancing the moulding die by a predetermined amount against the sheet material, this is deformed and shaped into the desired container. A cooling air flow is directed against the clamped heated sheet material in a region thereof adjacent to the peripheral portion of the moulding die to avoid reduced wall thickness at the edge and corner regions of the container by excessive stretching of the sheet material. Thus, stable containers of uniform wall thickness may be produced.

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: A sealing device suitable for use in a vacuum packaging machine. The device is provided with a sealing tool and a resilient sealing backing cooperating with said sealing tool to seal two webs of heat-sealable packaging material therebetween when the sealing tool is moved towards the sealing backing. The sealing backing has a milled or knurled contacting surface structure comprising protrusions and/or depressions which may be pyramidal in shape, and the sealing tool has a substantially smooth or planar sealing surface. Adherence of the packaging material to the backing and to the sealing tool is avoided by cooperation of the protrusions and/or depressions with the smooth or planar surface of the sealing tool.

Abstract: Plastics foil is shaped in a deep drawing apparatus by being placed in a mould, while the foil is below its deformation temperature, having heated wall surfaces and by applying a pressure differential to the foil so that it progressively stretches and contacts the mould wall. The progressive heating and stretching of the foil ensures that the corners of the moulded article are not thinner than the remaining portions of the moulded article, thus reducing the amount of plastics material necessary for an article of given strength.

Abstract: Plastics foil is shaped in a deep drawing apparatus by being placed in a mould, while the foil is below its deformation temperature, having heated wall surfaces and by applying a pressure differential to the foil so that it progressively stretches and contacts the mould wall. The progressive heating and stretching ensures that the corners of the moulded article are not thinner than the remaining portions of the moulded article, thus reducing the amount of plastics material necessary for an article of given strength.