Abstract: There is provided an overall system of packaging commodities such as garments or other like compressible articles in which the articles are initially conditioned to provide relatively low temperatures and relative humidity, following which the garments are enveloped with wrapping material, and subjected to a vacuum packaging operation. The system may include a transport system for transporting packaged commodities between the wrapping and vacuum packaging steps and stations. The vacuum packaging apparatus in which the apparatus functions to initially compress the central portion of the packaged commodity and progressively outwardly therefrom to provide improved packaging techniques to remove any entrapped air. The wrapping device may vertically envelops a commodity to be packaged. There is also provided a conditioning step and apparatus for conditioning the articles before packaging.

Abstract: This invention provides an apparatus for over-wrapping or bulk packaging of commodities on a pallet or the like supporting surface. The apparatus comprises a supporting surface on which commodities are adapted to be over-wrapped or bulk packaged with a sealable flexible wrapping material, a movable enclosure surrounding the supporting surface and forming an open-topped chamber with said supporting surface. The aforesaid chamber is adapted to receive flexible packaging material, and the movable enclosure is movable relative to the supporting surface to permit access to the supporting surface. Means for gripping and engaging opposed portions of the flexible wrapping material are provided as are means for evacuating air from the flexible wrapping material after the commodities have been inserted therein. Means are also provided for sealing the flexible wrapping material in said chamber to form a seal across the wrapping material.

Abstract: A method for wrapping commodities comprising supplying a pair of spaced apart layers of air-impermeable wrapping material and securing the layers together transversely along a leading end. A commodity is inserted between the layers to lie adjacent the secured leading end. The side or sides of the layers are secured together. The layers are then perforated in a transverse row adjacent the commodity on its side opposite the other side adjacent the leading end. The layers are then sealed transversely between the commodity and the row of perforations to completely seal the commodity within the layers. Prior to completely sealing the commodity, but after perforating, the space surrounding the commodity between the layers is evacuated. The invention also covers an apparatus for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A process for storing sound and heat insulating fiber materials comprising reducing fiber-fiber friction in the product by drying and by applying a friction reducing agent, preferably a silicone oil, onto said fibers, optionally freezing the product, preferably to a temperature below the glass transition temperature of the adhesive in the product, enclosing the product in an air-tight and moisture-proof material, evacuating the package and reducing the porosity of the product by at most 1/3 by compressing, sealing the package and, after storing, opening the package and optionally working the product mechanically.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus and method of packaging commodities in a flexible wrapper. The apparatus includes first and second stations with a wrapper engaging assembly moving between the first and second stations, wrapper cutting and sealing means which severs a bag length from a continuous roll of flexible material, a component for opening the open leading end of the wrapper at the second station, a funnel which is preferably expandable and which engages the open mouth of the wrapper so as to permit loading of the commodity into the wrapper, and a further assembly which seals the open mouth of the bag length, preferably under vacuum, by having a component preferably in the form of a pair of fingers which engages the mouth of the bag to place it under tension whereafter a sealing assembly seals the mouth of the bag to form an improved weld across the mouth of the bag.

Abstract: A method of treating fibrous material such as textile products, e.g. garments or the like, which may be compressible, so as to permit the product to have improved wrinkle resistance particularly when such products are vacuum packaged or otherwise, wrinkling would occur. The method involves treating the material to reduce the segment mobility level of the fibrous material to a point below that prior to treatment and to lower the relative regain level of the material. The method also involves lowering, for fibrous materials, regain levels of such materials to preferably below 0.27. In the methods, the segment mobility and regain levels are preferably stabilized under a stabilization step before packaging.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for wrapping commodities, which may be compressible, and a corresponding method, in which a commodity is conveyed along a fixed path, a pair of opposed lengths of wrapping material are fed in an opposed relationship and in registry, the commodity is inserted between the opposed lengths of the wrapping material which have a leading end which has been sealed to form an open-sided and open-trailing end envelope, the lateral sides of the wrapping material are then sealed, and thereafter, a bag length is severed from the pair of lengths of wrapping material and sealed. Preferably, the commodity is fed under compression in between the opposed lengths of wrapping material, maintained under compression while the wrapping material is side-sealed and is vacuum-packaged while also under compression.