Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A food processing apparatus has a frame assembly in which frame members are joined using adhesive, such as an epoxy. The frame members are comprised of stainless steel and the adhesive is applied so that exterior surfaces of the stainless steel frame members are free of any adhesive residue. Adhesive may be used to join exterior frame members as well as interior frame members, such as those used to support mechanical components of the processing apparatus.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus has a lift mechanism to lower and raise a tool, such as a formation box that functions to form cavities in a web of flexible material. The lift mechanism has a series of arms, supported by belt driven carriages, which move in tandem to raise and lower the formation box. The arms are arranged into two sets such that when the arms within each set are moved closer to one another, the formation box is raised, and when the arms within each set are moved away from one another, the formation box is lowered. The common driving of all arms by a belt allows the indexing of the formation box to be well controlled.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging system having an automatic bag cutter. The vacuum packaging system includes a housing constructed to sealingly engage a platen. A vacuum system is constructed to remove the gas from a container, or bag, placed between the housing and the platen. A blade is operable to sever excess material of the bag whereupon the bag is evacuated by the vacuum system, and a seal bar seals the severed end area of the bag.

Abstract: A valve arrangement for a vacuum pump assembly selectively opens and closes communication between a vacuum pump, evacuation vessel, and a volume to be evacuated. The valve arrangement allows the evacuation vessel and any conduit connecting the vacuum pump and evacuation vessel to the volume to first be evacuated without providing a vacuum to the volume. The valve arrangement also allows the volume to be connected to the evacuation vessel but cut-off from the vacuum pump so that at initial stages of the evacuation process for the volume dead air contained within the volume may be communicated to the evacuation vessel rather than drawn out by the vacuum pump. Once the dead air, or portions thereof, has been removed from the volume, the valve arrangement may cut-off communication with the evacuation vessel, establish communication between the vacuum pump and the volume, and allow the vacuum pump to provide negative air pressure to the volume so that the volume may be evacuated.

Abstract: A packaging machine includes a clamping arrangement, composed of a series of clamps designed to grip and release a web of flexible material, and which are coupled to a belt that is advanced along a predetermined path to advance the web of flexible through the machine. The belt is made up of side-by-side belt portions that are spliced together in axially spaced locations by the clamps, to withstand the forces and stresses placed thereon as the web material is advanced. Each clamp is formed of an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member that are pivotably interconnected together, in combination with a guide member the guides movement of the belt through the machine. The belts are independently driven by operation of a pair of motors, which are synchronously operated in order to advance the opposite edges of the web material at the same rate of speed through the machine.

Abstract: A packaging apparatus has a lift mechanism to lower and raise a tool, such as a formation box that functions to form cavities in a web of flexible material. The lift mechanism has a series of arms, supported by belt driven carriages, which move in tandem to raise and lower the formation box. The arms are arranged into two sets such that when the arms within each set are moved closer to one another, the formation box is raised, and when the arms within each set are moved away from one another, the formation box is lowered. The common driving of all arms by a belt allows the indexing of the formation box to be well controlled.