Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: Vacuum seal packages can be classified based on image data. Training image data is received that includes image data about first vacuum seal packages. Labels associated with the first vacuum seal packages are received, where each of the labels includes a state of one of the first vacuum seal packages. A trained classification model is developed based on the training image data and the received labels. Image data representative of a second vacuum seal package is received. The image data is inputted into the trained classification model, where the trained classification model is configured to classify a state of the second vacuum seal package based on the image data. The state of the second vacuum seal package is received from the trained classification model.

Abstract: A method of positioning and sealing a bag in a vacuum chamber, includes detecting a trailing edge of a product in the bag, detecting a trailing edge of a patch adhered to the bag, controlling advancement of the bag, and closing the bag. A bag positioning apparatus includes an infrared sensing apparatus, a fluorescence sensing apparatus, and a controller. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes adhering a first patch to film stock, detecting a position of the first patch, aligning a second patch with the first patch, and adhering the second patch to the film stock. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes detecting an edge of a patch adhered to film stock, forming a seal across the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch, and severing the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch.

Abstract: A computing device can facilitate disposal of packaging material. The packaging material can have a product packaged therein. The packaging material includes an identification tag that includes an identifier. A remote computing device reads the identifier from the packaging material and sends a communication that includes the identifier to the computing device. The computing device identifies a location associated with the remote computing device. The computing device determines location-based disposal information for the packaging material that is based at least in part on the location associated with the remote computing device. The computing device send an indication of the location-based disposal information for the packaging material to the remote computing device.

Abstract: Vacuum seal packages can be classified based on image data. Training image data is received that includes image data about first vacuum seal packages. Labels associated with the first vacuum seal packages are received, where each of the labels includes a state of one of the first vacuum seal packages. A trained classification model is developed based on the training image data and the received labels. Image data representative of a second vacuum seal package is received. The image data is inputted into the trained classification model, where the trained classification model is configured to classify a state of the second vacuum seal package based on the image data. The state of the second vacuum seal package is received from the trained classification model.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuumizing and sealing a package includes a plurality of platens and vacuum chambers, each chamber adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens; a conveying system for conveying the platens and chambers along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation; an automated loading assembly having a linear component and configured to load a package onto each of the platens; an automated unloading assembly having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package from each loaded platen onto an outfeed conveyor; and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber/platen pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for vacuumizing and sealing a package (322) includes a plurality of platens (12) and vacuum chambers (14), each chamber (14) adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens (12); a conveying system (16) for conveying the platens (12) and chambers (14) along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation (18); an automated loading assembly (20) having a linear component (22c) and configured to load a package (322) onto each of the platens (12); an automated unloading assembly (26) having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package (322) from each loaded platen (12) onto an outfeed conveyor (30); and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber (14)/platen (12) pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package (322) and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package (322).

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for vacuumizing and sealing a package (322) includes a plurality of platens (12) and vacuum chambers (14), each chamber (14) adapted to mate with a dedicated one of the platens (12); a conveying system (16) for conveying the platens (12) and chambers (14) along a generally angular path having a single axis of rotation (18); an automated loading assembly (20) having a linear component (22c) and configured to load a package (322) onto each of the platens (12); an automated unloading assembly (26) having a linear portion and configured to unload a vacuumized, sealed package (322) from each loaded platen (12) onto an outfeed conveyor (30); and a vacuumizing/sealing system configured to cause relative movement of each chamber (14)/platen (12) pair, along a portion of the angular path, to form therebetween an air-tight enclosure accommodating the package (322) and effect vacuumization and sealing of the package (322).

Abstract: A method of positioning and sealing a bag in a vacuum chamber, includes detecting a trailing edge of a product in the bag, detecting a trailing edge of a patch adhered to the bag, controlling advancement of the bag, and closing the bag. A bag positioning apparatus includes an infrared sensing apparatus, a fluorescence sensing apparatus, and a controller. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes adhering a first patch to film stock, detecting a position of the first patch, aligning a second patch with the first patch, and adhering the second patch to the film stock. A method of manufacturing a patch bag includes detecting an edge of a patch adhered to film stock, forming a seal across the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch, and severing the film stock adjacent to the edge of the patch.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags, includes first and second web printer/web feeders, each adapted to advance and print first and second webs from a first and second roll of serrated bags respectively, the first and second web printer/web feeders including a first and second printer, and a first and second set of nip rollers respectively; first and second accumulator guide plates located downstream of the first and second printers; a set of dispensing nip rollers located downstream of the first and second accumulator guide plates; a web accumulation area; a web sensor for sensing an end of the first or second web; a first and second seal sensing device; a dispensing guide plate located downstream of the web sensor; and a bag handling mechanism for advancing a leading bag to a bag loader.

Abstract: The invention is a method, triggering unit, and system for activating an oxygen scavenging composition at high speeds. The triggering unit includes a plurality of UV lamps that can operate at increased temperatures and have high output intensites from about 10 to 35 mW/cm2. The triggering unit can activate films at speeds from about 20 to 100 fps. Mercury amalgam lamps are useful in the practice of the invention. The invention also includes a UV dose management system and film tensioning system that facilitates triggering at high film speeds. The UV dose management system controls the amount of UV exposure that the film receives so that the oxygen scavenging rate of the activated composition can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention is a method, triggering unit, and system for activating an oxygen scavenging composition at high speeds. The triggering unit includes a plurality of UV lamps that can operate at increased temperatures and have high output intensites from about 10 to 35 mW/cm2. The triggering unit can activate films at speeds from about 20 to 100 fps. Mercury amalgam lamps are useful in the practice of the invention. The invention also includes a UV dose management system and film tensioning system that facilitates triggering at high film speeds. The UV dose management system controls the amount of UV exposure that the film receives so that the oxygen scavenging rate of the activated composition can be controlled.

Abstract: The invention is a method, triggering unit, and system for activating an oxygen scavenging composition at high speeds. The triggering unit includes a plurality of UV lamps that can operate at increased temperatures and have high output intensites from about 10 to 35 mW/cm2. The triggering unit can activate films at speeds from about 20 to 100 fps. Mercury amalgam lamps are useful in the practice of the invention. The invention also includes a UV dose management system and film tensioning system that facilitates triggering at high film speeds. The UV dose management system controls the amount of UV exposure that the film receives so that the oxygen scavenging rate of the activated composition can be controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags or layflat tubing comprises a web selector for selecting and advancing a web from the plurality of rolls; a bag driver for advancing the selected web and separating a bag from the web; and a bag transfer device for transporting the separated bag from the bag driver to a location for processing. A sealer/cutter is used to produce a bag from the layflat tubing. A method of selectively dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags or layflat tubing comprises selecting and advancing a web from the plurality of rolls of serrated bags; advancing the selected web and separating a bag from the web; and transporting the separated bag to a location for further processing. In the case of layflat tubing, the selected web is sealed and cut to make a bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags, includes first and second web printer/web feeders, each adapted to advance and print first and second webs from a first and second roll of serrated bags respectively, the first and second web printer/web feeders including a first and second printer, and a first and second set of nip rollers respectively; first and second accumulator guide plates located downstream of the first and second printers; a set of dispensing nip rollers located downstream of the first and second accumulator guide plates; a web accumulation area; a web sensor for sensing an end of the first or second web; a first and second seal sensing device; a dispensing guide plate located downstream of the web sensor; and a bag handling mechanism for advancing a leading bag to a bag loader.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and system for loading, vacuumizing, and sealing bagged articles. The invention includes placing a bagged article onto a subplaten, and advancing the loaded subplaten through a synchronizing assembly which allows synchronized placement of the loaded subplaten onto the platen of a vacuum/seal apparatus. The invention provides improved automation of the entire loading/vacuumizing/sealing process for a wide variety of bagged articles, especially food articles such as meat, poultry, cheese, and the like.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a chain of imbricated, taped bags; and a shipping container into which the chain of imbricated, taped bags are disposed, the shipping container including a cover, the cover adapted to function, when in an extended position, as a loading platform for the chain of imbricated, taped bags. A packaging system includes a chain of imbricated, taped bags, wherein the chain of bags includes a pair of tapes, and an adhesive, such that each bag is adhesively but releasably attached to the pair of tapes; and a shipping container into which the chain of imbricated, taped bags are disposed, the shipping container including a cover, the cover adapted to function, when in an extended position, as a loading platform for the chain of imbricated, taped bags.

Abstract: A roll of bags includes a spool; and a chain of imbricated taped bags mounted on the spool. A roil of bags includes a container having a curved bottom portion; and a chain of imbricated taped bags disposed on the curved bottom portion of the container. A roll of bags includes a spool having a first and second end; and a chain of imbricated taped bags mounted on the spool, the chain of bags having first and second lateral sides, wherein the chain of bags includes a pair of tapes, and an adhesive, such that each bag is adhesively but releasably attached to the pair of tapes. A method of packaging a chain of imbricated taped bags includes providing a spool; and winding the chain of imbricated taped bags on the spool.