Abstract: The improved metallized package component of the present invention includes a thermoplastic, polymeric film laminate being formed from at least two, and possibly several, thermoplastic film layers. The thermoplastic film layers are selected to have substantially equivalent indices of refraction to minimize diffusion of light at the interfaces thereof to maintain substantial clarity and transparency of the film laminate. A metallic layer is disposed on at least one exterior surface of the film laminate, and accordingly is visible through the film from the opposite side thereof to provide a metallic appearance to both sides of the film laminate.

Abstract: The improved strippable seal mechanism inclues first and second polymeric webs each having an exterior and interior surface. The interior surface of at least one of the first and second polymeric webs polymeric webs has a substantially adhesive surface thereon for fixedly but separably adhering to the other polymeric web's interior surface. One of the first and second polymeric webs has at least one line of reduced strength disposed at the exterior surface thereof. A manually grippable tab is disposed adjacent to and operatively connected to the line of reduced strength at the exterior surface of one of the polymeric webs. The manually grippable tab operates in conjunction with the line of reduced strength to direct a peel force along the line of reduced strength to delaminate one of the first and seocnd polymeric webs.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine includes an elongated frame, packaging forming stations for forming a lower container and top or cover for a package, a vacuum seal and sizing station, a chill station and a cutoff or package separating station. The vacuum seal and sizing station includes an upper tool defining an upper chamber and a lower tool defining a container chamber. The lower tool is movable towards and away from the upper tool and defines a vacuum chamber therewith. A pressure and sealing bar disposed within the upper chamber is movable to seal the package top to the container. A platform is adjustably positionable in the container chamber to vary the volume or size of the vacuum chamber. A product sizing plunger carried by the upper tool engages and compresses the product placed within the container prior to application of a vacuum and sealing of the cover or top to the container.

Abstract: The multiple component pressurized package of the present invention in general includes two components:a polymeric inner package component; anda sleeve disposed tightly around the polymeric inner package component.The polymeric inner package component includes at least one sealed compartment for containing therein the package. The compartment is maintained under a pressure which is substantially above that of atmospheric pressure, such as may be useful for example in packaging articles which themselves must be maintained under pressure. The sleeve is positioned in snug circumferential disposition about at least a substantial portion of the inner package component. The sleeve may preferably be made of a polymeric material. Such sleeve compressively contains the inner package component while the inner package component is maintained under pressure. Upon the release of pressure from the polymeric inner package component, the sleeve may then be slideably removed therefrom.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for laminating polymeric sheet materials wherein the use of a separate adhesive and/or the use of heat as a bonding means are avoided. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein at least one polymeric sheet is exposed to a flowing of gaseous cold plasma to form free radicals on the surface thereof. Said free radicals serve to effect bonding upon application of such treated polymeric sheet to a second polymeric sheet. In preferred embodiments, approximately 180,000 to 500,000 volts of electromagnetic energy are applied to a stream of gaseous material, such as argon gas, and utilizing a radio wave frequency discharge of approximately 12.56 mega-Hertz. In some preferred embodiments, the cold plasma may be applied at an effective pressure of approximately 1.1 Torr in the reaction area.

Abstract: The present invention concerns methods and apparatus for laminating polymeric sheet materials wherein the use of a separate adhesive and/or the use of heat as a bonding means are avoided. In particular, methods and apparatus are disclosed wherein at least one polymeric sheet is exposed to a flowing of gaseous cold plasma to form free radicals on the surface thereof. Said free radicals serve to effect bonding upon application of such treated polymeric sheet to a second polymeric sheet. In preferred embodiments, approximately 180,000 to 500,000 volts of electromagnetic energy are applied to a stream of gaseous material, such as argon gas, and utilizing a radio wave frequency discharge of approximately 12.56 megaHertz. In some preferred embodiments, the cold plasma may be applied at an effective pressure of approximately 1.1 Torr in the reaction area.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a commestible and includes an integrally formed plastic base member and an integrally formed plastic top member. The base member includes a centrally disposed commestible receptical defined by a commestible supporting bottom portion and side wall portions extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, with the side wall portions being bounded by an upwardly projecting engagement lip. The side wall portions have on oppositely disposed sides side wall peak portions having a greater height, and normally thereto side wall valley areas having a lesser height. Extending substantially horizontally from the lip is a lip re-enforcement flange. The integrally formed top member includes a centrally disposed commestible containing portion bounded by structures which matingly engage with those of the base member to enclose the commestible.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for containing a commestible and includes an integrally formed plastic base member and an integrally formed plastic top member. The base member includes a centrally disposed commestible receptical defined by a commestible supporting bottom portion and side wall portions extending substantially perpendicularly therefrom, with the side wall portions being bounded by an upwardly projecting engagement lip. The side wall portions have on oppositely disposed sides side wall peak portions having a greater height, and normally thereto side wall valley areas having a lesser height. Extending substantially horizontally from the lip is a lip re-enforcement flange. The integrally formed top member includes a centrally disposed commestible containing portion bounded by structures which matingly engage with those of the base member to enclose the commestible.

Abstract: A device for testing the integrity and strength of a seal. The device includes a first enclosure member adapted to receive a pre-sealed package formed of two films joined together to form a continuous seal, the two films extending outwardly of the seal to define a marginal edge portion of the package. A second enclosure member adapted to cooperate with the first enclosure member upon demand is also provided to seal the marginal edge portion in spaced relation to the continuous seal of the pre-sealed package. The device also includes a fluid injection member adapted to cooperate with the first and second enclosure members by injecting a fluid between the two films after the marginal edge portion of the pre-sealed package has been sealed. An opening located outwardly of the continuous seal of the pre-sealed package and inwardly of the seal created by the first and second enclosure members is provided through which the fluid may be injected between the two films of the package.

Abstract: The label indexing and applicator apparatus of the present invention includes laminating means for bonding labels in a controlled index from a rolled strip of flexible and stretchable label stock to a surface of a substrate to form a laminate. The apparatus includes means for unrolling the strip label stock at a tension less than the tension sufficient to impart any substantial longitudinal stretch thereto. Electric motor brake means are connected to and drive one of the nip rollers to grippingly drive the strip label stock therethrough at a controlled linear speed which is less than the pulling speed thereby to effect tension sufficient to impart a longitudinal stretch of controlled magnitude on the strip label stock. Control means are connected to the sensor means and the electric motor brake for receiving detection signals and for controlling and varying the drive speed of the electric motor brake.

Abstract: The improved impulse heat generation and sealer apparatus of the present invention comprises preferably a metallic heat sink block bearing a shallow groove on the face surface thereof. The shallow groove is lined with a thin layer of an electrical insulator/heat conductor and the groove is filled with a preferably metallic electrically conductive material to form a smooth and preferably co-planar surface with the face surface of the metallic block. This smooth surface is coated with a thin layer of a release coating. A resilient mating surface is provided in preferred embodiments for reciprocating motion, whereby an electrical impulse rapidly generates heat in the groove filler material to bond together sheets of a polymeric material disposed between the mating surfaces, and the heat is rapidly dissipated to prevent damage to the sealed sheets. In other embodiments, the heat sink structure may be utilized in heat radiators or any other fast cycling heat exchanger.

Abstract: An improved package for containing a slab of sliced comestible product disposed in overlapping array, the package including a backing board having rounded and upwardly disposed corners with a smooth radius and lateral edges all of which are covered by the overlapping array of sliced comestible, and a film of transparent flexible material snugly enclosing the backing board and the overlapping array of sliced comestible product with the overlapping array of sliced comestible product interveningly cooperating with the lateral edges and rounded corners of the backing board to prevent puncturing of the film by the lateral edges and upwardly extending rounded corners of the backing board.

Abstract: An improved method for automatically producing a selected weight draft of sliced product from a workpiece in substantially uniform weight slices and in an integral number of slices.

Abstract: A package is disclosed for a plurality of slices of a meat product in which the slices are arranged in vertically stacked relation on a base member of preformed, transparent plastic sheet material and enclosed by a cover member which is preformed of like material. The base and cover members have peripheral margins which are in flat engagement and sealed under vacuum with a separable seal along three sides enabling the cover member to be hinged about a fourth side in opening the package so as to obtain access to the product without destruction of the package members and having a snap-in latching arrangement for holding the cover member in position upon reclosing the same.

Abstract: A flexible package or pouch including a pair of opposed sheets sealed together around their peripheral edges, forming a closed interior and sealed together along an intermediate septum line between the ends to form a pair of chambers or pockets; separate materials are contained in the respective chambers, for later mixing; tabs are provided on the sheets for grasping by the user, and in response to pulling outwardly of the tabs, the septum line of sealing is broken, establishing communication between the chambers, enabling mixing of the materials.