Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for producing a vacuum package filled with granular material. A package made from a flexible film is filled with granular product. The filled package is compressed, so that the contents form a compact whole. Then the compressed package is evacuated by means of a vacuum element which is connected to a small suction opening in the wall of the package, while the rest of the package is not subjected to vacuum.

Abstract: The present invention describes a method and apparatus for closing a filled vacuum pack package. The open end of the package, which is made from a thin-wall, flexible foil, is folded above the height of the product in the package. The package is placed in a vacuum chamber, a vacuum is drawn on the contents of the package, and the open end of the packaged is closed airtightly by a closing mechanism. While in the vacuum chamber, the open end of the package, which is not yet completely folded, is folded by a flexible part of the vacuum chamber wall facing the open end of the package. The flexible part of the vacuum chamber is folded inwardly by applying a pressure on its exterior which is greater than the vacuum pressure therein.

Abstract: A package made from a thin-walled and flexible packaging foil is filled with granular material and the filled package, placed in a holder with flat sidewalls, is vacuumized internally and closed. According to the invention, a relief element is mounted in a wall of a pair of oppositely disposed sidewalls of the holder. The relief element is pressed against the filled package supported by the sidewalls of the holder for the purpose of providing the package with a relief. The relief element depresses the filling locally without essentially changing the shape of the package. The formation of the relief occurs at a time when the pressure difference between the exterior and the interior of the package is less than the pressure difference prevailing when the closed vacuum package is arranged in an atmospheric environment. Thus, at that time, the filling is softer than the hardness of the filling when it is subject to the pressure difference mentioned last.

Abstract: A process and an apparatus for leak testing a package. The method includes placing a sheet-like and airtight wrapper around a part of the package liable to leakage, e.g. a closing element. Applying a higher pressure to the outside than to the inside of the wrapper for causing the wrapper to fit closely around the part of the package and for hermetically sealing the wrapper from a part of the package outside the part to be tested. Sealing the measuring space between the enveloped part of the package and the wrapper pressed against it from the surrounding space by applying a measuring pressure in the closed measuring space which is different from the pressure then prevailing in the package, and for measuring the change of pressure in the closed measuring space for a determined measuring time.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for leak-testing a filled and closed flexible package, in which the package is placed on a vertically movable support member and is compressed between the support member and a pressure member bearing on the top of the package as a result of relative movement of these members towards each other. The change in the pressure is measured for a fixed measuring time and from this the presence or absence of a leak is determined.The support member supports the package, substantially completely filled with a liquid product, by means of springs. The package is compressed by lowering the pressure member onto the package, the support member thereby being pressed downwards against the spring force acting on the support member.For a fixed measuring time, the change in the spring force is measured for determining possible leakage of liquid from the compressed package.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for processing a vacuum-package made from a thin-walled and flexible packaging foil, filled with a granular material, wherein the package is arranged with clearance in a holder having walls adapted for mutual relative movement, suction means create a pressure in the space around the package that is lower than the vacuum pressure in the package so that the walls of the package are straightened, the holder walls are moved towards each other by pressing means so that the straightened walls of the package are pressed against the contents of the package, the low pressure around the package is removed, the holder walls are retracted and the package is removed from the holder.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for making a vacuum-package filled with granular material. In this method, the package filled with granular material and made from a thin-walled and flexible packaging foil is placed in a holder surrounding the bottom and sidewalls of the package and comprising flat, parallel walls, and a vacuum is applied to the contents of the package and the package is subsequently vacuum-sealed hermetically. According to the invention, the contents of the package, during at least a part of the evacuation step, are compressed by moving the flat and parallel walls of at least one pair of opposite sidewalls of the holder toward each other in mutually parallel manner against the package. The invention further relates to an apparatus for use in the invention.

Abstract: Apparatus for transporting articles includes a closed track having rectilinear track portions. Disposed in the track are a plurality of series of carriers movable along the track and arranged to carry the articles. A drive is provided which acts on the respective rear one of a series of successive carriers, which contact each other in a non-resilient manner, for incrementally moving the carriers along the track. There is also provided a joining device which acts on the carriers of a series to keep the carriers in closed-up formation as they are moved.

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, leak testing a package, in which the package is placed in a sheet-like, gas-tight envelope. A pressure differential is generated between the outside and the inside of the envelope, as a result of which the package is closely enveloped by the envelope. This pressure differential is so large that it decreases the volume of the package and increases the internal pressure in a non-filled portion thereof. In a sealed measuring space defined between the package and the envelope pressed against it, a pressure is used which is lower than the increased pressure in the package. In the sealed measuring space, the pressure is measured for a pre-determined measuring period. An increase in pressure in the measuring space indicates leakage from the package.

Abstract: For temporarily removing a product from a series of products supplied by a supply conveyor, the product is taken over by a movable carrier placed in a starting position in the vicinity of the supply conveyor. The carrier with the product is then removed from the conveyor, for example, for the product to be subjected to a treatment. After the treatment, the carrier with the product is returned to the starting position, where the product is placed on a discharge conveyor while simultaneously a next product from the supply conveyor is placed onto the carrier.

Abstract: A method of detecting a possible leak in a vacuum package, including placing the package in a gauging space, shutting off the gauging space, applying a pressure in the closed gauging space higher than that in the vacuum package, and gauging the pressure in the gauging space as function of the time for a predetermined gauging period. At least two identical vacuum packages are each placed in a separate gauging space of identical size. A mutually identical initial pressure is applied in the closed gauging spaces and the pressure variation is simultaneously gauged in the closed gauging spaces, while the difference in pressure variation between the two gauging spaces is determined. An apparatus is used which includes at least two gauging spaces of identical size, each for receiving an identical vacuum package. These gauging spaces are connectable to a common space. The gauging space can be shut off from the common space. The pressure can be simultaneously gauged as a function of the time in each gauging space.

Abstract: A bag for use in leak testing vacuum packages, by placing a vacuum package in a bag of elastic flexible foil, providing a pressure differential between the outside and the inside of the bag, and monitoring the pressure variation in the space between the outside of the package and the inside of the flexible bag. According to the invention, the bag is double-walled with the inner and outer walls merging into each other at the open end of the bag, is provided with a dimensionally stable frame between the walls of the bag, and is further provided with an inlet for admitting compressed air into the space between the walls of the bag.

Abstract: This invention relates to measuring the pressure within a vacuum package prising a flexible, gas-tight film. The package is placed within a bell jar in which a vacuum is generated, and the pressure variation is measured as function of the time.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for detecting a possible leak in a vacuum package, in which the vacuum package is received within a wrapping wall at least essentially consisting of a gas-tight, flexible wrapping foil adapted for substantial adjustment to the contours of the vacuum package under the influence of overpressure, so that the vacuum package is tightly enveloped by the wrapping wall. Overpressure is applied to the wrapping foil such that this adjustment to the contours of the vacuum package is effected without sealing any leak present, ensuring that the pressure exteriorly of the vacuum package remains higher than the pressure within said vacuum package. Hermetic sealing from the outside air is effected in the residual space remaining between the vacuum package and the wrapping wall during a predetermined detection period, the pressure being gauged in function of the time.