Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. A photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. An outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps.

Abstract: A packaging machine under control of an electronic control system is set forth. The packaging machine includes a plurality of servo driven packaging stations that execute the processes required to fill and seal a carton. Each of the packaging stations is driven by one or more servomotors associated therewith. A plurality of servo amplifiers are connected to the servomotors to control the rotational movement of the servomotors thereby to effect control of the motion of the various components associated with each if the packaging stations. The packaging machine further includes at least two programmable devices connected for communication over a common bus. A programmable axis manager (PAM) is connected to control the plurality of servo amplifiers and, thus, the motion profiles of the servomotors and components of the respective processing station. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected to receive and transmit input/output signals associated with the plurality of packaging stations.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are described for food product preservation by deactivation of microorganisms and enzymes by applying high-intensity, short-duration pulses of polychromatic light in a broad spectrum to packaging material surfaces. In some embodiments, a photodiode is employed for detecting the intensity of the light, and a control circuit is used to adjust power delivered to a flashlamp if the intensity of the light needs adjustment. In some embodiments, an outer safety glass is employed to protect the flashlamps. The outer safety glass may include coating materials at ends thereof. In addition, several variations of lamp assembly geometries accommodate small diameter packaging material tubes by, for example, using an fill pipe having offset first and second portions with a transitional region thereinbetween, or be eliminating the water jackets and using an outer safety glass to contain water as it is passed over flashlamps.

Abstract: A servomotor driven machine under control of a control system which compensates for the slip and other errors associated with indirectly driving a movable component of the machine with a servomotor is set forth. The control system includes a servomotor that is connected through an intermediate drive mechanism to drive the movable component from a start position to an end position. A sensing system is disposed on the apparatus for generating an output signal indicative of at least one motion characteristic of the movable component. A controller drives the servomotor in accordance with a predetermined motion profile. The predetermined motion profile defines the motion characteristics of the movable component as the movable component moves from the start position to the end position within a predetermined time frame.

Abstract: A packaging machine under control of an electronic control system is set forth. The packaging machine includes a plurality of servo driven packaging stations that execute the processes required to fill and seal a carton. Each of the packaging stations is driven by one or more servomotors associated therewith. A plurality of servo amplifiers are connected to the servomotors to control the rotational movement of the servomotors thereby to effect control of the motion of the various components associated with each if the packaging stations. The packaging machine further includes at least two programmable devices connected for communication over a common bus. A programmable axis manager (PAM) is connected to control the plurality of servo amplifiers and, thus, the motion profiles of the servomotors and components of the respective processing station. A programmable logic controller (PLC) is connected to receive and transmit input/output signals associated with the plurality of packaging stations.

Abstract: Ultrasonic sealing apparatus, including at least one anvil and at least one transducer opposed to the anvil to transmit ultrasonic energy to a workpiece clamped between them, is disclosed. The anvil and sealing horn each are reciprocated between an open position allowing a carton to pass and a closed position for sealing a closure. A biasing element is connected between the anvil or the horn and its drive to define the sealing pressure developed between the anvil and the horn. The biasing force can be adjusted without stopping the machine, by using an externally applied pneumatic force. The anvil has a backing element, a facing member, a body, and a resilient pad separating the body from the facing member. The backing element has a curved front surface facing the transducer. The back surface of the anvil pad is curved similarly to and bears against the curved front surface of the backing element.

Abstract: A packaging machine for manufacturing packaging containers for liquid contents, e.g., milk or juice, from tubular packaging container blanks of laminated paper and plastic material. The blanks are fed through the machine by means of a main conveyor along which is disposed various stations for performing operations such as sealing the bottom ends of the blanks to form bottom-sealed packaging containers, filling the bottom-sealed packaging containers, and top-sealing the filled containers. A station can also be provided to transfer blanks from an infeed conveyor located below the main convey to the main conveyor. The stations are jointly controlled but individually driven and replaceable, which makes for a flexible and compact machine.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the sterilization of the inside layer of a packaging material, the packaging material being produced as a laminate with an inside layer of a transparent thermoplastic which is applied on a reflective material layer. The sterilizing energy includes high energy light flashes emitted from one or more flash units, the light flashes being caused to act on the inside of the packaging material for purposes of exterminating bacteria and microorganisms present on the surface. Because the light flashes emitted from the flash unit are reflected by the reflective layer, the surface layer of the layer will be influenced by both the direct and the reflecting photoenergy from the flash units, the sterilizing effect being thereby improved. Packaging material well-suited for sterilization according to the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to internally sterilize a tube of packing material in which a sterile product is being introduced. The sterilizing agent is introduced into the tube in liquid form wherein it is vaporized. When it is vaporized, it rises upwardly in the tube of packing material and condenses on the interior surface of the tube of material.

Abstract: A package having, for example, a parallelepipedic configuration is formed from a tube of laminated packaging material which is obtained by folding a web of the material so that opposite edge portions of the web overlap and form a longitudinally extending joint. The laminated packaging material consists of a base layer of paper or cardboard and facing layers of thermoplastic material, and the cut edge of the material which rests against the inside of the package is prevented from coming into contact with the contents of the package by application of a protective strip thereto along the joint zone, this strip being a laminate consisting of a base layer coated on both sides with a thermoplastic material which is sealed to the inside thermoplastic layer of the package. The base layer of the protective strip has a higher softening temperature than that of the inside thermoplastic layer of the packaging material.

Abstract: In the shaping of a packing container from a tubular blank of paper, involving the use of a tube having a joint of the overlapping type along the longitudinal edge of the web, an improved rigidity of the container is achieved by closing the longitudinal joint of the finished package to take up at least one-fourth of one side wall of the package.