Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for packaging products between first and second plastic components sealed by using a hot melt adhesive applied by a dispensing applicator in one of several serially arranged stations of a packaging operation. The first plastic component is supported for indexing movement on a transport and moved under a hot melt applicator which is continuously driven in a predetermined path of travel which traverses the entire periphery of the product-loaded first plastic component. The first plastic component is stopped under the applicator for a predetermined dwell time during which the applicator dispenses the hot melt adhesive, then advanced to a position where the second plastic component is applied to form a filled package which is the evacuated and sealed. Apparatus is provided for preventing dripping or stringing of the hot melt adhesives.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically loading stacks of sliced food products into package receptacles. The sliced food products are transported from a first conveyor to a loading station having a drop station positioned over and aligned with a series of package receptacles which are indexed intermittently through the loading station. A retractable pusher arm having a pusher mounted thereon is driven in the loading station to engage and sweep a stack of sliced product into the drop station, and then is retracted and returned to its initial ready position to perform the next sweeping action on a subsequent stack of sliced food product. A ram is mounted in the drop station in a normally inactivated position over the stack of sliced product when the product is swept therein by the pusher.

Abstract: A sealed package for pressurizing the contents of dispensing containers. The package contains chemicals which react to develop gas pressure to expand the package when in the dispensing container. A series of sequentially rupturable pockets add further increments of internal pressure as dispensing proceeds. These pockets, and additional pockets containing chemicals for initiating package pressurization, are formed in an outer film heat-sealed to a second outer film to define the package. The rupturable pockets are covered with a tape to maintain the chemicals isolated until rupture is effected by progressive lift-off of the tape as the package expands.

Abstract: A package comprising a receptacle cup of semi-rigid plastic having a top of semi-rigid plastic sealed to flanges of the receptacle and formed inwardly to press against the packaged product and hold it in place with or without evacuation of the interior. Different techniques and apparatus are disclosed for forming such packages. Package configurations also are disclosed providing improved recloseable characteristics, wherein the semi-rigid nature of both the top and the cup are utilized to enable the reclosed top to be held securely in place.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for making vacuum or gas-filled packages of the type including a flanged cup-shaped receptacle with a closure film sealed to the flanges and stretched down into the cup to engage and press against the product. The apparatus comprises a first packaging station where the film is sealed to the cup flanges part way around the cup mouth; simultaneously the film is heated in pre-selected locations to soften it for subsequent stretching. In a subsequent station, the partially-completed package is placed in a vacuum chamber and evacuated. Thereafter, a plug is driven against the still heated film, to force it down into the cup interior adjacent the product. Before or after the plug movement, the film is fully sealed to the cup, to make a hermetically-sealed package.

Abstract: A package comprising a receptacle cup of semi-rigid plastic having a top of semi-rigid plastic sealed to flanges of the receptacle and formed inwardly to press against the packaged product and hold it in place with or without evacuation of the interior. Different techniques and apparatus are disclosed for forming such packages. Package configurations also are disclosed providing improved recloseable characteristics, wherein the semi-rigid nature of both the top and the cup are utilized to enable the reclosed top to be held securely in place.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for making hermetically sealed vacuum packages from two continuous webs of plastic packaging material supplied as roll stock. The lower web is formed into product receptacles, and the upper web is applied over the receptacles to serve as the top. The apparatus includes a single-station evacuate-and-seal head where the two webs are initially sealed together around the flanges of the receptacle. The resulting package is then evacuated through a slit in the lower web, and the evacuation slit is sealed off to complete the package. During evacuation, the upper web is shifted up to engage a heated plate to raise the web temperature to a level permitting forming of the plastic material. After final sealing, the spaces above and below the packages are sequentially vented to atmosphere so as to control the formation of the upper web to produce a crowned effect, wherein a portion of the product extends upwardly a small distance above the flanges of the package.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for making vacuum or gas-filled packages of the type including a flanged cup-shaped receptacle with a closure film sealed to the flanges and stretched down into the cup to engage and press against the product. The apparatus comprises a first packaging station where the film is sealed to the cup flanges part way around the cup mouth; simultaneously the film is heated in pre-selected locations to soften it for subsequent stretching. In a subsequent station, the partially-completed package is placed in a vacuum chamber and evacuated. Thereafter, a plug is driven against the still heated film, to force it down into the cup interior adjacent the product. Before or after the plug movement, the film is fully sealed to the cup, to make a hermetically-sealed package.

Abstract: A package comprising a receptacle cup of semi-rigid plastic having a top of semi-rigid plastic sealed to flanges of the receptacle and formed inwardly to press against the packaged product and hold it in place with or without evacuation of the interior. Different techniques and apparatus are disclosed for forming such packages. Package configurations also are disclosed providing improved recloseable characteristics, wherein the semi-rigid nature of both the top and the cup are utilized to enable the reclosed top to be held securely in place.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for making hermetically sealed vacuum packages from two continuous webs of plastic packaging material supplied as roll stock. The lower web is formed into product receptacles, and the upper web is applied over the receptacles to serve as the top. The apparatus includes a single-station evacuate-and-seal head where the two webs are initially sealed together around the flanges of the receptacle. The resulting package is then evacuated through a slit in the lower web, and the evacuation slit is sealed off to complete the package. During evacuation, the upper web is shifted up to engage a heated plate to raise the web temperature to a level permitting forming of the plastic material. After final sealing, the spaces above and below the packages are sequentially vented to atmosphere so as to control the formation of the upper web to produce a crowned effect, wherein a portion of the product extends upwardly a small distance above the flanges of the package.

Abstract: A sealed package comprising a cup-shaped container of relatively heavy-gauge, semi-rigid (form-retaining) plastic, with a protective member of relatively stiff material over the opening. Between the container and the protective member is a hermetic sealing closure member in the form of a relatively thin (flexible) plastic film secured around the rim of the cup. The package interior is evacuated and atmospheric pressure stretches the flexible film into the cup to engage the packaged article(s) across the full width thereof, i.e., up to the side walls of the cup. A relatively rigid and planar paper board sheet overlies the flexible film and is secured thereto by an adhesive stronger than the bond between the flexible film and the semi-rigid cup.

Abstract: Automatic packaging apparatus and methods for packaging food products such as bacon in evacuated or gas-filled packages. The disclosed machine is capable of convexly thermoforming two webs of packaging material into respective sets of pockets which are brought together in opposed positions to enclose the product. One preferred package made by the disclosed techniques comprises a transparent semi-rigid cup-like shell and a back-formed flexible film sealed over the shell opening. In operation of the disclosed machine, the product is loaded into the semi-rigid package shell from below, so that the upper sides of the product as introduced into the machine are pressed up against the inside surface of the shell, and after evacuation are held in that position by atmospheric pressure acting through the flexible film beneath the product. Thus, such upper sides of the product are visible through the transparent shell which serves as the display side of the package.

Abstract: A method for packaging is disclosed including forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a receptacle, filling the formed receptacle with the product to be packaged and forming a semi-rigid plastic sheet into a recloseable cover over the packaged product.

Abstract: A packaging machine for thermoforming plastic packages, filling them with the desired contents, and sealing them under vacuum or gas if desired, wherein a train of packages move through the machine in a horizontal path at substantially constant speed, the machine including reciprocating interacting package forming and sealing elements with support means acting simultaneously on the upper and lower sides of the train of packages as they move through the machine. In an alternate arrangement, lids may be applied to package portions preformed by separate apparatus.

Abstract: A packaging machine for thermoforming plastic packages, filling them with the desired contents, and sealing them under vacuum or gas if desired, wherein a train of packages move through the machine in a horizontal path at substantially constant speed, the machine including reciprocating interacting package forming and sealing elements with support means acting simultaneously on the upper and lower side of the train of packages as they move through the machine. In an alternate arrangement, lids may be applied to package portions preformed by separate apparatus.