Abstract: A system for evacuating and sealing containers filled with product, for example, food product, includes an enclosed, sealed housing wherein the pressure level and the atmospheric content can be controlled. A vacuum shroud is positioned in registry with a container entrance opening in the housing, the shroud connectible to a vacuum source and to a source of replaceable gas to replace the ambient air to be removed from the container. The shroud is advanceable to seal the container entrance opening and is retractable from the container entrance opening. A container transport system inserts the container through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud. Thereupon, a sealing system seals the housing from the ambient after the container has been inserted into the shroud. After the air in the container has been replaced with an inert gas and then the shroud retracted, a closure subsystem applies a cover to the evacuated container.

Abstract: An apparatus for processing one or more products in need of closure. The apparatus comprises a vessel including an inlet for receiving the one or more products and an outlet for discharging the one or more products under sterile and/or pyrogen free conditions. A device is also adapted for applying the closure to the one or more products in the vessel, along with the optional filling and/or weighing of the products before or after applying the closure. Related apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed.

Abstract: Affords a compound semiconductor substrate packaging method for preventing oxidation of the surface of compound semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packing a product (1) in a flexible enclosure (2) therefor, the apparatus comprising means (6, 7) for evacuating air from within the unsealed enclosure (2), the product (1) being disposed within the unsealed enclosure (2), means (18, 19) for restraining sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2), during the said evacuation of air, in a configuration whereby the said sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) can be sealed without substantial rucking thereof and means (33, 34) for sealing the sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2) in an airtight manner in the said configuration thereof, after the said evacuation of air.

Abstract: A method of filling and sealing a gas capsule having (i) a hollow body portion and (ii) an elongate hollow neck portion having a free open distal end extending from the body portion is disclosed. The method is accomplished by applying a filling cap to the open end of the neck portion while evacuating the capsule and refilling with helium. Two crimping steps while pressure is maintained finishes the filling and sealing method.

Abstract: A method is provided for joining a flexible container to a threaded closure. According to the method, a flexible container is inflated with pressurized gas before applying torque to the container. A base of the flexible container is engaged in a container receptacle of a capping apparatus, then the capping apparatus is operated to cause a neck of the flexible container to engage a threaded opening in the closure. The bottle is then inflated and the capping apparatus is operated to thread the neck of the flexible container into the opening in the closure by causing relative rotation between the flexible container and the closure. The pressurized gas stiffens the flexible container and prevents it from buckling or twisting under torque loads applied to screw the container into the closure.

Abstract: Process for the filling of a piston-cylinder unit, for example a shock absorber, with compressed gas and for closing the gas chamber of the piston-cylinder unit with a sealing element in the form of a base. The piston-cylinder unit is placed in an apparatus which apparatus can be connected to a compressed gas source from which the gas chamber is filled. The base is inserted by the apparatus into the open end of the piston-cylinder unit, after which the piston-cylinder unit, now under pressure and closed off by the base, is closed by, the process of welding.

Abstract: Two or more of a bottle-cleaning operation, a bottle-filling operation, a cap-dispensing operation, and a cap-affixing operation simultaneously process arrays of equally sized containers in an x-y array by engaging the bottles with movable heads of a head-carrying assembly. The containers can be a compressed array of bottles or a case of bottles in a box or the like. The nozzles for the cleaning and filling operations, and cap-handling devices for the dispensing and affixing operations can be repositioned for change to a new container size, for example with motor driven positioners. At least a subset of the heads are displaced along the axes of the container array, into registry with bottle arrays of the different size bottles. Preferably, each operational system in sequence is independently controlled to effect a container size change, such that the production line can be changed to the new size as the leading edge of containers of the new size arrive at the respective operational system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for the sealing of a container (10) by means of a wafer (20). The container comprises one or more joining means (14, 16) which are adapted so that by a joint (12), e.g. a welding joint, they are connected in a leakproof manner, to the wafer in an edge zone (21) of the same. The wafer is held against a contact surface (32) of a retaining means so as to be moved by the same until it rests in its edge zone (21) against anyone of the joining means (14, 16). While the contact with the retaining means is maintained, the wafer is connected by a fixing means (50) in its edge zone in a leakproof manner to anyone of the joining means through the fixing means supplying energy to the edge zone so that a joint (12) is formed. The invention makes it possible to fix in a leakproof manner a previously cut wafer to the opening part of a container.

Abstract: An evacuating pump has a hollow cylindrical body, a cap at one end of the body, and a nozzle at the opposite end. A plunger disposed within the body has a piston attached to an inner end of a reciprocating rod, while the outer end of the rod extends through a bore provided in the cap. When the plunger is withdrawn, a vacuum is created at the nozzle, while on the inward stroke, a check valve flap seats over the nozzle inlet to prevent air from being injected through the nozzle. Air being compressed on the inward stroke escapes around the peripheral edge of the piston.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging product in an inverted, open bottom piston-type pressurized dispenser has a mechanism for pressurizing the container above the piston and for inserting a bottom closure on the open bottom and connecting it to the container body to close the open bottom.

Abstract: A method of preserving an ink jet recording head comprises an ejecting element for flying ink droplets, an elastic ink tank portion containing an ink to be fed to the ejecting element, a casing housing the ink tank portion, and the feature is composed of housing the ink jet recording head in a preserving container, elevating the gas pressure in the preserving container to a pressure higher than atmospheric pressure, and keeping the pressurized state. An ink jet recording head is housed in the preserving container and the pressure in the container is higher than atmospheric pressure.

Abstract: An assembly for filling and sealing a cavity (14) in a container (10). The assembly includes a fill passage (18) in sealing engagement with the periphery of the receiving passage (12) in the container (10). A vacuum source (24) withdraws gas from the container (10) and the assembly. Powdered material under a vacuum is supplied to a vibrating platform (44) which dispenses the material while vibrating so that the material passes through a valve (48, 52), the fill passage (18) and into the container (10). A plug magazine (26, 125) stores and delivers one spherical ball (28) at a time to the fill passage (18) for being forced into the receiving passage (12) to seal the container (10). A vacuum valve (48, 52) seals the material supply from the fill passageway (18) to maintain the vacuum in the material supply when the container (10) is received.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components.

Abstract: In an apparatus for sealing cans 7, 7' each having a lid 8, 8' under vacuum, a lifting device is provided having a plate 13, 33 movable from below against a stationary, evacuatable bell 14, 36 and serving to receive a can 7, 7' already provided with a lid 8, 8'. Devices for lifting the lid 8, 8' from the can 7, 7' are furthermore provided. In order to be able in addition to seal cans of different sizes in this apparatus, without having to change the course of operation of the apparatus, an adjustment piston 20 is provided as the device for lifting the lid 8, 8' from the can 7, 7', the adjustment piston being capable of being subjected to pressure medium and being guided in an adjustment cylinder 18. Reduction elements 52, 53 are furthermore releasably disposable on the adjustment piston 20 on the one hand, and on the inner wall of the bell 14 on the other.

Abstract: A high speed evacuation chamber packaging and clipping machine for the high speed evacuation and positive sealing of filled, flexible receptacles such as thermoplastic bags in order to preserve the contents of the receptacle. A first endless conveyor carries a plurality of bagged product carrying platens. The first conveyor conducts the platens along a horizontal path of travel with the platens facing upwardly. A second conveyor carries a plurality of hoods. The second conveyor conducts the hoods between and along upper and lower paths of travel and is so located with respect to the first conveyor that when each hood is shifted from its upper path of travel to its lower path of travel, it will engage one of the platens traveling in its horizontal path of travel to form a chamber therewith. Means are provided in association with each chamber for evacuating the chamber. Means are also provided in association with each chamber for applying a clip to the bag to close the bag about the product.

Abstract: A manual stoppering container assembly having a central shaft which is threadedly secured to a handle on an upper portion and fixedly secured to a stoppering plate at a lower portion. The handle is rotatably secured in the cover plate for imparting reciprocal motion to the stoppering plate. The stoppering plate is guided by tracks in the container body. The cover plate is fluid-tightly mounted on a container body, so that the downward movement of the stoppering plate may force a plug into a sample vial while the container assembly is under vacuum.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of a container closed under sterile conditions and containing lyophilized material, which comprises1. filling the material to be lyophilized into a container,2. putting a rubber stopper and a closing cap loosely on the container,3. introducing the container with its contents into a lyophilization apparatus,4. lyophilizing the contents,5. within the lyophilization apparatus and in a single operation, pressing the rubber stopper deep into the container, at the same time pressing the closing cap onto the same, and6. removing the container closed under sterile conditions from the lyophilization apparatus.

Abstract: Thermoplastic containers are filled with materials such as particulate solids or liquids under vacuum and hermetically sealed in rapid succession by an apparatus having a means for evacuating the container, means for filling and hermetically sealing the evacuated containers while retaining the vacuum.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for charging a hydro-pneumatic reservoir with gas under pressure. The reservoir is positioned between two vertically aligned supporting members, with the oil charging port and gas charging port of the reservoir axially aligned. The supporting member on which the oil charging port is positioned, is vertically adjustable. The gas charging port carries an initially loose fitting bushing with an expander member at its outer end, the bushing permitting flow of gas therearound to permit charging of the reservoir. A force applying member is slidably mounted in the uppermost supporting member such that when gas under pressure is applied, it will cause the force applying member to move upwardly and the gas under pressure will pass around the bushing into the reservoir to charge the latter.