Abstract: A method is disclosed for enhancing the marketable characteristics for a given perishable product prior to or after the product has been placed in a gas-tight consumer-ready package. More specifically, the method of the present invention contemplates the use of one or more agents or mixtures thereof which are introduced into gas communication with a perishable meat product in a selected concentration based on a number of variables including moisture content, muscle type and surface area of said product.

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: Dual state packaging may be implemented with a tray having a peripheral flange adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: A vacuum filling machine and method are provided for use in filling a porous pouch with microporous powder. The machine has a housing sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing, one of the plates having a plurality of perforations therethrough extending from facing front sides of that plate to back side of that plate. The housing is openable to receive the porous pouch between the facing front sides of the plates. A nozzle provides a communication path between the pouch and a source of microporous powder. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of the housing and the back side of the plate with perforations through a vacuum shroud. Preferably, a heat sealing device is positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of the pouch after filling with microporous powder.

Abstract: A method of packaging a food product employing a tray having sidewalls defining a cavity and an outwardly directed flange extending around the perimeter of the tray, the flange being adapted to receive a pair of membranes to enclose the tray. The lower membrane is the more permeable of the two. It may be attached to a first surface of the flange. The second membrane is attached to a second outer surface of the flange without direct connection except through the tray to the more permeable membrane. The two connection surfaces may be separated by a depression to facilitate the cutting away of the material forming the more permeable membrane in a continuous manufacturing process. With the less permeable membrane in place, a desired gaseous environment may be maintained within the package. When it is desired to change the gaseous environment, the upper less permeable membrane may be peeled away allowing gaseous communication through the lower more permeable membrane.

Abstract: A vacuum processing machine and method are provided for use in assembling a vacuum insulation panel from a gas impermeable bag and a gas porous pouch filled with a microporous powder. The machine has a housing which is sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing. The housing is openable to receive the bag between the facing front sides of the plates. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of said housing to evacuate gases from said bag and pouch. Heat sealing apparatus are positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of said bag after evacuation of said gases from said bag and pouch. A nozzle for injecting a trace amount of helium at a pressure preferably below 1 mm Hg into the bag after evacuation of the gases and before sealing of the bag may be provided if desired.

Abstract: A method for assembling a vacuum insulation panel is provided which includes the steps of: loading a quantity of microporous powder into a gas permeable pouch; pressing the pouch into a desired form; sealing the pouch; heating the powder to a temperature elevated above standard room temperature; inserting the pouch into a gas impermeable bag while the pouch and powder remain at the elevated temperature; evacuating gases from the powder pouch while it is at the elevated temperature; evacuating gases from the bag; and sealing the gas evacuated bag with the gas evacuated pouch therein to form a vacuum insulation panel. The heating of the powder may occur only just before insertion of the pouch into the bag, or may occur both before the powder is loaded into the pouch as well as just before insertion of the pouch into the bag. Further, a trace amount of Helium (at a pressure of approximately 1 mm Hg) may be put into the bag before it is sealed in order to permit testing of the sealed panel for leaks.

Abstract: The manually-operated balloon stuffing device has a minimum number of parts and is inexpensive to manufacture. The device includes a manual pump consisting of inner and outer cylindrical tubes, and a check valve in each tube that permits the passage of air in only a single direction within its respective tube. In a first embodiment, a balloon stuffing item is placed in an end of the inner tube, and the open balloon end is stretched over that tube end. The outer tube is then reciprocated along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube to pump up the balloon. The outer tube is then removed and a push rod pushes the sliding check valve, which in turn pushes the stuffing item into the inflated balloon. In an alternate embodiment, a large hollow adapter tube is placed on the end of the inner tube, and the open end of the balloon is stretched over the open end of the adapter tube.

Abstract: For popping popcorn in a microwave oven, a flexible bag is provided which contains popcorn and includes a collapsible stand. The bag has upper and lower opposing face panels connected together by longitudinally extending, centrally projecting gussets that are integral with the face panels. Prior to popping, the gussets are folded between the upper and lower face panels of the bag. The panels and gussets are preferably formed from a pair of superimposed sheets of paper that are laminated together with adhesive. Popcorn is placed in the bag and the bag ends are sealed. A microwave heating susceptor of any suitable type is provided in the lower panel of the bag or elsewhere in the bag if desired. During popping of the popcorn kernels, the bag increases in size and the gussets expand outwardly as the bag becomes filled with popped kernels, hot vapor and steam.

Abstract: The manually-operated balloon stuffing device has a minimum number of parts and is inexpensive to manufacture. The device includes a manual pump consisting of inner and outer cylindrical tubes, and a check valve in each tube that permits the passage of air in only a single direction within its respective tube. In a first embodiment, a balloon stuffing item is placed in an end of the inner tube, and the open balloon end is stretched over that tube end. The outer tube is then reciprocated along the longitudinal axis of the inner tube to pump up the balloon. The outer tube is then removed and a push rod pushes the sliding check valve, which in turn pushes the stuffing item into the inflated balloon. In an alternate embodiment, a large hollow adapter tube is placed on the end of the inner tube, and the open end of the balloon is stretched over the open end of the adapter tube.

Abstract: A flexible, inflatable packaging device is adapted to enclose and protect an article during shipping and the like. The packaging device has an inlet valve for selectively admitting air to inflate the packaging device to protect an enclosed article against rough handling during shipping and the like and an aperture that can be selectively sealed to retain the inflation air or unsealed to release the inflation air to deflate the packaging device to enable removal of the article from the packaging device and compact storage of the packaging device before and after shipping. The packaging device can be inflated and deflate a plurality of times, thereby enabling reuse of the packaging device for shipping a plurality of articles in succession.

Abstract: A flexible apparatus and process are disclosed for loading objects into pouches and then sealing the pouches, in which a pouch (10) having side walls (12,14) and an open mouth (18) is moved from a source (34) to a pouch opening apparatus (72) where the mouth is opened to pass an object such as a stack (20) of slippery sheets which is pushed through the mouth into the pouch while the object is resiliently engaged through the walls of the pouch by a mechanism (70, 82-110) to prevent the object from shifting during movement into or with the pouch, after which the pouch and object are moved, while still resiliently engaged, to a station (74) at which the pouch is evacuated and sealed. Changes are readily accomodated in object size, pouch size or format, or all of these.

Abstract: A method of handling materials requiring controlled handling and storage using a storage and transport drum assembly. The storage and transport drum includes a removable cover and a liner bag assembly. The liner bag includes bottom, side and top walls and a collar surrounding an opening in the top wall. The collar includes a groove for receiving a retainer ring that fits within a groove in the side all of a drum cover fitting. An exterior plug is provided for the drum cover fitting and an interior plug for the bag collar. The fitting, the collar, and the retainer ring are arranged such that the retainer ring retains the collar against unintentional separation relative to the fitting, but the bag and collar may be intentionally separated by pushing the bag into the drum when desired. The liner bag is assembled with the drum prior to filling. After the contents have been used the initial filler is notified and the bag is recycled.

Abstract: A method for packaging a liquid to semi-solid substance under a vacuum inside a variable-capacity container closed by a dispenser member that prevents ingress of air, includes at least a stage in which the dispenser member is fixed in sealed manner on the container filled with the substance. The fixing takes place while the container is inside an enclosure in which an air vacuum is maintained. Apparatus for implementing the method includes, for example, a ring suitable for bearing downwards in sealed manner on the open top of a socket containing the container, thereby enabling the enclosure to be established. A device is provided therein for sucking out the air, and also for fixing on the dispenser member. It is possible to obtain like this dispensers that are particularly advantageous, particularly when the dispenser member is a precompression pump.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for evacuating gas from a container having collapsible walls. The apparatus is especially useful for removing air from flexible collapsible containers which comprise soft goods such as disposable hospital gowns, surgical paper and plastic wastes which must be transported and disposed of in a safe fashion.

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: Vacuum packaging apparatus and method for evacuating and heat sealing bags employs a clamp, swingable over substantially the full length of the bagged product, to effect a temporary air-tight seal of an evacuated bag during transport of the evacuated bag from an evacuating zone to a heat sealing zone. The apparatus also includes a platen having a shallow V-shaped configuration to cradle the bagged product and the V-shaped being flattened to a plane and the platen being elevated to facilitate automatic removal of the bagged product from the platen.

Abstract: A method for preserving fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings, which entails:a) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 80% to about 98% N.sub.2 O, about 2% to about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 under refrigeration, andb) subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to a gas mixture containing about 50 to about 80% N.sub.2 O, and a minimum of about 20% O.sub.2, with the remainder being N.sub.2 ; or subjecting said fresh cut flowers or plant cuttings to air at a temperature in the range of about 0.degree. C. to temperature.

Abstract: An automatic packaging apparatus having a conveyor belt and a plurality of flexible pouches forming a continuous sheet of web material. Each flexible pouch has an open end and an overlap portion specifically suitable for operation with the apparatus of this invention. The open end is separated and a load is inserted into a first active pouch of the flexible pouches. After the load is inserted into the flexible pouch, air is withdrawn from the flexible pouch. Air is withdrawn from the flexible pouch and a gas is preferably injected into the flexible pouch. The flexible pouch is then heat sealed to form a gas-tight seal. Controls are used to simultaneously operate the sealing, fluid transfer and loading stations of the automatic packaging apparatus. As the flexible pouch moves from the fluid transfer station to the sealing station, the gas-tight seal is maintained.

Abstract: A packaged toilet paper made up with a strip of toilet paper which is folded zigzag into a rectangular parallelepipedic body and vacuum-packaged with an airtight synthetic resin sheet, and a method of manufacturing a packaged toilet paper by folding a strip of toilet paper zigzag into a rectangular parallelepipedic body, sealing the rectangular parallelepipedic body of toilet paper with an airtight synthetic resin sheet, and by executing a vacuum packaging, with flat solid members being put and pressed respectively on the top and bottom faces of the toilet paper sealed with said synthetic resin sheet.

Abstract: The invention is a package comprising an outer plastic container, an inner plastic container, a product within the inner container, a liquid located in a space defined by the outer and inner containers, and a separating device located in said space.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel deflator means for expelling excess air from packages which is used in connection with form, fill and seal packaging machines, said deflator means comprising flexible walled, fluid-filled bladder means which engages a product-containing bag and forces excess air out from the bag, the bladder fluid also being provided to be in communication with a reservoir which permits fluid exchange between the bladder, and the reservoir during the packaging cycle.

Abstract: A method of packaging a liquid or a paste in a flexible tube comprising a bottom (14) and a head provided with a dispensing valve (10), comprises at least the following steps: 1) the liquid or paste (13) is inserted into the tube via its bottom (14); and 2) an air vacuum is established inside the tube, and the tube is the closed in sealed manner by welding its bottom (14). Advantageously there is an intermediate step of initially welding the bottom of the paste-filled up-side-down tube only in part. Then, during step 2), after the air has been evacuated, the weld is immediately finished off. In this preferred implementation of the present invention, step 2) is preferably entirely performed by means of apparatus (50) comprising two groups of parts slidably mounted relative to each other and mounted on a press (90) which is connected to a vacuum pump (91).

Abstract: A method for maintaining hydration of the contents of water-impermeable packages containing items to be sterilized includes placing a moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package with the items to be sterilized, hermetically sealing the package, and releasing moisture from the moisture-releasing humidifying device into the package before the package is exposed to the gaseous sterilant. The moisture-releasing humidifying device includes an absorbent material and a cover about the absorbent material. The cover is made at least partially of a hydrophobic and vapor-permeable material such that moisture absorbed by the absorbent material passes through the vapor-permeable material to effect humidification within the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh product inside plastic bags and finishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere. Conventional pallets loaded with cooled fresh produce are moved by an input conveyor automatically one at a time to an in-line squeeze station. A plastic bag at a convenient height is initially draped over an arm radiating from a novel bagger frame. A plurality of such arms extend from a rotatable hub so that bags can be moved into position above successive loaded pallets as they are needed. This apparatus permits the bagging of nearly twice as many pallets in a given time period.

Abstract: A method of packaging goods including placing goods such as meat over a base, applying a flexible web of gas permeable skin wrapping plastics material over the base and the goods, evacuating air or gas from between the base and the skin wrapping so as to allow the skin wrapping to flexibly displace onto the goods and to at least partially skin pack said goods. A lid is then applied over the skin wrapping and spaced therefrom. A gas is provided in the space between the lid and the skin wrapping to enhance the keeping properties of the packaged goods by permeating the skin wrapping. The lid is sealed to the base so that the space is permanently retained, the skin wrapping is attached relative to the base. Following discoloration of the packaged goods over a period of time, a fresh gas is allowed to enter the package and contact the surface of the goods within the skin wrapping without removal of the skin wrapping, whereby the color of the goods is improved.

Abstract: A process for obtaining a package containing at least two mutually reactive materials comprises the steps of introducing the reactive materials into an evelope suitable for vacuum packing, placing the reactive materials within the envelope in separate layers with at least one intervening separating layer of a material which is inert relative to the adjacent layer of a reactive material, evacuating and sealing the envelope.

Abstract: Vacuum packaging method and apparatus for heat sealable bags in which a clamp is used to effect a temporary air-tight seal of an evacuated bag while the bag is transported through a region of atmospheric pressure to a heat sealer. After heat sealing to effect a permanent air-tight closure, the clamp is open and the bag removed.

Abstract: A package is steam-shrunk while subjected to a substantially constant sub-atmospheric pressure generated by a suction fan 22 operating at the same time as a steam generator 13 maintaining the prevailing pressure within a chamber interior 20 at sub-atmospheric pressure in the presence of steam. The low pressure of the steam ensures that its temperature is well below the boiling point of water and avoids thermal damage to the material of a container 12 being shrunk.

Abstract: This invention relates to the vacuum packaging of products and involves the use of a heat sealable thermoplastic bag in conjunction with a vacuum dome having a sealing edge disposed around its periphery and being connected to a source of vacuum, the thermoplastic bag being entirely closed except for an integral flat vent passage disposed at one peripheral location on the bag. One half of the vent passage is made up of material from one portion of the bag, and the other half of the vent passage is made up of a precisely equal amount of material from an opposite portion of the bag, such that the interior surfaces of said vent passage can tend to adhere together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a skin packaging film for skin packaging high profile and/or heavy articles. The film comprises linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. In one embodiment, the film is antistatic and may be employed for skin packaging of electro-static sensitive items such as circuit boards.

Abstract: The first object of the invention is a process for closing or sealing a flexible tube filled with a liquid, creamy or semi-pasty product (7), in which its skirt (2) is nipped below its open end so as to bring about a closure (10) allowing the escape of the air contained in the tube when the latter is transversely compressed and then after compression the closure (10) is transformed into a tight closure and the open end (17) of the tube is sealed. According to the invention, skirt (2) is nipped with elastically tightened parallel surfaces (10) and the skirt (2) is compressed to the right of the product contained (7), in such a way that the upper level of said product (7) remains below or at the lower limit of closure (10) and the end portion (17) of the tube (1) passing beyond said closure (10) is sealed, so as to avoid any pollution by the product deteriorating the seal. The second object of the invention is an apparatus for performing this process.

Abstract: In a method of radiation sterilization of medical articles, replacing the oxygen in the sterilization package with nitrogen prior to sterilizing prevents most of the brittleness and discoloration in the articles.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for sealing pallets of fresh produce inside plastic bags and furnishing the interiors of the sealed bags with a modified gaseous atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are disclosed for cushioning and maintaining an object by a device having a quantity of granular material that is located in a retaining element. The retaining element is divided into compartments which contain the quantity of granular material. The retaining element and the granular material are located within an inner volume of a sealed housing. The retaining element is made from a material that is permeable to gas, but impermedable to the granular materials, while the sealed housing is made from a material that is impermeable to gas the effect of such compartmenting is to keep the granular material in place within the retaining elements, even when the housing is at atmospheric pressure in order to preserve a constant thickness of the device.

Abstract: Method of and apparatus for forming filling and sealing packages in which flexible packaging material is formed into tubing, the tubing is fed downwardly and transversely heat sealed at package length intervals by closing a pair of sealing members, the seal area is cut to form a top seal of the package being completed and a bottom seal for the next package to be formed, a quantity of product with which the packages are to be filled is delivered into the lower end of the tubing to provide a fill for each package, the tubing is pinched closed, after the delivery of each fill, above and below the level of the next seal to be made, the pinches are maintained as the sealing members are opened, following the formation of the aforementioned top and bottom seals, to keep product for the next fill from dropping down on the bottom seal, and to hold the package being completed from dropping away, and air is blown on the top and bottom seals to cool them while the pinches are maintained.

Abstract: Disclosed is a medical fluid-filled plastic container which includes (a) a sealed inner envelope of plastic material filled with a medical fluid containing a component subject to deterioration by oxygen, (b) a deoxidizer, and (c) a sealed outer envelope of plastic material enclosing both the medical fluid-filled inner envelope and the deoxidizer, as well as several methods of making such a medical fluid-filled plastic container. This medical fluid-filled plastic container will prevent the medical fluid therein from being deteriorated even if it is subjected to steam sterilization or is stored for a long period of time.

Abstract: The container (1) is intended for the separate storage of active compositions, especially of liquids or solutions, and for their subsequent mixing just before use.It comprises at least three compartments (3, 4, 5) separated from one another by leakproof seams (6) of the material of the envelope (2), sealable inlet passages (7, 8), sealed transfer passages (10, 11) and a sealable outlet passage (9). The envelope is made of a polymerized and homogeneous flexible material which is chemically inert to each of said compositions and to their mixtures.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a refrigerant container in the form of a bag, or pouch, made from two sheets of multi-layer barrier film material which are heat sealed adjacent their edges to form a closed pouch which has an interior space. The bag may be connected to an access valve provided in a line of a sealed refrigeration system for capturing the refrigerant therefrom. The barrier film material is specially formulated to prevent outward permeation of a refrigerant and to prevent inward permeation of air. A valve stem is provided for filling and emptying the bag.

Abstract: A sanitary packaging system and method of using the same for the packaging of a sanitary product comprising a sanitary housing portion, a product bag, a sliding adjustment tube and a product tube. The product tube extends inside the sanitary housing portion and is flexibly attached to the sliding adjustment tube to which the product bag is attached. The sanitary product under pressure passes through the product tube, sliding adjustment tube and into the product bag to complete packaging. Sanitized air is blown through the sanitary housing enclosure to create a positive pressure therein, whereby in the case of a leak within the product bag, sliding adjustment tube or product entry tube, sanitary product leaks outwardly therefrom rather than allowing contaminates to be pulled inwardly and contaminate said sanitized product.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods for inserting objects into balloons. The apparatus preferably includes a housing having a balloon chamber and a vacuum pump chamber therein. The balloon chamber is large enough to accommodate an inflated balloon and has a lid through which the inflated balloon can pass. The vacuum pump chamber houses a vacuum pump which is in gaseous communication with the balloon chamber in order to create a vacuum therein. The lid includes an adjustable mechanism for first expanding and then maintaining a balloon orifice in an expanded condition to enable access to the interior of the balloon in a position in which the balloon extends downwardly from the lid to a position inside the balloon chamber. The vacuum pump may then be actuated to cause the balloon to inflate within the balloon chamber so that the desired object may be inserted through an access opening in the lid to the inside of the balloon.

Abstract: A device and method of constructing articles of fresh cut parts of plants and artificial decorative embodiments. The packaging is characterized by enveloping such articles with an inflated balloon. The article being placed in an open container, a balloon is then inflated and receives the article and container and is then securely attached to the container, thereby enclosing the article. A device for constructing the packaged article employs a rigid conduit which is received in the balloon to facilitate reception of the article and container. The gas used to inflate the balloons can be air or nitrogen. If cut flowers are used, the container is provided with some water and plant food.

Abstract: A vacuum package is made of flexible laminate capable of being stored as roll stock. The laminate comprises laminated inner and outer layers providing desired mechanical properties, secured together at patterned areas to facilitate the passage of gas between the layers, and is provided with a hand peelable sealing strip at an area which, when the laminate is formed into a bag and the mouth sealed, extends around the periphery of the mouth of the package. When the laminate is formed into a bag, the application of vacuum to the interior of the bag results in the inner layer conforming to the contours of the contents, while ambient air between the layers enables the outer layer to maintain a desirable and aesthetically pleasing smooth surface texture.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of sterilized plant matter consisting of the steps of; treating coarse chopped plant matter with heat to achieve dehydration, compression filling airtight fiber reinforced plastic bags with dehydrated plant matter, injecting high pressure steam into the dehydrated plant matter while in the bag and sealing the bag. A product consisting of steam sterilized coarse chopped plant matter under vacuum in air tight fiber reinforced plastic bags.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing plastic bags of the type disclosed in applicant's U.S. Pat. No. 4,756,422 comprises a hood adapted to define a vacuum chamber when it is moved to a closed position on a support surface. An elastomeric seal, circumventing the vacuum chamber, is adapted to engage and statically seal outer surfaces of a bag. The seal isolates an open end of the bag and the vacuum chamber from ambient and maintains such open end in communication with an evacuative chamber of the bag. A vacuum system and sealer are provided for evacuating and heat sealing the bag. The hood can be pivotally mounted on a base or can be used as separate, self-contained unit adapted for placement on a support surface defined on a counter top or the like. The apparatus is further adapted for connection to a unique vacuum sealing attachment for a container whereby the container can be selectively evacuated.

Abstract: The present invention provides a package for and method of packaging a sterilizable calibratable medical device including a hydratable sensor component. The device is maintained in a sterile environment during storage and in a clean environment during the calibration procedure. The package includes a manifold connected to the sensor component by plumbing. The plumbing establishes fluid communication between the manifold and the sensor component and/or between the sensor component and the ambient environment of the plumbing. The manifold, plumbing and medical device are sealed in a wrap including a gas-permeable surface. The wrap and its contents, including the interior surfaces of the components, are sterilizable by exposing the wrap to a gaseous sterilization solution and appropriately adjusting the plumbing. The medical device is hydratable by directing the hydration solution to the sensor component by means of the plumbing.

Abstract: A device for tightly sealing bags and/or envelopes destined to the vacuum packaging of products, in particular foodstuffs, comprising a clamping member equipped with means for grasping and tightly closing against each other mutually opposite edges in correspondence of the open side of said bag. With the grasping and clamping means, a valve element cooperates, through which the air contained inside the bag can be evacuated when to the bag a vacuum source is applied.

Abstract: In its preferred form the invention comprises a method and apparatus for packaging products such as foodstuffs, whereby the product is held in flexible bag inside a chamber, and the bag is substantially evacuated and then filled with a gas such as carbon dioxide, with pressure in the chamber on the outside of the bag being reduced during the evacuation to prevent entrapment of air in the bag.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging process and apparatus employ the novel step of deliberately at least partially re-pressurizing the exterior of a packaging receptacle after commencement of the evacuation of the exterior and interior of the receptacle in a chamber. Preferably two separate gas pressure restoration phases are employed, separated by a resumption of the gas extraction, and the receptacle is closed during the second of these gas pressure restoration phases.

Abstract: A method for encasing a meat product and removing air particles therefrom by forcing a plastic meat emulsion through a stuffing horn having an exit end with an elongated casing slidably mounted in close spaced relationship on the horn so that the meat emulsion extruded through the exit end of the horn will fill the elongated casing adjacent the exit end. The space between the exit end of the horn and the casing is subjected to a negative pressure so that air in that space is removed, and so that air in the meat emulsion extruded through the exit end will be removed. A machine for encasing meat products comprising a frame, a pump means on the frame for pumping meat emulsion under pressure, and a hollow elongated stuffing horn connected to the pump means so that meat emulsion under pressure can flow into the stuffing horn.