Abstract: An elongate, tubular, transparent thin-film scallop bag formed with a tapered, open top edge and a closed bottom edge, and sized to hold a column of scallop medallions. The bag includes a plurality of regularly spaced perforations for eliminating trapped and excess moisture trapped during the filling of the bag with the scallops, and further formed with at least one vent hole larger than said perforations near the base of the bag to relieve back air pressure during the loading process. The bag's composition includes at least a twenty percent mixture of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), at least a thirty percent low density polyethylene (LDPE), and at least forty-five percent Metallocene 8C. The novel composite provides the requisite strength for a thickness that can carry the necessary perforations spacing without tearing or stretching, while providing a surface characteristic that is smooth and allows the scallops to slide easily into the bag.

Abstract: A process for aseptic packaging of sterile liquids in flexible containers including a pre-chamber pressurized with a sterilized inert fluid that is injected through an auxiliary line and flows out to activate a sterile barrier such as to allow complete asepsis of the packaging process. A pressing device compresses the film to form a seal against the outer surface of the feed tube that introduces sterile liquid into the aseptic packaging chamber.

Abstract: A heat sealing jaw for use in cooperation with an opposing backing jaw for sealing layers of film together is described. The heat sealing jaw may be suitable for forming an easy-open feature on a packaging pouch used to contain flowable material. In certain embodiments the heat sealing jaw comprises a jaw body, a heat sealing element secured to the jaw body, a support surface for clamping the layers of film together against the opposing backing jaw, and, a heat sink coupled to the heat sealing element for inducing a temperature gradient along a sealing face of the heat sealing element. The sealing face may have a protrusion for forming a notch within the layers of film. Related apparatuses and methods are also described.

Abstract: A device (10) and a method for transverse sealing of a tube (12) of thermoplastic coated packaging material are provided. The tube is formed by sealing of an overlapping joint (14) between two mutually opposing edge sections (26, 28) of a sheet of packaging material. The device comprises first and second opposing jaws (16, 18) having first and second main sealing surfaces (20, 22), respectively. The tube is arranged to be flat-laid and squeezed between these main sealing surfaces to heat the thermoplastic there between and obtain a transverse seal along a main sealing line (24) of the tube. The device is characterized in that it is arranged to penetrate the outer edge section (28) of the overlapping joint along the main sealing line prior to sealing to allow the first main sealing surface (20) to contact the inner edge section (26) of the overlapping joint.

Abstract: A method for joining an initial section (3) of a film tube (2) which is wound up in a band-like manner on a reel (1) with an end section (4) of a second film tube (5) extending over subsequent processing stations, especially a packaging system, in an at least partly band-like manner, with the band-like initial and end section (3, 4) each having two mutually superimposed outer lateral surfaces (10, 11, 15, 16) which each converge in their boundary regions into two interposed, inwardly folded inner lateral surfaces (17, 18, 19, 20) which thus form an inwardly situated fold axis (S, T). It is provided for in accordance with the invention that in the two outer boundary regions of the initial or end section (3, 4) a tab (7, 27) each is formed by placing a cut, which tab is joined in a tension-proof manner with the opposite section (3, 4), with the initial section (3) overlapping the end section (4).

Abstract: A retortable multilayer packaging film comprises a crosslinked first layer which serves as an outer heat seal/product contact layer, and a crosslinked second layer which serves as an outer heat seal/skin layer. The crosslinked first outer heat seal/product contact layer comprises a blend of a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer and/r a propylene/ethylene copolymer having a melting point of from about 110° C. to about 150° C. and having up to 4.9 weight percent ethylene mer. The crosslinked outer heat seal/skin layer comprises a blend of: an isotactic propylene-based polymer, and a homogeneous ethylene/C4-8 alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from about 0.86 g/cc to about 0.91 g/cc.

Abstract: A method of verifying seal quality of a packaging material includes providing packaging material, and applying a thermochromic ink to at least one portion of the packaging material. The method also includes applying heat to the at least one portion of packaging material to form a seal, and inspecting the packaging material to determine the quality of the seal.

Abstract: A method of sealing a liquid container, including filling a liquid into a liquid containing bag including a cylindrical inlet; and sandwiching the cylindrical inlet with a pair of heat-sealing heads upon application of heat such that the cylindrical inlet is sealed with the liquid therein, wherein at least one of the pair of heat-sealing heads comprises a concave edge.

Abstract: A tubular mesh enclosure (1040) formed from a mesh material having a nominal opening size of less than 0.5 inches. The mesh enclosure has opposing pair of ends (1042, 1044) with at least one end (1044) being sealed. A filling (1010) is surrounded by the tubular mesh enclosure with the enclosure defining a length and a generally non-circular longitudinal cross-section defining a major width. A ratio of the length to the width greater than approximately 40.

Abstract: A method and a line for the high-speed packaging of filter bags (1) containing an infusion product comprises at least three successive operating steps whereby: the filter bags (1) are wrapped in a continuous protective tubular envelope (2) by sealing a continuous V-shaped folded strip (3) along a longitudinal sealing line (5) and transversal sealing lines (6); the tubular envelope (2) is cut into lengths; and the filter bags (1), individually wrapped in respective envelopes (2), are placed in cartons. In the method and line (26) according to the invention, the transversal seal (6) is made in two successive steps as the continuous folded strip (3) moves through two separate consecutive sealing stations (7, 8), the first station (7) making a part of the transversal seal (6) and the second station (8) completing the same transversal seal (6).

Abstract: There is provided a heat generating body which by forming a temporary adhering part upon temporary adhesion between a substrate and a heat generating composition molded body and a covering material with an adhesive layer and subsequent heat sealing, realizes higher line speed, thereby largely improving the productivity, does not generate position deviation of the heat generating composition molded body in welding the substrate and the covering material, is able to be heat sealed and is free from seal failure. A heat generating body as formed by laminating a heat generating composition molded body resulting from molding of a heat generating composition containing, as essential components, an exothermic substance, a carbon component, a reaction accelerator and water and having a water mobility value of from 0.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

Abstract: A method for forming a top seal on a carton being conveyed along a processing path on a form, fill and seal packaging machine using a top sealer including opposing sealing jaws is provided. The carton includes top fin panels configured for sealing to one another to form a top seal. The method includes actuating a first control valve to provide communication between a first pressurized fluid source and a first port of an actuator for moving the actuator toward a first position. The actuator is operatively connected to the sealing jaws to move the sealing jaws in a clamping direction while moving toward the first position. A second control valve is actuated to inhibit fluid escape from the actuator through a second port of the actuator to inhibit movement of the sealing jaws in the clamping direction.

Abstract: A method of preserving foodstuffs in a heat-sealable plastic bag wherein three of the bag's four peripheral edges are permanently sealed together and the fourth of the edges comprises a temporary interlocking linear seal. After foodstuffs are placed into the interior of the bag, the linear seal is interlocked to form an inner chamber and to isolate those foodstuffs therein from the outside environment. The bag is then pierced to provide an opening through which the inner chamber of the bag is evacuated. Then, while the inner chamber is evacuated, heat is applied to seal around the opening or between the opening and the portion of the inner chamber containing the foodstuffs to isolate the foodstuffs within said evacuated inner chamber from the outer environment. The foodstuffs may be removed from the bag by opening the interlocking seal and the bags may be reused numerous times by re-interlocking the seal and repeating the evacuating and sealing process.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) and methods for segmenting a blood-filled tube (42) into multiple, blood-containing, sealed segment are disclosed. The apparatus (20) includes a tubing locating surface (22) for mounting the tubing and sealing means (24) cooperatively associated with the tubing locating surface (22).

Abstract: There are disclosed by a process and apparatus for positioning and sealing photostimuable phosphor imaging plates within barriers envelope blanks therefore and formed on a roll thereof wherein a barrier envelope blank including a U-shaped heat sealed portion thereof of such roll is indexed to a positioning station whereat the barrier envelope blank is caused to be opened at a free end thereof thereby permitting insertion of a restored imaging plate into such barrier envelope whereupon the barrier envelope including restored imaging plate is indexed to a station whereat heat sealing of the free end of the U-shaped heat sealed is effected to thereby enclose the restored imaging plate therein and thereafter the thus heat sealed barrier envelope is indexed to a product station for removal from the roll of barrier envelope blanks.

Abstract: A side sealing apparatus for a shrink packaging machine comprising closed loop temperature control of a heater for maintaining an optimum temperature for cutting and sealing two layers of thermoplastic film. The heater comprises a cable or cartridge heater with an internal thermocouple, and it is connected to an automatic temperature controller. The heater is mounted on the side sealer apparatus between two sets of top and bottom V-belts mounted around drive rolls and idler rolls. The V-belts provide nip pressure against the film in order to drive the film. Nip pressure is generated by nip rolls on the scrap side of the film, and by belt support plates on the package side of the film.

Abstract: A method of making a blood filter assembly provides first and second filter housing elements from a flexible thermoplastic material, each of the first and second housing elements including a molded port. The method places a filter media between the first and second filter housing elements and applies radio frequency heating and pressure to form a peripheral seal that joins the first and second filter housing elements to the filter media and encapsulates the filter media between the first and second housing elements.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for high-speed vacuum unitary packaging of portion-cut meats, wherein a vacuum four-side sealed object containing a plurality of portion-cut meats obtained by dividing a livestock meat, such as beef, pork, chicken, or the like, or a large-size fish into many portions, is divided into four-side sealed objects with vacuum being maintained at high speed using an impulse sealer for vacuum unitary packaging.

Abstract: An automated, fully programmable, and adaptable device fills straws or straw-like packages with any type of flowing, or flowable, liquid. A straw is dropped from a hopper down chutes into a capture area where it is held and filled with liquid, after which it is sealed. The straw dropping, capture, filling, and sealing actions are preferably automatically controlled by a preprogrammed electronic controller. The major elements of a typical embodiment of the invention include means for dropping a straw or other receptacle into a fixed mounting position consistently, optional means for heating fluids throughout the fill process, means for filling the receptacle, and means for sealing the receptacle. The straw hopper has a retractable slide plate at its base that slides back to allow only one straw at a time to fall through the chutes into the capture area. In the preferred embodiment, the slide plate at the bottom of the hopper moves back and forth in a predefined fully programmable sequence.

Abstract: The invention is directed to methods providing intelligent and variable speed control of a vacuum pump, intelligent vacuum pump controllers, intelligent vacuum packaging appliances, and vacuum feedback devices and methods. This Abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b).

Abstract: The invention provides tube-filling machines and methods for, in such machines, end sealing of double tubes (10), that is to say the tube type which has concentric packing tubes (11, 12) which are connected to a common tube shoulder (13) provided with a dispensing opening. The invention provides a two-part hot-gas nozzle (22) with individual supply of hot gas to the inner side of the inner tube and the outer tube for thermal activation of the scaling end of the double tube intended for heat sealing.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for the automatic packaging of one or more articles. An adjustable web guide structure that guides the webs of film into a configuration that mimics the geometry of a package to be wrapped is provided. The webs are conveyed over the guide structure, which structure provides an appropriate predetermined shape defining a web envelope for proper package entry and flow through the wrapping system. The position and geometry of the guides causes the web envelope to form around the corners of the product to be package to minimize film requirement, and allows for fluid transition from web supply rolls to package shape. External tension rods can be used to assist in preventing or minimizing web wrinkling. Guide rolls can be used in conjunction with the guide structure to assist in guiding and tracking the web material, as well as to provide axial transverse tension for proper web forming.

Abstract: The invention provides a diameter reducing system for reducing the diameter of a flexible container as the container is filled. The system includes a shrinking device to shrink the container at the fill level as the container is filled with a plurality of particles. The shrinking device can include a heater to direct heat at the fill level. The container can be a bag formed from heat shrinkable material. Shrinking of the container at the fill level as the container fills promotes supporting engagement between particles.

Abstract: An area where a liquid substance, for instance, is present inside a bag, that is, the area where the liquid substance adheres to the inner surface of the bag, is ultrasonically sealed (thus forming an ultrasonically sealed area), and then an area that is separated from the ultrasonically sealed area by a predetermined distance toward the edge of the mouth of the bag is heat-sealed (thus forming a heat-sealed area), so that the a portion of the liquid substance, that is separated and is present above the ultrasonically sealed area, is sealed inside the space between the two sealed areas.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing sealed packages containing pourable food products from a tube of heat seal sheet packing material fed along a vertical path and filled continuously with the food product. The tube is pressure gripped at equally spaced cross sections of the tube by at least two pairs of jaws acting cyclically and successively on the tube. The tube is cut at each of the cross sections along a respective parting line. The packing material of the tube is heated sealed on opposite sides of the parting line.

Abstract: A sealing assembly (10) for sealing flexible packaging materials comprising: a sealing mechanism for sealing the packaging material; and a spreading mechanism for spreading the packaging material to be sealed prior to sealing, the spreading mechanism including at least two pair of opposed spreading members (15a, 15b), each pair having opposing converging contact edges (17a, 17b) which engage either side of the packaging material during spreading; wherein the spreading members are mounted for relative movement between a first open orientation and a second closed orientation such that, as the spreading members travel from said first to said second orientation, the contact edges initially contact the packaging material at convergent ends of the contact edges and then proceed to contact the packaging material along the length of the contact edges to divergent ends thereof, and wherein subsequently or simultaneously the spreading members engage the packaging material between the contact edges and travel transverse

Abstract: Method of preparing an adsorbent containing package and package made thereby. The method comprises providing a mounting surface of the package and heat fusing the mounting surface via ultrasonic welding to provide a multiplicity of depressed hard seal portions and relief surfaces on the mounting surface. The ratio of hard sealed portions to total seal area is within 10-60%.

Abstract: A tubular bag-making machine for forming a flexible tube from a hot-sealable web of packaging material sealed longitudinally by means of a longitudinal seam sealing device and transversely by means of a transverse seam sealing device to produce individual tubular bag packages. To improve the transverse sealing seams, bores which can be made to communicate in alternation with a negative-pressure source or an overpressure source are embodied in the sealing jaws of the transverse seam sealing device in regions having a reduced number of layers of packaging material to enable a good heat transfer and a higher sealing pressure in the region of changes in the number of layers of packaging material of the transverse sealing seams.

Abstract: A form-fill-seal machine has an ultrasonic vibration emitter head 11 positioned outside the tube being formed by the overlapping of the margins 3 and 5 of a film web, and an anvil 13 positioned inside the tube defined by those margins, the anvil being mounted on an anvil carrier 25 which is supported by a frame element entirely independent of the forming box 1 used to fold the film, so as to isolate the anvil from vibrations sustained from the forming box. The anvil carrier can be mounted directly to a carrier body for the ultrasonic vibration emitter, and preferably has the shape of an inverted letter J where the anvil is positioned near the toe 25a of the J, the mounting to the sealing machine frame is at the top of the stem 25c of the J, with a slot 25b between the toe 25a and the stem 25c.

Abstract: A sealing machine for sealing plant material disposed within a heat-sensitive bag comprises a first platen, a second platen movable with respect to the first platen between open and closed positions, and a compressible member disposed in a gap between said first and second platens. As the second member moves towards the closed position, the compressible member contacts and applies a pressure to bag, and evacuates substantially all of the air from within the bag without damaging the plant material. A sealing strip heats the bag, while an opposing pressure strip directs a pressure to the bag.

Abstract: A positive-pressure packaging system is provided to seal a product within an open package. The system includes a pressure chamber which encloses the product and package and is configured to expel atmosphere gases initially present within the package. The system includes a seal assembly for straitening the opening of the package so as to prevent the passage of particulate and other matter from within the open package. The system also includes a pressure source configured to increase pressure within the pressure chamber so as to expel the atmosphere gases by compression of the open package. A method of using the positive-pressure packaging system is also disclosed.

Abstract: Capsules, for example for the delivery of pharmaceuticals, are produced from two films (18) of a water-soluble polymeric material, by deforming the films to form a multiplicity of recesses, and filling the recesses with a flowable filling material. This is performed using two adjacent rotary dies (14, 15), with recesses (16) into which the films (18) are deformed. The dies (14, 15) also act as electrodes for welding the films together by dielectric welding to form filled capsules (30). The capsules (30) can readily be separated from the resulting web. The polymeric material may be gelatin, or a water-soluble cellulose derivative such as hydroxypropyl methyl cellulose, and may also contain a plasticizer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for packaging articles in bags is proposed, where a packaging magazine is used for receiving and guiding an article to be packaged. An article to be packaged is slid by a slider into the packaging magazine. The packaging magazine then moves together therewith into an opened bag, which is removed from a bag stack. With the bag, which surrounds the packaging magazine, the latter is then slid into the transfer magazine from where further conveying takes place.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method and a device for sealing packages (1) during continuous movement. A row of packages (1) is driven by means of a motor (8) through a sealing station comprising an inductor (4). The inductor (4) is driven in a pulse form by means of an IH (induction heating) inductor (5). A PLC system (6) is used to control the IH generator (5). The PLC system (6) receives information regarding speed and position of the packages (1) by means of a motor drive (9) and an encoder (7), respectively.

Abstract: A machine for forming individual packages from a web of preopened and interconnected bags one at a time is disclosed. A web is fed along a path of travel from a supply to a load station. A pair of nip rolls are positioned along the path near the load station. A printer is positioned along the path between the supply and the nip rolls. A nip roll drive is provided for rotating the nip rolls selectively and one at a time at a printing rate for the feed of the web when the printer is operating and at a faster feed rate for positioning a bag at the load station when the printer is not operating. A supply station tensioner is provided for tensioning a web along the path such that the printer when operating prints a section of a tensioned web.

Abstract: The method is aimed at indirectly determining the energy absorbed by a conducting layer (5) forming part of a strip of packaging material (1) to be sealed transversely. The method is based on measuring parameters correlated with the power supplied by a current source (45) to the packaging material (1) during sealing, and with the temperature of the conducting layer (5). The temperature measurement takes into account the temperature of the product to be packed, the characteristics of the packaging material, and the characteristics of the mechanical sealing members; correct cutting of the packaging material after sealing is also determined; and the parameters are monitored by measuring associated quantities and by comparison with permissible values.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.

Abstract: A method and system for moistening and sealing an envelope in a high speed mail processing machine including steps and components for heating a liquid to moisten the glue on the envelope flaps to more quickly soften the glue and provide an improved seal.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

Abstract: A method and device for end closing tubular wrappings of products, whereby the arms of a scissor-type parting device, once inserted in a closed position inside an end portion of a tubular wrapping, are allowed to part, and are pushed by springs into a fully open position throughout an extraction stroke to crease the end portion and enable the end portion to be pressed taut and accurately by the opposing thrust of two folding-sealing members.

Abstract: A method of sealing an opening portion of a packaging container by utilizing fusion bonding of the base material, together with an apparatus and method for inspecting the sealed portion. The container material has a welding layer as the innermost layer. The welding layer is melted at a seal portion defined along the edge of the opening portion of the container. A part of the melt from the welding layer is allowed to flow out from the edge of the opening portion, thereby sealing the seal portion and also forming an efflux layer outside the opening portion by the melt flowing out and solidified. An image of at least a part of the sealed portion and its vicinities is taken. At least a part of the image is defined as an inspection region. The image of the inspection region is subjected to predetermined image processing to calculate data concerning the efflux layer formed outside the sealed portion.

Abstract: The present invention refers to an apparatus and a method for forming a packaging unit consisting of an endless hose, or for sealing a prefabricated packaging unit, comprising an ultrasonic welding device including an anvil and a sonotrode, which are movable towards each other, and a means for positioning the hose material to be welded between the anvil and the sonotrode. In accordance with the present invention it is suggested that the anvil comprises two anvil parts which are movable relative to one another in the direction of the sonotrode, one of said anvil parts being implemented as a sealing anvil and the other part being implemented as a separating anvil. Hence, the apparatus according to the present invention permits the production of packaging units which end directly at the weld, i.e. in the case of which no length section of the foil material projects outwardly beyond the weld.

Abstract: A combined cutting blade and heat bar for use with a vacuum packaging device having a lid for sealing over the cavity of a base is disclosed. The cutting blade and heat bar are connected to one another and movable via a single actuating mechanism mounted to the lid. In use, in one step the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar unheated and the cutting element cuts slits in the bag for evacuation of the air. After air evacuation, the combined mechanism is lowered with the heat bar heated, melting the bag closed behind the slitted area of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for filling with high accuracy a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 &mgr;m into cavities having a size corresponding to the volume of powder to be filled, wherein said device comprises oscillating and rotating means for breaking down aggregates formed in the finely divided powdered medicament and filling and for compacting it in said cavities. The invention also includes a method of filling with high accuracy of a finely divided powdered medicament having a particle size smaller than 10 &mgr;m and to fill said finely divided powdered medicament into cavities, wherein the finely divided powdered medicament is transported and compacted in said cavities by oscillating and rotating means.

Abstract: A packaged food article includes a meat product and a thermoplastic, heat shrinkable film. The film includes a meat-contact layer that contains a polymer which includes mer units derived from a C2-C4 &agr;-olefin. The film is sealed so as to form a bag which encloses the meat product. At least one of the seals defines an arc which includes at least four segments. Each of the segments has a radius of curvature which differs from the radius of curvature of any adjoining segment. When the packaged food article is subjected to a temperature of from about 50° C. up to about the Vicat softening point of the polymer of the meat-contact layer, the packaged food article takes the general shape of a poultry breast.

Abstract: A method of making packages having a reclosable zipper construction openable and closable by a slider device, on a horizontal form, fill and seal process. The method includes applying the slider device to the zipper construction prior to incorporating the zipper construction with side panels to form the package. A tamper-evident seal may be provided encasing the slider device to provide indication whether access has been gained to the interior of the package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for the end closure of packaging tubes is provided. In one embodiment, the tube which is to be sealed presents an intermediate wall having a surplus length across the tube cross-section, and the intermediate wall is fixed at the filling end of the tube to the tube wall and along two joining locations extending along the length of the tube. A hot air nozzle with two sub-members forming a gap therebetween is inserted into the opening in the filling end, and parts of the intermediate wall and the inside of the tube intended for sealing are heat activated in a non-contacting manner. Apparatus for producing a clamping action is pressed against the heat activated tube end and the intermediate wall. This apparatus includes a pair of clamping jaws arranged for translatory motion perpendicular to the tube axis and initially in a direction at an angle to a line through the joining locations.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonic sealing of food product packaging is provided. The ultrasonic sealing system preferably includes a food product packaging-positioning system that delivers food product packaging and food product into direct on-item-packaging forming box. The direct on-item-packaging forming box then receives the food product packaging and forms it directly around the supplied food product forming a partially packaged food product. The partially packaged food product is then ultrasonically edge sealed around the food product by an ultrasonic food product packaging fin-sealing unit forming a partially sealed food product packaging. The partially sealed food product packaging then enters a food product packaging end-sealing unit which ultrasonically seals and crimps the ends of the food product packaging resulting in a fully packaged and ultrasonically sealed food product.

Abstract: An apparatus and associated method for sealing a bag enclosure around a work piece. The apparatus comprises a frame defining a reference surface adapted for supporting the bag and the work piece, wherein the bag is disposed around the work piece and open on a side. A sealing head is supported by the frame and moveable between a retracted position and an engaged position, whereat the engaged position the sealing head is adjacent the open portion of the bag. A conduit is supported by the frame and comprises a distal end insertable into the open side of the bag in the engaged position of the sealing head. A negative pressure source is fluidly connected to the conduit to impart a negative pressure to the distal end, drawing air out of the bag. A stretching member is supported by the frame so as to be insertable into an open end of the bag in the engaged position of the sealing head, and is moveable to stretch the open end of the bag taut.