Abstract: An aseptic system and filling head wherein the container is presterilized and has a rupturable membrane over the inlet which membrane is broken by the filling machine prior to filling. The membrane may be a laminate which is broken by pressure of the product with which the container is to be filled. In that case the outermost layer of the laminate is dissolved prior to the filling step to weaken the membrane. Alternatively the membrane may be pierced by a reciprocating tool which also functions as a valve member in the filling head or by a fixed blade arranged around the outlet nozzle of the filling head.

Abstract: A dispensing container for a liquid or paste-like substance, consisting of two sheets of foil material, the edges of which are interconnected by means of a liquid-tight connecting seam, enclosing therebetween a filling space, the interior of the filling space communicating with a tube fixed in the connecting seam, the tube forming an outflow opening, the sheets being extended beyond the end of this tube to form a handle, and being interconnected there in a liquid-tight manner in order to close the dispensing opening of the tube, at least a portion of these extended sheet portions being adapted to be loosened in order to uncover the dispensing opening of the tube so as to allow to dispense the contents of the filling space, which is characterized in that the connecting seam between the foil sheets (1) near the tube (5) is provided with a preformed channel portion (4) in which the tube (5) is fixed in a liquid-tight manner, the channel (4) being extended (4') beyond the extremity of the tube (5) and into the ha

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for packaging an article with a thermoplastic resin film in which the film is rolled on the two rolls on both side so that an intermediate region thereof may be extended in tension condition between the rolls, and an article to be packaged is fed through a space between the rolls so as to push against the extended intermediate region of the film and be wrapped therewith, and overlapped portions of the wrapping film are set in parallel with the surface of the article and are fused together, and at the same time are cut so that there may be obtained such a fused adhesion line on the overlapped portions of the film that extends in the lateral width of the film and is longer in length than the width of the film, so that there is obtained the packaged article in which the fused overlapped portions of the packaging film is laid along on the surface of the article and, on the other hand, there is obtained an intermediate region of the film which is extended between the two rolls a

Abstract: A gussetted flexible tubular package having a longitudinal axis and formed from flexible sheet material, e.g., plastic film. The package comprising a front and rear panel connected by respective side gusset folds. Each of the gusset folds comprises a central fold edge interposed between a pair of outer fold edges and defining therebetween respective gusset sections subadjacent the panels. The upper end of the package has an open mouth defined by upper end portions of the panels located between a pair of side seals. Each of the side seals comprises a longitudinally disposed seal and an angularly diverging seal. The longitudinally located seals each include one portion which seals the panels together contiguous with their respective central fold edges and another portion which seals the panels to their respective subadjacent gusset sections contiguous with the respective central fold edges.

Abstract: To minimize the air volume present in a container following heat sealing, the dimensions of the flowthrough passage of the filling connection are decreased in a first heat sealing operation. Then, the container is elastically deformed by a punch to such an extent that the liquid content level rises up inside the filling connection. Finally, in a second heat sealing operation, the end segment of the now funnel-shaped flowthrough passage of the filling connection is heat sealed such that it is totally sealed without pores.

Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a pouch is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal between pouches as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower pouch and a bottom closure for the upper pouch, the easy open feature being provided by a U-shaped portion having a plurality of seal ribs, and a tear initiation notch.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for discharging vacuum packaged goods from a vacuum packaging apparatus. While a chamber held in contact with the upper surface of a table and defining an airtight space therein is in movement integrally with the table for one round of travel along an endless track, the chamber is lifted from the table for a given period of time for supply into the chamber of goods to be packaged as contained in a bag. When the chamber is again brought in contact with the table, a vacuum atmosphere is created in the chamber so that the mouth of the bag is sealed, vacuum packaged goods being thus obtained. A table portion within the chamber is formed with an open/close type drop opening which is sealed by a cover plate. The to-be-packaged goods contained in a bag, as well as vacuum packaged goods which are sealed at the mouth of the bag, are loaded on the cover plate.

Abstract: Method and circuitry is disclosed for controlling and stabilizing temperature of a resistance heat sealing element used in packaging operations. Temperature of the heat sealing element is measured by monitoring its resistance by means of a current sensing resistor placed in series with the heat sealing element. The resistivity of the heat sealing element is a function of temperature and current measurement, assuming substantially constant applied voltage, is an accurate measure of sealing element temperature. The circuitry reduces application of electric power to the sealing element in response to current in the sealing element dropping below a predetermined level. The circuit either continues application of electric power, or increases it, in response to the current being above the predetermined level. Circuitry is also provided for compensating for undesirable line voltage changes to maintain the heating element at a constant temperature.

Abstract: A wrapper for tabular products, especially chocolate bars. The wrapper consists of a one-piece blank wrapped asymmetrically around the bar to create a facing and of a tube of wrapping material established by a longitudinal sealing seam adjacent to one side of the bar and closed at the ends of the bar by a bellows. The bellows encompasses the longitudinal sealing seam as part of the tube of wrapping material and is wrapped around onto the lower surface of the bar to create an inner flap. The facing covers up areas of the bellows and is secured to the portion of the tube of wrapping material adjacent to the lower surface of the bar. The blank (7) is rectangular. The facing (25) is created by folding in the inner flaps (24) in such a way that both the facing and the inner flap are free of any part of the longitudinal sealing seam (11). The bellows is bridged by a transverse sealing seam (21) located in one area of the bellows that is wrapped against the lower surface (3) of the bar (1) and covered by the facing.

Abstract: A process of packaging goods characterized in that the goods are placed in a container (1) made of flexible thermoplastics sheet material and having a flange (2) provided with an aperture (3), partly closing the container by sealing a deformable sheet material (4) of thermoplastics material to the flange so as to leave unsealed together a part of the flange and the sheet between the aperture and the interior of the container, inserting a conduit member (7) into the aperture so as to separate the unsealed part of the flange and the sheet material, modifying the atmosphere in the container by withdrawing a part of the air in the container and introducing a preserving gas into the container, removing the conduit and sealing together the unsealed part of the sheet material and the flange whereby communication between the aperture (3) and the interior of the container is prevented.

Abstract: A self-supporting, stand-up, peripherally sealed, flexible, dispensing pouch has a construction which comprises (a) a circumferential, flexible wall that defines a compartment which contains fluidic material; (b) an inverted portion of the flexible wall that extends into the compartment; and (c) a self-supporting rim formed by the confluence of the flexible wall with the inverted portion.

Abstract: A pouch made of a heat-fusible material is sealed at its mouth while being transferred on a conveyor. A vibrator provided at one side of the track of the conveyor is pressed against the mouth of the pouch for vibrative heating in response to a signal from a sensor and is moved away from the mouth in response to a sensor signal. The sensor detects the coming and passing of the pouch at and through the sealing station. The pouch preferably has an open mouth with a presealed leading edge which ensures that the entire mouth is completely sealed. The provision of the presealed leading edge along with the vibrator for vibrative heat-sealing ensures that a good seal is produced even if powder or fat has adhered to the sealing surface.

Abstract: Packaging of series of relatively small articles between long webs of wide packaging laminates having faces of resilient heat sealable foam. One web is fed foam-face-up across a table, the articles to be packaged placed on it in spaced locations, heated melting shoes applied to web edges to melt the foam surfaces there, and a second web applied foam-face-down over the spaced articles and heat sealed to the lower web at its melted edges. Melting shoes can have their surfaces treated to make them essentially non-wetable by the melted foam. Transverse heat sealing and severings are effected between successive articles. The heat sealings can be set by cold pressings. Web backings can be made relatively non-porous to minimize bleed-through of melted foam. Before sealing, sandwiched articles and be pressed between upper and lower resilient fingers to urge articles to level at which they project up as much as they project down, from plane of web edges.

Abstract: A control system and method for an apparatus for sealing packages wherein a web of flexible packaging material having a series of registration marks is formed into tubing and fed past a sealing device for sealing the tubing to form packages. As the tubing is fed past the sealing device, a photoeye detects the registration marks. A CPU, responsive to the photoeye, compares the location of registration marks relative to a window. A counter, responsive to the CPU, sets a delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device in response to the relative location of the registration marks and the window. The feeding of the tubing is stopped after the counter has been decremented to zero and the delay length of tubing has passed the sealing device. An in registration delay length of tubing to be fed past the sealing device is set in response to detection by said photoeye of a registration mark within the window.

Abstract: A combination box and box cushioning having a flat box blank member with a plurality of adhesive strips positioned on the inside thereof with a planar sheet of material adhered to said flat box blank at the position of the adhesive strips which when the box is folded and set up form a plurality of pockets between the inside of the box and the sheet material which are filled with foam material to form pockets of cushioning within the box which are prearranged as to position.

Abstract: A flexible collapsible container is filled with fluid by connecting a fluid conduit to a tubular port which communicates through one of the walls of the container to the container interior, and rupturing a sealing diaphragm that closes the bore of the tubular port. One then passes fluid through the conduit to fill the container. Thereafter, one seals either or both the tubular port and plastic wall which carries it to the other, opposed plastic wall of the container with seal line means to close off flow communication between the bore of the tubular port and a major portion of the container interior which contains the fluid. The effect of this is to block flow communication between the bore and the fluid so that the contents of the container remain sealed on disengagement of the fluid conduit from the tubular port.

Abstract: Improved method and apparatus for continuously folding, heating, and tacking to the sides of the package panel the excess packaging material created by forming the package from a web of polyfoil material. The method and apparatus is particularly useful in form, fill, and seal machines that form a plurality of aseptic sealed packages from a continuously advancing tube filled with a product, and incorporate a plurality of package receiving means mounted on a continuously advancing structure that forms sealed product filled packages into rectangular finished bricks by squaring the package, heating the excess material, folding the excess material against the package until it cools to thereby tack it.

Abstract: A method and system for aseptic filling of containers. The flexible containers (1) are presterilized and a rupturable membrane (41) covers the inlet to the container. The filling head (20) includes a recess (46) below the outlet valve (24) and this recess is closed by the rupturable membrane (41) when the container inlet is aligned with the filling head. After alignment sterilizing fluid is introduced into the recess to sterilize the outer surface of the membrane and the internal surfaces of the recess. Following sterilization the valve membrane (22) moves towards the rupturable membrane (41) allowing the piercing tool (25) to rupture said membrane. The outlet valve (24) of the filling head is opened and the liquid is allowed to flow into the container. Subsequent to completion of the filling cycle the inlet to the container is sealed and the sealed and filled container (1) is then removed from the filling head (20).

Abstract: Packaging containers which are closed, except for a pinch-type filling valve or filling-opening, are provided with an RF-sealable polymer, at least in the valve or opening, in order to be able to seal the valve or opening using RF frequency. Preferably, polymers which are sealable using MW energy are used, including, preferably, carbon monoxide-containing ethylene polymers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for making gas flushed packages in a vacuum chamber machine which includes a bag mouth clamp spaced apart form seal bars disposed to transversely seal the bag neck. A vertically moveable piercing blade and nozzle penetrate the upper wall of the bag neck as the chamber pressure is lowered and the bag "balloons" thereby causing the upper and lower neck walls to separate. Once the bag is pierced and the residual air escapes, a predetermined amount of gas is injected and then the bag is sealed. If desired, sufficient gas can be injected to make a pillow pack.

Abstract: In a vacuum packaging apparatus for packaging relatively large articles, a rotary valve is provided over a turntable having a plurality of vacuum chambers at its periphery so that an amount of air is supplementarily discharged from a vacuum chamber into one of other vacuum chambers before a complete vacuum is made and that a small amount of atmospheric air is sucked into the chamber to shrink preliminarily a packaging bag before its open end is sealed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique method and apparatus for packaging a product in individual vacuum-sealed packets constructed of a sheet of flexible material. In the method of the present invention, a sheet of flexible packaging material is formed into a channel-shaped member having spaced apart vertical sidewalls. The facing surfaces of the sidewalls are sealed at horizontally spaced apart, vertical locations to define a plurality of open top packets. A predetermined amount of a flowable product is introduced into each of the open top packets. Next, the upper corner portions of each individual packet are sealed to reduce the size of the opening in the packets. A vacuum tube is introduced into the open top packet and the upper portion of the open top packet is sealed around the vacuum tube. The interior of the packet is then evacuated through the vacuum tube and an initial horizontal top seal is produced below the vacuum tube to initially seal the packet.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for improving transverse seal strength in a vertical form-fill-seal machine includes directing a cooling medium on a just formed transverse seal from an area beneath and on either side of the film, in an arcuate pattern to effect cooling during at least a portion of the downward movement of the seal toward a cutting means.

Abstract: A pressure-tight packaging, intended particularly for tennis balls, has an opening (3) which is adapted to be sealed by a closure member (4) upon pressurizing the container. Closure member (4) is of substantially planar configuration and is made of a plastics material, which is first warmed by the pressurizing gas on filling the container and is then forced into abutment with the container wall by the gas pressure so as to become welded or glued to the container wall and thus to seal the opening (3).

Abstract: A plastic bag for retaining a content therein and wherein the bag has a gathered throat portion adjacent an end opening thereof, the gathered throat portion being formed by randomly disposed wall portions of the plastic material fused together by two or more rows of adjacent spaced apart fused zones of plastic material disposed about a plurality of needle holes. The apparatus comprises at least one set of opposed gathering jaw plates for gathering, in a random fashion, a circumferential portion of the plastic bag adjacent the end opening thereof to form a gathered throat portion. Two pressing plates are disposed on a respective side of the gathered throat portion and are each provided with two or more spaced apart rows of needle receiving bores disposed adjacent one another in differing planes. A needle support block of heat conductive material has needles secured thereto for conducting heat from the block.

Abstract: An L-sealer apparatus in which the transverse arm portion of the pivotal pressure frame is provided with an adjustably-retractable cutting blade for alternatively forming bags having only three sealed sides thereof, with one side edge being left unsealed for subsequent closure by a twist-tie, and for alternatively forming conventional, completely sealed bags. A clamping element is provided for clamping the plastic film adjacent to the portion at which the cutting blade is to cut, in order to provide a clean cut. The plastic film is cut downstream or upstream of the portion being heat-sealed by the electrical heating wire provided with the transverse arm portion of the pressure frame.

Abstract: The invention is a method and machine for filling and sealing a multiwall valve bag. The bag is fabricated with a valve structure that has at least two separated layers of a polymer composition capable of being heated by electromagnetic energy in the radio frequency range (RF energy). After the bag is filled with a product, the valve structure of the bag is clamped against a set of electrodes that are carrying the RF energy. In a very short time, the polymer layers in the valve structure will absorb enough of the RF energy to join together and thus "heat" seal the filled bag.

Abstract: A method for fusing together the bottom of a charged tubular container, formed of a synthetic resin, with its mouth being turned down, comprising the steps of:engaging a flattened portion of the upper end of said tubular container with one side of a vibrator terminal provided at the lower end of an ultrasonic generator oscillating at a given angle to said flattened portion, andapplying ultrasonic vibrations on said one side of said terminal, thereby applying said ultrasonic vibrations on said flattened portion.

Abstract: Packaging containers which are closed, except for a pinch-type filling valve or filling-opening, are provided with an RF-sealable polymer, at least in the valve or opening, in order to be able to seal the valve or opening using RF frequency. Preferably, polymers which are sealable using MW energy are used, including, preferably, carbon monoxide-containing ethylene polymers.

Abstract: Welding and cutting process in which the bag is disposed in a holding unit (107) supporting and positioning it, and is composed of a side plate (108), a stop plate (109), and a closing angle member.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a unique method for packaging a product in individual packets constructed of a sheet of flexible material. In the method of the present invention, a sheet of flexible packaging material is formed into a generally U-shaped channel having spaced apart vertical sidewalls. The facing surfaces of the sidewalls are sealed at horizontally spaced apart locations to define a plurality of open top packets. A predetermined amount of a flowable product is introduced into each of the open top packets. Next, the upper corner portions of each individual packet are sealed and a prdetermined portion is cut from each upper corner. The upper corner portions of each packet then are pulled away from one another in a generally horizontal direction to urge the spaced apart upper marginal edges of the sidewalls of the packet toward one another. After the upper corner portions have been pulled away from one another, the upper marginal edges of the packets are sealed together to close the packet.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for creating the transverse seals in a form, fill and seal packaging machine is provided. The apparatus includes a heating member that heats a portion of the web of film to create the transverse seals, and a cooling member that cools the heated portion of the web of film and the heating member. The heating member includes a hot bar, a heater for heating the hot bar, and a biasing member that disengages the hot bar from the heater before the hot bar contacts the web of film.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method for wrapping batches of products, in particular candies, and for forming sealed packets, which envisages: a batch of products being supplied to a wrapping wheel; a sheet of heat-sealing material with two lateral downward turned borders being placed above the batch; the said borders being welded one to the other in order to form a tube, the opposite extremities of which are first flattened through the insertion in between them of divarication means; the said extremities then being sealed by welding/pre-folding grippers designed to make, on each welded tubular extremity, weakening lines that aid the subsequent folding of the said extremities.

Abstract: A bag closing and sealing machine is disclosed for closing and sealing stepped end adhesively sealed type bags. The machine is designed to allow a separation at the axial center line of the machine whenever a bag jam starts to occur. By providing for axial separation, lengthy and costly dismantling of the machine to clear a jam-up is eliminated. The machine comprises three primary sections which are a feeding and creasing section, a folding and heating section and a compression section. The various sections are fixedly attached partly to a fixed elongated frame and partly to a pivotable elongated frame in the preferred embodiment. In a modification of the preferred embodiment, the pivotable elongated frame is replaced by a slidable elongated frame to function in a similar manner. A method of quickly and easily releasing a jammed stepped end bag from the machine is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for forming seal in a packaging material through containing a plastic combestible such as process cheese, utilizing sealing element having a plurality of small channels in the surface thereof having a directional component laterally of the longitudinal axis of the sealing element.

Abstract: Apparatus and method is provided for packaging a flowable material in bag containers. The apparatus comprises a support stand and, mounted thereon, a filling station, a sealing station, and support means, the stations being in spaced, side by side relation. The support means has a support surface on which successive containers are receivable, and which is movable relative to the stations from a position in which a container received thereon is presented in turn to the filling station and the sealing station. The filling station has a filler head connectable to a source of supply of the flowable material and engageable with an opening of the container for discharge of a quantity of the material into the container. The sealing station has sealing means for receiving the container opening, the sealing means being connected to an electric power source and being operable to grip the opening and form a heat seal thereacross.

Abstract: A machine for making and filling packets has an intermittently fed sheet material which is recurrently severed into packet strips. These strips are successively pushed downwardly by a battery of filling tubes which shift vertically, bear against the sheet strip, and fold it into a vertical trough-shaped receptacle open at the top. After the filling tube battery has moved downwardly, sets of vertically spaced sealing or clamping jaws operate to effect laterally spaced side seals in an upper strip and conjointly create top seals in the lower or preceding sheet strip. Product is metered to the packet strips. The sealed packets are severed from the strip after the sealing operation. The filled packet has outwardly bowed side walls and the juncture of the bottom wall and the side walls will assume a line, the configuration of which is a function of the size and cross-sectional configuration of the filling tubes, providing a unique advantageous form.

Abstract: An improved method for forming closed burstable pouches having breakable seals. The method includes selection of a laminated polymeric film which has two principal layers--an outer layer which is responsive, and an inner layer which is non-responsive, to a radio-frequency (RF) welding field, the inner layer being of a biaxially-oriented polymeric material such that its cohesive strength in its thickness direction is less than the cohesive strength of the outer layer. The outer layer has a higher melting point than the inner layer. With two sheets of such material placed with their inner surfaces in contact, the breakable seal is formed by applying an RF welding field for a time and at an intensity to heat the outer layers sufficiently to fuse the inner layers by heat transfer from the outer layers without melting the outer layers and without destroying the biaxially-oriented structure of the inner layer.

Abstract: The present method comprises the steps of positioning a bag on a supporting surface, the bag consisting of flexible film material such as plastic laminate. The bag is so constructed that its side walls are sealed along their peripheries, with one end having an unsealed portion. A filling hole is provided in one side wall of the unsealed bag portion. The bag before filling is flat, or in other words it is not inflated with air or other gas. The side walls of the unsealed portion (preferably a corner of the bag) are then separated to form an opening into which means is introduced to effect sealed registration of a filling head with the bag filling hole. A measured amount of liquid is then delivered through the filling opening to fill the bag, and after the bag has been filled the unsealed end portion of the bag is heat sealed to form a completely sealed bag. Before filling, it is desirable to evacuate air from the bag by applying suction.

Abstract: An automatic form-and-fill packaging machine especially adapted for the ultrasonic sealing of food products in flexible bags from ultrasonically sealable flexible packaging material, and a method to utilize said machine. A packaging machine is provided with a first ultrasonic back seal forming unit for producing a continuous longitudinal back seal on the bag, and a second ultrasonic sealing unit provided in a pair of jaw members which are adapted to form the end seals of the bag perpendicular to the direction of travel of the packaging material. The second ultrasonic sealing unit is provided with a horn and an anvil in opposing jaw members, such that when the jaws are shut, the flexible packaging material is tensioned against sealing land areas to provide the end seals.

Abstract: A method and device for packaging essentially conical objects, particularly ice-cream cones, in individual wrappings. The ice-cream cones (1) are advanced with the aid of holder members (7). A web (11) of shrinking foil is folded over the cones. The ice-cream cones are advanced up to two wheels (12, 13) formed with cogs (14). On the cogs of one of the wheels two jaws (15) and a heating wire (16) are provided. The opposite wheel (13) is formed on its cogs (14) with a back-up surface. When the ice-cream cones reach the wheels (12, 13) the foil is compressed between the cogs (14) and burnt off by the heating wire while at the same time vertical edges are formed in the foil and fused together in such a manner that individual wrappings are formed about each ice-cream cone (1). Hot air is finally blown against the part of the wrapping that is positioned below the cone edge so that this part of the wrapping is shrunk onto the ice-cream cone and the wrapping securely retained thereon.

Abstract: An ultrasonic welding apparatus for providing a closure on plastic film bags wherein the end of the film bags is gathered, twisted or not twisted, and then welded to provide a hermetic seal, includes an anvil having a recess into which the gathered plastic material is placed for welding. The side of the recess is lined with low friction material, such as nylon or Teflon, to accomodate a sliding fit between the resonator and the anvil recess. Absent a close fit between the anvil side surface and the resonator side surface, bag material will escape into such space, thereby preventing a hermetic seal. The low friction material prevents destruction of the opposing surfaces subjected to high intensity vibrational forces.

Abstract: This relates to method and apparatus for the packaging of a tubular shirred casing strand within a wrap sleeve. The wrap sleeve is provided with end portions which extend beyond the casing strand, and these end portions are heated and folded and deformed by way of a plunger which functions as a piston within a mold structure so as to define a rigid substantially solid end cap which is integral with the wrap sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process and apparatus for aseptic filling of pre-sterilized non-rigid containers, especially foodstuffs containers. The said process involves taking laying hold of the container by means of air-suction, followed by sterilization of part of the container and the means holding same, then piercing of the actual container and subsequent introduction thereinto of sterile gas. This is followed by introduction of the foodstuff into the container and ultimate hermetical heat-sealing of the container thus filled. The apparatus used for carrying out the process comprises a movable workhead, positioned appropriately along a traverse overlying the conveyor bringing up containers for filling the workhead has means for taking hold of the container by suction, means for piercing the container, and for introducing sterile gas and foodstuff into the container. The workhead carries out such operations by moving into angularly distinct respective working postures.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for continuous rotary ultrasonic sealing of form and fill machines to produce packages utilizes a rotary anvil and cutter knife and an ultrasonic horn having adjustable simulated rotary motion movable in synchronism with the anvil for providing an end seal on packages.

Abstract: A form, fill and seal machine packages products in a thermoplastic material which is formed into a tube and sealed with a measured amount of the product within. The transverse seals in the tube are formed in a cyclic operation by a pair of cooperating sealing heads. The heads clamp the tube walls together above and below a line of severance between two sequentially formed packages and weld the tube walls together along transverse sealing areas at each side of the line of severance. To heat the material to a fusing temperature, the one sealing head has a chamber from which hot gas is directed onto one side of a sealing area, and the other sealing head has an electrical heater for applying a thermal impulse of heat to the other side of the sealing area. The hot gas presses the thermoplastic material against the electrical heater and provides a "free form" clamp for uniform sealing pressure.

Abstract: In a bagging machine for producing industrial bags, an improvement comprising a sealing head compartmented on the back side, and included is a plate valve to block at least certain of the compartments during the initial part of the sealing cycle. During the sealing cycle, a heated air stream exiting from the sealing head is controllably channeled to occur at defined regions, e.g., opposite the bag gussets and lap seam, and then by opening the valve, the channeling is terminated and heat is applied uniformly to complete the bag end sealing.

Abstract: A heat sealing machine for sealing polyester sheets is disclosed, wherein edges of two polyester sheets are heat sealed together by being exposed to a nickel-chrome heating ribbon. The machine includes movable clamping bars for clamping polyester sheets to a work surface in a position to be heat sealed, and also includes a movable shield for shielding the freshly sealed plastic sheet from a heating element, as well as for providing an alignment guide for the next plastic sheet to be heat sealed on the machine, which cooperates with the clamping bar.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging method and apparatus for packaging solid objects such as food products of various shapes automatically. A web of tubular plastic film is supplied from a roll and drawn over an opening core which opens the plastic film into a rectangular shape. The film is then drawn over the object to be packaged and cut to a predetermined length. In one embodiment, the front end of the film is then sealed and the object urged towards the sealed end. In another embodiment, both ends of the film are left open at this point. The object with the film positioned therearound is transferred to a vacuum chamber. Prior to the chamber being evacuated, tension is applied to the film so as to prevent the formation of creases.

Abstract: A device is provided for enclosing fish bait in a permeable mesh bag using a base with a well therein into which the central portion of such mesh may be depressed and wherein the bait may be placed in the mesh. A pair of metal plates are provided which act to close over the bait the mesh protruding from the well.