Abstract: This invention is a novel laminate, and a process for making a laminate packaging material suitable for use with food in a retort environment. In the first step, polypropylene is coextruded with an anhydride modified polypropylene. In the second step the modified polypropylene is adhered to unprimed metal foil in a hot combining nip. In the third and final step, the surface of the foil opposite the surface affixed to the modified polypropylene is adhesively laminated to a biaxially oriented polymer.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for hermetically heat sealing flexible containers, and particularly pouch-like containers, is disclosed. A filled pouch is positioned between a pair of heated bars, with the bars being constructed and arranged to maintain a gap therebetween, such that pressure is not applied to the pouch. Thereafter, the pouch is positioned between a pair of chilled sealing bars and the chilled bars are constructed and arranged to apply sealing pressure to the edge of the pouch, where the edge region of the pouch is sealed and cooled. If desired, a plurality of gapped heated bar stations may be provided prior to the chill bar position.

Abstract: A vacuum heater head is provided for sealing the valve of a bag after the bag has been filled through the valve. The head has a generally planar surface with a plurality of spaced recesses opening therethrough, passages being provided in the head to open to the recesses for applying a vacuum therethrough. In two of the embodiments shown, the valve in a bag filled condition has a first wall that at least in part has an exposed exterior wall portion of a relatively high porosity and a second wall having a wall portion in juxtaposed relationship to the exposed wall. The first wall portion may be of paper and the second wall portion of a thermoplastic material, for example polyethylene, or the second of paper or non-thermoplastic with, for example, hot melt adhesive between the wall portions.

Abstract: The high temperature strength of a heat seal which bonds irradiatively cross-linkable thermoplastic materials together to form a receptacle can be significantly improved by irradiating the receptacle after the seal has been formed. This technique is especially effective for improving the high temperature seal strength of packaging film laminates such as those having a layer of an olefin homopolymer or copolymer and a layer of hydrolyzed ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: A tube of thermoplastic netting is drawn through a work station in a radially collapsed, condensed condition. At the work station, the netting is angularly twisted to rope-like form, to increase its bulk density and, in such condition, is drawn between the die and platen of an ultrasonic welding horn. Periodically, the die and platen momentarily bear against a succeeding short length of the twisted, condensed rope-like form making a fused seal nugget integrating all strands of the netting at that site. The resulting product may be a long length of such tubing, having such a seal every so often, or a plurality of bags formed from the intermediate product by making one transverse cut through the netting tube beside each seal nugget.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for sealing heat sealable material with a single actuation drive train. The drive train comprises a series of gripping, heating and squeezing elements directly actuatable and sequentially staged in conjunction with eccentric linkages and the rotational position of a single drive shaft operable by a single handle and/or input source. In a manual mode the second hand of the operator is thus free to collect and position the material to be sealed, saving time and reducing operator error. The gripping and squeezing elements and their operation are also selectively programmable by the construction and orientation of the particular eccentric linkage to facilitate wide variations in the scope of sealing applications.

Abstract: A system for a flexible container for liquids in which a socket is fixed to one wall and the container is filled through this socket. A flap being heat sealable on one surface is attached to one wall of the container and this flap underlies the socket so that after filling the socket can be closed by the flap and the filled container is sealed for transportation. Subsequently the socket can be fitted with a tap which breaks the flap seal and enables the contents of the flexible container to be dispensed.

Abstract: In a method of automatically closing a large upright sack after filling, the top of the flattened filling end of the sack is folded over onto itself and a closure tape is secured to the folded-over portion and one wall of the sack, whereafter the filling end is re-erected substantially vertically, folded in zig-zag fashion and pulled together to form a frill. The ends of the tape project beyond both sides of the filling end so that, after zig-zag folding of the filling end and tape and after the frill has been formed, the tape ends project from the same side of the frill and can be interconnected.

Abstract: This relates to a heat sealer for engaging heat sealable material between a pair of heat sealer members and clamping the material to be heat sealed under a controlled force. The heat sealing mechanism includes a pair of parallel members which are mounted for movement in unison and in opposite direction and which carry the heat sealing members which face in opposed relation. A pressure device is attached to one of the parallel members for moving the parallel members to a closed heat sealing position and a mechanical mechanism in the form of a cam is connected to the other of the parallel members for overriding the pressure device and effecting opening of the heat sealing members. The pressure device is in the form of a simple fluid cylinder and the fluid supply therefor is of the variable type whereby the controlled force exerted by the heat sealing members on the article to be heat sealed may be selectively varied.

Abstract: A container for holding articles and a method for forming this container. The container comprises a support structure having a first bag disposed inside of the support structure and a second bag sealed closely about the outside of the support structure. The first bag is sealed about the articles and bonded to the second bag to hold the container in one piece after the bags have been opened to reach the articles. The method comprises the steps of sealing the first bag about the articles and placing it in the support structure; sealing the second bag about the support structure; shrinking, by heating, the second bag until it forms a closely fitting sealed surface about the support structure; and forming a bond between the first and second bags to hold the container in one piece after it is opened.

Abstract: A method for producing sealed packages filled with fluid material wherein a limited amount of the material is delivered into a predetermined length of flexible, thermoplastic tubing, the major portion of which is wound on a primary reel, and the remainder of which is wound on a secondary reel. The amount is less than that required to completely fill the tubing, thus providing a slug of fluid material in the tubing on the primary reel and a vacant space in the tubing on the secondary reel. The amount of tubing on the secondary reel is calculated in advance to be equal in length to that portion of tubing required for the production of heat-sealed closures along the length of the tubing. The slug of material is displaced toward the secondary reel, thus creating a vacant space at the end of the tubing on the primary reel, and the tubing is rewound onto the primary reel.

Abstract: Microwave energy is used for sealing polymeric film material particularly the sealing of film material in the form of flexible containers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming a seal between layers of thermoplastic coated paperboard or the like wherein there are different numbers of layers and varying thicknesses at different locations within the area to be sealed. The apparatus includes an anvil having a work surface for engaging one outer surface of the layers and a horn that vibrates at a predetermined frequency when energized. The horn has a work surface that opposes the work surface of said anvil.

Abstract: A high speed, automatic machine for wrapping elongate semi-rigid products such as spaghetti. The machine includes means for cutting and positioning two sheets of wrapping material during a single portion period of the machine into two tandem buckets mounted on a conveyor. The machine also includes two high speed product weighers that deposit weighted amounts of the product onto the two sheets in the two buckets. The weighers operate in duplex and each fills a bucket during a single period of pause in the motion of the machine. After filling each bucket the wrapping machine has means for folding the leading and trailing margins of the two sheets of wrapping material. The two sheets are folded during a single motion period of the machine. The two folded sheets are then simultaneously heated sealed by two, tandem wrapper sealers. Each wrapper sealer makes a complete longitudinal seal for each package during one period of pause in the motion of the machine.