Abstract: A filler material packing system for packing a granular or fragmental filler material in a bag-shaped hollow surface material includes a suction-type packing container, and means for delivering the filler material. The packing container has an inner space. At least a part of the surface material is air-permeable, and the surface material is positioned in the inner space. The packing container has a suction port and an entry port that are connected to the inner space. The filler material is delivered to the inside of the surface material positioned in the inner space of the packing container by the filler material delivering means. The filler material delivering means includes a cylindrical stirring container having a lid, a sidewall and a bottom wall. The stirring container has a stirring vane positioned on the bottom wall. Air vent holes and an outlet port are provided in an upper part of the sidewall.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packaging a continuous packaged body of the invention is so constructed that a seal bar and a seal table are mounted in the respective skirt parts of seal blocks opposite to each other with a tube film interposed between them, and in the case of nipping the tube film by both seal blocks plural intermittent teeth spot close the tube film on the inner sides of both skirt parts as one points in the transfer direction of a material to be packaged. Simultaneously, in ports of the face of a standing gap formed thin along the outsides of the above intermittent teeth, the tube film is flared by vacuum suction force, and from the section of the tube film cut by forcing a cutting edge in the seal bar into a receiving groove cut in the seal table, the air in the tube film is sucked through the spot closing gap and the receiving groove.

Abstract: In a web packaging machine (10) and method packaging a food product (P) between upper and lower webs (14 and 25), wherein the lower web (14) is transported through a series of stations which form the lower web (14) into a component of a package at a forming station (18), and receive the food product (P) at a loading station (20), and close the package with the upper web (25) at a closing station (26), a pasteurization station (300) is provided between the loading station (20) and the closing station (26) and pasteurizing the food product (P).

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus comprising an alignment plate having a plurality of depressions therein, each depression being sized to receive a packaging cap therein and to prevent its movement, and a force applicator to apply a force to press the packaging caps and a substrate firmly together. Also disclosed is a process comprising inserting a plurality of packaging caps in a plurality of depressions on an alignment plate, each depression being sized to receive a packaging cap and prevent its movement, aligning the plurality of packaging caps with individual devices on a substrate, placing the substrate in contact with the packaging caps, and applying a force to press the caps against the substrate. Other embodiments are disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for venting a filled bottle closed by a stopper is disclosed. The venting is designed to equalize the pressure between the interior of the bottle and the atmosphere such that the stopper inserted into the filled bottle is not forced out of the bottle by excess pressure in the bottle. The venting may be accomplished by deforming the stopper in the bottle opening to form an air-outlet opening in the region sealed by the stopper and the bottle. The venting may be implemented by a squeezing device arranged on at least one side of the stopper, the squeezing device being active in a direction perpendicular to the central axis of the bottle opening.

Abstract: A filling and sealing device includes an upper part forming a bell and a lower part forming a bowl, receiving a container to be sealed with a film in the chamber defined by the two parts. The upper part has a wall, on the side supplying the sealing film, inserting and filling elements emerging inside the chamber between the sealing film and the lower edge of the wall for inserting products into the chamber and for filling the container therein. Preferably, the upper part also includes above the inserting and filling elements, a slot for passing through the sealing film, closing and locking elements with controlled actuation for closing the slot and lock the film relative to the upper part, and elements for introducing and/or removing fluid (gas).

Abstract: An evacuation system including an evacuation member engages a product package and applies pressure thereto, such that a product in the product package moves toward an outlet in the product package for dispensing. A controller monitors the force applied by a driver to the product package, thereby ensuring that the pressure remains below a particular threshold to protect the integrity of the product package. The controller further monitors the evacuation member location, thereby enabling the controller to recognize when the product package is empty. The evacuation system further includes a package carrier including a pinch-off area that moves product out of an unrecoverable portion of the product package. The evacuation member may be utilized as a stand-alone device or with a primary device, wherein the primary device provides signals to the evacuation system and the evacuation system provides product to the primary device.

Abstract: Described herein is a capping head for the application of caps on bottles or containers, in which the capping head is enclosed within a casing having an end mouth that engages the bottle or the container during application of the cap so as to define a closed chamber, within which the capping head is contained. Said closed chamber is set in communication with a source of vacuum so as to empty the bottle or container of the air contained therein before completion of application of the cap.

Abstract: The invention relates to a package comprising a flexible substrate having a silver halide formed image.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packaging a continuous packaged body of the invention is so constructed that a seal bar and a seal table are mounted in the respective skirt parts of seal blocks opposite to each other with a tube film interposed between them, and in the case of nipping the tube film by both seal blocks plural intermittent teeth spot close the tube film on the inner sides of both skirt parts as one points in the transfer direction of a material to be packaged. Simultaneously, in ports of the face of a standing gap formed thin along the outsides of the above intermittent teeth, the tube film is flared by vacuum suction force, and from the section of the tube film cut by forcing a cutting edge in the seal bar into a receiving groove cut in the seal table, the air in the tube film is sucked through the spot closing gap and the receiving groove.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing or handling a substantially pure object includes shielding the substantially pure object from the environment by substantially enveloping the object in a fluid. A system for manufacturing a substantially pure object includes a mold for forming the object, and a machine adapted to remove the object from the mold. The machine includes a handling device for gripping the object and removing it from the mold. The handling device includes at least one nozzle through which fluid is delivered to substantially envelope the object during, for example, removal of the object from the mold. The object may be a medical object, such as a syringe, or a component or part thereof, such as a syringe barrel or plunger. In a preferred aspect, a molding process is conducted in a room exhibiting less than Class 100 conditions and/or in such a way that the object does not need to be subsequently cleaned or rinsed, as by air or water washing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable vacuum packaging machine which, other than a conventional vacuum packaging machine composed of a bulky and weighty single component element, is configured in such a way as to be divided into a body section and a head section, whereby a vacuum packaging work can be conveniently implemented using the head section without requiring movement of the body section, irrespective of place so long as a flat condition is satisfied.

Abstract: A sealing device includes a top part forming a bell and a bottom part forming a vat, receiving a container to be sealed with a film in the chamber defined by the top and bottom parts. The top part includes on a side supplying the film, a slot for the passage of the film running through a wall of the top part, and a device, preferably an inflatable pipe, for obstructing the slot and blocking the film. The wall of the top part also includes a device for inserting and/or extracting fluid, opening inside the chamber between the slot and the wall lower edge, for extracting gas under vacuum, injecting gas and/or filling the container.

Abstract: An automatic packing machine for conditioning bags under conditioned atmosphere, in which the sealing operation of the bags occurs inside a pneumatically insulated space that is composed by a conditioning chamber which contains the already conditioned bag, and by a sealing chamber which contains the sealing equipment, after that the chambers have been put in communication through the opening of the lid of the conditioning chamber.

Abstract: An apparatus for packaging resiliently compressible articles is disclosed. In one embodiment, the apparatus has at least two rotatable, spaced apart article engaging elements adapted to receive an end portion of an article for rolling the article into a compact rolled up configuration. Each article engaging element can be rotatably mounted to one of at least two arm portions, which are desirably pivotally mounted to the apparatus. At least one of the arm portions can be adapted to be movable in a lateral direction. The apparatus may also be provided with a vacuum hose fluidly connected to a vacuum source for vacuum packing an article desirably before it is rolled-up. A spring containing mattress is also disclosed, which, in one embodiment, comprises plural rows of springs and substantially C-shaped border wires extending around the periphery of the end portions of the upper and lower surfaces of the mattress.

Abstract: A bagging and packaging machine for forming a bag from a strip of bag material and introducing an article into the bag includes a gas supply unit for supplying an inert gas into the bag to substitute for air contained in the bag and a gas supply control means for controlling supply of the inert gas by the gas supply means into the bag. The bagging and packaging machine is designed to allow the inert gas to be supplied under high pressure at a flow rate sufficient to increase the gas replacement rate in the bag when the machine is started, to be supplied under low pressure at a flow rate lower than the high pressure flow rate during a bagging and packaging operation subsequent to the start of the machine.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing appliance for lidded containers. A container is evacuated by placing a conventional container with a lid under a bell cover or by applying a special lid to an open container. An actuator assembly moves a valve to an sealed position and energizes an electrical vacuum pump. A vacuum switch and solenoid simultaneously terminate the operation of the vacuum pump and allow atmospheric pressure to be applied to the lid, thereby to seal the lid against the container.

Abstract: A system for evacuating containers. The system includes a base housing defining a recess having a vacuum inlet port in communication with a vacuum source. An inner door is hinged to the base housing and is sized to cover the recess when in a closed position, and an outer door having a sealing member is hinged to close over the inner door. A vacuum nozzle extends at least partially between the inner and outer doors and is in communication with the recess. The inner and outer doors cooperate to retain a flexible container therebetween and around the nozzle so that the nozzle is positioned for fluid communication with an inside of the container. A removable drip pan is positioned to retain fluids drawn by the nozzle.

Abstract: A packaging machine for filling and sealing receptacles, the machine having a plurality of stations at which packaging operations are performed by packaging devices (21-29), the stations having at least a filling station (21) and a sealing station (23, 24, 27). The packaging machine includes a conveyor (10) for causing the receptacles to travel along a path passing through the various stations, the packaging machine being characterized in that the stations are disposed in an enclosure (2) in which a vacuum prevails.

Abstract: An apparatus to charge and seal in contents is provided with a supporting portion for containers, holding portions for seal plugs, airtight chambers, a pressure gas supplier and a vacuum pump. The container has a receiving chamber and it is to be put on the supporting portion being the chamber is charged with contents and being the chamber's opening portion faced upward. The seal plug is for sealing the opening portion. The airtight chamber is composed of a main portion and a cap portion. The main and cap portions freely move relatively and freely contact tightly, then they surround the supporting and the holding portions in airtight condition. Further, the supporting portion and the main portion freely move relatively in airtight condition, so as the holding portion and the cap portion do, and the supporting portion and the holding portion are freely separated from each other.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine having a chamber comprised of an injection-molded lid and an injection-molded basin.

Abstract: A method and closure and container combination for packaging and sealing a commodity in a container that reduces headspace gases, in particular oxygen, allowing the packaged commodity to have a longer shelf life. The method is also useful for reducing stresses on containers that undergo filling at an elevated temperature and/or require in-container pasteurization or retort processes after fill and seal.

Abstract: Dangerous wastes, such as very low level radioactive waste are processed and compacted under the form of flat cakes (12) stacked in metallic drums (10) closed by an intermediary lid (16) provided with a cap. A blocking material is then injected into the drum by an injection nozzle (42), after a toothed crown (38) surrounding this nozzle has perforated the cap. The toothed crown (38) is carried by a dynamic containment hood (28) in which there is also a circuit (44) for negative pressure application to the drum (10) and the hood. This circuit sucks out the contaminated air contained in the tank when it is perforated and during injection. The operation is thus carried out without risk of contaminating the workshop and the external surface of the drum.

Abstract: The invention proposes a method of venting a filled bottle with is closed by means of an elastic stopper (10), the stopper inserted into the bottle opening being deformed such that an air-outlet opening is formed in the sealing region between the stopper and bottle.

Abstract: A vacuum water making method and device, the vacuum water making device comprises a water storage tank, a first gas extraction pipeline, a vacuum container connected to one end of the first gas extraction pipeline and the water storage tank, an intake pipeline disposed in the vacuum container, a mild water temperature control portion disposed between the intake pipeline and the water storage tank, a bottle filling injection pipeline with one end connected to the water storage tank, and an isopiestic continuous room disposed below the bottle filling injection pipeline. The vacuum water is produced by said device.

Abstract: The present invention is a seal bar for use in connection with a vacuum packaging machine, the seal bar being actuated by an air bladder and moved over floating guide shafts. The guide shafts provide the primary electrical connection to the seal bar, thereby eliminating the need for a direct electrical connection to the seal bar.

Abstract: A process and apparatus are provided for transferring material from an isolated environment into a storage carrier through a conduit that can be sealed with a plug. The plug and conduit can then be severed to provide a hermetically sealed storage carrier containing the material which may be transported for storage or disposal and to maintain a seal between the isolated environment and the ambient environment.

Abstract: A packaging machine may package irregularly shaped food products such that a heat-sensitive lidding material is thermoformed to generally conform to the configuration of the food product.

Abstract: A head space inerting system is used in a packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing packages. The inerting system directly introduces an inerting gas into the head space of the formed package subsequent to filling and prior to sealing. The inerting system includes an inerting gas source, an inerting gas heater to heat the inerting gas and an inerting gas nozzle. The inerting gas nozzle is disposed within the form, fill and seal packaging machine to introduce the inerting gas directly into the head space of the packages. The nozzle is further disposed between the top heating station and the sealing station. A method for inerting an atmosphere in the package head space is also disclosed.

Abstract: A system for triggering an oxygen scavenging film includes the means for emitting UV-C light, means associated with said light defining a film path, means for feeding an oxygen scavenging film into the system to trigger the oxygen scavenging film, means for feeding the triggered film to packaging means. The film may comprise an oxidizable organic compound and a transition metal catalyst.

Abstract: A new method and system for establishing, and optionally maintaining, a desired atmosphere for perishable or atmosphere-sensitive goods during their storage and/or transportation. In one embodiment, a conveyor is used to move a pallet with goods from station to station. A mechanical arm at a sheeting station lifts goods from a pallet while one or more sheets are placed between the goods and the pallet. A bottom plate with fingers having hollow tubes holds the pallet while the pallet is being wrapped and enclosed. A portable manifold may also be connected to the hollow tubes and a controller samples and adjusts atmosphere inside the pallet via the portable manifold.

Abstract: The air remaining within a headspace of a can filled with a liquid such as a carbonated drink, juice drink, tea drink, coffee drink or the like is replaced with one of steam, a mixture of steam and carbonic acid gas, a mixture of steam and nitrogen gas, and a mixture of carbonic acid gas and nitrogen gas. Therefore, the quality of filled liquid can be maintained, and deterioration of the working environment can be prevented by avoiding the spraying of carbonic acid in all directions at the workshop.

Abstract: A core panel or box of rigid plastics microporous foam is provided with parallel spaced passages or thin grooves and is placed within an envelope or bag of flexible multi-layer barrier film impervious to the passage of gas. The bag includes an integral evacuation tubular portion which is releasably coupled to an evacuation nozzle connected by a manifold with solenoid valves to a vacuum pump. After air is substantially evacuated from the foam core and the bag to collapse the bag against the foam core and into the grooves, a vacuum sensor operates a computer which controls the valves for checking the vacuum level within the bag and for optionally admitting an additive gas. Closely spaced grooves within opposite sides of the foam panel provide for bending the evacuated panel, and a thin layer of foam is applied to the outer surface of the vacuum insulated panel to provide a protective outer surface.

Abstract: In an airtight chamber in an atmosphere under a desired degree of evacuation to be generated by use of a vacuum pump, there are provided an ampoule holder, which can hold at an upright position, a plurality of ampoules with an open upper portion faced upward, a stage for putting the ampoule holder thereon, a melt-sealing unit for the upper portion of each of the ampoules, and a transfer unit, which catches an ampoule held in the ampoule holder, transfers the ampoule to the melt-sealing unit, catches again the ampoule melt-sealed by the melt-sealing unit and transfers the melt-sealed ampoule to the ampoule holder to hold the ampoule therein. The ampoule holder and the stage are made of metal having a good thermal conduction. There is provided a temperature controller for the stage.

Abstract: An apparatus to charge and seal in contents is provided with a supporting portion for containers, holding portions for seal plugs, airtight chambers, a pressure gas supplier and a vacuum pump. The container has a receiving chamber and it is to be put on the supporting portion being the chamber is charged with contents and being the chamber's opening portion faced upward. The seal plug is for sealing the opening portion. The airtight chamber is composed of a main portion and a cap portion. The main and cap portions freely move relatively and freely contact tightly, then they surround the supporting and the holding portions in airtight condition. Further, the supporting portion and the main portion freely move relatively in airtight condition, so as the holding portion and the cap portion do, and the supporting portion and the holding portion are freely separated from each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a sealing device (1) comprising a top part (3) forming a bell and a bottom part (2) forming a vat, receiving a container (4) to be sealed with a film (11) in the chamber defined by the two parts (2 and 3). The top part (3) comprises, on the side supplying the film (11), for the passage of the film, a slot (13) running through a wall (8) of the top part, means (14) for closing and blocking, with controlled actuation, preferably an inflatable pipe, for obstructing said slot and blocking said film, and means (17) for inserting and/or extracting fluid opening inside the chamber between the slot (13) and the wall (8) lower edge, for extracting gas (under vacuum), injecting gas and/or filling the container The invention is useful, for example, for packaging products in trays or jars.

Abstract: A device for compacting, on a first conveyor belt which is permeable to air, a solid substance consisting of loose particles, deposited in doses at regular intervals by dosing means which are synchronized with the first conveyor belt, comprises a second conveyor belt which moves at the same speed as and is located below the first belt, the second belt having through-holes at intervals along its length corresponding with the intervals used to deposit the doses of the substance; and vacuum means which are in continuous communication with the holes so that, through the first conveyor belt, they exert suction on the doses of the substance, keeping the particles of the substance together and in contact with the conveyor belt below them.

Abstract: A drumming unit that utilizes a computer controlled drum filling and drum handling system. Drum handling and filling is fully automated, the drums being introduced onto the apparatus on an inlet conveyor, loaded from the inlet conveyor onto a frame at which a plurality of work stations are provided for removing the bung from the drum, filling the drum, and replacing the bung in the drum, and then unloading the drum from the frame onto an outlet conveyor. A hose from the chemical plant, warehouse, or other facility is utilized for filling operations that stays in the facility, thereby preventing reactive chemical and quality concerns. A vapor tight wall is provided to isolate the operator from the filling operations, thereby eliminating the need for a slicker suit, respirator, or other safety equipment. The drumming unit is preferably mounted to a base which is sized to fit onto the bed of a truck or trailer so that the unit can be moved from one location to another for drumming operations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a sealing device and method for an ink cartridge. First, the ink cartridge and a sealing film are placed in an airtight chamber isolated to the atmosphere. Second, a decompression mechanism is used to draw the air off the airtight chamber until the air pressure in the airtight chamber is reduced to a pre-determined pressure. Finally, a sealing mechanism is used to seal the sealing film onto the ink cartridge.

Abstract: A device for the controlled admission of a noxious powder into a box which includes a body having an open lower part that terminates in a sealing skirt. The body is connected to a powder inlet pipe and to a gas extraction pipe. A movable valve is disposed in the body. The valve is controlled by a magnetic device, and cooperates with the sealing skirt. A housing is fixed on the lower part of the body. The housing is open in its central part to allow the passage of the box therethrough and comprises a retractable device which ensures grip and transfer of the lid of the box. The device also includes means for detecting the quantity of powder in the box, and at least one ventilation circuit ensuring, at the level of the circumference of the opening of said housing and/or at the level of the sealing skirt, evacuation towards a treatment unit of that part of the powder which might be located at those levels.

Abstract: A protein-containing composition is provided which is produced by the steps of: coagulating a protein-containing material; emulsifying the protein-containing material; continuously heating the protein-containing material to a predetermined temperature and maintaining that temperature for a period of time sufficient to sterilize the protein-containing material; continuously cooling the protein-containing material; and aseptically packaging the protein containing material. The resulting product is a high quality, highly palatable, and highly digestible protein source which can be shipped without special accommodations regardless of temperature.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for automated leak testing, capping, labelling, evacuating and loading collapsible plastic containers in bulk into magazine clips for subsequent handling operations is provided. The apparatus is compact and intergrated, defining discrete stations for each stated method step.

Abstract: The air remaining within a headspace of a can filled with a liquid such as carbonated drink, juice drink, tea drink, coffee drink or the like is replaced with either of steam, a mixture of steam-carbonic acid gas, a mixture of steam-nitrogen gas, and a mixture of carbonic acid gas and steam-nitrogen gas. Therefore, the quality of filled liquid can be maintained, and to become worse of working environment can be prevented without flying carbonic acid gas in all directions at workshop.

Abstract: The invention is concerned with so-called sterile tunnels or tubes on aseptically operating packing machines. During operation, sterile air und during the pre-sterilizing phase, sterilizing fluid can flow through the telescopic tubular sealants provided on sterile tunnels or tubes of this type for the passage of mounting linkages of working elements disposed in the sterile chamber of the tunnel. To safely strike and destroy, during the pre-sterilization of the sterile tunnel, all germs contained in the labyrinth-type telescopic tubular sealant, discharge openings are provided in the upper part of the telescopic tubular sealant.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a wet object, such as a contact lens, from a first station to a second station includes a probe having a barrel with a passage for communication with a vacuum source and a pressurized gas source, a nozzle at the end of the passage, and a hood around the nozzle in communication with a vacuum source. The barrel is moved in a first direction to place the nozzle adjacent the object in the first station and the vacuum from the nozzle attaches the object to the nozzle. Moving the barrel in a second direction removes the nozzle with the object attached from the first station. The probe is moved to the second station with the object attached. The barrel is moved in the first direction to place the object at the second station, the vacuum is removed from the nozzle and pressurized gas is applied through the barrel passage to remove the object from the nozzle and deposit it at the second station and, at the same time, blow off matter from the object.

Abstract: A system for sealing a load with film, where the load is placed on a pallet, includes a frame and a vertically moveable platform on which the pallet is received. A clamp is mounted to the frame and is configured to engage the load independently of the pallet when the pallet is received on the platform. A rack is mounted to the frame so as to be vertically movable, and a pair of cross members are mounted to the rack so as to be horizontally movable. An engagement subsystem configured to engage sides of the film and a sealing subsystem configured to seal the film are mounted to the cross members. In operation, when the pallet is placed on the platform, the sides of the film, which in the form of a sleeve where the sides define an inner space when separated, are engaged with the engagement subsystem when the rack is in the upper position. Thereafter, the cross members move outwardly to separate the sides of film and to define the inner space.

Abstract: A system for packaging of perishable food products involves initially packaging the food product in a receptacle containing an inert gas atmosphere and sealing a film to the receptacle. The inert gas atmosphere prevents deterioration of the food product subsequent to shipment from a central processing facility. The receptacle includes a sealing flange and a tab portion extending from the sealing flange, to which the film is sealed. To prepare the food product for display at a retail establishment, the tab and the film sealed thereto are removed from the package, by operation of a severing mechanism, to form an opening between the film and the receptacle. An atmosphere exchange operation is carried out through the opening, by injecting gas through the opening into the receptacle cavity. The severing mechanism includes a knife member, and gas is injected into the opening through a gas injection port formed in the knife member.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum sealing a container is disclosed that includes a vacuum chamber in communication with a vacuum source, the vacuum chamber having at least a first port and an internal pressure, a securing device adapted to secure an open end of the container to the first port of the vacuum chamber; and a heating member at least a portion of which is located inside the vacuum chamber, the heating member is adapted to apply heat to a heat-activated sealant material positioned to cover at least the open end of the container.

Abstract: A powder packing apparatus of the present invention is capable of sending a gas uniformly into powder to thereby fluidize the powder with a minimum amount of gas. The gas conveys the fluidized powder to the bottom of a container that may have a small mouth or a sophisticated configuration. The gas present in the powder introduced in the container is released via a powder layer between a nozzle and the mouth. The apparatus can therefore easily, densely pack the container with the powder without causing the powder to fly out of the container. Further, the apparatus is miniature, easy to carry and easy to operate and can therefore be handled by any person at any plate.

Abstract: A method for preparing a photothermographic material comprising an organic silver salt is disclosed, comprising a step of treating the organic silver salt under a gas atmosphere containing an inert gas having a volume fraction of not less than 85% or under a gas atmosphere containing oxygen gas having a volume fraction of not more than 15%. Packaging the photothermographic material under the inert gas atmosphere is also disclosed.