Abstract: An apparatus for filling beverage containers under an inert-gas atmosphere. The apparatus includes a stationary filling tool (20) to which the containers (1) are moved and a device for filling the containers with inert gas prior to a beverage-filling procedure. A container engaging element (19) of the filling tool is mounted in a processing chamber (12) that is charged with inert gas and encloses the container (1) in a fill-ready position. The containers are moved through an entry sluice space (11), which can be shut off from the outside and from the processing chamber, by sluice doors (10.1, 10.2).

Abstract: A method and system for storing of a bulk commodity utilizes a flexible, low air-permeable sheet material enclosure in which the bulk commodity is hermetically sealed. The atmosphere in the sealed flexible sheet material enclosure is evacuated to establish a vacuum therein. The vacuum is maintained during at least a portion of the storage of the commodity to ensure a significant reduction of the commodity. The temperature of the commodity is maintained sufficiently high to ensure substantial total kill of infesting insects within a desired time period. At least a portion of the commodity can be removed from the enclosure by opening a hermetic seal therein.

Abstract: A wide mouthed container (2) filled with beer (20) has a first closure member (12) applied thereto and held in position. The container is then moved along the filling line to a cleaning station at which the exterior thereof is subjected to high pressure jets of water to clean any contaminants therefrom. After drying, a second closure member (14) is screwed over the first closure member (12) to seal the container. In this manner, it is ensured that there are no contaminants on the exterior of the container near the mouth opening so that it is safe to drink from the container after opening.

Abstract: A system for forming particulate material in a bulk form comprises a compression tower having a top and sides depending therefrom. A compression chamber having side walls and an open bottom is reciprocatively mounted to said tower for deposit of loose particulate material therein. The system further includes a first conveyor assembly displaced from said tower. In its extended position, the chamber contacts the first conveyor assembly and the bottom of the chamber is closed thereby. A vacuum blower draws loose particulate material into the chamber through an inlet and compresses it against the first conveyor assembly. A ram assembly within the chamber further compresses the loose material into a bulk form atop the conveyor belt. When the chamber and ram assembly are returned to their retracted positions, the material bulk is transferred downstream by the first conveyor assembly to a space between vertically spaced second and third conveyor assemblies.

Abstract: An automatic bulk filling machine is provided having a container input end which includes a fill station for filling a container in accordance with weight or volume requirements followed by a lid dispensing and attachment station wherein the lids of the container are placed over the container in registry with the lip of the container and closed onto the bulk container by a piston cylinder combination having a lid pad for pressing and deforming the center of the lid onto the bulk container before press fitting the bulk container lid onto the bulk container which filled and sealed bulk container is then transferred to an optional labeling station and subsequently transferred to the output end of the conveyor to complete the automated filling, sealing and labeling operations for removal of the container from the automated bulk filling machine.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packaging a continuous packaged body of the invention is so constructed that a seal bar 35 and a seal table 36 are mounted in the respective skirt parts 39, 40 of seal blocks 22, 23 opposite to each other with a tube film 20 interposed between them, and in the case of nipping the tube film 20 by both seal blocks 22, 23 plural intermittent teeth 44. 45 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 47 of the face of a standing gap 46 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 51 in the seal bar into a receiving groove 52 cut in the seal table, the air in the tube film is sucked through the spot closing gap and the receiving groove 52.

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 method is described for sterilizing, filling and closing packaging containers open on one side, in which the packaging container is exposed to a sterilizing agent during a clock-controlled transportation in a processing line through different processing stations, which is then removed with sterile hot air. Then, the packaging container is filled with sterile fluid and with a sterile closure.

Abstract: The invention provides 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.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring a component that can carry out processes such as visual inspection, characteristic measurement, screening, and taping efficiently while transporting the electronic component at high speed. In order to transport the electronic components to the index table where the processes such as characteristic measurement, screening, and taping is carried out, a component transporting device is used in which the electronic component delivered from the component delivery section 10 is transported to the component intake port 23 based on negative pressure, transported with the airflow through the transportation path 25, and discharged from the part discharging port 24. The transporting device includes a gas discharging port 33 in the vicinity of the component discharging port, which serves to decrease the transport speed of the electronic component before transporting it to the index table.

Abstract: A platen machine for filling and sealing packages is provided having an upper platen and a lower platen journalled and independently moveable on a common alignment shaft to provide a close tolerance sealing mechanism with an independently operated heat seal element. The novel platen machine relocates clamping forces from the support frame to the alignment shaft so that the common alignment shafts bears the clamping forces and the carrier merely relies upon the frame to support the weight of the machine and not clamping forces. The upper platen moves toward the lower platen and the lower platen moves toward the upper platen to clamp a package between the two platens before an independently operated heat seal element is activated to advance to the clamped package and provide a heating and sealing cycle independent of the clamping cycle. Optional filling, gassing and evacuation can be provided during the clamping of the package without involving the separate heating and sealing operation.

Abstract: This system comprises a compacted bag, in particular under vacuum, having an appendage into which a spacer device is inserted (2) which forms a pocket (140) separating two facing flexible partition sections from each other (120,121) of which one (121) is adapted to be applied when placed under vacuum against a set of heatable blades with closed outline linked to each other (51, 61) the interior blade (61) being carried by a mobile part (6) of which the end is able to penetrate into the cut pocket (140) with a view to the inflation of the bag with air brought by a channel (600′) through a sterilizing filter (8).

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing apparatus includes a reciprocating seal head positioned above an intermittent conveyer carrying product-filled trays, a film feeder to dispense film between the tray and reciprocating seal head, and at least one seal head gassing assembly positioned in the seal head and oriented to direct a flow of controlled environment gas through a cut-out portion of the film into a product-filled tray positioned beneath the seal head. The seal head gassing assembly may preferably direct a high velocity controlled environment gas stream surrounded by a lower velocity controlled environment gas stream downward into the tray.

Abstract: An evacuation and closure device in linear construction can be docked to a conveyor device for bottles. A closure stopper supply device is used to supply closure stoppers for the bottles. The device provides a combined closure stopper and evacuation unit for each bottle. The closure stopper and evacuation units are combined into a closure stopper and evacuation module. The closure stopper and evacuation module is fastened to one of three carriers that can be moved in three movement axes (X, Y, Z) in relation to one another. The movement is carried out by means of freely programmable drive mechanisms. Because of its construction, the evacuation and closure device according to the invention can be simply and flexibly adapted to various types of filling machines.

Abstract: A packaging machine which carries out the conventional packaging of products with a stretchable and gas-tight film is housed in a main chamber (1) which is seable and contains a modified and controlled atmosphere suitable for the conservation of the product to be packaged. The product enters and leaves the main chamber by passing through corresponding sealable airlock chambers (7, 8) provided with corresponding automatic doors (107, 207, 108, 208) and in any case designed to provide a seal with respect to the external environment and to the main chamber to which these chambers are attached. When the outer sides of the airlock chambers are opened, their inner sides are closed, so that the modified and controlled atmosphere cannot issue from the main chamber.

Abstract: In order to further accelerate a pourable product (4) falling into a fill pipe (2) or in order to compress the particle cluster of the product (4), it is suggested to blow air in timed intervals into the fill pipe (2). An air flap (13) is operated for this purpose in a pipe (11) between a blower (10) and the fill pipe (2) by means of a drive 14. A control device (15) controls the drive (14) dependent on a packaging parameter, for example, at a point in time when the product (4) is in a position of the free fall, which position is recognized by a sensor (16).

Abstract: Disclosed is a bag arrangement and packaging method for packaging bone-in cuts of meat using two bags to provide a double wall of film surrounding the cut of meat for bone puncture resistance. Both bags are bottom sealed bags formed of a heat shrink film, the inner bag has an interrupted bottom seal to provide an opening for venting air between the bags and the outer bag has a continuous bottom seal. The outer bag is longer than the inner bag so the outer bag can be closed without involving any portion of the inner bag in the closure. The bone-in cut of meat is inserted first into the first bag and then the first bag and its contents are inserted into the second bag, the bags are evacuated and then the outer bag is closed.

Abstract: A production process for a prefilled, sterile syringe comprising providing a sterilized syringe barrel having sealable proximal and sealable distal ends. The proximal end being opened and the distal end being closed and adapted for coupling with a syringe outlet piece. In accordance with the process, the distal end of the barrel is closed and the barrel is then filled through the proximal end while the proximal end is opened with a fluid medium in the form of a liquid, a solution, a suspension or an emulsion wherein the barrel contains the fluid medium in a portion of the barrel and contains a gaseous medium in another portion of the barrel. After the barrel has been filled, a sterile plug is inserted through the proximal end of the barrel to close the proximal end. After pressing the plug into the barrel, the barrel is vented through a tube extending past the plug so that only the liquid medium is within the barrel.

Abstract: The device is characterised in that the obturating means are constituted by an obturating screw (24) capable of co-operating with the whole set of mounting pieces (3) and, if required, with a ring-shaped obturating joint (25) and in that the capturing means are constituted by a threaded joining piece (25) to co-operate with the whole set of mounting pieces (3) by replacing the obturating screw (24) and, if required, the ring-shaped obturating joint (25) during the control, so as to break the imperviousness of the receiving cell (6) with respect to the container or box and comprising a perforation (34) linked to continuous analysing means so as to enable capture of the gas that has entered the receiving cell (6).

Abstract: A gas exchange head for contacting and piercing a container to allow gas communication and exchange between the gas exchange head and the container. The gas exchange head comprises a flow probe for piercing the container, the probe being hollow so as to allow the gas communication and exchange therethrough. The gas exchange head further includes an intermediate sleeve and an outer cylinder coaxially received on the intermediate sleeve. The outer cylinder includes a lower cup portion at its distal end and is reciprocatingly mounted on the intermediate sleeve. The gas exchange head further includes a spring mounted on the outer cylinder for applying a biasing to the outer cylinder, and an inner cylinder adapted at its distal end to receive and retain the flow probe.

Abstract: A cheesecake batter is baked in individual cups as it is continuously moved from one end of an oven to the other. Thereafter, it is cooled by being transferred to a cooling table covered with a hood. The cooling table and the hood are arranged in line with the other end of the oven, and contains a downward laminar sterile air flow to envelop the baked cheesecake batter on the cooling table. In addition, the cooling table and the hood are spaced from the other end of the oven a distance in which the flow of heated vapor from the oven react and create a vacuum, thereby maintaining the baked cheesecake batter under constant sterile conditions, as it moves from the oven to the cooling table.

Abstract: A controlled environment gassing system is provided for removing the existing environment from containers. The existing environment may be purged by passing the containers along a gas distribution manifold disposed parallel to the direction of travel of the containers. The manifold includes at least one region of flow resistance disposed parallel to the direction of travel, and the manifold may have a width less than the width of the container and/or screen openings sized to provide a laminarized flow, for supplying a controlled environment gas flushing stream continuously and at substantially steady state to the containers. As the containers pass along the manifold, the controlled environment flushing gas creates an optimal flow pattern which consistently and steadily removes the existing environment from the containers while preventing the flushing gas from drawing in air. Return gas chambers are provided to retrieve the gasses exiting the container as they are purged.

Abstract: An apparatus for exchanging a first gas contained in a sealed container for a second gas. The apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber for receiving the container and for maintaining a controlled pressure about the container, a gas exchange head for exchanging gas in the container while maintaining a seal between the container and the chamber, and a vacuum source coupled to the gas exchange head and to the vacuum chamber for evacuating the first gas from the container and air from the chamber. The apparatus further has a gas source for supplying the second gas, the gas source being coupled to the gas exchange head for supplying the second gas to the container, and a sensor for monitoring the pressure in the container during gas exchange.

Abstract: A portable vacuum apparatus comprises a vacuum chamber to be filled with lidded jars, bottles or other containers containing foodstuff or other products for the purpose of storing the contents under vacuum. The vacuum chamber is composed of a platform covered by a layer of a resilient material serving as a seal, and of a removable cover seated on the platform. The chamber is pipe-connected to an electrically operated vacuum pump and to an automatic valve connecting the chamber with the atmosphere in open state. To evacuate the chamber and the jars the valve is manually closed and the pump is started exhausting air from the chamber and the jars. The valve is adapted to open automatically as soon as the required vacuum has been reached and to interrupt the electric supply to the pump motor. The valve is designed to open a wide passageway to the chamber causing the air to rush in and to create a shock wave.

Abstract: An open-architecture system for filling and sealing containers in controlled environments. The system provides easy access to containers being processed, and minimizes start-up times and waste. Containers are processed by gas distributors (which may comprise gassing rails) provided in segments and individually movable between operating and service positions. Exhaust plenums are described for improving function of the gas distributors when processing containers. Gas exchange systems including on-demand processors and improved gassing elements are provided. An independent processor is provided to receive, correct and environmentally process defective (e.g. underfilled or overfilled) containers.

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing system and method of operating the same. The controlled environment sealing system having a transport system for transporting containers between processors, a lid placement processor positioning lids on the containers, a controlled environment processor providing the containers with a controlled environment and pre-sealing the lids to the containers, and a permanent sealing processor permanently sealing the lids to the containers in a contaminating environment.

Abstract: Aseptic filling and sealing of packages with a food product is carried out in compartments which contain an atmosphere of sterile air and which contain devices for filling and sealing packages and a transporter device for transporting the packages through the compartments for the filling and sealing operations. Headspace sterile air is removed and displaced from the packages by injection of nitrogen into the packages from a nozzle which is at a fixed position and which directs the nitrogen at an angle with reference to a vertical perpendicular to the horizontal package transport direction and counter to the transport direction.

Abstract: A box handling apparatus having particular application in the packaging of semiconductor wafers, includes a box opening assembly which can unlatch a lid from a bottom of the box and separate the lid from the bottom. Arms can grip an article, such as a wafer cassette, in the bottom of the box and lift it out. The cassette can be loaded, or wafers already in the cassette unloaded. The apparatus can replace the loaded cassette in the bottom of the box and latchingly re-engage the lid.

Abstract: This invention involves a tapered vacuum bag sealer that can be used to seal conventional plastic bags and to vacuum canning jars or other food containers. The rear of the sealer housing has a connection for a PVC tube or other flexible tube that will extend to the jar or container being vacuumed to remove air therefrom. This rear connection avoids the necessity of the housing lid being opened before this vacuum procedure could be accomplished.

Abstract: A novel process for sterilizing an article made from polymeric material by radiation sterilization. The article is enclosed in a gas impermeable package together with an oxygen absorber for a time sufficient to consume substantially all the oxygen in the package and the oxygen dissolved in the polymeric material. The article is prefereably intended for medical use and can contain a radiation sterilizable parenterally administerable preparation.

Abstract: The invention concerns a vacuum packaging machine having a sub-structure (1) and a cover (2). The machine further comprises a vacuum chamber (3) which is disposed in the vicinity of the union between the cover (2) and the sub-structure (1) and which comprises an upper part (4) and a lower part (5). The machine cover (2) comprises a base member (10) and at least one arm (11, 12), the arm being connected to the base member at one end. The chamber upper part (4) is mounted on the cover member (10) and the chamber lower part (5) is disposed in the sub-structure (1). The machine sub-structure (1) is provided with at least one guide roller (21) for the cover arm (11, 12), this guide roller engaging in the cover arm. The cover arm end remote from the cover base member (10) is connected to a drive device (20) by means of which the cover (2) can be moved. A device (55) for delivering a foil (51) into the interior of the vacuum chamber (3) is provided.

Abstract: An automated gas sampling system for connection into an industrial packaging line, wherein packaged products are sealed in a product chamber. Apparatus as provided for obtaining a gas sample from inside the product package and for transferring the sample to a gas analyzer to record gas content during the operation of the product packaging line.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for exposing product to a controlled environment. The apparatus includes a distribution chamber with an inlet for receiving controlled environment or combination of gases, and a region of flow resistance. A plurality of jet nozzles are surrounded by the flow resistance region and provide high velocity streams of controlled environment which are surrounded by the low velocity streams from the resistance region. For some applications, a section of chamber immediately preceding entry into a sealer, the controlled environment supply to the jet nozzles may be shut off.

Abstract: A continuous particle monitoring system for use in a filling machine is provided. The filling machine has a plurality of processing stations in which containers are conveyed to each processing station to execute at least one process to collectively form, fill and seal each container. The filling machine also includes an air intake in fluid communication with a clean air supply. A chamber is connected in fluid communication with the air intake to receive the clean air supply. The particle monitoring system is constructed and arranged to monitor the clean air supply within the chamber. To this end, the particle monitoring system includes a sampling probe arranged in the chamber and oriented anisoaxially with respect to the clean air supply. The sampling probe preferably includes a substantially tubular body having a sampling port arranged at an end thereof. Also, a mounting plate for securing the probe within the filling machine is formed in the tubular body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a process, as well as a device which is suited for the same, for the processing of containers, particularly of bottles or the like, into which a fluid is injected for the expulsion of the air from the head room of the bottles after the filling, before the aperture of the container is closed, in a sealing manner, by means of a closure cap. After the injecting of the fluid, a closure cap is first of all moved forward to the opening of the container and held, for a certain period of time, in a position above the opening, in such a manner that the open aperture is covered by the closure cap, but that gas can exit from the container between the opening and the closure cap. After that, the closure cap is attached to the container in a sealing manner.

Abstract: A method for inerting packaging covers, particularly industrial packaging covers, wherein the object to be packaged is placed on at least one composite sheet forming a packaging cover (100) which is completely sealed except for at least two apertures (201, 202) used both for extracting the atmosphere contained in the packaging cover and for injecting an inert gas (1), preferably nitrogen, into said cover; the atmosphere contained in the packaging cover is extracted through a first valve sealingly fitted to a first aperture (202), and inert gas is injected through a second valve sealingly fitted to a second aperture (201) in the cover; a parameter related to the relative humidity level within the packaging cover is continuously measured (11); and both the extraction of the atmosphere contained in the packaging cover and the injection of inert gas are stopped once the relative humidity level required by the customer has been achieved.

Abstract: There is disclosed a process for preserving solder paste which comprises housing solder paste in a vessel which is substantially free from oxygen and moisture and is imparted with gas barrier properties. The process is preferably carried out by housing the solder paste together with an oxygen absorbent not requiring moisture for absorbing oxygen (e.g. unsaturated fatty acid compound and chain hydrocarbon polymer having unsaturated groups) and optionally a dehumidifying agent and/or an acidic gas absorbent in the above vessel and subsequently hermetically sealing said vessel. The process makes it possible to prevent the deterioration of the solder paste such as viscosity change of the solder and the formation of solder balls which affect the printability and solder reflowability, to preserve the solder paste at room temperature and to remarkably prolong its service term.

Abstract: A process for packaging coffee, which includes a grinding phase of the coffee coming from silos, a forming phase for forming flexible or semi-rigid containers and a phase for filling such containers with the coffee and subsequent sealing of the pack, in which, during the container forming phase, the containers are preliminarily filled with gas and, at the same time, closed at their top, in such a way as to be able to be opened again immediately before filling. The filling takes place in an atmosphere controlled by a flow of gas, wherein the gas for preliminarily filling the containers and/or for controlling the atmosphere during the container filling phase is drawn from a coffee grinding plant. An installation for putting such process into effect is also proofed.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing an article supported in a housing is provided. The method includes placing an article in a housing, introducing pressurized steam and a sterilizing gas into the housing and closing the housing. The sterilizing gas may be mixture of ethylene oxide/carbon dioxide or ethylene oxide/nitrogen. The percent by volume of ethylene oxide in the housing at the conclusion of the sterilizing gas introducing step may range from at least about 2% to about 25% by volume. The present invention is particularly well suited for use with a form-fill-seal process.

Abstract: The invention provides a device for packaging an article which includes reduced number of parts, which is light-weight, which enables simple packaging and depackaging operation, and which is superior in terms of rust-proofing and dust-proofing properties. The invention also provides a method for packaging an article. According to the invention, an article 1 is placed on a base table 2 having a peripheral wall 7 of an appropriate height. A packaging sheet 3 having flexibility and air-tightness is put over the article 1. The peripheral edge 3a of the packaging sheet 3 is sealingly engaged with the peripheral wall 7 of the base table 2. A connection pipe 10 provided at the base table 2 or the packaging sheet 3 is connected to a vacuum pump 12, so as to evacuate the space within the packaging sheet 3. The article 1 is pressingly urged against the base table 2 by means of the pressure difference across the packaging sheet 3, by reason of the atmospheric pressure, so as to be fixed to the base table 2.

Abstract: The invention concerns a device for filling bottles, especially plastic bottles, with a liquid, wherein said device includes an air separation liquid station (12), a flash pasteurization station (14), a station (16) for saturating the liquid with a sterile inert gas with respect to the liquid, a bottle washing station (106) and stoppers with a liquid disinfectant with under hood drying in a treated atmosphere, a bottle filling station (108), preferably by means of gravity filling under a slight partial vacuum, a station (150) for degassing the inert gas, and a stoppering station (152).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for enclosing a product in a tray having an outwardly extending flange is provided. A permeable web is secured to an inner periphery of flange and the secured portion is severed from the web to form a permeable lid. An impermeable web is then secured to an outer periphery of the flange and then severed from the web to form a peelable, impermeable lid. The outer periphery of the flange is protected from damage when the permeable lid is severed from the permeable web by elevating the permeable web above the outer periphery of the flange and severing the web at the elevated portion.If a fresh red meat product is to be packaged, the tray may be at least partially evacuated and then at least partially filled with a gas which is lower in oxygen content than air. Prior to retail sale, the impermeable lid may be removed to cause the packaged meat product to bloom to a red color.

Abstract: A method for protecting substrates used in the manufacture of semiconductors, memory products, and other electronic devices from the effects of moisture during transport and storage is disclosed. This method involves the use of a cassette or box made from polycarbonate or another material having similar hydroscopic properties, treating the cassette or box to reduce its moisture content, and surrounding the cassette or box, and the substrates held therein, with a moisture barrier. This results in a package which will keep the substrates dry and eliminates the need for a separate desiccant within the package.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention, there can be mass produced long-term preservable lunches in a short period of time, because a series of such operations as formation, cleaning, sterilizing, dishing-up, sealing and filling the lunch box with an inert gas are carried out consistently by virtue of the production unit of lunches of the present invention. Further, because the lunches are allowed to pass through successively the gas chambers filled with the inert gas, no insufficient filling of the lunches with the inert gas will occur. Further, the lunch boxes can individually be filled with the inert gas when each lunch box is provided with a sealing valve and filled with the inert gas by inserting an inert gas filling tube into said lunch box through the sealing valve.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for continuously supplying product to a machine for intermittently performing work on at least one product. The apparatus comprises a loading conveyor, a continuous drive motor operably coupled to the loading conveyor for moving the loading conveyor at a substantially constant loading speed, a transfer conveyor positioned adjacent the loading conveyor and adapted to receive product therefrom, a low speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a predetermined low speed to receive product from the loading conveyor, a high speed drive for moving the transfer conveyor at a high second speed relatively greater than the low speed to the machine, and a controller for operating the low speed and high speed drives in sequence so that the low speed drive is activated to receive product from the loading conveyor at low speed, and the high speed drive is activated to transfer the product to the machine at high speed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for purging air from open containers having a processing zone through which the containers are conveyed entering through an entrance point opening and exiting through an exit point during a residence time, including an injector for injecting a turbulent flow of purge gas into the processing zone and means for providing a laminar flow of purging gas into the processing zone, wherein the open portion of the container is exposed to the turbulent purge gas flow for at least 50 percent of the residence time.

Abstract: A process for sterilizing and filling packages (1) for flowable media, open on one side, under the influence of pulsating light and use of a filler pipe (5) is improved to the effect that treatment by chemical media together with its associated disadvantages in avoided. For this, the package (1), enclosing the filler pipe (5) and the light source (7), is moved sufficiently far relatively to the filler pipe (5) and to the light source (7) for the bottom edge (16) of the filler pipe (5) and the light source (7) to be located near to the closed end (3) of the package, sterile gas is blown into the package (1) and the light is allowed to take effect, and after shutting off the light source (7), the light source (7) is moved along in one direction and the package (1), being filled, is moved in the other direction, then closed and transported onwards.

Abstract: A controlled environment sealing system and method of operating the same. The controlled environment sealing system having a transport system for transporting containers between processors, a lid placement processor positioning lids on the containers, a controlled environment processor providing the containers with a controlled environment and pre-sealing the lids to the containers, and a permanent sealing processor permanently sealing the lids to the containers in a contaminating environment.

Abstract: A process for packaging a product on a receptacle includes advancing a film tubing on a conveyor, the tubing having therein a product on a receptacle, the film having a forward end which is sealed; sending a gaseous mixture into the tubing; blowing heated air onto an outer surface of the forward sealed end region of the tubing to pre-shrink this end of the tubing and to expel gas rearwardly from the forward region; applying a vacuum inside the tubing from a rearward portion of the tubing of film, to facilitate the welding of the tubing of film at the rear portion of the container; heat sealing the tubing in an area rearward of the receptacle, so that the receptacle having the product thereon is surrounded by the film; separating the sealed tubing film portion from a remainder of the tubing film; and heat-shrinking the sealed portion of the film. The process of the invention solves a problem in the packaging of products of the "bloody offals type," i.e.

Abstract: A tubular bag machine has between a filling tube and a shaping tube at least two sealing elements, which divide an annular space, formed by the filling tube and shaping tube, into a feed channel and a suction-removal channel. The two channels are connected to a suction device with a filter by connecting lines. The design and arrangement of the sealing elements produce a closed circuit for the air or inert gas used for dust removal.