Abstract: A dowel basket assembly apparatus includes a jig table rotationally supported on a bearing assembly, which supports a table top assembly having arms extending radially outwardly and supporting first, second and third jig table bases. The bases move through first, second and third stations by rotating the assembly. First jig table is positioned at first station, second jig table at second station, and third jig table at third station. Rods are located in receptacles on first jig table base at first station. Simultaneously, rods are welded to form a dowel basket on second jig table base at second station. Simultaneously, a welded dowel basket is unloaded from third jig table base at third station. After completion of the steps of locating, welding and retrieving, the apparatus is rotated to advance the jig tables to the next station.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system for vacuumizing and sealing unsealed packages including a plurality of vacuum chambers each linked with a respective platen assembly having a platen and conveyor, each chamber and assembly arranged to receive an unsealed package and perform a vacuum sealing operation on the package, characterized by a) a conveyor apparatus including an in-feed conveyor to load each platen conveyor with an unsealed package, and an out-feed conveyor to unload each vacuumized, sealed package from each platen conveyor; and b) a ferris wheel-type vacuum packaging apparatus including at least three radially arranged vacuum chambers each linked with a respective platen assembly, each chamber and platen assembly rotatable about a central horizontal axis disposed parallel to the linear path of the conveyor apparatus, the ferris wheel-type apparatus operable in a vertical plane of rotation disposed perpendicular to the linear path of the conveyor apparatus.

Abstract: Affords a compound semiconductor substrate packaging method for preventing oxidation of the surface of compound semiconductor substrates.

Abstract: A vertical bag packaging machine has a steam nozzle that is inserted into a bag to inject steam thereinto after an article to be packaged has been filled into the bag, thereby replacing the air in the bag with the steam to effect deaeration. After the steam-replacement deaeration, a seal portion to be ultrasonically sealed is preheated by a preheating device, thereby making the temperature of the seal portion uniform throughout it. The preheating temperature is not lower than a temperature of a highest temperature region of said seal portion before it is preheated and below a melting temperature of a material constituting an inner side of said bag Thereafter, the seal portion is ultrasonically sealed by an ultrasonic sealing device. Thus, reliable and stable ultrasonic sealing can be realized.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to a method of preparing a web of flexible material for production of receptacles for packaging. The method comprises the steps of feeding a web of flexible material past a succession of stations in which operations are carried out on the web including defining blanks for receptacles having walls and tabs by creating fold lines in the web, and then laminating a film of heat-sealable plastics materials to a face of the web of the flexible material. The film of heat-sealable plastics provides a heat-sealable surface on the web for bonding tabs of each blank together to form seams between adjacent walls whereby the blanks, when severed from the web, can be erected to form receptacles having openings to receive items to be packaged.

Abstract: A machine for inflating and sealing an inflatable web comprising a series of pre-formed flexible containers, each of the pre-formed containers being capable of holding therein a quantity of gas and having an opening for receiving such gas.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a vacuum packaging system having an automatic bag cutter. The vacuum packaging system includes a housing constructed to sealingly engage a platen. A vacuum system is constructed to remove the gas from a container, or bag, placed between the housing and the platen. A blade is operable to sever excess material of the bag whereupon the bag is evacuated by the vacuum system, and a seal bar seals the severed end area of the bag.

Abstract: A conveyor belt construction includes a flexible conveyor belt defining inner and outer surfaces, and a series of clamp assemblies that are used to mount conveying members to the conveyor belt. One of the clamp members defines a convex engaging area that engages one of the surfaces of the conveyor belt, and the other of the clamp members defines a concave engaging area that engages the other surface of the conveyor belt. The clamp members are secured together and the belt is sandwiched between the concave and convex areas of the clamp members. The conveyor belt construction is engaged about a pair of rotatable members. The concave and convex areas of the clamp members take up a length of the conveyor belt, to tighten the conveyor belt onto the rotatable members without the use of a belt tensioner. The conveying members may be in the form of platens mounted to the outer clamp members.

Abstract: A linear motion, reciprocating vacuum packaging apparatus and method. Articles to be packaged are advanced in linearly in an upstream-downstream direction, such as by a platen conveyor. A linearly movable, reciprocating vacuum system includes a series evacuation chambers (116a-c), each of which is moved into engagement with one of the platens so that the article enclosed within the evacuation chamber (FIGS. 1 and 2).

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for manufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged. The apparatus includes a cushioning sheet forming unit to form a cushioning sheet by heat-sealing flexible elongated resin sheets which are continuously fed in a longitudinal direction and placed one on another in advance in a width direction of the sheet, the cushioning sheet including small sacs. Downstream from the cushioning sheet forming unit, an article storage space forming unit is provided for forming an article storage space by folding the cushioning sheet along a longitudinal centerline. A sheet adhering unit adheres the overlapped cushioning sheets. An article disposing unit inserts the article to be packaged into the article storage space, and an air filling unit fills the small sacs with air. Sequential performance of the above steps achieves efficient manufacturing of cushioning package.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging system includes a series of vacuum chambers that are carried by a movable combination support member and vacuum manifold, which defines an interior connected to a vacuum source. The vacuum chambers are in communication with the interior of the combination support member and vacuum manifold, through vacuum valves carried by the combination support member and vacuum manifold and conduits that extend between the vacuum valves and the vacuum chambers. The combination support member and vacuum manifold is movable between a lowered position and a raised position, to move the vacuum chambers into and out of engagement with platens that support packages located below the vacuum chambers. The vacuum chambers and platens are movable in an upstream to downstream direction, to advance the packages while the packages are being evacuated by the vacuum chambers.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing a cushioning package containing an article to be packaged. The apparatus includes a cushioning sheet forming unit to form a cushioning sheet by heat-sealing flexible elongated resin sheets which are continuously fed in a longitudinal direction and placed one on another in advance in a width direction of the sheet, the cushioning sheet including small sacs. Downstream from the cushioning sheet forming unit, an article storage space forming unit is provided for forming an article storage space by folding the cushioning sheet along a longitudinal centerline. A sheet adhering unit adheres the overlapped cushioning sheets. An article disposing unit inserts the article to be packaged into the article storage space, and an air filling unit fills the small sacs with air. Sequential performance of the above steps achieves efficient manufacturing of cushioning package.

Abstract: A filling device for making a mattress includes a main frame, a feed vessel, a feeding platen, a capping structure, and a power mechanism. The feed vessel includes an open top and a bottom having supplying openings. The feeding platen includes filling containers. Each of the filling containers has an inlet and a gas-supplying unit. The capping structure includes caps. The power mechanism includes a power source and at least one actuating element driven by the power source to actuate the feeding platen to move between a first position in which the inlets of the filling containers are aligned respectively with the supplying openings of the feed vessel, and a second position in which the inlets of the filling container are closed respectively by the caps of the capping structure.

Abstract: A method of filling and sealing a gas capsule having (i) a hollow body portion and (ii) an elongate hollow neck portion having a free open distal end extending from the body portion is disclosed. The method is accomplished by applying a filling cap to the open end of the neck portion while evacuating the capsule and refilling with helium. Two crimping steps while pressure is maintained finishes the filling and sealing method.

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: The track for a pressure chamber overlaps the track for a clamper in movement while clamping a bag filled with an article, at a position beneath the latter track and with a level difference. The bag supported by the clamper is held, at its upper edge positioned right below the clamper, between the upper side of a chamber body of the pressure chamber and the upper side of a cover and in a sealed condition. The air in the bag is expelled through a notched line formed in an upper portion of the bag as the pressure within the pressure chamber is reduced, and then the bag is sealed at a position below the notched line.

Abstract: An apparatus for providing a container with a controlled environment utilizes a first flow system for applying a first source of environment to the interior of the container, a second flow system for applying a second source of environment to the interior of the container, and means for controlling application of the individual sources of environment such that the first and second sources of environment are applied simultaneously for at least some period of time. The apparatus is useful, for example, in food packaging applications whereby oxygen is removed from the food containers and replaced with a substantially inert environment prior to sealing the containers. In a preferred embodiment, a rotary drum-type apparatus is employed for exposing containers in a continuous sequence to the individual sources of controlled environment.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically filling and sealing bottles with a liquid preparation includes a plurality of treatment stations in which bottles are successively placed in bottle holding devices, evacuated and flushed or rinsed with an inert gas, filled with the liquid preparation, sealed and removed from the bottle holding devices, all in a system which is sealed from the exterior. The transporting system is adapted to provide a successive, relative movement between the bottles in the holding devices and the treatment stations. The system, which is sealed from the exterior, is provided with known sealing lock arrangements for the sterile introduction of empty bottles, liquid preparation and connections for the discharge of filled and sealed bottles, all while maintaining sterile conditions in the apparatus.

Abstract: In a packaging machine, a plurality of upwardly open receptacles are moved along a first path by a first conveyor and a plurality of packages are formed and inserted into each receptacle respectively. The packages may be filled before or after insertion into the receptacle. A plurality of covers are movable on a second closed path by a second conveyor and are brought into sealed engagement with a respective receptacle to define a sealed chamber. A pressure control device is connected to each chamber by means of a rotatable plenum chamber and a plurality of flexible conduits connected between the rotatable plenum chamber and each sealed chamber. After subjecting the contents of each package to the desired pressure, each package is sealed and subsequently removed from the receptacle.

Abstract: An apparatus for evacuating and sealing rectangular packages includes a turntable, a plurality of vacuum hoods arranged circumferentially on the turntable and having an open position in which a package to be evacuated and sealed is received and a sealed, closed position. There is provided a package-engaging surface on each hood on its inside and an abutting mechanism arranged on the turntable below each vacuum hood. Each abutting mechanism also has a package-engaging surface. The abutting mechanism is arranged for radially outward movement for displacing, with its package-engaging surface, a package towards the package-engaging surface of the vacuum hood. In the closed position of the vacuum hood the package thereunder is engaged at opposite sides by the two surfaces.

Abstract: A high speed evacuation chamber packaging and clipping machine for the high speed evacuation and positive sealing of filled, flexible receptacles such as thermoplastic bags in order to preserve the contents of the receptacle. A first endless conveyor carries a plurality of bagged product carrying platens. The first conveyor conducts the platens along a horizontal path of travel with the platens facing upwardly. A second conveyor carries a plurality of hoods. The second conveyor conducts the hoods between and along upper and lower paths of travel and is so located with respect to the first conveyor that when each hood is shifted from its upper path of travel to its lower path of travel, it will engage one of the platens traveling in its horizontal path of travel to form a chamber therewith. Means are provided in association with each chamber for evacuating the chamber. Means are also provided in association with each chamber for applying a clip to the bag to close the bag about the product.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus for placing reduced pressure on an open top flexible walled receptacle previously loaded at a higher ambient pressure and subsequently sealing the same, comprising a walled chamber having means therein for sealing the top of the receptacle, the chamber having a wall movable between an open position and a closed one, and having conveyor means disposed both interiorly and exteriorly of such wall, both conveyor means being selectively aligned with other conveyor means for transport of both sealed and unsealed receptacles. A preferred form of the apparatus comprehends a battery of such walled chambers where sealing of the receptacles takes place in tandem fashion, all the while movement taking place along conveyor means exterior of the walled chambers, as desired.

Abstract: A quantity of livestock meat for food is charged into a package bag made of a heat-shrinkable plastic film of substantially tubular shape of constant overall length sufficient for packaging variable quantities of the meat, the bag having a bottom end closed by transverse heat sealing and an open top end and being thus charged in a manner to leave an unfilled part between the seal and the meat, a surplus bag part being left outside of the seal, and this surplus part just outside of the seal is transversely and partially cut for subsequent serverence of the surplus bag part from the package bag, which is then immersed in hot water for a few seconds to cause shrinkage of the bag tightly around the meat. The vacuum packaging operation is advantageously accomplished in vacuum chambers formed by a continuity of vacuum boxes mating with corresponding platform plates in a vacuum packaging apparatus.