Apparatus for packaging articles in a controlled atmosphere, such as one created by a vacuum followed by the addition of gas, such as carbon dioxide, provided within a flexible container having an open end. The packaging apparatus includes a frame and a support one the frame for the flexible container, which is preferably supported within a rigid outer container, to maintain a substantially fixed position for the articles in the flexible container. A fixed elongated member or manifold is mounted on the frame and includes an upwardly and forwardly angled sealing surface. The fixed elongated member cooperates with a movable elongated member or manifold which is operatively mounted on the frame and includes a sealing face which is movable into cooperative relationship with the sealing surface of the fixed manifold. The movable manifold is movable between a position which is spaced from the fixed manifold and a second position which is adjacent or against the sealing surface of the fixed manifold. Vacuum openings are provided in the fixed manifold for holding the flexible container in place, particularly when the movable manifold is spaced from the fixed manifold. A mechanism is provided on the frame for moving the movable manifold between the spaced and adjacent positions relative to the fixed manifold. The manifold moving mechanism includes an over-the-center linkage for holding the movable manifold in the adjacent position. Snorkels or passage members are mounted on the frame for passage through the open end of the flexible container and into the flexible container for the purpose of creating a controlled atmosphere therein. The passage members are sealably positioned between and aligned with the sealing surface and the sealing face when the manifolds are adjacent each other and the snorkels are in the flexible container.
A method and system for preventing permanent deformation during use and storage of encased expandites that constitute a thermodynamic working fluid for use in combination with a thermal fluid in a thermodynamic energy conversion system. The working fluid is made up of thousands of encased expandites, each of which includes a mass having a flexible covering encasing the mass for enabling rapid heat transfer between the mass and the thermal fluid, for enabling the encased expandite to maintain its integrity as a separate object when submerged in the thermal fluid, and for enabling the volume of the encased expandite to change in accordance with the characteristic interdependent relationship between changes in the density, temperature and pressure of the mass when the encased expandite is submerged in the thermal fluid. Each of the flexible coverings has a maximum containing volume prior to becoming permanently deformed. The encased expandites are maintained at a combination of temperature and pressure that is different than atmospheric conditions to thereby prevent the volume of the encased expandite mass from exceeding the maximum containing volume of the flexible cover.
This invention provides an apparatus for over-wrapping or bulk packaging of commodities on a pallet or the like supporting surface. The apparatus comprises a supporting surface on which commodities are adapted to be over-wrapped or bulk packaged with a sealable flexible wrapping material, a movable enclosure surrounding the supporting surface and forming an open-topped chamber with said supporting surface. The aforesaid chamber is adapted to receive flexible packaging material, and the movable enclosure is movable relative to the supporting surface to permit access to the supporting surface. Means for gripping and engaging opposed portions of the flexible wrapping material are provided as are means for evacuating air from the flexible wrapping material after the commodities have been inserted therein. Means are also provided for sealing the flexible wrapping material in said chamber to form a seal across the wrapping material.
An apparatus and method for evacuating and sealing a bag made of a sealable material and containing a comminuted product. The bag is positioned with its open upper end around a sleeve through which a hollow probe can be extended. A pair of upper jaw members close to form an outer temporary seal above an intermediate region of the bag above the level of the surface of the charge in the bag where a permanent seal is to be formed. A pair of lower jaws members close to form an inner temporary seal about a lower region of the bag above the surface of the charge. With the probe extended through the sleeve into the bag, the bag is evacuated through the probe. After evacuation is completed and after withdrawal of the hollow probe, a pair of sealing members close against the intermediate region of the bag in order to form a permanent seal for the bag.
A quick pressure reducing apparatus is used in vacuum packing of clothing, food, or the like. In order to quickly shift the interior of a preservation bag from the atmospheric state to a pressure reduced state, a reservoir tank is provided which is connected to a rotary pump functioning as a vacuum pump. By establishing communication between the reservoir tank and the preservation bag via an adapter, the internal pressure of the preservation bag can be sufficiently reduced. The adapter has a retractable communicating tubular member so as to smoothly reduce the internal pressure of the preservation bag. The adapter is inserted into the opening portion of the preservation bag whose internal pressure is to be reduced, thereby establishing communication between the preservation bag and the reservoir tank via the communicating tubular member. The opening portion of the preservation bag, together with the inserted adapter, is held between the upper and lower holding members. The communicating tubular member, which has a number of small holes formed at its forward end portion, is projected from the adapter into the preservation bag by a drive mechanism. Accordingly, the internal pressure of the preservation bag can be quickly reduced while preventing the opening edge portion of the preservation bag or the like from closing the communicating tubular member.
A device for tightly sealing bags and/or envelopes destined to the vacuum packaging of products, in particular foodstuffs, comprising a clamping member equipped with means for grasping and tightly closing against each other mutually opposite edges in correspondence of the open side of said bag. With the grasping and clamping means, a valve element cooperates, through which the air contained inside the bag can be evacuated when to the bag a vacuum source is applied.
