The process relates to the fitting of a bottom of a package formed from a tubular body (1) of non-round section. The open end of the body (1) is inserted between two fixed opposed jaws (M1, M2). Since the distance between the jaws (M1, M2) is less than the distance between the clamped portions (2, 3), the portions (4, 5) which are not clamped deform. Thus, when fitting the bottom, the air escapes and by applying a clamping force to the side walls of the package (1), some of the air still in the body (1) is evacuated before sealing.
A bulge reducer is configured for use on a form, fill and seal packaging machine for gable top packages. The machine has a drive element and plurality of discrete package carriers for conveying the packages along a conveyance path through the machine. The bulge reducer includes a drive member operably connected to the machine station chain. A reciprocating member is operably connected to the drive member for the reciprocation toward and away from the conveyance path. The reciprocating member contacts one of the package side walls as the package moves along the conveyance path to exert an inward force on and urge the side wall inwardly of the package.
A canister for storing a particulate-type product. The canister comprises opposing face panels, opposing side panels, a bottom closure, a top closure and a seal membrane. The opposing side panels together with the opposing face panels define an upper opening and a lower opening. The bottom closure is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the lower opening. The opposing face panels, the opposing side panels and the bottom closure combine to define an internal storage region. The top closure is connected to the opposing face panels so as to encompass the upper opening. The top closure is configured to provide selective access to the internal storage region. Finally, the seal membrane is connected to the inner surfaces of the opposing face and side panels adjacent to and extending beneath the top closure. The seal membrane forms a substantially air-tight seal at the upper opening to maintain integrity of particulate-type product disposed within the internal storage region. In addition, the seal membrane is configured to provide selective access to the internal storage region and thereby the particulate-type product. In one preferred embodiment, the canister is configured to store a food product, for example a ready-to-eat cereal.
A canister for containing a particulate-type product. The canister includes a canister body and a plurality of microholes formed in the canister body. Other than the plurality of microholes, the canister body is hermetically sealed. In this regard, the canister body defines an internal storage region configured to contain a particulate-type product. The plurality of microholes are sized to allow passage of air from the internal storage region, as well as to limit passage of the particulate-type product. During use, a decrease in atmospheric pressure applied to the canister, such as during shipping, results in air being vented from the internal storage region via the plurality of microholes. Due to this air flow, an internal pressure of the canister body maintains substantial equilibrium with atmospheric pressure such that the canister body will not expand.
