An improved method and device are provided for evacuating gas from a gas tight envelope such as a bag of plastic film, enclosing one or more trays containing solid or granular material. The vacuum probe used in accordance with the invention to evacuate the envelope has one or more parallel grooves or apertures extending its length. The probe is inserted vertically into the envelope along the side of the tray and provides a vacuum, across the length of the probe to prevent blocking of the probe a...

An apparatus for extracting air from within flexible packages having granular or otherwise flowable contents includes a package conveyor and a downwardly-open, vacuum extraction hood through which the packages are conveyed so that an upper portion of each package is moved through the extraction hood. The interior of the hood is joined in fluid communication with a vacuum source, so that air is extracted from within each package as it is conveyed through the hood. The present apparatus further in...

A vacuum packaging machine includes a vacuum chamber and a sealing mechanism within the chamber. A product-filled package can be supported within the chamber with its open end disposed between sealing bars of a sealing mechanism. At least one of the sealing bars is continuously heated including as the package is placed within the chamber, as a vacuum is drawn in the chamber, as the sealing bars are closed around the open end of the package and as the package is removed after sealing is complete.

A device for evacuating a container is disclosed. The device includes a nozzle for placing within the container, a first air conduit operatively connecting the nozzle and a separation chamber, a second air conduit operatively connecting the separation chamber and a pump. A system that includes a reusable plastic bag and methods for using a device for air evacuation, and a plastic bag are disclosed.

A diaper is folded about lengthwise foldlines between side elastic banded edges and is folded along a widthwise foldline such that the diaper length is reduced by at least 50%. A central portion of the diaper is visible and the remainder thereof is hidden from view within the folds. Thereafter, a height of the folded diaper is reduced by compressing the diaper with opposed surfaces of a press and the diaper is sealed within an encasement having an interior volume that closely corresponds to the ...

An apparatus and method for creating a vacuum-sealed package comprising the placement of the item to be vacuum packed in a container; sealing the container, placing a portion of the container in contact with a sealable chamber; sealing the chamber, creating holes in the container, evacuating the desired amount of air from the container and creating a seal between the interior of the container and the holes.

A method for long term storage of a bulk commodity utilizes a flexible, low gas-permeability sheet material enclosure in which the bulk commodity is hermetically sealed. The atmosphere in the sealed flexible sheet material enclosure is substantially evacuated to establish a vacuum therein. The vacuum is maintained during at least a portion of the long term storage of the bulk commodity. At least a portion of the bulk commodity is removed from the flexible, low gas-permeability sheet material enc...

Vacuum packaging methods and materials are claimed. The materials are fusible and can form a part of a heat seal closure for non-rigid and semi-rigid packages. The methods are suitable for packages containing materials generally, and are well suited for those containing granular materials.

A method and apparatus for treating bagged materials. A bagging machine is equipped with feed tubes that feed a conduit through a bag filling tunnel of the machine and through the open end of the bag and into the bag. The conduit is perforated and when the bag is filled, the length of the conduits is extended out through the bag end to be connected to a treatment media, e.g., forced air. An opening is provided at the rear end to provide an exhaust opening for air that is forced into the conduit,...

A homogeneous dry mechanical blend of freely flowable pellets, granules or powders comprising plastic resin and/or plastic additive concentrates is vacuum packaged in order to lock the constituents of the blend in place and eliminate their segregation due to differences in specific gravity, size and shape. The vacuum packaged composition remains immobilized until the vacuum package is opened and the vacuum is released. Thus, the homogeneity of the blend is maintained during shipping, handling an...