An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.

An automatic packaging apparatus is provided, having a conveyor, a continuous longitudinally folded web, cutting and sealing mechanisms for forming flexible pouches from the web. The apparatus also includes processing stations for loading the pouches, transferring fluids (typically gases) into and out of the pouches, and sealing the pouches. Various alternative methods and devices are provided for separating each sealed pouch from the web by either making a continuous cut across a connecting strip of web material downline of the processing stations or pre-perforating the connecting strip upline of the processing stations. When the connecting strip is pre-perforated, a sealed pouch of sufficient weight may be separated from the web passively by a takeaway conveyor, and a lighter sealed pouch may be separated from the web by a tear-off mechanism that grips and pulls the web.

A thermoforming packaging machine that includes a film holder for receiving a lower film supply roll and one behind the other in a sequential arrangement along a production direction a pretreatment station for pretreating the lower film web, a forming station for forming troughs in the lower film web by thermoforming, an insertion line for filling the troughs with products and a sealing station for sealing the troughs with a top film. A transport device is configured to transport the lower film web along the production direction through the pretreatment station, further to the forming station, further to the insertion line and finally to the sealing station. A deflection unit arranged at least partially below the pretreatment station is configured to deflect the lower film web before reaching the pretreatment station. The pretreatment station may include a punching or slitting unit to punch or slit the lower film web.

A thermoforming packaging machine that includes a film holder for receiving a lower film supply roll and one behind the other in a sequential arrangement along a production direction a pretreatment station for pretreating the lower film web, a forming station for forming troughs in the lower film web by thermoforming, an insertion line for filling the troughs with products and a sealing station for sealing the troughs with a top film. A transport device is configured to transport the lower film web along the production direction through the pretreatment station, further to the forming station, further to the insertion line and finally to the sealing station. A deflection unit arranged at least partially below the pretreatment station is configured to deflect the lower film web before reaching the pretreatment station. The pretreatment station may include a punching or slitting unit to punch or slit the lower film web.

Methods are generally described herein for structuring food for microwave heating. In some examples, food with high dielectric loss factor is dispersed in a matrix of foods with low dielectric loss factors to promote uniform heating and efficient heating. In other examples, microwave susceptors are sandwiched between layers of food and attached to a handle whereby said microwave susceptors can be removed by pulling on the handle after microwave heating.

A method of creating batches for food items conveyed by a conveyor means, comprises measuring an image profile for a food item, processing the measured image profile for the food item, cutting the food item into a plurality of portions based on the processed measured image profile, and distinguishing the portions within the partial batch from the remaining portions. The number of portions from one or more of subsequent food items needed to complete the partial batch is such that it fulfils the pre-defined batch-criteria taken from the same or similar area of the food items from where the partial batch originates.

An apparatus for packaging a product with an extensible film, including a conveyor for conveying a product to the apparatus, an evacuating device for evacuating a product from the apparatus at the end of packaging, an unwinding device to unwind the extensible film from a reel mounted on the apparatus, a tensioning device for tensioning the extensible film, the unwinding device including a first gripping element and a second gripping element that are movable independently of one another in an unwinding direction for unwinding the extensible film from the reel.

The invention relates to a method for treating and distributing foodstuffs, in particular meat or sausage products, the foodstuffs being enveloped by a packaging material or introduced into a packaging material. According to the invention, the foodstuff contained in and provided with the packaging is subjected to a targeted treatment in order to inactivate micro-organisms for the purposes of microbe reduction and a protective coating is applied to the packaging immediately afterwards or during this treatment.

A food product slicing apparatus includes a frame and upper and lower drive assemblies. The upper drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage an upper surface of a food product block to be sliced, a plate pivotally mounted to the frame, front and rear wheels supporting the upper belt, the front wheel rotatably mounted to the plate and a drive member engaged with the plate. When the drive member is engaged, the plate and the front roller pivot relative to the frame and to the rear wheel. The lower drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage a bottom surface of the food product block.

A food product slicing apparatus includes a frame and upper and lower drive assemblies. The upper drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage an upper surface of a food product block to be sliced, a plate pivotally mounted to the frame, front and rear wheels supporting the upper belt, the front wheel rotatably mounted to the plate and a drive member engaged with the plate. When the drive member is engaged, the plate and the front roller pivot relative to the frame and to the rear wheel. The lower drive assembly includes a belt configured to engage a bottom surface of the food product block.