A shipping system for shipping planar substrates includes a plurality of planar substrates stacked to form a pack and a plurality of interleaving material including substantially spherical beads positioned between the substrates of the pack and configured to carry a load. Substantially all of the beads have a diameter within 25% of D.sub.max, where D.sub.max is a diameter corresponding to a size of an opening of an upper limit sieve used in the shipping system. Also disclosed are a spacer for use in a shipping system for shipping planar substrates, a wrapped system for shipping planar substrates, a method of wrapping a system for shipping planar substrates, and a powder applicator.

A shipping system for shipping planar substrates includes a plurality of planar substrates stacked to form a pack and a plurality of interleaving material including substantially spherical beads positioned between the substrates of the pack and configured to carry a load. Substantially all of the beads have a diameter within 25% of D.sub.max, where D.sub.max is a diameter corresponding to a size of an opening of an upper limit sieve used in the shipping system. Also disclosed are a spacer for use in a shipping system for shipping planar substrates, a wrapped system for shipping planar substrates, a method of wrapping a system for shipping planar substrates, and a powder applicator.

According to aspects of this disclosure there is provided a method for processing plastic containers comprising: i. Providing a container suitable for hot-filling; ii. Filling the container with heated or heatable liquid including water; iii. Sealing the container with a seal or cap to close the container; iv. Cooling the liquid in the sealed container to create a first headspace pressure within the container; v. Enclosing the cooled and sealed container within an open aseptic converter chamber, wherein the converter chamber comprises: 1. A sanitized environment; 2. Means for maintaining the sanitization of the container within the converter chamber; 3. Means for perforating or opening the cap or seal of the container within the converter chamber; 4. Means for sealing the opening or perforation within the converter chamber; and 5. Means for transporting or conveying multiple containers within the converter chamber. vi. Creating an opening in the seal or cap of the container within a sanitized environment of a perforator means or device for creating an opening in the seal or cap; vii. Increasing the first headspace pressure to a second headspace pressure within the container by the introduction of a sanitized fluid to the headspace of the container; viii. Resealing the container within a sanitized environment of a sealing means or device; ix. Transporting or conveying the sealed container from the sanitized environment of the converter chamber.

The invention discloses a nut breaking vacuum packaging device, which includes a machine body, the machine body includes a round cavity, the back end wall of the round cavity rotates and is provided with a first rotating shaft extending back and forth, the first rotating shaft is fixedly provided with a blade. The energy utilization rate is high. After the shelling is completed, the peeled nut kernel is automatically put into the plastic basket according to the fixed weight by the equipment. The automatic flow in process of the plastic basket has perfect function and sensitive response. In the process of packaging and sealing, the equipment is automatic at the same time The process of air extraction and sealing is of high efficiency and high degree of integration. The packed plastic basket is sent out. The equipment has a high energy utilization rate, and the operation is simple and quick.

A method for wrapping hygroscopic products includes feeding a succession of products and wrapping each product in wrapping material to define a wrapper for the product. The wrapping including 1) folding a sheet of wrapping material into a U-shape around at least part of a respective product and sealing to each other at least two edges of the sheet of wrapping material along a first, longitudinal sealing line defining a tubular body in which the product is disposed and having a first and a second open end; 2) sealing at least two portions of the tubular body along a second and a third sealing line transverse to the first longitudinal sealing line, thereby enclosing the product in the wrapper; and 3) creating a vacuum in the tubular body before the sealing the portions of the tubular body along at least one between the second and the third sealing line.

The disclosed hand-held vacuum sealing apparatus according to various aspects of the subject technology may include a cap comprising a siphon tube having a tapered surface and extending outwardly therefrom, a body portion releasably coupled to the cap, and a filter disposed between the cap and the body portion. The cap may include a first passage, wherein the siphon tube in combination with the first passage forms a first airflow path. The body portion may include a second passage forming a second airflow path, wherein the second airflow path in combination with the first airflow path forms a common airflow path when the body portion is coupled to the cap. The body portion may also include a suction assembly configured to draw air into the common airflow path, a perforated plate configured to be positioned against the filter, and an outlet for expelling the air.

The disclosed hand-held vacuum sealing apparatus according to various aspects of the subject technology may include a cap comprising a siphon tube having a tapered surface and extending outwardly therefrom, a body portion releasably coupled to the cap, and a filter disposed between the cap and the body portion. The cap may include a first passage, wherein the siphon tube in combination with the first passage forms a first airflow path. The body portion may include a second passage forming a second airflow path, wherein the second airflow path in combination with the first airflow path forms a common airflow path when the body portion is coupled to the cap. The body portion may also include a suction assembly configured to draw air into the common airflow path, a perforated plate configured to be positioned against the filter, and an outlet for expelling the air.

Method and apparatus for eliminating oxygen in the filling of a flexible bag with a beverage utilizing sources of inert gas, vacuum, and beverage. A filling head regulates the injection of inert gas and applies a vacuum to the flexible bag the bag spout. The bag spout is separately rinsed of oxygen prior to recapping the same on the flexible bag.

Method and apparatus for eliminating oxygen in the filling of a flexible bag with a beverage utilizing sources of inert gas, vacuum, and beverage. A filling head regulates the injection of inert gas and applies a vacuum to the flexible bag the bag spout. The bag spout is separately rinsed of oxygen prior to recapping the same on the flexible bag.

A modular packaging facility has independent packaging units configured to receive one or more product loaded supports. The upper tool and the lower tool of each unit are relatively movable the one with respect to the other between at least a first position, allowing placement of the supports in the respective seats of the lower tool, and a second position, allowing coupling of a film portion of said film to said one or more product loaded supports received by the lower tool. Each unit has a vacuum arrangement and/or a controlled atmosphere arrangement and is configured to execute a packaging cycle wherein gas is removed and/or injected via holes in the supports and/or via nozzles placed between the support and the respective film portion. The process and the infrastructure may be used to contemporaneously process and pack supports of different types.