A lid for a vacuum sealing device may include a housing that supports a sealing station. The housing may define a sealing surface with a sealing perimeter that is able to seal against a canister body when the sealing surface is located on the canister body so that the sealing surface and the canister body together define a sealed volume. The sealing station is supported by the housing and extends from the housing. The sealing station is configured to heat seal an open bag, the sealing station being located within the sealing perimeter of the sealing surface such that when the lid is located onto the canister body, the sealing station is disposed within the sealed volume. The lid may have an internal pump for vacuum sealing operations or may receive a vacuum from an external source.

A lid for a vacuum sealing device may include a housing that supports a sealing station. The housing may define a sealing surface with a sealing perimeter that is able to seal against a canister body when the sealing surface is located on the canister body so that the sealing surface and the canister body together define a sealed volume. The sealing station is supported by the housing and extends from the housing. The sealing station is configured to heat seal an open bag, the sealing station being located within the sealing perimeter of the sealing surface such that when the lid is located onto the canister body, the sealing station is disposed within the sealed volume. The lid may have an internal pump for vacuum sealing operations or may receive a vacuum from an external source.

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.

A system for evacuating and sealing containers filled with product, for example, food product, includes an enclosed, sealed housing wherein the pressure level and the atmospheric content can be controlled. A vacuum shroud is positioned in registry with a container entrance opening in the housing, the shroud connectible to a vacuum source and to a source of replaceable gas to replace the ambient air to be removed from the container. The shroud is advanceable to seal the container entrance opening and is retractable from the container entrance opening. A container transport system inserts the container through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud. Thereupon, a sealing system seals the housing from the ambient after the container has been inserted into the shroud. After the air in the container has been replaced with an inert gas and then the shroud retracted, a closure subsystem applies a cover to the evacuated container. Thereafter, an out feed subsystem removes the closed container from the housing while maintaining the atmospheric content and pressure level within the housing.

A system for evacuating and sealing containers filled with product, for example, food product, includes an enclosed, sealed housing wherein the pressure level and the atmospheric content can be controlled. A vacuum shroud is positioned in registry with a container entrance opening in the housing, the shroud connectible to a vacuum source and to a source of replaceable gas to replace the ambient air to be removed from the container. The shroud is advanceable to seal the container entrance opening and is retractable from the container entrance opening. A container transport system inserts the container through the housing entrance opening and into the shroud. Thereupon, a sealing system seals the housing from the ambient after the container has been inserted into the shroud. After the air in the container has been replaced with an inert gas and then the shroud retracted, a closure subsystem applies a cover to the evacuated container. Thereafter, an out feed subsystem removes the closed container from the housing while maintaining the atmospheric content and pressure level within the housing.

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.

The disclosure refers to a packaging device for manufacturing a packaging for a foodstuff. In particular, the packaging may include a trough-shaped lower packaging part and a top film which can be sealed together along their edges by means of a sealing tool of the packaging device. In order to improve a packaging device completely without evacuation or by evacuation in a simple and inexpensive manner with only a slight negative pressure in such a way that sufficient vapor purging is possible and at the same time cooling of the foodstuff before sealing or excessive degassing of the foodstuff does not take place, vapor can be introduced under pressure between the lower packaging part and the top film at at least one vapor entry point before sealing and can be released into the surrounding atmosphere at an outlet point from the packaging.

A vacuum sealer includes: a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber; a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the sealing chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the sealing chamber; and a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve. The controller is configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing.

A vacuum sealer includes: a housing comprising a vacuum chamber therein; a vacuum pump in fluid communication with the vacuum chamber; a sealing mechanism adjacent a periphery of the vacuum chamber; a valve positioned and configured to releasably seal the vacuum chamber, the valve movable between a first position, in which the valve forms a seal with the sealing chamber, and a second position, in which the valve does not form a seal with the sealing chamber; and a controller operatively connected with the vacuum pump, the sealing mechanism, and the valve. The controller is configured to move the valve from the first position to the second position during sealing.