A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom, and the inlet is located vertically above the outlet such that the associated container assembly and associated sleeve move from the inlet toward the outlet. A steam path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move downwardly through the passage and the steam naturally rises upwardly through the passage.

An example technique of forming a package includes retaining a package precursor in a support. The package precursor includes a shrink-formable composition and defines an interior volume configured to enclose a component, such as a medical supply. The package may be formed by at least directing a flow of heated medium from a nozzle toward at least one region of the package precursor to cause the at least one region to shrink faster than an adjacent region of the package precursor. In some examples, an example system for shrink-forming a package includes the support and the nozzle.

A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

The invention relates to a shrinking a heat-shrink film around palletized goods. The heat-shrink film projects beyond the top edge of the goods stack. Firstly the heat-shrink film is shrunk in the region of a first lateral surface sub-region of the four lateral surface sub-regions of the goods stack. The shrinkage direction is from bottom to top and then the shrinkage direction is changed 90°. In a further step either, the shrinkage direction is changed a further 90°, the heat-shrink film is shrunk from top to bottom in the region of that lateral surface sub-region of the goods stack, or, the shrinkage direction is changed a further 90°, and the heat-shrink film is preheated from top to bottom in the region of that lateral surface sub-region which is located oppositely from the first lateral surface sub-region, and is then shrunk in the opposite direction from bottom to top.

System, assemblies, and methods for heat shrink sealing open-topped containers wherein the system includes a two-part housing or enclosure wherein a majority of a bulk roll of film material is accessible when the cover is open. The system preferably includes a movable feed roll to improve the efficiency associated with reloading operations. In a preferred aspect, the system includes a movable sealing unit that accommodates use of the lidding system with open ended containers having various sizes and shapes. In a more preferred aspect, the system includes an indicia generating device operable to label sealed containers and a knife that generates a perforation in the film during sealing operations.

A shrink wrapping apparatus, and associated process, includes a housing (turbine) having a wall forming a passage dimensioned to receive the associated container assembly and associated sleeve. The passage has an inlet and an outlet spaced therefrom. A steam/hot air path communicates with the passage to provide steam from an associated steam source to at least a portion of the passage in order to shrink wrap the associated sleeve on the associated container assembly as the container assembly and sleeve move through the passage. The apparatus also includes a stop member for engaging the associated container assembly and holding in the passage for a predetermined amount of time.

System for heat shrink sealing open-topped containers wherein the system includes a housing or enclosure wherein a majority of a bulk roll of film material is accessible when the cover is open. The system preferably includes two opposing rollers that are configured to engage the film and cause it to move to a dispensing position. In a preferred aspect, the system includes a movable sealing unit that accommodates use of the lidding system with open ended containers having various sizes and shapes. In a more preferred aspect, the system includes an indicia generating device operable to label sealed containers and a knife that generates a perforation in the film during sealing operations.

The current invention covers an improved meat-packaging procedure and machine for packaging meat cuts for long-term storage at temperatures of between 28 and 42 F. The process includes sealing meat cuts or full poultry birds or bird pieces within a master bag containing (i) oxygen scavenger materials capable of reducing the residual oxygen content of the atmosphere within the bag to 0 ppm within 96 hours of sealing, and (ii) a CO2 generator capable to generate CO2 in the amount of at least 100 mL per pound of meat or poultry within 7 days of sealing. Gas is injected into the master bag to form a CO2-rich storage environment of at least 50% CO2. Depending upon the gas-volume and oxygen scavengers design in the master-bag to maintain diffusion, the CO2 generators may not be needed in the master-bag. The over-wrap of the meat or poultry trays, if meat or poultry are packed in trays, can be perforated so that gas exchange occurs within the master bag between the interior and exterior of the meat tray to absorb the residual oxygen inside the meat trays. For meat trays containing meat with poor color stability, oxygen scavengers are preferably placed within the meat trays. For cuts with good color stability, the oxygen scavengers may be placed outside the meat trays. Meat can be stored by this system for up to 10 weeks and up to twelve days of retail display life. Poultry can be stored for 28+ days by this system. Poultry can be treated with PAA or without PAA and can either be air-chilled or water-chilled with or without PAA: in both instances substantial shelf-life extension is obtained. PAA treated poultry tend to show high microbial growth when compared with non-PAA treated poultry.

System, assemblies, and methods for heat shrink sealing open-topped containers wherein the system includes a two-part housing or enclosure wherein a majority of a bulk roll of film material is accessible when the cover is open. The system preferably includes a movable feed roll to improve the efficiency associated with reloading operations. In a preferred aspect, the system includes a movable sealing unit that accommodates use of the lidding system with open ended containers having various sizes and shapes. In a more preferred aspect, the system includes an indicia generating device operable to label sealed containers and a knife that generates a perforation in the film during sealing operations.