Method and apparatus for skin-packaging articles between film-on-film

Claim 3

A method according to claim 1, wherein an inert gas is introduced into the packages after they are subjected to the action of the vacuum.

Claim 4

A method according to claim 1, wherein the one of said film layers comprises two portions which are adapted to overlap each other laterally but which are separated laterally at the vacuum station in order to subject the interior of the package to the action of the vacuum, and overlapping said portions to close the package after it is subjected to the action of the vacuum.

Claim 5

A method according to claim 3, wherein an inert gas is introduced into the packages following the vacuum treatment and before the overlapping operation is performed.

Claim 6

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means being operable during the movement of said film layers with the products therebetween.

Claim 7

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means being operable during the movement of said film layers with the products therebetween.

Claim 8

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages.

Claim 9

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages.

Claim 10

Apparatus according to claim 6, wherein means are provided to overlap and heat-seal said portions of the film layers to each other whEreby to seal the packages.

Claim 11

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages and wherein means are provided for introducing an inert gas into said packages following the operation of the air evacuation means.

Claim 12

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages and wherein means are provided for introducing an inert gas into said packages following the operation of the air evacuation means.

Claim 13

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages and wherein means are provided for introducing an inert gas into said packages following the operation of the air-evacuation means, and means to overlap and heat-seal said portions of the film layers to each other whereby to seal the packages.

Claim 14

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, said air-evacuating means comprising a vacuum chamber having a slot through which confronting laterally spaced portions of one of said film layers move longitudinally of the slot, and means disposed between said confronting portions and providing communication between said vacuum chamber and the interior of said packages and wherein means are provided for introducing an inert gas into said packages following the operation of the air-evacuation means, and means to overlap and heat-seal said portions of the film layers to each other whereby to seal the packages.

Claim 15

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, the means for moving one of said film layers in confronting relation to the other of said film layers comprising laterally spaced belts engageable with said one film layer at the opposite longitudinal side edge portions of the latter, and means for heating and thereby softening said one film layer to condition it for contouring around the products and for heat sealing said layers to each other around the individual products during the movement of said layers by said belts, and vacuum chambers associated with said belts, respectively, for engaging said one film layer with said belts, respectively.

Claim 16

Apparatus for packaging products between two layers of see-through film, comprising means for moving said film layers in confronting relation in the direction of their lengths with the products inserted in succession between said layers, means for contouring one of the film layers to the individual products and said layers to each other around the individual products, and means for evacuating air from the sealed packages, the means for moving one of said film layers in confronting relation to the other of said film layers comprising laterally spaced belts engageable with said one film layer at the opposite longitudinal side edge portions of the latter, and means for heating and thereby softening said one film layer to condition it for contouring around the products and for heat sealing said layers to each other around the individual products during the movement of said layers by said belts, and vacuum chambers associated with said belts, respectively, for engaging said one film layer with said belts, respectively.

Claim 17

Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said vacuum chambers are stationary and said belts are endless and are movable longitudinally of said vacuum chambers, respectively.