GB2024143A - Vacuum packing machine with bag end retractor - Google Patents

Abstract

A vacuum packing machine has means for automatically pulling the extending end 6 of a product bag back into the vacuum chamber 2 when the cover 3 is closed. Such means comprises spring loaded rod 10 fastened to the cover 3 for pressing the end 6 of the bag into a groove 9 hollowed out in the edge of the packing machine housing 1. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Vacuum packing machine with bag end retractor The invention is concerned with a vacuum packing machine for meat products or the like having means for automatically retracting a projecting end of the product bag when the vacuum chamber cover is closed.

In conventional vacuum packing machines the bagged product or material is placed in the vacuum chamber with the cover of the machine open.

Depending upon the length of the bag, its end projects out of the machine to some extent. Since the bag is evacuated during the packing process, it must be entirely enclosed by the machine. That is, any projecting end or edge of the bag that remains outside of the vacuum chamber may be temporarily pinched shut when the cover is closed, to thereby retain air and subsequently contaminate a perishable product. Further, during evacuation, the bag is drawn tightly against the product, and in taking up its "slack" in this matter the end of the bag pinched by the cover may become caught and tear or rupture. For this purpose, the end of the bag projecting from the machine is manually pressed into a recess formed in the edge of the vacuum chamber housing. The cover is then closed and the packing process begins.

An aim of this invention is to make this work function simpler and more efficiently by providing the machine with a device for automatically pulling back the projecting end of a product bag placed in the vacuum chamber.

According to the invention there is provided a vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber defined by a housing and a cover for closing the chamber, in which a groove is formed in an edge of the housing, and an elongated member is fastened to the cover and disposed opposite the groove when the cover is open, whereby the elongated member penetrates into the groove when the cover is closed to automatically force a projecting end of a product bag into the groove.

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying single drawing figure, when shows a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum packing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention.

The machine comprises a housing 1 defining a vacuum chamber 2 that can be closed in an airtight manner by a cover 3. The bagged product 4, such as meat cuts is placed in the chamber 2 for evacuation, with filler plates 5 also being placed in the bottom of the chamber depending upon the height of the product. The end 6 of the bag projects beyond the edge 7 of the housing. A groove 9 is hollowed out in an edge 8 of the housing facing the cover 3, into which the projecting end 6 of the bag is pressed before evacuation. The groove 9 extends around the entire periphery of the vacuum chamber. although this cannot be seen in the fragmentary drawing.

For this purpose a rod 10 is installed on the cover 3 and penetrates into the groove 9 when the cover is closed, to thereby automatically press the end 6 of the bag into the groove. The rod 10 is loosely mounted on the inside of the cover 3 by threaded bolts 11 anchored in the underside of the cover and carrying compression springs 13 which bias the rod, which is slidable on the bolts 11, away from the cover. The rod 10 similarly extends around the entire cover periphery. Cover nuts 14 are screwed onto the bolts. By means of the springs 13 the end 6 of the bag is forced into the groove 9 at a uniform pressure, while the flexible mounting of the rod avoids any possibility of accidents. If when closing the cover the rod encounters resistance, caused, for example, by the hand or finger of the operator, it springs completely back into the cover.

By pulling the end of the bag back automatically when the cover closes as described above, a quick, simple and efficient method of operation is achieved. In addition, a conventional apparatus 15 for weld-sealing the bag may be provided. Thus, when the cover is closed, not only is the surplus material of the bag end forced into the groove, but the bag is simultaneously double seam welded adjacent the product. The extending or surplus bag neck can later be cleanly severed along the outer weld line.

1. A vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber defined by a housing, and a cover for closing the chamber, in which a groove is formed in an edge of the housing, and an elongated member is fastened to the cover and disposed opposite the groove when the cover is open, whereby the elongated member penetrates into the groove when the cover is closed to automatically force a projecting end of a product bag into the groove.

2. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member comprises a rod resiliently mounted at a fixed distance from the underside of the cover, and which can be retracted into the cover against spring tension.

3. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rod is slidably disposed on bolts anchored to the underside of the cover, and compression springs are disposed on the bolts and bias the rod away from the underside of the cover.

4. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounted in the cover or on the edge of the housing for welding the bottom of the bag.

5. A vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Vacuum packing machine with bag end retractor The invention is concerned with a vacuum packing machine for meat products or the like having means for automatically retracting a projecting end of the product bag when the vacuum chamber cover is closed. In conventional vacuum packing machines the bagged product or material is placed in the vacuum chamber with the cover of the machine open. Depending upon the length of the bag, its end projects out of the machine to some extent. Since the bag is evacuated during the packing process, it must be entirely enclosed by the machine. That is, any projecting end or edge of the bag that remains outside of the vacuum chamber may be temporarily pinched shut when the cover is closed, to thereby retain air and subsequently contaminate a perishable product. Further, during evacuation, the bag is drawn tightly against the product, and in taking up its "slack" in this matter the end of the bag pinched by the cover may become caught and tear or rupture. For this purpose, the end of the bag projecting from the machine is manually pressed into a recess formed in the edge of the vacuum chamber housing. The cover is then closed and the packing process begins. An aim of this invention is to make this work function simpler and more efficiently by providing the machine with a device for automatically pulling back the projecting end of a product bag placed in the vacuum chamber. According to the invention there is provided a vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber defined by a housing and a cover for closing the chamber, in which a groove is formed in an edge of the housing, and an elongated member is fastened to the cover and disposed opposite the groove when the cover is open, whereby the elongated member penetrates into the groove when the cover is closed to automatically force a projecting end of a product bag into the groove. An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying single drawing figure, when shows a partial cross-sectional view of a vacuum packing machine constructed in accordance with the present invention. The machine comprises a housing 1 defining a vacuum chamber 2 that can be closed in an airtight manner by a cover 3. The bagged product 4, such as meat cuts is placed in the chamber 2 for evacuation, with filler plates 5 also being placed in the bottom of the chamber depending upon the height of the product. The end 6 of the bag projects beyond the edge 7 of the housing. A groove 9 is hollowed out in an edge 8 of the housing facing the cover 3, into which the projecting end 6 of the bag is pressed before evacuation. The groove 9 extends around the entire periphery of the vacuum chamber. although this cannot be seen in the fragmentary drawing. For this purpose a rod 10 is installed on the cover 3 and penetrates into the groove 9 when the cover is closed, to thereby automatically press the end 6 of the bag into the groove. The rod 10 is loosely mounted on the inside of the cover 3 by threaded bolts 11 anchored in the underside of the cover and carrying compression springs 13 which bias the rod, which is slidable on the bolts 11, away from the cover. The rod 10 similarly extends around the entire cover periphery. Cover nuts 14 are screwed onto the bolts. By means of the springs 13 the end 6 of the bag is forced into the groove 9 at a uniform pressure, while the flexible mounting of the rod avoids any possibility of accidents. If when closing the cover the rod encounters resistance, caused, for example, by the hand or finger of the operator, it springs completely back into the cover. By pulling the end of the bag back automatically when the cover closes as described above, a quick, simple and efficient method of operation is achieved. In addition, a conventional apparatus 15 for weld-sealing the bag may be provided. Thus, when the cover is closed, not only is the surplus material of the bag end forced into the groove, but the bag is simultaneously double seam welded adjacent the product. The extending or surplus bag neck can later be cleanly severed along the outer weld line. CLAIMS

1. A vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber defined by a housing, and a cover for closing the chamber, in which a groove is formed in an edge of the housing, and an elongated member is fastened to the cover and disposed opposite the groove when the cover is open, whereby the elongated member penetrates into the groove when the cover is closed to automatically force a projecting end of a product bag into the groove.

2. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 1, wherein the elongated member comprises a rod resiliently mounted at a fixed distance from the underside of the cover, and which can be retracted into the cover against spring tension.

3. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 2, wherein the rod is slidably disposed on bolts anchored to the underside of the cover, and compression springs are disposed on the bolts and bias the rod away from the underside of the cover.

4. A vacuum packing machine as claimed in claim 1, further comprising means mounted in the cover or on the edge of the housing for welding the bottom of the bag.

5. A vacuum packing machine having a vacuum chamber, substantially as herein described with reference to the accompanying drawing.