GB888811A - Vacuum sealing apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

888,811. Packaging. GAMBLE, H. Aug. 8, 1960 [May 7, 1959], No. 15619/59. Class 94(1). Apparatus for evacuating and sealing pouches comprises a vacuum hood 1 containing pouch sealing means, and movable between two sealing stations A, B and a loading and unloading station C, and two pouch support platforms 15, 16 on a carriage 17 each of which is movable in synchronism with the vacuum head between the station C and one of the stations A, B. The hood 1 is mounted on pivoted arms 2 on a trolley 3 running in guides 4 and is raised and lowered by a pneumatic jack 5 acting on a pressure bar 6 extending the length of the machine and bearing on the arms 2. The trolley 3 is moved along the guides 4 by a reversible motor 11 and a chain drive 12. At the commencement of operation the filled pouches are placed over the sealing abutments 20 on the platform 16, which is at the station C, and the motor 11 started so that the trolley 3 and hood 1 are moved from station A to station C. As the trolley 3 reaches the station C the hood is lowered into sealing contact with the platform 16 and subjected to vacuum. Simultaneously the trolley engages an abutment 19 on the carriage 17 to move the platform 16 to the sealing station B and the platform 15 to the loading and unloading station C. When the pouches on the paltform 16 have been sealed by the sealing means within the hood, the sealing means is moved to the inoperative position by a pressure sensitive and time control switch, and a pressure relief valve is opened. Meanwhile platform 15 has been re-loaded and the sequence of operations is repeated. The hood may be raised and lowered by a hydraulic jack carried by the trolley, or by cams. The pouches may be filled with inert gas after evacuation.