APPARATUS AND METHODS FOR PRODUCING SEALED FLEXIBLE CONTAINERS INCLUDING A PRODUCT

摘要

Apparatus and methods for removing excess fluid, and specifically gas from a flexible container (18) and sealing the container. The apparatus comprises a device for receiving a flexible container (18) including a product and having a first open end (24) and a second sealed end (22) located at an opposite end of the container (18) from the first open end (24). The device includes an interior (16) designed to receive at least a portion of the flexible container (18). The interior (16) is defined by a compressible member (40, 42) that progressively squeezes excess gas located in the interior of the flexible container (18) from the second sealed end out the first open end of the flexible container. The device also includes an integral sealing member (52) that seals the first open end (24) of the flexible container (18) after the compressible member (40, 42) squeezes fluid from the interior of the flexible container (18).