HIGH SPEED EVACUATION CHAMBER PACKAGING MACHINE AND METHOD

摘要

A high speed evacuation chamber packaging machine (10) and method is provided. The machine (10) includes a frame (12) which carries a pluraliity of stations (18). Each station (18) includes a platen (32) which faces upwardly and carries the bagged product during the evacuation operations. A hood (34) is associated with each platen and is selectively operable between an open position for loading and unloading the bay product and a closed position which defines an evacuation chamber (36) with the platen. Means are provided for selectively evacuating and reducing the vacuum level within the chamber (36) containing the bagged product and for selectively evacuating the bag itself to a preselected level which has a lower pressure than the pressure within the chamber. A device (84) for sealing and trimming the bag subsequent to the evacuation is also provided and carried along a path of travel similar to the travel of the bag position on a station platen.