Abstract:
A washer adapted to minimise contamination by avoiding in use inappropriate crevices. metal annular disc having an annular rebate on at least one face to its outer periphery, and a unitary formation of a flexible medium (e.g. of a food grade rubber) (A) preferably more than filling the or each rebate and (B) surrounding the outer periphery of the disc.
Abstract:
Apparatus and method of reducing gas in a filled and sealed bag (8) containing particulate solids materials such as powder, granules and flakes. The method has steps of the bag being loaded via its mouth (4) or acquiring the loaded open mouthed bag, extracting some of the gas or air from the bag using a gas extraction or vacuum apparatus (6) about which the mouth is at least substantially sealed, temporarily clamping or pinching (1) the mouth closed below the at least substantial seal with the gas extraction apparatus, and prior to release of the clamping or pinching, heat sealing the bag without allowing any substantial gas ingress. Also disclosed is a machine line with a zone for opening the bag using suction cups (1), inserting a gas extraction apparatus and extracting some of the air from a product loaded bag and another machine zone for sealing the bag.
Abstract:
Apparatus and procedure for filling a bag (10) at a filling head (6) and spout (8) to a threshold weight, the apparatus has a vessel or hopper (1) to accumulate and dump bulk material(s) into the bag after a partial vacuum has been drawn therein, such accumulation and dumping to be of an amount below the weight, and a filling apparatus with an auger (7) to make up the amount in the bag to at least the weight whilst the bag is still under the hopper and the hopper is accumulating material(s) by bulk feed auger (5) for a fresh cycle. The apparatus has a load cell (2) to pre-weigh filling of the hopper and another load cell (9) to enable an accurate measure of the making up of the weight to the required threshold or final weight.