The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
May. 17, 1988
Filed:
Mar. 10, 1987
Ian P Brockwell, Edina, MN (US);
Andrew M Lockyer, Norton-Sub-Hamdon, GB;
Alfa-Laval Cheese Systems Limited, Somerset, GB;
Abstract
A machine for vacuum-sealing a block of cheese in a tube of heat-sealable plastics material forming the lining of a cheese box mounted on a wheeled dolly, the tubular lining having an open end which projects out of the cheese box. The machine comprises a frame having an upright wall fitted with transverse rails for supporting the dolly carrying the cheese box, a hollow casing open at one end and mounted on the frame for movement between an open position permitting movement of the dolly and cheese box onto the rails and a closed position in which the casing cooperates with the wall to form a chamber enclosing the rails, dolly and cheese box, and means for evacuating air from the chamber. The machine also has gripper mechanism for holding taut the open end of the lining tube, and welding mechanism for sealing the open end of the tube when the chamber is evacuated, the gripper and welding mechanisms being enclosed within the chamber.