(19)
(11) EP 0 734 951 A3

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88) Date of publication A3:
02.01.1997 Bulletin 1997/01

(43) Date of publication A2:
02.10.1996 Bulletin 1996/40

(21) Application number: 96103240.6

(22) Date of filing: 02.03.1996
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)6B65B 31/06
(84) Designated Contracting States:
DE FR GB NL

(30) Priority: 31.03.1995 US 414462
31.03.1995 US 414479

(71) Applicant: EASTMAN KODAK COMPANY
Rochester, New York 14650 (US)

(72) Inventors:
  • Koelsch, Michael L., c/o Eastman Kodak Co.
    Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)
  • McIntyre, Dennis Allen, c/o Eastman Kodak Co.
    Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)
  • Roy, James Bradley, c/o Eastman Kodak Co.
    Rochester, New York 14650-2201 (US)

(74) Representative: Pohle, Reinhard, Dipl.-Phys. et al
c/o Kodak Aktiengesellschaft, Patent Department
70323 Stuttgart
70323 Stuttgart (DE)

   


(54) Apparatus and method for vacuum sealing pouches


(57) The invention relates to an apparatus and method for sealing object(s) in various size pouches (10). The apparatus comprises a frame (54) having a support surface (56), a seal assembly (58) including upper and lower sealing jaws (44), a clamp assembly (60) including upper and lower clamping jaws (50), and a snorkel assembly (62) having a snorkel guide member (68) telescopically surrounding a probe (70). The clamp assembly secures the pouch, and the probe is inserted into the pouch to evacuate the air from the pouch. Once the air is evacuated, the seal assembly seals the pouch, and the clamp assembly then releases the pouch.







Search report