Vacuum filling machine and method

A vacuum filling machine for use in filling a porous pouch with microporous powder comprising:

• a housing sealable in an air tight manner;
• a pair of substantially parallel support members with facing front sides positioned within an interior of said housing;
• said housing being openable to receive said porous pouch between said facing front sides of said members;
• means for providing a communication path between said pouch received in said housing and a source of microporous powder external of said housing;
• and
• means for communicating a vacuum source with said interior of said housing.

A vacuum filling machine for use in filling a porous pouch with microporous powder comprising:

• a housing sealable in an air tight manner;
• a pair of substantially parallel upper and lower plates oriented horizontally within said housing,
• one of said plates having a plurality of perforations therethrough extending from a front side of said plate to a back side of said plate;
• a vacuum shroud inside said housing in communication with said perforations;
• said housing being openable to receive said porous pouch between facing front sides of said plates;
• a nozzle for providing a communication path between said pouch and a source of microporous powder;
• a vacuum source communicatable with an interior of said housing and said back side of said plate with said perforations through said vacuum shroud;
• heat sealing means for sealing an edge of said pouch after filling with microporous powder;
• means for moving said plates toward one another to press against and compact said pouch after it has been filled.