Patent ID: 7328543

Claim:
A system for applying a pressure relief valve to packaging during the packaging process, including a valve applicator unit comprising: a punch shaft having an axis and opposed ends; a punch mounted at one, punch end of the punch shaft; the punch shaft being carried by the valve applicator unit for movement along the axis of the punch shaft between a punch retracted position and a punch extended position; an applicator shaft having an axis and opposed ends; an applicator vacuum head mounted at one, applicator end of the applicator shaft; the applicator shaft being carried by the valve applicator unit for movement along the axis of the applicator shaft between an applicator vacuum head retracted position and an applicator vacuum head extended position; and the punch shaft and the applicator shaft also being carried with their respective axes at an angle to each other by the valve applicator unit, such that the punch end and the applicator end are spaced further apart than are the respective second ends opposite to said punch end and applicator end of each of the shafts.