US3112587A

US3112587A - Method and apparatus for sealing containers

Info

Publication number: US3112587A
Application number: US21201A
Authority: US
Inventors: Ralph F Anderson; Ernst A Kremeyer
Original assignee: ANDERSON
Current assignee: ANDERSON
Priority date: 1960-04-11
Filing date: 1960-04-11
Publication date: 1963-12-03
Anticipated expiration: 1980-12-03
Also published as: DK109634C

Description

Dec. 3, 1963 R. F. ANDERSON EI'AL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 11. 1960 Dec. 3, 1963 R. F. ANDERSON EI'AL 3,112,537

ammoo AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed April 11. 1960 6 Sheets 'Sheet 2 R. F. ANDERSON ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS Filed April 11. 1960 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 1 s ,0 ....1.....:..................., m ml M a A f, 2 o I O 7. C d. w m Z 0 A I 1 v I 1 M m m m m 4 6 -2 o o o e 7 7 o .n B V 2 A O O x e M 3 7 o o 8 1 a A M/ u w Q u. n I l Z O M o M W 7 7 2 I 8 .3 6 R H w M o u I 7G0: 8 W O n m n 2 m r m l n w m A D Lilli!-iilii-i---liillllilili.i1"

Dec. 3, 1963 R. F. ANDERSON ETAL ammo]; AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed April 11. 1960 llllllllfi l Dec. 3, 1963 R. F. ANDERSON ETAL METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR SEALING CONTAINERS 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Filed April 11, 1960 United States Patent T I h H. Anderson, 332 Csvin Park Blvd, and Ernst A. enzeyer, oi Rockford, Ill; said Kremeyer asnor to Anderson Apr. ii, 196%, Ear. No. 21,291

23 Claims. (Cl. 53-39) This invention relates to an improved method and appanatus for closing and sealing the mouth of a container.

The general object of this invention is to heat seal a thin sheet of material to the mouth of a container to close and seal the same.

Another object of this invention is to apply the thin sheet or" heat scalable material to the mouth of a container in such a manner as to provide a tight and smooth cover for the container.

Another object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement for handling the heat scalable cover material wherein mouth spanning disks are only partially severed from a strip of heat scalable material to enable advancing of the disks with the strip to a heat sealing station and supporting of the disks by the strip during the sealing operation, and in which the disks are separated from the strip after they have been applied to the containers.

Still another object of this invention is to provide an improved arrangement for handling and disposing of the waste strip material after the mouth spanning disks have been removed therefrom.

A more particular object of this invention is to provide a heat sealing apparatus including a sealing head, a device below the head for supporting a sheet of material, and an apparatus for supporting a container below the head together with an improved means for effecting movement of the head and the container into engagement with opposite sides of the sheet of wrapping material to heat seal the same thereto.

These, together with various ancillary objects and advantages of this invention will be more readily appreciated as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevational view of the sealing machine, with parts of the housing broken away to illustr te detai s of construction;

PEG. 2 is a vertical sectional view taken on the plane 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the plane of FEGURE l;

. 4 i a rear view of the sealing machine;

5 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the plane 55 of FIGURE 1;

6 is a vertical sectional view through the sealing G. 7 is a fragmentary front view illustrating the cup sition below the sealing head;

E68. 8, 9 and 10 are fragmentary views shown partia y in section and illustrating the position of the head and container during diiierent phases of the heat sealing cycle;

FEGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary vertical sectional views illustrating a modified form of cup elevating apparatus and showing the same in difierent moved positions;

P16. 13 is a fragmentary front view of a sealing apparatus having the cup elevating device of FIGS. 11 and 12, and with parts of the housing broken away and shown in section to illustrate details of construction;

14 illustrates a portion of the strip of heat sealable cover material having the cover disks partially sevcred therefrom; and

15 is a wiring diagram illustrating the controls for the sealing apparatus.

The present invention relates to an improved arrangement for sealing containers designated generally by the letter C after they have been filled by a filling apparatus (not shown). The containers are arranged to be closed by a thin sheet or film of heat scalable material which is heat sealed thereto. In accordance with the present invention, the sheet of cover material is made of heat sealable plastic film in strip form designated by the letter S in FIG. 14, and the mouth spanning disks M are partially cut along interrupted shear lines 0 from the strip so that the mouth spanning disks are connected by integral ties with the strip and can be advanced by the strip to the sealin station and supported by the strip during the sealing operation. Locating holes h are preferably provided in the strip in fixed spaced relation to the mouth spanning dislrs M to aid in positioning the disks at the sealing station. In the embodiment illustrated, the strips S are prepunched and wound into rolls R which are mounted on the sealing apparatus and fed thereby to the sealing head.

The heat sealing apparatus in general includes a heat sealing head ill; a device 11 for supporting a sheet of material below the head, feed mechanism 12 for advancing the sheet material to the support 11; a cup elevating mechanism 13 for selectively elevating a cup or container to a position at the underside of the sheet or" material, a conveyor mechanism generally indicated by the numeral 14 for advancing the containers to the sealing station, and for moving the containers away from the sealing station after the sealing operation. fie drive mechanism operates the head it) and the cup elevating apparatus 13 in timed relation with the advance of the material S and the containers, to move the head and the container into engagement with relatively opposite sides of the sheet and heat seal the same thereto.

The several instrumentalities are supported in a housing including a main support wall 16, a front panel 17 disposed f rwardly of the lower portion of the wall 16, and spaced side walls 18. A :forward support shelf 19 extends forwardly from the wall 16 and overlies the front panel 17, and a rear support shelf 21 extends rearwardly from the wall 16.

The apparatus 11 for supporting the sheet of material below the head it} comprises a lower clamp plate 23 which is attached to a pair of spaced forwardly-projecting arms 24 and is spaced therebelow by spacers 25. The arms 24 are rigidly secured, as by welding, to the front of the support wall 16 at relatively opposite sides of the head The plate 23 has a central opening 26 therein which is dimensioned slightly larger than the mouth of the container C and is recessed as indicated at 27 (FIGS. 8l0=) at the underside thereof to provide clearance for the cup elevating apparatus 13. An upper clamp plate 23 is mounted for movement toward and away from the lower plate 23 on guide rods 29 and is yieldably urged away from the lower plate by springs 31. The upper plate also has a central opening 32 therein which is dimensioned to receive the lower end of the sealing head it? and is preferably beveled =as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 8-10 to facilitate guiding of the head into the opening. An annular resilient ring 33 is aiiixed to the underside of the movable plate 28 and projects therebelow to resiliently clamp the sheet of material S to the lower plate, when the

plates

28 and 23 are moved into engagement with each other. Tapered locating fingers 34 (FIG. 6) are attached to the movable plate 28 and extend therebelow to project into the holes h in the strip of sealing material to properly locate the latter with respect to the openings in the clamp plates. Stripper bars as are mounted on each of the forwardly extending arms 24 for vertical sliding movement relative thereto, and, as shown, are attached to the arms by fasteners 37 which project into upwardly extending slots 38 in the bars. The stripper bars project downwardly to adjacent the level of the stationary plate 23 and draw the strip S of Wrapping material off the locating pins 24, when the movable plate is elevated. The movable plate 23 is operated in a manner described hereinafter in timed relation with the movement of the head and the container C to clamp the sheet of material S against the lower plate 23 prior to engagement of the cup and head with the strip of material.

The roll R of sealing material is mounted on a stub shaft 42 carried by the wall 16. The roll is rotatably disposed on the stub shaft 42 and a clutch 43 having an adjustable pressure applying device 44 is provided for retarding rotation of the roll relative to the shaft. The strip of material is advanced past the head 1% by spaced

feed rolls

46 and 47 which are mounted for rotation by

shafts

48 and 49 on the support plate 16. The

feed rolls

46 and 47 have a plurality of circumferentially spaced pairs of prongs 51 extending outwardly therefrom and adapted to extend into the holes h in the strip of material S to positively advance the same past the sealing head It). An idler roll 52 is mounted by a stub shaft 53 above the feed roll 46 land the strip is entrained over the idler roll and around the feed roll as shown in FIGURE 1 to provide extended arcuate contact between the feed roll .6 and the strip. A tensioning roll 57 is mounted for vertical swinging movement on an arm 58, and which arm is conveniently pivotally supported on the stub shaft 42.. The tension of the clutch 43 is adjusted so that, when the feed rolls -46 and 47 are idle, the weight of the tensioning roll 57 and the arm 58 will move the same downwardly and unwind a section from the roll R of sealing material. When the feed rolls are thereafter indexed, the inertia of the roll 41 inhibits rapid unwinding from the roll and the tension roll 57 then moves upwardly to feed the unwound section of material to the machine. The tension roll 57 also serves to maintain a tension on the strip S to aid in forcing the feed pins 51 through the holes h in the strip.

After the strip S passes the feeding head, the mouth spanm'ng portions M have been removed from the strip leaving only an open framework, which is somewhat difficult to feed and dispose of. The waste strip after it leaves the feed roll 47 passes between a drive roll 61 and an idler roll 62. The idler roll is mounted on an arm 63 which is pivoted to the support wall 16 by a pin 64 and the idler roll is yieldably urged into engagement with the drive roll by a spring 65. The drive roll 61 is mounted on a shaft 66 and is driven by a sprocket 67 (see FIG. 5). The strip, after it leaves the drive roll 61, passes through a funnel shaped guide 69 which is mounted by a bracket 71 on the support wall 16. The guide laterally folds and compacts the strip into a loose rope-shaped configuration which is passed over a grooved idler wheel 73. The idler wheel is supported on a pin 74 carried by a bracket 7 5. The bracket 75 is mounted for vertical swing ing movement on a pin 76 attached to the support wall 16, and is yieldably urged upwardly by the spring 65 into engagement with a drive brush 77. This brush is attached to a shaft 78 which is rotatably supported in the support wall 16 and has a drive sprocket 79 at its outer end. A stationary stripper 81 extends into the grooved idler wheel '77 and is attached by a bracket 82 to the front wall of the housing. The stripper plate is provided to prevent the rope-like waste strip from winding around the idler wheel.

The strip feed mechanism is intermittently operated to advance the strip of material past the feeding head by a motor 85 which is connected through a belt 813* to a Reeves type adjustable pulley 83 on a gear reducer 86. The gear reducer has an output shaft 87 which is supported in spaced

bearing plates

88 and 89 and rotates continuously while the motor is energized. The drive roller 91 of a Geneva movement is mounted by an arm 96* on the shaft and engages a Geneva cross 92 which is keyed to the shaft 49 between the bearing plates 88 and S9. The Geneva movement will drive the shaft 49 through a preselected angie, such as one-quarter turn, each time the shaft 87 completes one revolution. The shaft 49' is thusintermittently driven during a portion of each revolution of the shaft 87, and this intermittent motion is transmitted directly to the feed roll 47 and, through sprocket 93 on the shaft 4-9, chain 94 and sprocket 95 on the shaft 48, to the other feed roll 46. The intermittent rotation of the shaft 459 is also transmitted through a sprocket 93 on the shaft 49, chain 99 and sprocket 67 to the shaft 66 to drive the roll 61 with the main feed rolls 46 and 47 and at a rate such that the peripheral speed of the roll 61 is substantially the same as the peripheral speed of the feed rolls and 47. The shaft 66 is also connected through sprocket 101 and chain 1&2 to the sprocket '7? on the brush drive shaft 78. As will be noted from FIG. 4, the sprocket '79 has a smaller diameter than the sprocket on the shaft 66 so as to drive the brush at a higher rate and maintain a somewhat higher peripheral speed than on the drum 61. Thus, when the motor 85 is energized, the Geneva movement turns the main feed rolls 46 and 47 through one-quarter turn to advance the strip S a distance corresponding to the spacing between adjacent pilot holes h and the drum 61 and brush 77 are rotated in time relation with the feed rolls to withdraw the waste strip from the feed rolls and to compact and discharge the strip.

The heat sealing head 19 is best shown in FIG. 6 and includes a body 111 having a lower end corresponding in outline to the mouth end of the container C to be sealed, and which lower end is recessed to provide a depending peripheral rib 112. The central area head is preferably further recessed as indicated at 113 to prevent overheating of the central portion of the sheet of sealing material as it is applied to the container. The head is herein heated by a plurality of heater cartridges 113 located in annularly spaced bores in the head, and a thermostat 114 is mounted in the head and connected to the heater elements to control the temperature of the head. The head has a cover 116 fastened thereto by studs 117 and is sup ported by a rod 118 which loosely extends through an opening 119 in the cover. The lower end of the rod has a ball 121 formed thereon which is clamped to the head adjacent the lower end thereof by a socket member 122 to support the head on the rod for limited lateral tilting movement and thereby enable the head to shift slightly and align itself with the mouth of the cup. The upper end of the rod 118 is attached to an arm 124 carried by a vertically movable slide 125. The slide 125 is mounted in guideways 126 located at the rear of the support plate 16. An operating rod 128 having a turnbuckle 13h therein is connected to the slide and to a cam mechanism to be described hereinafter which elevates and lowers the head in timed relation with the advance of the strip material. The movable clamp plate 23 is moved into clamping engagement with the lower plate 23 in response to lower ing of the head 10. For this purpose, a plurality of rods 131 are slidably mounted in the bores 132 in the head and are yieldably urged to a lower position by a spring 133. The rods are spaced from the movable clamp plate 28, when the head is in its raised position, and moved downwardly with the head to engage the movable plate and move the same into clamping engagement with the lower plate 23.

A head elevating and lowering cam 136 is keyed to a cam shaft 137, which cam shaft is rotatably journaled in a bearing 14% on the support plate 16. The cam shaft 137' is driven through a sprocket 138, chain 139 and sprocket 141 to the output shaft 57 of the gear reducer. The sprockets 138 and 141 are arranged so that the shaft 137 turns through one complete revolution each time the shaft 37 rotates through one revolution. A bell crank 144 is pivotally mounted by a pin 145 on the support wall 16 and has a follower 143 thereon engageable with the cam 136 to be moved thereby as the cam rotates. The follower is connected through a link 146 to the lower end of the rod 128 to elevate and lower the head It), and a spring 147 engages the bell crank to yieldably urge the roller 143 against the cam and to urge the head to a raised position.

The cups C are advanced to the sealing station and elevated into engagement with the strip S, in timed rela tion with the operation of the head 18'. In the emboditnent of FlGS. 1-10, the container elevating mechanism comprises a cup support block 161 which is normally positioned as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 7 at the level of the container support platform 19. The block 161 is supported on a pair of rods 152, each of which include telescopic upper and

lower sections

163 and 164 respectively. Springs 165 are disposed in the lower sections 164 and engage the upper sections 163 to yieldably urge the latter upwardly, and a pin 166 is attached to each of the upper sections and extends into a slot 167 in the lower section to lhnit relative movement between the upper and lower sections. As will be noted, the pins 166 normally engage the upper ends of the slots 167 and the springs 165 are adapted to yield and permit limited telescoping of the upper and lower sections when the downward pressure on the block 151 exceeds a preselected value. The lower sections 164 are slidably mounted in guide blocks 168 and N9 attached to the rear face of the front panel 17. A container elevating cam 171 is secured to the shaft 137 and a follower plate 172 rides on the periphery of the cam and is connected through rods 1'73 and lower crosshead 374 to the lower ends of the rods 162. The rods 173 are also conveniently guidably mounted in the

guides

168 and 169 and raise and lower the cup support block 161 as the cam 171 rotates. An upper guide 175 is attached to the front panel 17 and a support wall 16 and slidaoly supports the upper sections 163 of the telescoping rods 162.

The cups or containers C are of the type having an outwardly extending peripheral rim R adjacent the upper end. in the embodiment shown, the rims R are connected to the main body of the cup C by a thin frangible section to enable detachment of the rim from the cup, and the mouth opening portion M of the sheet material attached to the upper edge of the rim for removal therewith. The cup support block 161 is arranged to engage the rim and has a central opening 175 adapted to receive the body of the cup. As the block 161 moves upwardly, it passes around the cup and centers and locates the same and a peripheral rib 1? is provided on the upper edge of the block around the central opening 175 to engage the underside of the rim R on the cup. A stationary support plate 177 is disposed Within the central opening of the block 161, when the latter is in its lowered position, to support the cup prior to elevating of the same. The plate 177 is conveniently attached by a post 178 to the guide block 175, as best shown in FIG. 3.

The conveyor mechanism 14 advances die cups to the elevating blocl: 161 and also advances the sealed cups from the elevating block to a discharge station. For this purpose, a first endless type conveyer including a drive drum 1:32 (FTG. 2), an idler drum and a flexible belt 18 is arranged to advance the cups in a direction perpendicular to the support wall 16, to a position alongside the cup elevating block 1.61. The drive drum 182 is mounted suitable bearings (not shown) on the front wall 16 and the idler drum is mounted on spaced arms 185 which extend forwardly from the panel 17 and are conveniently pivotally connected thereto by a pin 14% to enable the conveyer to be swung upwardly and out of the way when not in use. The drive drum 182 is driven through bevel gears 183 from a cross shaft 189 which extends between the support wall 1:: and the front panel 17. The cross shaft has a sprocket 191 connected through a chain 192 to a sprocket 193 on the cam shaft 1'37 and is driven continuously while the motor is in operation. A second endless conveyor incl ding a drive drum 1% (PEG. 1), idler drum 1% and belt 197 is provided to advance the cups away from the sealing station. The second endless conveyor extends parallel to the support wall to and the drive drum is rotatably mounted between the support wall and the front panel 17 while the idler drum 1% is mounted on outwardly extendiru arms 198. Preferably, the arms 1% are also mounted for vertical swinging movement about a pin 2.99 to enable the end of the second conveyor to be swung upwardly and out of the way when not in use. The second or discharge conveyor is driven in tirned relation with the inlet conveyor. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, a sprocket 2 32 is provided on the cross shaft 139 and is connected through a chain 2&3 to an i er sprocket 264. A second idler sprocket 265 is connected to the sprocket and through a chain 236 to a drive sprocket 2t}? on the drive drum .195.

The conveyor mechanism also includes a transfer mechin for moving the container from the inlet conveyor onto the elevating lock 1-51, and for moving the sealed containers from the elevating lock onto the discharge conveyer. This transfer mechanism includes a bar 211 mounted for sliding movement in guides 212 and 2'13 on the front of the support wall is. The bar 21.1 moves in a di ection parallel to the support wall 16 and has a depending arrn 21 i rigid therewith and which extends downwardl to a point below the cup support platform 19. lower end of the arm 2 i is connected through a link to u. ever are, whici lever is pivotally mounted at .1? on the support wall to. A transfer cam 219 is atached to the shaft 137 for rotation therewith and engages on the lever 216 to move the lever and the r ill to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. A 2. 12 is attached to the lever and to the front wall lever to a retracted position. The transfer r Anoar has a nrst cup engaging finger nae extending forwardly therefrom and adapted to engage a cup on the inlet c 1V3"6l to advance the same onto the cup elevating The finger 225 has a stop portion 226 extendg to the left as viewed in FIG. 1 to project crosswise or" the inlet conveyor and prevent the advance 01" cups therealong when the stop bar is out of its initial position shown in FIG. 1. A second feed finger 227 is attached to the feed bar 211 is arranged to move the containers from the elevating block 161 onto the outlet conveye when the transfer mechanism is moved to the right as viewed in FIG. 1. As best shown in the drawings, guide rails are provided along each or the several conveyors for 1g the containers therealong. The sealing apparatus includes a heater control switch which, as shown FTG. 15, is connected in circuit the thermostat 114 and heaters 135 to control energrzation of the same. A main start switch 232 is arranged to co ol energization of the drive motor $5. A pilot let o 2.3) is connected in the circuit with the heaters to give a visual indication when the heaters are energized and, when the lot lamp goes out under the control of the thermostat lid in the head, it indicates that the head has reached proper operating temperatures so that the main switch 232 can be operated to start the motor 35. The motor operates continuously when the switch is closed to conti uously rotate the shaft 137 and the cams thereon, and to inte'mittently rotate the shaft as and the feed mechanism connected thereto. in order to assure that the sealing apparatus will return to its normal position shown in FIG. 1, when the switch 232 is cut off, a holding switch 235 (FTGS. 4 and 15) having an actuator 23% is provided at the rear of the panel to and arranged to provide a holding circuit for the motor, whenever the slide is out of its raised position. A finger 237 is connected to the slide and engages the actuator 236 to open the switch 2.35 when the slide returns to its normal position on the inlet conveyer area 185' and is connected in series with the motor 3 to stop the motor when the switch is open. As shown in FIG. 2, the switch 23% has a finger 2359a which extends into the path of movement of the articles along the conveyor belt 234. The switch 23% remains closed so long as one of the containers C is in proper position on the inlet conveyor and is automatically opened to stop the motor when the supply of containers is interrupted.

In the packaging of certain commodities it is desirable to provide a protective atmosphere in the container. As shown in FIG. 1, the protective atmosphere is introduced through a pipe 244) having an outlet end 241 which closely underlies the stationary clamp plate 23 to discharge a protective gas into the container just prior to scaling of the same. The tlow of gas to the outlet 241 is under the control of a valve 243 (PEG. 4) having an operator 24 A cam 24-5 is attached to the shaft 87 and arranged to engagethe operator 244 to open the valve after the cup has been partially raised, as shown in FIG. 8, and before the cup has engaged the underside f the strip of sealing material S to introduce the protective atmosphere into the container.

OPEBATIGN As previously noted, the motor during operation of the machine. However, for convenience in describing the operation, it will be assumed that the parts are initially in the position shown in FIGS. l5 and 7 with the head it; in its raised position, the

transfer fingers

225 and 227 in their retracted position, and the cup elevating block 15?. in its lowered position. During the initial pproximately 90 of angular movement of the shaft 245, that is when the head operating earn 1% moves from a position in which point a contacts the follower 14-3 to a position in which point b contacts the follower 143, there is no significant downward movement of the head The Geneva movement, however, drives the shaft &9 through one-quarter turn and indexes the feed rolls 46 and 47, through one-quarter turn to advance the strip S of sealing material a distance corresponding to the spacing between adjacent pilot holes h to position a new mouth spanning portion M below the head. The drive roll 61 operates to draw the waste strip over the idler roll 52 and the brush 7'7 draws the compacted rope-like waste through the guide 6? and discharges the same. As previously mentioned, the indexing of the strip is quite rapid and the inertia of the roll of material inhibits rotation thereof. The tension roll 57 then moves upwardly to allow feeding of the material to the head, without tearing of the strip. The transfer cam 219 turns w th the sealer cam 13d and is shaped so as to advance a succeeding container from the input conveyor belt 134- onto the support plate 177 within the elevating block 161, as shown in FIG. 7 when point b on the sealer cam reaches the roller. During this initial movement, the elevating cam 171 produces no elevating movement of the cup elevating block 161.

As the shaft 437 continues to rotate, the scale-r cam '35 moves the head downwardly; the transfer cam 219 omits the

feed finger

225 and 227 to retract sufiicient 0 provide clearance for elevating the block 151, and the levator can 1'71 begins raising of the block 161. PEG. 8 illustrates the position of the parts when the point e on the sealer cam engages the roller 143. As will be noted, th head it has moved down a distance sufficient to press the upper clamp plate 25 against the lower clamp plate 23, to grip the strip S of sealing material therebetween. The head, however, has not yet contacted the sealing strip S, and the container C is below the strip. At about "s point, the cam arm 245 on the gear reducer shaft 87 engages the valve operator 244 to open the valve 243 and introduce a protective atmosphere into the top of the container. As the shaft 1257 continues rotation, the sealer cam moves the head 19 downwardly and the elevator 85 runs continuously cam 171 raises the container C so that, when the sealer cam reaches the position in which the point d engages the roller 143, the head and cup engage relatively opposite sides of the strip S. As will be noted, the cup rim R projects slightly above the upper surface of the lower clamp plate 23 so as to draw the mouth spanning portion M of the strip tight across the mouth of the container. The depending rib on the sealer head seals the periphery of the mouth spanning portion to the container and, as will be noted from P-EGS. 8-19, a slight clearance is provided between the upper clamp plate and the sealer head to prevent excessive heating of the clamp plate. As the shaft 137 continues rotation to advance point e on the sealer cam to the follower roller 143, the sealer cam i336 pushes the head it? downwardly and through the clamp plates 23 and 2.3 to sever the mouth spanning po tion lvi from the remainder of the strip, while maintaining the same firmly pressed against the rim R on the container as shown in FIG. it The elevator cam 171 begins to lower the container at a rate the same as or preferahly slightly lower than the rate of downward movement of the head to maintain the container firmly pressed against the head. The springs in the elevator head support rods 16.2 yield to permit limited overt-revel of the elevator block. The transfer earn 239 operates the transfer bar Ell to retract the

fingers

225 and 227, while the container is in its raised position, as is also shown in l0. Continued rotation of the shaft 137 brings the parts back to the position shown in FIGS. 1-5.

it will thus be noted that the head i the elevator block ldl, and the clamp plates 23 and are operated in timed relation with each other to sequentially clamp the strip of material between the clamp plates, and thereafter move the head and cup into engagement with the opposite sides of the strip of material. As previously noted, the cup preferably is raised to a position slightly above the upper surface of the stationary clamp plate 23 to tension the mouth spanning portion M of the strip and the head is thereafter pressed downwardly through the strip while the latter remains clamped, to sever the mouth spanning portion =from the strip.

A sealing machine having a modified form of cup lifter and transfer nechanism is illustrated in FIGS. ll-l3. The remainder of the machine is the same as illustrated in FIGS. ll0 and only the modified port-ion of the machine is illustrated in FIGS. l1l3. The housing is the same as in the preceding embodiment and like numerals followed by the subscript are used to designate corresponding parts. Thus, the housing includes the support wall 16, a front panel 17 and a platform 19'. The main cam shaft 137' is rotatably supported in a bearing Mil on the support wall and is driven in timed relation with the strip feed mechanism through a sprocket 138'. A rod 12% is connected to the slide 'for raising and lowering the head. However, in the present embodiment, the rod is yieldably. urged to a lowered or retracted position by a spring Sill which is terminally attached as by a pin 35*2 to the rod and to a bracket 3&3 on the shaft 137. The bracket 3% is mounted on the shaft in a manner to permit the latter to rotate relative thereto. The sealer earn 136' is attached to the shaft 137' at the rear of the support wall and a follower 143 is attached directly to the lower end of the actuator rod $.28 to ellect elevating of the rod and the head.

In this embodiment, a single endless conveyer including a drive drum 3%, an idler drum 3%7 and belt 3% is mounted for movement parallel to the front support wall 16 past the sealing station. The conveyor is driven in timed relation with the other instrumentalities from a drive sprocket 311 on the cam shaft 137, which drive sproclret is connected through a chain 312 to a sprocket 313 on the drive drum 3%. The cup elevating apparatus 15 is located intermediate the ends of the conveyer belt 398. The elevating apparatus is mounted on a vertically extending rod 315 which is attached at its upper and lower ends by brackets 31% and 317 to the supporting wall 16. A slide block is mounted on the rod 315 and a screw 319 extends into a vertical slot see (FIG. 13) in the rod to hold the block against rotation and to limit downward movement or" the ame. C osed levers 321 having lateral ears 322 interme to their ends are pivotally mounted by pins on the block for vertical movement therewith. The levers extend upwardly through suitable openin the sup ort platform 19 and have opposed U- shaped jaws 3: on their upper ends adapted to extend around a cup to clamp the same therebetween. An actuator block 26 is ably mounted on the rod below the block 313 and is connected through links 327 to the lot or ends of the levers 321. As will be noted from FlQ-S. 11 and 12, the linlts 3 27 diverge relative to other in all ra 've positions of the device and are adapted to spi .1216. the lower ends of the levers when the actuator block 325 is moved upwardly relative to the slide block 318 to thereby close the jaws as shown in FlG. A spring is interposed between the blocks 31% 32-6 to yieidably urge same apart, and a sleeve extends upwardly from the actuator block and is ed to engage the underside of the slide lock 318 The slide wered position by a =33 which is terminally attached to the slide block and to ear 334 on the lower bracket 317. An elevator cam lir non-rotatahly secured to the cam shaft 337' =nd engages a follower 335 attached to the actuator block. s will be noted, during the initial upward movement or" the actuator block 326, the linlzs 327' spread the lower o lever 321 and close the jaws When the thereafter engages the slide hloclc t t the container C therewith.

A pair of stop ear and (351". 13) are mounted on a rock shaft for movement into and out of the iath of ad cc of t e cups C on the conveyor belt The rocl; 's conveniently supported on the bracket 326 a lever is attached to the rocl; shaft for selectively operating the stop fingers. The stop finger positioned to engage a cup on the conveyer belt 3G8 andstop the same at the sealing station in substantial re stry wit the jaws 324. The other stop finger 3 32 is i red in advance oi' the sealing station to stop the subsequent container before i. engages the clamping jaws.

The lever 34 i is connected through a link 346 to a cam operated lever 347 which is pivotally attached by a a to the support wall A spring 349 is terminally a shed to the support wall and to the lever 347 to yieldurge the stop zingers to t ir cup engaging position shown in PEG. 11. A roller 351 is provided on the follower lever engages the periphery of a transfer cam 352 on the cam shaft. As shown in FlG. 13, the cam 352 is shaped so as to normally permit the lever to move the stop fin ers to their en aged position and a lobe which moves the cam lever 347 down wardly for a short time while the jaws 32 are open,

to permit the cup at the sealing station to advance away from the jaws and to permit a succeeding conminer or cup to advance to the sealing station.

The machine is shown in FIGS. 11 and 13 in a pos" on with the jaws closed and the stop fingers 3-:2 disposed in the path of movement of the containers along the belt As the cam shaft 537 rotates in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 13, the cam 171 permits the roller 335 to move downwardly and thereby open the jaws as shown in FIG. 12. At the proper t'nne, the lobe 552:: on the stop cam engage the roller 351 and moves the stop fingers to a retracted position for a time interval suhicient to permit the cups at the sealing station to advance away therefrom and to permit a succeeding cup to advance to the sealing station. The fingers 3 52 are then moved back LO their cup engaging position and, as

the earn 171' rotates, it raises the actuator block 325 to sequentially close the jaws 324' and'elevate the container at the sealing station. When the point x on the elevator cam 172' engages the roller 335, the jaws are retracted a short distance to move the cup downwardly. The sealer cam is shaped so as to p "halt the head retracting spring Bill to lower the head during the initial retraction of the cup so that the head moves downwardly through the strip of sealing material to sever the mouth spanning portion therefrom, in the same manner as is illustrated in FIG. ll). The elevator cam thereafter further retracts the cup back to its initial position and the sealer cam 136 raises the head to its normal raised position.

The sealing operation performed by the apparatus shown in M88. 11-13 is thus the same as that performed by the apparatus of FIGS. 1-10. However, the spaced clamp jaws 32 i enable the use of a single continuous conveyer, as contrasted to the separate conveyor sections and transfer mechanism for moving the cups between the different sections of the conveyor employed in the previous embodii rent. This simplifies the transfer of the containers through the machine and enables somewhat more rapid operation.

We claim:

1. An apparatus for app ying a sheet of heat sealahle material to the mouth of a container comprising a heat sealing head, means for advancing a sheet of heat scalable material past the see g head, means for selectively clamping the sheet or" material around a central mouth spanning area, means for moving the head, the sheet material and the container relative to each other to bring the head and the mouth or" the container into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion or" the sheet whereby to heat seal the same thereto, and means for thereafter moving the head and container in unison relative to the clamping means with the head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the sheet to separate the mouth spanning portion from the sheet.

2. An apparatus for app.ying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising a heat sealing head, means for advancing a sheet of heat scalable material past the sealing head, means for selectively clamping the sheet of material around a central mouth spanning area, means for moving the head, the sheet material and the container relative to each other to bring the head and e mouth of the container into engagement with op osite sides of the mouth spanning portion of the sheet whereby to heat seal the same thereto, and means for moving the head through said sheet after said mouth spanning portion has been sealed to the container to separate the mouth spanning portion from the sheet.

3. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat sealable material to the mouth of a container comprising, a heat sealing head, a stationary clamp having an opening aligned with s id head and dimensioned to receive the mouth of a container, a movable clamp mounted for movement toward and away from said stationary clamp and having an opening aligned with said head for receiving said head, means for advancing a sheet or" heat sealable material between said plates, means support ng a container for movement into and out or said opening in said stationary clamp, means for moving said head and said container supporting means toward each other to advance the hea and a container on said supporting means into engagement with opposite sides of the sheet and for simultaneously movim said movable clamp toward said stationary clamp to clamp the sheet therebetween, said moving means being operative after said head and the mouth of the container have engaged the sheet to thereafter move the head through the sheet to sever the mouth spanning portion from the sheet.-

4. The combination of claim 3 wherein said head has means extending therebelow and resiliently engageable with said movable clamp for moving the latter toward the stationary clamp to clamp the sheet therebetween prior to said head engaging said sheet.

5. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising, horizontally spaced feed rolls for supporting a strip of heat scalable material there-between and for advancing the strip, a heat sealing head positioned above the portion of sad strip between the rolls, a container elevating apparatus disposed below the portion of the strip between the rolls, means for moving said head and said container elevating apparatus towand and away from each other to bring the head and the mouth of a container into engagement with opposite sides of the strip to heat sea the strip to the container, means for intermittently advancing said rolls in timed relation with the movement of said head and container elevating apparatus to position a succeeding mouth spanning portion or" the strip below the head, and means for disposing of the Waste strip after it has been advanced past the sealing head, said disposing means including guide means adapted to receive the strip and having a width substantially less than the strip to laterally compact the strip as it passes therethrough, and means at the outlet end of the guide means for drawing the strip therethrough.

6. The combination of claim wherein said means for drawing the strip through the guide means includes a rotary brush engageable with the compacted strip to advance same, and means for rotating said brush at a speed in excess of the speed of rotation of said feed rolls.

7. The combination of claim 5 wherein said means for drawing the strip through said guide means comprises a grooved idler wheel and a rotary brush engageable with said idler wheel to advance the compacted strip, and means for rotating said brush at a speed higher than the speed of said feed rolls.

8. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a cup comprising a heat sealing head, means for intermittently advancins a strip of heat scalable material along a path below said head, an elongated conveyer means disposed below said head for advancing a cup horizontally, spaced clamping jaws overlying said conveyer below said head normally spaced apart to permit a cup on said conveyer means to pass therethrough, means for sequentially closing said jaws to clamp a cup therebetween and for thereafter elevating said jaws to elevate a container into position below the underside of said sheet and into engagement with the sealing head to heat seal the sheet to the container.

9. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a cup comprising a heat sealing head, means for intermittently advancing a strip of heat scalable material along a path below said head, an elongated conveyer means disposed below said head for advancing a cup horizontally below said head, a slide block mounted for vertical sliding movement below said conveyer, arms pivotally attached to said block and extending upwardly along opposite sides of said conveyer, opposed jaws on said arms adapted to clamp a cup therebetween, means engageable with said arms to sequentially pivot said arms relative to said slide block to close the jaws and to thereafter raise the slide blocl; to elevate a container into position below the sheet of material and into engagement with said sealing head to heat seal the sheet to the container.

10. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising, a heat sealing head, means for advancing a strip of heat scalable mate-rial past said heat sealing head, clamping means engageable with opposite sides of the sheet of material for selectively clamping the sheet of material around a central mouth spanning portion, a container elevating head, means for heating said heat sealing head, and drive means for moving the heat sealing head, the clamp means and the container elevating head relative to each other to bring the clamp means into engagement with opposite sides of the strip around the mounth spanning portion and to bring the heat sealing head and the mounth of the container into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion while it remains attached to the strip to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container, said drive means including means for thereafter moving the heat sealing head and the container elevating head in unison relative to the clamping means with the head sealing head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip.

11. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising, a cover applying head, means for advancing a strip of h at sealable material past said cover applying head, clamping means engageable with opposite sides of the sheet of material around a central mouth spanning portion, a container elevating head, means for heating one of said heads, and drive means for moving the cover applying head, the clamp means and the container elevating head relative to each other to bring clamp means into engagement with opposite sides of the strip around the mouth spanning portion and to bring the cover applying head and the mouth of the container into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion while it remains attached to the strip to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container, said drive means including means for thereafter moving the cover applying head and the container elevating head in unison relative to the clamping means with the cover applying head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip, said drive means including a resilient over-travel member for driving one of said heads for limiting pressure applied to the container and for maintaining the mouth of the container and the cover applying head in yieldable engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion of the sheet while the heads move in unison relative to the clamping means.

12. An apparatus for applying a sheet of heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising, a cover applying head, means for advancing a strip of heat sealable material past said cover applying head, clamping mens engageable with opposite sides of the sheet of material around a central mouth spanning portion, a container elevating head, means for heating one of said heads, and drive means for moving the cover applying head, the clamp means and the container elevating head relative to each other to bring the clamp means into engagement with opposite sides of the strip around the mouth spanning portion and to bring the cover applying head and the mouth of the container into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion while it remains attached to the strip to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container, said drive means including means for thereafter moving the cover applying head ad the container elevating head in unison relative to the clamping means with the cover applying head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip, said drive including means swivelly supporting said cover applying head for limited angular movement to enable self alignment of the cover applying head with the mouth or" the container.

13. An apparatus for applying and heat sealing a sheet or heat scalable material to the mouth of a container comprising, a heat sealing head having a peripheral heat sealing rim at the underside thereof, means for heating the heat sealing rim to a temperature sufiicient to efiect heat sealing of the material to a container, means for advancing a sheet of heat scalable material crosswise of the head to a position therebelow, means for advancing an open mouthed container to a position below said head, spaced upper and lo" er clamp plates disposed at opposite sides of said sheet for clamping the sheet therebetween 13 and each having a central mouth spanning opening therein dimensioned to closely surround said heat sealing rim, i .eans for moving said head, said clamp plates and said container relative to each other to clamp the sheet between the clamp plates and bring both the lower end of the head and the mouth of the container to the level of the sheet and into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion of the sheet within the clamp plates to thereby heat seal the mouth spanning portion of the sheet to the container while the mouth spanning portion remains attached to the sheet and the sheet is clamped between the clamp plates, and means for thereafter moving the head and container in unison relative to the clamp plates wi h the head and container in engagement with opposite sides of the sheet to separate the mouth spanning portion from the sheet.

14. An apparatus for applying and heat sealing a sheet of thdn plastic material to the mouth of a cup having a marginal rim around the mouth comprising, a heat sealing head having a peripheral heat sealing rim at the underside thereof, means for heating the heat sealing rim to a temperature sufficient to er'iect heat sealing of the material to the cup, spaced upper and lower clamp plates having a central mouth spanning opening therein aligned with said head and dimensioned to closely surround said heat sealing rim, means for advancing a strip of heat sealable plastic material between said clamp plates, said clamp plates being normally spaced below said heat sealing rim to maintain the strip out of contact therewith, cup support means engageable with the rim n the cup for supporting the cup, drive means for moving said head, said clamp plates and said cup supporting means relative to each other to clamp the strip between the clamp plates and to bring both the rim on the head and the rim on the cup into engagement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion of the strip within the clamp plates to thereby heat seal the men spanning portion of the strip to the cup while the mouth spanning portion remains attached to the strip, said drive means including means for thereafter moving the heat sealing head and the container elevating head in unison relative to the clamp plates with the rim on the heat sealin head and the rim on the container in en agement with opposite sides of the mouth spanning portion to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip.

15. An apparatus for applying and heat sealing a sheet of plastic material to the mouth of a cup having a marginal rim around the mouth comprising, a heat sealing head having a peripheral heat sealing rirn at the underside thereof, means for heating the heat sealing rim to a temperature sur'ficient to eficct heat sealing of the material to the cup, spaced upper and lower clamp plates having a central mouth spanning opening therein aligned with said head and dimensioned to closely surround said heat ealing rim, means for arh/ancin a strip of heat scalable plastic material between said clamp plates, said clamp plates being normally spaced below said heat sealing rim to maintain the strip out of contact therewith, cup support means engageable with the rim on the cup for supporting the cup, drive means for moving said clamp plates into engagement with opposite sides of the sheet and for moving said cup supporting means upwardly to bring the rim on the cup into engagement with the underside of the mouth spanning portion at a level above the level of the strip engaged by the clamp plates sufficient to draw the mouth spanning portion taut over the mouth of the ner, but insufficient to separate the mouth spanning i from the strip, said drive means including means for moving the heat sealing head downwardly into engagement with th upper side of the mouth spanning portion to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container while the mouth spanning portion remains attached to the strip, said drive means including means for thereafter effecting relative movement between the cup supporting means and the clamp plates in a direction axially i l of the cup to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip.

16. An apparatus for applying and heat sealing a sheet of thin plastic material to the mouth of a cup having a marginal rim around the mouth comprising, a heat sealing head having a peripheral heat sealing rim at the underside th reof, means for heating the heat sealing rim to a temperature sufficient to effect heat sealing'of the material to the cup, spaced upper lower clamp plates having a central mouth spanning o ening therein aligned with said head and dimensioned to closely surround said heat sealing rim, means for advancing a strip of heat scalable plastic material between said clamp plates, said clamp plates being normally spaced below said heat sealing rim to maintain the strip out of contact therewith, cup support means engageable with the rim on the cup for supporting the cup, drive means for moving said clamp plates into engagement with opposite sides of the sheet and for moving said cup supporting means upwardly to bring the rim on the cup into engagement with the underside of the mouth spanning portion at a level above the level or" the strip engaged by the clamp plates sufiicient to draw the mouth spanning portion taut over the mouth of the container, but insufhcient to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip, said drive means including means for moving the heat sealing head downwardly into engagement wi h the upper side of the mouth portion to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container \vl lo the mo th spanning portion remains attached to the strip, said drive means being arranged to thereafter move said heat sealing head downwardly through said clamp plates to separate the mouth spanning portion from the strip.

17. The method of sealing the mouth of a container comprising, partially shearing a mouth spanning portion from a strip of heat scalable material by interrupted cut lines around the periphery of the mouth spanning portion, gripping the strip around the periphery of the mouth spanning portion to support the same, moving the mouth of a container into engagement with one side of the mouth spanning portion at a level laterally offset from the plane of the strip a distance sufiicient to draw the mouth spann ng portion taut across the mouth of the container without separating the portion from the strip, moving a heated sealing head into engagement with the other side or" the mouth spanning portion to heat seal the mouth spanning portion to the container while it remains attached to the strip, and thereafter moving the head and container in unison relative to the strip to sever the mouth spanning portion from the strip while maintaining the strip gripped around the periphery of the portion.

18. In a packaging machine, means for advancing containers toward and away from a station said packaging machine and for intermittently elevating acontainer at said station, said means comprising an elongated conveyor for advancing containers horizontally past said station, an arm support member mounted for vertical movement below said conveyor, arms pivotally attached to said arm support member extending upwardly along opposite sides of the conveyor, opposed jaws on said arms shaped to engage and support a container therebetween, drive means engageable with said arms below said conveyor operable to seq nt a ly pivot the arms relative to the arm support member to close the jaws; the arm support member to elevate the container; lower the arm support member to ret i the container to the conveyor, and thereafter pivot t e arms relative to the support member to open the in 1's and release he container for cont nued advance by the conveyor, said drive means including an actuator member mounted for limited vertical lost motion relative to the arm support member, means operatively connecting the actuator member to the arms to close and open jaws respectively in response to upward and downward movement of the actuator member relative to the arm support member, means operatively connected to the actuator member for raising and lowerign the actuator ember, and lost motion means connecting the actuator member to the arm support member to raise and lower the arm support member when the jaws are closed to a position to engage and support a container.

l9. The combination of claim 18 wherein said lost motion means includes spring means engaging the actuator member and said arm support member yieldably urging the actuator member downwardly relative to the arm support member to thereby yieldably urge the jaws toward an open position.

20. in a packaging machine, means for advancing container toward and away from a station in said packaging machine and for intermittently elevating a container at said station, said means comprising an elongated conveyor for advancing containers horizontally past said station, an arm support member mounted for vertical movement below 5 id conveyor, arms pivotally attached to said arm support member and extending upwardly along opposite sides of the conveyor, opposed jaws on said arms shaped to engage and support a container therebetween, drive means engageable with said arms below said conveyor operable to sequentially pivot the arms relative to the arm support member to close the jaws; raise the arm support member to elevate the container; lower the arm support member to return the container to the conveyor, and thereafter pivot the arms relative to the support member to open the jaws and release the container for continued advance by the conveyor, said drive means including an actuator member mounted for limited vertical lost motion relative to the arm support member, means operatively connecting the actuator member to the arms to close and open the jaws respectively in response to upward and downward movement of the actuator member relative to the arm support member, means operatively connected to the actuator member for raising and lowering the actuator member, and lost motion means connecting the actuator member to the arm support member to raise and lower the arm support member when the jaws are closed to a position to engage and support a container, said lost motion means including a rigid element on one of said members engageable with the other of said members after a preselected upward movement of the actuator member relative to the arms support member for elevating the arm support member with the actuator member during subsequent raising of the latter, and spring means engaging said actuator member and said arm support member yieldably urging the actuator member downwardly relative to the arm support member to thereby yieldably urge the jaws toward an open position.

21. in a packaging machine, means for advancing containers toward and away from a station in said packaging machine and for intermittently elevating a container at said station, said means comprising an elongated conveyor for advancing containers hor zontally past said station, an arm support member mounted for vertical movement below said conveyor, arms pivotally attached to said arm support member and extending upwardly along opposite sides of the conveyor, opposed jaws on said arms shaped to engage and support a container therebetween, drive means engageable with said arms below said conveyor operable to sequentially pivot the arms relative the arm :support member to close the jaws; raise the arm support nember to elevate the container; lower the arm support :rnember to return the container to the conveyor, and there- :after pivot the arms relative to the support member to :open the jaws and release the container for continued ad- 'vance by the conveyor, said drive means including an actuator member mounted for limited vertical lost motion relative to the arm support member, means operatively connecting the actuator member to the arms to close and open the jaws respectively in response to upward and downward movement of the actuator member relative to the arm support member, means operatively connected to the actuator member for raising and lowering the actuator member, and lost motion means connecting the actumcmber to the arm support member to raise and lower the arm support member when the jaws are closed to a position to engage and support a container, said lost motion means including a rigid element on one of said members engageable with the other of said members after a preselected upward movement of the actuator member relative to the arm support member for elevating the arm support member with the actuator member during subsequent raising of the latter, spring means engaging said actuator member and said arm support member yieldably urging the actuator member downwardly relative to the arm support member to thereby yieldably urge the jaws toward an open position, and a second spring means engaging said arm support member for yieldably urging the arm support member downwardly.

22. in a packaging machine, means for advancing containers toward and away from a station in said packaging machine and for intermittently elevating a container at e. d station, said means comprising an elongated conveyor for advancing containers horizontally past said station, an arm support member mounted for vertical movement below said conveyor, arms pivotally attached to said arm support member and extending upwardly along opposite sides of the conveyor, opposed jaws on said arms shaped to engage and support a container therebetween, drive means engageable with said arms below said conveyor operable to sequentially pivot the arms relative to the arm support member to close the jaws; raise the arm support member to elevate the container; lower the arm support member to return the container to the conveyor, and thereafter pivot the arms relative to the support member to open the jaws and release the container for continued advance by the conveyor, said drive means including an actuator member mounted for limited vertical lost motion relative to the arm support member, link means pivotally attached to the actuator member and to the arms for closing and opening the jaws respectively in response to upward and downward movement of the actuator member relative to the arm support member, means opera tively connected to the actuator member for raising and lowering the actuator member, and lost motion means connecting the actuator member to the arm support member to raise and lower the arm support member with the actuator member when the jaws are closed to a position to engage and support a container.

23. in a packaging machine, means for advancing containers toward and away from a station and for intermittently elevating containers at said station, said means comprising an elongated conveyor for advancing containers past said station, spaced camping members dis posed intermediate the ends of said conveyor and having laterally movable jaw portions extending above said conveyor at opposite sides thereof, means below said conveyor supporting said clamping members for movement of the jaw portions thereof laterally of the conveyor toward and away from each other and for limited vertical movement of the clamping members, said laterally movable jaw portions being shaped to engage and support a container therebetween wd constituting the sole means for supporting the container during elevation of the latter, drive means normally supporting said clamping members in a lowered position with the jaw portions spaced apart to permit a container on the conveyor to pass between the jaw portions, said drive means including means operable to sequentially move the clamping members in one direction to close the jaw portions into engagement with opposite sides of a container on the conveyor; elevate the clamping members to elevate the container; lower the clamping members to return the container to the conveyor; and thereafter move the clamping members opposite said one direction to open the jaw portions and release the container and thereby permit the conveyor to move the container away from the station.

(References on following page) UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,627,792 Malocsay May 10, 1927 1,652,595 Weeks et a1 Dec. 13, 1927 5 2,003,682 Enock June 4, 1935 18 Young Dec. 27, 1938 Page Mar. 4, 1958 Ryan Feb. 24, 1959 Brock July 28, 1959 McCoy Aug. 25, 1959

Claims

17. THE METHOD OF SEALING THE MOUTH OF A CONTAINER COMPRISING, PARTIALLY SHEARING A MOUTH SPANNING PORTION FROM A STRIP OF HEAT SEALABLE MATERIAL BY INTERRUPTED CUT LINES AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION, GRIPPING THE STRIP AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION TO SUPPORT THE SAME, MOVING THE MOUTH OF A CONTAINER INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH ONE SIDE OF THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION AT A LEVEL LATERALLY OFFSET FROM THE PLANE OF THE STRIP A DISTANCE SUFFICIENT TO DRAW THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION TAUT ACROSS THE MOUTH OF THE CONTAINER WITHOUT SEPARATING THE PORTION FROM THE STRIP, MOVING A HEATED SEALING HEAD INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH THE OTHER SIDE OF THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION TO HEAT SEAL THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION TO THE CONTAINER WHILE IT REMAINS ATTACHED TO THE STRIP, AND THEREAFTER MOVING THE HEAD AND CONTAINER IN UNISON RELATIVE TO THE STRIP TO SEVER THE MOUTH SPANNING PORTION FROM THE STRIP WHILE MAINTAINING THE STRIP GRIPPED AROUND THE PERIPHERY OF THE PORTION.