US3864892A - Automatic packaging method and apparatus with heat-sealing elements having resilient heat conducting members - Google Patents

Automatic packaging method and apparatus with heat-sealing elements having resilient heat conducting members Download PDF

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Publication number
US3864892A
US3864892A US364539A US36453973A US3864892A US 3864892 A US3864892 A US 3864892A US 364539 A US364539 A US 364539A US 36453973 A US36453973 A US 36453973A US 3864892 A US3864892 A US 3864892A
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Prior art keywords
heat
sealing
container
resilient
flange
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US364539A
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English (en)
Inventor
Perry W Molvar
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Mahaffy and Harder Engineering Co
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Mahaffy and Harder Engineering Co
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Priority to US364539A priority Critical patent/US3864892A/en
Priority to JP49060655A priority patent/JPS5027685A/ja
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    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/816—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the mounting of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8167—Quick change joining tools or surfaces
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C65/00—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor
    • B29C65/02—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure
    • B29C65/18—Joining or sealing of preformed parts, e.g. welding of plastics materials; Apparatus therefor by heating, with or without pressure using heated tools
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/11—Joint cross-sections comprising a single joint-segment, i.e. one of the parts to be joined comprising a single joint-segment in the joint cross-section
    • B29C66/112—Single lapped joints
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/10—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint cross-sections
    • B29C66/13—Single flanged joints; Fin-type joints; Single hem joints; Edge joints; Interpenetrating fingered joints; Other specific particular designs of joint cross-sections not provided for in groups B29C66/11 - B29C66/12
    • B29C66/131—Single flanged joints, i.e. one of the parts to be joined being rigid and flanged in the joint area
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/01—General aspects dealing with the joint area or with the area to be joined
    • B29C66/05—Particular design of joint configurations
    • B29C66/20—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines
    • B29C66/24—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight
    • B29C66/242—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours
    • B29C66/2424—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain
    • B29C66/24243—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral
    • B29C66/24244—Particular design of joint configurations particular design of the joint lines, e.g. of the weld lines said joint lines being closed or non-straight said joint lines being closed, i.e. forming closed contours being a closed polygonal chain forming a quadrilateral forming a rectangle
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/50—General aspects of joining tubular articles; General aspects of joining long products, i.e. bars or profiled elements; General aspects of joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; General aspects of joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/51—Joining tubular articles, profiled elements or bars; Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars; Joining several hollow-preforms to form hollow or tubular articles
    • B29C66/53—Joining single elements to tubular articles, hollow articles or bars
    • B29C66/534—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars
    • B29C66/5346—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat
    • B29C66/53461—Joining single elements to open ends of tubular or hollow articles or to the ends of bars said single elements being substantially flat joining substantially flat covers and/or substantially flat bottoms to open ends of container bodies
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8122—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/812—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8126—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the composition, by the structure, by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the intensive physical properties or by the optical properties of the material constituting the pressing elements, e.g. constituting the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81261—Thermal properties, e.g. thermal conductivity, thermal expansion coefficient
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8141—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined
    • B29C66/81431—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the surface geometry of the part of the pressing elements, e.g. welding jaws or clamps, coming into contact with the parts to be joined comprising a single cavity, e.g. a groove
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/814—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/8145—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/81457—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the design of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the constructional aspects of the pressing elements, e.g. of the welding jaws or clamps comprising a block or layer of deformable material, e.g. sponge, foam, rubber
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/81—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps
    • B29C66/818—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps
    • B29C66/8183—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal conducting constructional aspects
    • B29C66/81831—General aspects of the pressing elements, i.e. the elements applying pressure on the parts to be joined in the area to be joined, e.g. the welding jaws or clamps characterised by the cooling constructional aspects, or by the thermal or electrical insulating or conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws or of the clamps ; comprising means for compensating for the thermal expansion of the welding jaws or of the clamps characterised by the thermal conducting constructional aspects of the welding jaws
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29C—SHAPING OR JOINING OF PLASTICS; SHAPING OF MATERIAL IN A PLASTIC STATE, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR; AFTER-TREATMENT OF THE SHAPED PRODUCTS, e.g. REPAIRING
    • B29C66/00—General aspects of processes or apparatus for joining preformed parts
    • B29C66/80—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof
    • B29C66/83—General aspects of machine operations or constructions and parts thereof characterised by the movement of the joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/832—Reciprocating joining or pressing tools
    • B29C66/8322—Joining or pressing tools reciprocating along one axis
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B65—CONVEYING; PACKING; STORING; HANDLING THIN OR FILAMENTARY MATERIAL
    • B65B—MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING
    • B65B7/00—Closing containers or receptacles after filling
    • B65B7/16—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons
    • B65B7/162—Closing semi-rigid or rigid containers or receptacles not deformed by, or not taking-up shape of, contents, e.g. boxes or cartons by feeding web material to securing means
    • B65B7/164—Securing by heat-sealing
    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B29—WORKING OF PLASTICS; WORKING OF SUBSTANCES IN A PLASTIC STATE IN GENERAL
    • B29L—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASS B29C, RELATING TO PARTICULAR ARTICLES
    • B29L2016/00—Articles with corrugations or pleats

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Packaging apparatus for packaging a product in a container comprising a semi-rigid cup having an open mouth and a flange projecting outwardly from this mouth and a top sealed to the flange around the periphery of the cup.
  • the apparatus includes heatsealing elements formed of resilient heat-conducting material, adapted to make high-quality, uniform heat seals at high speed to container sealing surfaces having irregular contours.
  • Automatic packaging apparatus typically forms the containers from a continuous sheet of plastic packaging material and similarly forms the container covers from a second continuous sheet of plastic packaging material.
  • the containers generally are produced by a thermoforming procedure wherein the heated plastic sheet material is drawn into a die to produce a cup having planar flanges around the open mouth thereof. These integral flanges serve as the sealing surfaces to which the cover sheet is heat-sealed to produce the hermetically-sealed pack age.
  • the sealing surfaces When the container cup is made from a rigid or semirigid material, c.g., of heavy-gauge plastic 0.010 inchs or more in thickness, the sealing surfaces frequently exhibit irregular contours. Such irregularities especially occur in a form referred to as puckering." When an attempt is made to heat-seal the continer top to such an irregular non-planar surface by using prior art techniques, the seal may leak. The number of leakers is a critical factor in the commercial viability ofa packaging oeration, and even a very tiny percentage can in some cases be unacceptable.
  • Another factor in the problem is that when container cups made from relatively rigid and tough packaging material are transported through the sealing station of a packaging machine of the type having a conventional sealing die with resilient die covers, the packaging material tends to abrade the die covers and cause rapid deterioration thereof.
  • the present invention is aimed at solving or minimizing the above problems encountered in sealing tops to container cups of rigid or semi-rigid material.
  • automatic packaging apparatus of the type having a sealing station which includes a sealing die comprised of side walls presenting flat upwardly-facing top surfaces.
  • the die defines a cavity adapted to receive a cup-shaped container having sealing flanges which rest on the top surfaces of the die.
  • a cover sheet of flexible plastic film is placed over the container to be sealed to the flange region thereof to form a hermetically sealed package.
  • a sealing head comprised of side walls presenting flat downwardly-facing bottom surfaces.
  • This sealing head is arranged for relative reciprocating motion with respect to the sealing die to clamp the cover sheet and the cup flange regions tightly together.
  • the downwardly-facing (bottom) surfaces of the sealing head carry a continuous (non-interrupted) pad of resilient, compressible, heat-conducting material which is maintained at an elevated temperature sufficient to effect heat-sealing of the cover sheet to the container flange.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an automatic packaging machine
  • FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective of heat-sealing elements incorporating a resilient heat-conducting pad as one pressure element thereof;
  • FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line 33 in FIG. 2 and illustrating the sealing head and die in their open position with the container cup and top arranged to be sealed;
  • FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus again taken along the line 33 in FIG. 2, but showing the container cup and top being sealed between the closed sealing head and de.
  • FIG. 1 illustrates schematically the basic elements of a packaging machine of one type with which the present invention may be used.
  • This machine includes a first roll of plastic packaging material 10 which is drawn out and transported through the machine by conventional means such as side edge grippers indicated at 12.
  • the continuous sheet of material 10 is formed into cups 14 at a forming station 16 having conventional cup-drawing means (not shown herein).
  • a cover sheet 18 of plastic packaging material is applied over the cup mouths to be carried along therewith into a sealing station 20.
  • the cover sheet is heat-sealed to the peripheral flanges of the cups, in a manner now to be explained in detail.
  • the sealing station 20 includes a sealing die 22 having four side walls 24 which terminate in flat upwardly-facing surfaces 26.
  • the die 22 defines a cavity 28 which is adapted to receive the cup-shaped container 14 filled with the product to be packaged, and which is to be closed by a cover sealed to the flanges thereof.
  • the sealing station may include a number of such dies, and associated components, to permit sealing of a corresponding number of packages simulta neously, but to simplify the presentation, only one such die is shown.
  • the container cup 14 is formed with an integral, laterally-projecting flange 32 which rests on the die surfaces 26 when the cup is placed in the die cavity 28.
  • the cup is also formed with an open mouth 34 through which the product to be packaged is inserted.
  • the container cup 14 disclosed herein is generally rectangular in shape, but the invention can be used effectively with a variety of different shapes.
  • the shape of the sealing die 22 would in such event be modified to suit the particular cup shape.
  • the integral flange 32 is frequently characterized by nonplanar, irregular contours, e.g., presenting a hill-and dale appearance, or a waviness, which is sometimes referred to as puckering. Examples of such irregular contours are illustrated in FIG. 3. Such deviations typically may extend in both the longitudinal direction, as shown in cross section 33, and in the lateral direction as shown in elevation 36. In the illustrated examples, both the lateral and longitudinal puckering is comprised of a series of alternate peaks 40 and valleys 42.
  • the container cup 14 is covered by a container top 44 made of relatively thin, flexible plastic fllm 18.
  • a container top 44 made of relatively thin, flexible plastic fllm 18.
  • the packaging apparatus of the present invention includes a sealing head 50 having four vertical walls 52 presenting flat downwardly-facing surfaces defining a rigid platen 54. These surfaces 54 are aligned with and opposite to the corresponding die surfaces 26.
  • the sealing head platen 54 carries a continuous, moderately thick pad 60 of resilient, heat-conducting material, advantagiously a silicone rubber composition containing additive material to enhance its heat conductivity.
  • the resilient pad 60 contains an internal metal strip 62, which aids in conducting heat directly to the bottom working surface of the pad, and also assists in anchoring the pad in place on the sealing head, as by means to be explained hereinbelow.
  • the heated resilient pad 60 of the sealing head 50 is arranged to move down towards the cover sheet 18 and tightly clamp it and the flange 32 against the die top surfaces 26. Because of the resilience of the pad 60, the moderate pressure of its engagement with the cover sheet 18 causes it (and the flexible cover sheet) to be deformed to match any undulations of the flange 32. Thus, the cover 18, and the flange 32 are both compressed tightly together in an intimate, close contact, so that the heat from the pad effects proper heat-sealing around the entire periphery of the cup.
  • the bottom portion of the anchor strip 62 embedded in the resilient pad, is U-shaped in cross section to insure tight bonding engagement between the pad 60 and the stip.
  • the upper portion of the anchor strip extends through slots milled in the sealing head side walls 52. These side walls also have respective spaced holes 72 which extend inwardly to communicate with the top of the slots 70 which provide access to the top end of the inserted anchor strips 62.
  • a tool such as a screwdriver, may then be inserted into the holes 72 to bend the respective strip tops sufficiently to prevent dislodgement of the pad 60. With such an arrangement, the pad 60 can readily be removed for routine maintenance, or replacement, as required.
  • the sealing head 50 also is provided with suitable means 74 for supplying heat to the head 32, the anchor strip 62 and the pad 60, to assure that the pad is maintained at an adequately high temperature to provide effective heat-sealing.
  • This invention greatly reduces the force required to make a heat seal between container cups and tops, relative to the forces required using metal-to-metal sealing elements.
  • the heat-seals may in many cases actually be superior when using this invention.
  • the invention makes possible the sealing of materials of nonuniform thickness, which could not be sealed by metalto-metal arrangements under any normal conditions.
  • I claim: 1. ln automatic packaging apparatus of the type including means for supporting cup-shaped containers having peripheral flanges around the open mouths thereof; a sealing station; means for transporting said supported container into and through said sealing station; means for supplying to each container a sheet of material to serve as a top for the container; and means at said sealing station for heat-sealing the top to the container flanges to produce hermetically sealed packages, said heat-sealing means including first means to engage and support the under surface of the container flange during the heat-sealing operation;
  • sealing station further comprises:
  • resilient means mounted for relative reciprocal movement towards and away from said first means and arranged to press the top and the adjacent portion of the cup flange together against said first means with at least a moderate degree of sealing pressure; heat conducting means forming part of said resilient means to provide substantially enhanced conduction of heat through said resilient means to the engaged surface thereof pressed against said top;
  • the engaged surface of said resilient means being sufficiently flexible to conform under said sealing pressure to irregularities presented by the flange surface of the container and to effect a close, intimate, heat-transferring contact between said resilient means, said top, and said container flanges throughout a region extending entirely around said flanges; and means to supply heat to said resilient means for conduction through said heat conducting means to raise said engaged surface to an elevated temperature, said heat supply means and said heat conduction means cooperating to supply through said resilient means all of the heat required to seal said top to said flanges and providing effective heatsealing thereof.
  • second means mounted for relative reciprocal movement towards and away from said first means, and being aligned with and opposite said first means
  • said resilient means being carried on said second means
  • said heating means being adapted to heat said second means to thereby conduct heat to said resilient means for elevating the temperature thereof.
  • said first means is a sealing die having side walls which terminate in flat upwardly-facing surfaces for engaging and supporting the under surface of the container flange during the heat-sealing operation and wherein said second means is a sealing head having side walls which terminate in flat downwardly-facing surfaces aligned with and opposite said upwardly-facing die surfaces, said sealing head being mounted for rela-v tivc reciprocal movement towards and away from said sealing die,
  • said resilient means being carried on said sealing head downwardly-facing surfaces
  • said heating means being adapted to heat said sealing head to thereby conduct heat to said resilient means for elevating the temperature thereof.
  • said sealing die is a rigid structure and said flat upwardly facing surfaces are similarly rigid to resist abrasion and consequent deterioration due to transport of said containers thereover.
  • a heat-conducting strip having a bottom portion embedded in said pad and a top portion adapted to be engaged with said second means for mounting said resilient pad on said second means and for conducting heat generated by said heating means from said second means to said resilient pad.
  • An improved heat-sealing method for use in an automatic packaging apparatus of the type including means for supporting semi-rigid cup-shaped containers having peripheral flanges around the open mouths thereof; a sealing station; means for transporting said supported containers into and through said sealing station; means for supplying to each container a sheet of relatively thin and flexible material to serve as a top for the container;
  • said method being for heat-sealing the container top to the container flanges to produce hermetically sealed package, and comprising the steps of:
  • said resilient means being sufficiently flexible to conform to irregularities presented by the semi-rigid flange surfaces of the container, with at least a moderate amount of pressure to thereby conform the engaged surface of said resilient means, under said pressure, to irregu larities presented by the flange surfaces of the container to effect a close, intimate, heat-transferring contact between said resilient means, the top, and the container flanges throughout a region extending entirely around said flanges;

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Closing Of Containers (AREA)
  • Containers And Plastic Fillers For Packaging (AREA)
  • Package Closures (AREA)
US364539A 1973-05-29 1973-05-29 Automatic packaging method and apparatus with heat-sealing elements having resilient heat conducting members Expired - Lifetime US3864892A (en)

Priority Applications (2)

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Cited By (24)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4011119A (en) * 1975-12-19 1977-03-08 American Can Company Method for cold lidding containers with elastomeric film
JPS5446690A (en) * 1977-09-20 1979-04-12 Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd Device for capping container
FR2419220A1 (fr) * 1978-03-10 1979-10-05 Emballage Ste Gle Pour Dispositif pour le thermoscellage d'opercules de bouchage sur l'orifice d'un recipient en un materiau rigide
FR2423402A1 (fr) * 1978-04-19 1979-11-16 Scal Gp Condit Aluminium Tete de scellage
EP0008870A1 (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-03-19 The Mead Corporation Heat sealing element
EP0011588A1 (de) * 1978-11-09 1980-05-28 Schweizerische Aluminium AG Verfahren zum Verschliessen von Behältern aus Glas oder keramischen Werkstoffen mit einer Metallfolie
US4663206A (en) * 1984-05-11 1987-05-05 Hydroacoustics Inc. Stress relief and edge sealing of welded joints in plastics parts
US4707213A (en) * 1985-11-12 1987-11-17 Continental Can Company, Inc. Induction heating unit for heat bonding a lid having a metallic layer to a container
US5033635A (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-07-23 Philips Industries Limited Partnership Plastic container with heat sealable flange
US5131141A (en) * 1988-08-31 1992-07-21 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Method for preparing a double-sided flexible circuit board with electrical connection at a through-hole
US5597428A (en) * 1992-08-06 1997-01-28 Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Method of sealing containers
US5603201A (en) * 1994-02-04 1997-02-18 Lafata; John E. Packaging system
US5692635A (en) * 1990-06-06 1997-12-02 American National Can Company Easy open closure
WO2002011592A1 (en) * 2000-06-05 2002-02-14 Thermotic Developments Limited A method for forming a sealed chamber within a metal can
US20030215956A1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2003-11-20 Reed Mark T. Multi-well microfiltration apparatus
WO2008012585A1 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-31 Stanelco Rf Technologies Limited Dielectric welding
GB2461182A (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Kbiosciences Ltd Apparatus and Method of Sealing a Micro Plate
US20100107568A1 (en) * 2007-04-11 2010-05-06 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd. Method and apparatus for heat-sealing container
WO2011120715A1 (de) * 2010-04-01 2011-10-06 Silver Plastics Gmbh & Co. Kg Verpackungsschale und vorrichtung zur herstellung derselben
US20120052311A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-01 Scott Mathew Bennett Methods of bonding and articles formed thereby
CN107074416A (zh) * 2014-08-28 2017-08-18 葛兰素史密斯克莱有限责任公司 包装和热封装置
EP3542997A1 (de) * 2018-03-23 2019-09-25 KOCH Pac-Systeme GmbH Siegelvorrichtung und verfahren zum siegeln eines deckmaterials auf siegelbereiche einer blisterbahn oder einer blisterhaube
DE102021112379A1 (de) 2021-05-12 2022-11-17 VMS-Maschinenbau GmbH Siegelelement, Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Versiegelung einer Verpackung
US20240092517A1 (en) * 2020-12-02 2024-03-21 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Multi-stage pressure sealing of metallized substrates

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2651350A (en) * 1947-11-26 1953-09-08 Dewey And Almy Chem Comp Packaging machine
US2743761A (en) * 1953-10-20 1956-05-01 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Heat sealer
US3452513A (en) * 1966-01-10 1969-07-01 William M Owens Jr Heater construction for closing packages
US3685254A (en) * 1970-09-16 1972-08-22 Jonathan E Currier Machine for automatically feeding,cover applying,sealing,and trimming,filled packages

Family Cites Families (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3397508A (en) * 1965-08-06 1968-08-20 Total Packaging Inc Thermoplastic packaging machine
JPS4825108A (enrdf_load_stackoverflow) * 1971-08-06 1973-04-02

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2651350A (en) * 1947-11-26 1953-09-08 Dewey And Almy Chem Comp Packaging machine
US2743761A (en) * 1953-10-20 1956-05-01 Goodyear Tire & Rubber Heat sealer
US3452513A (en) * 1966-01-10 1969-07-01 William M Owens Jr Heater construction for closing packages
US3685254A (en) * 1970-09-16 1972-08-22 Jonathan E Currier Machine for automatically feeding,cover applying,sealing,and trimming,filled packages

Cited By (29)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4011119A (en) * 1975-12-19 1977-03-08 American Can Company Method for cold lidding containers with elastomeric film
JPS5446690A (en) * 1977-09-20 1979-04-12 Shikoku Kakoki Co Ltd Device for capping container
FR2419220A1 (fr) * 1978-03-10 1979-10-05 Emballage Ste Gle Pour Dispositif pour le thermoscellage d'opercules de bouchage sur l'orifice d'un recipient en un materiau rigide
FR2423402A1 (fr) * 1978-04-19 1979-11-16 Scal Gp Condit Aluminium Tete de scellage
EP0008870A1 (en) * 1978-07-31 1980-03-19 The Mead Corporation Heat sealing element
EP0011588A1 (de) * 1978-11-09 1980-05-28 Schweizerische Aluminium AG Verfahren zum Verschliessen von Behältern aus Glas oder keramischen Werkstoffen mit einer Metallfolie
US4663206A (en) * 1984-05-11 1987-05-05 Hydroacoustics Inc. Stress relief and edge sealing of welded joints in plastics parts
US4707213A (en) * 1985-11-12 1987-11-17 Continental Can Company, Inc. Induction heating unit for heat bonding a lid having a metallic layer to a container
AU582919B2 (en) * 1985-11-12 1989-04-13 Continental Can Company Inc. Induction heating unit for heat bonding a lid having a metallic layer to a container
US5131141A (en) * 1988-08-31 1992-07-21 Shin-Etsu Polymer Co., Ltd. Method for preparing a double-sided flexible circuit board with electrical connection at a through-hole
US5033635A (en) * 1990-03-22 1991-07-23 Philips Industries Limited Partnership Plastic container with heat sealable flange
US5865335A (en) * 1990-06-06 1999-02-02 American National Can Company Easy-open closure
US5692635A (en) * 1990-06-06 1997-12-02 American National Can Company Easy open closure
US5597428A (en) * 1992-08-06 1997-01-28 Idemitsu Petrochemical Co., Ltd. Method of sealing containers
US5603201A (en) * 1994-02-04 1997-02-18 Lafata; John E. Packaging system
US20030215956A1 (en) * 1998-10-29 2003-11-20 Reed Mark T. Multi-well microfiltration apparatus
WO2002011592A1 (en) * 2000-06-05 2002-02-14 Thermotic Developments Limited A method for forming a sealed chamber within a metal can
WO2008012585A1 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-01-31 Stanelco Rf Technologies Limited Dielectric welding
US20100107568A1 (en) * 2007-04-11 2010-05-06 Toyo Seikan Kaisha Ltd. Method and apparatus for heat-sealing container
GB2461182A (en) * 2008-06-27 2009-12-30 Kbiosciences Ltd Apparatus and Method of Sealing a Micro Plate
WO2011120715A1 (de) * 2010-04-01 2011-10-06 Silver Plastics Gmbh & Co. Kg Verpackungsschale und vorrichtung zur herstellung derselben
US20120052311A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-01 Scott Mathew Bennett Methods of bonding and articles formed thereby
WO2012030698A1 (en) * 2010-08-30 2012-03-08 Corning Incorporated Method of bonding and article formed thereby
US9028643B2 (en) * 2010-08-30 2015-05-12 Corning Incorporated Methods of bonding and articles formed thereby
CN107074416A (zh) * 2014-08-28 2017-08-18 葛兰素史密斯克莱有限责任公司 包装和热封装置
EP3542997A1 (de) * 2018-03-23 2019-09-25 KOCH Pac-Systeme GmbH Siegelvorrichtung und verfahren zum siegeln eines deckmaterials auf siegelbereiche einer blisterbahn oder einer blisterhaube
US11407545B2 (en) * 2018-03-23 2022-08-09 Koch Pac-Systeme Gmbh Sealing device and method for sealing a lid material to sealing areas of a blister web or of a blister cap
US20240092517A1 (en) * 2020-12-02 2024-03-21 Societe Des Produits Nestle S.A. Multi-stage pressure sealing of metallized substrates
DE102021112379A1 (de) 2021-05-12 2022-11-17 VMS-Maschinenbau GmbH Siegelelement, Vorrichtung und Verfahren zur Versiegelung einer Verpackung

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