Abstract This disclosure relates to apparatus for inductively coupling energy into heat activated magnetic sealing material to effect the sealing of containers. Such apparatus includes a coil generally conforming to the shape of the container portion to be sealed and a flux concentrator of relatively high permeability and electrical resistivity for concentrating magnetic flux only in those areas of the container including the sealing material. The flux concentrator houses the coil and is formed with an air gap shaped to accommodate the container portion to be sealed. Further, this application discloses a method of sealing containers by coupling energy into heat activated magnetic sealing materials while limiting the heating of adjacent portions of the container and the container contents.
A flux concentrator for use in the concentration of flux in portions of a container to be sealed together by the heating of heat-activated magnetic sealing compounds, said concentrator comprising a continuous closed loop of magnetic material of high permeability, channel means formed in said loop for housing a conductive coil, said channel means extending lengthwise through said loop, an airgap formed along said loop for receiving portions to be sealed together and for concentrating flux in the area defined by and adjacent to said gap.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
86 words
A flux concentrator for use in the concentration of flux in portions of a container to be sealed together by the heating of heat-activated magnetic sealing compounds, said concentrator comprising a continuous closed loop of magnetic material of high permeability, channel means formed in said loop for housing a conductive coil, said channel means extending lengthwise through said loop, an airgap formed along said loop for receiving portions to be sealed together and for concentrating flux in the area defined by and adjacent to said gap.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A flux concentrator according to claim 1 wherein said loop is formed of material of high resistivity.