US3657862A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for capping containers
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1970-06-04
•
Granted: 1972-04-25
•
Expires: 1990-06-04
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for applying a liquid-tight cover to various sizes and types of containers by automatically feeding a strip of biaxially oriented plastic film to a point directly below a sealing head unit, cutting a length of plastic film, raising the container to catch the plastic film strip and bring it into engagement with the sealing head unit, applying heat to the sealing head unit to heat shrink the film strip about the mouth of the container, and after a predetermined heating period lowering the container to an unload position.
Inventors
- 👤 John S Milne
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 10:16
CPC Classifications
B; B65; B65B; B65B7/00; B65B7/16; B65B7/162; B65B7/167; B65B53/00; B65B53/02
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the open upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said sealing head unit includes an actuator member disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of the container and a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said actuator member, cam disc means for alternately moving said sealing fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, means for heating said fingers, power means for rotating said cam disc in a direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage the upper sidewall portion of the container, and actuating means triggered by the engagement of the upper edge of the container against said actuator member for energizing said power means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
307 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the open upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said sealing head unit includes an actuator member disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of the container and a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said actuator member, cam disc means for alternately moving said sealing fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, means for heating said fingers, power means for rotating said cam disc in a direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage the upper sidewall portion of the container, and actuating means triggered by the engagement of the upper edge of the container against said actuator member for energizing said power means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the connection between said cam disc means and said power means includes a lost motion means to permit said cam disc means to stop upon said fingers engaging the upper sidewall portion of the container and to allow said power means to move from a first to a second position upon each energization regardless of the size of the upper edge of the container.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a centering device carried by said elevator platform which repositions said container to be directly in vertical alignment with the center of said circular arrangement of radially adjustable fingers and means for operating said centering device.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
125 words
The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said centering device includes a plurality of slidably mounted jaw members on said elevator platform which move in radial paths towards and away from the center line of said circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers, a second cam disc means for simultaneously moving said jaw members along their respective radial paths, and wherein said means for operating said centering device includes a vertical member having a cam track, a cam follower arm slidably mounted on said elevator platform with a cam adapted to ride in said cam track, and a linkage means for connecting said cam follower arm and said second cam disc means such that said jaws are moved radially inwardly as said elevator platform rises.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
58 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said linkage means includes a lost-motion means to permit said second disc means to stop upon said jaw members engaging the lower sidewall portion of the container and to allow said cam follower to continue to slide as said cam rides along said cam track with the raising of said elevator platform.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
344 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film comprises a film advance drum unit having a rotatably mounted circular plate with a plurality of other film feeding plates which with said film feeding plate extend from said circular plate in an equal spaced relationship, all of said film feeding plates having spikes for holding a strip of plastic film thereon, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit through an arcuate distance sufficient to bring the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, and actuating means for energizing said film advance drive unit as said elevator platform lowers to its starting position and for deenergizing said film advance drive unit after said next successive film feed plate is positioned directly below said sealing head unit.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
344 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film comprises a film advance drum unit having a rotatably mounted circular plate with a plurality of other film feeding plates which with said film feeding plate extend from said circular plate in an equal spaced relationship, all of said film feeding plates having spikes for holding a strip of plastic film thereon, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit through an arcuate distance sufficient to bring the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, and actuating means for energizing said film advance drive unit as said elevator platform lowers to its starting position and for deenergizing said film advance drive unit after said next successive film feed plate is positioned directly below said sealing head unit.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the open upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for raising said elevator platform includes a vertical frame member for supporting and carrying said platform vertically along vertical mounting post and a first power means for raising said platform, and further comprising first actuator means carried by said elevator platform which is contacted by the sidewall of the container when placed on said elevator platform to energize said first power means for raising said elevator platform and a second actuator means mounted in the center of said sealing head unit which when contacted by the upper edge of the container deenergizes said first power means, and where said means for lowering said elevator platform comprises a timer means which is started by said second actuator means and which after a pre-selected heating period releases said meaNs for holding said platform in an elevated heat sealing position to permit said elevator platform to lower.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
349 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit, said feeding means including a film feeding plate with an enlarged opening for carrying the end of the plastic film roll, means for cutting from the plastic film roll the strip of plastic film carried by said plate to a length large enough to cover the open upper end of the container, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for raising said elevator platform includes a vertical frame member for supporting and carrying said platform vertically along vertical mounting post and a first power means for raising said platform, and further comprising first actuator means carried by said elevator platform which is contacted by the sidewall of the container when placed on said elevator platform to energize said first power means for raising said elevator platform and a second actuator means mounted in the center of said sealing head unit which when contacted by the upper edge of the container deenergizes said first power means, and where said means for lowering said elevator platform comprises a timer means which is started by said second actuator means and which after a pre-selected heating period releases said meaNs for holding said platform in an elevated heat sealing position to permit said elevator platform to lower.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
159 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said sealing head unit includes a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said second actuator means, cam disc means for alternately moving said sealing head fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, means for heating said sealing head fingers, a second power means for rotating said cam disc in one direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage about the upper sidewall portion of the container, and a spring bias means for constantly urging said cam disc to turn in the opposite direction to hold said fingers in a radial outward position where the actuation of said second actuator means energizes said second power means to move said fingers radially inwardly, and where said timer means at the end of said pre-selected heating period deenergizes said second power means to permit said sealing head fingers to move inwardly under the influence of said spring bias means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
150 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film comprises a film advance drum unit having a rotatably mounted circular plate with a plurality of other film feeding plates which with said film feeding plate extend from said circular plate in an equal spaced relationship, each of said film feeding plates having means for holding a strip of plastic film thereon, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit through an arcuate distance sufficient to bring the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, and a third actuating means for energizing said film feed drive unit as said elevator unit lowers to its starting position and to deenergize said film advance drive unit as the next successive film feed plate is positioned directly below said sealing head unit.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said heating means includes a heat conducting plate having larger cross-sectional size than the upper open end of said container and disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of said container in said elevated heat sealing position and heat transmitting means for heating said heat conductive plate.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
213 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said heating means includes a heat conducting plate having larger cross-sectional size than the upper open end of said container and disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of said container in said elevated heat sealing position and heat transmitting means for heating said heat conductive plate.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing positiOn, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said sealing head unit includes a horizontal plate disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of the liquid container and a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said horizontal plate, cam disc means for alternately moving said sealing head fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, power means for rotating said cam disc in a direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage the upper sidewall portion of the container, and actuating means triggered by the engagement of the upper edge of the container against said horizontal plate for energizing said power means, and where said means for heating said sealing head unit conducts heat to said sealing head fingers and said horizontal plate.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
287 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing positiOn, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said sealing head unit includes a horizontal plate disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of the liquid container and a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said horizontal plate, cam disc means for alternately moving said sealing head fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, power means for rotating said cam disc in a direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage the upper sidewall portion of the container, and actuating means triggered by the engagement of the upper edge of the container against said horizontal plate for energizing said power means, and where said means for heating said sealing head unit conducts heat to said sealing head fingers and said horizontal plate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
68 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the connection between said cam disc means and said power means includes a lost motion means to permit said cam disc means to stop upon said sealing head fingers engaging the upper sidewall portion of the container and to allow said power means to move between a first and second position regardless of the size of the upper edge of the container.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a centering device carried by said elevator platform which repositions said container to be directly in vertical alignment with the center of said circular arrangement of radially adjustable head sealing fingers and means for operating said centering device.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
126 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein said centering device includes a plurality of slidably mounted jaw members on said elevator platform which move in radial paths towards and away from the center line of said circular arrangement of said radially adjustable head sealing fingers, a second cam disc means for simultaneously moving said jaw members along their respective radial paths, and wherein said means for operating said centering device includes a vertical member having a cam track, a cam follower arm slidably mounted on said elevator platform having a cam adapted to ride in said cam track, and a linkage means for connecting said cam follower arm and said second cam disc means such that said jaws are moved radially inwardly as said elevator platform rises.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 14, wherein said linkage means includes a lost motion means to permit said second disc means to stop upon said jaw members engaging the lower sidewall portion of the container and to allow said cam follower to continue to slide as said cam rides along said cam track with the raising of said elevator platform.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for raising said elevator platform includes a vertical frame member for supporting and carrying said elevator platform along a pair of spaced vertical mounting posts and a first poWer means for raising said elevator platform, and further comprising a first actuator means carried by said platform which is contacted by the sidewall of the container when placed on the platform to energize said first power means for raising said elevator platform and a second actuator means mounted in the center of said sealing head unit which is contacted by the upper edge of the container to deenergize said first power means stopping the upward movement of said elevator platform and where said means for lowering said elevator platform comprises a timer means which is started by said second actuator means and which after a pre-selected heating period releases said means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position and permit the elevator to lower.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
324 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, a film feeding plate having an enlarged opening disposed below said sealing head unit a short distance and having means for holding a cut length of heat shrinkable plastic film across said enlarged opening, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry a container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said film feeding plate to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause the cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation, where said means for raising said elevator platform includes a vertical frame member for supporting and carrying said elevator platform along a pair of spaced vertical mounting posts and a first poWer means for raising said elevator platform, and further comprising a first actuator means carried by said platform which is contacted by the sidewall of the container when placed on the platform to energize said first power means for raising said elevator platform and a second actuator means mounted in the center of said sealing head unit which is contacted by the upper edge of the container to deenergize said first power means stopping the upward movement of said elevator platform and where said means for lowering said elevator platform comprises a timer means which is started by said second actuator means and which after a pre-selected heating period releases said means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated heat sealing position and permit the elevator to lower.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
148 words
The apparatus of claim 16, wherein said sealing head unit includes a circular arrangement of radially adjustable sealing head fingers slidably mounted a short distance below said second actuator means, can disc means for alternately moving said head sealing fingers radially inwardly and outwardly, means for conducting heat to said sealing head fingers from said heating means, a second power means for rotating said cam disc in one direction to move said fingers radially inwardly to engage the upper sidewall portion of the container, and a spring bias means for urging said cam disc to turn in the opposite direction, where the actuation of said second actuator means energizes said second power means and where said timer means at the end of said pre-selected heating period deenergizes said second power means to permit said sealing head fingers to move inwardly under the influence of said spring bias means.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
150 words
The apparatus of claim 16, further including a means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film comprising a film advance drum unit having a rotatably mounted circular plate with a plurality of other film feeding plates which with said film feeding plate extend from said circular plate in an equal spaced relationship, all of said film feeding plates having means for holding a strip of plastic film thereon, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit through an arcuate distance sufficient to bring the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, and a third actuating means for energizing said film feed drive unit as said elevator unit lowers to its starting position and for deenergizing said film drive unit upon the next successive film feed plate being positioned directly below said sealing head unit.
Claim 25
Independent Claim
375 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a pair of front and rear mounting posts supported on a horizontal base, a heat sealing assembly including sealing head unit supported between said vertical mounting posts at their upper ends, a film advance drum unit comprising a circular vertical plate rotatably mounted by a horizontal cross bar mounted at the middle portion of the rearward pair of said mounting posts and a plurality of film feeding plates extending forwardly from the outer periphery of said circular plate in equal spaced relationship, each of said film feeding plates having an enlarged opening and spike means for holding a strip of plastic film across said enlarged opening, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit a sufficient distance to move the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, a film supply unit for supplying film to said film advance drum unit comprising a film roll tubular holder mounted between one of said front mounting posts and one of said rear mounting posts at their top portion and a roller means for feeding a strip of plastic film from the film roll tangentially on each of said film feeding plates, means for cutting the strip of film carried by the uppermost film feeding plate, an elevator assembly comprising a vertical frame member slidably mouNted on said forward pair of vertical mounting post, an elevator platform adapted to carry a container carried by and extending rearwardly from said vertical frame member, means for raising said elevator platform towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in the uppermost of said film feeding plates to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit and means for holding said elevator platform in an elevated heat sealing position, said heat sealing assembly including means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation.
Claim 26
Independent Claim
375 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper end of a container comprising a pair of front and rear mounting posts supported on a horizontal base, a heat sealing assembly including sealing head unit supported between said vertical mounting posts at their upper ends, a film advance drum unit comprising a circular vertical plate rotatably mounted by a horizontal cross bar mounted at the middle portion of the rearward pair of said mounting posts and a plurality of film feeding plates extending forwardly from the outer periphery of said circular plate in equal spaced relationship, each of said film feeding plates having an enlarged opening and spike means for holding a strip of plastic film across said enlarged opening, a film advance drive unit for rotating said film advance drum unit a sufficient distance to move the next successive film feed plate to a position directly below said sealing head unit, a film supply unit for supplying film to said film advance drum unit comprising a film roll tubular holder mounted between one of said front mounting posts and one of said rear mounting posts at their top portion and a roller means for feeding a strip of plastic film from the film roll tangentially on each of said film feeding plates, means for cutting the strip of film carried by the uppermost film feeding plate, an elevator assembly comprising a vertical frame member slidably mouNted on said forward pair of vertical mounting post, an elevator platform adapted to carry a container carried by and extending rearwardly from said vertical frame member, means for raising said elevator platform towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in the uppermost of said film feeding plates to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit and means for holding said elevator platform in an elevated heat sealing position, said heat sealing assembly including means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid sealed cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
207 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said head sealing unit includes a horizontal mounting plate with a central opening and a plurality of equally spaced ribs extending downwardly from the plate surface and radially around said central opening, a plurality of head sealing fingers slidingly received between said ribs, a cam disc having a plurality of cam slots equal in number to the number of said head sealing fingers and rotatably mounted to the lower surface of said mounting plate to contain said head sealing fingers between said ribs, each of said head sealing fingers having a stud projecting into one of said cam slots, spring means for biasing said cam disc in one direction to hold said fingers in their radial inward position, and wherein said heat sealing assembly includes two parallel mounting bars fastened at the top portion of opposite pairs of said vertical mounting posts, means for supporting said mounting plate of said head sealing unit to said parallel mounting bars in a thermal insulating manner, means for heating said head sealing fingers, and power means for rotating said cam disc in the other direction to move said head sealing finger radially inward to engage the sidewall of a container about its upper end.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 20, wherein said power means is a solenoid which moves a plunger from a first position to a second position when energized and said plunger is interconnected to said cam disc by a spring to permit said head sealing fingers to stop upon engaging the sidewall of the container while said plunger moves from said first position to said second position upon the energization of said solenoid.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
107 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said means for cutting the strip of film comprises a resistance wire mounted across the arm portions of a U-shaped frame which is pivotally mounted between one of said front mounting post and one of said rear mounting post such that said resistance wire can be swung to a lower cutting position between the uppermost of said film feeding plates and said successive film feed plate, spring means for urging said U-shaped frame downward, and linkage means interconnecting said U-shaped frame and said elevator assembly to hold said U-shaped frame upwardly when said elevator platform is in its lowered starting position.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
57 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein said elevator assembly includes a centering device carried by said elevator platform which repositions said container to be directly in vertical alignment with the center of said circular arrangement of said head sealing fingers, and means for operating said centering device in response to the vertical movement of said elevator platform.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
132 words
The apparatus of claim 23, wherein said centering device includes a plurality of slidably mounted jaw members on said elevator platform which move in radial paths towards and away from a vertical center line of said circular arrangement of said head sealing fingers, a second cam disc means for simultaneously moving said jaw members along their respective radial paths, and wherein said means for operating said centering device includes a vertical member supported by said horizontal baSe and having a cam rack, a cam follower arm slidably mounted on said elevator platform and having a cam adapted to ride in said cam track, and a linkage means for connecting said cam follower arm and said second cam disc means such that said jaws are moved radially inwardly as said elevator platform rises.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
59 words
The apparatus of claim 24 wherein said linkage means includes a lost motion means to permit said second disc means to stop upon said jaw members engaging the lower sidewall portion of the container and to allow said cam follower to continue to slide as its cam rides along said cam track with the raising of said elevator platform.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
155 words
The apparatus of claim 19, wherein said elevator assembly includes a rod member rotatably mounted at its opposite ends by two bars extending rearwardly from said rear pair of vertical mounting posts, two linkage units extending between said opposite ends of said rod member and the opposite ends of said vertical frame member, each of said linkage units including a least two pivotally connected links, one of said links being rigidly fastened to said rod member and the other of said links being pivotally connected to said vertical frame member and being pivotally supported between its ends by one of said rear vertical posts, and wherein said means for raising said elevator platform comprises a power means for turning said rod member such that said one link on each linkage unit turns causing the corresponding said other link of each linkage unit to pivot and raise said vertical frame member and associated elevator platform upwardly.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
82 words
The apparatus of claim 26, wherein said power means comprises an electric motor on said horizontal base having a chain drive sprocket coupled to its output shaft, a lever disposed above said electric motor having one end rigidly fastened to said rod member and a length of chain wrapped around said chain sprocket having one end connected to the other end of said lever and having the other end interconnected to said one end of said lever by means of a spring.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
49 words
The apparatus of claim 27, wherein said means for holding said elevator platform in an elevated heat sealing position comprises a clutch means for locking said chain drive sprocket in position and a solenoid means for moving said clutch means into a locking engagement with said chain drive sprocket.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
218 words
In an apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container, a sealing head unit comprising a mounting plate with a central opening and a plurality of equally spaced ribs extending downwardly from the lower plate surface and radially around said central opening, a plurality of head sealing fingers slidingly received in the slots defined by said ribs, a cam disc having a plurality of cam slots equal in number to the number of said head sealing fingers and rotatably mounted to said lower plate surface to contain said head sealing fingers in said slots, each of said head sealing fingers having a stud projecting into one of said cam slots, spring means for basing said cam disc in one direction to hold said fingers in their radial inward position, power means for moving said cam disc in the other direction to move said head sealing fingers radially inward to engage the sidewall of a container about its upper end, and means for heating said head sealing fingers to a desired temperature for biaxially shrinking a length of heat shrinkable plastic film draped over the upper open end of the container and held by said head sealing fingers about the upper sidewall portion of the container to form a liquid-tight seal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
218 words
In an apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container, a sealing head unit comprising a mounting plate with a central opening and a plurality of equally spaced ribs extending downwardly from the lower plate surface and radially around said central opening, a plurality of head sealing fingers slidingly received in the slots defined by said ribs, a cam disc having a plurality of cam slots equal in number to the number of said head sealing fingers and rotatably mounted to said lower plate surface to contain said head sealing fingers in said slots, each of said head sealing fingers having a stud projecting into one of said cam slots, spring means for basing said cam disc in one direction to hold said fingers in their radial inward position, power means for moving said cam disc in the other direction to move said head sealing fingers radially inward to engage the sidewall of a container about its upper end, and means for heating said head sealing fingers to a desired temperature for biaxially shrinking a length of heat shrinkable plastic film draped over the upper open end of the container and held by said head sealing fingers about the upper sidewall portion of the container to form a liquid-tight seal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
86 words
The combination of claim 29, wherein said sealing head unit further comprises a flat plate surface disposed in the center of said central opening and spaced above said head sealing fingers a distance sufficient to permit said sealing head fingers to engage the sidewall of a container slightly below its upper edge when the upper edge is in an abutting relation with said flat plate surfaCe, and means for heating said flat plate surface to stretch said length of film across the mouth of the container.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of clam 30, further comprising a needle projecting downwardly from said flat plate surface to make a hole in the plastic film cover across the mouth of a container for releasing hot air in the event the container is filled with a hot liquid.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
46 words
The combination of clam 30, further comprising a needle projecting downwardly from said flat plate surface to make a hole in the plastic film cover across the mouth of a container for releasing hot air in the event the container is filled with a hot liquid.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
221 words
A tripping device mounted on the shaft of a drum advance unit having the plurality of feed plates in a circular arrangement for energizing an electric motor to sequentially turn the drum advance unit through the same angle upon each actuation to move each plate to the position of the adjacent plate in the direction of rotation comprising a disc rotatably on said shaft having an arcuate slot, a stud carried by said shaft projecting through said arcuate slot, a spring connected between said stud and said disc to urge said disc to rotate about said shaft in one direction until said stud engages the end of said arcuate slot, said disc having a number of actuator studs equal to the number of said feed plates equally spaced around said disc, said actuator studs adapted to engage an electrical switch actuator lever of a switch for energizing said motor and hold the switch contacts in an open position, and an actuating lever adapted to urge said disc to turn in the other direction causing the particular actuator stud engaging said switch actuator lever to become disengaged to thereby close the switch contacts and energize said electric motor, where said drum unit is rotated until the next successive actuating stud engages and moves said switch actuating lever to open said switch contacts.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
221 words
A tripping device mounted on the shaft of a drum advance unit having the plurality of feed plates in a circular arrangement for energizing an electric motor to sequentially turn the drum advance unit through the same angle upon each actuation to move each plate to the position of the adjacent plate in the direction of rotation comprising a disc rotatably on said shaft having an arcuate slot, a stud carried by said shaft projecting through said arcuate slot, a spring connected between said stud and said disc to urge said disc to rotate about said shaft in one direction until said stud engages the end of said arcuate slot, said disc having a number of actuator studs equal to the number of said feed plates equally spaced around said disc, said actuator studs adapted to engage an electrical switch actuator lever of a switch for energizing said motor and hold the switch contacts in an open position, and an actuating lever adapted to urge said disc to turn in the other direction causing the particular actuator stud engaging said switch actuator lever to become disengaged to thereby close the switch contacts and energize said electric motor, where said drum unit is rotated until the next successive actuating stud engages and moves said switch actuating lever to open said switch contacts.
Claim 43
Independent Claim
253 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, film advance means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit including a plurality of film feeding plates each having an enlarged opening and pin means disposed about said enlarged openings for holding said film onto said plate, and film advance drive means for sequentially moving one of said plates to a position directly below said sealing head unit for each sealing operation, means for cutting the plastic film roll to a length large enough to cover the upper open end of the container for providing a strip of plastic film carried by the particular film feeding plate that is moved below said sealing head unit, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate positioned below said sealing head unit to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated head sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation.
Claim 44
Independent Claim
253 words
An apparatus for sealing a heat shrinkable plastic film across the upper open end of a container comprising a sealing head unit supported in an elevated position, film advance means for feeding the end of a roll of heat shrinkable plastic film across and below said sealing head unit including a plurality of film feeding plates each having an enlarged opening and pin means disposed about said enlarged openings for holding said film onto said plate, and film advance drive means for sequentially moving one of said plates to a position directly below said sealing head unit for each sealing operation, means for cutting the plastic film roll to a length large enough to cover the upper open end of the container for providing a strip of plastic film carried by the particular film feeding plate that is moved below said sealing head unit, means for raising an elevator platform adapted to carry the container towards said sealing head unit where the upper edge of the container passes through said enlarged opening in said plate positioned below said sealing head unit to catch and carry the cut length of plastic film into engagement with said sealing head unit, means for holding said elevator platform in the elevated head sealing position, means for heating said sealing head unit to cause said cut length of plastic film to shrink biaxially forming a liquid-tight seal cover about the upper edge of the container, and means for lowering said elevator platform upon completion of the sealing operation.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein said heating means includes a heat conducting plate having larger cross-sectional size than the upper open end of said container and disposed to be engaged by the upper edge of said container in said elevated heat sealing position and heat transmitting means for heating said heat conductive plate.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3017729A
Cited
US3507093A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-04-25 | 1975-10-25 | 1976-04-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-04-25 | 1979-10-25 | 1980-04-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-04-25 | 1983-10-25 | 1984-04-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |