Abstract A device for sealing aluminum lids to aluminum containers comprising an annular cup retaining anvil including a centrally disposed cup receiving orifice. The upper horizontal face of the anvil comprises a cup rim support having an annular drawing channel formed therein. A reciprocating heat sealing head is arranged immediately above and in concentric alignment with the anvil having its lower horizontal sealing face parallel to the cup rim support. The sealing face includes an annular drawing bead of a diameter substantially equal to that of the drawing channel. To seal, a container is placed in the cup receiving orifice with its rim resting on the cup rim support. After a lid is placed over the cup opening the heat sealing heat is moved downward engaging the upper surface of the lid, compressing the lid and cup rim between the heat sealing face and cup rim support. At the same time, the drawing bead passes downward into the drawing channel drawing the cup rim downward under its force. The strength and malleableness of the aluminum rim in combination with the compression forces, heat seal coatings and heat applied to the lid and rim form a seal at the point of drawing.
A device for closing and sealing container comprising a reciprocating heat sealing head, a cup retaining means removably mounted on a support means and including a centrally disposed receiving orifice to retain a cup therein, said retaining means comprising a coupler having a substantially annular configuration, said cup retaining means further comprising an annular anvil removably mounted on said coupler and including an annular drawing channel formed in its upper surface, said upper surface comprising a plurality of cup rim support means, said heat sealing head and said cup retaining means arranged in spaced, correspondingly mating positive relative to one another whereby a rim of the cup being sealed and a lid therefore are sealed together under the heat and force of the heat sealing head of the cup retaining means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
131 words
A device for closing and sealing container comprising a reciprocating heat sealing head, a cup retaining means removably mounted on a support means and including a centrally disposed receiving orifice to retain a cup therein, said retaining means comprising a coupler having a substantially annular configuration, said cup retaining means further comprising an annular anvil removably mounted on said coupler and including an annular drawing channel formed in its upper surface, said upper surface comprising a plurality of cup rim support means, said heat sealing head and said cup retaining means arranged in spaced, correspondingly mating positive relative to one another whereby a rim of the cup being sealed and a lid therefore are sealed together under the heat and force of the heat sealing head of the cup retaining means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
41 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said reciprocating heat sealing head includes a vertically disposed body having a lower extreme terminating in a horizontally disposed heat sealing face, said heat sealing face being substantially parallel to said cup rim support means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
The apparatus of claim 2 wherein said heat sealing face further includes an annular drawing bead formed thereon, said annular drawing bead having a diameter substantially equal to the diameter of said annular drawing channel.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
89 words
The device of claim 3 wherein said annular drawing bead and said annular drawing channel are concentrically aligned during the sealing process and wherein the overall dimensions of said annular drawing bead relative to said annular drawing channel are such that said rim of a cup being supported by said cup rim support means is drawn into said channel under the downward movement of said heat sealing head relative to said cup retaining anvil as said annular drawing bead engages said lid sealing said lid to Said cup rim.