Container capping apparatus and method therefor

Abstract

Abstract An apparatus and method is provided for the placement of a heat-shrinkable film over the open portion of a container such as a glass, paper or plastic cup. The apparatus is particularly suitable for rapid placement of a heat-shrinkable film on food and beverage containers such as are commonly used in the fast-food service business. The apparatus comprises a film transport subsystem for withdrawing heat shrinkable film from a supply roll, cutting the film to size and positioning it for shrinkage onto a container and a heating subsystem which shrinks the film onto the top of a container. Operation of the apparatus is initiated by manual placement of the top of a container to be covered, against the film, pushing the container and film upwardly into the apparatus. The upward movement of the container engages the film and container top with a bonnet which initiates blowing of hot air of heat shrinkable temperatures to heat the exposed edges of the film and shrink the film onto the container. Downward movement of the capped container away from the apparatus shuts off the blower and initiates recycling of the transport system to convey a new film into position for the capping of another container. The apparatus is designed to cap and recycle in a time interval of approximately one second.

Inventors

• 👤 Warren R. Freeman

Bibliographic Details