Abstract: A dished foil lid is secured to a container having a flange at its top by placing the lid over the open top of the container with the periphery of the foil on the flange and the dished portion of the lid extending downwardly into the container, and by applying a heating tool to the exterior of the foil adjacent the inner edge of the top of the container. The heating tool preferably has a tapered tip portion so that when it is urged into the depression formed by the dished portion of the lid, the side surfaces of the tip bear against the part of the foil adjacent to the inner edge of the top of the container. The time, temperature and pressure of application of the tip are such as to cause the adjacent inner edge of the container to soften and, upon subsequent removal of the tool, a narrow seal is formed between lid and container at the inner edge of the top of the container. The resultant seal is not only uniform and hermetic, but is easily parted when one later peels off the lid.

Abstract: An inert gas-filling and packaging apparatus which is adapted to fill an inert gas in containers, each having a content and seal the containers one by one after coverage of an opening of the container with a sealing film is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of buckets for individually receiving a container having an upper opening, a film supplying means for supplying a sealing film arranged to move over the plural buckets, a vertically movable keep pad for keeping the sealing film in contact with the upper face of the bucket, the contact member having grooves provided at opposite sides of the plural buckets, through which the nozzle is inserted to inject an inert gas, and a nozzle for injecting the inert gas. The sealing film is sealed on the container by means of a heat sealing means surrounded by the keep pad. The heat sealing by the apparatus ensures a good appearance of a final product without involving any wrinkles in the sealed film.

Abstract: The method and machine according to the invention allow the closing of containers, particularly pots and small trays for food products. The method consists successively in separably fixing a strip of closure material (1) on a support strip (2), the closure material strip comprising pre-cutouts (4) defining lids (5) for closing the containers (6), separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the closure material strip (1) which is situated externally of the lids (5), fixing a lid (5) on each of the containers (6) and separating the support strip (2) from each of the lids (5) fixed on the containers (6). The machine according to the invention comprises a supply station (7) for delivering a complex formed by a closure material strip (1) fixed separably to a support strip (2), a separation station (9) for separating from the support strip (2) the portion (10) of the strip (1), and a recovery station (12 ) for receiving the support strip (2).

Abstract: This air operated plastic pail capper machine is designed to quickly and effectively push a cover onto a pail, while also pushing out any air that may be above the contents of the pail. Primarily, it consists of a base with rollers on top for easy alignment of a pail with a plate attached to a piston rod of an air cylinder, and the air cylinder is mounted to a sleeve attached to a post secured to the base of the machine. Palm operated valves are also employed to operate the machine.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for assembling a backing card to a plastic blister using strips of double-coated pressure-sensitive adhesive tape. Parallel feed wheels are rotatably mounted for wrapping and transporting tape from tape rolls to an application station from where the tape can be transferred from the wheels to the backing card. Cutting blades are provided for cutting the tape at both ends to form tape strips to be transferred to the backing card. A hingeably mounted tray supports and positions a backing card over the feed wheel surfaces. A pair of rollers are mounted on a carriage and are used to press the backing card onto the surfaces of the feed wheel to transfer tape on the surfaces to the backing card. A blister fixture is further provided for holding a blister to be assembled to a taped backing card. The carriage further supports the rollers for rolling movement over a blister card in the fixture to seal them together.

Abstract: A pressure press for preparing a cardlike arrangement for dispensing individual doses of medication without the application of heat which could be detrimental to the efficacy of the medication. The press consists of a base plate having the perforations to accomodate a sheet having pockets for the capsules. A cavity card with pressure sensitive adhesive is placed over the base plate, the card being provided with perforations to permit access to the pockets. The press has a pivoted cover plate to sandwich the card and sheet on the base plate. A pivoted pressure bar assembly is employed to cause the cover plate to exert sufficient pressure on the sandwich to insure adequate sealing.

Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for accurately positioning a lid of a series of lids above a container flange in preparation for the heat sealing operation. The apparatus is designed to maintain the production rate of prior art filling and packaging machines while still precisely locating a lid such that little or no overhang of the lid relative to the flange of a container occurs. This is achieved by providing a start and stop type conveyor with individual conveyor plates provided with alignment lugs for urging the flange of a container and a lid into alignment. The resulting product is less vulnerable to lid damage and hence is more presentable when served to the consumer. This system is particular valuable in the packaging of individual creamer containers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for manufacturing and positioning upon a container, an undercut thermoplastic lid, made from a thermoplastic band.According to the invention, in said method the upper part of the container support as well as the upper part of the container which extends from the upper end of said container support are used as stamping die or male forming mold, and the part of thermoplastic band defined by the lower edge of the bell is applied against the outer face of the upper parts of the container and of its support under a gas excess pressure created inside an enclosure closed and defined by the ball and the thermoplastic band.

Abstract: A bander machine is disclosed which seals drugs containing capsules by welding a gelatin annular seal on edges of the capsules covers and on lateral surfaces of the capsules bottoms. The machine includes first stations for feeding for the capsules on conveyor belts having an intermittent motion; second gelatin welding stations; third stations in which the capsules are transferred from the first conveyor belts to second conveyor belts; a ventilation chamber for drying the annular seals; fourth capsule removal stations; and baths for cleaning by ultrasound the second conveyor belts.

Abstract: A disposable blister-type package for containing a small quantity of liquid material such as nail enamel including a volatile solvent, constituted of a thermoformed tray defining a liquid-holding cavity with a surrounding rim and a lid covering the cavity and secured to the rim, wherein at least the facing surface portions of the tray and lid are formed of acrylonitrile methylacrylate copolymer. The facing methylacrylate surfaces of the lid and tray are directly bonded together around the cavity to form a leakproof seal that is readily peelable. The seal region of the lid surface is embossed, during the sealing operation, with a pattern of serrations to facilitate peeling. A disposable applicator for the liquid may be enclosed, and similarly sealed, within a second tray cavity also covered by the lid and isolated by the seal from the liquid-holding cavity.

Abstract: An apparatus for sealing medication blister cards including a unit dose of medication in at least one, if not all, of the blisters comprising card. More particularly, the apparatus includes a card holder for receiving the filled medication card and a heated sealing head movable into juxtaposition with the top surface of the filled card so as to apply both heat and pressure to the card as it is held between the card holder and the heated sealing head. First and second ridges extend upwardly from the card holder into engagement with the bottom of the medication blister card, and the contacting surface of the heated sealing head is knurled. Accordingly, as the card is held and heated between the card holder and the sealing head, the application of pressure and heat not only seals the card, but also the ridges and knurling effectively form channels whereby moisture present in the card is expelled therefrom and condenses on the card holder.

Abstract: A capsule sealing machine (10) in which capsules (C) are fed from a supply hopper (16) to a rotating sealing table (12) for banding or sealing the capsules as they pass over a set of sealing wheels (13). The sealing machine has an improved capsule guide (22) for feeding the capsules from the hopper to the table, thereby reducing the cost and complexity of the machine while at the same time enabling a greater number of capsules to be sealed or banded in a given amount of time and space. The capsule guide comprises slotted magazine sections (23, 28 and 30) which are caused to vibrate by a vibrator (48) to promote discharge of capsules from the hopper and to advance the capsules along the slots. In one form of the invention, a capsule orienting device (51) is disposed in alignment with the magazine to orient the capsules in a desired end-for-end relationship before they are discharged onto the table.

Abstract: An apparatus for fitting heat-sealed containers comprises a conveyor for displacing a succession of the containers in a normal direction of travel through a station and for arresting each of the containers momentarily in the station, a supply at the station holding a stack of caps, a grab for taking a cap off the stack and positioning it atop the container arrested in the station and a welding tool for tack welding the cap to the container in the station as the cap is being positioned on the container and while it is still held by the grab, and a device downstream of the station for heat shrinking the caps on the bottles. The welding tool and grab are practically the same device and work very closely together. Thus there is no time during which the cap is not being positively held. Before the grab releases it, it is tack-welded to the bottle.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming tamper-evident, sealed containers are disclosed. A plurality of filled containers are respectively fitted with generally annular, heat-shrinkable seal members, with the seal members heated by passage through a heat tunnel so that they shrink into conformance with the respective containers. In order to further conform the heat-shrinkable members to the containers, the containers are passed beneath a rotatably driven, resiliently deformable foam roller assembly, which engages each seal member, and urges it downwardly into further conformance with its respective container. In the preferred form, the roller assembly is driven so that its peripheral speed is less than the speed at which the sealed containers are moved therebeneath.

Abstract: This relates to an apparatus for heat bonding a lid having a metallic layer to a plastic container. The container, filled with a product, is seated in a nest and a lid is seated in place thereon. There is at least one corner on the lid and projecting from that corner is a pull tab. An induction heating unit is associated with the lid and presses it tightly against the container while inducing electrical energy under controlled conditions into the metal layer. The induction heating unit is provided with a specific arrangement of ferrite members for controlling the induction of current into the metallic layer. The ferrite parts in conjunction with the induction coil serve to concentrate the induced electrical energy into substantial alignment with the induction coil notwithstanding the fact that there is a corner and there is projecting from the corner of the lid a pull tab.

Abstract: A lid-sealing machine has an infeed system that employs a timing screw arranged to convey flanged trays along the upper portion thereof. The carousel on which the trays are supported during sealing has a multiplicity of locations, each with an associated heat and pressure applying platen; operation is continuous and with no indexing of the table.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for squaring up the sides of a bulk shipping container and for forming a paperboard cover over and securing it to the upper end of the container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for sealing together two generally cylindrical thermoplastic members, each having a longitudinal axis, an open end and a closed end, so that upon being joined they form a sealed capsule that may be swallowed. One capsule member may be snugly inserted into a vibrating cavity with the opened end of the member available to be filled with an active composition. The other member is placed over the first member and pushed downwardly so that the open portions of both members overlap one another. The overlapping portions of the wall members abut each other at a cylindrical interface band. Vibration causes only the overlapping wall portions of the members to rub together, thereby generating heat around the interface band. The heat, so generated, melts enough thermoplastic material at that band to produce, on cooling, a strong circular bond between both members.

Abstract: A thermoplastic fastener having a slight taper, is friction welded to a thermoplastic workpiece. A system for friction welding the fastener includes a way of automatically stopping rotation of the fastener while contact pressure between the fastener and the workpiece is maintained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying and sealing recessed membranes to containers in a single operation. The membranes are partially cut from a continuous flexible web of film material and remain on the web due to thin necks of film material that are left after the cutting operation. An applicator head is carried on a power cylinder and acts to detach the membranes from the web, to apply the membranes to the containers at recessed locations, and to heat seal the marginal portions of the membranes to the container rims. The applicator head includes a vacuum head which attracts the membranes by suction and a sealing head which heat seals the membranes to the containers. The vacuum head has a tapered vacuum surface which properly centers the membranes and assists in expelling air from the containers before the heat seal is effected. The vacuum head is spaced from the heated sealing head to minimize the heat transfer and may be additionally cooled by a fluid cooling system.

Abstract: The two halves of medicine-filled, gelatin capsules are fitted together and passed through a field of microwave energy to selectively melt the overlapping portions of the two halves whereby they become sealed together when the capsules are removed from the microwave energy field and permitted to cool.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for packaging contaminated or poisonous waste materials. The waste materials are deposited in a plastic bag disposed on a cylindrical opening in a container provided with a lid and having vacuum and filter means for sucking air off the area of the open upper end of the plastic bag when the lid is opened for disposal of waste. Below the lid there is provided a plastic foil and means for moving the plastic foil over the bag opening for sealing the plastic bag by means of a heating structure which is adapted to engage and heat the plastic bag and foil. Before sealing of the bag, however, the vacuum means is energized with the lid closed so that the plastic bag is evacuated and, after sealing and opening of the container cover, may be removed in a compressed, easily manageable state with relatively small volume.

Abstract: An apparatus for crimping edges of workpieces comprises a workpiece supplying device for consecutively supplying the workpieces, a rotary support member situated under the workpiece supplying device for supporting the workpiece one by one, a crimping device for crimping the workpieces, and a driving mechanism for operating the rotary support member and the crimping device. The crimping device includes a base member immovably situated under the workpiece supplying device, a first frame pivotally connected to the base member, a crimping member rotationally connected to the first frame, a roller connected to the crimping member, and a frame moving device for pivotally moving the frame relative to the base member. The driving mechanism comprises a first driving device for rotating the rotary support member, a second driving device for reciprocally moving the rotary support member toward the workpiece supplying device, and a third driving device for operating the frame moving device.

Abstract: A packing container of the non-returnable type is frequently manufactured from laminated material which comprises a central carrier layer of paper with thermoplastic layers applied to both sides. As an opening arrangement, a pre-punched pouring opening is used which is covered on the one hand by a tear-off cover strip located outside the packing container and, on the other hand, by an inner protective strip. A method for sealing an emptying opening in accordance with the invention ensures that a part of the inner protective strip corresponding to the shape and size of the pouring opening accompanies the cover strip since the strips are heat-sealed to each other at the same time as they are pressed against each other by means of pressure fluid. An arrangement for carrying out the method comprises a heating device with a heatable zone and an outlet for pressure fluid.

Abstract: A capsule sealing machine comprising a rectifying unit for rectifying closed capsules, which have been supplied from a hopper, so as to assume a predetermined posture, a conveyance unit for conveying from a transfer station, at which the rectified capsules are successively transferred thereto, towards a delivery station, a liquid binder applicator for applying a liquid binder, for example, gelatin solution, to the overlapping joint area between the cap and the body of each of the capsules to provide a tamper-resistant seal, and a drying unit for drying the applied liquid binder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for sealing covers onto containers carried in apertures in a moving conveyor. The cover is supplied to the top of the containers; a carriage assembly is provided to travel to and fro between first and second carriage positions above the conveyor and includes a press assembly operable from a first position separated from the conveyor and containers to a second position in engagement with the cover material and selected containers to press the cover material onto the containers where the carriage moves from a first carriage position and with the conveyor during the time the press is in the first carriage position in engagement with the container and the press returns to the first position for return of the to the second carriage position.

Abstract: A multi-unit package comprising a cellulosic tray with a group of articles in the tray and a flexible film sheet extending over the group of articles and overlapping the tray side walls where the film sheet has been first bonded to the outside of the tray side walls while leaving an unattached skirt portion between the first bond and the edge of the film sheet and where the unattached skirt portion has been heat bonded to the outside of the tray side walls subsequent to the first bond to cause the skirt portion to lie in juxtaposition with the outside of the tray side walls to enhance the effective transparency of the skirt portion. The method and apparatus for forming the package is also contemplated by the disclosure.

Abstract: An apparatus for shaping, filling and closing packaging containers is proposed. In order to create an inert gas atmosphere in the head room of packaging containers which are to be closed with a foil strip and in order to distribute portions of a product in the containers, the apparatus has a gas-treatment device having a chamber which narrows toward the closure device. This chamber is defined at the top by the foil strip moving toward it, which is supported by a slide track, and at the bottom by the containers. Protruding into this chamber in the direction in which the containers are conveyed and overlapping the lateral rims of the containers are gas supply lines, which have gas outlet openings directed transversely with respect to their longitudinal axis. The outlet openings are disposed in staggered fashion on sides of the gas supply lines which face one another.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for producing packages and particularly substantially wrinkle-free packages from strips of cohesive-coated media. A first strip having a coating of cohesive material facing upwardly is advanced along a supporting surface. After an object to be packaged is deposited thereon, a second strip having a coating of cohesive material facing downwardly is moved over the first strip and the object. The strips are then sealed along an elongate, transverse area in front of the newly-deposited object and behind a previously-deposited one. Subsequently, longitudinal edge portions of both strips are sealed along both sides of the object. As the strip is further advanced, the transverse area is severed along an intermediate line to separate a leading package containing the previously-deposited object from a leading portion of the strips containing the newly-deposited object.

Abstract: A liquid filling machine comprising a plurality of discrete stations that cooperatively provide for automatic filling and capping containers including a cup dispensing station, a liquid filling station, a foil supply station, a heat sealing station and discharge station operatively disposed about a rotatably mounted container support to sequentially feed containers from the cup dispensing station to the container support and incrementally advance the container support through each discrete station to fill, seal and discharge the filled container.

Abstract: Containers such as drink bottles are provided with closure caps having plastics guarantee strips shrink fitted on to the containers which can be torn off when the container is first opened. The present invention provides a process for the production of such closures in which guarantee strips are simultaneously and continuously shrink fitted on a plurality of containers by passing the containers provided with the closure caps through transport means wherein they are both moved forwardly and also rotated about their own axis. A slot-like nozzle arranged in the plane of movement of the guarantee strips and extending over the entire forward feed distance directs a jet of hot gas on to the guarantee strips. A transport screw is particularly suitable for producing the forward movement of the containers in the transport means, while the containers are pressed against a wall on which they roll and which has a high coefficient of friction.

Abstract: The apparatus produces heat-shrinkable plastic caps having a metal containing top, and is comprised of:(a) at least one mandrel having a flat end-face,(b) means for placing a metal containing disc coated with heat sensitive adhesive on the end-face of said mandrel,(c) means for placing a band of preselected length of heat-shrinkable plastic over said mandrel,(d) heating means for pre-shrinking said plastic band to conform to the shape of said mandrel and to overlay the edge of said disc, said heat-shrinking means imparting insufficient energy to activate the adhesive on said disc, and(e) electric induction heating means for rapidly heat-sealing said disc to the portion of said band overlaying the disc by activating the heat-sensitive adhesive on said metal containing disc by the heat generated by induction in said metal.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for sealing a metal foil membrane on the end of a container such as a composite container using a rotating turret having a plurality of spindles in it with non-metal rotating heads on the spindles for pressing a closure and foil membrane against the container sealing surface and rotating the container-closure assemblies about the axis of the container as they are moved through a magnetic field produced by an induction heating coil disposed at least partway around the turret. The container-closure assemblies may be moved through the magnetic field in less than one second to heat the sealing area of the foil membrane and metal foil liner in the container to the required sealing temperature while minimizing heating of the membrane beyond the area of sealing contact with the container.

Abstract: A container sleeve 1 having an inner coating 5 of a heat weldable plastics material is fitted with a closure element 2 having a collar 4 of meltable plastics material. The assembly is rotated while a hot welding shoe 35 is inserted through the open end of the sleeve and brought to bear against the collar, which melts the latter and fuses it to the tackified coating 5 to thereby provide a tightly sealed joint.

Abstract: This specification discloses a manually operated portion packaging apparatus including an operating handle initiating and actuating each step in a sequence of steps to complete packaging of a portion of a substance such as food. A hand operated handle advances a conveyor carrying containers, causes a film dispenser to dispense sufficient amount of heat sealable film, causes a heated platen to press on a container covered by the film, and actuates a food dispenser and container dispenser. Manually powering such a machine reduces the cost in comparison to electrical powering yet substantially increases efficiency in comparison to manual execution of each step in the portion packaging sequence.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus adapted to heat seal a lid of a series of like lids, interconnected by severable tabs, to an open container. The apparatus comprises a driven conveyor for conveying the containers and a lid heat-sealing and tab-severance station. The containers are momentarily stationed beneath the lid heat sealing and tab severance station to press and heat seal an aligned lid onto a supported container rim. The tab which interconnects the sealed lid to the supply of series of like interconnected lids, is severed prior to the conveyor advancing the next container to be sealed.

Abstract: A sealing apparatus for joining container parts of a plastic-lightweight al foil laminate by heat and pressure applied to the laminates when the respective plastic layers are pressed into contact uses a toggle linkage and a yieldable buffer, with a hydraulic actuator to drive the toggle linkage to close a pair of sealing heads together. The toggle linkage permits rapid build-up of pressure to a value predetermined by the construction of the buffer, after which the buffer yields to hold the sealing pressure. The duration of the build-up to sealing pressure comprises no more than 20% of the time interval between initiation of pressure build-up and the start of pressure drop-off at the end of the sealing process.

Abstract: A machine for heat sealing articles between two continuous webs of plastic material comprises two parallel synchronously driven shafts, each of which has a pair of wheels on it which are brought into pressure relationship for heat sealing. One shaft is mounted for yielding perpendicularly to its rotational axis and carries a cam follower disc. The follower disc is raised intermittently and the seal wheels are thereby separated, to relieve pressure and omit sealing, with a cam that is on the other shaft and is engaged periodically for rotation by means of a clutch.

Abstract: The apparatus for sealing the heads of containers with a biaxially oriented plastic film comprises a horizontal conveyor for conveying the containers to be sealed, and a horizontal endless belt disposed above the conveyor in parallel thereto and including a lower traveling portion adapted to be driven in the same direction as the conveyor at a speed equal to the speed of the conveyor.

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.

Abstract: A machine to cover filled, preformed trays of a wide variety of shapes or sizes with foil or other material which will remain folded, from rollstock. The machine is simple, with few change parts, rapidly changed. To be truly rotary enabling high speeds. To have the cover stock continuously feeding trays travelling as close together as the overlying foil will permit, the trays travelling horizontally with no sideways movement. The foil to be folded down and under in one continuous movement exactly to the outside shape of the tray's lip, with no distortion of the foil atop the tray and with the foil so well crimped that there is no possibility of liquid leakage. The machine to be either equipped with its own conveyor, or capable of being placed over an existing conveyor.

Abstract: A blister sealing machine plate means is disclosed wherein a heater element which extends around the periphery of an opening therein, in which blisters are received, is maintained co-planar with the surface of the plate means at all times. Expansion or contraction of the heater element does not cause warping of the heater element as it is always maintained co-planar with the surface of the plate means by a heat permeable covering which extends over the plate means and the heater element because the covering on both sides of the heater element is bonded to the plate means.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging fluent material in individual containers, including a dispensing mechanism for locating individual containers in transverse rows on a moving conveyor belt, a filling pump assembly for simultaneously filling individual cups located in a series of such transverse rows with a predetermined amount of such fluent material during the movement of the conveyor, a covering assembly for applying strips of preformed covers to a plurality of filled individual containers simultaneously, and thereafter fluid-tightly sealing such covers to the containers, and a severing assembly including a series of rotating knives for severing the covers so applied to form individual filled and sealed containers.

Abstract: A spin or friction welding apparatus which can accurately locate a container such as a semirigid plastic bottle with respect to an overcap which is to be frictionally welded to the bottle by means of a rotatable spindle member. In order to assure that the overcap is secured to the bottle neck when employing high production machinery utilizing a rotating spindle mechanism for frictionally engaging the cap on a stationary bottle, many tolerances must be compensated for in the dimensions of the cap, the size of the neck on the container, as well as the positioning of the cap in relation to the container. To compensate for these variables, a biasing means is provided in conjunction with the rotatable spindle member so as to effect a predetermined tension on the cap member when it engages the stationary container neck and is spun into frictional engagement with it.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for cold lidding open-top containers with roll-stock elastomeric film by holding a web of the film in air-tight relation across the bottom of a lidding chamber and about its periphery, evacuating the lidding chamber to stretch the web thereinto, inserting the top of the container into the lidding chamber, and releasing the stretched web over the top of the container whereby the inherent restorative characteristic of the web causes it to quickly contract, i.e. "snap" onto the periphery of the container to form a dynamic seal. The removal of the lidded container from the apparatus causes the container to be moved against a tripper plate to ready the apparatus for lidding the next container. The minimum recovery factor of the stretched film web should be about 85% of its original size.

Abstract: A container with a heat-securable tamper-indicating wax-coated closure sheet is disclosed herein, along with the methods and apparatus for making same. The container comprises a base with a sidewall extending upwardly from the periphery of the base and defining a substantially circular open top, or mouth. A square-shaped sheet of flexible closure material is disposed over the rim of the mouth of the container and is engaged between the container rim and a superposed container lid. Each of the four corners of the sheet extend beyond the periphery of the lid to form tabs which project downwardly alongside the container sidewall and are heat-sealingly secured thereto. The method and apparatus for securing the tabs to the container includes engaging the upper portion of the container with a plunger with a depending cylindrical flange for bearing against the projecting tabs of the sheet to urge them downwardly alongside the container sidewall at a temperature to heat-set them in that position.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for applying a closure to a receptacle is disclosed wherein an open top receptacle is moved along a processing path on an indexing conveyor and an outer lid and flexible inner closure sheet are placed together and on the open receptacle by a rotatably indexing, horizontally mounted drum assembly with a generally hexagonal exterior presenting six faces which each comprises a closure sheet carrier plate. Mounted within a central recess in each sheet carrier plate is a lid carrier plate which is movable between a seated position within the sheet carrier plate and an extended position displaced from the sheet carrier plate. A continuous strip of closure sheet is maintained adjacent one side of the drum assembly between the drum assembly and an intermittently driven cutter. In operation, the drum assembly is rotatably indexed in a first 60.degree.

Abstract: A berry packaging apparatus including a denesting subassembly, a produce or berry dispenser, a cover pick-up and applicator subassembly, and a conveyor for transporting a plurality of corner-slotted containers. The denesting subassembly employs a plurality of opposed, shaped fingers to separate the lowermost container of a stack and deposit same onto the conveyor. The containers are filled with produce at the dispenser. The cover pick-up and applicator picks up a flexible film wrapper or cover and wipes the cover down around the container periphery.

Abstract: The apparatus for sealing the heads of containers comprises means for cutting out from a continuous plastic film a sealing sheet, means for folding the peripheral portion of the sealing sheet toward the outer peripheral surface of the container and means for applying hot air against the folded peripheral portion of the sheet to heat-shrink the same.

Abstract: A device for applying a section of pressure sensitive tape as a cover over the surface of a test tray having a multiplicity of upwardly open wells comprises a base having a sealing zone intermediate a tray loading zone and a tray removal zone. The tray is placed on a slide guide at the loading zone and moved to the sealing zone where a rotatable resiliently surfaced feed roller presses the leading end of the tape upon and along the top surface of the tray while moving the tray through the device.