Separate Closure Patents (Class 53/478)
  • Patent number: 4867336
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for the fabrication of a thermoplastic container having a lid bonded thereto. The container and lid are formed from laminated thermoplastics wherein at least one of the layers that forms the laminate is dielectrically heatable. The heatable layers of the cup and lid are placed in contact with one another, dielectrically heated, and melt together to form a continuous bonded area or lid seam between the cup and lid. The materials of the cup and lid are selected such that the resultant bonded area forms an exygen barrier between the contents of the container and the outside environment. The strength of the bonded area is selected such that the lid may be manually-removed from the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1989
    Assignee: Shell Oil Company
    Inventor: David R. Stewart
  • Patent number: 4862676
    Abstract: A disposable container suitable for retaining liquids comprises two opposed container sections, each having a peripheral ring like flange about a recess with the flanges being sealed therebetween. The recesses of the opposed container sections define a common central cavity and the flanges include a throat opening into said cavity through which product within the cavity can be dispensed. The throat is at least partially defined by the opposed container flanges and each container section is of a thermoformable plastic material. These container sections are originally formed from flat strip packaging material having diecut side edges with the strip defining individual container body sections. A tapered neck portion of each body section accommodates dispensing of the contents and preferably a hot melt adhesive secures the opposed container sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Assignee: Inoform Equipment Ltd.
    Inventor: Derek Mancini
  • Patent number: 4862672
    Abstract: This invention is directed to a segmented head seal for a cup packaging machine which has independent sealing head segments. The segmented head seal has a mounting plate having an insulator plate attached thereto. Attaching to the insulator plate is a support plate. Attached to the support plate are a plurality of locator assembly members. Movably linked to each individual locator assembly member is an independent sealing member. The links between the sealing members and the locator assembly members allow the sealing member to move on the locator assembly member. The locator assembly members are attached to the support plates with one or more bias springs located in openings in the locator assembly members between the support plate and the sealing blocks.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1989
    Inventor: William A. Lane, Sr.
  • Patent number: 4852793
    Abstract: A sealed container and method for manufacturing the same is disclosed in which the sealed container has a waterproof container barrel body made of paper and having opposing open ends, and a pair of closure members, one for each end, with each closure member cooperatively engageable with an end of the barrel body to form a hermetically sealed container. Each closure member includes a panel to generally cover each open end, a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the periphery of the panel and generally perpendicular thereto, a covering member is provided for covering an end surface of the container barrel body, and a reinforcing member adhered to a peripheral surface of an opening portion of the container barrel body. The peripheral wall portion of the closure member is mounted on the container barrel body and adhered thereto at a position corresponding to the adhered position of the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 1, 1989
    Assignee: Hokkai Can Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Homma, Akira Nakata, Shiroh Matsumoto, Kunitoshi Yoshimura, Masahiko Minato
  • Patent number: 4851062
    Abstract: A method of making and decorating a container in which the tubular body is injection molded with either its upper end or its bottom end open and is threaded onto a mandrel through an open end to provide support for the tubular body during printing of a decor thereon. The neck member or bottom member or both can then be applied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 1988
    Date of Patent: July 25, 1989
    Inventor: Andre Tartaglione
  • Patent number: 4838008
    Abstract: Thermally processable plastics tubs (10) filled with a liquid or semi-liquid product so as to leave a headspace are closed by preformed lids (12) which are heat-sealed to their peripheral flanges when the headspace is filled with steam. In order to prevent the steam from affecting the heat-sealing operation, the lid flanges are wider than the container flanges, and their projecting annular parts (29) are engaged so as to form a barrier separating the steam from the heated heat-sealing head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: Metal Box plc
    Inventor: Peter D. Hardy
  • Patent number: 4819413
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: Consumers Glass Company Limited
    Inventor: Derek V. Mancini
  • Patent number: 4817815
    Abstract: A sealed container comprises a cylindrical jacket closed at opposite ends by closure pieces welded to the jacket. One closure piece forms a lid having an outlet opening pre-sealed by a tear-off tab. The lid includes a skirt projecting into the jacket, and a gas vent opening which is open during the installation of the closure pieces to vent displaced gas, and is thereafter closed by securing an end of the tear-off tab thereover, or by deforming the lid material, or by placing a drop of hardenable plastic in the vent opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 5, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: American Suessen Corporation
    Inventor: Peter Stahlecker
  • Patent number: 4811550
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1989
    Assignee: Erca Holding
    Inventor: Jean-Claude Hautemont
  • Patent number: 4801037
    Abstract: As opening/closing device to be provided at a mouth of a container such as a paper container, a bottle, a can, etc., in which a lid is provided via a hinge on the inside of a cylindrical pouring mouth made of synthetic resin and a gap space is formed between the pouring mouth and the lid. A metallic film consisting of a metal foil having synthetic resin layers coated on its both surfaces is bonded so as to straddle both the upper surface of the lid and the upper surface of the pouring mouth. Opening of the lid is effected by peeling of the metallic film, and upon closing the lid, the metallic film is pressed from its outer surface so that it may be stuffed in the gap space between the lid and the pouring mouth. Upon making the opening/closing device, an annular protrusion is formed on the top end surface of the pouring mouth, the metallic film is bonded to this annular protrusion and the lid so that the metallic film may be easily peeled off.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignees: Mikasa Sangyo Kabushiki Kaisha, Jujo Paper Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mitsuharu Hayashida, Kazuo Sasaki, Nobusige Yasui, Eiji Takahashi
  • Patent number: 4799590
    Abstract: A package including a base portion formed of a semi-rigid material so as to be self-supporting. The base portion has a plurality of receptacles, each of which is individually separably joined to all adjacent receptacles by a connecting rim flange. The receptacles are disposed in a plurality of columns and rows in the base portion and the receptacles each have an opening defined by the connecting rim flange and extend from the connecting rim flange on one side thereof. The package also includes a cover portion joined to the base portion for entirely covering the receptacle openings including a plurality of cover segments disposed in a plurality of columns and rows. The cover segments each cooperate with the connecting rim flange of one of the receptacles and each are individually separably joined to all adjacent cover segments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Inventor: Theodore J. Furman
  • Patent number: 4796408
    Abstract: A support tray 6a with a product 11a thereon is covered loosely by a cover sheet 8 in a first chamber portion 12 to be drawn upwardly into contact with the heated walls of a shallow first mould cavity. The combination of the product 11a, support tray 6a and cover sheet 8 is then advanced to a second chamber portion 13 defined by a deeper second mould cavity into which the cover sheet can be drawn while vacuum is applied to the interior of the ensuing pack through slits in the tray 6a, by means of suction ports 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Bengt U. Mobark
  • Patent number: 4785608
    Abstract: An apparatus 10 for effecting sealing of a fused quartz ampoule 24 while maintaining a vacuum on the ampoule via system 12 is disclosed. A plug 28 of fused quartz is lowered into the vertically disposed ampoule 24 (while maintaining the vacuum thereon) and heat sealed therein to prevent any vapor escape from, or contamination of, the contained semiconductor growth charge 29 during subsequent semiconductor crystal growth processes. A rotary vacuum feed-through mechanism 16 selectively rotates axle 34 and spool 32 to unwind wire 30 for lowering of plug 28 into the reduced diameter portion 24b of ampoule 24. Ampoule 24 is hermatically connected to vacuum housing 18 by quick release flange 20 wherein O-ring 22 retains ampoule 24.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration
    Inventors: William J. Debnam, Jr., Ivan O. Clark
  • Patent number: 4785992
    Abstract: This relates to a bottom construction for a composite container wherein the container body is of a composite construction such as a wound paper tube having a plastic material liner. The bottom construction includes a generally cup-shaped closure element formed from a plastic material sheet which is molded in situ within the bottom end of the tubular body with the plastic material being heated to a molding temperature with the temperature being such that the plastic material of the closure will self-bond to the plastic material of the liner. The closure is of a generally hat-shaped configuration and includes a central cup portion which is telescoped within the end of the tubular body and which is then provided with a reinforcing disk, after which the extreme end portion of the tubular body is curled or rolled radially inwardly to abut against the underside of the reinforcing disk to complete the bottom construction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 1982
    Date of Patent: November 22, 1988
    Assignee: Continental Can Company, Inc.
    Inventor: Ronald R. Goeppner
  • Patent number: 4771903
    Abstract: A process for hermetically sealing a glass container with contents therein is disclosed. The container has a mouth surrounded by a rim, at least a portion of the exterior surface, including the rim, of the container having a film coating of thermoplastic polymer thereon. The first step in sealing comprises substantially reducing the amount of contents' residue from the container rim. A closure is then applied to the rim. This closure is comprised of a layered material, having a thermoplastic polymer layer and a metallic layer, the thermoplastic layer contacting the thermoplastic polymer coating on the container rim. The thermoplastic polymer layer and the thermoplastic polymer coating consist essentially of mutually compatible polymeric materials. The closure is then heated in contact with the rim, to heat seal the closure to the rim coating and to seal the contents hermetically within the glass container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 20, 1988
    Inventors: Leon Levene, Lawrence M. Verdonk, Henry D. Todd
  • Patent number: 4757936
    Abstract: A sealed container and method for manufacturing the same is disclosed in which the sealed container has a waterproof container barrel body made of paper and having opposing open ends, and a pair of closure members, one for each end, with each closure member cooperatively engageable with an end of the barrel body to form a hermetically sealed container. Each closure member includes a panel to generally cover each open end, a peripheral wall portion extending downward from the periphery of the panel and generally perpendicular thereto, a covering member is provided for covering an end surface of the container barrel body, and a reinforcing member adhered to a peripheral surface of an opening portion of the container barrel body. The peripheral wall portion of the closure member is mounted on the container barrel body and adhered thereto at a position corresponding to the adhered position of the reinforcing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1988
    Assignee: Hokkai Can Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshihiro Homma, Akira Nakata, Shiroh Matsumoto, Kunitoshi Yoshimura, Masahiko Minato
  • Patent number: 4756902
    Abstract: A method for sealing capsules which comprises contacting the cap and body juncture with a sealing solution of alcohol and water maintained between about 40.degree. C. to the boiling point of the fluid. A secondary gelatin band seal is also contemplated in one aspect of the invention, as well as a capsule having both seals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 12, 1988
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventors: Larry L. Harvey, Bakul T. Doshi, Edward W. Sunbery
  • Patent number: 4738080
    Abstract: There is described a method for treating glass to prevent sweating thereof, forming a container the opening of which should be sealingly closed by a lid fitted at least in that area thereof contacting the glass, with a layer from a polymer able to insure said lid adhering to said glass, for insuring preserving the product contained in said container, which method comprises laying at least over that container area bounding the opening thereof and contacting said lid, a continuous layer from ceramic enamel, and a container treated according to said method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1986
    Date of Patent: April 19, 1988
    Assignee: Nouvelles Verreries de Momignies
    Inventor: Jo Stockebrand
  • Patent number: 4735339
    Abstract: A retortable, hydraulically solid, sealed package (10) containing a liquid or semi-liquid food product (24) comprises a thermoplastics container (12) formed by a thermo-forming process and a heat-shrinkable thermoplastics closure diaphragm (20). The closure diaphragm is heat-sealed to a rim (18) of the container after the headspace above the product has been evacuated, and is subsequently subjected to external pressure so as to be non-elastically stretched and made to lie wholly in contact with the enclosed product. When retorted (e.g. for sterilization) the package suffers no visible deformation of the container (12), despite the considerable volume shrinkage of the container which may occur. The loss of volume caused by this volume shrinkage is accommodated by a reduction in the concavity of the diaphragm (20) caused by a corresponding heat-induced shrinkage of the diaphragm material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1988
    Assignee: Metal Box Public Limited Company
    Inventors: Terence A. Benge, John Chapman, Alan J. Maskell
  • Patent number: 4734149
    Abstract: Improved apparatus for heat-treating gelatin capsules containing a medicament to cause heat-seal of the telescoped cap and body wall portions thereof, the apparatus comprising a housing defining an elongate generally cylindrical passageway sloping downwardly from inlet to outlet for receiving and discharging capsules passing therethrough, a capsule conveyor comprising an elongate rotatable shaft mounted on the longitudinal cylindrical axis of the passageway for rotation and carrying a plurality of generally circular conveyor plates, each plate supportably mounted in spaced relation along the shaft and having extending ramp portions communicating with the top surface of the next adjacent plate in the direction of the housing passageway outlet to define a generally Archimedean screw-shaped path for passage of gelatin capsules through the housing passageway from inlet to outlet, air-distributing means comprising an elongate manifold attached to the housing having a first section communicating with the passageway
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 29, 1988
    Assignee: Warner-Lambert Company
    Inventor: Charles F. Brown
  • Patent number: 4719740
    Abstract: A method of constructing a closure and applying it to a container to provide a hermetically sealed, tamper-indicating package which can be easily opened without danger of contaminating the container contents by fragmentation of the sealing element. The sealing element is formed as a laminated liner disk haivng an inner foil layer and an outer tough thermoplastic layer. A heat sealing layer allows the liner disk to be hermetically sealed to the container by induction heating after the closure is attached to the container. A frangible opening line is created by melting through the thermoplastic layer and heat sealing layer to the metal foil layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 19, 1988
    Assignee: Sunbeam Plastics Corporation
    Inventor: Peter P. Gach
  • Patent number: 4701229
    Abstract: A high frequency welding method comprises providing two plastic workpieces to be welded together with respective ribs which face each other, extend to the same height and have their surfaces opposite their facing surfaces inclined such that their thicknesses decrease toward their tops, and applying high frequency vibration to the ribs by positioning a high frequency welder horn such that the bottom of an annular groove of the horn having an arcuate sectional profile is pressed against the tops of the ribs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1986
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1987
    Assignee: Nifco Inc.
    Inventors: Masaru Arakawa, Masanori Numata
  • Patent number: 4695337
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for attaching a fitment to a web of film in a form, fill, and seal packaging machine is provided. The apparatus includes a press for orienting the fitments on one side of a web of film, and a film piercer and sealer. The film piercer and sealer includes a heated face and tip and is designed to contemporaneously pierce and seal of web of film to the fitment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 22, 1987
    Assignee: Baxter Travenol Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventor: William Christine
  • Patent number: 4691500
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1987
    Assignee: Packaging Systems International, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald V. Danforth, Medric H. Pleau
  • Patent number: 4689936
    Abstract: A container or package filled with perishable food materials is closed by a cover presenting a vent hole and the assembly is subjected to sterilization or pasteurization. Thereafter the vent hole is closed by means of a hot melt having a melting point lower than the highest temperature during sterilization or pasteurization. Preferably the hot melt is applied before sterilization or pasteurization and provided with a perforation joining the vent hole. The hot melt may contain a rounded rigid body not melting at the highest sterilization or pasteurization temperature and being able to seal the vent hole, such as a glass bead.After cooling the closed container is under a subatmospheric pressure.The container may be of plastics or glass and the cover may be of plastics or plastic coated metal foil, in such a case the plastic coating has a melting point being higher than the melting point of the hot melt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1987
    Assignee: Wavin B.V.
    Inventors: Gjalt M. Gaikema, Dirk Zylstra
  • Patent number: 4677812
    Abstract: A method for sealing an assembled gelatine capsule of the type used to contain and dispense medication is disclosed. An assembled capsule the axis of which is oriented perpendicular to the axis of a thin elongated bar is moved along and in contact with a thin edge of the elongated bar. The surface of the assembled capsule, at a point where the cap and body of the capsule overlie each other, is initially in contact with the thin edge of one end of the bar and the capsule is moved along the length of said bar so that the axis of the capsule moves closer to the edge of the bar. The bar is heated so as to be at a first temperature at a first point between its ends that will melt the gelatine, and the remainder of the bar is at a temperature that will heat plasticize the gelatine. As the capsule is moved along the heated bar it is rotated either by friction between the bar and the capsule or by mechanical means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1986
    Date of Patent: July 7, 1987
    Assignee: Capsule Technology International, Ltd.
    Inventor: Amad Tayebi
  • Patent number: 4667455
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1985
    Date of Patent: May 26, 1987
    Inventor: John A. Morrow
  • Patent number: 4658568
    Abstract: A novel packaged product as provided by process of contacting an article with a covering film and stretching the film until the film is severed from itself and thus clings to the surfaces of the articles. An apparatus is provided for carrying out the process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1987
    Inventors: Philip L. Reid, Thomas S. Lofton, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4656042
    Abstract: A method of forming a container in order to package separately components of a food product which would be incompatible in admixture during prolonged storage which in one embodiment comprises simultaneously forming and shaping a pot, or cup, and a tray wherein the base wall and boundary wall of the pot are disposed within the confines of the sidewalls of the tray, thereby forming two separate compartments, wherein the opening of the pot and tray are located on opposing sides of a horizontal plane defined by the base of the tray. The components of the food product are packaged by filling the pot with one food product component and by filling the tray with a second food product component and sealing each with a lid.In an embodiment wherein the pot and tray are separately formed, the tray is formed with an annular rib for positioning of the filled pot and each are sealed by a single lid in the method disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 1985
    Date of Patent: April 7, 1987
    Inventor: Pierre Risler
  • Patent number: 4613746
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the temperature of a heater element in accordance with the dwell time of an item to be heated by the heater element. The apparatus of the invention utilizes a temperature tracking circuit which is energized by a low voltage DC power source and a switching system for operating the tracking circuit in either an automatic or standby mode. Sensors are provided for determining the dwell time of an article to be heated by the heater element and a thermocouple or the like is provided for sensing the temperature of the heater element. A heat controller, preferably of the digital programmable variety, is connected to the heater element and is responsive to the dwell time and the thermocouple for controlling the power to the heater in accordance with the dwell time and instantaneous heater temperature whenever the equipment associated with the heater element is operating in the automatic mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 23, 1986
    Assignee: Cosden Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Donald N. MacLaughlin
  • Patent number: 4585497
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a glue-free method for sealing closures to paperboard food containers, and also to the novel closures for such method. The present invention is particularly applicable to containers for moisture sensitive food items such as salt, and is characterized in the use of a thermoplastic vinyl chloride ethylene copolymer which functions both to provide a heat seal and effective resistance to moisture vapor transmission. The copolymer has sufficient slip to permit handling of the closures in automatic forming and heat sealing equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Allied Paper Incorporated
    Inventor: William R. Webster
  • Patent number: 4585498
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 1984
    Date of Patent: April 29, 1986
    Assignee: Tetra Pak International AB
    Inventors: Jan E. R. Lagerstedt, Bengt-Arne Arnspang
  • Patent number: 4583350
    Abstract: Method and device for sealing containers wherein a foil or the like material is pressed on a container by means of a heater. An electromagnetic field is generated between a carrier and a counterpart by means of which field the carrier and counterpart are drawn together. As a result of this, the heating facility moves towards the container to be sealed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 22, 1986
    Inventors: Aldo Artusi, Peter Hagmann
  • Patent number: 4581875
    Abstract: A process is disclosed for securely joining the two halves of telescoping capsules made of a thermoplastic material such as a rigid gelatin, which process involves spraying a tackifying agent such as steam on one or both of the capsules and rotating them together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Cosden Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald N. MacLaughlin, Vincent E. Fortuna
  • Patent number: 4549389
    Abstract: A method of hermetically sealing a predetermined quantity of alcohol into a chamber provided at the bottom of a stackable disposable container of plastics material by securing a lid or cover having the thickness of foil to a ledge defined at the transition of the chamber with the remainder of the container. The method involves filling the container in such manner that the ledge is not wetted by the alcohol and than securing, by a combination of the effect of heat and pressure acting on the material of the cover and that of the ledge, the lid or cover to the ledge. Conveniently, a peripheral skirt is provided around the periphery of the lid or cover which is not adhered to the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1983
    Date of Patent: October 29, 1985
    Inventor: Theodore B. R. Zichy
  • Patent number: 4507907
    Abstract: A process and apparatus for sealing electronic packages and lids involves placing a heater preform device between the sealing surfaces of the package and lid. If the package and lid are ceramic, the preform may be metallic having a glass coating fused thereto. Similar glass coatings would be fused to the sealing surfaces of the package and lid. The metallic portion of the preform is then heated by, for example, passing an electrical current therethrough to melt the glass and effect the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 1981
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1985
    Assignee: Burr-Brown Corporation
    Inventor: Sumner H. Wolfson
  • Patent number: 4504350
    Abstract: A cap heat-sealing apparatus for paper containers comprises a vertically movable head, a fixed pressing member provided on the bottom surface of the head, a pair of divided movable pressing members arranged around the fixed pressing member and connected to the head so as to be horizontally movable toward or away from the fixed pressing member, and a heating high-frequency coil attached to the head and surrounding the fixed pressing member. The fixed pressing member has an outer periphery shaped to position along the inner surfaces of heat-sealing container opening edge fitting portions of inverted V-shaped cross section formed at the outer periphery of a square paper cap, which has an aluminum foil layer. The movable pressing members have an inner periphery shaped to position along the outer surfaces of the fitting portions. The high-frequency coil is spaced apart from the fixed pressing member by a clearance for the fitting portions to enter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1983
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1985
    Assignee: Shikoku Kakooki Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Katsuhiro Joo
  • Patent number: 4495749
    Abstract: An improved tray particularly suited for packaging food is formed by drawing a unitary blank of paperboard and includes an outwardly extending flange along the upper edge of the tray to provide a face to which a plastic cover sheet is bonded. Arcuately shaped troughs are formed in the face of the flange at each corner of the tray and a plastic cover sheet for enclosing the top of the tray, after the tray is filled with food, is ultrasonically bonded to the arcuately shaped troughs at each corner with matching sonic sealing heads. The sonically vibrating heads divert foods accidentally spilled into the troughs during the filling process from the troughs thereby improving the bond between the film and the plastic surface of the tray. Heat is applied to the cover sheet at the flange after ultrasonic bonding to assure complete sealing of the cover sheet to the flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 29, 1985
    Assignee: Champion International Corporation
    Inventor: Rudolph A. Faller
  • Patent number: 4494363
    Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for aseptically filling a flexible container having a rigid fitment including a neck, outer flange surrounding the neck, a frangible membrane and an outer rim. The apparatus includes an enclosed filling chamber including a platen with an opening, clamping jaws for holding the fitment in the opening, a vacuum head and sealing unit for removing a lid loosely placed on the fitment and supporting it within the sealing chamber while the sealing chamber, fitment and lid are sterilized, a fill tube which is retractable within a housing and shiftable to a position in sealed engagement with the neck to introduce product into the container. After the container is filled, the fill tube is withdrawn and enclosed in its housing, the lid is transferred back onto the rim and heat sealed in place. The fitment is then unclamped to end the filling cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1982
    Date of Patent: January 22, 1985
    Assignees: FranRica Mfg. Inc., Container Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Albert F. Rica, John C. Davis, Ronald J. Reiss
  • Patent number: 4480424
    Abstract: An inflatable member fabricated of an elastomeric expandable material is provided. The inflatable member has a sack-like configuration and is provided with a substantially centrally disposed nipple. A plastic disc is secured to the upper portion of the inflatable member or formed integrally therewith and the nipple extends upwardly through a central aperture in the disc. The inflatable member is positioned within the neck of a bottle, especially a wine bottle, with the disc positioned atop the lip of the bottle. The inflatable member is then filled with a pressurized inert gas through the nipple causing the elastomeric material to expand and be forced into contiguous and coextensive relationship with an interior portion of the bottle neck, thereby hermetically sealing the bottle. The nipple is then heat fused to maintain the hermetic seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1981
    Date of Patent: November 6, 1984
    Inventor: Philip Seldon
  • Patent number: 4442129
    Abstract: In the sealing of a glass container containing a product such as a food product by means of a cover comprising a metal foil having on one surface thereof a sealant layer of a thermoplastic resin, the opening end of the container is preheated, and the cover is placed on the opening end, after which the cover is pressed against the opening end successively by a heating plate and a separate pressing plate. By this process, a positive seal and a high sealing process efficiency are obtained even when the container content is a product such as a heated liquid food product and even when the rim surface of the opening end of the container has some projecting irregularities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 1982
    Date of Patent: April 10, 1984
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Hosokawa Yoko
    Inventors: Susumu Niwa, Masao Koike
  • Patent number: 4436220
    Abstract: An improved solderable hermetically sealed container and method for sealing same is provided which comprises in a preferred embodiment, a hollow container having a solderable peripheral surface defining the opening to the container, a thin, solderable metallic membrane covering the opening and solderable surface of the container, a solder seal interfacing the membrane and the solderable surface of the container, and a protective lid covering the membrane and being removably attached to the container body. If desired, an adhesive seal between the membrane and protective lid may be provided to protect the membrane from excessive vibration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: March 13, 1984
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Air Force
    Inventor: Louis D. Simmons
  • Patent number: 4430142
    Abstract: A method of securing a bottom plate made of a plastic material to one end of an open-ended, hollow cylinder made of a plastic material to produce a plastic cylindrical container, wherein the bottom plate is held in a horizontal position and the open-ended, hollow cylinder having an inner diameter slightly larger than the diameter of the bottom plate is positioned in enclosing relation to the bottom plate in such a manner that a portion of the cylinder projects upwardly a predetermined distance from the bottom plate. The upwardly projecting portion is heated and softened and bent radially inwardly into contact with an outer marginal portion of the bottom plate. The bent portion of the cylinder maintained in contact with the outer marginal portion of the bottom plate is pressed and heated, so as to join them by the fusion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1980
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1984
    Assignee: Sumitomo Bakelite Company
    Inventors: Takashi Ochi, Fumihiko Kaneko
  • Patent number: 4421580
    Abstract: A method for sealing a rim-like opening in a glass container is described. The surface of the opening is treated with tin and/or titanium oxide precursors and with or without one or more of the groups consisting of fluorides, sulfur oxides and sulfur oxide precursors and then overcoated with a chromium III organic metallic complex. A membrane comprising a thermoplastic film is pressed onto the coated opening surface and heated to cause glass-plastic adhesion, forming a closure. The coating steps may be applied to glass containers immediately after forming and annealing as appropriate, or may be applied to glass containers taken from storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 1983
    Date of Patent: December 20, 1983
    Assignee: Brockway Glass Company, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, William J. Poad
  • Patent number: 4401231
    Abstract: A sealing member and method of making, which sealing member comprises a thin central membrane element and peripheral integral rim element formed of a sealing compound which is a resinous material containing metallic particles. The sealing member is adapted for insertion between a container body and closure to provide sealing engagement. The sealing compound will soften when subjected to electrical currents to effect the sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 30, 1983
    Assignee: Container Corporation of America
    Inventor: Charles R. Helms
  • Patent number: 4396655
    Abstract: This invention relates to a method of sealing a container mouth, and especially the mouth of a glass container, and the glass container so sealed. The method involves oxidizing the container rim portion, applying a first annular thin coating of an organo-functional silane compound and then a second annular thin coating of an ethylene acrylic acid copolymer over the first coating on the rim portion. A thin imperforate membrane such as aluminum foil having a thermoplastic sealing material such as Surlyn copolymer over its sealing surface is sealed to the container rim portion with heat and pressure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1983
    Assignee: Owens-Illinois, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul W. L. Graham, Ronald W. Bradley, Norman M. Bouder, Jr.
  • Patent number: 4394917
    Abstract: A sealed package comprising a container, intended for use or reuse as a drinking vessel, and a cover. The container has a cylindrical surface adjacent its mouth to receive a length of tape which, on one side, carries a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive, which can be peeled from the container without leaving objectionable residues. The tape carries a layer of heat-sealable material on its opposite face and this is heat sealed to an aluminium foil lid, also bearing a coating of a heat sealing material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 1982
    Date of Patent: July 26, 1983
    Assignee: Alcan International Limited
    Inventor: Christian Looser
  • Patent number: 4389266
    Abstract: A method for sealing a rim-like opening in a glass container is described. The surface of the opening is treated with tin and/or titanium oxide precursors and with or without one or more of the groups consisting of fluorides, sulfur oxides and sulfur oxide precursors and then overcoated with a chromium III organic metallic complex. A membrane comprising a thermoplastic film is pressed onto the coated opening surface and heated to cause glass-plastic adhesion, forming a closure. The coating steps may be applied to glass containers immediately after forming and annealing as appropriate, or may be applied to glass containers taken from storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1982
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1983
    Assignee: Brockway Glass Co., Inc.
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, William J. Poad
  • Patent number: 4387551
    Abstract: A heat-sealable, ovenable container and method of manufacture wherein one of the components of the container, for example, the tray, is provided with a thermoplastic polyester coating and the other component, for example, the lid, is provided with a thermosetting polyester coating, said coatings cooperating to produce a self-venting, easy-tear, sanitary seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 1980
    Date of Patent: June 14, 1983
    Assignee: Maryland Cup Corporation
    Inventor: David A. Cowan
  • Patent number: RE32109
    Abstract: A method for sealing a rim-like opening in a glass container is described. The surface of the opening is treated with tin and/or titanium oxide precursors and with or without one or more of the groups consisting of fluorides, sulfur oxides and sulfur oxide precursors and then overcoated with a chromium III organic metallic complex. A membrane comprising a thermoplastic film is pressed onto the coated opening surface and heated to cause glass-plastic adhesion, forming a closure. The coating steps may be applied to glass containers immediately after forming and annealing as appropriate, or may be applied to glass containers taken from storage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 1983
    Date of Patent: April 15, 1986
    Assignee: Brockway Inc. (NY)
    Inventors: Michael T. Dembicki, William J. Poad