Apparatus for sealing open-topped containers with heat-shrinking film material

An apparatus for lidding an open container, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to support a roll of a film lidding material;
• a feed mechanism configured to communicate a portion of the film lidding material from the housing toward a dispense location;
• a sealing assembly coupled to the housing and configured to dispense the film lidding material for interaction with an open end of a container disposed proximate thereto, at least a portion of the sealing assembly vertically translatable relative to the housing;
• at least one substantially vertically extending rail configured to guide substantial vertical translation of the at least the portion of the sealing assembly;
• and
• a blade supported by the sealing assembly, the blade oriented to perforate the film lidding material as the sealing assembly moves relative to the housing.

An apparatus for lidding an open container, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing configured to support film lidding material;
• a feed mechanism configured to communicate a portion of the film lidding material from the housing toward a dispense location;
• a sealing assembly coupled to the housing and configured to dispense the film lidding material for interaction with an open end of a container, wherein at least a portion of the sealing assembly is movable relative to the housing between a first position vertically above the open end of the container and a second position suitable for establishing contact between the film lidding material and the open end of the container and enabling a sealing of the film lidding material at the open end of the container, and wherein the at least the portion of the sealing assembly is configured for substantially vertical translation between the first position and the second position;
• at least one substantially vertically extending rail configured to guide the substantially vertical translation of the at least the portion of the sealing assembly;
• and
• a handle coupled to the sealing assembly and pivotably coupled to the housing, wherein the handle is configured to rotate to cause the substantially vertical translation of the sealing assembly.