Method for making a containment element and apparatus for heat-sealing a covering film to an annular band of a containment element

An apparatus for heat-sealing a covering film (8) to an annular band (2) of a containment element (1), wherein the containment element (1) has a bottom wall (3) and a lateral wall (4) connected at the bottom to the bottom wall (3), the annular band (2) extending outwards from an upper part of the lateral wall (4), the apparatus comprising:

• a supporting base (10) that comprises a housing seat (12) suitable for in use housing the bottom wall (3) and the lateral wall (4) of a containment element (1), and a first half-mould (13) that has an annular shape and that surrounds the housing seat (12) and is suitable for in use supporting the annular band (2);
• a closing device (11) positioned above the supporting base (10), the closing device (11) comprising at least a second half-mould (14) that has an annular shape and that is shaped to match the first half-mould (13);
• and a retaining device operatively associated with the supporting base (10) and with the closing device (11) and suitable for in use retaining a closing film (8) between the first half-mould (13) and the second half-mould (14);
• wherein
• at least one of either the supporting base (10) or the closing device (11) is movable relative to the other between a home position in which the two are at a distance from one another, and an operating position in which the first half-mould (13) and the second half-mould (14) are coupled and define an annular mould suitable for in use clamping the annular band (2);
• at least one of either the first half-mould (13) or the second half-mould (14) has a moulding surface (15) that comprises at least a first annular zone (16) that in the operating position surrounds the housing seat (12) and a second annular zone (17) concentric with and adjacent to the first annular portion (6), the first annular zone (16) and the second annular zone (17) not being coplanar;
• and
• the supporting base (10) and/or the closing device (11) also comprising one or more heating elements for heating either only the first half-mould (13) or only the second half-mould (14) or both for in use heating the annular band (2) and the covering film (8) placed on it.

A thermoforming machine comprising a thermoforming station suitable for in use thermoforming a containment element (1) that has a bottom wall (3) and a lateral wall (4) connected at the bottom to the bottom wall (3) and an annular band (2) that extends outwards from an upper part of the lateral wall (4), and an apparatus with optional activation, positioned downstream of the thermoforming station and comprising:

• a supporting base (10) that in turn comprises a housing seat (12) suitable for in use housing the bottom wall (3) and the lateral wall (4) of a containment element (1), and a first half-mould (13) that has an annular shape and that surrounds the housing seat (12) and is suitable for in use supporting the annular band (2);
• a closing device (11) positioned above the supporting base (10), the closing device (11) comprising at least a second half-mould (14) that has an annular shape and that is shaped to match the first half-mould (13);
• at least one of either the supporting base (10) or the closing device (11) being movable relative to the other between a home position in which the two are at a distance from one another, and an operating position in which the first half-mould (13) and the second half-mould (14) are coupled and define an annular mould suitable for in use clamping the annular band (2);
• at least one of either the first half-mould (13) or the second half-mould (14) having a moulding surface (15) that comprises at least a first annular zone (16) that in the operating position surrounds the housing seat (12) and a second annular zone (17) concentric with and adjacent to the first annular zone (16), the first annular zone (16) and the second annular zone (17) not being coplanar;
• and
• the supporting base (10) and/or the closing device (11) also comprising one or more heating elements for heating either only the first half-mould (13) or only the second half-mould (14) or both for in use heating the annular band (2).