Precision lid fit filling machine
AssigneeConsumers Glass Company Limited
InventorDerek V. Mancini
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims9
In a process for sealing a container with the first lid of a series of like lids interconnected by severable tabs where each lid has a body portion of essentially the same size as the container flange peripheral edge and a tab projecting from the body for removing the lid comprising in sequence the steps of:
- (a) dispensing a container into a conveyor provided with an upwardly opening guide means for first loosely receiving the flange edge of a container and subsequently by said guide means contacting the flange edge precisely locating the flange edge in the conveyor;
- (b) positioning said lid loosely within the guide means of the conveyor;
- (c) urging said lid downwardly within the guide means, and
- (d) cutting said lid from the series of interconnected lids thereby allowing said lid to be precisely located at the base of the guide means above the flange of a container by virtue of the peripheral edge of said lid contacting said guide means whereby said flange edge and said lid edge are essentially aligned, said lid remaining in position above said container flange in preparation for sealing due to the continuing contact of said guide means with said lid edge.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.