US 5,858,141 AGranted

Method and apparatus to attach foil seals to necks

AssigneePortola Packaging, Inc.

InventorsRichard E. Repp, Daniel Luch, Anna Absolom

Life of this patent

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Abstract

A method and apparatus for sealing a container with a cap and a seal member which is adhered to the neck. The seal member is inserted into the cap before the cap is applied to the neck by moving the cap in an axially downward direction relative to the neck to substantially seat the cap on the neck so that the cap cannot be removed without unscrewing the cap. The seal member is firmly held against the neck by the cap while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In one modification, a pressure application applies a downward directed force to urge the cap against the neck while the seal disc is adhered to the neck. In another modification, the cap is tightened onto the neck at a fine adjustment station to eliminate gaps between the underside of the cap and the neck before the seal disc is adhered to the neck.

Claims21

Dependent claims

A method of sealing a container comprising the steps of:

positioning a closure on a neck of said container, said closure having a top, a closure skirt depending from said top and a seal disc disposed beneath said top, said neck having an opening, a lip surrounding said opening and a downward extending neck stretch below said lip, said closure skirt and said neck stretch being configured to interengage and retain said closure on said neck when said closure is applied to said neck;
moving said closure and said container below a pressure applicator having a profile which is directed downwardly from an inlet end of said pressure applicator to a lowermost level to apply pressure to at least one of said closure and said container to move said closure in a downward direction relative to said neck to bring said closure skirt and said neck stretch into interengagement, said closure being substantially applied to said container as said container and said closure pass below the lowermost level of said pressure applicator;
heating said seal disc to at least partially adhere said seal disc to said lip of said neck;
and
applying pressure with said pressure applicator to at least one of said closure and said container to hold said seal disc against said lip during said step of heating said seal disc.

2 more elements

A method of sealing a container comprising the steps of:

positioning a closure on a neck of said container, said closure having a top, a closure skirt depending from said top and a seal disc disposed beneath said top, said neck having an opening, a lip surrounding said opening and a downward extending neck stretch depending from said lip, said closure skirt and said neck stretch being configured to interengage and retain said closure on said neck when said closure is applied to said neck;
applying pressure to at least one of said closure and said container to move said closure in a downward direction relative to said neck to bring said closure skirt and said neck stretch into interengagement by pivoting said closure relative to said neck to press successive portions of said seal disc against said neck;
heating said seal disc to at least partially adhere said seal disc to said lip of said neck by adhering the successive portions of said seal disc pressed against said neck to said lip;
and
applying pressure to at least one of said closure and said container to hold said seal disc against said lip during said step of heating said seal disc.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Facts

Application: 08/721,852Filed 30 Sep 1996 · continuation in part
Priority: 9 Aug 1990
Granted: 12 Jan 1999
Term ends: Not estimatedThe source records don’t support an estimate.

Classification35 codes

B67B 3/2046
Linear-type capping machines: using friction means for screwing the caps, e.g. belts or wheels
B29C 65/3644
Characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint: being a ribbon, band or strip
B29C 65/3656
Characterised by the type of elements heated by induction which remain in the joint: being a layer of a multilayer part to be joined, e.g. for…
B29C 65/368
Being metallic: with a polymer coating

Family

Serial565,638Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 9 Aug 1990
Serial772,945Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 8 Oct 1991
Serial830,133Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 31 Jan 1992
Serial951,653Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 25 Sep 1992
Serial274,911Parent of this continuation · filed 14 Jul 1994
Serial664,101Parent of this continuation-in-part · filed 11 Jun 1996
US 5,664,694 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,415,306 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,267,661 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,213,224 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,190,178 AParent of this continuation-in-part
US 5,858,141 AThis patent

From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.

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