Method and apparatus for reforming a portion of a plastic container using induction heating

A continuous-motion machine for reforming the upper portion of a plastic package using induction heating, the upper portion to be reformed having a discontinuity, and the machine comprising:

• an induction workhead providing an alternating current power supply;
• a stationary frame having a moving carrier;
• a plurality of reform stations disposed on the moving carrier, each reform station having a workpiece capable of being heated by induction and attaining a temperature of at least about 1200° F. and a forming die comprising a chilled contact surface, the reform stations traveling around a continuous, endless, closed-loop path including the following sections:
• (a) an induction section comprising an induction track connected to the induction workhead, the induction track receiving alternating current from the induction workhead and creating a magnetic field that heats the workpiece by induction when the workpiece travels along the induction track,
• (b) a heating section in which the heated workpiece is located proximate the upper portion of the plastic package to be reformed and heats that upper portion without contacting the upper portion, thereby softening the upper portion,
• (c) a reforming section in which the chilled contact surface of the forming die engages the softened upper portion of the plastic package, thereby cooling the softened upper portion simultaneously as the contact surface reforms the softened upper portion to correct the discontinuity, and
• (d) an output section removing the reformed plastic package from the machine.