Method and apparatus for lifting tabs of a laminate from a substrate

Abstract

A method and apparatus for lifting the tabs of a protective seal with edges embedded in a laminate. The base of the device has an annular top having a plurality of cartridge receiving apertures spaced equally from one another. Each hole receives a tab engagement assembly comprising a cartridge, a spring, and a finger have an abutment surface. The finger is pivotally fastened at one end within the slot of the cartridge and is biased away from the cartridge by the spring. When the base is placed in proximate relationship with the laminate seal patch secured to the substrate, the rotating base causes the abutment surfaces of the fingers to drag across the periphery of the laminate seal in a circular motion. The stresses created on the tabs of the protective seal cause the embedded edges to be lifted. The lifted tabs are accessible to the end user and the protective seals may be easily peeled from the substrate when desired by the end user.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A device for lifting edges of a laminate embedded in a substrate comprising: 
 a base rotatable about a central axis, the base having a top, the top having at least one abutment surface biased away from the top,    wherein the abutment surface contacts the surface of the laminate near the periphery during the rotation of the base whereby the edges of the laminate are lifted from the substrate.    
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the axis is generally perpendicular to the surface of the laminate whereby the abutment surface contacts the laminate along a circular path at a distance from the axis of rotation of the base.  
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said base is movable in the direction of the axis of rotation wherein the abutment surface may be selectively disengaged from said the adjacent relationship with the laminate by moving the base away from said laminate in the direction of the axis of rotation.  
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the abutment surface is biased away from the top by a spring, the spring having a first end couple to the base and a second end coupled to the abutment surface.  
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4  wherein the abutment surface is located on a finger.  
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  wherein the finger has a first end, the finger pivotally mounted to the top of the base at the first end.  
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein the abutment surface of the finger extends at an acute angle from the top and rearwardly with respect to the angular direction of rotation of the base.  
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein the base further comprises a cylindrical sidewall, the sidewall having a number of crimping pins extending generally radially therefrom.  
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 3  wherein said abutment surface is located on a cylindrical housing, the cylindrical housing frictionally secured within a cavity formed on the top of the base.  
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein said abutment surface is generally arcuate.  
     
     
         11 . A device for lifting the tabs of a laminate on an end disc of a cylindrical container when the edges of the tabs are embedded in the disc at the edges comprising: 
 a base adapted to be attached to a rotatable shaft, the base having an upper surface; and    at least one abutment surface coupled to the upper surface, each abutment surface biased away from the upper surface by a spring whereby each spring maintains each corresponding abutment surface in frictional contact with the protective seal when the abutment surface contacts the protective seal during rotation of the base whereby lifting the edges of the tabs of the protective seal.    
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the abutment surface is located on a finger.  
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 12  wherein the finger is pivotally coupled at a first end.  
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13  wherein the finger and spring are housed within a cartridge, the cartridge frictionally secured to the base within a chamber formed on the surface of the base.  
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 11  wherein the base is generally cylindrical.  
     
     
         16 . The device of  claim 15  wherein a plurality of abutment surfaces are coupled to the upper surface, the abutment surfaces located at an equal distance from the center of the base and angularly equidistant from one another.  
     
     
         17 . A method for lifting the edges of a laminate from a substrate using a rotatable base having at least one abutment surface at a distance from the axis of rotation comprising: 
 Rotating the base;    Contacting the area proximate the edges with the abutment surface;    Dragging the abutment surface on the laminate in a circular path for at least one revolution; and    Disengaging the abutment surface from the laminate.    
     
     
         18 . A method for manufacturing a cylindrical container comprising an end disc having a protective seal with tabs having embedded edges and a cylindrical sidewall extending beyond the end disc using a base having at least one abutment surface and at least one crimp pin on the sidewall of the base comprising: 
 Rotating the base;    Contacting the sidewall of the container with the crimp pin;    Moving the base towards the end disc;    Contacting the protective seal with the abutment surface; and    Moving the base away from the container.