Container centering device

Abstract

A container centering device is provided including an entry plate having an opening and a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in the entry plate opening. In addition, the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A container centering device including an entry plate having an opening and a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in the entry plate opening.  
     
     
         2 . The container centering device according to  claim 1  wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.  
     
     
         3 . The container centering device according to  claim 1  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two posts extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         4 . The container centering device according to  claim 3  wherein the at least two posts are pivotally mounted about an extension bar.  
     
     
         5 . The container centering device according to  claim 3  further including at least one auxiliary guide.  
     
     
         6 . The container centering device according to  claim 3  further including a biasing means, wherein the biasing means is capable of holding the at least two posts substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         7 . The container centering device according to  claim 1  wherein the entry plate opening is capable of receiving an open-topped container.  
     
     
         8 . The container centering device according to  claim 7  wherein the opening is substantially circular.  
     
     
         9 . The container centering device according to  claim 1  wherein the container positioning means includes a positioning saddle extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         10 . The container centering device according to  claim 9  wherein the positioning saddle has an elongated convex axis.  
     
     
         11 . The container centering device according to  claim 9  wherein the positioning saddle is pivotally mounted on a bracket.  
     
     
         12 . The container centering device according to  claim 9  further including a biasing means, wherein the biasing means is capable of holding the positioning saddle substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         13 . The container centering device according to  claim 9  further including a protective guard.  
     
     
         14 . The container centering device according to  claim 9  further including at least one auxiliary guide.  
     
     
         15 . The container centering device according to  claim 14  including at least two auxiliary guides.  
     
     
         16 . The container centering device according to  claim 1  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two first posts and at least two second posts, wherein the first posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a first brim diameter and the second posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a second brim diameter.  
     
     
         17 . The container centering device according to  claim 16  wherein the first posts are angularly attached to the entry plate at a first end.  
     
     
         18 . The container centering device according to  claim 17  wherein a second end of each of the first posts is connected to a hinge means and wherein a second end of each of the second posts is connected to the hinge means.  
     
     
         19 . The container centering device according to  claim 18  further including a biasing means wherein the biasing means is capable of extending the second posts angularly and inwardly away from the first posts.  
     
     
         20 . The container centering device according to  claim 19  wherein the biasing means is a spring.  
     
     
         21 . A container centering device according having a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means includes an inner ring and an outer ring capable of positioning a container in an entry plate opening.  
     
     
         22 . The container centering device according to  claim 21  wherein the inner ring and/or outer ring has an elongated body.  
     
     
         23 . The container centering device according to  claim 21  wherein the inner ring is in slideable communication with the outer ring.  
     
     
         24 . The container centering device according to  claim 23  wherein the outer ring is capable of retaining the inner ring.  
     
     
         25 . The container centering device according to  claim 23  wherein the outer ring elongated body extends past the inner ring elongated body.  
     
     
         26 . The container centering device according to  claim 21  wherein the inner ring and the outer ring are constructed of glass.  
     
     
         27 . The container centering device according to  claim 21  wherein the inner ring and the outer ring are constructed of plastic.  
     
     
         28 . An apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container including: 
 a lidding system, including at least one radiant energy source, a supply roll, and a take-up reel; and    a container centering device, the container centering device including a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in an entry plate opening.    
     
     
         29 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 28  wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.  
     
     
         30 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 28  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two posts extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         31 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 28  wherein the container positioning means includes a positioning saddle extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         32 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 28  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two first posts and at least two second posts, wherein the first posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a first brim diameter and the second posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a second brim diameter.  
     
     
         33 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 28  wherein the container positioning means includes an inner ring and an outer ring.  
     
     
         34 . A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container comprising: 
 at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface;    at least one radiant energy source, the reflective cup and radiant energy source being rotationally mounted, wherein the interior surface of the reflective cup has as least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion; and    a container centering device, the container centering device including a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in an entry plate opening.    
     
     
         35 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 34  wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.  
     
     
         36 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 34  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two posts extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         37 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 34  wherein the container positioning means includes a positioning saddle extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         38 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 34  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two first posts and at least two second posts, wherein the first posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a first brim diameter and the second posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a second brim diameter.  
     
     
         39 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 34  wherein the container positioning means includes an inner ring and an outer ring.  
     
     
         40 . A system for heat-shrinking a film onto an open-topped container comprising: 
 a modular rotational assembly, the modular rotational assembly including at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface, and at least one radiant energy source, wherein the interior surface of the reflective cup has as least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion; and    a container centering device, the container centering device including a container positioning means, wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a container in an entry plate opening.    
     
     
         41 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 40  wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.  
     
     
         42 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 40  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two posts extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         43 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 40  wherein the container positioning means includes a positioning saddle extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         44 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 40  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two first posts and at least two second posts, wherein the first posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a first brim diameter and the second posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a second brim diameter.  
     
     
         45 . The apparatus for heat-shrinking a film onto a container according to  claim 40  wherein the container positioning means includes an inner ring and an outer ring.  
     
     
         46 . A method of heat-shrinking film onto an open-topped container comprising the steps of: 
 centering a container in an entry plate opening by providing a container centering device including an entry plate having an opening and a container positioning means,    contacting the top of an opening of an open-topped container with a heat-shrink film;    placing the covered open-topped container at an opening of a heat shrinking system, wherein the heat shrinking system includes at least one reflective cup having a reflective interior surface, and wherein the interior surface of the reflective cup has as least an elliptical portion and a parabolic portion; and    subjecting the covered container to radiant energy.    
     
     
         47 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the container positioning means is capable of positioning a first container and at least a second container in the entry plate opening, wherein the first and second containers have different brim diameters.  
     
     
         48 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two posts extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         49 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the container positioning means includes a positioning saddle extending substantially perpendicularly to the entry plate.  
     
     
         50 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the container positioning means includes at least two first posts and at least two second posts, wherein the first posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a first brim diameter and the second posts are capable of positioning containers having at least a second brim diameter.  
     
     
         51 . The method according to  claim 46  wherein the container positioning means includes an inner ring and an outer ring.