Sealing apparatus for multilayer film

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a heat sealing apparatus including an insulator sealing head assembly and a container cavity, and a process for manufacturing an insulator sealing head assembly. The insulator seal head assembly is specifically designed to accommodate specialty films, such as multilayer film, used to seal food containers as described herein.

1 . A heat sealing apparatus configured to receive a container and to seal the container with a multilayer film, the apparatus comprising:
 a container cavity that receives and holds a container; and   an insulator sealing head assembly configured to seal the container with a multilayer film, wherein the insulator sealing head assembly comprises:   a tray insulator that contacts the multilayer film;   a seal bar insulator that contacts the tray insulator; and   a seal bar that includes a heat element.   
     
     
         2 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seal bar insulator is located between the seal bar on one side and the tray insulator on the other side. 
     
     
         3 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insulator comprises a domed shape. 
     
     
         4 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insulator comprises at least one of:
 polyphenylsulfone (PPSU);   Radel® or Radel R®;   polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE);   G10 fiberglass laminate;   a silicone sheet;   a silicone foam;   Synform™;   ceramics;   polyether ether ketone (PEEK);   Ultem®;   Fluorosint®;   polysulfone (PSU); and   polyetherimide (PEI).   
     
     
         5 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insulator comprises:
 a thermal conductivity between about 2.2 to about 2.8 BTU-inch/hr-ft 2 -° F.;   a glass transition temperature rating of at least about 415° F.; and   a continuous operation temperature rating of at least about 285° F.   
     
     
         6 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insulator comprises a domed shape material comprising Radel® or Radel R®. 
     
     
         7 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the seal bar contains three heat elements. 
     
     
         8 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the heat elements heats the surface of the seal bar, and wherein a surface temperature of a surface of the tray insulator is maintained at about 60° C. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the tray insulator and seal bar insulator are secured to a sidewall of the seal bar. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , further comprising a modified atmosphere packaging (MAP) vacuum porthole or pathways. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the sear bar comprises a cutter that contacts the multilayer film or container and cuts the film or container. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the cutter comprises a knife blade, the knife blade comprising a smooth edge or a serrated edge. 
     
     
         13 . An insulator sealing head assembly for sealing a multilayer film to a container, the assembly comprising:
 a tray insulator that contacts the multilayer film;   a seal bar insulator that contacts the tray insulator; and   a seal bar that includes a heat element.   
     
     
         14 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the seal bar insulator is located between the seal bar on one side and the tray insulator on the other side. 
     
     
         15 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tray insulator comprises a domed shape. 
     
     
         16 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tray insulator comprises a Radel® or Radel R®. 
     
     
         17 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the seal bar insulator comprises at least one of:
 polyphenylsulfone (PPSU);   Radel® or Radel R®;   polytetrafluoroethylenes (PTFE);   G10 fiberglass laminate;   a silicone sheet;   a silicone foam;   Synform™;   ceramics;   polyether ether ketone (PEEK);   Ultem®;   Fluorosint®;   polysulfone (PSU); and   polyetherimide (PEI).   
     
     
         18 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the heat elements heats the surface of the seal bar, and wherein a temperature of a surface of the tray insulator is maintained at about 60° C. 
     
     
         19 . The assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the tray insulator and seal bar insulator are secured to a sidewall of the seal bar. 
     
     
         20 . A method of manufacturing an insulator sealing head assembly, the method comprising:
 providing a tray insulator configured to contact a multilayer film;   providing a seal bar insulator configured to contact the tray insulator;   providing a seal bar that includes a heat element; and   assembling the tray insulator, seal bar insulator and seal bar.   
     
     
         21 . The method of  claim 20 , wherein the assembling comprises:
 positioning the seal bar insulator between the tray insulator and seal bar; and   fastening the tray insulator to the seal bar insulator and seal bar.