Closure Systems and Methods For Containers

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for closing containers that includes a support frame, a container feeding station and a lid closing assembly. The container feeding station receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly to the lid closing assembly. The lid closing assembly includes a transport assembly and a sealing assembly. The transport assembly includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts that each include at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers. The sealing assembly includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for closing/sealing a plurality of containers, each container having a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid, the closure system comprising:
 a) a support frame;   b) a container feeding station mounted to the support frame that includes a first conveyor belt the receives the plurality of containers in an unsealed configuration and moves the containers linearly from a first end of the container feeding station to a second end;   c) a lid closing assembly which receives the unsealed containers from the second end of the container feeding station and includes:
 i) a transport assembly mounted to the support frame that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the unsealed containers; and 
 ii) a sealing assembly mounted to the support frame and positioned above the transport assembly and including a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate, wherein the press plate moves from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position at least one of the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each of the articulating jaws includes a guide face which is shaped to correspond with a portion of the sidewall of the plurality of containers. 
     
     
         3 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the articulating jaws are adapted and configured to provide support to at least a portion of the periphery of the base when the press plate is in the second position. 
     
     
         4 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein each drive belt include six pairs of spaced-apart articulating jaws. 
     
     
         5 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a second conveyor belt that is associated with the lid closing assembly which assists in longitudinally transporting the plurality of containers from a first end of the lid closing assembly to a second end of the lid closing assembly. 
     
     
         6 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a height of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted relative to the support frame. 
     
     
         7 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a distance between the laterally opposed drive belts of the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         8 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a distance between each the pair of articulating jaws can be selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         9 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein a vertical height of the sealing assembly relative to the transport assembly can be selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         10 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container feeding station further includes first and second side grip belts which assist in transporting the plurality of containers from the first end to the second end of the container feeding station. 
     
     
         11 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the distance between the first and second side grip belts of the container feeding station can be selectively adjusted. 
     
     
         12 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the container feeding station includes a closing rod assembly. 
     
     
         13 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further including a controller that allows an index length and belt speed for the system to be adjusted. 
     
     
         14 . The system as recited in  claim 1 , further comprising a controller interfacing with at least one sensor, the first conveyor belt, the transport assembly and the sealing assembly, wherein the at least one sensor sends a signal to the controller when a container reaches a first point along the length of the system, wherein upon receiving the signal, the controller stops the transport assembly and causes the press plate to move from the first position to the second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base. 
     
     
         15 . A method for sealing closing/sealing a plurality of containers, each container having a base which includes a bottom portion and a sidewall extending upward from the bottom portion and a lid, the method comprising:
 a) moving a container along the length of a support frame using transport assembly that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each drive belt including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and configured for receiving one of the plurality of containers;   b) sensing the presence of the container at a predetermined position along the length of the support frame by means of a sensor, wherein the predetermined position is directly below a sealing assembly that is mounted to the support frame and positioned above the transport assembly, the sealing assembly including a vertically actuating press mechanism having a press plate,   c) stopping the transport assembly when the container reaches the predetermined position;   d) sealing the container by press fitting the lid of the container to the sidewall of the base to form a substantially leak-resistant seal by moving the press plate from a first raised position that allows the transport assembly to position the containers underneath the press plate, to second position such that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.   
     
     
         16 . A system for closing containers comprising:
 a support frame;   a container feeding station adjustably mounted to the support frame; and   a lid closing assembly adjustably mounted to the support frame,   wherein the container feeding station receives a container in an unsealed configuration and moves the container linearly to the lid closing assembly; and   wherein the lid closing assembly includes:
 a transport assembly that includes laterally opposed first and second drive belts, each including at least one pair of articulating jaws adapted and are configured for receiving the unsealed container; and 
 a sealing assembly that includes a press plate that moves from a first raised position to a second lowered position where that the press plate urges the lid of the container into sealing engagement with the base.