System and method for sealing an open end of a component

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for sealing an open end of a component. The system includes an application station. The application station includes a base with a working surface; a seal arranged above the working surface of the base; a component coupler configured to selectively engage the open end of the component with the seal; and a securing mechanism. Additionally, the component coupler is further configured to selectively form a hermetic engagement between the seal and the open end of the component in response to a compressive force acting between the base and the component coupler. The securing mechanism includes a base attachment secured relative to the base and a component coupler attachment secured relative to the component coupler. The base attachment and the component coupler attachment of the securing mechanism are configured to selectively engage such that the compressive force acts between the base and the component coupler.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for sealing an open end of a component, the system comprising an application station, the application station comprising:
 a base including a working surface;   a seal arranged above the working surface of the base, the seal configured to selectively, hermetically engage with the open end of the component;   a component coupler configured to selectively engage the open end of the component with the seal, the component coupler further configured to selectively form a hermetic engagement between the seal and the open end of the component in response to a compressive force acting between the base and the component coupler; and   a securing mechanism including a base attachment secured relative to the base and a component coupler attachment secured relative to the component coupler, wherein the base attachment and the component coupler attachment of the securing mechanism are configured to selectively engage such that the compressive force acts between the base and the component coupler.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , application station further comprising:
 a contour pad arranged between the working surface of the base and the seal, the contour pad configured to accommodate a contour defined by the open end of the component.   
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the base is configured to be fixed relative to a stationary foundation. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component coupler is supported relative to the base. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 1 , the application station further comprising:
 a vertical support coupled to the base and extending away from the working surface of the base.   
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the component coupler is pivotally coupled to the vertical support. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the component coupler is configured to selectively couple to the vertical support. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein one of the base attachment or the component coupler attachment of the securing mechanism includes a hook structure, and the other of the base attachment or the component coupler attachment includes a hook receptacle structure. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the securing mechanism includes a compression adjustment mechanism configured such that manipulation of the compression adjustment mechanism alters the compressive force acting between the base and the component coupler. 
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the securing mechanism includes a threaded arrangement configured such that operation of the threaded arrangement causes the open end of the component to selectively engage with the seal. 
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the securing mechanism is configured such that operation of the threaded arrangement alters the compressive force acting between the base and the component coupler. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component further comprises a distal end oriented opposite to or substantially opposite to the open end of the component, wherein the component coupler is configured to selectively couple to the distal end of the component. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component coupler includes a top end and a bottom end, the component coupler defining a passageway from the top end to the bottom end, the passageway configured to receive a curable fluid. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the component coupler is configured to be selectively coupled to the base. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the application station of the system is further configured for sealing a second open end of a second component, wherein the base also includes a second working surface. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , further wherein the component coupler is further configured to selectively engage the second open end of the second component with a second seal, the component coupler further configured to selectively form a hermetic engagement between the second seal and the second open end of the second component in response to the compressive force acting between the base and the component coupler. 
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the system comprises a plurality of application stations including the application station and at least one additional application station, the at least one additional application station configured as the application station of  claim 1 . 
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a support runner extending along a length of the system, wherein each application station is coupled to the support runner. 
     
     
         19 . A method of sealing an open end of a component, the method comprising:
 arranging a seal above a working surface of a base;   positioning and orienting the component above the seal such that the open end of the component is oriented to face or substantially face the working surface of the base;   selectively coupling a component coupler to the component such that the open end of the component engages with the seal; and   selectively applying a compressive force between the base and the component coupler utilizing a securing mechanism, the securing mechanism including a base attachment secured relative to the base and a component coupler attachment secured relative to the component coupler, wherein the securing mechanism is configured such that operational engagement of the base attachment and the component coupler attachment generates the compressive force,   wherein application of the compressive force between the base and the component coupler causes the seal to selectively, hermetically engage with the open end of the component.   
     
     
         20 . A container receptacle including a closed support end and an open end opposite the support end, the open end configured to receive a complementary container, the container receptacle including:
 at least one containment wall extending from the closed support end to the open end of the container receptacle, wherein the at least one containment wall includes an interior surface defining a cavity extending from the open end toward the closed support end; and   a bottom formed integrally to the interior surface of the containment wall such that the at least one containment wall and the bottom form the support end of the container receptacle, wherein the bottom and the interior surface of the containment wall form a seal along a perimeter of the interior surface of the containment wall.   
     
     
         21 . A system for sealing an open end of a component, the system comprising:
 an application station comprising:
 a base having a working surface; 
 a component coupler; 
 a seal arranged intermediate the surface of the base and the component coupler; and 
 a securing mechanism, 
   wherein the component coupler is configured to selectively engage the open end of the component with the seal; and wherein the securing mechanism is configured to selectively generate a compressive force between the base and the component coupler to selectively form a hermetic engagement between the seal and the open end of the component.