Specimen vial sealing apparatus and method

Abstract

Method and apparatus for applying seals made of thin material to the open tops of containers, e.g., specimen containers for holding biological fluid that are processed automatically. A measured length of sealing material is advanced across and pressed against the top of the container to effect a seal. Depending on the type of sealing material used, sealing may be accomplished by application of pressure alone, by application of heat and pressure, or by application of ultrasonic energy and pressure. Excess sealing material optionally may be folded against the container sides by means of a folding member adapted to surround a container when the sealing head is lowered. Motor-driven rollers advance the sealing material, while a platen on a movably mounted sealing head presses the sealing material into engagement with the container.

1 . An apparatus for applying seals made of thin material to the open tops of upstanding containers presented thereto, one at a time, by a conveyor having holders for a plurality of containers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a support for a supply of sealing material having a substrate and pre-cut seals carried by and removable from the substrate;    a powered gripper for gripping and advancing the sealing material across the top of a single container;    a movably mounted sealing head comprising a platen above the container and the sealing material; and    an actuator for moving the platen downwardly to press a pre-cut seal into sealing engagement with the container.    
   
   
       2 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is supplied to the rollers in strip form, further comprising a sensor for detecting when the leading edge of the sealing material has advanced sufficiently to cover the top of the container, and a controller coordinating operation of the motor and the actuator.  
   
   
       3 . An apparatus according to  claim 2 , further comprising a cutter operable to cut a length of sealing material from the supply prior to sealing, the controller also coordinating operation of the cutter.  
   
   
       4 . An apparatus according to  claim 1  or  claim 3 , further comprising a folding member mounted on the sealing head adapted to substantially surround a container when the sealing head is lowered and fold excess applied sealing material substantially against the sides of the container.  
   
   
       5 . An apparatus according to  claim 4 , wherein the folding member is positioned to fold the excess sealing material applied to the container immediately downstream of the container being sealed when the sealing head is lowered.  
   
   
       6 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is thermally activated to form a seal, and the platen is heated so as to effect the thermally activated seal.  
   
   
       7 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material is bonded to the container by ultrasonic energy furnished by the platen.  
   
   
       8 . An apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein the sealing material has an adhesive surface, and the platen applies sufficient pressure to the sealing material to effect the seal.  
   
   
       9 . A method of applying seals made of thin material to the open tops of upstanding containers presented, one at a time, thereto by a conveyor having holders for a plurality of containers, the method comprising the steps of: 
 advancing a measured length of sealing material from a strip-like supply thereof across the top of a single container, the supply having a substrate and pre-cut seals carried by and removable from the substrate, the measured length being sufficient to dispose a pre-cut seal above the open top of the container; and    pressing the measured length of sealing material against the top of the container to effect a seal of a pre-cut seal with the container.    
   
   
       10 . A method according to  claim 9 , further comprising the step of cutting the measured length of sealing material from the supply.  
   
   
       11 . A method according to  claim 10 , wherein the cutting step is performed before the pressing and sealing step.  
   
   
       12 . A method according to  claim 9  or  claim 10 , further comprising the step of folding excess applied sealing material against the container sides.  
   
   
       13 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the folding step and the pressing step are performed substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       14 . A method according to  claim 12 , wherein the folding step is performed on the sealed container immediately downstream of the container being sealed during the pressing step.  
   
   
       15 . A method according to  claim 14 , wherein the folding step and the pressing step are performed substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       16 . A method according to  claim 9  or  claim 10 , wherein the sealing material is thermally activated to form a seal, and the pressing step comprises applying heat to the sealing material so as to effect the thermally activated seal.  
   
   
       17 . A method according to  claim 9  or  claim 10 , wherein the sealing material is bonded to the container by ultrasonic energy furnished by the platen.  
   
   
       18 . A method according to  claim 9  or  claim 10 , wherein the sealing material has an adhesive surface, and the pressing step applies sufficient pressure to the sealing material to effect the seal.  
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for applying seals made of thin material to the open tops of upstanding containers presented thereto, one at a time, by a conveyor having holders for a plurality of containers, the apparatus comprising: 
 a support for a supply of sealing material;    a powered gripper for gripping and advancing the sealing material across the top of a single container;    a movably mounted sealing head comprising a platen above the container and the sealing material;    an actuator for moving the platen downwardly to press the sealing material into sealing engagement with the uppermost surface of the container; and    a folding member mounted on the sealing head adapted to substantially surround a container when the sealing head is lowered and fold excess applied sealing material substantially against the sides of the container.    
   
   
       20 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the folding member is positioned to fold the excess sealing material applied to the container immediately downstream of the container being sealed when the sealing head is lowered.  
   
   
       21 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the sealing material is thermally activated to form a seal, and the platen is heated so as to effect the thermally activated seal.  
   
   
       22 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the sealing material is bonded to the container by ultrasonic energy furnished by the platen.  
   
   
       23 . An apparatus according to  claim 19 , wherein the sealing material has an adhesive surface, and the platen applies sufficient pressure to the sealing material to effect the seal.  
   
   
       24 . A method of applying seals made of thin material to the open tops of upstanding containers presented thereto, one at a time, by a conveyor having holders for a plurality of containers, the method comprising the steps of: 
 advancing a measured length of sealing material from a strip-like supply thereof across the top of a single container, the measured length being sufficient to seal the open top of the container;    pressing the measured length of sealing material against the top of the container to effect a seal with the uppermost surface of the container; and    folding excess applied sealing material against the container sides.    
   
   
       25 . A method according to  claim 24 , further comprising the step of cutting the measured length of sealing material from the supply.  
   
   
       26 . A method according to  claim 25 , wherein the cutting step is performed before the pressing and sealing step.  
   
   
       27 . A method according to  claim 24  or  claim 25 , wherein the folding step and the pressing step are performed substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       28 . A method according to  claim 24 , wherein the folding step is performed on the sealed container immediately downstream of the container being sealed during the pressing step.  
   
   
       29 . A method according to  claim 28 , wherein the folding step and the pressing step are performed substantially simultaneously.  
   
   
       30 . A method according to  claim 24  or  claim 25 , wherein the sealing material is thermally activated to form a seal, and the pressing step comprises applying heat to the sealing material so as to effect the thermally activated seal.  
   
   
       31 . A method according to  claim 24  or  claim 25 , wherein the sealing material is bonded to the container by ultrasonic energy furnished by the platen.  
   
   
       32 . A method according to  claim 24  or  claim 25 , wherein the sealing material has an adhesive surface, and the pressing step applies sufficient pressure to the sealing material to effect the seal.