Method and apparatus for sealing containers

Abstract

A sealing system configured to receive a container and seal the container with a lidding. The system comprises an in-feeder that is configured to receive a plurality of containers and transport a batch of containers that are selected from the plurality of containers; and a modular seal assembly that is configured to seal the batch of containers with a lidding, wherein the modular seal assembly comprises: a docking station that is configured to hold a plurality of sealing modules; and a sealing module that is configured to be removable from the docking station without removing any other one of the plurality of sealing modules.

1 . A sealing system that is configured to receive a container and seal the container with a lidding, the system comprising:
 an in-feeder that is configured to receive a plurality of containers and transport a batch of containers that are selected from the plurality of containers; and   a modular seal assembly that is configured to seal the batch of containers with a lidding,   wherein the modular seal assembly comprises:
 a docking station that is configured to hold a plurality of sealing modules; and 
 a sealing module that is configured to be removable from the docking station without removing any other one of the plurality of sealing modules. 
   
     
     
         2 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises a docking station frame that is configured to supply a first gas to the sealing module. 
     
     
         3 . The sealing system of  claim 2 , wherein the docking station frame comprises:
 an upper frame part; and   a lower frame part.   
     
     
         4 . The sealing system of  claim 2 , wherein the sealing module comprises:
 a channel that is configured to receive the first gas from the docking station frame and to supply the first gas to a lower tool cavity, or to receive a second gas from the lower tool cavity and to supply the second gas to the docking station frame.   
     
     
         5 . The sealing system of  claim 4 , wherein the channel is configured to supply the first gas only to the lower tool cavity or to remove the second gas only from the lower tool cavity. 
     
     
         6 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the modular seal assembly further comprises:
 a channel duct that is configured to carry a first gas from a gas supply source.   
     
     
         7 . The sealing system of  claim 6 , wherein the docking station comprises the channel duct. 
     
     
         8 . The sealing system of  claim 6 , wherein the channel duct is further configured to supply the first gas to the sealing module. 
     
     
         9 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the in-feeder comprises a spacing-pacing conveyor, the sealing system being configured to transfer a batch of containers from the spacing-pacing conveyor on the fly, without stopping the spacing-pacing conveyor. 
     
     
         10 . The sealing system of  claim 7 , wherein the docking station attaches to a top plate that is configured to carry a first gas from a gas supply source. 
     
     
         11 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , wherein the docking station comprises:
 a docking station frame that is configured to hold the plurality of sealing modules,   wherein the docking station frame comprises a mounting guide that is configured to slidably support the docking station frame,   wherein the mounting guide is further configured to guide the docking station frame during removal of the docking station frame from the sealing system and during replacement of the docking station into the sealing system.   
     
     
         12 . The sealing system of  claim 1 , the system further comprising:
 a utility connector that is configured to be coupled to the sealing module and a docking station frame.   
     
     
         13 . A sealing system that is configured to receive a container and seal the container with a lidding, the system comprising:
 a container transferor that is configured to receive a batch of containers and transport the batch of containers to a sealing assembly; and   a modular seal assembly that is configured to seal the batch of containers with a lidding, wherein the modular seal assembly comprises a sealing module that is configured to be removable from the modular seal assembly without removing any other one of a plurality of sealing modules in the modular seal assembly.   
     
     
         14 . The sealing system of  claim 13 , wherein the sealing module comprises a piston that is coupled to one of a cutter and a sealer, and wherein the sealing module is configured to:
 supply a first gas to a head cavity,   supply a second gas to a container cavity, and   supply a third gas to a lower tool cavity,   wherein the head cavity, the container cavity and the lower tool cavity are configured to prevent the first gas, the second gas, and the third gas from traveling between any of the head cavity, the container cavity and the lower tool cavity.   
     
     
         15 . A sealing system that is configured to receive a container and seal the container with a lidding, the system comprising:
 a modular seal assembly that is configured to seal a batch of containers with a lidding; and   an in-feeder that is configured to supply the batch of containers to the modular seal assembly,   wherein the in-feeder comprises a spacing-pacing conveyor that is configured to receive a plurality of containers and positively space the plurality of containers to a predetermined pitch.   
     
     
         16 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein the in-feeder further comprises:
 an acceleration conveyor that is configured to carry the plurality of containers at varying speeds.   
     
     
         17 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein the in-feeder further comprises:
 a batching conveyor that is configured to provide a sufficient number of containers to complete the batch of containers.   
     
     
         18 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein the in-feeder further comprises:
 an acceleration conveyor that is configured to carry the plurality of containers at varying speeds; and   a batching conveyor that is configured to provide a sufficient number of containers to complete the batch of containers,   wherein the acceleration conveyor and the batching conveyor are configured to manipulate a spacing between each of the plurality of containers, without either the acceleration conveyor or the batching conveyor having to stop.   
     
     
         19 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein the spacing-pacing conveyor is configured to receive the plurality of containers from the acceleration conveyor and positively space the plurality of containers to a predetermined pitch. 
     
     
         20 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , wherein the system is configured to engage and lift a batch of containers from the spacing-pacing conveyor on the fly, without stopping the spacing-pacing conveyor. 
     
     
         21 . The sealing system of  claim 15 , further comprising:
 a lidding feeder that includes a dancer roll assembly; and   a counterweight lift assembly.