Container sealing apparatus

Abstract

Container sealing apparatus for heat sealing a plastics web to openings of containers. The apparatus comprises a transport system for transporting containers along a pair of feed paths extending alongside one another; a sealing system through which the feed paths extend, the sealing system being adapted to seal openings of containers with the plastics web material; and pairs of unwind and wind up mandrels associated with each feed path for supporting spools of the plastics material. A web of the plastics material extends in use from a spool on the unwind mandrel to a spool on the wind up mandrel of each pair and through the sealing system, wherein each mandrel is movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel.

I claim: 
     
         1 . Container sealing apparatus for heat sealing a plastics web to openings of containers, the apparatus comprising a transport system for transporting containers along a pair of feed paths extending alongside one another; a sealing system through which the feed paths extend, the sealing system being adapted to seal openings of containers with the plastics web material; and an unwind mandrel associated with each feed path for supporting a spool of the plastics material whereby a web of the plastics material extends in use from a spool on the unwind mandrel through the sealing system to a waste location, wherein each mandrel is movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel. 
     
     
         2 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein each mandrel is movable between its working and loading positions about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         3 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each mandrel is mounted to a respective axle for rotation about a vertical axis. 
     
     
         4 . Apparatus according to  claim 2 , wherein each axle is located at a laterally outward position with respect to the associated feed path, such that the mandrel mounted to the axle projects laterally inwards in its working position. 
     
     
         5 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising a locking mechanism to lock each mandrel at least in its working position. 
     
     
         6 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein said sealing system comprises one or more heated plates located above the feed paths and apparatus for bringing the heated plate(s) into contact with the plastics material so as to heat seal the plastics material to the containers. 
     
     
         7 . Apparatus according to  claim 6 , wherein said sealing apparatus includes a support tool for conveying containers into contact with the plastics material and the heated plate(s). 
     
     
         8 . Apparatus according to  claim 7 , wherein each feed path is associated with an independently operable heated plate and support tool. 
     
     
         9 . Apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising wind up mandrels positioned at the waste locations for winding up waste plastics web material, each windup mandrel being movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel. 
     
     
         10 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein each windup mandrel is movable between its working and loading positions about a substantially vertical axis. 
     
     
         11 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein each windup mandrel is mounted to a respective axle for rotation about a vertical axis, 
     
     
         12 . Apparatus according to  claim 10 , wherein each axle is located at a laterally outward position with respect to the associated feed path, such that the windup mandrel mounted to the axle projects laterally inwards in its working position. 
     
     
         13 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , further comprising a locking mechanism to lock each mandrel at least in its working position. 
     
     
         14 . Apparatus according to  claim 9 , wherein said sealing system comprises one or more heated plates located above the feed paths and apparatus for bringing the heated plate(s) into contact with the plastics material so as to heat seal the plastics material to the containers. 
     
     
         15 . Apparatus according to  claim 14 , wherein said sealing apparatus includes a support tool for conveying containers into contact with the plastics material and the heated plate(s). 
     
     
         16 . Apparatus according to  claim 15 , wherein each feed path is associated with an independently operable heated plate and support tool. 
     
     
         17 . A packaging system comprising container sealing apparatus comprising a transport system for transporting containers along a pair of feed paths extending alongside one another; a sealing system through which the feed paths extend, the sealing system being adapted to seal openings of containers with the plastics web material; and pairs of unwind and wind up mandrels associated with each feed path for supporting spools of the plastics material whereby a web of the plastics material extends in use from a spool on the unwind mandrel to a spool on the wind up mandrel of each pair and through the sealing system, wherein each mandrel is movable between a working position in which it extends orthogonally to the transport direction and a loading position at which spools of the web material can be loaded on or unloaded from the mandrel; and a system for supplying material to the containers, the feed paths of the transport system extending to said material supply system.