Heat sealing on multiple angled container flanges

Abstract

A container ( 10, 64 ) for food and non-food products, the container including a circumferential flange ( 12, 22, 32, 40, 66 ) extending around the container, the flange including a plurality of angled surfaces ( 14, 16, 18; 24, 26, 28, 30; 34, 36, 38, 42, 44, 46; 68, 70, 72: 76, 77, 78 ) formed in the flange, and a closure member adhered to the plurality of angled surfaces for hermetically sealing said container. Also, a method for sealing containers for food and non-food products, wherein the method includes the steps of: a.) providing a container ( 10, 64 ) having a circumferential flange ( 42, 22, . . . ). b.) forming a plurality of angled surfaces ( 14, 16, 18; . . . ) in the circumferential flange extending about the circumference of the container, c.) placing a closure member ( 20, 74 ) over the circumferential flange, d.) supporting the flange and the closure member in a nest ( 52, 56 ): e.) and applying at least one heated anvil to the closure member for causing the closure member to conform to and adhere to the plurality of angled surfaces in the circumferential flange.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A method for sealing containers for food and non-food products, said method including the steps of:
 a.) providing a container ( 10 ,  64 ) having a circumferential flange ( 12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  40 ,  66 ),   b.) forming a plurality of at least three angled surfaces ( 14 ,  16 ,  18 ;  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  50 ;  34 ,  36 ,  38 ;  42 ,  44 ,  46 ;  68 ,  70 ,  72 ;  76 ,  77 ,  78 ) in said circumferential flange extending about the circumference of said container,   c.) placing a closure member ( 20 ,  74 ) over said circumferential flange,   d.) supporting said flange and said closure member in a nest ( 52 ,  56 );   e.) and applying a heated anvil to said closure member for causing said closure member to adhere to said plurality of angled surfaces in said circumferential flange.   
     
     
         2 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said closure member includes heat activated adhesive on a surface facing said circumferential flange. 
     
     
         3 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said closure member is comprised of heat sensitive thermoplastic. 
     
     
         4 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said closure member is comprised of metal foil and an adhesive layer on a side thereof facing said flange. 
     
     
         5 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said annular flange extends outwardly of said container. 
     
     
         6 . The method as defined in  claim 1  wherein said annular flange extends inwardly of said container. 
     
     
         7 . A container for food and non-food, products, said container ( 10 ,  64 ) including an annular flange ( 12 ,  22 ,  32 ,  40 ,  66 ) circumscribing said container, said flange including a plurality of at least three angled surfaces ( 14 ,  16 ,  18 ;  24 ,  26 ,  28 ,  30 ;  34 ,  36 ,  38 ;  42 ,  44 ,  46 ;  68 ,  70 ,  72 ;  76 ,  77 ,  78 ) formed in said flange,
 and a closure member ( 20 ,  74 ) adhered to said plurality of angled surfaces for hermetically sealing said container.   
     
     
         8 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said flange ( 40 ) is made of metal and an outer periphery of said flange is folded back upon itself to eliminate an outermost raw edge. 
     
     
         9 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said flange extends outwardly of said container. 
     
     
         10 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said flange extends radially inwardly of said container. 
     
     
         11 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said closure member is metal foil and includes an heat sensitive material on a side thereof facing said flange. 
     
     
         12 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said closure member is comprised of a thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The container as defined in  claim 7  wherein said closure member is preformed for conforming to said angled surfaces in said annular flange. 
     
     
         14 . A combination comprising a container, said container having a plurality of circumferential extending angular flanges formed therein adjacent an open end thereof for providing sealing surfaces, a closure member for closing said open end, and one or more heat sealing tools having angles formed therein, complementary to said sealing surfaces. 
     
     
         15 . The combination defined in  claim 14  wherein said closure member includes preformed angular sealing surfaces complementary with said container angular flanges and said angles in said heat sealing tool. 
     
     
         16 . The method as defined in  claim 1  including the step of causing said closure member to conform to said plurality of angled surfaces in said circumferential flange during the step of applying said heated anvil to said closure member.