US 12,240,642 B2
Systems and methods for the application and sealing of end closures on containers
Dirk Hatje, Mannheim (DE); and Daniel Christoph Gräf, Mutterstadt (DE)
Assigned to Sonoco Development, Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed by Sonoco Development, Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed on Aug. 27, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/459,238.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/071,076, filed on Aug. 27, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2022/0063855 A1, Mar. 3, 2022
Int. Cl. B65B 51/20 (2006.01); B65B 7/28 (2006.01); B65B 51/22 (2006.01)
CPC B65B 51/20 (2013.01) [B65B 7/285 (2013.01); B65B 7/2878 (2013.01); B65B 51/227 (2013.01)] 26 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A sealing system for hermetically sealing a closure to a container comprising:
a die assembly comprising:
a die having a positioning portion configured to retain a disc and a die opening adjacent the positioning portion; and
at least one sealing member configured to provide heat to seal the disc to the container; and
a mandrel assembly comprising:
an outer mandrel comprising an extending portion which is sized to fit within an inner circumference of the positioning portion;
an inner mandrel configured to translate through an inner circumference of the extending portion of the outer mandrel and the die opening; and
an ejector disposed within an inner circumference of the inner mandrel,
wherein at least the outer mandrel is configured to translate a first distance in a first time period,
wherein the inner mandrel and the ejector are configured to translate a second distance in a second time period,
wherein the inner mandrel is configured to retract a third distance in a third time period and wherein the ejector does not retract during such third time period,
wherein the ejector is configured to retract the third distance in a fourth time period which occurs later than the third time period, and
wherein each of the first distance, the second distance, and the third distance are different from each other.