DEVICE AND METHOD FOR REMOVING A PEELABLE SEAL

• US 20100089537A1
• Filed: 12/14/2009
• Published: 04/15/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NEXUS Biosystems, Inc. (Azenta, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: NEXUS Biosystems, Inc. (Azenta, Inc.)
• Inventors: Neeper, Robert K., Affleck, Rhett L., Howard, Roger
• Granted Patent: US 7,975,746 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 156/584
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 63/0013 Removing old coatings
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 38/10 Removing layers, or parts of layers, mechanically or chemically
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 43/006 Delaminating
• CPC Class Codes: B67B 7/00 Hand- or power-operated devices for opening closed containers nail pullers or extractors B25C11/00; attached to, or incorporated in, containers or container closures B65D75/58, B65D77/30
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1168 Gripping and pulling work apart during delaminating
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1174 Using roller for delamination [e.g., roller pairs operating at differing speeds or directions, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/19 Delaminating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/195 Delaminating roller means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1956 Roller pair delaminating means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1978 Delaminating bending means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 156/1989 Corner edge bending delaminating means

Abstract

A container or array of containers that is are sealed with a peelable seal is transported via a conveyor along a processing path toward a desealing station at which an adhesive surface having a width substantially the same as or greater than the width of the seal is pressed against the upper surface of the peelable seal. A collection rod applies a downward pressure on the adhesive surface, pressing it against the seal and keeping the container or container array in position on the conveyor as the plate moves with the conveyor. As the leading edge of the seal passes the collection rod, the adhesive surface is rolled upward, away from the plane of the seal, pulling up on the leading edge of the seal to separate it from the container or container array while the container or container array is held down by the roller. The removed seal is then discarded.

Claims

1-19. -19. (canceled)

20. A take-up reel in a device for removal of a film seal from an object, wherein the device comprises a source roll of adhesive tape, a first tape path portion, a translation means for moving the object relative to the first tape path, a collection rod within the first tape path for pressing the adhesive tape against the film seal as the object is moved past the collection rod, a take-up spindle disposed within a second tape path portion substantially perpendicular to the first tape path portion for supporting the take-up reel and a driver to rotate the take-up spindle, the take-up reel comprising:

a cylinder releasably supported on the take-up spindle for receiving a leading end of the adhesive tape and rotating to collect used adhesive tape and removed film seal that is adhered to the adhesive tape;

a first side flange and a second side flange disposed on opposite ends of the cylinder for centering the used adhesive tape and removed film seal on the cylinder; and

means for preventing slippage relative to the take-up spindle and maintaining a uniform pulling force on the adhesive tape to pull the adhesive tape along the tape path, wherein the pulling force produces a lifting motion at the collection rod to peel the film seal away from the object.

21. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein the means for preventing slippage and maintaining uniform pulling force comprises a notch for mating with a tab, ridge or spring extending from the take-up spindle.

22. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein the take-up reel is discarded with the used adhesive tape and removed film seals.

23. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein the rotation of the take-up reel is coordinated with the translation means.

24. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein the take-up spindle and take-up reel are positioned to prevent residual material from dripping onto the first tape path portion.

25. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein rotational speed of the take-up reel is adjusted to compensate for increased combined diameter of the cylinder with the collected used adhesive tape and removed film seals.

26. The take-up reel of claim 20, wherein the second tape path portion is disposed at an angle of 88°

-89°

relative to the first tape path portion.

27. A take-up reel in a device for removal of a film seal from an object, wherein the device comprises a source roll of adhesive tape disposed on a source spindle, a first tape path portion, a translation means for moving the object relative to the first tape path portion, a collection rod within the first tape path for applying pressure to the adhesive tape and the film seal as the object is moved past the collection rod, a take-up spindle disposed within a second tape path portion substantially perpendicular to the first tape path portion for supporting the take-up reel and a driver to rotate the take-up spindle, the take-up reel comprising:

a cylinder having a coaxial flange disposed at each end, the cylinder having means for releasable mounting on the take-up spindle, wherein the cylinder receives a leading end of the adhesive tape and rotates to collect used adhesive tape and removed film seal that is adhered to the adhesive tape; and

means for preventing slippage relative to the take-up spindle and maintaining a uniform pulling force on the adhesive tape to pull the adhesive tape along the tape path, wherein the pulling force produces a lifting motion at the collection rod to peel the film seal away from the object.

28. The take-up reel of claim 27, wherein the means for preventing slippage and maintaining uniform pulling force comprises a notch for mating with a tab, ridge or spring extending from the take-up spindle.

29. The take-up reel of claim 27, wherein the take-up reel is discarded with the used adhesive tape and removed film seals.

30. The take-up reel of claim 27, wherein the rotation of the take-up reel is coordinated with the translation means.

31. The take-up reel of claim 27, wherein the second tape path portion is disposed at an angle of 88°

-89°

relative to the first tape path portion.