Apparatus for producing a retort thermal processed container with a peelable seal

• US 7,644,902 B1
• Filed: 05/31/2003
• Issued: 01/12/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 05/31/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Berry Plastics Corporation (Berry Global Group Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Rexam Plastic Packaging Inc. (Ball Corporation)
• Inventors: Julian, Randy K., Montgomery, Gary V.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sterling; Amy J
• Assistant Examiner(s): Le; Tan
• Application Number:
  US10/449,335
• Time in Patent Office: 2,418 Days
• Field of Search: 53351-352, 533/63, 533/64, 532/85, 534/16, 198/179, 198/418, 198/803.1, 248/229.13, 248/230.1, 248/230.4, 248/230.9, 248/312, 248/313, 248/316.5, 248/205.1, 248/224.7, 248/229.1, 248/231.51, 215 43- 45, 215/321, 215/316, 215/317, 215/342, 215/344, 220/315, 220324-328, 141/383, 141/386, 141/346
• US Class Current: 248/313
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/001 Details of apparatus, e.g. for transport, for loading or unloading manipulation, pressure feed valves
• CPC Class Codes: A23L 3/02 by heating materials in packages which are progressively transported, continuously or stepwise, through the apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: B65B 55/02 Sterilising, e.g. of complete packages

Abstract

A clamping fixture for a retort process wherein a clamping fixture is disposed about a container having a seal positioned over a container-dispensing aperture. The clamping fixture applies a force to an outer surface of the seal in order to combat internal vapor pressures, which rise during a retort process and may break the seal. A first embodiment may be used with a manual process while a second embodiment may be used with a multiple station automated retort process.

Claims

1. A clamping fixture for a container used in a retort thermal process, comprising:

a clamping fixture having a clamping fixture plate and a spring biased plunger extending through said clamping fixture plate;

said spring biased plunger adapted to compressively engage a container;

said clamping fixture having a plurality of stop posts depending from a lower surface of said clamping fixture plate;

said clamping fixture having a slide plate said slide plate slidably connected to said stop posts said slide plate having a plurality of apertures therein said apertures having taper walls;

said clamping fixture having a plunger collar having a flange at a lower end, said plunger collar receiving a plunger shaft affixed to said plunger; and

said plunger collar having a helical thread circumferentially extending about an upper inner surface of said collar.

2. The clamping fixture of claim 1, wherein said plunger shaft is disposed through said clamping fixture plate and said plunger shaft extends through and is axially aligned with a plunger spring.

3. The clamping fixture of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of jaws reciprocally connected to said plunger collar and extending through said clamping fixture plate and said slide plate.

4. The clamping fixture of claim 3, further comprising a handle threadably disposed in said plunger collar and affixed to said plunger.

5. The clamping fixture of claim 3, further comprising a spring disposed between a handle and a plunger head, said plunger head positioned at a distal end of said plunger shaft.

6. The clamping fixture of claim 1, said slide plate having a plurality of locking arms depending from a peripheral edge of said slide plate, said locking arms each having at least one locking tab.

7. The clamping fixture of claim 1, further comprising a base plate.

8. The clamping fixture of claim 7, said base plate having at least one locking bead disposed about a peripheral edge of said base plate.

9. A clamping fixture and container adapted for use in a retort process, comprising:

a clamping fixture disposed about a neck of a container;

said clamping fixture having a spring biased plunger extending through said clamping fixture and compressively engaging a dispensing aperture defined by said container neck;

said clamping fixture having a clamping fixture plate;

a slide plate having a plurality of tapered slide plate apertures therein;

said slide plate having a plurality of locking arms depending from a peripheral edge of said slide plate, said locking arms each having at least one locking tab;

a plunger collar having a plurality of jaws pivotally connected thereto said jaws extending through said slide plate and said clamping fixture plate;

said clamping fixture further having a plunger collar operably connected to said clamping plate, said plunger collar having a helical thread circumscribing an upper inner surface of said collar;

a plunger having a plunger shaft and a plunger head, said plunger positioned through said plunger collar;

a handle threadably disposed in said collar;

a spring disposed between said handle and said plunger head;

said clamping fixture further having a base plate, said base plate having at least one locking bead disposed about said base plate.

10. The clamping fixture and container of claim 9, wherein said plunger head selected from the group consisting of a silicone-based material, urethane, latex, rubber, thermoplastic elastomers, thermoset elastomers or a combination thereof.