Abbott Laboratories Corporation

W George Zeitler

Lewis H Sita

Todd A Stevens

David C Ulstad

Lori J Mihalov

A package is provided with a lid and container that are heat sealed together. A multi-ply sheet material is provided for being thermoformed to define the container which has a tapering wall and bulge-resistant bottom end. Prior to thermoforming the container from the sheet, the sheet is heated with oval pads on a plurality of plates which are arranged in a configuration to facilitate control of the sheet temperature. A plug is used in the thermoforming process to contact the sheet and position the sheet within a die. A lid sheet is heat sealed to the container sheet over the thermoformed containers so as to produce a pair of spaced-apart, annular bead heat seals. The package is completed by severing the sealed-together sheets at the periphery of the container with a punch and die set that produces and clean, smooth cut surface.

Container having tapered sidewall made from sheet material and lid to seal same

Heater plate and method for using same

Method for punching a sealed package from first and second webs

Heat sealer and method for using same

Growing community of inventors

Westerville, OH, United States of America

W George Zeitler