The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 03, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 01, 2000
Perry R. De Young, Ada, MI (US);
Todd A. Sutton, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Scott D. Sikkema, East Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Oliver Products Company, Grand Rapids, MI (US);
Abstract
A sealing apparatus includes a frame structure including a base and an actuator support extending upward from the base, a container support including a container receiver, and a heater platen suspended from the actuator support above the container support. The heater platen is shiftable between a load/unload position wherein a container can be loaded into and unloaded from within the container receiver and an associated lid can be positioned over the container, and a sealing position wherein the heater platen presses the container and the lid on the container support. The sealing apparatus also includes an actuator that includes a support structure pivotally attached to the frame and supporting the heater platen, and an L-shaped handle having a first end, second end and a pivot point located between the first end and the second end. The handle is pivotable between a first position wherein the heater platen is in the load/unload position, and a second position wherein the heater platen is in the sealing position. The actuator also includes at least one pivot arm pivotally attached to the second of the handle and pivotally attached to the support structure such that rotating the handle with respect to the frame rotates the heater platen between the load/unload position and the sealing position.