Tray sealing machine

US 6,499,271 B1
Tray sealing machine
Mark S. Lastovich, Rockford, Mich. (US); and Perry R. DeYoung, Ada, Mich. (US)
Assigned to Oliver Products Company, Grand Rapids, Mich. (US)
Filed on 22-Jun-2000, as Appl. No. Oliver Products Company, Grand Rapids, Mich. (US)
Int. Cl.7B65B 51/10

US 6,499,271 B1 Tray sealing machine Mark S. Lastovich, Rockford, Mich. (US); and Perry R. DeYoung, Ada, Mich. (US) Assigned to Oliver Products Company, Grand Rapids, Mich. (US) Filed on Jun. 22, 2000, as Appl. No. 9/599,827. Application 09/599827 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/389202, filed on Sep. 02, 1999, abandoned. Application 09/389202 is a continuation in part of application No. 09/103859, filed on Jun. 24, 1998, granted, now 5946887. Application 09/103859 is a continuation of application No. 08/629269, filed on Apr. 08, 1996, granted, now 5784858. Int. Cl.7B65B 51/10 U.S. Cl. 538212;329.2 30 Claims 1. A sealing apparatus comprising: a fixed frame structure including a base and an actuator support extending upward from said base; a container support including a container receiver; an upper heater platen suspended from said actuator support above said container support, said upper heater platen being vertically shiftable to press a container and lid on said container support and being pivotable relative to said actuator support so as to slightly rock and thereby uniformly engage a peripheral region of the container and lid on said container support; and an air actuated actuator positioned above said platen to cause said platen to apply equal force against said container support over the platen area wherein said actuator includes an upper plate, a lower plate securely coupled to said upper heater platen, and a flexible baffle that flexibly suspends said lower plate from said upper plate and that together with said plates defines an air chamber for said air actuator.