Patent ID: 8408256
Filing Date: 2013-04-02
Classification: B65B

Abstract:
1. An apparatus for filling and thermally resealing containers having penetrable regions that are penetrable by a filling member for filling the containers with a substance, and are thermally resealable for thermally sealing a hole in a respective penetrable region upon withdrawal of a filling member therefrom, the apparatus comprising: a container support for supporting at least one container having a penetrable region in a substantially fixed position during at least one of filling and thermally resealing a hole in a respective penetrable region upon withdrawal of a filling member therefrom; a filling member drivingly mounted over the container support for penetrating the penetrable region and introducing a substance through the filling member and into the container; a thermal source for heating a penetrated region of the penetrable region and, in turn, sealing the hole in the penetrable region; and a temperature sensor for sensing the temperature of the penetrated region of the penetrable region to determine whether the hole therein is sealed.