Abstract:
A tool for closing and sealing a lid on a flexible walled peripheral flange bearing a container by bending and crimping the container&#39;s vertical peripheral flange over the periphery of the lid supported on the container&#39;s marginal shelf. The tool has an anvil portion, star-shaped portion, a hub portion interposed between the anvil and star-shaped portions, means for maintaining said portions concentrically aligned and means for pressing and rolling the concentrically maintained portions around the container. The anvil portion and star-shaped portions have the same outer diameter and inwardly tapering surfaces mirroring each other, while the hub portion has a width sufficient to allow the ben flange/shelf/lid combination to slip between the anvil and star-shaped portions&#39; inwardly tapered mirroring surfaces, and a diameter sufficient to prevent the bent flange/shelf/lid combination from slipping beyond the base of the arms of the star-shaped portion thereby allowing the arms of the star-shaped portion to remain in continuous contact with the flange/shelf/lid combination during the closure and sealing of the lid on the container.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention relates to a method and tool for sealing a closure lid across a flexible walled container and more particularly it provides an efficient closure tool for use with foil containers, in the food service industry.  
           [0002]    Disposable containers of soft aluminum with or without a cover of plastic or paper material have become quite common. Such containers are useful for the short time transport of ready to eat foods or for transport of frozen foods or other products for a longer period of time. They are formed with a bendable rim about their perimeter capable of receiving a separable lid. The user secures the lid onto the disposable container by manually bending the rim in a repetitive action of finger pressure, thus sealing the lid beneath the rim. Having to secure the lid in repetitive operations, on successive containers, the user becomes fatigued and frequently injures himself in the form of cuts and muscle strain.  
           [0003]    Various attempts have been made to alleviate the problems described above and numerous machines or devices have been produced. However, none of these known mechanical attempts have successfully replaced the need for manual operations, except perhaps in large industrial processing plants. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 2,955,401 discloses a hand tool intended to obviate such problems and alleviate the strain on the user. Such a tool is, however, difficult to use as it requires first the folding by hand of the flange and then the wedging of a continuous peripheral bead by squeezing the flange between two rigid curved pieces of metal. This makes no allowance for excess flange material formed during the folding operation, which will impede the movement of the tool around the container. Similarly, U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,459,469; 1,826,609; 2,845,765; 2,875,566; 2,933,873; 3,308,603; 3,369,342 and 4,170,862, disclose complex devices and machines used to fill and seal masses of containers in industrial applications, which are also not suitable for manual use.  
           [0004]    Thus, for commercial food handlers, small food shops, and local vendors, no successful device capable of sealing lids on disposable containers without fatigue or possible injury has been produced.  
           [0005]    It is an object of the present invention to provide a tool which enables the swift and sure folding of the container flange over the edge of the closure lid, and the closing and sealing of the lid on a flexible container shell, without any injury to the user.  
           [0006]    Another object of the present invention is to provide a low cost tool that is small in size, and, therefore, highly adaptable to use in small kitchens or small workplaces and for small user operations.  
           [0007]    It is also an object of the present invention to provide a tool, which enables the temporary sealing of the lid on the container with a “butterfly” or intermittent seal and/or with a continuous peripheral seal.  
           [0008]    Another object is to provide a closure tool that is manipulable to regulate the tightness of the seal between the container and its closure lid.  
           [0009]    These objects as well as other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following disclosure.  
         SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION  
         [0010]    A tool is provided for sealing a lid on a flexible container for food or other products, for temporary or even indefinite periods of time to allow transport and/or storage.  
           [0011]    The container is conventionally formed with a peripheral shelf adapted to receive a cover or lid and terminating in a rim having a generally vertical flange. The flange is bendable over the conforming periphery of the cover or lid by manually crimping the flange in a repetitive manner about the peripheral edge of the lid. In accordance with the present invention, the tool is a device having at its forward end or head a wheel comprising an anvil portion and a star-shaped portion concentrically aligned, and interposed there between a central hub.  
           [0012]    In one mode of use, by placing and pressing the wheel of the tool inwardly and against the flange of the container, with the star-shaped portion upward and in a plane substantially parallel to the lid and the shelf of the container, and moving the tool around the peripheral shelf, the flange is crimped over the edge of the lid in an intermittent butterfly closure. The intermittent butterfly closure is formed by the star-shaped portion of the wheel, which allows excess material formed during the closing operation, to bend upwardly between the spurs of the star shaped portion, thereby allowing a smooth operation of and without any interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In a second mode of use, by turning the tool over and placing the anvil portion upwardly, a continuous compression of the flange against the shelf and the lid is made. Both the crimping and compression action occurs by simply causing the wheel to rotate against the periphery of the container shelf.  
           [0013]    In one embodiment of the invention, the forward head or wheel comprises a single, unitary, integral unit having an anvil portion, star-shaped portion and a hub. The hub is interposed between the anvil portion and the star-shaped portion. The hub&#39;s width creates a space between the anvil portion and the star-shaped portion sufficient to permit the total thickness of the shelf/lid/flange combination to fit there between, and the hub&#39;s diameter prevents the edge of said combination from slipping beyond the base of the star-shaped portion&#39;s spurs, and permits the smooth operation of the wheel.  
           [0014]    In another embodiment of the invention, the anvil portion, the star-shaped portion and the hub are all separate but concentrically aligned pieces so that containers and lids of different sizes and thicknesses may be used without change of the tool. The handle in this embodiment is in the form of a resilient tong, so that a pressurized bias is placed on the anvil and star-shaped portion to securely hold them together during manipulation.  
           [0015]    Full details of the methods and of the structures of the tool are set forth in the following description and in the appended drawings. 
       
    
    
     IN THE DRAWINGS  
       [0016]    While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be better understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals identify identical elements and wherein:  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container and lid preparatory to closure by one embodiment of the tool of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the first embodiment tool of the present invention;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the tool taken in the direction of a row  3 - 3  of FIG. 2;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is an exploded view, partially in section, showing the tool of the first embodiment fonning a butterfly or intermittent seal;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 5 is a view similar to that of FIG. 4, wherein the tool of the first embodiment produces a continuous seal;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of the second embodiment showing the tool disassembled;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 8 is an exploded view of a third embodiment showing the tool disassembled;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 9 is an exploded view of a fourth embodiment showing the tool disassembled;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the tool of the present invention; and  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 11 is an exploded view, partially in section, showing the tool of the fifth embodiment forming a butterfly or intermittent seal. 
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0028]    In FIG. 1, there is seen a conventional container C comprising a bowl shaped shell  10 , having along its top edge a marginal shelf  12  adapted to receive a closure lid  14 . The shelf  12  terminates in a rim  16  having a generally vertical flange  18 . The vertical flange  18  stands up above the shelf  12  a distance sufficient to overlap the peripheral edge of the closure lid  14  when the lid is placed on the conventional container C and the free edge of the flange  18  is bent over the peripheral edge of the lid  14 .  
         [0029]    The tool  20 , as seen in the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, comprises a handle  22  terminating at its forward end in a unitary, one piece composite, flange-bending head or wheel  24 . The overall length of the handle is about the size of the user&#39;s hand (approximately 6-9 inches) and is adapted for easy manipulation. It is preferably made of metal, such as stainless steel or aluminum, for strength and durability. Although, it can just as well, be formed of suitably rigid plastic, wood; or any other type of material which can be size adapted for easy manipulation, strength and durability.  
         [0030]    The composite head or wheel  24  comprises an anvil part  26 , a star-shaped part  28  and a central hub  30  all integrally formed and concentrically arranged. Both the anvil part  26  and the star-shaped part  28  are of substantially the same diameter, while the central hub  30  is of a comparatively smaller diameter. The anvil and star-shaped parts ( 26  and  28 ) have inclined inner surfaces  32  mirroring each other and tapering from an opening somewhat wider (W+) than the combined thickness of the flange  18 , the shelf  12 , and the lid  14 , before the flange  18  is bent and sealed over the periphery of the rim of the lid  14 , to a thickness equal to or slightly wider than the thickness of the lid  14 , the shelf  12  and the flange  18 , after the flange  18  is bent and sealed over the periphery of the rim of the lid  14 . Specifically, the inclined surfaces  32  are preferably about 45 degrees but may be varied approximately 10-15 degrees. The star-shaped part  28 , while similar in diameter to the diameter of the anvil part  26 , is formed having a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth or spurs  34  of generally triangular shape and conically formed sides  36 .  
         [0031]    The wheel  24  is attached within a clevis  38 , which is integrally formed at the front end of the handle  22  by a pivot pin  40  so that the wheel  24  freely rotates. Suitable washers  42  and retainers  44  (seen in FIG. 3) may be employed for this purpose. The wheel  24  may be formed of a unitary metal or plastic block wherein the anvil part  26 , the star-shaped part  28  and the central hub  30  are integrally formed as a single piece. Alternatively, the parts may be separately made and then glued, welded or otherwise fastened together.  
         [0032]    The method for using the tool to close the container is shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. The wheel  24 , with the star-shaped portion  28  facing upwardly, is placed against the container, parallel to the plane of the shelf  12 , and pressed inwardly. As it is pressed inwardly, the flange  18  is folded down by the star-shaped portion  28  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the hub  30 , so that the hub abuts the outside of the flange  18 . There is no need to pre-depress or pre-crimp the flange.  
         [0033]    The hub  30  acts as a block to or a stop of the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow A) tangentially along the periphery of the container to form a “butterfly” closure  46  on the periphery of the container. Excess material formed during the closing operation is bent upward between the spurs of the star shaped portion, thereby allowing a smooth operation without interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In this manner, the flange  18 , as will be seen by the waving of the repetitively crimped peripheral portion  46 , is folded and crimped in spaced intervals about the container. This will effectively close the lid  14  on the shelf  12 , making a cohesive package, although not fully sealing the same.  
         [0034]    To fully seal the butterfly closure  46  on the periphery of the container, the wheel  24  is flipped so that the anvil portion  26  faces upward, and placed against the container so that it abuts the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination, parallel to the plane of the shelf. It is then lightly pressed against the flange  18 , so that the flange  18 , the lid and shelf  12  fit within the space between the anvil part  26  and the star-shaped part  28 , immediately adjacent to the central hub  30  of the wheel. In fact, the hub  30 , once more acts as the flange/lid/shelf s edge stop to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow B) once more. By resuming the back or forward motion (Arrow B), the flange  18  is fully depressed to continuously form a closed seal  48  about the periphery of the container.  
         [0035]    The tool  20 , as described above, is only one of many embodiments of the invention. In a second embodiment, shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 the tool  20  comprises a handle  22  and a head or wheel  24 . The handle  22  is formed of a pair of tongs having arms  22   a  and  22   b,  each of which has a hole  50  at its forward end. The handle  22  is made of any material that is capable of imputing spring like qualities to the arms  22   a  and  22   b  that make them sprung or resiliently biased toward each other.  
         [0036]    The head  24  is not a one piece unit. Rather it is a composite of a specially designed anvil part  26 , a star-shaped part  28  and an axle  60 . The anvil part  26  has an outer surface  64 , a first inner surface  66 , a second inner surface  68  and a substantially cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical side of the anvil part  26 , between the outer surface  64  and the first inner surface  66 , is tapered inwardly at about a forty five degree angle ±10-15 degrees from the outer surface  64  toward the inner first surface  66  to form a tapered inclined inner surface  32 , in such a manner that the overall diameter of the outer surface is greater than the overall diameter or outer perimeter of the first inner surface  66 . The inward tapering can begin directly from the very edge of the outer surface  64 , or slightly below the edge of the outer surface  64 . If it begins from the very edge of the outer surface  64  , the cylindrical side of the anvil is completely replaced with an inwardly tapering side  32 . On the other hand, if it begins a bit below the edge, the cylindrical side extends a bit before becoming tapered inwardly.  
         [0037]    A short distance from its edge, the first inner surface  66  is provided with an integrally formed cylindrical projection  70 , which extends or telescopes outward from and perpendicular to the first inner surface  66 , has a substantially short length, and has an overall outer diameter less than the overall diameter of the first inner surface  66 . The end face of the projection  70  defines the anvil portion&#39;s second inner surface  68 . At its center point, the anvil portion is provided with a bore  72  which traverses the anvil part  26  in a generally horizontal direction, from the termination point of the second inner surface  68  right through to the outer surface  64 ,thereby effectively transforming the anvil portion  26  into an anvil wheel  26 .  
         [0038]    The star shaped portion  28  is similar in structure to the star-shaped portion  28  set forth in the first embodiment hereinabove.  
         [0039]    The head  24  on the second embodiment, is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped portion  28  and the axle  60  such that (i) the second inner surface  68  of the anvil wheel faces the inner surface  72  of the star-shaped portion  28 ; (ii) the axle is fixed to the anvil wheel  26  at the anvil&#39;s bore and allowed to extend and project through the star shaped portion  28 , allowing the star-shaped portion to be separately rotatable from the anvil around the axle; and (iii) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star shaped portion mirror each other. The head  24  is then mounted on the tool  20  by placing it between the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the handle  22  such that the axle  60  extends outwardly through the holes  50  at the ends of the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the handle  22 . The anvil wheel  26 , star-shaped portion  28  and axle  60  are held together on the end of the handle by the bias formed by the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. The bias of the tongs together with the extension of the axle  60 , and the tapered mirroring sides  32  of the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28 , allow the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  to be forced apart by the various container rims formed of different thickness materials, so that thicker and thinner flanges can be accommodated. In turn, the cylindrical projection  70  on the anvil wheel  26 , acts as the hub  30  in the first embodiment above, i.e. as the combination flange/lid/shelf stop, to insure that only the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28  continuously remain over the top of the flange/lid/shelf combination, during the closure and sealing of the lid onto the container.  
         [0040]    Alternatively, the head  24  on the second embodiment, is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped portion  28  and the axle  60  such that (i) the second inner surface  68  of the anvil wheel faces the inner surface  72  of the star-shaped portion  28 ; (ii) the axle is fixed to star-shaped part  28  and allowed to extend and project through the anvil wheel  26 , allowing the anvil wheel  26  to be separately rotatable from the star-shaped portion  28 , around the axle; and (iii) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star shaped portion mirror each other.  
         [0041]    In the method for using the tool of the second embodiment to close the container, the wheel  24 , with the star-shaped portion  28  facing upwardly, is placed against the container, parallel to the plane of the shelf  12 , and pressed inwardly. As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the star-shaped portion  28  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the projection  70 , thereby insuring that the edge of the shelf  12  does not go further and beyond the depth or base of the spurs  34 . There is no need to pre-depress or pre-crimp the flange.  
         [0042]    The projection  70  acts exactly as the hub  30 , i.e. as a block to or a stop of the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow A) tangentially along the periphery of the container to form a “butterfly” closure  46  on the periphery of the container. Excess material formed during the closing operation is bent upward between the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28 , thereby allowing a smooth operation without interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In this manner, the flange  18 , as will be seen by the waving of the repetitively crimped peripheral portion  46 , is folded and crimped in spaced intervals about the container. This will effectively close the lid  14  on the shelf  12 , making a cohesive package, although not fully sealing the same.  
         [0043]    To fully seal the butterfly closure  46  on the periphery of the container, the wheel  24  is flipped so that the anvil portion  26  faces upward, and placed against the container so that it abuts the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination, parallel to the plane of the shelf. It is then lightly pressed inwardly against the flange  18 . As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the anvil wheel  26  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the projection  70 . In fact, the projection  70  once more acts as the hub  30 , i.e. the flange/lid/shelf s edge stop to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow B) tangentially along the periphery of the container once more. By resuming the back or forward motion (Arrow B), the flange  18  is fully depressed to continuously form a closed seal  48  about the periphery of the container.  
         [0044]    In a third embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 8 the tool  20 , again comprises a handle  22  and a head  24 . Just like in the second embodiment described above, the handle  22  is formed of a pair of tongs having arms  22   a  and  22   b,  each of which has a hole  50  at its forward end. The handle  22  is made of any material that is capable of imputing springlike qualities to the arms  22   a  and  22   b  that make them sprung or resiliently biased toward each other.  
         [0045]    The head  24  is a composite of a specially designed anvil portion  26 , a specially designed star-shaped wheel  28  and an axle  60 . The anvil portion  26  has an outer surface  64 , an inner surface  66 , and a substantially cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical side of the anvil portion  26 , between the outer surface  64  and the inner surface  66  is tapered inwardly at about a forty five degree angle, ±10-15 degrees from the outer surface toward the inner surface to form a tapered inclined inner surface  32 , in such a manner that the overall diameter of the outer surface  64  is greater than the overall diameter or outer perimeter of the inner surface  66 . The inward tapering can begin directly from the very edge of the outer surface  64 , or slightly below the edge of the outer surface  64 . If it begins at the very edge of the outer surface  64 , the cylindrical side of the anvil is completely replaced with an inwardly tapering side  32 . On the other hand, if it begins a bit below the edge, the cylindrical side extends a bit before becoming tapered inwardly. At its center point, the anvil portion is provided with a bore which traverses the anvil in a generally horizontal direction, from the inner surface  66  right through to the outer surface  64  thereby effectively transforming the anvil portion into an anvil wheel  26 .  
         [0046]    The star-shaped wheel  28  is similar in structure to the star-shaped wheel  28  described in the first embodiment hereinabove. Specifically, the star-shaped wheel  28  has an outer diameter that is the same as the outer diameter of the anvil portion  26 . It has a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth or spurs  34  of generally triangular shape and conically formed sides  36 . It has an outer surface  72 , a first inner surface  74 , a second inner surface  76  and a substantially cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical side of the star-shaped portion  28 , between the outer surface and the first inner surface, which defmes the bottom side of the spurs  34 , is tapered inwardly at about a forty five degree angle ±10-15 degrees from the outer surface  72  toward the first inner surface  74  to form a tapered inclined inner surface  32 , in such a manner that the overall diameter of the outer surface is greater than the overall diameter or outer perimeter of the first inner surface.  
         [0047]    A short distance from its edge, the first inner surface  74  is provided with an integrally formed cylindrical projection  80 , which extends or telescopes outward from and perpendicular to the first inner surface  74 , has a substantially short length, and has an overall outer diameter less than the overall diameter of the first inner surface  74 . The end face of the projection  80  defines the star shaped portion&#39;s second inner surface  76 . At its center point, the star-shaped portion is provided with a bore which traverses it in a generally horizontal direction, from the edge of the second inner surface right through to the outer surface thereby effectively transforming the star shaped portion into a star shaped wheel  28 .  
         [0048]    The head  24  is formed by assembling the anvil portion, together with the star shaped wheel and the axle such that (i) the inner surface  66  of the anvil portion faces the second inner surface  76  of the star-shaped wheel; (ii) the axle is fixed to the anvil wheel  26  and allowed to extend and project through the star-shaped wheel  28 , allowing the star shaped portion to be separately rotatable from the anvil around the axle; and (iii) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil portion  26  and the star- shaped wheel  28  mirror each other. The head  24  is then mounted on the tool  20  by placing it between the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the handle  22  such that the axle extends outwardly through the holes  50  at the ends of the arms of the handle  22 . The anvil wheel  26 , star-shaped portion  28  and axle  60  are held together on the end of the handle by the bias formed by the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. The bias of the tongs together with the extension of the axle  60 , and the tapered mirroring sides  32  of the anvil portion and the star-shaped wheel allow the anvil portion and the star shaped wheel to be forced apart by the various container rims formed of different thickness materials, so that thicker and thinner flanges can be accommodated. The projection  80  on the star shaped wheel, in turn, acts as the hub in the first embodiment above, i.e. as the combination flange/lid/shelf stop, to insure that only the spurs  34  of the star-shaped wheel  28  continuously remain over the top of the flange/lid/shelf combination, during the closure and sealing of the lid onto the container.  
         [0049]    Alternatively, the head  24  on the third embodiment, is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped portion  28  and the axle  60  such that (i) the inner surface  66  of the anvil wheel faces the second inner surface  76  of the star-shaped portion  28 ; (ii) the axle is fixed to star-shaped part  28  and allowed to extend and project through the anvil wheel  26 , allowing the anvil wheel  26  to be separately rotatable from the star-shaped portion  28 , around the axle; and (iii) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star shaped portion mirror each other.  
         [0050]    In the method for using the tool of the third embodiment to close the container, the wheel  24 , with the star-shaped portion  28  facing upwardly, is placed against the container, parallel to the plane of the shelf  12 , and pressed inwardly. As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator tb apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the star-shaped portion  28  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as edge of the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the projection  80 , thereby insuring that the edge of the shelf  12  does not go further and beyond the depth or base of the spurs  34 . There is no need to pre-depress or pre-crimp the flange.  
         [0051]    The projection  80  acts exactly as the hub  30 , i.e. as a block to or a stop of the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow A) tangentially along the periphery of the container to form a “butterfly” closure  46  on the periphery of the container. Excess material formed during the closing operation to bend upward between the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28 , thereby allowing a smooth operation without interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In this manner, the flange  18 , as will be seen by the waving of the repetitively crimped peripheral portion  46 , is folded and crimped in spaced intervals about the container. This will effectively close the lid  14  on the shelf  12 , making a cohesive package, although not fully sealing the same.  
         [0052]    To fully seal the butterfly closure  46  on the periphery of the container, the wheel  24  is flipped so that the anvil portion  26  faces upward, and placed against the container so that it abuts the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination, parallel to the plane of the shelf. It is then lightly pressed inwardly against the flange  18 . As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the anvil wheel  26  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as edge of the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the projection  80 . In fact, the projection  80  once more acts as the hub  30 , i.e. the flange/lid/shelf s edge stop to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward (Arrow B) tangentially alongh the periphery of the container once more. By resuming the back or forward motion (Arrow B), the flange  18  is fully depressed to continuously form a closed seal  48  about the periphery of the container.  
         [0053]    In a fourth embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 9 the tool  20 , again comprises a handle  22  and a head  24 . Just like in the second and the third embodiment described above, the handle  22  is formed of a pair of tongs having arms  22   a  and  22   b,  each of which has a hole  50  at its forward end. The handle  22  is made of any material that is capable of imputing qualities to the arms  22   a  and  22   b  that make them sprung or resiliently biased toward each other.  
         [0054]    The head  24  is a composite of a specially designed anvil portion  26 , a specially designed star shaped portion  28 , a hub washer  84  and an axle  60 . The anvil portion  26  has an outer surface  64 , an inner surface  66 , and a substantially cylindrical shape. The generally cylindrical side of the anvil, between the outer surface  64  and the inner surface  66  is tapered inwardly at about a forty five degree angle ±10-15 degrees from the outer surface  64  toward the inner surface  66  to form a tapered inclined inner surface  32 , in such a manner that the overall diameter of the outer surface  64  is greater than the overall diameter or outer perimeter of the inner surface  66 . At its center point, the anvil portion is provided with a bore which traverses the anvil portion  26  in a generally horizontal direction, from the inner surface right through to the outer surface thereby effectively transforming the anvil portion into an anvil wheel  26 .  
         [0055]    The star shaped wheel is similar in structure to the star shaped portion described in the embodiments hereinabove. Specifically, the star-shaped portion  28  has an outer diameter that is the same as the diameter of the anvil portion  26 . It is formed to have a plurality of uniformly spaced teeth or spurs  34  of generally triangular shape and conically formed sides  36 . It has an outer surface  72 , an inner surface  74 , and a substantially cylindrical star shape. The generally cylindrical side of the star shaped portion, between the outer surface and the first inner surface, which also defines one of the three sides of the spurs  34 , is tapered inwardly at about a forty five degree angle ±10-15 degrees from the outer surface  72  toward the inner surface  74  to form a tapered inclined inner surface  32 , in such a manner that the overall diameter of the outer surface is greater than the overall diameter or outer perimeter of the inner surface. At its center point, the star shaped portion is provided with a bore which traverses the star shaped portion in a generally horizontal direction, from the edge of the inner surface right through to the outer surface thereby effectively transforming the star shaped portion into a star shaped wheel  28 .  
         [0056]    In the fourth embodiment, the projection  80  of the star shaped wheel of the third embodiment, and the projection  70  of the anvil wheel of the second embodiment respectively, is replaced with a washer  84 . The overall outer diameter of the washer is slightly less than the overall outer diameter of either the anvil portion or the star shaped portion. Specifically, the overall outer diameter of the washer must be equal to the diameter defined by the base of the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28 . The washer also has a bore that traverses its entire thickness and which has an outer diameter sufficient to allow the washer to both fit snugly around the axle and be freely rotatable around the axle. Finally, the thickness of the washer must be less that the thickness of the flange/lid/shelf combination.  
         [0057]    The head  24  of the fourth embodiment is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped wheel  28 , the hub washer  84  and the axle  60  such that (i) the inner surface  66  of the anvil portion faces the inner surface  74  of the star-shaped wheel; (ii) the hub washer  84  is located in between the anvil wheel and the star-shaped wheel; (iii) the axle is fixed to the anvil wheel  26  and allowed to extend and project through the star-shaped wheel  28  and the washer, allowing the star-shaped wheel and the hub washer to be separately rotatable from the anvil wheel around the axle; and (iv) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped wheel  28  mirror each other.  
         [0058]    The head  24  is then mounted on the tool  20  by placing it between the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the handle  22  such that the axle extends outwardly through the holes  50  at the ends of the arms of the handle  22 . The anvil wheel  26 , star-shaped wheel  28 , the hub washer  84  and axle  60  are held together on the end of the handle by the bias formed by the arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. The bias of the tongs together with the extension of the axle  60 , and the tapered mirroring sides  32  of the anvil wheel and the star-shaped wheel allow the anvil portion and the star shaped wheel to be forced apart by the various container rims formed of different thickness materials, so that thicker and thinner flanges can be accommodated. The hub washer  84 , in turn, acts as the hub in the first embodiment above, i.e. as the combination flange/lid/shelf stop, to insure that only the spurs  34  of the star-shaped wheel  28  continuously remain over the top of the flange/lid/shelf combination, during the closure and sealing of the lid onto the container.  
         [0059]    Alternatively, the head  24  on the third embodiment, is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped portion  28 , the axle  60  and the hub washer  84  such that (i) the inner surface  66  of the anvil wheel faces the inner surface  76  of the star-shaped portion  28 ; (ii) the axle  60  is fixed to star-shaped part  28  and allowed to extend and project through the anvil wheel  26  and the hub washer  84 , allowing the anvil wheel  26  and the hub washer  84  to be separately rotatable from the star-shaped portion  28 , around the axle; and (iii) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star shaped portion mirror each other.  
         [0060]    In the method for using the tool of the fourth embodiment to close the container, the wheel  24 , with the star-shaped portion  28  facing upwardly, is placed against the container, parallel to the plane of the shelf  12 , and pressed inwardly. As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the star-shaped portion  28  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the edge of the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the hub washer  84 , thereby insuring that the edge of the shelf  12  does not go further and beyond the depth or base of the spurs  34 . There is no need to pre-depress or pre-crimp the flange.  
         [0061]    The hub washer  84  acts exactly as the hub  30 , i.e. as a block to or a stop of the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward tangentially along the periphery of the container to form a “butterfly” closure  46  on the periphery of the container. Excess material formed during the closing operation is bent upward between the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28 , thereby allowing a smooth operation without interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In this manner, the flange  18 , as will be seen by the waving of the repetitively crimped peripheral portion  46 , is folded and crimped in spaced intervals about the container. This will effectively close the lid  14  on the shelf  12 , making a cohesive package, although not fuily sealing the same.  
         [0062]    To fully seal the butterfly closure  46  on the periphery of the container, the wheel  24  is flipped so that the anvil portion  26  faces upward, and placed against the container so that it abuts the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination, parallel to the plane of the shelf. It is then lightly pressed inwardly against the flange  18 . As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild pressure on arms  22   a  and  22   b  of the tongs. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the anvil wheel  26  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the hub washer  84 . In fact; the hub washer  84  once more acts as the hub  30 , i.e. the flange/lid/shelf&#39;s edge stop to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward once more. By resuming the back or forward motion (Arrow B) tangentially along the periphery of the container, the flange  18  is fully depressed to continuously form a closed seal  48  about the periphery of the container.  
         [0063]    In a fifth embodiment of the invention, shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the tool  20 , comprises only of a hand held head  24 .  
         [0064]    The head  24  is a composite similar to the composite head of the second embodiment described above. Alternatively, the head  24  is a composite similar to the composite head of the third embodiment described above. Or, the head  24  is a composite similar to the composite head of the fourth embodiment described above.  
         [0065]    The head  24  of the fifth embodiment is formed by assembling the anvil wheel  26 , together with the star-shaped wheel  28 , the hub washer  84  (if the head is formed in accordance with the fourth embodiment) and the axle  60  such that (i) the innermost surface of the anvil wheel faces the innermost surface of the star-shaped wheel; (ii) the hub washer  84  (if the head is formed in accordance with the fourth embodiment) is located in between the anvil wheel and the star-shaped wheel; (iii) the axle is fixed to the anvil wheel  26  and allowed to extend and project through the star-shaped wheel  28  and the washer (if present), to allow the star-shaped wheel and the hub washer to be separately rotatable from the anvil wheel around the axle; and (iv) the tapered surfaces  32  of both the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped wheel  28  mirror each other.  
         [0066]    The head  24  is held together with any securing means that will allow the components to stay together, remain freely rotatable and capable of allowing the anvil portion and the star shaped wheel to be forced apart by the various container rims formed of different thickness materials, so that thicker and thinner flanges can be accommodated.  
         [0067]    In the method for using the tool of the fifth embodiment, as shown in FIG. 11, to close the container, the wheel  24 , with the star-shaped portion  28  facing upwardly, is placed against the container, parallel to the plane of the shelf  12 , and pressed inwardly. As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to apply a mild manual pressure. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the star-shaped portion  28  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the hub washer  84  or the projection, thereby insuring that the edge of the shelf  12  does not go further and beyond the depth or base of the spurs  34 . There is no need to pre-depress or pre-crimp the flange.  
         [0068]    The hub washer  84  or the projection acts exactly as the hub  30 , i.e. as a block to or a stop of the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward tangentially along the periphery of the container to form a “butterfly” closure  46  on the periphery of the container. Excess material formed during the closing operation is bent upward between the spurs  34  of the star-shaped portion  28 , thereby allowing a smooth operation without interference to the wheel&#39;s movement. In this manner, the flange  18 , as will be seen by the waving of the repetitively crimped peripheral portion  46 , is folded and crimped in spaced intervals about the container. This will effectively close the lid  14  on the shelf  12 , making a cohesive package, although not fully sealing the same.  
         [0069]    To fully seal the butterfly closure  46  on the periphery of the container, the wheel  24  is flipped so that the anvil portion  26  faces upward, and placed against the container so that it abuts the edge of the flange/lid/shelf combination, parallel to the plane of the shelf. It is then lightly pressed inwardly against the flange  18 . As it is pressed inwardly, the anvil wheel  26  and the star-shaped portion  28  are forced apart by the flange/lid/shelf combination. This requires the operator to manually apply a mild pressure. This pressure bends and folds the flange  18  down by the anvil wheel  26  onto the lid on the shelf until such time as the rim of the container abuts and comes to a stop up against the hub washer  84  or the projection. In fact, the hub washer  84  or the projection once more acts as the hub  30 , i.e. the flange/lid/shelf&#39;s edge stop to prevent slippage and promote the smooth rotation of the tool. Thereafter, the wheel  24  is rolled forward and/or backward once more. By resuming the back or forward motion (Arrow B) tangentially along the periphery of the container, the flange  18  is fully depressed to continuously form a closed seal  48  about the periphery of the container.  
         [0070]    The various embodiments described above are provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed to limit the invention. Those skilled in the art will readily recognize various modifications and changes, which may be made to the present invention without strictly following the exemplary embodiments and applications illustrated and described herein, and without departing from the true scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.