Bottle sealing method and apparatus

摘要

An embossed seal is formed in a cavity in the neck of a corked bottle over a cork using a die having a die surface with a die image. A first molten seal material is introduced into a die cavity. The die cavity is formed in part with the die surface. The introduction of the first molten seal material deposits an embossed seal portion with an embossed surface. The embossed seal portion is allowed to cool. A second molten seal material is introduced into the cavity of the neck of the corked bottle. The embossed seal portion is brought into contact with the molten seal material in the bottle cavity with the embossed surface disposed on top facing away from the molten seal material. The molten seal material partially melts the embossed seal portion to form a single seal upon cooling. The embossed seal portion is sufficiently cooled and solidified to prevent melting and damage of the embossed surface. An automated apparatus is provided for carrying out the two-stage procedure of forming the seal to produce high quality embossed seals at an economically desirable rate. A die truck assembly is used to form the embossed seal portion. The assembly includes three springs to provide a triple telescoping action that allows the assembly to be engaged with the bottle necks and maintains the engagement along a specific travel path to form the seal to seal the bottle. The triple telescoping action also releases the embossed seal portion from the die cavity of the die truck assembly into the molten seal material in the cavity over the cork in the bottle neck. It further allows the die truck assembly easily to self-adjust and compensate for varying bottle heights and varying cork heights so as to exert a generally consistent pressure on the embossed seal portion and molten seal material to form the finished seal.