IP Library › Granted Patent US 7,832,188
Granted Patent B2
US 7,832,188 · App. 12/282,174 · Granted Nov 16, 2010

Apparatus and method for sealing a lidstock to a container

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,832,188
App. No.
12/282,174
Granted
Nov 16, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

The invention relates to a method for heat sealing a lidstock ( 9 ) to a container ( 1 ) for a blister package, the container having a top surface comprising a substantially flat sealing flange ( 3 ) surrounding a blister ( 2 ) and a lip ( 4 ) having at least one raised surface ( 6 ), the method comprising the steps of a) locating the lidstock on the top surface; b) providing a first seal between the lidstock and the at least one raised surface of the lip with a first heat sealing tool ( 11 ); c) providing a second hermetic seal between the lidstock and the sealing flange surrounding the blister with a second heat sealing tool. The invention also relates to a package for storing a hydrophilic contact lens comprising a lip having at least one raised surface and a removable lidstock sealed to a sealing flange and to the at least one raised surface. Also disclosed is an apparatus for heat sealing the lidstock to the container.

Claims (22)

1. A method for heat sealing a lidstock to a container for a blister package, the container having a top surface comprising a substantially flat sealing flange surrounding a blister and a lip the method comprising the steps of:

a) locating the lidstock on the top surface;

b) providing a first seal between the lidstock and a locus of the lip with a first heat sealing tool;

c) providing a second hermetic seal between the lidstock and the sealing flange surrounding the blister with a second heat sealing tool.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the lip has at least one raised surface and at step (b), the method comprises providing the first seal between the lidstock and the at least one raised surface on the lip.

3. A method according to claim 2 wherein the at least one raised surface comprises a substantially triangular shaped surface.

4. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the lip has two mutually spaced raised surfaces.

5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the lip has a curved upper surface, curved downwards with respect to the sealing flange.

6. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the lidstock is a laminated foil comprising a metal layer and a basal thermoplastic polymer layer.

7. A method according to claim 6 , wherein the basal thermoplastic polymer layer is polypropylene.

8. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first seal is spaced from the sealing flange and spaced from an edge of the lip.

9. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first seal comprises one or more mutually spaced spot welds.

10. A method according to claim 9 , wherein the area of each spot weld is 10 mm 2 or less.

11. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first seal comprises two mutually spaced spot welds.

12. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the pressure and/or temperature and/or contact time applied in forming the first seal is less than the pressure and/or temperature and/or contact time applied in forming the second seal.

13. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the fracture strength of the first seal is less than the fracture strength of the second seal.

14. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the blister package is for a contact lens.

15. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first seal is provided at a first station of a packing line, and the second seal is provided at a second station of the packing line.

16. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat sealing tool comprises a sealing plate to provide the first seal and wherein the sealing plate is adapted to contact the lidstock over the raised surfaces of the lip at a tangent to provide the first seal.

17. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the first heat sealing tool is rotated about a pivoting means to bring the sealing plate into contact with the lidstock over the raised surfaces of the lip to provide the first seal.

18. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the sealing plate is provided with a temperature sensor whereby temperature during formation of the first seal may be monitored and/or controlled.

19. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the raised surfaces of the lip are of polypropylene.

Assignments (25)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
Reel/Frame 073637/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.
Reel/Frame 073637/0126 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 20, 2025
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
Reel/Frame 073654/0242 →
ASSIGNMENT OF SECURITY INTEREST IN PATENTS PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL/FRAME (059913/0548) Recorded Aug 14, 2025
From: CITIBANK, N.A., AS RESIGNING AGENT
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 072469/0091 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 1, 2025
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; ALDEN OPTICAL LABORATORIES, INC.; BAUSCH + LOMB IRELAND LIMITED
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 071773/0871 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Apr 8, 2025
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH IRELAND LIMITED (F/K/A/ VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED); SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD; SANTARUS, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; HUMAX PHARMACEUTICAL S.A.; SOLTA MEDICAL IRELAND LIMITED; BAUSCH & LOMB MEXICO, S.A. DE C.V.; BAUSCH+LOMB OPS B.V.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH HOLDCO LIMITED; BAUSCH HEALTH MAGYARORSZAG KFT (A/K/A BAUSCH HEALTH HUNGARY LLC); BAUSCH HEALTH POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA (F/K/A VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SPOLKA Z OGRANICZONA ODPOWIEDZIALNOSCIA); BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; BAUSCH HEALTH, CANADA INC. / SANTE BAUSCH, CANADA INC.; ICN POLFA RZESZOW SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A ICN POLFA RZESZOW S.A.); ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA SPOLKA AKCYJNA (A/K/A PRZEDSIEBIORSTWO FARMACEUTYCZNE JELFA S.A.); SOLTA MEDICAL DUTCH HOLDINGS B.V.; V-BAC HOLDING CORP.; VRX HOLDCO LLC; 1261229 B.C. LTD.; 1530065 B.C. LTD.
Reel/Frame 070778/0199 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Oct 4, 2023
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: CITIBANK, N.A., AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 065120/0086 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 045444/0634) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Reel/Frame 061872/0295 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 043251/0932) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH
Reel/Frame 061872/0099 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 048556/0758) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH COMPANIES INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Reel/Frame 061872/0484 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 056811/0814) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061872/0669 →
OMNIBUS PATENT SECURITY RELEASE AGREEMENT (REEL/FRAME 059121/0001) Recorded Nov 2, 2022
From: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061873/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 045444/0299) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AS REPRESENTED BY THE SECRETARY, DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES; PF CONSUMER HEALTHCARE 1 LLC; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.
Reel/Frame 061779/0001 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 031156/0508) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
Reel/Frame 061778/0446 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST IN SPECIFIED PATENTS (REEL/FRAME 034749/0689) Recorded Oct 26, 2022
From: BARCLAYS BANK PLC
To: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; UNIVERSITY OF ROCHESTER
Reel/Frame 061778/0146 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 10, 2022
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: CITIBANK, N.A. AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 059913/0548 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Feb 10, 2022
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Reel/Frame 059121/0001 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 8, 2021
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 056811/0814 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Mar 11, 2019
From: BAUSCH HEALTH AMERICAS, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH HEALTH US, LLC; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SANTARUS, INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS NOTES COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 048556/0758 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2018
From: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045444/0299 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Feb 26, 2018
From: ATON PHARMA, INC.; BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; BAUSCH & LOMB PHARMA HOLDINGS CORP.; COMMONWEALTH LABORATORIES, LLC; DOW PHARMACEUTICAL SCIENCES, INC.; ECR PHARMACEUTICALS CO., INC.; LABORATOIRE CHAUVIN S.A.S.; MEDICIS PHARMACEUTICAL CORPORATION; ONPHARMA INC.; ORAPHARMA, INC.; PRECISION DERMATOLOGY, INC.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, LTD.; SALIX PHARMACEUTICALS, INC.; SANTARUS, INC.; SOLTA MEDICAL, INC.; SYNERGETICS USA, INC.; TECHNOLAS PERFECT VISION GMBH; VALEANT CANADA LP; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS INTERNATIONAL, INC.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS NORTH AMERICA LLC; WIRRA IP PTY LIMITED; VALEANT PHARMA POLAND SP. Z O.O.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS LUXEMBOURG S.A R.L.; VALEANT PHARMACEUTICALS IRELAND LIMITED
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045444/0634 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jul 19, 2017
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: THE BANK OF NEW YORK MELLON
Reel/Frame 043251/0932 →
NOTICE OF SUCCESSION OF AGENCY Recorded Jan 9, 2015
From: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS, LLC
To: BARCLAYS BANK PLC, AS SUCCESSOR AGENT
Reel/Frame 034749/0689 →
SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Sep 4, 2013
From: BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED
To: GOLDMAN SACHS LENDING PARTNERS LLC, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 031156/0508 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Aug 13, 2013
From: CITIBANK N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT
To: WP PRISM INC. (N/K/A BAUSCH & LOMB HOLDINGS INC.); BAUSCH & LOMB INCORPORATED; ISTA PHARMACEUTICALS
Reel/Frame 030995/0444 →