Sealing apparatus

Abstract

A sealing apparatus 10 for sealing an open top 12 of a container 14. The sealing apparatus 10 comprises a linearly displaceable transfer member 16 which is linearly displaceable from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer a sealing material 18 to an open top 12 of a container 14 to be sealed. The sealing apparatus further comprises an induction coil 20, producing an induction field for heating the sealing material 18 by induction heating to enable the sealing material to be sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14. The sealing apparatus further comprises an atmosphere controller 22. The atmosphere controller forms a controlled atmosphere environment in a headspace 50 of the container before the sealing material is sealed to the open top of the container. The atmosphere controller may comprise a gas supplier 24 and may also comprise a vacuum generator 26. The sealing apparatus may comprise an oxygen sensor for measuring the proportion of oxygen in the headspace.

Description

Technical Field The present disclosure relates generally to sealing apparatus, and more particularly to sealing apparatus for sealing an open top of a container. Technical Background Sealing apparatus can be used to apply sealing material to the open tops of a variety of containers to seal the containers. In some instances, oxygen sensitive products are provided in containers to be sealed. A controlled atmosphere environment, such as an inert gas atmosphere, is required in the headspace of such containers. Typically, to provide a controlled atmosphere environment, the sealing apparatus is housed in an enclosed chamber, such as a fume cupboard or the like, from which air is removed and an inert gas is introduced to provide a controlled atmosphere environment. However, this can be wastefill in terms of inert gas usage given the large volume within the enclosed chamber. Furthermore, operation under such circumstances can be slow and inconvenient. There is, therefore, a need to mitigate these drawbacks. Summary of the Disclosure According to a first aspect of the present disclosure, there is provided a sealing apparatus for sealing an open top of a container, wherein the sealing apparatus comprises: a linearly displaceable transfer member which is linearly displaceable from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer a sealing material to an open top of a container to be sealed; an induction coil operable to produce an induction field for heating the sealing material by induction heating to enable the sealing material to be sealed to the open top of the container; and an atmosphere controller, wherein the atmosphere controller is configured to form a controlled atmosphere environment in a headspace of the container before the sealing material is sealed to the open top of the container. Sealing apparatus according to examples of the disclosure enable a controlled atmosphere environment, for instance an inert or oxygen-free atmosphere, to be formed in the headspace of a container to be sealed before the sealing material is sealed to the open top of the container. Product stored in the container, for instance oxygen sensitive product, therefore benefits from the controlled atmosphere environment which can be selected according to particular constraints, for example, being free of oxygen. The controlled atmosphere environment is localised substantially in the headspace of the container and not a significantly larger enclosed space surrounding the sealing apparatus, such as a fume cupboard or the like. Examples of the disclosure therefore use the minimum amount of inert gas to form a controlled atmosphere environment and offer convenient and rapid operation. The atmosphere controller may comprise a gas supplier configured to introduce gas into the container through the open top of the container. The gas supplier may be in fluid communication with the headspace inside the container in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member. The atmosphere controller may comprise a vacuum generator configured to evacuate an existing atmosphere from the container. The vacuum generator may be in fluid communication with the headspace inside the container in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member. Possibly, the vacuum generator is configured to assist in drawing gas from the gas supplier into the headspace of the container and to conduct gas and any other existing atmosphere from the headspace of the container so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace of the container is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace container via the gas supplier. Possibly, the atmosphere controller comprises a vent through which gas and any other existing atmosphere from the headspace of the container can be vented so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace of the container is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace of the container via the gas supplier. The sealing apparatus may comprise an oxygen sensor for measuring the proportion of oxygen in the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace of the container before the sealing material is sealed to the open top of the container. The sealing apparatus may comprise a filling nozzle configured to introduce product into the container before the sealing material is sealed to the open top of the container. The linearly displaceable transfer member may be operable to hold the sealing material against the open top of the container during induction heating. The sealing apparatus may be configured to clamp directly to the container to be sealed. Alternatively, the sealing apparatus may be configured to clamp to a container holder, wherein in use the container is disposed in the container holder. Possibly, the sealing apparatus comprises a holding arrangement operable to hold the sealing material on the linearly displaceable transfer member during transfer of the sealing material to the open top of the container by the linearly displaceable transfer member. Possibly, the holding arrangement comprises a vacuum arrangement, wherein the vacuum arrangement is operable to apply suction to the sealing material to hold the sealing material on the linearly displaceable transfer member during transfer of the sealing material to the open top of the container by the linearly displaceable transfer member. Possibly, the holding arrangement comprises a gripper arrangement, wherein the gripper arrangement is configured to hold the sealing material on the linearly displaceable transfer member during transfer of the sealing material to the open top of the container by the linearly displaceable transfer member. According to various, but not necessarily all, embodiments there are provided examples as claimed in the appended claims. Brief Description of the Drawings For a better understanding of various examples that are useful for understanding the detailed description, reference will now be made by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying figures. Figure 1 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a first example sealing apparatus in a first condition; Figure 2 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of the first example sealing apparatus in a second condition; and Figure 3 is a diagrammatic cross-sectional view of a second example sealing apparatus. Detailed Description of Embodiments Embodiments of the present disclosure will now be described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Examples of the disclosure provide a sealing apparatus 10 for sealing an open top 12 of a container 14. Referring initially to Figures 1 and 2, there is shown a first example sealing apparatus 10. The sealing apparatus 10 can be used to seal containers 14 formed from a variety of materials, such as glass or plastics, having a variety of geometries and intended for a variety of end uses. The sealing apparatus 10 comprises a linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The purpose of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is to transfer a sealing material 18 to an open top 12 of a container 14 to be sealed. The linearly displaceable transfer member 16 comprises a transfer surface 40. The transfer surface 40 is provided at a distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In use, the sealing material 18 is supported on the transfer surface 40. Accordingly, the sealing material 18 is provided on the transfer surface 40. The linearly displaceable transfer member 16 may include a flexible plate member 44 at tire distal end 42 to provide the transfer surface 40. The flexible plate member 44 typically comprises an electrically insulating and resiliently deformable material, such as rubber or a rubberised material, which when it comes into contact with the open top 12 of the container 14, deforms to the minimal extent necessary to enable it to conform to the shape of the open top 12 of the container 14. In this way, the sealing material 18 is also caused to conform to the shape of the open top 12 of the container 14, thus ensuring that a reliable seal is formed. The linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is linearly displaceable between a retracted position shown in Figure 1 and an extended position shown in Figure 2. Figure 1 shows the sealing apparatus 10 in a first condition (in which the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is in the retracted position) and Figure 2 shows the sealing apparatus 10 in a second condition (in which the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is in the extended position). Linear displacement of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 between the retracted and extended positions is caused by an actuator 36, typically in the form of a piston arrangement 38. Accordingly, the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is displaceable by the actuator 36 from a retracted position shown in Figure 1 to an extended position shown in Figure 2, and is displaceable, again by the actuator 36, in the opposite direction from the extended position to the retracted position. In some examples, the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is cylindrical, and may extend through a cylindrical passage (not illustrated). The cylindrical passage may act as a linear bearing to guide the linear displacement of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In some examples, the sealing apparatus 10 further comprises a cutting member (not illustrated) associated with linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In such examples, the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is configured to transfer sealing material 18 from the cutting member to the open top 12 of the container 14 after it has been cut from a web (not illustrated) of sealing material 18 by the cutting member. The cylindrical passage may be defined by the cutting member. In other examples, the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is not associated with a cutting member. In such examples, the sealing material 18 can be positioned by hand on the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 or picked up from a magazine, for instance, in an automated or semi-automated operation. The sealing apparatus 10 comprises a holding arrangement 30 operable to hold the sealing material 18 on the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 during transfer of the sealing material 18 to the open top 12 of the container 14 by the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 for sealing to the open top 12 of the container 14. In the illustrated example, the holding arrangement 30 is operable to hold the sealing material 18 on the transfer surface 40. In some examples, the holding arrangement 30 comprises a vacuum arrangement 32. The vacuum arrangement 32 is operable to apply suction to the sealing material 18 to hold the sealing material 18 on the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 during transfer of the sealing material 18 to the open top 12 of the container 14. In the illustrated example, the vacuum arrangement 32 is configured to apply suction to the transfer surface 40 (on which the sealing material 18 is positioned). Typically, one or more conduits 46 lead to a plurality of circumferentially spaced apertures (not illustrated) in the transfer surface 40 through which the suction is applied. In other examples, the holding arrangement 30 comprises a gripper arrangement 34. The gripper arrangement 34 is configured to hold the sealing material 18 on the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 during transfer of the sealing material 18 to the open top 12 of the container 14. In the illustrated example, the gripper arrangement comprises flexible fingers 48 which extend to a limited degree over the transfer surface 40. The flexible fingers 48 are configured to hold the sealing material 18 on the transfer surface 40. In the extended position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 (Figure 2), the flexible fingers 48 have been displaced, i.e., pushed aside, by the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In some examples, such as the illustrated example, the holding arrangement 30 comprises both a vacuum arrangement 32 and a gripper arrangement 34 which in use cooperate to hold the sealing material 18 on the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 during transfer of the sealing material 18 to the open top 12 of the container 14. As described in more detail below, once the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 has been displaced to the extended position, it is held in this position by the holding arrangement 30 for a predetermined period of time to hold the sealing material 18 against the open top 12 of the container 14. The sealing apparatus 10 further comprises an induction coil 20 operable to produce an induction field for heating the sealing material 18 by induction heating to enable the sealing material 18 to be sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14. Hie sealing apparatus 10 therefore utilises induction heating to seal the sealing material 18 to the open top 12 of the container 14. In the illustrated example, the induction coil 20 is spaced apart from the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The induction coil 20 is provided around the distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In the illustrated example, the induction coil 20 is arranged around the distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 in both the retracted and extended positions. In other examples, the induction coil 20 may be arranged around the distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 only in the extended position. In some examples, the induction coil 20 substantially surrounds the distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The induction coil 20 is therefore arranged around the sealing material 18 (or substantially surrounds the sealing material 18) provided on the transfer surface 40 at the distal end of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In other examples, the induction coil 20 may be provided at the distal end 42 of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. hi such examples, the induction coil 20 is comprised in the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In some examples, the sealing material 18 comprises an electrically conductive metallic foil and the induction field generated by the induction coil 20, when activated, directly inductively heats the electrically conductive, metallic foil, sealing material 18 to enable it to be sealed, for example, by a thermosensitive adhesive, to the open top 12 of the container 14. Accordingly, the sealing apparatus 10 is adapted for use with sealing material 18 comprising an electrically conductive sealing material such that the induction field produced by the induction coil 20 is operable to directly inductively heat the electrically conductive sealing material 18. The linearly displaceable transfer member 16 may be formed from an electrically insulating material, such as plastics materials such as PEEK (polyether ether ketone). In examples of the disclosure, the sealing apparatus 10 further comprises an atmosphere controller 22. Hie atmosphere controller 22 is configured to form a controlled atmosphere environment in a headspace 50 of the container 14 before the sealing material 18 is sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14 in the manner described above (and in further detail below). In particular, the controlled atmosphere environment is formed in the headspace 50 inside the container 14 and above any product 52 present in the container 14. The headspace 50 is the inside volume of the container 14 that is not occupied by product 52 in the container 14. In some examples, the atmosphere controller 22 comprises a gas supplier 24 configured to introduce gas into the container 14 through the open top 12 of the container 14. The gas may be nitrogen or another inert gas. The gas supplier 24 is in fluid communication with the headspace 50 inside the container 14 in the retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 (as illustrated in Figure 1). In the retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 (Figure 1), an enclosed volume 56 is provided inside the sealing apparatus 10 which is in fluid communication with the headspace 50 of the container 14. In the illustrated example, the enclosed volume 56 is above the headspace 50 of the container 14. The gas supplier 24 comprises a conduit 54 though which gas can be conducted from the gas supplier 24 into the headspace 50 inside the container 14 in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The conduit 54 comprises an outlet 58 into the enclosed volume 56. In use in the retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16, gas conducted through the conduit 54 exiting tire outlet 58 into the enclosed volume 56 is conducted into the headspace 50 through the open top 12 of the container 14. As described below, gas conducted into the headspace 50 displaces the existing atmosphere from the container headspace 50. An existing atmosphere can include gas already introduced by the gas supplier 24. In the extended position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 (Figure 2), a part of the enclosed volume 56 is replaced by the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. Furthermore, what remains of the enclosed volume 56 is no longer in fluid communication with the headspace 50 of the container 14. In this condition, the sealing material 18 is closing the container 14 and therefore capping the headspace 50. Accordingly, the gas supplier 24 is not in fluid communication with the headspace 50 inside the container 14 in the extended position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In the illustrated example, the atmosphere controller 22 further comprises a vacuum generator 26 configured to evacuate an existing atmosphere from the container 14. The vacuum generator 26 is in fluid communication with the headspace 50 inside the container 14 in the retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The vacuum generator 26 comprises a conduit 60 though which gas (including an existing atmosphere) can be extracted under vacuum from the enclosed volume 56 and the headspace 50 inside the container 14 in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The conduit 60 comprises an outlet 62 into the enclosed volume 56. In the extended position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 (Figure 2), as described above, a part of the enclosed volume 56 is replaced by the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. Furthermore, what remains of the enclosed volume 56 is no longer in fluid communication with the headspace 50 of the container 14. In this condition, the sealing material 18 is closing the container 14 and therefore capping the headspace 50. Accordingly, the vacuum generator 26 is not in fluid communication with the headspace 50 inside die container 14 in the extended position of the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. In the illustrated example, the vacuum generator 26 is configured to assist in drawing gas from the gas supplier 24 into the headspace 50 of the container 14 and to conduct gas and any other existing atmosphere from the headspace 50 of the container 14 so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace 50 of the container 14 is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace 50 of the container via the gas supplier 24. In particular, in use, gas conducted through the conduit 54 exiting the outlet 5 8 into the enclosed volume 56 is conducted into the headspace 50 through the open top 12 of the container 14. Concomitantly, gas conducted into the headspace 50 displaces the existing atmosphere from the container headspace 50, and this is extracted under vacuum from the enclosed volume 56 and the headspace 50 inside the container 14 through conduit 60 by the action of the vacuum generator 26. This process is illustrated in Figure 1 by arrows 80. In some examples, the atmosphere controller 22 comprises a vent (not illustrated) through which gas and any other existing atmosphere from the container 14 can be vented so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace 50 of the container 14 is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace 50 of the container via the gas supplier 24. In such examples, the vacuum generator 26 is not required. Instead, the pressure (or flow rate) of gas conducted through the conduit 54 from the gas supplier 24, exiting the outlet 58 into the enclosed volume 56, and conducted into the headspace 50 through the open top 12 of the container 14 is sufficient to displace the existing atmosphere from the container 14 through the vent. In some examples, the sealing apparatus 10 comprises an oxygen sensor (not illustrated) for measuring the proportion of oxygen in the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace 50ofthe container 14beforethe sealing material 18 is sealed to the open top 12ofthe container 14. The oxygen sensor may be arranged to measure the proportion of oxygen in the enclosed volume 56 which due to fluid communication with the headspace 50, is equivalentto measuring the proportion of oxygen in the headspace 50 directly. In some examples, the sealing apparatus 10 comprises a filling nozzle (not illustrated) configured to introduce product 52 into the container 14 before the sealing material 18 is sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14. In such examples, product 52 is introduced into a container 14 to be sealed before operation of the atmosphere controller 22 to form a controlled atmosphere environment in the container 14. In the example illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sealing apparatus 10 is configured to clamp directly to the container 14 to be sealed. The sealing apparatus 10 comprises sealing members 64, such as O-rings or gaskets, which are arranged to contact a top surface 66 of a container 14 to be sealed adjacent the open top 12 in use to provide a seal, i.e., a gastight seal. In the illustrated example, the sealing apparatus 10 comprises sealing members 74, such as O-rings or gaskets, which are arranged to prevent air ingress around the linearly displaceable transfer member 16. The sealing apparatus 10 comprises a mounting 76 which is configured to connect the sealing apparatus 10 to an actuator (not illustrated) to enable clamping of the sealing apparatus 10 to a container 14. The actuator provides a reversible clamping force as indicated by double headed arrow 78. Figure 3 shows a second example sealing apparatus 100. The sealing apparatus 100 is similar to the sealing apparatus 10 described above and corresponding components are identified using the same reference numerals. Only the differences relative to the sealing apparatus 10 will hereby be described. Hie sealing apparatus 100 is configured to clamp to a container holder 28, rather than directly to a container 14 to be sealed. In use, the container 14 is disposed in the container holder 28. The sealing apparatus 100 comprises sealing members 64, such as O-rings or gaskets, which are arranged to contact a top surface 68 of the container holder 28 to provide a seal, i.e., a gastight seal. The container holder 28 can be used to hold smaller containers 14 which do not have a sufficient contact surface to be clamped to directly by the sealing apparatus 10, 100. In such examples, the container 14 can sit inside a closed pocket 70 within a nest / holder 72. The sealing apparatus 100 clamps against the top surface 68 of the nest / holder 72. In one example of use, the atmosphere controller 22 forms a controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace 50 of the container 14 as described above. The sealing material 18 is then transferred to the open top 12 of the container 14 by the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 capping the headspace 50 to enclose the controlled atmosphere environment therein. The induction coil 20 is activated and produces an induction field. The induction field rapidly heats the electrically conductive, metallic foil, sealing material 18 by directly inductively heating it and the thermosensitive adhesive carried on the underside of the sealing material 18 thus melts or softens. The induction coil 20 is then deactivated which causes rapid cooling of the sealing material 18 and resultant cooling and curing of the thermosensitive adhesive. The linearly displaceable transfer member 16 continues to hold the sealing material 18 against the open top 12 of the container 14 after the induction coil 20 has been deactivated to allow sufficient time for the sealing material 18 to cool, and hence the adhesive to cure and seal the sealing material 18 to the container 14. Accordingly, the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is operable to hold the sealing material 18againstthe open top 12 of the container 14during induction heating. In examples wherein the holding arrangement 30 comprises a vacuum arrangement 32, once the thermosensitive adhesive has suitably cooled and cured, and the sealing material 18 has been appropriately sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14, the suction applied to the transfer surface 40 via the apertures (not illustrated) is deactivated and the linearly displaceable transfer member 16 is displaced from the extended position shown in Figure 2 to the retracted position shown in Figure 1. The method described above is then repeated to seal another container 14 in an operation which may be manual, semi-automated, or automated. The Figures also illustrate a method of forming a controlled atmosphere environment in a container 14. The Figures also illustrate a method of manufacturing sealing apparatus 10, 100 according to examples of the disclosure. There is thus described sealing apparatus 10, 100 with a number of advantages as described above and below. Sealing apparatus 10 according to examples of the disclosure enable a controlled atmosphere environment, for instance an inert or oxygen-free atmosphere, to be formed in the headspace 50 of a container 14 to be sealed before the sealing material 18 is sealed to the open top 12 of the container 14. Product 52 stored in the container 14, for instance oxygen sensitive product 52, therefore benefits from the controlled atmosphere environment which can be selected according to particular constraints, for example, being free of oxygen. The controlled atmosphere environment is localised substantially in the headspace 50 of the container 14 and not a significantly larger enclosed space surrounding the sealing apparatus 10, such as a fume cupboard or the like. Examples of the disclosure therefore use the minimum amount of inert gas to from a controlled atmosphere environment and offer convenient and rapid operation. 5 Although exemplary embodiments have been described in the preceding paragraphs, it should be understood that various modifications may be made to those embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. Thus, the breadth and scope of the claims should not be limited to the above-described exemplary embodiments. 10 Any combination of the above-described features in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the present disclosure unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. Unless the context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the 15 words “comprise”, “comprising”, and the like, are to be construed in an inclusive as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of “including, but not limited

Claims

aims1. A sealing apparatus (10, 100) for sealing an open top (12) of a container (14), wherein the sealing apparatus (10, 100) comprises:a linearly displaceable transfer member (16) which is linearly displaceable from a retracted position to an extended position to transfer a sealing material (18) to an open top (12) of a container (14) to be sealed;an induction coil (20) operable to produce an induction field for heating the sealing material (18) by induction heating to enable the sealing material (18) to be sealed to the open top (12) of the container (14); andan atmosphere controller (22), wherein the atmosphere controller (22) is configured to form a controlled atmosphere environment in a headspace (50) of the container (14) before the sealing material (18) is sealed to the open top (12) of the container (14);wherein the sealing apparatus (10, 100) comprises an oxygen sensor for measuring the proportion of oxygen in the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace (50) of the container (14) before the sealing material (18) is sealed to the open top (12) of the container (14).

2. A sealing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the atmosphere controller (22) comprises a gas supplier (24) configured to introduce gas into the container (14) through the open top (12) of the container (14).

3. A sealing apparatus according to claim 2, wherein the gas supplier (24) is in fluid communication with the headspace (50) inside the container (14) in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member (16).

4. A sealing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the atmosphere controller(22) comprises a vacuum generator (26) configured to evacuate an existing atmosphere from the container (14).

5. A sealing apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the vacuum generator (26) is in fluid communication with the headspace (50) inside the container (14) in a retracted position of the linearly displaceable transfer member (16).

6. A sealing apparatus according to claim 4 or 5 when dependent on claim 2 or 3, wherein the vacuum generator (26) is configured to assist in drawing gas from the gas supplier (24) into the headspace of die container (14) and to conduct gas and any other existing atmosphere from the headspace (50) of the container (14) so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace (50) of the container (14) is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace (50) container via the gas supplier (24).

7. A sealing apparatus according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the atmosphere controller (22) comprises a vent through which gas and any other existing atmosphere from the headspace (50) of the container (14) can be vented so that the controlled atmosphere environment in the headspace (50) of the container (14) is a selected gas composition consisting essentially of the gas introduced into the headspace (50) of the container via the gas supplier (24).

8. A sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing apparatus (10, 100) comprises a filling nozzle configured to introduce product (52) into the container (14) before the sealing material (18) is sealed to the open top (12) of the container (14).

9. A sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the linearly displaceable transfer member (16) is operable to hold the sealing material (18) against the open top (12) of the container (14) during induction heating.

10. A sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing apparatus (10) is configured to clamp directly to the container (14) to be sealed.

11. A sealing apparatus according to any of claims 1 to 9, wherein the sealing apparatus (100) is configured to clamp to a container holder (28), wherein in use the container (14) is disposed in the container holder (28).

12. A sealing apparatus according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the sealing apparatus (10,100) comprises a holding arrangement (30) operable to hold the sealing material (18) on the linearly displaceable transfer member (16) during transfer of the sealing material (18) to the open top (12) of the container (14) by the linearly displaceable transfer member (16).

13. A sealing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the holding arrangement (30) comprises a vacuum arrangement (32), wherein the vacuum arrangement (32) is operable to apply suction to the sealing material (18) to hold the sealing material (18) on the linearly 5 displaceable transfer member (16) during transfer of the sealing material (18) to the open top (12) of the container (14) by the linearly displaceable transfer member (16).

14. A sealing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the holding arrangement (30) comprises a gripper arrangement (34), wherein the gripper arrangement (34) is configured to 10 hold the sealing material (18) on the linearly displaceable transfer member (16) during transfer of the sealing material (18) to the open top (12) of the container (14) by the linearly displaceable transfer member (16).

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