Abstract: A container formed of synthetic resinous material having a bottom structure the outer surface of which comprises a central concavity and a convex heel, the heel surrounding the concavity and merging therewith and with the container sidewall. A plurality of hollow convex ribs, distributed in a symmetrical array, interrupt the outer surface of the concavity and merge smoothly therewith, each rib extending longitudinally in the direction of the heel and downwardly from an inner portion of the concavity. The wall of the bottom structure generally decreases in thickness progressively from the innermost point of the concavity to the sidewall.

Abstract: Polyolefin containers having improved gas barrier properties are prepared by forming a billet comprised of a particle mixture of a polyolefin resin, such as polyethylene, an inorganic filler such as CaCO.sub.3 and at least about 13.5% by volume of a vinylidene chloride polymer having a median particle diameter greater than 150 microns. The billet is heated to a temperature of about 25.degree. to 40.degree. F above the melting temperature of the vinylidene chloride polymer and then molded into a hollow container.

Abstract: A washing apparatus is disclosed for removing excess coating material from the interior edge portions of metal containers wherein the excess material is formed by the coating draining down the interior sidewalls of the container after the coating has been applied thereto. The apparatus is provided with means for contacting the interior edge portions of the container in the seaming area with a wash fluid wherein the wash fluid maintained in a receptacle is discharged from a slot contained in the receptacle in the form of a ripple having waves which swell and undulate within the interior of the container to effect a washing action on the coating material accumulated therein to remove the coating material from the interior edge portions.

Abstract: Micron size polymer particles with narrow particle size distribution are prepared by dissolving the polymer in a suitable liquid solvent, impinging an atomized spray of the dissolved polymer on a moving film of a liquid in which the polymer is insoluble and then recovering the polymer particles from the resultant mixture of liquids.

Abstract: A rectangular tape seal end closure for closing pour openings in a round end panel of a pressurized container wherein the tape extends to the circular peripheral seaming chuck guide groove. The tape has a pull ring pull folded over the body of the tape and normally would form corners therewith which would encroach upon the chuck guide groove. In this invention, these corners are cut off to clear the chuck groove and novel ribbing reinforcements are provided which reinforce the body of the tape to resist blow-out and which bridge the cut off areas and function to strengthen the tape to counter notch-effect stress concentrations because of cutting off of the corners.

Abstract: Improved easy open means for containers. Especially adapted to those used for liquids, including carbonated beverages, and permitting drinking from the container or pouring out contents. An important feature is attachment of closure to container after opening to avoid litter. Main feature is an openable segment in the top defined by a score line that extends almost all around its periphery, but interrupted at one point by an unscored section which provides integral hingeable attachment means to secure the segment to the top within the container after opening. Opening of the segment is accomplished by a manually operated elongated leverage lift tab which is hingeably secured to the top by a rivet which is positioned just outside of the segment and close to the score line. The outer longer lift end of the lift tab extends over the container top beyond the segment, and the shorter inner end extends partially over the segment, and comprises a downward pressure exerting extension.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for preparing humidified, shirred artificial collagen sausage casings wherein immediately prior to shirring, the inside wall of the unshirred portion of the casing is contacted with an aqueous humidifying fluid comprised of water containing from about 0.8 to about 3% by weight of a mixture of partial fatty acid esters of glycerine and sorbitol, the glycerine ester being present in the aqueous fluid at a concentration of greater than 0.1% by weight.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improvement in a process for humidifying artificial sausage casings wherein a moisture-providing fluid is contacted with the inside wall of an unshirred portion of casing and the casing subsequently shirred. The improvement resides in employing as the moisture-providing fluid, water containing from about 0.5-5% by weight of a water-dispersible surfactant having sufficient lubricating qualities for preventing said casing from jamming on said shirring machine.

Abstract: An easy opening end closure is arranged and adapted to accommodate pouring of products with varying viscosities. The end panel includes a number of portions disposed to obstruct displacement of the tab and thereby limit opening of the closure to a predetermined segment thereof. The portions are deflectable to a non-obstructing position by application of sufficient force thereagainst, enabling the user to determine the size of the pour opening by controlling the number of segments opened.

Abstract: An improved method of severing a strand of shirred casing or the like from the following casing while the casing moves along a mandrel, comprising the steps of gripping the shirred casing at two axially separated points, extending the casing to deshirr a portion thereof, gripping the deshirred portion of the casing, and axially tensioning the deshirred portion to effect a parting therein.A cam-actuated, double clamp mechanism is also provided to practice the method.

Abstract: An improved test fixture for verifying the reliability of leak detectors in a can-making line, comprising a can body having an orifice of a predetermined size formed therein and piece of filter paper of predetermined porosity, attached to the interior of the container by a double-faced tape, overlying the orifice. A fluid, maintained at a predetermined pressure, is introduced into the body to produce a simulated leak having a predetermined flow rate. Identification of the test fixture as a "leaker" proves the reliability of the leak detector.A method is also provided for producing the test fixture.

Abstract: A composite end panel is adhesively bonded to the sidewall of a can or similar container with the end panel periphery overlying a portion of the sidewall outer surface. A plastic band or hoop is placed on the sidewall, overlapping the edge of the end panel, and shrunk in place through the application of heat. The band seals the cut edge and prevents wicking while insuring that the end panel is retained in position. A fillet of sealant may be applied to the inside of the container at the juncture of the sidewall and the end panel.

Abstract: An improved front opening easy-open end closure wherein the opening flap is formed with an auxiliary score line rupturable to form a vent opening, and the pull tab is provided with an auxiliary rupturing member comprising a panelwardly directed protrusion, superposed in relation to the auxiliary score line and arranged such that displacement of the tab to open the flap results in prior rupture of the auxiliary score line and venting of the container.

Abstract: An easy opening end closure is formed with annular, double folded band adjacent the chuck wall. A weakening line defining a removable panel portion is formed in the center segment of the fold so that the folded edges of the single band provide smooth protective surfaces on both the ledge and the removable panel portion.This disclosure also relates to a method for forming the above described easy-opening end closure wherein the weakening line is formed in the end panel prior to complete formation of the folded band.

Abstract: A method for coloring synthetic food casings such as casings manufactured from cellulose and collagen wherein the tubular casing in the gel state is impregnated with a solution containing caramel and thereafter the caramel is cross-linked and insolubilized in the casing to effect permanent coloring of the casing.

Abstract: A barrier bag of suitable plastic material which has a rigid sloping bottom and thin side walls, the shape and strength of the bottom and the top of the bag causing the body of the bag to collapse radially and fold in a desired manner about a dip tube in the bag without paneling such as would prevent evacuation of the product from the bag.

Abstract: An easy opening closure for pressurized fluids and a method of making the same. The container has an end panel with multiple small openings and a tape strip of plastic or plastic coated metal foil is secured to the panel by a heat activated adhesive in a way by which the plastic is extruded into the openings to form hollow bosses each defined by a peripheral annulus or torus formed into the respective opening and at least partially bonded to an uncoated raw edge of the opening, the boss having a disk-like center portion and the surrounding annulus providing a thick cross-section resisting doming of the areas of the tape covering the openings and inhibiting the development of incipient cracks and their propogation resulting in premature peeling of the cohesive bond.

Abstract: A pre-loading and energy absorbing mechanism in a press having a ram and a primary overload release comprising a preloaded spring assembly interposed between connecting rod pin and the ram and the connecting means to the tooling to take up excessive loads which develop due to thermal expansion or improper positioning of the tooling or kiss-block or an article to be formed or because of malfunction in the tooling, and a secondary higher overload release comprising a pre-loaded spring assembly interposed between the ram supporting head or the base of a press and the connecting structure therebetween, the head/base being movable away from and back to a fixed position in a connecting structure.

Abstract: A tray having at least two compartments is erected from a blank and comprises a bottom wall, a pair of opposed side walls, a pair of opposed end walls and an improved divider separating adjacent compartments. The divider comprises a center panel disposed above the bottom wall and bridging the side walls, a pair of lateral panels extending downwardly to the bottom wall from opposite sides of the central panel, a base provided by a pair of flaps each extending from one of the lateral panels, and a pair of locating tabs each projecting from one of the lateral panels and received in a respective one of a pair of locating slots formed in the bottom wall. The base provided by the flaps is located between the lateral panels. A blank for forming the tray is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for positioning an article to a predetermined position. The article is provided with a temporary orientation tab struck from the article; the tab eventually being cut off in further manufacture of the article. A reciprocating conveyor deposits the article onto a rotating slip-clutch driven mandrel to which the article is pressed by an overhead spring-biased holder. The mandrel rotates with the article until the tab on the article engages a stop on the apparatus whereupon the clutch slips and means on the conveyor clamp the article in oriented position, the conveyor lifting the article off the mandrel and advancing it to the next manufacturing station.