Abstract: The present invention is directed to a box beam carrier composed of essentially two facing channel members with a series of openings in each of the channel members with the openings in aligned pairs to receive a preformed pocket which is snap-fitted in the pair of openings for ease of insertion or removal and so formed with the carrier that cleaning fluid is encouraged to flow through the pockets and remove labels and contaminants from the containers supported in the pockets. The pockets are of a nonmetallic material for the protection of containers against scuffing, chipping, or scratching that would be particularly detrimental to containers formed of glass or other hard surface-type containers.

Abstract: A container filling device having an arrangement of liquid and gas flow control valves in a common body that separates the flow of the liquid and gas without need for seals, and incorporating in the filling device a valve element in a cage supported from a gas flow vent tube, whereby turbulence is minimized and filling is speeded up.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for compensating for signal drift in container inspection apparatus using radiant energy emitters and detectors for scanning the containers in combination with a processing circuit associated with the emitters and detectors for synchronizing the scanning signals and processing the signals in subcircuits such that the signals generated during intervals when no container is being scanned are constantly being examined for drift and signals compensated for drift, if any, are used for comparison with container inspection scan signals to determine if a container needs to be rejected.

Abstract: A filling valve arrangement for a counter-pressure container filling apparatus in which the filling valve arrangement is mounted in a bottom outlet opening in the usual bowl which holds the liquid under gas pressure, and an extension on the filling valve supports a filling head to receive the neck of a container in operative position so that a gas vent control carried by the vent tube is located in the container to admit gas into the container and to vent gas from the container as liquid replaces the gas in a rapid exchange of liquid for the gas up to the desired liquid level.

Abstract: In the pasteurizing of beverages and comestibles in closed containers, the containers are progressively raised in temperature to the pasteurizing temperature and, after an appropriate period of time, progressively cooled down in apparatus which practices a method for separately storing both heated water and cooled water and applying the heated and cooled water from storage so that skips in the supply of containers will be accommodated with savings in the amount of steam and chilled water required.

Abstract: A rotary valve for pressure fluid distribution to accomplish a sequential delivery of the pressure fluid to a series of outlets, in which a housing contains a stator having a semi-cylindrical face surface through which outlet ports open, and an elongated cylindrical rotor mounted for rotation adjacent the stator face, the rotor having a series of flow directing passages positioned to direct pressure fluid supplied to the interior of the housing through each of the outlet ports at least one at a time and in a predetermined sequence during rotation of the rotor. The arrangement of the fluid flow passages in the rotor, and the angular spacing of the passages around the circumference of the rotor is selected to minimize or avoid the destructive effect of water hammer by establishing a flow through a portion of a trailing port before a leading port effectively closes off the fluid flow.

Abstract: In the pasteurizing of beverages in closed containers, the containers arrive generally in a chilled state and are progressively raised in temperature approaching the pasteurizing temperature and, after being pasteurized for an appropriate time, are progressively cooled down. Apparatus of this type is provided with a source of chilled water which is available for use when skips occur in the supply of the containers, the chilled water being accumulated from the incoming containers and from common outside sources. The accumulated water in its chilled state saves substantial amounts of energy by eliminating mechanical or other means to produce the chill effect, and such source of water is constantly available under control which senses the presence of a skip in the supply of containers.

Abstract: In the pasteurizing of beverages and comestibles in closed containers, the containers are progressively raised in temperature to the pasteurizing temperature and after an appropriate time progressively cooled down in apparatus which practices a method for storing heat in water and applying the heated water from storage so that skips in the supply of the containers will be accommodated to the end that a saving in steam can be realized. The method realizes saving of substantial amounts of energy, as well as avoiding dumping overly warm water into local sewers to disturb the ecological balance, and also avoids the use of refrigeration to reduce temperature of the discharge water.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting containers for foreign matter so as to insure the same being free of such matter that could affect the contents when the containers are filled, such apparatus incorporating an inspection system in which a prism is able to rotate non-collimated light without introducing distortion since it does not depend on plane wave fronts and is thus able to greatly expand the field of view, thereby providing more dependable detection of foreign matter at the center and in the peripheral areas of container bottoms and lower side walls.

Abstract: A container crown ring chip detector applying opto-electronic means for detecting the presence of chips in the container crown ring finish consisting of support means straddling the path of travel of the container crown ring, photo elements in opposing alignment and surrounding a substantial portion of the crown ring inspection station, electronic control means driving photo emitters which emit inspection rays detected by cooperating photo transistor receivers, and sequential driver circuits and synchronous detector circuits.

Abstract: A container cleaning machine using hot caustic solution for cleaning containers and detaching labels in which the residual heat usually lost in the discharge end portion of the machine is conserved and put to use in the loading end portion of the machine by being released in a cascading film over the carriers and the containers for the purpose of prewarming the same whereby there is a significant reduction in the steam requirement and substantial quantities of heat usually lost to the sewer system are usefully employed.

Abstract: Solar heat collecting, storing and utilizing apparatus which comprises a solar collector and a thermal capacitor in which the capacitor provides a means of dense storage of solar heat, at a temperature level within the selected range capable of being commerically or domestically utilized, and heat transfer means connected to the collector and capacitor and incorporating means for transferring the solar heat or the stored heat to a heat using device or process requiring heat.

Abstract: A container washer equipped with external label filter means and label separator means connected in a two-stage circulating system in which a chamber for the label filter means receives washing solution burdened with labels from the container washer and the filter means holds out the labels so the washing solution returned to the container washer is free of labels and in which a portion of the washing solution burdened with labels filtered out by the filter means is drawn into a label separator means which extracts the labels and delivers label free washing solution to the filter means to flush off labels that may cling to the filter means.

Abstract: Apparatus for inspecting either empty or filled transparent containers for foreign matter in which the containers are moved through spaced apart inspection stations to present different sides thereof to high intensity pulsed light sources which casts the illuminated image beams along paths which intersect at a beam directing member operable to align and direct the respective beams into an electronic scanning device, and in which apparatus the containers at the respective inspection stations are not necessarily the same containers so that the inspection at the stations occurs in a predetermined sequence.

Abstract: An electronic image analyzer which is adapted to inspect a given transparent object or a succession of similar objects by producing an illuminated image of the object on a photoelectronic sensor which is then electronically scanned for the purpose of inspecting the image within an electronic look window having the shape of a standard object contour, the shape having been previously stored electronically and capable of being called out through suitable circuits so as to be superimposed on the image. Further, arbitrarily shaped masks may be generated separately or in combination and superimposed on portions of the image within said electronic look window so as to obscure areas which interfere with the inspection process of other areas.

Abstract: Apparatus for forceably flushing labels from containers being conveyed in pockets through a container washing machine, and a system of fluid flow in the apparatus for extracting the flushed out labels from the washing solution so the latter solution may be recirculated to repeat the flushing cycle. The fluid flow system is arranged to operate in a manner that will conserve energy without impairing the effectiveness of the flushing action.

Abstract: A liquid level detector for electronically examining containers through the use of microwave sensors for determining the presence of liquid in the containers including a mounting member to adjust the position of the detector to accommodate different size containers and a reject station downstream from the position of liquid level detection to discharge a rejected container.

Abstract: Container washing apparatus arranged for controlling the handling of the labels as they detach from the containers and for collecting the labels in spaced zones which are in communication through a system of transfer passages and baffles so that fluid flow directing nozzles will be effective to move the labels in an orderly and substantially non-turbulent manner to an outlet connected to apparatus for separating out the labels and returning the washing solution for reuse.

Abstract: Container washer apparatus for removing labels from the containers and from the apparatus as soon as possible by means causing washing solution agitation through the container conveying pockets into the area between the down and up passes of the conveyor movement in the washing solution tank, and by cooperating means effecting controlled transfer of the removed labels out of the tank.

Abstract: Separator apparatus for separating out the insolubles and pulpy material from a container washing solution in a rotary screw separator apparatus which is provided with means to extend the useful life of the apparatus and maintain efficient separation by adjustment of the separator screen to restore as nearly as possible the original working clearance of the screen about the rotary screw.