Abstract: An easy open ecology end is disclosed herein and includes an end panel that has a removable section defined by a weakened score line. A tab is secured to the removable section and the tab and removable section are designed so that both remain captive with respect to the end panel when the weakened score line is severed. The weakened score line is produced by a unique three step process and has an area of reduced residual which is first severed when a force is applied to the tab so that the container is vented before the remainder of the residual is severed. The tab is designed to produce a localized initial pressure to initially sever the area of reduced residual and then sever the remainder of the score line.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel apparatus for thermoforming a plastic article wherein the male mold assembly and the female mold assembly are disposed on support members which are maintained in fixed relationship to each other during thermoforming operation. The sheet of thermoforming material after initial heating is trapped by clamping devices associated with the assemblies with the male die and female die molds associated with the male and female mold assemblies, respectively, being operated by fluid cylinder assemblies motivated by pressurized fluid.

Abstract: An article detection system utilizing optical transducers in a transducer housing designed to minimize detection errors and including additional circuitry for minimizing errors in the processing of the signal. The system produces an output for each article detected which is utilized in control circuitry for controlling external machine operations in response to various detected conditions.

Abstract: Two or more chemically dissimilar and non-compatible films may be bonded together to form a composite sheet by simultaneously subjecting them to high voltage electric corona discharge of selected intensity continuously through a critical region of mutual contact of the films. The critical region begins at the point at which the film surfaces to be bonded are not in contact with one another and extends at least to the point where all the films to be bonded are in mutual contact with their adjacent films.A preferred film suitable for use as a wrapping material and obtained by the process of the invention comprises at least one layer of a polyolefin film and at least one layer of a film containing an acrylonitrile polymer.

Abstract: An end panel for a container is specifically configured to be able to substantially reduce the metal thickness without sacrificing resistance to bulging and buckling of the panel when subjected to high internal pressures. The end panel consists of a central portion that has an outwardly directed annular bead around the periphery thereof which is connected to a countersink or inwardly directed bead along a flat first wall portion. The outer end of the countersink or inwardly directed bead has a second flat wall portion, the outer end of which is connected to a peripheral curl by a third flat wall portion and the curl is adapted for seaming the end panel to a container body. The first and third flat wall portions of the panel define small acute angles with respect to a vertical plane that extends perpendicular to the central panel portion while the second flat wall portion defines an angle of less than 4.degree. with respect to the vertical plane.

Abstract: Process for thermoforming hollow articles having large length to diameter ratios. A male mold assembly having an extendible head portion formed of a porous metal is employed with the male mold being passed through the plane of a heated plastic sheet while a vacuum is drawn through the porous metal head portion to draw the sheet against the male mold. The extendible head portion is extended to increase the depth of the formed article.

Abstract: There is disclosed a gating assembly provided with at least two orifices of different diameters and associated with an injection molding assembly. In an initial stage of extruding the plastic material into a mold cavity, the orifice of larger diameter is utilized to provide the fluid communication between the extruder nozzle and mold cavity whereas the orifice of smaller diameter is utilized in the final stages of injection to insure thorough packing of the plastic material in the injection mold.

Abstract: A split punch tool for cooperating with a die block to form the wall of a drawn and ironed container is disclosed herein. The split punch or cooperating die includes a female portion that has a peripheral lip that can be placed in overhanging relation to the periphery of the die block and the female portion has a peripheral ledge which extends perpendicular to the direction of movement of the die block and die with respect to each other and also an inclined surface extending from the inner edge of the ledge or inwardly directed surface. The surfaces are adapted to engage mating surfaces defined on the end of a cylindrical member that forms part of the cooperating die so that the ledge defines a perpendicular support for the cylindrical member.

Abstract: Cup feeding means for feeding cups to a drawing and ironing machine having a generally elongated horizontal opening defined by ironing rings and a ram axially aligned with said opening is disclosed herein. The cup feeding mechanism consists of guide means for continuously supplying cups to a station adjacent the opening and an arm pivoted below the guide means and the opening. The arm has an arcuate surface for receiving cups from the guide means and is driven between first and second positions for moving the cups from the guide means into alignment with the opening of the drawing and ironing machine. The cup feeding means also includes stop means located adjacent the opening with the stop means also having an arcuate surface that generally defines an extension of the arcuate surface on the arm so that the cups are positively gripped between the arcuate surfaces when the arm is moved to the second position.

Abstract: A deformable metal rivet is permanently attached to a sheet metal wall by deforming a tubular extension on the free end of the rivet shank around an inwardly directed rim surrounding an opening in the sheet metal wall. The resultant article includes a rivet that has an extension turned around the inwardly directed rim surrounding a hole which receives the rivet to clinch the rivet on the sheet metal wall.

Abstract: There is disclosed a novel process for using a pressure box assembly associated with a thermoplastic thermoforming assembly. The pressure box assembly is provided with a diaphram formed of a resilient material, such as synthetic rubber and the like, disposed across the entrance into a cavity of the pressure box of the pressure box assembly.The pressure box assembly is associated with thermoforming molding apparatus to cause a heat thermoplastic sheet or web to be drawn about a male mold provided on a male mold assembly during insertion of the male mold into the cavity in a hollow article of more uniform wall thickness.

Abstract: A method of producing an expanded intermediate moisture food product having a moisture content between about 20 and 30 percent by weight, a protein content of between about 15 and 35 percent by weight, and a water activity between about 0.80 and 0.85 that has an extended shelf life without refrigeration is provided, comprising admixing a dry granular cereal grain, dry protein source material, together with other powdered and granular materials, a polyhydroxy alcohol bacteriostatic agent and an antimycotic compound to produce a homogeneous blend; passing said admixture in a confined stream through a pre-cooking zone and subjecting it to treatment with steam, hot water and agitation to produce a hot, granular blend having a moisture content of about 25 percent and a temperature of about 190.degree. F.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for assembling an apertured insert onto a rim extending from the end of a metal container and surrounding an opening therein is disclosed herein. The method contemplates inserting an expandable support member through the aperture in the insert and moving the member into engagement with the inner surface of the end of the container surrounding the opening. The insert is then forced onto the rim of the container while the end panel is supported by the support member. The apparatus consists of a first member for gripping the insert and a second member adapted to pass through the aperture in the insert with expandable means on the second member for extending beyond the periphery of the opening in the container end wall. The apparatus also incorporates drive means for moving the members and the expansible means in synchronized relation to each other.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for supporting and conveying objects or articles, such as can ends, through an electrolytic solution is disclosed herein. The apparatus consists of an endless conveyor that has a plurality of hangers with the hangers being opened to receive objects and closed to grip the article. Each of the hangers has a fixed body with a jaw on the fixed body biased to a closed position. The hanger also has electrically conductive means for accommodating current flow from a fixed cathode track through the jaw to an object being gripped between the jaw and the body so that the articles are automatically coated when the energized articles are passed through a basin containing the solution and a fixed anode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting cracks or flaws in flanges on the ends of metal container bodies is disclosed herein. The method contemplates generating a magnetic field by passing a primary alternating current having a substantially constant rms value through an inductor means and moving the flange through the magnetic field while monitoring the rms value of the total current passing through the coil and comparing the magnitude thereof with a reference value. A signal is produced when the differential between the values of the total current and the reference exceeds a certain level. The apparatus consists of holding means for receiving and holding a container and means for rotating the holding means about an axis to expose different portions of the flange to a fixed probe positioned adjacent the flange.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liner feeder assembly comprised of a liner supply assembly and a transfer assembly including a liner block having at least one cavity for receiving a preformed liner. The liner transfer assembly is provided with a pump and valve assembly in fluid communication with each such cavity for placing such cavity alternately in fluid communications with the suction side or the compression side of the pump for assisting in the removal of a liner from the liner supply assembly containing a supply of nestable liners and the subsequent positioning in such cavity, and for the placing of the liner on a core rod or pin.

Abstract: There is disclosed a liner feeder assembly comprised of a liner supply assembly and a transfer assembly including a liner block having at least one cavity for receiving a preformed liner. The liner transfer assembly is provided with a pump and valve assembly in fluid communication with each such cavity for placing such cavity alternately in fluid communications with the suction side or the compression side of the pump for assisting in the removal of a liner from the liner supply assembly containing a supply of nestable liners and the subsequent positioning in such cavity, and for the placing of the liner on a core rod or pin.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing a reducing neck and a peripheral flange on a free peripheral edge portion of a cylindrical container body is disclosed herein. The apparatus consists of a fixed frame having a waxing station, a necking station, and a flanging station defined thereon. The containers are fed from a source in a synchronized fashion along a path with the axis of the cylindrical bodies of the containers extending vertically and are moved past the waxing station where the cans are rotated relative to fixed brushes to apply lubricant to the outer surface of the peripheral free edge portion. The reduced neck on the container is produced by supporting the containers on a bottom member that is carried on the periphery of a turret and an upper member having an annular die with the bottom member being cammed towards and away from the die to produce the reducing neck of the container.