Abstract: A molded plastic beverage cup comprising a generally cylindrical body portion, a rim and a handle, and a method of forming the cup. The body portion has an open upper end, and the rim extends radially outwardly from the perimeter of the open end of the body portion. The handle is formed as an integral part of the cup. The handle extends outwardly from substantially diametrically opposed portions of the rim and then along the rim on one side of the cup between the diametrically opposed portions. The end portions of the handle extend from the rim, and are sufficiently flexible to allow the handle to be bent upwardly from the rim so that the handle arches diametrically across the upper end of the cup. The entire cup is thermoformed from a single sheet of plastic.

Abstract: A leak detection device includes a container-rotating disc mounted for rotation about a rotation axis. Multiple container-supporting test heads are mounted to the disc for rotation about the rotation axis. Each test head includes a sealing assembly supported by a first cam follower and comprising a cylinder, and a piston supported by a second cam follower and received in the cylinder. First and second annular cams are mounted above the disc to operate the first and second cam followers, respectively, such that the sealing assemblies and the pistons are moved between respective upper and lower positions as the disc rotates with respect to the cams. The cams are shaped to press the sealing assemblies against the containers, to raise the pistons to draw a partial vacuum in the containers, and then to lift the sealing assemblies and any sealed containers for a vacuum test. An improved seal accommodates a wavy upper surface of the container.

Abstract: A high barrier container includes a barrel-shaped container body having a sealed end and an open end, and a closure member. The closure member includes a circular laminated central closure panel and a peripheral flange. The laminated central closure panel includes a top plastic layer and gas-impermeable layer bonded thereto. The closure member is spin welded to the container body such that a spin-weld interface is formed between the open-end part of the container body and the flange.

Abstract: A thermoplastic end (110), particularly a bottom, for a container which has upstanding paperboard sidewalls (112) and which is inertially spinwelded onto the paperboard sidewall for bonding. The end portion (110) has an annular groove (148) for snugly receiving the sidewall (112) and a wall configuration (136, 138, 140, 142 and 144) which minimizes the forces exerted on the bond which would tend to dislodge the end portion. The wall configuration is generally in the form of an inverted U-shape with a portion of an upstanding wall of the U forming a side of the annular groove. The end portion has strengthening ribs (122) positioned generally within the region of U-shape and additional radial ribs imparting strength and rigidity to the container end. The paperboard sidewall may be internally lined with a layer of thermoplastic material or may be unlined.