Abstract: An applicator (10a) affixes fitments (12) to paperboard cartons (20), each fitment (12) comprising a screw cap on a pour spout. An ultrasonic horn (18) reciprocates between a retracted position for receiving a fitment (12) and an advanced position for depositing the fitment (12) on an outer surface of a carton (20). A duct (26) extends and provides fluid communication between an air handler and a fitment-holding recess (30) formed in the horn (18). The air handler is actuable to evacuate the duct (26) to retain a fitment (12) in the recess (30) by suction while transporting the fitment (12) to be affixed to the container wall. The air handler also supplies pressurized gas to the duct (26) to blow the fitment (12) from the horn (18) before the horn returns to the retracted position.

Abstract: An applicator (10a) affixes fitments (12) to paperboard cartons (20), each fitment (12) comprising a screw cap on a pour spout. An ultrasonic horn (18) reciprocates between a retracted position for receiving a fitment (12) and an advanced position for depositing the fitment (12) on an outer surface of a carton (20). A duct (26) extends and provides fluid communication between an air handler and a fitment-holding recess (30) formed in the horn (18). The air handler is actuable to evacuate the duct (26) to retain a fitment (12) in the recess (30) by suction while transporting the fitment (12) to be affixed to the container wall. The air handler also supplies pressurized gas to the duct (26) to blow the fitment (12) from the horn (18) before the horn returns to the retracted position.

Abstract: Associated with a form-fill-seal packaging machine for liquid-packaging cartons is an apparatus (10) including a pusher (24) for driving a pour spout fitment (12) axially from a removal-ready position at an exit end (14) of a feed track (16) that serially guides pour spout fitments (12, 30) edge-wise to the exit end (14) such that external, circumferential flanges (18) of adjacent pour spout fitments (12) and (30) tend to overlap one another. The apparatus (10) also includes a pour spout fitment separator (28) supported adjacent the exit end (14) for reversing an immediately following pour spout fitment (30) back along the track (16) to a position where the flange (18) of the leading fitment (12) in the removal-ready position and the flange (18) of the immediately following pour spout fitment (30) do not overlap.

Abstract: A packaging machine for forming, filling and sealing containers, which machine treats the containers with a liquid sterilizing agent before filling them, includes a nozzle assembly, with a mixing cap of a particular configuration, for helping to provide a sterilizing spray.

Abstract: Apparatus (20) for filling cartons (22) in a sterile, contaminant-free environment comprises an enclosure (26) which at least partially surrounds a carton filler nozzle (24). A carton opening (32) formed in the bottom of the enclosure (26) is shaped to receive an open-ended carton (22) into a position for filling. Guides (44) machined into interior surfaces of the enclosure (26) guide the motion of the carton (22) into the enclosure (26) for filling. A port formed in the enclosure (26) admits sterile fluid to flush the interior of the enclosure (26). The port and the nozzle (24) are connectible into a cleaning solution circuit with the port providing an outlet for cleaning solution that has entered the enclosure (26) through the nozzle (24). The nozzle (24) and the interior of the enclosure (26) may be cleaned by sealing the enclosure (26) from the ambient atmosphere and then flushing the enclosure (26) with the cleaning solution.

Abstract: In an off-line, free-standing, parts-orienting and -feeding device, selected parts are fed by a hopper to, and oriented in, a parts feeder unit, and then discharged to a programmed transferring arrangement. The latter includes a slide shuttle unit for alternately receiving discharged parts in a plurality of passages and aligning the parts-receiving passages with one or more pressurized air passages to blow the parts through either a clean-out track from the device, or through selected transfer tracks to pick-and-placement devices which serve to place the parts on packaging materials being processed on one or more packaging machines. Limit devices on each transfer track signal the slide shuttle unit to realign the parts-receiving passages with the pressurized air passage(s), to provide parts as required by the or each machine.

Abstract: In an off-line, free standing, parts-orienting and feeding device, selected parts are fed by a hopper to and oriented in a centrifugal or vibratory parts feeder unit, and then discharged to a programmed transferring arrangement. The latter includes a slide shuttle unit for alternately receiving discharged parts in a plurality or passages and aligning the part receiving passages with one or more pressurized air passages to blow the parts through selected transfer tubes to pick and placement devices which serve to place the parts continually one at a time on packaging materials being processed on one or more packaging machines. Limit devices on each transfer tube signal the slide shuttle unit to realign the parts receiving passages with the pressurized air passages to provide parts as required by each machine.