Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. Fluid may be passed to the manifolds onto which the leading edge portion and the trailing edge portion of the substrate assembly are disposed. The manifolds may heat the fluid and the heated fluid may be released onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: A substrate assembly is mechanically deformed to form various products. In part, the substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus rotates about a longitudinal axis and includes a plurality of manifolds. The plurality of manifolds allow for substrate assemblies including different process product pitches to be processed on a single bonder apparatus.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for mechanically deforming a substrate assembly. The substrate assembly may advance toward a bonder apparatus. The bonder apparatus may rotate about an axis of rotation and is configured to radially traverse based on the process product pitch of the substrate assembly. The bonder apparatus may include a plurality of manifolds positioned about the axis of rotation. The substrate assembly may be advanced onto the bonder apparatus such that the substrate assembly is disposed on the plurality of manifolds. The manifolds may heat fluid and release the same onto the trailing edge portion and the leading edge portion of the substrate assembly. The heated portion of the substrate assembly may then be bonded forming a seam.

Abstract: A low splash fluid shutoff valve assembly that can be used with systems that fill containers with fluids and methods of reducing fluid splash-back in filling operations.

Abstract: A process for forming a sleeve on a container including the steps of: providing a container having a shrink sleeve conformed to the container, the shrink sleeve having a predetermined removeable portion; providing a striker moving tangentially relative to the predetermined removeable portion; and removing the predetermined removeable portion by contacting the striker to the predetermined removeable portion.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the configuration of the pockets of a star wheel conveyor is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a support and an adjustment element movably connected to the support. The adjustment element is movable to contact one or more of the rotatable elements of a star wheel conveyor in order to adjust the rotational position of the individual rotatable element(s) to set the dimensions of pockets for the articles to be conveyed. The adjustment mechanism can form part of a star wheel conveyor system comprising a star wheel and such mechanism(s).

Abstract: A process for forming a sleeve on a container including the steps of: providing a container; placing a shrink sleeve around the container; conforming the shrink sleeve to the container by shrinking the shrink sleeve; providing a predetermined removeable portion in the shrink sleeve; providing a striker moving tangentially relative to the predetermined removeable portion; and removing the predetermined removeable portion by contacting the striker to the predetermined removeable portion.

Abstract: A process for forming a sleeve on a container including the steps of: providing a container having a shrink sleeve conformed to the container, the shrink sleeve having a predetermined removeable portion; providing a striker moving tangentially relative to the predetermined removeable portion; and removing the predetermined removeable portion by contacting the striker to the predetermined removeable portion.

Abstract: An apparatus having: a conveyor having a machine direction and a cross-machine direction and a pair of edges spaced apart from one another in the cross-machine direction; a striker having a first position and a second position, wherein the striker in the first position is located at a predetermined location above the conveyor and laterally within the pair of edges, wherein in the striker in the second position is remote from the predetermined location; a driver operatively engaged with the striker to move the striker from the first position to the second position; and a vacuum port proximal to the striker when the striker is in the first position.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational position of a rotatable element of a rotary device. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. The rotary device can be part of a system that includes an adjustment mechanism having at least a portion disposed radially outside the rotatable element. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment element positioned to engage the rotatable element. The method includes moving the adjustment element and/or rotating the rotatable element(s) so that the adjustment element engages a rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis to convey articles is used to assist in engaging the adjustment element and the rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element.

Abstract: A diversion apparatus for a manufacturing line.

Abstract: A method for adjusting the rotational position of a rotatable element of a rotary device. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. The rotary device can be part of a system that includes an adjustment mechanism having at least a portion disposed radially outside the rotatable element. The adjustment mechanism includes an adjustment element positioned to engage the rotatable element. The method includes moving the adjustment element and/or rotating the rotatable element(s) so that the adjustment element engages a rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis to convey articles is used to assist in engaging the adjustment element and the rotatable element to adjust the position of the rotatable element.

Abstract: An elevation change mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the elevation of a rotatable element of a rotary device in a direction parallel to the axis about which the rotatable element rotates. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis is used to move the elevation change mechanism in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: An adjustment mechanism for adjusting the configuration of the pockets of a star wheel conveyor is disclosed. The adjustment mechanism may be in the form of a support and an adjustment element movably connected to the support. The adjustment element is movable to contact one or more of the rotatable elements of a star wheel conveyor in order to adjust the rotational position of the individual rotatable element(s) to set the dimensions of pockets for the articles to be conveyed. The adjustment mechanism can form part of a star wheel conveyor system comprising a star wheel and such mechanism(s).

Abstract: An elevation change mechanism is disclosed for adjusting the elevation of a rotatable element of a rotary device in a direction parallel to the axis about which the rotatable element rotates. The rotary device can be: a filler, capper, labeler, a star wheel conveyor, or other rotary device. In some cases, the same motor that rotates the rotary device about the axis is used to move the elevation change mechanism in a direction parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A diversion apparatus for a manufacturing line.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for engaging an article. The apparatus has a longitudinal centerline, a disengaged configuration and an activated configuration. The apparatus further includes a base portion, first and second engaging arm portions joined to the base portion, first and second moveable portion operatively associated with the first and second engaging arm portions, respectively, and one or more engaging arm bands extending between the first and second moveable portions and the first and second arm portions, wherein at least one of the arm bands bends away from the longitudinal centerline of the engaging arm when the apparatus is changed from the disengaged configuration to the activated configuration.

Abstract: A multi-hole nozzle component for a filling machine is described herein. The multi-hole nozzle component may be part of a nozzle assembly. The nozzle component has a periphery, an inlet side having a surface, and an outlet side having a surface. The nozzle component has a plurality of separate passageways extending through the nozzle component from adjacent its inlet side to its outlet side, wherein the passageways form a plurality of openings in the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component. In one embodiment, the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component has a plurality of grooves therein that are disposed to run between said openings in the surface of the outlet side of the nozzle component.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for engaging an article. The apparatus has a longitudinal centerline, a disengaged configuration and an activated configuration. The apparatus also includes a base having a first end and a second end and a sleeve surrounding at least a portion of the base. The sleeve has one or more bands extending between a proximal end and a distal end, the proximal end of the sleeve being joined to the base at a fixed location and the distal end of the sleeve being moveable with respect to the proximal end along the base. At least one of the band bends away from the longitudinal centerline when the distal end of the sleeve is moved toward the proximal end of the sleeve along the base from the disengaged configuration to the activated configuration.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for engaging an article. The apparatus has a longitudinal centerline, a disengaged configuration and an activated configuration. The apparatus further includes a base portion, first and second engaging arm portions joined to the base portion, first and second moveable portion operatively associated with the first and second engaging arm portions, respectively, and one or more engaging arm bands extending between the first and second moveable portions and the first and second arm portions, wherein at least one of the arm bands bends away from the longitudinal centerline of the engaging arm when the apparatus is changed from the disengaged configuration to the activated configuration.