Abstract: An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sealant to a side seam in a container sidewall formed by overlapping portions of the sidewall is provided. The apparatus includes conveying means operable for moving a container into and away from a sealing station. Sensing means is located adjacent the conveying means and is operable for sensing the rotational position of a container sidewall. Drive means is operable for selectively rotating a container to a predetermined rotational position. A sealant dispensing means is positioned adjacent the conveying means at the sealing station and is operable for dispensing sealant onto the seam along substantially the entire length of the seam by a movement of the dispensing means relative to the container. A second sealant dispensing means and station can be provided adjacent the conveying means for applying sealant to a seam between a bottom member and the sidewall of the container.

Abstract: A two-piece closure with a skirt portion surmounted by an upstanding flange having integral extended parts at least in the shape of an inverted U and a disc portion having an at least upward projection at the disc's periphery with this projection substantially confined between the integral extended parts of the upstanding flange portion. The upstanding flange portion confining the projection is swaged with an imprinted crimp design on its surfaces so that it is offset radially inwardly from the skirt portion to form a shoulder sufficiently wide to accomodate a duplicate skirt portion stacked thereon. In a preferred embodiment the integral extended part of the upstanding flange has two 180.degree. folds and the projection at the disc's periphery is extended in the shape of an inverted U with the upstanding flange and projection interfolded to interlock.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for automatically merging articles being transported along a first conveyor line among articles being transported along a second conveyor line. The apparatus senses the proper positioning on the first conveyor line of an article to be merged among articles on the second conveyor line by means of a pneumatic proximity switch which provides an air output signal through a fluid amplifier valve to a cylinder actuating valve which causes two fluid power cylinders to extend, one power cylinder to transfer the sensed article from the first conveyor line to the second conveyor line and the other power cylinder to interrupt the conveyance of articles along the second conveyor line during such transfer. A cam actuated air switch is tripped upon full extension of the article transfer fluid power cylinder to cause automatic retraction of both power cylinders. Both the sensing and actuating elements of the apparatus are pneumatically operated.

Abstract: An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring.

Abstract: An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring.

Abstract: An improved multi-station machine is disclosed for assembling ring-type closures from generally cylindrical paperboard cylinders and generally circular paperboard discs. The machine employs a rotatable dial plate, carrying eight mandrels and an improved ring clamping system, which dial plate is incrementally rotated by an automatic indexer assembly relative to the various operating stations which consist of a ring feed station, a disc feed station, an adhesive dispensing station, a curling station, a grooving station and a closure ejecting station. Means are provided for controlling the operation of the various stations so that they operate in substantial synchronism with one another and with the rotatable dial plate. The improved disc feed station automatically feeds the lowermost disc from a stack of discs to a position over a ring on the dial plate and simultaneously forms a peripheral skirt on the disc and positions it in an open end of the ring.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying sealant to a selected area of a container.The apparatus includes means for conveying a container into and away from a sealant applying station. Sealant dispensing means is positioned adjacent the conveying means at the sealing station and is operable for dispensing sealant onto a selected area of the container. Means is provided adjacent the sealant dispensing means for selectively removing any excess sealant from a nozzle portion of the sealant dispensing means.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for supplying fluid such as liquid lubricant or glue to a partially assembled container during assembly thereof. The apparatus employs a flexible tube pump driven by a reciprocatable frame or structure on a container assembling machine via a lever arm acting through a one-way clutch assembly to thereby rotate the tube pump rotor in successive increments of rotation of less than 360.degree.. In one embodiment, apparatus is disclosed in which a liquid dispensing head is reciprocated into and out of engagement with a partially assembled container by means of a reciprocatable frame and actuation of the flexible tube pump is obtained after such engagement in response to additional movement of the frame relative to the liquid dispensing head. In another embodiment, means are disclosed for preventing dispensing of liquid when a container will not be present at the liquid dispensing station.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying a sealant or the like to a selected area of a container. The apparatus includes a nozzle for dispensing the sealant onto the selected area of the container. The nozzle includes a first portion which is adapted for mounting the nozzle to a source of sealant. The nozzle also includes a second portion which has a free end with a discharge opening onto the exterior surface of the free end. A first flow passage communicates with a source of sealant and provides flow communication between the source and the discharge passage having the discharge opening. The discharge passage is elongate having a width greater than the height of the passage.