Abstract: A method and means for manufacturing a plastic lid with a frangible portion to facilitate the formation of an aperture is described. In one embodiment a platen having ruled steel cutting blades mounted thereon is pressed against a plastic lid backed up by a hardened steel anvil with sufficient force to merely score the plastic lid in accordance with the pattern of the cutting blades without actually breaking through the plastic lid. The scored area which forms said frangible portion of the lid may then be easily punctured to form a straw-slot or vent opening. In another embodiment the cutting tool used comprises two cutting blades disposed on intersecting paths, each blade having a portion removed adjacent the point of intersection of said paths. In this embodiment the cutting blades are permitted to cut completely through the lid leaving a diamond-shaped weakened area in the region corresponding to the intersection of said cutting blades.

Abstract: A valve and control system for filling sequentially presented containers with measured charges of semi-solid food product and the like from a feed hopper is provided in which the food product is charged into a product cylinder from the feed hopper through the valve and then discharged into a container through the valve in timed sequence with the reciprocating strokes of a piston in the product cylinder. Means are provided to monitor the discharge stroke of the piston to reverse the valve from the discharge position to the charge position before the discharge stroke of the piston is completed to cause the food product in the product cylinder to be returned to the feed hopper. This results in a dynamic discharge that precludes tailing of the food product at the valve discharge port and maintains the food product in the feed hopper in a homogenized state. The stroke of the piston is adjustable to predetermine the quantity of food product dispensed.