Abstract: A hot knife assembly for cutting excess organic polymeric material from a thermal forming mold includes a blade-like knife in the form of a thin flat plate having an inner edge connected to a heater and an outer edge with a cutting surface thereon. The thin flat plate has two flat surfaces substantially encapsulated by a refractory wedge. The refractory wedge in formed silicone material and extends coextensive and adjacent the blade-like knife for preventing stringing or re-welding of the cut material.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed, three-segment fold-in panels, one of which serves as the pour spout when opened. Each of the three-segment fold-in panels includes a substantially triangular panel portion defined by converging diagonal score lines extending from the upper edge of the tubular container body, and a pair of fold-back panels integrally connected to and folded between the substantially triangular panel portion and the respective adjacent outer closure panels. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels at a lesser angle with respect to horizontal than the angle of the respective underlying converging diagonal score lines. Alternatively, the diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed in a parallel relationship with the respective underlying converging diagonal score lines.

Abstract: A pour head seal assembly for a mold including a mold cavity part and a lid, with a film layer against the inner surface of the lid and a preformed shell against the inner surface of the mold cavity part. The pour head seal assembly may be operatively mounted on either the lid or the mold cavity part, including a nozzle mounted through an opening formed in the selected element, with either the film layer or the preformed shell having an opening formed therein for mounting around the nozzle. A clamp plate collar is mounted on the inner end of the nozzle, adapted to clamp either the film layer or the preformed shell against an O-ring seal mounted on the adjacent inner lid or mold cavity surface to eliminate foam leakage around the nozzle.

Abstract: A carton top sealing mechanism for use in processing thermoplastic coated paperboard cartons on a forming, filling and sealing machine. The top sealing mechanism includes oppositely disposed fixed and movable sealing jaws, between which heated adjacent sealing fins of a gable top carton are positioned. A pneumatic bladder or membrane is operatively connected to the movable sealing jaw to move same upon being inflated to thereby squeeze the sealing fins between the jaws and seal same together.

Abstract: The drawings and description disclose a thermoplastic coated rectangular cross-section paperboard container suitable for being filled with milk, juice or other still beverage, and having a top closure arrangement adapted to being readily partially opened to disclose a pouring opening therein. The top closure arrangement includes four inwardly sloping connector panels intermediate the front, back and side panels and a flat top configuration having the opening apparatus formed thereon.

Abstract: A multi-piece flat top container including a thermoplastic coated paperboard body of a predetermined cross-sectional configuration, a thermoplastic adapter ring having an annular recess formed therein for mounting over the top edge of the body and fusion sealed thereto, and a tamper-evident flat membrane or any suitable material sealed adjacent its peripheral edge to the top edge of the adapter ring. An optional over-cap may be mounted over the membrane and adapter ring without being sealed thereto.

Abstract: A liquid carrying, thermoplastic coated paperboard container including a top end closure, a four-sided body portion, and a bottom end closure, wherein various end closure panels are folded so as to abut against one another to become sealed thereagainst. To effectuate the sealing, a pressure sensitive, food grade adhesive is applied to at least one of each two abutting surfaces and the abutting surfaces are pressed together without the application of heat or high frequency vibration. The adhesive may be applied to the blank during the converting process, or while the blank is being formed into a container on the forming, filling and sealing machine.

Abstract: A container sterilization system adaptable to a forming, filling and sealing machine used to process containers for liquids or spoonable food products. The system is a closed loop system including ductwork interconnecting a suitable blower for directing through the closed loop a flow of a mixture of air, vaporized hydrogen peroxide, and vaporized water; a duct heater; one of a vapor generation pool or a vapor generation stack with heat exchanger; a suitable vapor delivery inlet manifold and an associated exhaust manifold; and a drying air inlet manifold and an associated exhaust with containers being conveyed laterally intermediate the inlet manifolds and the exhaust manifolds.

Abstract: A carton leading and trailing end panel folding mechanism for use with a tubular carton blank mounted on a mandrel, with the end closure panels extended beyond the face of the mandrel. The main folding mechanism is a single freely rotatable roller which serves to first fold the leading panel rearwardly as the latter rotates therepast, and then to engage and fold the trailing panel forwardly as it rotates therepast. The roller may be stationary until contacted by the leading panel.

Abstract: A four-sided composite single service, liquid carrying container embodying two sealed together body components. One body component may consist of thermoplastic coated paperboard forming two oppositely disposed side panels and a bottom panel interconnecting same, while the other body component may consist of sheet plastic forming the other two oppositely disposed side panels and a top panel interconnecting same. A flange is formed around the entire edge portion of the sheet plastic component for being sealed under heat and pressure to the entire edge portion of the paperboard component. An opening and pouring device is formed on the top panel.

Abstract: A high pressure pumping system for power inflating and power bleeding the lumbar support of a vehicular seat including a high pressure air cell mounted in the back support. A two-position pneumatic switch serves to selectively alternately reverse a motor and pump to inflate the air cell to a predetermined capacity 5 or greater p.s.i., and to manually deflate the air cell through a bleed valve until the system pressure is lower than the set pressure of a pressure cut-off switch whereupon the motor and pump power bleed the system.

Abstract: A mechanism for transferring a pair of side-by-side cartons from one processing station to another, and accompanying device(s) for detecting any jam-up during the transfer, should one occur for any reason. One embodiment includes a photoelectric unit, a vacuum sensor, and a strobe signal for timing and detecting the presence of both signals to shut down the machine if either signal is abnormal. Another embodiment includes a second strobe signal for use as a back-up for the first strobe, or in lieu thereof, for timing and detecting the photoelectric signal only.

Abstract: An apparatus and method adaptable to a double indexing forming, filling and sealing machine for packaging liquid products in cartons, associated with the filling and top forming and sealing units for displacing with nitrogen the oxygen normally present in the headspace of the filled cartons. The apparatus includes a housing having a covered chamber and open bottom, with a diffuser screen and pairs of baffle arrangements therein for directing the nitrogen downwardly and forwardly into the leading carton of an aligned pair of filled but open-topped cartons, and downwardly and rearwardly into the trailing carton of the pair prior to sealing the end closures thereof.

Abstract: A method of forming a skived edge on the inside panel of a thermoplastic coated paperboard container, in part while the container is part of a web or sheet of paperboard material, and in part on individual blanks after being cut from the web or sheet. More specifically, a partial depth cut and an adjacent score line are formed on a carton converting machine providing a precise location for subsequently removing material and folding the edge of a blank on a side seam sealing machine.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container including a separate cover member and a membrane-type seal, with corner gussets for providing (1) a liquid tight corner construction and (2) top strength and rigitidy for convenient commercial distribution and consumer use. The cover member serves only to protects the membrane, and need only be minimally tack-sealed to the structure to withstand transportation stresses.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein a flat top end closure for a liquid carrying container, which includes two oppositely disposed, overlapped outer closure panels, and two oppositely disposed, fold-in panels, one of which cooperates to form the flat top configuration when closed, but serves as a substantially longer pour spout when opened by virtue of incorporating the top portion of the front wall panel as a part thereof. First and second lift tabs are formed on the edges of one of the outer closure panels and the pour spout fold-in panel, respectively. Diagonal opening-assist score lines are formed on the outer closure panels and on a portion of the side wall panels adjacent the pour spout.

Abstract: A windshield washer pump including comprising an impeller chamber having a reversible impeller rotatably mounted therein and an inlet for windshield washer fluid communicating therewith. Dual outlets communicate between the impeller chamber and opposite ends of an adjacent outlet chamber. A piston is slidably mounted in the outlet chamber intermediate axially aligned tubular discharge passages extending from the outlet chamber. Oppositely disposed projections are formed on the piston for being alternately urged into engagement with the tubular discharge passages, permitting the alternate pumping of fluid through the tubular discharge passages.

Abstract: A container filling system on an indexing, forming, filling and sealing machine, wherein each successive container is progressively filled with variable volumes of a fluid, such as milk, in a manner which minimizes the foam build-up therein, thereby enhancing leak-proof top sealing characteristics during high production operations. The containers are filled in accordance with the following filling sequence formula: ##EQU1## wherein: V.sub.t =total carton volumeV.sub.i =volume delivered at i stationi=station numbern=number of stations.

Abstract: An armrest for a door of an automotive vehicle, including a molded shell having a substantially flat top wall portion, an interior shelf portion parallel to the flat top wall portion, a plurality of vertical ribs supporting the shelf portion, and a plurality of abutment ribs intermediate an inner edge of the shelf portion and the flat top wall portion. A back plate is integrally connected to the free end of the flat top wall portion via a living hinge. A foam slab or block is slip fitted into the pocket formed by the flat top wall portion, the shelf portion and the abutment ribs, and retained therein by the closure of the back plate against the free end of the shelf portion.

Abstract: A flat top, thermoplastic coated, paperboard container including a separate cover panel and fold-out segments having weakened lines formed thereon such that the top may be using the fold-out segments as lift tabs and breaking the weakened lines at the front and progressively breaking the weakened lines along the sides upon peeling back and fold-out segments and the cover panel, to provide access to the contents. Provisions are included for protecting the weakened lines to prevent leakage.