Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a supply tank having an intake line connected to a source of liquefied gas. A solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers is connected via another intake line to the supply tank. A back pressure regulator controls the pressure within the supply tank and the injector apparatus. A liquid level control valve within the supply tank prevents liquefied gas from entering the back pressure regulator. Upon sensing the presence of a container, a sensor actuates a solenoid which opens an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is then deactivated, closing the injector valve and blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.

Abstract: A portable display rack having a tubular steel frame, a plurality of shelves, and at least one pair of baskets removably attached to the left and right sides of the frame. The display rack has a left side display area and a right side display area which extend substantially from the basket on each side to almost the bottom of the frame. Each display area is adapted to retain a plurality of signs and to display one of the signs. Each of the signs may advertise a specific brand of a manufacturer's product. A first sign holder adapted to display a first upper sign is removably attached to the upper end of the frame. The display rack may further include a second sign holder removably attached to the first sign holder which is adapted to display a second upper sign therein. The display rack may further include shelf strips, lockable casters, and a kick-plate.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a laminate comprising a relatively rigid material having an inner surface with at least one portion thereof comprising a central body portion and wherein the central body portion of a relatively flexible material, preferably fluid impervious, is secured to the central body portion of the relatively rigid material and the relatively flexible material has opposite edge portions not secured to other portions of the inner surface and to carton blanks formed therefrom. In some instances strips of another relatively flexible material are secured to the opposite edge portions but are not secured to the inner surface.

Abstract: Apparatus having laminating rolls for laminating continuous strips of different kinds of material together wherein all of the continuous strips enter the nip between the laminating rolls from one side of a plane tangent to each of the laminating rolls at the nip. Also, apparatus having rotary cutting and creasing rolls located before the laminating rolls form most of the cut lines for the carton blank without changing the continuity of a continuous strip of a relatively rigid material so that it can be pulled through the laminating rolls. In those instances wherein two carton blanks are formed at the same time, scrap removal apparatus is provided for removing scrap located between the two carton blanks.

Abstract: In a fluid flow restrictor, the amount of fluid flow restriction increases in response to higher dispensing system pressures and decreases in response to lower dispensing system pressures. In this manner, a relatively consistent flow rate of fluid being dispensed can be maintained regardless of fluctuations in system pressure. Variable resistance is provided by changing the length of the fluid flow path or by changing the cross-sectional area, and, thus, the volume of the fluid flow path, or by changing both the length and the cross-sectional area of the fluid flow path.

Abstract: A device having two elongated members pivotally connected at one end portions thereof and locked together at the other end portions thereof so that at least portions of at least two relatively rigid articles are enclosed therein and apparatus and method for moving the device from an opened position to a closed position forming an enclosure to contain the portions of the at least two relatively rigid articles. In a preferred embodiment, the two relatively rigid articles comprise radiant heating tubing and a wire mesh supported on a bed of particulate material.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for selecting a category from a plurality of categories, where each category comprises a number of elements, and corresponds to a category performance determinant that represents a measurement associated with a given category, and where a category performance determinant biases the selection of a given category.

Abstract: Modular supports for supporting a plurality of necking-in stations and a plurality of transfer stations wherein each of the modular supports has a base that is releasably secured to an adjacent base, at least two spaced apart support columns; a first support plate supported on and secured to the at least two spaced apart columns for supporting a necking-in station and a second support plate secured to first support plate for supporting a transfer station.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting a defect during the formation of a container end having a stay-on-tab secured thereto, particularly when the defect is associated with a mis-located tab, in which a portion of the apparatus will be moved by the defect which movement is sensed and a signal is generated.

Abstract: Disclosed is a an improved dispensing system which allows nitrogenized liquids to be dispensed from a relatively low pressure dispensing system (i.e., one operating in a relatively low pressure range). To accomplish this, the improved dispensing system includes holes having very small cross-sectional areas. The improved dispensing system may be formed so as to facilitate the manufacturability of the holes required for the proper dispensing of nitrogenized liquids. For this purpose, the improved dispensing system may include a dispensing valve body and an insert member having a plurality of grooves therein. When the insert member is inserted within the valve body, the insert member grooves, along with a portion or portions of the valve body, together form the plurality of holes required for the proper dispensing of nitrogenized liquids.

Abstract: A system for pressurizing a dispensing container, such as a beverage dispensing container, may be in the form of a pressure pouch package which includes an outer pouch and an inner pouch. The inner pouch may be a pressure pouch having multiple compartments and components of an at least two component gas generating system contained within the compartments. The outer pouch may be sized so that it will not open when the pressure pouch is initially activated but will only open after a first quantity of product is dispensed from the dispensing container. In this manner, the outer pouch serves to maintain the folded configuration of the pressure pouch until after a first quantity of product is first dispensed from the container. This, in turn, prevents entrapment of the pressure pouch reactive components from occurring. The outer pouch also serves to prevent the pressure pouch from coming into contact with the product until after a first quantity of product is first dispensed from the container.

Abstract: An instrument for the manipulation of fine structures, said instrument detecting hand tremor and compensating for this hand tremor by effecting counter-movements of the working tip. The main area of application will probably lie in the field of microsurgery, since the operations performed in said field can be made difficult by the hand tremor of the operating surgeon. Here, the tremor is detected by movement sensors, by repeated analysis of the position of the handheld part (1) of the instrument, or by deriving electromyographic signals from the forearm of the operator. Intentional and unintentional movements are differentiated from one another on the basis of one or more criteria, such as movement amplitude, speed, frequency and direction. To compensate for undesired movements, signals are sent to an arrangement of actuators (3) which cause deflections of the movable part (4) of the instrument, which deflections at the tip of the instrument compensate for the hand tremor.

Abstract: A natural gas dehydrator wherein a portion of the wet glycol from the absorber is pumped under pressure as circulating wet glycol which is used as a coolant for effluents removed from a reboiler and a power source for an educator to form a vacuum in a first chamber of a liquid water removal separator apparatus. The cooled effluents, comprising liquid water, liquid hydrocarbons and uncondensed vapors, move in to the first chamber wherein the liquid water is separated therefrom. The liquid hydrocarbons and the uncondensed vapors are removed from the first chamber and move into the eductor wherein they are combined into the circulating wet glycol. The separated liquid water is transferred to a second chamber of the liquid water removal separator apparatus and then removed therefrom. Also, gases from gas emitting level control apparatus in the natural gas dehydrator are collected and fed into the first chamber.

Abstract: Individual carton blanks formed from a lamination of a continuous strip of a relatively rigid material and a relatively flexible fluid impervious material and in some instances from spaced apart continuous strips of a relatively flexible material wherein all of the cut and fold lines are formed in the continuous strip of a relatively rigid material and then conveyed to the nip between two rotating laminating rolls where all of the continuous strips are secured together by an adhesive at desired locations. In some instances, the continuous strip of a relatively flexible fluid impervious material and the spaced apart continuous strips of a relatively flexible material are cut at a location spaced from the leading edge of the individual carton blanks.