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.

Abstract: A bottle inspection apparatus and method are disclosed in which an improved housing contains an imaging device which is focused at a target area through an unobstructed window opening formed in a wall of the housing. The housing includes a sleeve member which may be attached to the housing in the vicinity of the unobstructed window opening and which may be positioned in close proximity to the imaging device, thus creating a restricted air path between the sleeve member and the imaging device which restricts the flow of cooling air exiting the housing. The imaging device may be mounted on a slide mount system such that it is adjustably moveable toward and away from the sleeve in order to adjustably control the amount of air restriction imposed and, thus, adjustably control the rate at which cooling air exits the housing.

Abstract: A filtering apparatus has an open canister with an inlet port. A canister lid is provided which includes an outlet port for the passage of fluids from the canister. Liners are also provided which are shaped to fit the interiors of the canister and the lid, with at least the canister liner preferably being flexible. The sample to be filtered is positioned inside the canister liner, with the lid and lid liner being put in place thereafter. A filter element is located between the sample and the outlet port. Seals are formed between the canister liner and lid liner, and around the outlet port to prevent fluid leakage. A pressure differential is created between the canister and the canister liner so that the fluid in the sample is ejected from the outlet port and the canister liner collapses around the retained solids.

Abstract: A vacuum conveyor for transporting articles across a space wherein the conveyor belt for the vacuum conveyor has a plurality of equally spaced apart fluid passageways formed therein and wherein a one way valve is installed in each fluid passageway so that when one of the fluid passageways is exposed to a vacuum source to hold an object on the conveyor belt the object will be held on the conveyor belt until a sufficient force is applied to the object to separate the object from the conveyor belt.

Abstract: Disclosed is a multi-compartment pressure pouch for use in a container pressure generation system. The outer sheets of the pressure pouch are formed from a relatively highly deformable material, so that the pressure pouch may conform to the interior of a container having virtually any shape. The highly deformable material may be chosen such that its yield strength is greater than the force required to open each pouch compartment. In this manner, it is ensured that all of the compartments will open before the highly deformable material begins plastic deformation. The pressure pouch may further include one or more flow channels formed therewith to ensure fluid communication between all parts of the dispensing container.

Abstract: A method for detecting a presence or an absence of a ferromagnetic object within a sensing area may comprise the steps of sensing, during a sample time, a magnetic field adjacent the sensing area; producing surveillance data representative of the sensed magnetic field; determining an absolute value difference between a maximum datum and a minimum datum comprising the surveillance data; and determining whether the absolute value difference has a positive or negative sign. The absolute value difference and the corresponding positive or negative sign thereof forms a representative surveillance datum that is indicative of the presence or absence in the sensing area of the ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring and analyzing light transmittance through containers is provided. A system is disclosed in which a light probe is insertable into a container in order to measure light transmittance through portions of the container wall. The light probe is connected to a spectrophotometer which analyzes the light transmitted through the container wall. Light transmittance is measured over a series of light wavelengths in order to accurately predict the ability of the container to protect its contents from the detrimental effects of light. In addition, the container may be tested for light transmittance at several locations. The measured light transmittance of each location may be weighted differently in order to compensate for the anticipated exposure to light of the particular location.

Abstract: Apparatus for applying a sealant to an outer rim of a can lid supported on a rotating lift chuck for movement into and out of a location beneath a sealant applying gun wherein the can lid is held onto the rotating lift chuck during the application of the sealant by at least a partial vacuum. Also, each sealant applying gun is pivotally mounted between a first location blocking the removal of an underneath lift chuck and a second location permitting the removal of the underneath lift chuck.

Abstract: A bottle inspection apparatus and method are disclosed in which an improved housing contains an imaging device which is focused at a target area through an unobstructed window opening formed in a wall of the housing. The housing includes a sleeve member which may be attached to the housing in the vicinity of the unobstructed window opening and which may be positioned in close proximity to the imaging device, thus creating a restricted air path between the sleeve member and the imaging device which restricts the flow of cooling air exiting the housing. The imaging device may be mounted on a slide mount system such that it is adjustably moveable toward and away from the sleeve in order to adjustably control the amount of air restriction imposed and, thus, adjustably control the rate at which cooling air exits the housing.

Abstract: Drive reconfiguration apparatus for changing the configuration of a drive unit with respect to a vehicle body may comprise a guide system associated with the vehicle body and the drive unit which allows the drive unit to rotate about a center of rotation that is located at about a point where the drive unit contacts the surface being traversed. An actuator mounted to the vehicle body and connected to the drive unit rotates the drive unit about the center of rotation between a first position and a second position.