Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby 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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
February 21, 2002
Date of Patent:
January 14, 2003
Assignee:
Coors Brewing Company
Inventors:
Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
Abstract: An aerial ropeway wherein oppositely located first and second sheave trains are supported on a crossarm wherein first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are pivotally mounted at fixed spaced apart locations on the crossarm and the first and second sheave train supporting apparatus are each pivotally connected to an elongated member extending therebetween.
Abstract: A sealant dispensing system is disclosed which is capable of applying sealant material to irregularly shaped, i.e., non-circular, closure members. To accomplish this, the closure member is loaded onto a rotary chuck in a conventional manner. The sealant applying gun, however, is moveable relative to the end. In this manner, through a combination of rotation of the closure member and movement of the gun, the gun is able to follow the outline of a closure member of any shape. In order to allow non-circular closure members to be loaded onto a chuck, the chuck must first be stopped. After the closure member is loaded, chuck rotation is then initiated. In order to allow this selective chuck rotation, the chuck may be attached to a servo motor. An electromagnet may be located in proximity to each chuck of the sealant dispensing system.
Abstract: A carton blank having an outer layer of a relatively rigid material, a first inner layer of a relatively rigid material superposed over a portion of the outer layer and a second inner layer of a relatively flexible layer of a fluid impervious material is provided with first and second weakened portions so that, after a carton has been formed from the carton blank, filled with a desired material and sealed, the first weakened portion may be broken to form a flip top lid which when moved in an arcuate path will gradually sever the second weakened portion to form an opening in the carton so that an amount of the desired material may be removed from the carton.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
June 28, 2000
Date of Patent:
May 14, 2002
Assignee:
Graphic Packaging Corporation
Inventors:
Joseph C. Walsh, Robert L. Conatser, Raymond S. Kastanek
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.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
March 20, 2001
Date of Patent:
April 30, 2002
Assignee:
Coors Brewing Company
Inventors:
Robert H. Schultz, Christopher S. Derks, Elizabeth J. McTeer
Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the thickness of a coating adhered to a substrate. An electromagnetic acoustic transducer is used to induce surface waves into the coating. The surface waves have a selected frequency and a fixed wavelength. Interpolation is used to determine the frequency of surface waves that propagate through the coating with the least attenuation. The phase velocity of the surface waves having this frequency is then calculated. The phase velocity is compared to known phase velocity/thickness tables to determine the thickness of the coating.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
December 13, 1999
Date of Patent:
April 2, 2002
Assignee:
Bechtel BWXT Idaho LLC
Inventors:
Nancy M. Carlson, John A. Johnson, David M. Tow, John B Walter
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: An apparatus for delivering a fluid into a container has a carriage movably associated with a holding mechanism along an axis. A piston is attached to the carriage and a cylinder is slidably attached to the piston along the axis. The cylinder has a hole formed therein that extends along the axis. A needle extending along the axis is attached to the piston and passes through the cylinder hole. The needle has a first operative position relative to the piston when the needle is retracted within the cylinder and a second operative position relative to the piston when the needle extends from the cylinder.
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.