Abstract: Composite article, and method of producing same, comprising a heat-resistant woven fabric substrate having a continuous heat and wear-resistant coating thereon for handling hot glass articles and the like without marring same. The heat-resistant flexible composite material is formed from a tightly woven fabric such as thermoset polyaramid fibers with a continuous imperforate coating of organic-inorganic silicone resin containing a filler of heat-resistant particulate material therein adapted to withstand extensive repeated contact with newly-formed hot glass articles. As required, the flexible composite material may be used alone or as a facing for a rigid structural member formed of metal.

Abstract: This invention relates to the treatment of plastic sheet material and especially co-extruded sheet of orientable plastic material which is comprised of film and foam layers which are continuously stretched in a longitudinal direction. The stretching is effected between a pair of rolls which are maintained at different temperatures and rotated at different rates of rotation to effect a cold stretching of the film-foam laminate to improve its shrink capability and lower its shrink temperature upon usage in various packaging applications. A preferred material is polyethylene which is co-extruded into a laminate of film and foam layers and which exhibits improved shrinkage characteristics when employed in the form of tubular sleeves for container labels or bands.

Abstract: This invention relates to method and apparatus for producing a composite container having a tubular sleeve mounted precisely thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering position. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-flexible thin material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is opened and conveyed into axial registry with the container. The sleeve preform of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container and the container is then firmly retained at an upper region. A reciprocatable apertured head contacts the preform while so retained and further telescopes the preform at least partially over the container. With the reciprocatable apertured head then stationarily maintained, the container is elevated so that the apertured head further lowers the preform into finally-aligned position on the container where it is adapted to subsequent heat-shrinking in place in permanent conforming arrangement.

Abstract: Method and apparatus are provided for assemblying bottles or other containers into a package. The bottles for a package are arranged in a group of predetermined number, a telescoping tubular sleeve is placed around the group, and the sleeve is heat-shrunken around the grouped bottles into an integral tightly-bound package.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for developing a strain crystallized morphology in blowbottles of thermoplastic material by a heat treatment process subsequent to a blow molding operation. In a first embodiment, the blow mold itself includes means for differentially heating the blown article along its length so that only those portions which have been significantly molecularly oriented are heat treated. In a second embodiment, separate mold-shaped members are mounted adjacent the blow mold to receive the blown articles to apply the desired heat treatment process. In the method, an essentially amorphous thermoplastic parison is expanded in a blow molding operation at a temperature conducive to molecular orientation and strain induced crystallization. Then, the highly molecularly oriented bottle portions are heat treated to develop crystalline growth, while other non-molecularly oriented bottle portions may be simultaneously cooled.

Abstract: A protective coating composition is applied to the decorated and/or printed surface of a foamed plastic substrate to provide abrasion resistance, high gloss, and lubricity. Preferably, the composition is comprised of a water-based mixture of polyurethane resin and emulsified polyethylene resin, the latter being emulsified with an ionic or non-ionic emulsifier. The composition is especially useful for application over the exterior of foamed plastic surfaces which have been decorated and/or printed with printing inks prior to fabrication of the material into plastic articles.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for strengthening glass articles immediately after their formation and prior to annealing to remove stresses, and more specifically to increasing the strength of glass containers in terms of internal pressure retention as well as in thermal shock and impact resistance. The process involves allowing the newly-formed glass containers to cool down to a limited extent immediately subsequent to their formation, subjecting the defect-bearing exterior surfaces of the glass containers, which contain surface checks or cracks, to an elevated temperature for a brief period of time to physically alter the crack geometry of the defects and partially heal the same, and then annealing the glass containers to remove stresses therefrom.

Abstract: In a cavity identification system the containers, which are upright, will be in single file and will be diverted from a linear conveyor by a rotating starwheel, having in the periphery thereof, pockets which generally correspond to the external diameter of the containers. The starwheel serves to guide the containers from the side of the conveyor, in slightly spaced-apart fashion, over an identification station where the cavity identification reader is positioned. After the container has passed the reading position, it will be moved back onto the moving conveyor so that the container will be carried to a later processing position. Guard rails are provided at both the incoming and outgoing ends of the cavity reading system to guide the containers in series relationship. The described inspection apparatus may be moved as a unit away from the side of the conveyor an amount to clear the normal span of the conveyor.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for determining which of a plurality of molds produced a particular container. A specific concentric ring code is molded into the bottom of each container as it is produced. This code is defined by absence or presence of rings at possible ring positions. No rings are formed in adjacent positions. The containers are then passed by a reading station, where light whose intensity is proportional to the angle of incidence is projected onto the bottom of the container. The variation of intensity of light reflected to a particular point is used to determine the position of the rings on the container and suitable electronics may then decode the ring position to determine the container code, thus permitting identification of the mold which produced each container.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for preventing the formation of blisters in an electrically-heated forehearth that utilizes submerged electrodes connected to either a single or plural phase alternating current source. The electrodes are arranged so that Joule effect heating is effected by passing alternating current through the molten glass with the center tap of the secondary of the power transformer being connected to the positive side of a Direct Current source through a filter, while the negative side of the DC source is connected to a counter electrode, immersed in the glass at a point upstream of the forehearth.With this physical arrangement, the formation of blisters due to free electrons migrating to and collecting on some of the electrodes that are at different potentials than the others is prevented.

Abstract: A multiple station inspection glassware inspection machine in which the containers are moved from station to station by engagement with a changeable, cylindrical pocket with a plurality of these pockets assembled to form an endless structure similar to a chain. Each of the semi-cylindrical pockets is adapted to engage the sidewall of the containers and to effect the indexing movement of the containers from an inlet where they are received from a conveyor and to carry the containers through a plurality of inspection stations. Various inspections may be carried out at the stations. Each container, after having moved through all of the stations, is returned to the conveyor. As each of the containers is moved through the series of positions while engaged in the pockets, they are retained in the posckets by the positioning of a guide rail system which effectively confines the bottles to the semi-cylindrical pocket of the indexing system.

Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one amine compound as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.

Abstract: Apparatus for moving newly formed glass containers from a cooling dead plate to a moving machine conveyor in which the ware is engagedf by a finger, with the finger being generally horizontal and engageable with the container at a point on its sidewall which best suits the moving of the container by a sliding motion. The finger, or fingers in the case of plural containers being simultaneously moved, is moved through an arc approximately 90.degree. with respect to its vertical axis, moving the containers from the dead plate to the conveyor and then the finger is retracted out of contact with the containers on the conveyor. The cylinder for extending and retracting the fingers is mounted on the upper end of a vertical shaft, the shaft being oscillated through approximately 90.degree.. In the drive mechanism for the shaft, a sprocket-carrying housing surrounding the shaft is provided with an internally contained, flat spiral spring which connnects the housing to a coaxially positioned sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a digital circuit for generating a swept clock frequency having a linear rate of change. A constant frequency signal is divided by a counter signal representative of the inverse of a linearly changing time dependent variable. The value of the counter signal is varied at the proper rate by means of a pair of rate multipliers and a frequency divider. Included are means for controlling the slope of the output frequency.

Abstract: This invention relates to apparatus and method for producing a composite container having a neck label or tubular sleeve mounted temporarily thereon adapted to be shrunken into final surface covering relation. The tubular sleeve is preformed of relatively-stiff material and flat-folded until ready for use when it is fully opened and conveyed into vertical alignment with a container therebeneath. The sleeve preform comprised of heat-shrinkable plastic material is telescopically assembled onto the container while the latter is transported in spaced upright arrangement. The preform is moved downwardly by a pair of gripping vacuum cups moving downwardly and divergently to open the preform and place the same telescopically on the container upper portion. Alternately, the opened preform is placed on a cylindrical mandrel to more fully open the preform prior to its being mounted telescopically on the container neck portion.

Abstract: There is disclosed an environmentally degradable plastic composition comprising an organic polymeric material having dispersed therein at least one trialkyl ortho ester as a readily autoxidizable organic substance.

Abstract: A fluid collection apparatus is disclosed which is useful in separating blood serum or plasma from blood cellular and particulate matter. The apparatus includes an elongate hollow body having a self-sealing septum sealingly disposed within one end thereof and a piston having an axially projecting hollow piercing element adapted to pierce the septum and provide communication with the interior of the hollow body. The piston includes a laterally extending flange for sealing engagement with the interior of a container for containing the mixture to be treated. After the hollow body and the associated piston assembly is inserted into the container the flange of the piston is engaged with the inner wall of the container causing the composite piston apparatus to remain in and seal a sample within the container.