Abstract: This relates to a positioning device for positioning a member relative to a work piece. In the preferred use of the positioning device, a sealing head is carried by the positioning device with the sealing head having a first lowered position for picking up a lid for a container and a second lowered position for positioning the lid and thereafter bringing the lid into pressure engagement with an associated container and effect the heat sealing of the lid to the container. The positioning device includes an extensible fluid motor of the piston and cylinder type which is mounted within a guide sleeve for selective vertical positioning by way of a cam follower and cam track and which extensible fluid motor is further selectively extensible so as to further move an associated member carried thereby downwardly and into resilient clamping engagement with the work piece.

Abstract: This relates to the construction of a pull tab integrally formed on a closure which is bonded to a container by way of a rupturable bond. Instead of utilizing the conventional pull tab which is normally integrally connected to the closure, the pull tab has been modified so as to provide two or more lines of bond rupturing forces as opposed to the prior art original single line with the two or more lines of bond rupturing forces having a tendency to spread in opposite directions and thereby greatly reducing the force required to initiate a rupture of the bond between the closure and the container. Numerous different types of notches, openings and the like are provided to provide for the separate lines of bond rupturing forces. These notches, openings and the like also function to constrain stray electric current induced into an intermediate metal layer of the closure and pull tab flowing into the pull tab, thereby reducing the power requirement for heating the closure to a bonding temperature.

Abstract: In the blow molding of a container from a preform in a heated blow mold wherein the container has formed as part of the preform a neck portion which remains unoriented, there is a tendency for the neck portion to distort relative to the body so that there is a perpendicularity problem. In accordance with this invention, the problem has been solved by either crystallizing that portion of the preform which remains unoriented in the blow molding of the container so as to both provide a clear line of demarcation between the unoriented and biaxially oriented portion of the container and to increase the glass temperature of the preform portion so as to prevent shrinkage due to conductive heating.

Abstract: A multilayer plastic sheet adapted for the manufacture of containers for food products to be cooked or reheated in microwave ovens is disclosed wherein the sheet has at least one layer of a propylene polymer composition bonded to the surface of a styrene polymer layer, the propylene polymer layer having incorporated therein about 20 to about 40 percent by weight of an inorganic filler such as talc, the filled propylene polymer and the styrene polymer layer having a melt flow substantially equal to the other and the thickness of the layers being at a ratio of from about 60:40 to about 40:60.

Abstract: This relates to an apparatus for applying labels to inner and outer mold halves of a Ferris wheel type blow molding machine. Most particularly, it relates to the substitution of extensible fluid motors for rotary motors wherein a saving of transverse dimensional spacing results, thereby permitting the two label transfer apparatuses to be in closer circumferentially adjacent relation and thereby permitting the proper timing of the applications of labels to relatively short blow molds. This abstract forms no part of the specification of this application and is not to be construed as limiting the claims of the application.

Abstract: This relates to a rotary switch and rotary valve assembly for a multiple work station machine wherein the work stations rotate and are sequentially presented to an operating position. There may be a high voltage and two low voltage switches with the switches being so constructed wherein electrical connections are made with each work station in timed relation to its presentation to the work position and for the required period of time. Further, the rotary valve assembly functions in sequence to present operating fluids to each work station in the order of presentation of such work station to its operating position and in timed sequence to the operation performed thereby.

Abstract: This relates to a container and pump unit where the container is formed with an integral liquid product supply tube in lieu of the usual dip tube carried by the pump unit and wherein there is a special connector arrangement for connecting a conventional type of pump unit, but modified, to such container. The container is provided with a smooth sealable end surface and the connector assembly includes a gasket which closes off the dual passages at the container mouth with there being a seal plate which engages the gasket and provides a liquid product delivery passage and a vent passage. These two passages are separately connected to the pump unit.

Abstract: This relates to the removal of articles from a nest which is travelling along a predetermined path. Most particularly, nests are mounted on an endless conveyor chain and carried thereby past various stations for forming a package beginning with a container, a product placed in the container, and finally a lid. This particularly relates to the removal of such a article as the afore described package. Each nest is provided with a pad or plate in the bottom thereof to be positioned below the container. The plate is carried by a plunger which projects downwardly through the bottom of the nest and also through the conveying chain. In accordance with this invention, the lower end of the plunger engages a ramp which pushes the plunger upwardly as the nest travels along a predetermined path to lift the package out of the nest.

Abstract: A blow molded container which is formed of a polyester resin which has formation and shape characteristics wherein it may be hot filled with a liquid at a temperature on the order of 180.degree.-185.degree. F. with a maximum volumetric shrinkage of no greater than 1 percent. The container is formed from a specially configurated injection molded preform which is initially stretched axially only on the order of 25 percent, after which the preform is inflated and blow molded within a blow mold to a configuration which resists vacuum collapse or paneling of the body.

Abstract: Liquid comestibles are electrolytically treated to lower the pH thereof and the electrolytically treated liquid comestible is pasteurizable at temperatures lower than those normally used to effect pasteurization.

Abstract: This relates to an induction heating coil which is of a single turn construction and particularly configurated for inducing electrical energy into a metal foil barrier layer of a laminated container closure for effecting heat bonding of the closure to a container in a preselected seal pattern. The seal pattern contains either one corner or the closure is provided with a projecting pull tab wherein there is a greater heating requirement and thus a requirement for the induction of higher electrical energy into the closure. The need for the induction of a greater amount of heat into the closure at a corner or the location of a projecting pull tab is provided for by reducing the cross section of the heating coil at the location of the greater heat requirement. The reduction in cross section is primarily effected by forming a notch in the heating coil. If desired, a closer control of the heating effect of the coil may be obtained by positioning in the notch a ferrite insert.

Abstract: This relates to a mechanism for transferring carton lids from a hopper or magazine to a carton closing machine and more particularly to a sealing head of such a machine. The carton closing machine has a plurality of sealing heads each carried at a work station and mounted for rotation with the machine. The carton lid transfer mechanism includes a picker for pulling a lower most lid from the hopper and thus assisting in the transfer from the hopper to a ferris wheel assembly in sequence carton lids. The ferris wheel assembly then deposits each picked up lid on to a lid carrier of a merry-go-round assembly. The merry-go-round assembly then transfers each lid to the respective sealing head of the carton closing machine.

Abstract: This relates to the formation of a preform for a container which is formed primarily of PET and like saturated polyesters which are to be utilized in the packaging of a hot fill liquid and like product, particularly a container wherein a metal closure is to be utilized. The preform is of a laminated construction with the body of the preform being of a five layer construction and the neck finish portion being primarily of a three layer construction including outer layers of PET or like saturated polyester and a core formed of a high Tg polymer. The same high Tg polymer would be in the form of thin layers in the body of the preform between inner and outer layers and a core.

Abstract: This relates to a special endless conveyor chain particularly adapted to carry fixtures which are to be readily removable and replaceable on the conveyor chain. In order to accomplish this, the pins which connect together the links of a conventional conveyor chain are elongated above the conveyor chain for reception in bores within an associated fixture. The conveyor chain is formed of elongated links and shorter links with the length of the elongated links being in accordance with the general dimensions of a fixture longitudinally of the conveyor chain. Each upper one of the elongated links is provided with a flat upper surface so as to provide a supporting surface for a fixture to be mounted thereon. Instead of the usual strap-like configuration, each upper elongated link is preferably provided with an enlarged central portion which may be circular in outline to provide an adequate seat for an associated fixture.

Abstract: This relates to a package wherein there is a container having bonded thereto for removal a peelable lid. The lid is provided with a pull tab extension to facilitate one pulling on the lid to effect removal of the lid from the associated container. The pull tab is releasably stored by folding the pull tab upon itself so as to overlie the lid and thereafter releasable bond the pull tab nose to the underlying lid to assure that the pull tab is retained during handling of the package in a position closely overlying the lid and out-of-the-way. When it desired to utilize the pull tab, the bond between the pull tab and the lid is released and the pull tab is moved upwardly and forwardly to a position where it may be readily gripped between ones thumb and adjacent finger to apply the necessary pull on the lid to effect the peeling thereof from the container.

Abstract: This relates to a rotary switch and rotary valve assembly for a multiple work station machine wherein the work stations rotate and are sequentially presented to an operating position. There may be a high voltage and two low voltage switches with the switches being so constructed wherein electrical connections are made with each work station in timed relation to its presentation to the work position and for the required period of time. Further, the rotary valve assembly functions in sequence to present operating fluids to each work station in the order of presentation of such work station to its operating position and in timed sequence to the operation performed thereby.

Abstract: A gassing apparatus for breaking bubbles at the surface of a newly filled bubbling product (beer) and thereafter removing air from the head space above the surface of the product. The gassing apparatus includes a new bubble breaker which provides for the breaking of the bubbles at lower than customary gas pressure followed by a gassing rail which is of sufficient length and gassing apertures to permit full air removal notwithstanding variations in head space. Preferably the bubble breakers are used in pairs with the gas in the second bubble breaker being at a pressure less than that in the first.