Abstract: A vacuum-indicating closure includes a top wall 12 and a skirt 14 depending from the periphery of the skirt with a tamper-evident band 24 formed on the lower edge of the skirt. The top wall has a center deflectable portion 30 formed by a thinned circumferential hinge 32 and the deflectable portion is divided into pie-shaped segments 44 by a plurality of radially-extending thinned hinged 40. The center deflectable portion is moved between a convex position and a concave position with the presence or absence of vacuum within the container to which it is applied.

Abstract: A thin wall blow molded plastic container includes a generally rectangular body, a cylindrical spout, generally flat neck panels tapering from the container body to the spout and container support members integrally formed in the sides and neck panels of the container. At least one first support member is provided on at least two opposed sides of the container which extends from the bottom of the container across the associated neck panel and terminates proximate the spout. Preferably four second support members are provided each of which extends from the top of the container body along an intersection of the neck panels terminating proximate to the spout.

Abstract: A multi-layer paperless sheet structure having an oriented substructure is provided for making tubular containers for packaging dentifrice and other products. The sheet structure comprises a unique combination of polymer layers, including a uniaxially oriented polymer (polypropylene or high density polyethylene) layer. The sheet structure has two exterior heat sealable surfaces for forming the tubular containers by lap heat seal and the resulting containers exhibit improved strength and deadfold retention properties. A method is also provided for forming the sheet structure with its oriented substructure.

Abstract: A method of testing coating integrity of containers includes the steps of introducing a probe into an electrolytic solution into the container and applying a constantly-increasing voltage to the probe from a source and taking readings of the voltage when the current flow through the container reaches a predetermined level. The apparatus also includes a gripping mechanism for producing a positive contact between the metal in the container and the remainder of the circuit.

Abstract: A buckle resistant end for containers which is formed with an inwardly bowed countersink wall, a countersink groove defined by two unequal radii and a central panel wall stretched taut by accentuated doming.

Abstract: A die necking method and apparatus for producing a smooth tapered wall between the container side wall and a reduced diameter neck includes a plurality of rotatable necking turrets that each have a plurality of identical necking substations each having a necking die. The necking dies in the respective turrets have an internal configuration to produce a necked-in portion on the container which has a first arcuate segment integral with the container side wall and a second arcuate segment integral with the reduced diameter neck. The necking substations also have a floating form control element that engages the inner surface of the container to control the portion of the container to be necked. The necked-in portion is reformed in each succeeding turret by dies to produce a smooth tapered wall between the arcuate segments.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed container having a reduced neck around an upper open end has a bottom profile which exhibits excellent strength characteristics and nests with an end double-seamed to the open end of the container. The bottom profile includes a center spherical dome surrounded by a U-shaped annular portion defining a lower support surface for the container. A joining segment is integral with the container side wall and the U-shaped annular portion includes a first annular arcuate portion having an exterior radius and a second annular arcuate portion having an interior radius.

Abstract: A non-venting propellant filling and sealing valve is adapted to be seated in a propellant filling hole in a bottom wall of a container and permits pressurization of a container through the hole and thereafter seals the container. The propellant filling and sealing valve includes an umbrella sealing portion, a stem portion and shoulder portions in a collar around the stem portion. The umbrella sealing portion is employed to selectively engage, separate from, and then make a generally annular seal with the interior surface of the bottom wall of the container. The stem portion is used to position the umbrella sealing portion around the filling hole and has axially extending grooves therein for conducting pressurizing fluid to the interior of the container.

Abstract: A linerless cap closure includes circular top wall and a depending annular skirt having an internal thread with a tamper-evident band below the skirt. A sealing member is integral with the lower surface of the top wall and includes an annular protrusion having a depending annular axial projection. The tamper-evident band is connected to the skirt with a plurality of spaced tear tangs and a permanent connection and the band has an inwardly-directed bead with inclined ramps extending from the inner edge of the bed to the lower edge of the bead.

Abstract: Low acid heat-sensitive foodstuffs, such as low acid heat-sensitive vegetables and cereal grain products, are thermally processed in the presence of a mixture of an acid and its lactones, preferably an aldonic acid with its lactones, the acid of which makes possible a considerably reduced commercial sterilizing parameter whereby more of the flavor, color, or texture of the foodstuff is retained, and is closer to that of the freshly harvested home-cooked product, compared to the foodstuff processed at a more severe parameter when the acid is not employed. The type and level of the acid employed and its presence with its lactones results in a thermally processed foodstuff which does not have an objectionable acid taste. The preferred mixture is gluconic acid with its lactones, glucono-delta lactone and glucono-gamma lactone, provided to the foodstuff by combining it with a precursor of gluconic acid, preferably glucono-delta lactone.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: Apparatus for assembling base cups onto bottles includes an assembly wheel that has a plurality of pockets on the periphery thereof and a plurality of fluid cylinders supported on an upper support plate and aligned with the pockets. The assembly wheel is positively driven by a drive motor, which also drives a bottle-infeed mechanism and a cup-infeed mechanism, as well as an ejector mechanism. The cup-infeed mechanism includes as indexable carrier that indexes each cup at a glue-applying station, where the cup is raised and simultaneously rotated while glue is being applied in an annular pattern to the inner surface of the cup. The cup and bottle have movement along paths which merge where the bottle is then forced into the cup through a pressurized source and held in that position while the glue sets.

Abstract: Shown is an apparatus for mounting an inductive transducer in position over an intermittently moved belt carrying easy open ends for a beverage container and designed to detect whether or not the tabs for easy opening are provided on the ends. The apparatus is designed to resiliently bias the detection transducer towards the ends with a predetermined gap therebetween such that an electrical signal will result that can be used to evaluate whether a tab is in place. The apparatus includes a camming ramp designed to trigger a limit switch to turn off the system should there be multiple ends positioned below the detector. The detector mounting on a resilient support is designed to back away from any obstruction therebeneath to protect the apparatus during the detection operation. The transducer face is protected by about 1/16 inch of the plastic material.

Abstract: A can container made of soft material such as aluminum having a wall thickness of less than 0.2 mm is used for low acid foods or drinks having pH of more than 5.0. A controlled quantity of liquified nitrogen is introduced into the can filled with the low acid foods or drinks and then the can is hermetically sealed off by double-seaming. The liquid nitrogen is soon gasified in the sealed can to increase internal pressure of the can to a level sufficient to prevent the can from being deformed. Then the can is subjected to retort sterilization treatment at a predetermined high steam temperature for a predetermined period of time for sterilization of any possible bacilli and bacteria in the low acid foods or drinks in the can. Prior to retort sterilization treatment, a thermal sensitive paint is applied to the can, which will change color when exposed to a steam of a predetermined temperature for a predetermined period.

Abstract: A container inspection apparatus for inspecting coating integrity includes an electrical control system that produces an output signal representative of the reflectivity of an inner surface of the container which is fed to a microprocessor and is compared with lower and upper limit references. If the output signal is outside the limit references, an ejector mechanism located in a path for moving containers is activated to remove the defective container from the path. The ejector mechanism includes flipper rods pivoted at one end and located in an inclined portion of the path so that the defective containers are removed by gravity feed.

Abstract: A modular system for producing triple-necked open ended containers includes three substantially identical necking modules each having the same frame and identical rotatable turrets which have a plurality of identical necking stations around the periphery. Each necking station includes an annular necking die and a platform and punch which are cam-operated to move towards and away from each other and are maintained in engagement with the cams by pressurized fluid. Each necking station also has a container pressurizing means in the form of an annular chamber which acts as a holding chamber prior to transmitting the pressurized fluid into the container.

Abstract: A drawn and ironed container having a reduced neck around an upper open end has a bottom profile which exhibits excellent strength characteristics and nests with an end double-seamed to the open end of the container. The bottom profile includes a center spherical dome surrounded by a U-shaped annular portion defining a lower support surface for the container. A joining segment is integral with the container side wall and the U-shaped annular portion includes a first annular arcuate portion having an exterior radius and a second annular arcuate portion having an interior radius.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic can lid 1, for use with a container of the lever ring type, has a periphery 20 which contacts an annular portion of the can wall 15, so as to center the lid 1 accurately relative to the can body. A recess 25 may be provided to enable a lever to be used to pry the lid 1 off the container. The recess 25 desirably includes a membrane 27 which is pierced when a lever is first used to open the container, so that rupture of the membrane 27 makes evident any unauthorized opening of the container. The lid 1 may also include one or more fins which form a seal in conjunction with an annular part 14 of the lever ring 16 of the container.