Abstract: A press regulating device for detecting can end tab related defects including a plunger assembly for engaging a can end to be tested; a plunger deflection monitoring device; and a data processing device which receives a signal from the plunger deflection monitoring device and a press timing device and which processes these signals to determine whether or not the tested can end is defective and which sends a control signal to the press to terminate press operation upon detection of a defective can end.

Abstract: A system for aligning portions of a carrier blank during the folding of a carrier blank into a folded carrier wherein an abutment tab having an abutment edge is provided in one portion of the carrier blank with the one portion having a first linear edge and wherein an abutment edge is provided in a second portion of the carrier blank with the second portion having a second linear edge so that when the first and second portions of the carrier blank are moved into adjacent relationship, the abutment edges move into a contacting relationship to guide the first and second linear edges into a superposed and aligtned relationship.

Abstract: Can ironing die members for use in a tool pack assembly which is part of a can body making apparatus used in forming cups into can bodies and wherein each can ironing die member is mounted in a fixedly mounted holding member so that the can ironing die member can be moved in radial directions by the cup from an initial location to a new location if the longitudinal axes of the cup and the can ironing die member are not in alignment and retaining apparatus for retaining the can ironing die member at the new location until moved again by an out of alignment cup. Also, the can ironing die member can be rotated relative to the holding member.

Abstract: An expandable pouch for applying a pressure to a material to be dispensed from a container wherein two sheets of a fluid impervious material are permanently joined together at their edges and divided into a plurality of compartments by semi-permanent peelable strips. One of the compartments is divided into sub-compartments with fluid communication being provided between two sub-compartments. One of a two component chemical gas generating system is located in each of the two sub-compartments so that when the pouch is inverted, the chemicals combine to start generating gas to force open the peelable strips.

Abstract: A self-generating gas pressure apparatus such as an expandable closed pouch for placement within a container from which a flowable material therein is to be dispensed under pressure. The apparatus has a plurality of internal compartments formed by pressure-rupturable seals and containing two respective chemical compounds which, when mixed, produce a gas. One of the chemical compounds is in aqueous solution, while the other is a precipitate present in a water-dispersible suspension medium such as a gum, an algin, pectin, or mixtures thereof. The suspension provides for uniform dispersal of the precipitated chemical and a resultant effective reaction rate with the aqueous chemical reactant.

Abstract: A sorting apparatus for differentiating between generally identically shaped objects based upon code indicia provided on a predetermined, relatively small surface area portion on the sidewall of each object, including: a transfer assembly for moving the objects in single file relationship along a transfer path; a spinning assembly for engaging an object in the transfer path and for spinning the engaged object about its longitudinal axis during a relatively short duration spinning period without removing the object from the transfer path; a trigger assembly for sensing the passage of a trigger indicia, located at a predetermined circumferential position on the surface of the object relative to the code indicia; a code indicia reading assembly for reading the code indicia printed on the object; a reading actuation assembly responsive to the trigger signal for actuating the code indicia reading assembly at a time when the code indicia on the object is positioned in indexed, readable relationship with the reading

Abstract: A corrugated plastic slip pallet is provided and comprises an intermediate corrugated member sandwiched between two generally planar sheet-like panel members and having a flat body portion on which boxes are supported and three lip portions hingedly connected to edges of the flat body portion and forming an included angle therewith of between about 135 and 160 degrees and wherein the hinge connection comprises two spaced apart welded portions extending parallel to an associated edge of the flat body portion and wherein the portions of the intermediate corrugated member and the two generally planar sheet-like panel members between the two spaced apart welded portions are not welded together.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting and measuring torque applied about the central longitudinal axis of the apparatus including a torque receiving frame which may be attached to a device for which torque is to be monitored, a plurality of strain gauges mounted on selected portions of the torque receiving frame for monitoring longitudinal strain therein, a signal processing device for selectively comparing longitudinal strain signals provided by the strain gauges for determining the magnitude and direction of torque applied to the apparatus, a data logging device mounted within the apparatus for collecting and storing data indicative of torque experienced by the apparatus, and a display device connectable to the data logging device for displaying the data stored by the data logging device.

Abstract: A process for applying and bonding a solid lubricant on a substrate whose surface has depressions and pores. The process comprises depositing fine solid lubricant particles on the surface of a substrate to be lubricated in excess of a quantity sufficient to fill essentially all depressions and pores on the substrate surface, and thereafter burnishing the substrate to distribute and bond the lubricant particles on the substrate. Such burnishing of the substrate can be accomplished during its moving contact with another substrate during intended use. Maintenance of lubricity can be accomplished by depositing additional lubricant particles on the substrate and thereafter burnishing, and can be performed while the substrate is in moving contact with another substrate whereby this moving contact performs the burnishing operation.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for each can filler unit of a can filling machine comprising a support for holding a liquid level controller within a housing of the can filler unit and control apparatus operated from outside of the housing for moving the support to position the liquid level controller at a proper position to ensure that each can is being accurately filled.

Abstract: A sample collector for collecting a sample of a gas-charged liquid such as a carbonated beverage from an exteriorly accessible transmission line through which the liquid is flowing. The collector comprises a cylindrical chamber for receiving and storing a liquid sample. A tube has a first end which extends inside the chamber and is positioned and configured so that liquid flowing therefrom is angularly directed against the inside wall of the chamber to create a downwardly-directed spiral flow of liquid along the inside wall. The second end of the tube has attached thereto a valve housing having a flow control valve and a forward end to which a bored needle is releasably secured. The needle bore and the tube bore are aligned and are in communication when the valve is open.

Abstract: A liquor bottle capping assembly comprising a perforated member fixedly attachable to the liquor bottle in covering relationship with a threaded opening in the liquor bottle for preventing flame propagation into the liquor bottle.

Abstract: A conveying system for crowns used to cap containers having a portion thereof adapted to detect and eject bent crowns comprising a conveyor chute for permitting the gravity feed of bent and unbent crowns therethrough, a conventional crown orienting apparatus for orienting each crown to be in the same relationship and a transfer system between the conveyor chute and the crown orienting apparatus for transferring crowns between the conveyor chute and the crown orienting apparatus and wherein the transfer system has a movable bent crown detecting apparatus for stopping the movement of bent crowns therethrough but permitting the movement of unbent crowns therethrough.

Abstract: A method and apparatus controlling the lateral position of a moving web of material having a central longitudinally extending web axis extending generally parallel to the direction of movement of the web so as to maintain the central longitudinally extending axis of the web at a substantial constant lateral position relative a fixed longitudinally extending axis associated with a fixed web alignment station based upon the detected longitudinal distance between certain portions of a series of longitudinally spaced apart, substantially identical, generally transversely extending indicia in a longitudinally extending indicia path parallel to the central longitudinal axis of the web.

Abstract: A process for preparing a malt liqueur from a fermented wort initially comprising at least about 40% by weight barley malt. The process comprises an initial filtration of the fermented wort to provide an essentially particulate-free liquid comprising alcohol and water. The liquid is freeze concentrated to produce a concentrated alcohol liquid base to which can be added and mixed natural or synthetic flavorings to thereby produce a liqueur product.

Abstract: Alignment apparatus for use in conjunction with other equipment for alignment rolls on processing equipment comprising a housing having a central longitudinal axis and a coaxial central bore having a generally cylindrical inner surface and a plug having a generally cylindrical outer surface dimensioned so that the plug may be rotatably mounted in the central bore with a longitudinal axis of the plug in coaxial relationship with the longitudinal axis of the central bore and with planar surfaces of the plug and the housing at the end of the central bore in mating engagement.

Abstract: Apparatus for separating a continuous stream of filled beverage bottles moving in a single row in one linear direction into a plurality of spaced apart rows of filled beverage bottles moving in a direction substantially perpendicular to such one linear direction using at least first, second and third continuously moving conveyors moving in spaced apart parallel linear directions and a continuously moving collection conveyor moving in a linear direction substantially perpendicular thereto wherein the middle filled beverage bottle of three successive filled beverage bottles is moved at spaced apart intervals over the second or third continuously moving conveyors and onto the continuously moving collection conveyor to form spaced streams of filled beverage bottles thereon and wherein the filled beverage bottles remaining on the third continuously moving conveyor are transferred to the continuously moving collection conveyor to form another stream of filled beverage bottles thereon.

Abstract: A disposable package comprising a plastic container secured to plastic protective and support members so that the container may be supported in a vertical position during shipment and commercial storage and in a horizontal position, such as refrigerator shelf, for consumer use. In the preferred embodiment, the container contains a desired quantity of beer equal to a conventional case thereof. The container is provided with plastic dispensing apparatus having flow permitting apparatus movable between at least two positions so that in the first position there is no passageway between the fluid inside the container and the outside of the container and in a second position wherein the fluid in the container may be readily dispensed in separate portions over a period of time without degradation of the quality of the remaining portions of the fluid in the container.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting predetermined register indicia on a moving web of material having an obstructing field of indicia positioned about the register indicia.

Abstract: A system for controlling the movement of filled and sealed beverage containers so that they will move from a filling and sealing apparatus to a liquid level testing apparatus in a set period of elapsed time which is maintained substantially constant and wherein all of the filled and sealed containers are first deposited on a first half width portion of a moving endless conveyor and after that every other filled and sealed container is pushed to a second half width portion of the moving endless conveyor. The filled and sealed containers are then transferred to a first or second moving fill test conveyor moving at a linear velocity less than the linear velocity of the moving endless conveyor and which functions to feed the filled and sealed containers to a first or second liquid level testing apparatus and wherein the linear velocity of the first and second moving fill test conveyors controls the period of elapsed time.