Abstract: A device for conveying closures (D) made from metallic sheet in an essentially vertical direction from a collecting point (1) to a release point (6) is proposed. The closures are selected to be in correct position during conveying in order to release at the release point (6) only same-lying closures in a row of closures following one another closely. A conveyer belt (10) serves for the transport (v1, v2) of the closures. A sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3) serves for detecting wrong-position closures and for lateral discharge (q1, q2) of individual wrong-position closures. In the course of the conveyer belt (10) upstream of the sensor and discharge device, a bar (15) is arranged above the conveyer belt, which terminates after the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3). More than one row (R1, R2) of closures next to one another may be supplied separately to the sensor and discharge device (17, 16, 19, 18; 3).

Abstract: A polymer container suitable for hot-filling featuring a pinch-grip vacuum panel combination having a flexible-field and a generally ridged pinch-grip that accommodates vacuum related forces.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a parison and container made from an aromatic polyester composition with improved strain hardening. The polyester composition exhibits a low DEG content, a natural stretch ratio of <10, a half time of crystallization of >150 sec at 200° C. and comprises a sulfo-modified copolymer. The invention further relates to a process for making small volume containers. Compared to polyesters of the prior art, the polyester of the present invention exhibits superior stretching characteristics, such as a lower natural stretch ratio (NSR), which allows for production of small PET bottles via thinner and longer pansons. Such thinner and longer pansons improve the production of small containers due shorter Cooling cycles.

Abstract: The invention concerns a conveying device for sheet steel plates and for moving several sheets (1, 1?) inside or through a working zone (W; 50) wherein the sheets are machined. The inventive feeding device comprises first and second sheet feeders (10, 11; 20) which feed the sheets in controlled manner to the working zone (W) so that the sheets are machined with positional accuracy. The first sheet feeder (10, 11) is located on an input side of the tool zone and the second sheet feeder (20) is located on an output side of the tool zone. The two sheet feeders (10, 20; 11; 20) are mutually synchronized in their movements (x, y) when feeding forward the sheet (1), the sheet driven by the synchronous movement being maintained by the two sheet feeders. The invention provides the advantages of increased speed and safety. It is possible to increase the speed without the sheet being deformed or losing its flatness.

Abstract: An as-manufactured multi-wall sack that comprises an inner pouch 5 and an outer bag 7 is disclosed. The sack has a top end that (a) is open in the as-manufactured form of the sack so that the sack can be filled with product via the open end and (b) is formed so that it can be closed to form a top block end. The as-manufactured form of the sack comprises pressure adhesive that connects together the inner pouch and the outer bag at the open top end of the sack. The as-manufactured form of the sack also comprises heat-activated adhesive on sections of the outer bag that adhere to other sections of the outer bag as part of the sequence of steps to close the outer bag. An apparatus and a method for closing the as-manufactured sack are also disclosed.

Abstract: A hot fill, blow molded plastic container adapted for vacuum pressure absorption having a pair of flex panels and a pair of columns. The flex panels being defined in at least part by a central portion and a perimeter wall portion adjacent to and generally surrounding the central portion. The flex panels being movable to accommodate internal thermally induced volumetric and pressure variations in the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents.

Abstract: A plastic container having a base portion adapted for vacuum pressure absorption. The base portion including a contact ring upon which the container is supported, an upstanding wall and a central portion. The upstanding wall being adjacent to and generally circumscribing the contact ring. The central portion being defined in at least part by a central pushup and an inversion ring which generally circumscribes the central pushup. The central pushup and the inversion ring being moveable to accommodate vacuum forces generated within the container.

Abstract: Blow-molded containers such as the 1.75-liter size for liquor beverages have an everting grip problem. Using inwardly facing grip geometry, consisting of two convex surfaces that come together at an inward ridge, eliminates the problem. The combination of the two convex surface sidewalls further eliminates the need for lateral reinforcing ribs in both cold-fill and hot-fill containers. The curved sidewalls come together at an edge offset the central axis of the container.

Abstract: In order to store thermoplastic preforms in a container, the outside faces of the preforms are treated so as to make said outside faces more slippery, and the preforms are stored in bulk in the container, with the outside faces of the preforms after treatment presenting a coefficient of friction that is low enough to ensure that the packing density, i.e. the number of preforms stored per unit volume, is greater than the packing density that would be obtained under the same conditions with non-treated preforms.

Abstract: A hot fill, blow molded plastic container adapted for vacuum pressure absorption and top load force enhancement having a waist region, and generally rectangular shaped vacuum panels and columns equidistantly spaced about the container. The waist region being movable to accommodate top load forces. The vacuum panels being movable to accommodate internal thermally induced volumetric and pressure variations in the container resulting from heating and cooling of its contents.

Abstract: A system for controlling a design process having a first design sub-process (SP1) and a second design sub-process (SP2), outcomes of one of the first and second design sub-processes (SP1, SP2) being linked to outcomes of the other of the design sub-processes by a relationship between one or more first design sub-process variables (A) and one or more second design sub-process variables (B). The system comprises a user configurable interface (I) between the first and second design sub-processes (SP1, SP2), the interface allowing a user to the system to control the design process by specifying which of the one or more variables (A, B) (101-106, 111-114) are active variables which can have their domains modified by at least internal process within the sub-process to which the variable belongs and which of the one or more variables (A, B) are passive variables which have their domains determined within allowable values by the domains of the other variable(s) in the relationship.