Abstract: A redraw die for a can body maker incorporates an undercut sidewall, a grooved face and a reduced radius at the intersection between the grooved face and the sidewall. The undercut side wall is positioned proximate to the grooved face so as to permit a cup positioned over the redraw die to flex into an ovoid shape without pinching or binding against the side of the redraw sleeve. These features help prevent the formation of wrinkles when the cup is drawn and ironed in the body maker.

Abstract: A high temperature steam-sterilizable flexible pouch package includes a non-woven barrier web, a perforated plastic intermediate web, and an imperforate plastic upper web. Line heat seals bonding the webs form a cavity into which high temperature sterilizing steam may enter after passing through the barrier and intermediate webs. The line heat seal bonding the upper and intermediate webs is of the delamination failure type. An access opening is provided for insertion of an object to be sterilized into the cavity after which the access opening is sealed, enclosing the object in the cavity. After high temperature steam sterilizing, the package is opened by peeling apart the upper web from the intermediate web which causes a delamination failure of the line heat seal. Preferred materials enable vacuum cycle steam sterilization at a temperature of at least 270.degree. F.

Abstract: An easy open tear control package, preferably a pouch, from a film of polymeric barrier material is disclosed. Methods and films for making of such packages are also disclosed. The easy open tear control feature arises from roughening portions of the outer or inner surface of the films, prior to fabricating into the package. The roughened portion is on one face or on each face of the package and is at least a full width of a seal when the film is made into the package. The roughened portion can extend the entire width of the package and can be of any desired length.

Abstract: A polymeric laminate for use in polymeric films, and packaging material and packages made therefrom, that is roughened or knurled to produce a series of nicks or cuts over substantially the entire surface area of the laminate, producing an easy-opening feature. The laminate may be a multilayer, polymeric structure that may comprise an oriented polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, or a biaxially oriented nylon. The packaging material of the invention may contain a sealant film, either a single layer or multilayer film, and may also comprise an intermediate layer of foil.

Abstract: A package comprising a container, a closure assembly which includes a tearing portion. The container includes a sidewall, a closed end and an end with an opening. The closure assembly includes a central panel covering the container opening and a circumferential edge secured to the container. The tearing portion allows the closure to be opened for access to the contents of the package.

Abstract: Blends of polymers, such as aromatic condensation polymers including formable polyesters and polycarbonates with an oxygen barrier material such as aromatic or aliphatic nylon, an amorphous nylon or EVOH, which have been oriented and which contain a transition metal catalyst, exhibit the improved barrier properties and oxygen absorption properties of the present invention.

Abstract: An injection molding machine for simultaneously injection molding a plurality of articles each made of plural polymeric materials. The injection molding machine includes a source of a first polymeric material and a source of a second polymeric material. The injection molding machine also includes a plurality of co-injection nozz;es, each of the nozzles has na associated injection cavity mold. Each of the nozzles also has a first flow channel for providing a stream of said first polymeric material to said mold and a second flow channel for providing a stream of said second polymeric material to said mold. The machine further includes a flow control device for feeding the polymeric materials from their sources to each of the nozzles and each of the associated molds, such that each of the streams of the first polymeric materials flows from each nozzle into each associated mold simultaneously and each of the streams of the second polymeric materials flows from each nozzle into each associated mold simultaneously.

Abstract: An insert is provided containing gas under pressure for insertion in a carbonated beverage can to nucleate release of gas from solution when the can is opened. The insert has a jetting orifice closed by a burstable seal which is held closed by a sealing member until the can is opened. The sealing member may be made of moisture sensitive material which weakens in the can and ruptures on opening the can. The insert may be weighted to float in a given orientation with the jetting orifice submerged.

Abstract: The present invention is a printing head for a decorator cylinder assembly and comprises an interior member having a shaft bore and an outer side wall. The shaft bore has a tapered interior side wall. The printing head further comprises an exterior member having an inner side wall and a decorator side wall. The exterior member at least partially encompasses the interior member. The outer side wall of the interior member at least partially abuts the inner side wall of the exterior member, and the exterior member is adjustably connected about the interior member. The exterior member is at least partially axially adjustable about the interior cylinder, and is at least partially rotatably adjustable about the interior cylinder. The printing head further comprises a face plate/adjustment member adjustably connected to the interior member and the exterior member.

Abstract: A multilayer permeable membrane with a release layer for the packaging of aromatic condensation products. The permeable membrane has a first layer comprising low density polyethylene, a second layer comprising ultra low density polyethylene and a third layer comprising low density polyethylene. The release layer is adhered to the first layer and may be peeled away from the permeable membrane to expose the membrane and provide for the controlled release of vapors over a period of time.

Abstract: A device for washing and removing liquid on a gauze conveyor for conveying products, the gauze conveyor having an upper side for carrying products and being provided with link portions and having a gauze pattern. The device having means for removing liquid on the upper side of the gauze conveyor and being formed by a hollow, rotatable roll which is provided with rows of separate projecting teeth, said rows extending axially on the roll, the teeth fitting into the gauze pattern and the link portions being enclosable by the teeth. The roll has holes between the teeth which holes extend into the cavity of the roll.

Abstract: A seamless drawn and ironed container body having a side wall with portions of the side wall expanded radially outward from an initial cylindrical configuration and a method and apparatus for reshaping such containers.

Abstract: A can end for a two-piece beverage can including a generally flat radially extending portion; a score panel defined in the generally flat radially extending portion by an arcuate score, the score panel having a central, longitudinal axis projecting in a first axial direction and a second axial direction opposite the first direction; an annular emboss bead formed in the score panel and projecting in a first axial direction; and an annular deboss bead formed in the score panel and projecting in the second axial direction.

Abstract: A seamless drawn and ironed container body having a side wall with portions of the side wall expanded radially outward from an initial cylindrical configuration and a method and apparatus for reshaping such containers.

Abstract: Methods related to coextrusion of heat-sensitive polymer materials. The sensitive melt stream element (12) is encapsulated in a second polymeric melt stream element (16). Transport means (36) is preferably employed between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). A third melt stream element (68) is joined to one or both opposing surfaces (70) of the second melt stream element (16) between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). In the die (42) the encapsulated melt stream element (12) becomes an interior layer (46) between encapsulating layers (48A, 48B) derived from the second melt stream element (16). The third melt stream element (68) forms layers (72, 74) positioned outwardly of the encapsulating layers (48A, 48B). The positioning, on the interior of the extrudate, of edges (54) of layer (46) is adjusted independently of the combined thicknesses of a layer derived from the third melt stream element (68) and an adjacent layer (48).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming a bottom of a drawn and ironed beverage container is disclosed. The container has a longitudinal axis and a side wall parallel with the longitudinal axis. The bottom has an outer annular wall, a convex U-shaped portion and a preformed bottom wall. The preformed bottom wall includes a center domed portion. The bottom further has an annular, substantially longitudinal wall joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The apparatus comprises a roller movable from an inward position where the roller does not contact the annular, substantially longitudinal wall to an outward position where the roller contacts the annular, substantially longitudinal wall, and a movable actuator to move the roller into engagement with and circumferentially about the annular, substantially longitudinal wall to reform the substantially longitudinal wall.