Abstract: A laminate and a process for making a laminate of aluminum or aluminum alloy and a polyester. The process includes forming a laminate by contacting an aluminum or aluminum alloy sheet or foil with a film of polyester at a temperature and pressure sufficient to adhere the film to the sheet or foil, reheating the laminate to a temperature above the crystalline melting point of the polyester, cooling the laminate at a cooling rate controlled to prevent crystallization of the polyester, and quenching in water such that the molecular weight of the polyester layers in the laminate is between 14,000 and 23,000.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for producing a laminate of metal and a polymeric film such as polypropylene bonded to a metal substrate such as steel or aluminum strip, preferably electrolytically chromium coated steel for making can ends, comprises laminating a polypropylene film to the metal and subjecting the film to a temperature above its melting point, and then uniformly and rapidly cooling the laminate to a temperature substantially below the melting point of the polypropylene by flooding the polypropylene coated surface of the laminate with cold liquid, e.g., water at room temperature.

Abstract: A continuous motion cylindrical can decorator is provided with mandrels that receive undecorated cans and a deco chain that carries decorated cans through a curing oven. The mandrels are mounted along the periphery of a continuously rotating carrier. Chain speed is much slower than linear mandrel speed and spacing between pins on the chain is much less than spacing between mandrels. Interposed between the chain and the mandrel carrier is a continuously rotating transfer carrier having a plurality of suction holding devices thereto. As the holding devices move through a transfer region they are in single file and receive cans that are blown from the mandrels. In the transfer region mandrel linear speed is substantially greater than linear speed of the holding devices, and spacing between the latter is much less than spacing between mandrels As the loaded suction holding devices move downstream through a pickup region cans thereon are loaded on two rows of pins carried by the deco chain.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting micro-organisms comprises a sample container releasably received in a container-mounting member which comprises a spillage containment vessel. The sample container has secured to its base a socket member which nests with the inner surface of the spillage containment vessel. Spillage detection means comprises a pair of electrical probes in the base of the vessel.

Abstract: A can end (1) having an openable portion (14) defined by a score line (13), has a ring pull defining an aperture in which is retained a token (16) which may be removed as proof of purchase to qualify the purchaser for a prize or other premium offer. The token (16) is preferably made from a plastics material which is retained by clinching of peripheral material of the ring pull, and may be marked with indicia.

Abstract: A screw closure is associated with a container mouth and is defined by a metal closure body having a closure panel and a peripheral skirt which extends to an inwardly and upwardly directed curl terminating in a free edge. An annular shoulder of the peripheral skirt cooperates with the curl to captively retain therebetween an upper portion of a plastic security ring joined to a lower portion by a line of weakening with the lower security ring portion being prevented from rotating relative to an associated container neck. The terminal end of the curl is seated in a recess of the security ring upper portion in deforming engagement therewith.

Abstract: An apparatus for reshaping a container includes a mold of the split type. The container has a body member, a closed lower end member and a cone-shaped open upper end member. The mold has a pair of upper clamping members and a lower clamping member which slide along a liner. The upper clamping members and a seal for closing the container act on the double seam between the upper end member and the body member, thus ensuring that the upper end member and the double seam do not deform during reshaping. The seam between the lower end member and the body member is gripped between the lower clamping member and a support member. During reshaping, compressed air is supplied to the interior of the container, causing it to expand outwardly while the clamping members move inwardly.

Abstract: In a method of drawing and wall ironing a can body, a blank (1) is cut from a laminate of aluminium or alloy and a polyester film. The blank is lubricated and drawn to a cup (7) having a side wall (8), which is then wall ironed. A terminal margin (14) of the side wall (13) of the wall ironed can is heated to a temperature above 100.degree. C. but below the crystalline melting point of the polyester film in order to prevent delamination of the polyester film from the side wall of the can during subsequent washing of the can. A benefit of the process is that the heating of the side wall margin (14) does not soften the aluminium or aluminium alloy body.

Abstract: An end wall 9, for attachment to a container, has a central panel 10 and surrounded by a channel portion 11 which includes a deposit of solder 19 in the form of a paste of solder and flux. The can end 9 is joined by a double seam 23 to a sidewall 12 of a container body. Heating of the double seam melts the solder to create a soldered joint between the end wall and sidewall. The invention is to be used in the manufacture of containers requiring strong double seams and may be used to make containers for carriage of dangerous goods. Apparatus for applying solder pastes to can ends is described in which paste is urged from a pot against convex surface 37 before passing through outlet nozzles 38 onto a can end.

Abstract: A seam weld machine includes a voltage monitoring circuit (9) for determining weld quality. The voltage is sensed by two pick-ups. A first pick-up is in the form of a conductive rider (10), mounted to directly sense the voltage from a weld wire (4). The wire (8) from the second pick-up is short and is fed through a gap in the z-bar (6) of the machine to emerge close to the wire from the first pick-up, thus reducing electromagnetic interference and noise.

Abstract: A wall ironing ring (8, 11, 14) for use in cooperation with a punch (1) to reduce the thickness of a sidewall of a cup (17) drawn from a laminate of a polyester film and sheet aluminum or sheet aluminum alloy has a frusto conical entry surface (24) to the ring which converges at an angle between 1.degree. and 4.degree. to a central axis perpendicular to the plane of the ring and terminates at a land of short length, measured at said axis; and divergent exit surface extends from said land at an angle in the range from 5.degree. to 15.degree.. The ironing ring may be made from a material having a thermal conductivity greater than 50 W/m.degree.C. used in cooperation with a like ring of smaller land diameter held apart from the first ring by a spacer (7) in which coolant is applied to the cup.

Abstract: A laminated metal sheet, the metal sheet having adhered on at least one major surface thereof a film of a non-crystalline polyester, and a process for the preparation thereof. The laminated metal sheet is particularly useful for forming into drawn and wall ironed (DWI) cans. The laminate is also useful for forming other non-retorted packaging components.

Abstract: A pump suitable for food products containing solid pieces has a rotary turret (11) incorporating four piston and cylinder pumping units (15) spaced uniformly around the rotation axis. The pistons are reciprocated by a stationary cam (8) and have associated with them rolling diaphragms (35) which separate pumping chamber (40) from chamber (41) which are connected to a vacuum source. The cylinders are closed by a rotor end member (50) journalled on a manifold member (60) and provided with fluid ports (51). A sealing ring (65) of low friction material forms a seal with the end face of member (50) and includes slots for connecting the ports (51) alternately to supply and discharge conduits (55, 56) for the product passing through the pump. The sealing interface between member (50) and ring (65) is surrounded inwardly and outwardly by a cavity for receiving barrier fluid, e.g. steam, under pressure.

Abstract: A screw closure for a container has a metal body shell (30) into which a plastics moulding (44) is snap-engaged. The moulding provides a screw thread (52) for the closure; in addition, it extends below the body shell to provide a security ring (50) which is attached by rupturable bridges (62). Relative rotation of the moulding and body shell when the closure is being fitted onto a container is prevented by teeth (58) formed around the top edge of the moulding, which deeply indents the sealing gasket (38) of the body shell.

Abstract: A laminated metal sheet, the metal sheet having adhered on at least one of its major surfaces a composite film comprising:(A1) an inner layer of a thermoplastic polymer incorporating a white pigment and a toner for compensating for the natural color of the metal sheet, and(B1) an outer layer of a thermoplastic polymer incorporating a white pigment, the concentration of white pigment in layer (B1) being lower than the concentration of white pigment in layer (A1).The laminated metal sheet of the invention is useful for forming into containers or various components thereof.

Abstract: A forming die of a kind having a top surface (38) a bottom surface, a peripheral side surface (39) connecting the bottom surface to the top surface (38) and including a receptor area (36) for receiving vibratory force, and an annular work surface (32) defining an aperture extending from said top surface through to said bottom surface has a plurality of localised mass concentrations 43,44,45, arranged symmetrically about an axial plane normal to the plane of the receptor area. The shape of the die is designed to modify resonant frequencies corresponding to unwanted modes of vibration to increase the separation between the frequencies of the unwanted modes and a chosen R0 mode of vibration. The die may be adapted for use in the operations of reducing the diameter of a tubular article; deep drawing or like processes.

Abstract: In a high speed electro-coating apparatus having a plurality of electro-coating cells arranged around the periphery of a rotable turntable, each can is placed upright on a cell lid below a hollow cell body and is introduced into that body by upward movement of the cell lid. Separate simultaneous flows of electro-coating fluid fill and immerse the can, and each cell receives electro-coating current via slip-ring segments carried on the turntable past respective sets of brushes which are disposed at the respective electro-coating stations. Control apparatus is arranged to feed current to the brush sets only during the periods of turntable rotation during which each brush has full contact with an adjacent slip-ring segment. An infeed device has a rotable turret from which radiate a plurality of can holders which act to transfer cans from a screw-type infeed conveyor along an encircling guide rail to an infeed station of the apparatus.

Abstract: A laminated metal sheet, the metal sheet having adhered on at least one major surface thereof a film of a non-crystalline polyester, and a process for the preparation thereof. The laminated metal sheet is particularly useful for forming into drawn and wall ironed (DWI) cans. The laminate is also useful for forming other non-retorted packaging components.