Abstract: The specification discloses a method and apparatus for accurately positioning a lid of a series of lids above a container flange in preparation for the heat sealing operation. The apparatus is designed to maintain the production rate of prior art filling and packaging machines while still precisely locating a lid such that little or no overhang of the lid relative to the flange of a container occurs. This is achieved by providing a start and stop type conveyor with individual conveyor plates provided with alignment lugs for urging the flange of a container and a lid into alignment. The resulting product is less vulnerable to lid damage and hence is more presentable when served to the consumer. This system is particular valuable in the packaging of individual creamer containers.

Abstract: A tamper indicating plastic cap for twist application to a threaded container neck comprises cap, body and a band interconnected to the cap by a plurality of bridges. Each of the bridges slopes upwardly in the direction of twist application of the cap to the container. A plurality of drive devices have co-operating abutments on the cap and band which are normally disengaged. The bridges flex as the band is snap-fitted over a bead on a threaded container shoulder in a manner which enhances the movement of the cooperating abutments towards one another as the band moves upwardly towards the cap. The abutments engage to drive the band with the cap to prevent breaking of the bridges as the band is snap-fitted over the threaded container neck. The bridges readily break when the cap is unthreaded from the container neck with the band engaged with the container bead. Such arrangement substantially facilitates the injection moulding of the cap because the band is significantly spaced from the cap underside.

Abstract: A container chute according to the present invention utilizes movable portions which are normally biased to the closed position but may be moved outwardly to facilitate insertion of a stack of nested containers into the container chute. The container chute is normally used in automated packaging machines which use preformed nested containers. This approach simplifies the container loading operation giving the operator additional time for other responsibilities.

Abstract: The specification of the present application discloses an apparatus and method for dividing the multiple parallel output of a multi-lane container packaging machine to allow bulk packaging of a number of containers independent of the number of containers in one parallel output. This is accomplished by changing the parallel container output into a series output in which the container spacing and position relative to other containers is determined by the output rate of the multi-lane packaging machine and the speed of a second conveyor positioned at the discharge of the machine to change the parallel input of containers to a series format. A segmenting means is associated with the indexing of the multi-lane packaging machine and divides the time between successive indexes into divisions representative of the number and spacing of containers on the second conveyor.

Abstract: A plastic screw-on closure adapted for use with containers and having provision to indicate when the sealed container closure has been tampered with. The closure has a cap, a band for application over the shoulder of a container, means for connecting the cap and band and drive means for controlling relative rotation of the cap and band as the band is applied over a shoulder on a container. The drive means provides engagement between the cap and band during application of the closure, thereby ensuring the integrity of the connecting means during application of the closure. However, the drive means is ineffective during removal of the cap, such that the connecting means fractures due to axial separation of the cap and band.

Abstract: The specification describes a fluid dispensing piston pump that is adapted to be cleaned in places without disassembly of the pump. During the cleaning operation the piston of the pump is positioned in an area of larger diameter at the base of the cylinder such that the seal between the piston face and cylinder is broken. Seals are provided for closing the upper end of the cylinder thereby allowing steam or a cleaning fluid which is introduced through the inlet check valve to fill the cylinder and sterilize the piston face and stem members. Steam is then discharged through the outlet check valve.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for loading a stack of containers into a container chute are disclosed. The apparatus comprises a support adapted to support a row of stacked containers on their sides. The chute has a container side entrance. A guide is provided to guide the pushed movement of a stack of containers from the support through the container side entrance upwardly into the chute. The stack of containers is permitted to drop after insertion into the chute. The apparatus and method may be adapted to supply containers to a filling machine, such as coffee creamer or condiment filling machines.

Abstract: Reusable plastic container and plastic lid therefor, the lid being hermetically sealed to the container by a set adhesive. The set adhesive has a greater attraction for the lid plastic than for the container plastic. Such attraction is sufficient to ensure that, on removing the lid from the container, the adhesive is peeled from the container rim and removed with the reusable lid. This leaves the container rim essentially free of adhesive to reduce the likelihood of contaminating the contained product with adhesive chemicals. The lid or the container rim may be coated with the adhesive prior to heat-seal. In the instance where the container is coated with the adhesive, the rim ledge portion may be provided with at least one continuous circumferentially extending raised portion to facilitate coating of the container rim. Processes for manufacturing the adhesive-coated container lid and forming the container rim portion and applying adhesive thereto are disclosed.

Abstract: The specification describes a cartoning apparatus adapted to carry out a plurality of cartoning steps which in the past have been carried out by individual independent machines. The cartoning apparatus includes a set-up station for the opening of flat carton blanks, a conveyor for advancing the opened carton blanks along the apparatus, and closure means downstream of the set-up station for closing the bottom and/or top of the carton. The closure means is adapted to both fold and tape the carton and automatically apply the required amount of tape to each carton. It includes means for applying the strip of tape extending between adjacent spaced apart cartons and a plunger member for plunging between the cartons to sever the extended strip of tape and to apply the thusly provided free tape ends to the opposing end walls of the adjacent cartons.

Abstract: A container having side walls, end walls, bottom and open top is adapted to be stacked in a stepped manner with its side resting on a side of a like underlying container or stacked in either a sideways manner or a vertical manner on a like underlying upright container. The side walls of the container are provided with side stacking engagement means so that like containers may be side stacked in an inclined manner. The container provides a system with improved marketing and material handling advantages.

Abstract: The specification discloses an apparatus adapted to heat seal a lid of a series of like lids, interconnected by severable tabs, to an open container. The apparatus comprises a driven conveyor for conveying the containers and a lid heat-sealing and tab-severance station. The containers are momentarily stationed beneath the lid heat sealing and tab severance station to press and heat seal an aligned lid onto a supported container rim. The tab which interconnects the sealed lid to the supply of series of like interconnected lids, is severed prior to the conveyor advancing the next container to be sealed.

Abstract: A container which is adapted to be stacked and nested vertically with a container of substantially identical shape is disclosed. The container has two pairs of interconnected opposed upright walls and a bottom wall to provide an open top container. A pair of the upright walls has inwardly projecting flutes, the upper portion of each flute presenting a support surface. Stacking guidance and engagement means are provided on the container to guide the stacking of an upper container down onto a lower container to bring the engagement means of the containers into engagement to ensure a proper stacking of the container. Means is provided on the container to preclude an upper container binding in a lower container when like containers are nested. The container is provided with ventilation means for ventilating the container interior and also drainage means for draining liquid from the container interior.

Abstract: A threaded bottle stopper for controlling the release of pressurized gases from a bottle is disclosed. The threaded bottle stopper is used in conjunction with an externally threaded bottle neck and comprises a cap having an internally threaded annular skirt depending downwardly therefrom and a tubular body portion extending downwardly from and integral with the underside of the cap. The outside diameter of the tubular body portion is such to permit insertion thereof within a neck bore of a bottle. The continuous thread on the annular skirt engages a continuous thread on the neck of the bottle where rotation of the threaded stopper in both directions moves the tubular body portion respectively into and out of the neck bore of the bottle. The bottle stopper is provided with means for sealing the discharge opening of the bottle neck.