Abstract: A beverage holder is especially adapted for securing a three-pack arrangement of beverage containers. Three panels are joined along a central axis. The panels are spaced 120° from one another. Lower ends of the panels form stationary bases, and lower portions of the panels may be cut to form foldable base portions that may be deployed or retracted. When deployed, the foldable base portions form additional base support for the holder, and also support the bottom surfaces of the containers. One or more flexible retention members may be secured to the panels and routed around the containers. Because the holder has no top cover and open gaps exist between the panels, the holder is adapted for securing beverage containers of varying heights, diameters, and shapes.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for rapidly chilling a beverage-filled container and the beverage therein is disclosed. The apparatus includes a housing having a cylindrical inner surface that generally conforms to the cylindrical outer surface of a beverage-filled container. A cooling coil surrounds the housing, and a refrigeration unit is operatively connected thereto. When a beverage-filled container is positioned within the housing, the beverage-filled container and the beverage therein is rapidly chilled substantially by conduction.

Abstract: A cargo cover includes an inflatable portion and an interior panel spanning between the inflatable portion. The inflatable portion forms a periphery of the cover. An inflation port is located at one end of the cover and communicates with the inflatable portion. Prior to use, the cover may be rolled-up. The rolled-up cover is positioned over a cargo load, and an inflation source introduces air through the inflation port to inflate the inflatable portion. As the inflatable portion inflates, the cover unrolls and thereby self-deploys over the cargo load.

Abstract: A container having a damage-resistant finish ring and an opening sealable by a closure member that is removable by a hook-type opener is disclosed. The damage-resistant finish ring has a locking ring with a convex outer surface.

Abstract: A pallet system for supporting a load of packages is disclosed. The pallet system is comprised of a plurality of pallet units. Each pallet unit may have a load support portion, a plurality of side portions attached thereto, and a flange portion attached to the side portions. The load support portion is adapted to be placed directly adjacent to the bottom surface of the load. The side portions have openings sufficiently sized to receive forks of a forklift. The flange portion is flexible and extends continuously around the periphery of the pallet unit. A method for supporting a load of packages utilizing a plurality of pallet units is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of sealing a container including a container and a closure member for sealing the container over a range of internal pressure.

Abstract: A beverage cooler carton is provided which is intended to receive ice or other cooling means to keep contents packaged therein cool. The carton is made of a material which is impervious to liquid which may be contained within the carton during use. The carton includes folding end panels which extend continuously between adjacent upper and lower panels; therefore, there are no seams or breaks in the material around a periphery of the carton which might degrade the ability of the carton to hold a liquid. Also disclosed is a method of assembling the cooler carton.

Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.

Abstract: A system for strengthening containers in a high-speed filling operation is disclosed. The system includes a solenoid-driven injector apparatus positioned at an angle to the containers being filled. The injector apparatus includes a chamber connected via an intake line to a supply tank. A solenoid is adapted to open an injector valve, allowing liquefied gas within a chamber to forcibly flow through an outflow line into the container. The solenoid is also adapted to close the injector valve, thereby blocking the liquefied gas within the chamber from entering the outflow line. The injector apparatus also includes a heater positioned adjacent to the outflow line and an adjustment device for the injector valve.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a system and method for producing a load of packages supported by a disposable/recyclable pallet. The system may comprise at least one palletizing station for producing a plurality of unwrapped palletized tiers of packages, a horizontal wrapping station for producing at least one horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages, a stacking station for stacking the unwrapped palletized tiers of packages on the horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages, and a base applicator for fixedly applying a base to a bottom surface of the horizontally wrapped palletized tier of packages.

Abstract: A sealed container including a container and a closure member for sealing the container over a range of internal pressure.