Abstract: An apparatus for applying closures to filled bottles. A slide cam cooperating with interchangeable roll-on and crimp-on closure applying heads which are mounted in a rotating turret so as to raise and lower the heads with respect to the bottles. Interchangeable slide cam inserts for the slide cam are provided to modify the slide cam depending upon whether roll-on or crimp-on closure applying heads are mounted in the turret.

Abstract: Apparatus for causing drawn and ironed cans having rolled-back edges to be detected as faulty and discharged by state-of-the-art can transfer and coating systems. An arcuate shoe is disposed so as to frictionally engage, and cause the rotation of, can-receiving mandrels. A rigid, arcuate arm is disposed adjacent the path of the mandrels, far enough away to allow acceptable cans to slide over the mandrels but close enough to prevent cans having rolled-back edges from doing so. The cans which are prevented from fully seating upon the mandrels are then discharged from the mandrels by air pressure.

Abstract: A system for forming cans from metallic blanks, trimming them, and cleaning and drying the cans synchronously. An ironing, trimming and washing stage are connected in direct juxtaposition with one another, with no buffering conveyors therebetween. A single source of motive power operates all three stages through a common drive train. In the event of a jam in the ironing or trimming stages the drive is decoupled from the washing stage, and an auxiliary drive is engaged in order to continue the flow of cans through the cleaning stage until it is emptied. At this point the auxiliary drive may be disabled.In a preferred embodiment a number of unitized stations are provided, each producing a synchronous flow of cans which are then accumulated through branches of a conveyor, and transported to a common site for printing.

Abstract: Filling apparatus comprising a filling valve which controls the flow of a carbonated liquid from a reservoir to a container. The filling valve includes a tube which extends from the reservoir to the container for equalizing the pressure in the container as the container is filled. When the liquid in the container reaches a predetermined level, venting by the tube automatically ceases. A valve control automatically closes the valve in response to the reduced flow into the container as the pressure builds up within. The initial opening of the valve to permit the flow of liquid into the container and initial opening of the pressure communicating tube is controlled by the two different cams of the actuating mechanism.

Abstract: An easy-opening can end includes a dispensing opening and a vent hole covered by a pivoting tab located on the interior side of the end. The pivoting tab is adapted to be pushed inwardly so as to break the seal at the dispensing opening and subsequently pivoted to the open position in response to movement of a finger engageable portion.

Abstract: A plastic, child-proof fitment is inserted into the opening in a panel of a metallic container. An upwardly extending bead having a burr at the radially innermost edge thereof surrounds the opening and is received by a downwardly extending groove in the plastic fitment. The radially innermost side of the groove includes a radially outwardly extending protuberance which is fittingly engaged by the burr.

Abstract: A can end of the easy opening type comprises an end panel having a preformed dispensing opening and a push tab member having an integrally formed rivet for attachment to the end panel. In one embodiment, the end panel includes a peninsular hinge portion having a rivet receiving opening therein such that all deformation during opening is substantially limited to the hinge portion rather than the push-tab member. In another embodiment, an actuator opening is located between the dispensing opening and the rivet receiving opening of the end panel so as to permit a finger engageable protuberance on the push-tab member to extend therethrough.

Abstract: An optical and electromagnetic system for checking aerosol container closures for split curls, and for the presence of a continuous bead of sealing compound. The compound is applied to a depression about the periphery of inverted closures, and closures conveyed in single file fashion to an inspection station. A light source disposed in a rotating head above the inspection station scans the periphery of each closure, while a sensor rotating with the source responds to interruptions or voids in the compound. An electromagnetic transducer is rotatably mounted beneath the station and simultaneously scans the curl at the bottom of the inverted closure, producing a defect signal if a split curl is detected. A signal processing system prevents the system from reacting to spurious signals caused by the transit of closures past the inspection station.

Abstract: A stream of cylindrical metal containers is fed into apparatus having a rotatable turret. The turret indexes each container past a driven wheel for imparting rotation thereto, and the rotating containers are scanned by a split flange detector. At the same or another point about the turret, a proximity detector disposed in close conjunction with the periphery of the rotating container detects any substantial runout of the periphery, indicating a dented container. Still another inspection station comprises a source of diffuse light directed against the sidewalls within a container, and a photosensor directed toward the container end for registering the intensity of reflected light. The light intensity is used as an indication of the presence (or absence) of coating material on substantial areas of the container interior.

Abstract: Packages are moved from an input conveyor in an input section onto moving rollers in a row-forming section. As the packages move forward on the rollers, a distributing device moves laterally with respect to the motion of the packages on the rollers so as to selectively position the packages in rows. Turning means are placed in the path of the packages as they advance on the rollers to rotate the packages with respect to one another. The rows collect on the rollers and are then moved to a stacking section where they are palletized. Transversely extending bars are provided to control the movement of the rows through the row forming section and the stacking section.

Abstract: A can end of the easy-opening type includes an end panel having a dispensing opening and a vent hole. A push-in dispensing opening plug extends into the dispensing opening and sealingly engages the end panel. A vent hole plug extends into the vent hole and sealingly engages the end panel. In one embodiment, the vent hole plug is smaller than the dispensing opening plug and includes a radially outwardly extending portion for retaining the vent hole plug within the vent hole after venting.

Abstract: A rotating container-bearing mechanism includes a follower which travels along an endless groove in a cooperating stationary member. The stationary member includes a radially slidable portion which defines part of the endless groove. The edges of the slidable portion overlap portions of the stationary member and cooperate therewith to form transition zones for smoothly receiving the follower. The slidable portion is actuated by means of an air cylinder and a control responsive to the absence of a container to provide a first path when a container is present and a second path when no container is borne by the follower mechanism.

Abstract: An improved apparatus for forming drawn and ironed containers from metal blanks. A duplex drive mechanism rotated by a single motive device translates rotary into recipricatory motion by means of pivoted levers, transmitting it to the reciprocating carriages of a pair of juxtaposed machines through linkages having disengagable latches so that one machine may be disconnected while the other remains in operation. A pair of disc-like cams are provided, one operating a stripper punch disposed within an ironing ram used to advance metal blanks through successively smaller forming dies. The other cam is used to control the operation of a redraw die disposed about the ironing ram and which acts in concert with the ram to redraw blanks fed into the machine. Each carriage is articulated, force being applied to a rear portion of the carriage through linkages coupled to a source of motive power. A toggle linkage for operating the stripper punch is also carried by the rearward portion of the carriage.

Abstract: A container washing system comprises a container washing zone, a rinsing zone and a deionized rinsing zone through which containers are conveyed. At each of the zones, spray nozzles direct washing and rinsing liquids at the containers. In order to prevent the etching of stationary containers when the conveyor is interrupted, the spray nozzles in the washing and deionized rinsing zones are deactivated. In order to prevent the oxidation or rusting of the stationary containers in the absence of the washing and deionized rinsing liquids, the containers are maintained in the moist condition by fogging nozzles located within the washing and deionized rinsing zones.

Abstract: In a printing system, containers are fed to pockets associated with a plurality of mandrels located at angularly spaced positions around a mandrel drum. Each of the mandrels is supported by a mechanism including a cam follower and a load means for urging the cam follower for each mandrel outwardly toward a mandrel cam. As the drum rotates, the mandrel cam acting on the mandrel cam follower moves the mandrel radially outwardly to a position of contact with a printing blanket and a lacquer applying cylinder. In order to prevent printing or lacquering when malfunctions in container feeding occur, a locking mechanism is associated with each of the pockets of the mandrel drum. The locking mechanism is responsive to the absence of a container in a pocket as well as the improper seating of a container on a mandrel to prevent the cam follower carried by the mandrel support mechanism from following the mandrel cam when one of these conditions exists.

Abstract: Spray coating apparatus featuring an improved solenoid valve construction in which response time of the valve actuation is improved by a free-traveling armature. The armature which is unrestrained by spring or other means has an annular shoulder portion which is engageable with an enlarged head portion of the pilot member of the valve. When the pilot is in its seated position, the dimensions of the valve are such that the armature must travel a short distance before its shoulder will impact against the pilot head thus allowing kinetic energy to build up as the armature travel is initiated by coil energization which enables the armature to effectively snap open the pilot upon impact despite spring and high fluid pressure resistance.

Abstract: A linear conveyor has a plurality of mandrels on which cans are held for movement between a feed station and a discharge station. A plurality of printers are longitudinally spaced between the feed and discharge stations. Printing cylinders are rotated in synchronism with the can mandrels so that exact registration of different printing patterns is obtained. A compensated conveyor produces no slack in the conveyor chain so that the conveyor moves at a constant velocity without the jerky motion which would otherwise cause misregistration of the printing patterns.