Abstract: An improved lifting device for a vacuum transfer system has an elastomeric gasket that provides a contact area which has a large cross-sectional area and is more stable and longer lasting than prior art devices. The elastomeric gasket is typically retained in a housing where vacuum can be supplied to the inside thereof. The Elastomeric gasket, providing a contact surface that is flexible yet strong and having a larger contact area than the lip of a typical suction cup, provides an improved seal between the pick-up device and the article to be moved and a longer period of time before the contact surface needs to be replaced.

Abstract: The present invention relates to liquid dispensing devices having discharge nozzles. The discharge nozzle has a flow control device. The flow control device includes a check valve and an outlet. The check valve is capable of creating a vacuum pressure cycle during closing. The outlet is formed from at least one perforated plate. The perforated plate has a plurality of apertures therethrough. The plurality of apertures include at least two differently sized sets of apertures. The at least two differently sized sets of apertures include a larger size set of apertures and a smaller size set of apertures. The larger size set of apertures are centrally located within the perforated plate. The present invention helps to concentrate the greatest vacuum pressure on a decaying portion of a stream of liquid right in the center of the outlet of the discharge nozzle.

Abstract: A container formed from a paperboard laminate and including a rupturable opening for gaining access to the contents of the container, the opening being defined by an embossment pattern in a wall of the container. The embossment defines a weakened area which includes the layers of the laminate, but without destruction or deterioration of selected ones of the barrier/sealing layers of the laminate. A method is disclosed.

Abstract: A method for forming a top seal on a carton being conveyed along a processing path on a form, fill and seal packaging machine using a top sealer including opposing sealing jaws is provided. The carton includes top fin panels configured for sealing to one another to form a top seal. The method includes actuating a first control valve to provide communication between a first pressurized fluid source and a first port of an actuator for moving the actuator toward a first position. The actuator is operatively connected to the sealing jaws to move the sealing jaws in a clamping direction while moving toward the first position. A second control valve is actuated to inhibit fluid escape from the actuator through a second port of the actuator to inhibit movement of the sealing jaws in the clamping direction.

Abstract: An apparatus for effecting closure of an open end of a carton blank by placing portions of the carton blank into overlying relationship to one another is provided. The apparatus includes a cam that rotates about an axis of rotation and a cam lever that is operatively connected to the cam. The cam lever is used to convert rotating motion of the cam into linear motion to define a first stroke distance. A pressure pad is mounted for movement toward and away from the portions of the carton blank. The pressure pad is capable of being moved in response to input provided by the cam to define a second stroke distance. An air spring is mechanically linked to the cam lever and the pressure pad such that the air spring absorbs a portion of the first stroke distance.

Abstract: Pressure pads useful in the closing and sealing of multiple components which define the bottom of a carton, particularly a gable-type carton, bottom having a square or rectangular footprint. The invention is especially useful in the closing of the bottom of cartons wherein the sealing fin of the carton bottom is non-handed.

Abstract: A container filling apparatus includes a fill turret configured to carry a plurality of containers along a first portion of a path as the containers are filled with liquid. A container guide is mounted in fixed relation to the fill turret, the container guide defining an upper guide surface and a lower guide surface spaced apart from the upper guide surface. The upper and lower guide surfaces cooperate to define an edge of a second portion of the path, where the upper guide surface is located to contact a container at a first location and the lower guide surface is located to contact the container at a second location that is spaced apart from the first location. The upper and lower guide surfaces maintain the container in an upright position as the container moves along the edge of the path.

Abstract: A barrier laminate packaging material comprising from its outermost surface to the innermost surface contacting the contents of the container to be prepared therefrom, a first exterior layer of a low density polyethylene polymer, a paperboard substrate, a first interior layer laminate coating of nylon with a tie resin layer, a blown film layer comprising a first low density polyethylene polymer layer, a tie layer, a first interior layer of EVOH, a second tie layer, a second interior layer of EVOH, a third tie layer and a second interior layer of low density polyethylene polymer, and an innermost product contacting layer of low density polyethylene.