Abstract: A unit portion pack is made from two webs, at least one of which is a laminate (2) having layer (4) of tear resistant material, such as polyester film, and a layer (6) of rupturable material, such as aluminum foil. The two webs (2, 26) are bonded together by way of heat seals, (38, 40) to define a plurality of cavity-forming regions (34) in each of which a single pill (36) or other solid product item is received. A longitudinally extending score or slit line (10) extends along each longitudinally arranged row of regions (34) inwardly of the peripheries of the regions. The pill (36) is released by manipulating the pack such that the score or slitline is located on or outboard of the periphery of the pill by movement of the latter. The area of the cavity-forming region on the other side of the score or slit line to the pill is then squeezed to fracture the rupturable material at the score or slit line. This forms a dispensing opening through which the pill may be pushed.

Abstract: A metal container drawn from a sheet of tinplate has an end wall and a tapered tubular side wall extending from the end wall to culminate in a curl which defines the mouth. The curl (4) has a convex outer annulus to engage with the lining compound (11) in a lid (6) and a concave inner annulus which serves to stiffen the curl so that a peripheral folded portion (18), which joins the inner annulus to the outer annulus, bites into the skirt of a lid when crimped onto the curl to achieve a secure closure. A method and apparatus for making the container are described.

Abstract: A method of forming a smooth shoulder (16, 14b, 19b), neck (17, 37) and flange (18, 38) at the open end of the cylindrical side wall (12) of a can body (10) comprises the steps of forcing a marginal edge portion (13) of the side wall into at least a first die to form a first portion of reduced diameter having a first shoulder portion (14) and a first cylindrical portion (15); and optionally applying at least one rolling operation to the first portion of reduced diameter, and any further die formed portions of reduced diameter subsequently formed, to generate a smooth shoulder (16, 14, 19b), neck (17, 37) and flange (18, 38). Reference is made to the roll forming process described and claimed in British Pat. No. 1,534,716 as being particularly suitable. The margin-portion (13) is preferably thicker than the rest of the side wall (12).

Abstract: A method of, and apparatus for, forming a tapered-wall metal can body by drawing.

Abstract: Metal containers, such as cans, are printed when empty by means of dye diffusion transfer, the dyes being first printed on to a paper web which is cut into individual carriers. Each carrier is secured, somewhat in the manner of a label, to a container by a water-soluble adhesive so that, upon being heated to effect dye transfer, the carrier comes into intimate contact with a suitably receptive coating, pre-applied to the container, solely by virtue of its own shrinkage. The carrier and adhesive are subsequently removed by water spray.