Abstract: A clip assembly for holding a bottle in a bottle pack includes a first sheet defining an aperture having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion. The clip assembly also includes a second sheet defining an aperture having a larger diameter portion and a smaller diameter portion. The clip assembly further includes an adhesive positioned between a top surface of the first sheet and a bottom surface of the second sheet, the adhesive securing the first sheet to the second sheet. The bottle extends through the smaller diameter portion of the first sheet and the smaller diameter portion of the second sheet and is captured between the first sheet and the second sheet.

Abstract: A bottle handle includes a neck engagement collar including a neck ring defining a central aperture. The bottle handle also includes a handle portion coupled to the neck engagement collar. The bottle handle further includes a plurality of tabs extending radially inward from the neck ring. Two adjacent tabs of the plurality of tabs define a slot therebetween, and wherein a reinforcement rib protrudes from the neck ring and is located adjacent the slot.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining an alignment of a trailer relative to a docking bay or a vehicle bay door using dynamic depth filtering. Image data and position data is captured by a 3D camera system with an at least partially downward-facing field of view. When a trailer is approaching the docking bay or door, the captured image data includes a top surface of the trailer. A dynamic height range is determined based on an estimated height of the top surface of the trailer in the image data and a dynamic depth filter is applied to filter out image data corresponding to heights outside of the dynamic height range. An angular position and/or lateral offset of the trailer is determined based on the depth-filtered image data.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for automated engaging of a truck trailer at a loading dock. Sensors measure a distance and an angle of alignment between the incoming trailer and a wall of the loading dock. An outside lighting system guides a truck driver backing the trailer toward the dock door. A vehicle restraint system fixates the trailer within the loading dock in response to signals from the sensors. An overhead dock door opens once the trailer is successfully fixated by the vehicle restraint system. A dock leveler deploys after the overhead dock door opens. An inside dock light indicates to dock personnel that the trailer is ready to be serviced. Once servicing of the trailer is finished, an automated release of the trailer from the loading dock may be initiated by PLC communication.

Abstract: A blow molding station may include a mold configured to support the preform. A blow molding station may include a stretch rod configured to stretch the preform within the mold. A blow molding station may include a nozzle configured to direct pressurized gas into the preform. A blow molding station may include a high-voltage module configured to impart an electrostatic charge to the pressurized gas directed into the preform.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided for a container comprising a base, a bell, a sidewall between the base and the bell, a neck and a finish which define an opening to an interior of the container, and a shoulder between the sidewall and the bell. Strap ribs extend from a central portion of the base and terminate at the sidewall. The strap ribs cooperate with vertically aligned recessed columns of the sidewall to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, or stretching along the sidewall and the base. An inwardly offset portion of the sidewall is disposed between each pair of adjacent recessed columns. The inwardly offset portions of the sidewall are configured to resist outward bowing of the sidewall due to internal pressure of contents within the container.

Abstract: A container includes a flat foot base having a gate centered on a central axis of the container and a sidewall connected to the base and defining a portion of an interior of the container. A plurality of strap ribs are positioned in the base, each one of which extends radially outward toward the sidewall. A plurality of recessed columns are positioned in the sidewall and formed from varying depth sidewall ribs extending along a periphery of the sidewall. Each varying depth rib includes shallow sections and deep sections, the shallow sections having a rib depth less than a rib depth of the deep sections. The shallow sections of the varying depth ribs are aligned to form the recessed columns. At least one strap rib is aligned with at least one recessed column.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for a direct to store supply chain to bring high volume, bulk space products directly from suppliers, manufacturers, and vendors to retail locations, thereby bypassing retailer distribution centers. The system comprises an order management and invoicing system configured to facilitate demand signals from retail locations to manufacturers and vendors of desired products. A routing optimization system is configured to continually optimize an aggregate of orders so as to produce lowest-cost shipping solutions. A tracking and notification system is configured to provide manufacturers with clear tracking visibility of en-route deliveries once they leave manufacturing facilities.

Abstract: A perforated panel assembly is disposed in a shrink-wrapped bottle pack. The panel assembly includes a removable panel and an alternating series of cuts and lands bordering a portion of the removable panel. The alternating series of cuts and lands includes a first side perforation defining a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positioned on a top panel of the bottle pack and the second portion is positioned on a first side of the bottle pack. The alternating series of cuts and lands further includes a second side perforation defining a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is positioned on the top panel of the bottle pack and the second portion is positioned on the first side of the bottle pack. The second portion of the first side perforation is oriented oblique to the first portion of the first side perforation.

Abstract: A container may have a base, a sidewall connected to the base, a bell connected to the sidewall, and a finish connected to the bell. The base may have strap ribs to resist deformation of the base. The sidewall may have recessed columns to resist bending, leaning, crumbling, and/or stretching. The strap ribs and recessed columns may vertically line up along a central axis of the container to communicate forces on the container vertically along the container to continuously resist deformation in the base and the sidewall.

Abstract: A production line for bottling a liquid product includes an ingredient preparation and batching system. The ingredient preparation and batching system includes a pre-mix station including a holding tank configured to store a hydrated ingredient. The ingredient preparation and batching system also includes a batch tank fluidly coupled to the pre-mix station and configured to receive a predetermined quantity of the hydrated ingredient from the holding tank. The production line also includes a bottling line fluidly coupled to the batch tank and configured to receive a batch of the liquid product from the batch tank and dispense the batch of the liquid product into a plurality of containers.

Abstract: A sensor assembly configured to detect rolled stock on a core includes a sensor configured to detect a first roll of stock unwinding from a core, the stock unwinding from the core of the first roll is supplied as a web of stock, wherein in response to the sensor detecting a first detection configuration, the sensor takes no action and continues to detect the first roll, and wherein in response to the sensor detecting a second detection configuration, the sensor provides a command to a splice assembly to transition to a second roll of stock to replace the first roll of stock.