Abstract: A cup sealing apparatus with a shaft, a heating element, an alignment plate, and a spring biasing the alignment plate into engagement with the alignment cone. The shaft extends has an alignment cone at an end thereof, the alignment cone having a modified cone taper surface centered about a longitudinal axis. The heating element includes a heating surface operable to adhere a seal to a cup presented to the heating surface. The alignment plate is spaced from the opposite axial surface, and has a profile corresponding with the taper surface so that the profile and the taper surface form a non-circular interface between the alignment cone and the alignment plate. With deflection of the spring, the alignment plate and the heating element are free to deviate from a prescribed orientation and out of coaxial alignment to match a cup axis of a cup presented to the heating surface.

Abstract: A modular processing machine comprising a module including a mounting plate, a rail extending a longitudinal axis, the rail being connected to the mounting plate, and a first longitudinal alignment plate fastened to the rail at a predetermined longitudinal distance from the mounting plate. The module further comprises a jack screw connected to the first longitudinal alignment plate. The module further comprises a process unit including a second longitudinal alignment plate connected to the jack screw and supported by the rail, the process unit being mounted to the second longitudinal alignment plate and being operable to perform a task associated with the module. The jack screw is operable to translate the process unit along the rail between a first longitudinal position relative to the first longitudinal alignment plate and a second longitudinal position displaced from the first longitudinal position.

Abstract: A modular processing machine includes a first module comprising a first mounting plate including a first hole, and a first rail extending along a longitudinal axis, the first rail having a first axial end facing the first hole, the first hole being coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis. A second module comprises a second mounting plate including a second hole coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, and a second rail extending coaxially aligned with the longitudinal axis, the second rail having a second axial end facing the second hole. The first rail has a first alignment feature at the first axial end thereof, and the second rail has a second alignment feature at the second axial end thereof. The first alignment feature is engaged with the second alignment feature to coaxially align the first rail with the second rail along the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A dispensing package for holding and dispensing food products, such as yogurts, frozen confections, custards, and the like, comprises a unitary, one-piece package body preferably comprising thermo-formed polymeric material which is liquid impermeable. The package body includes a seamless sidewall having a generally elongated, downwardly and inwardly tapering configuration. A lower portion of the sidewall is inwardly deformable so that inward deformation urges product within the package upwardly through the open mouth of the package for dispensing the product.