Abstract: Two valve plugs project upwardly from a liquid containing tank and are each covered by a one-piece cap of molded plastics material. Each cap includes an inverted cup-shaped cylindrical portion completely enclosing the upper portion of the plug and integrally connected to a larger depending annular skirt portion by peripherally spaced frangible ties. Peripherally spaced spring finger elements are integrally molded with the skirt portion for positively engaging the valve plug to lock the cap to the valve plug. The skirt portion has at least one vertical slot and a tab which is pulled to tear the frangible ties and separate the skirt portion and the finger elements from the cover portion when access to the valve plug is desired. In one embodiment, the spring finger elements hook onto a frusto-conical portion of the valve plug, and in another embodiment, the finger elements engage radially projecting coupling pins on a valve plug.

Abstract: A mold includes relatively movable mold sections which defines multiple cavities and a space between two of the mold sections when the mold is open. The plurality of flexible strips each carrying a heat responsive transfer material are directed through the space and are clamped adjacent the mold cavities when the mold is closed. A plastics material is injected into the cavities to form the articles and to engage the transfer material to form predetermined artwork on the articles within the cavities. When the mold is open, the articles are removed, the strips are pulled through the space to advance new transfer material to the mold cavities, and the cycle is repeated. In one embodiment, the strips carry the transfer material at longitudinally spaced intervals in the form of the desired artwork, and in another embodiment, the artwork is formed by a template attached to the movable mold section adjacent the cavities.

Abstract: A sanitary dust cap unit is molded of flexible plastics material and includes a cup-shaped cap portion which snap-fits onto a dispensing check valve projecting from a portable metal tank adapted to contain a beverage. The unit also includes an annular retaining loop portion which surrounds the base of the valve and is integrally connected to the cap portion by a thin card-like tag portion having a width greater than the width of the cap portion. The tag portion is printed with information identifying the beverage and/or beverage producer and is flexible to permit the cap portion to be attached to the valve while the retaining portion surrounds the base of the valve.