Abstract: A method of manufacturing a metallic can body that is shaped distinctively in order to enhance its visual presentation to consumers includes, in one embodiment, steps of providing a can body blank that has a sidewall that is of a substantially constant diameter; providing a mold unit that has at least one mold wall that defines a mold cavity that is shaped generally like the can body blank, the mold wall having a pattern formed therein that corresponds to a desired final shape of the can body; positioning the can body blank within the mold cavity; and supplying a pressurized fluid into the mold cavity so that the can body blank is forced by pressure against the mold wall, causing the can body blank to assume the desired final shape of the can body.

Abstract: A tilt switch array is used to determine the orientation of an object relative to an upwards direction. The array includes at least one pair of electrodes within a housing, diametrically opposed along a measurement axis. A conductor equidistantly surrounds each electrode to form a tilt switch gap therebetween. A moveable conducting element within the housing closes the gap between one electrode and its associated conductor under certain orientation conditions of the measurement axis relative to an upwards direction. A number of pairs of electrodes may be placed within the housing, with associated measurement axes so that the orientation of any one of the measurement axes may be detected.

Abstract: Interlocking end members for expandable compression rings. Compression rings are formed by attaching the interlocking members to the ends of a flexible strip and coupling the interlocking members together. The interlocking members include a recess for receiving the ends of a flexible strip and a jaw structure for engagement with one another. The jaw structure includes two or more offset opposed jaw members which include angled teeth. The teeth of opposed jaw members of coupled interlocking members engage one another in a locking relationship, whereby the resulting compression ring can be expanded and locked into a range of positions.

Abstract: A leak detection system determines whether a container has a leak or an aperture by attempting to draw a vacuum in the container and determining whether a vacuum has been created in the container. If a vacuum can be created in a container, this indicates that the container has a leak. Conversely if a vacuum cannot be created in the container, this indicates that the container does not have a leak. The leak detection system preferably includes a conveyor system for moving a container and a sensor for sensing the pressure in the interior of the container through an opening in the top of the container. While the sensor is sensing the pressure in the interior of the container, a vacuum pump pulls air from the region around the exterior of the container. If the container has an aperture, a vacuum will be created in the container and will be noted by the sensor.

Abstract: A method of making a non-cylindrical shaped metal can that is provided with a stylized, irregular shape includes steps of forming a substantially cylindrical sidewall portion (12) that has a plurality of ribs integrated therein. These ribs provide additional strength to the sidewall portion. The cylindrical sidewall portion may then be shaped into a non-cylindrical, stylized shape. The ribs (26) are preferably positioned at portions of the shaped sidewall portion (12) that are anticipated to need increased strength in order to withstand deformation under pressure. The sidewall (12) is then assembled to at least one can end member (30) to form a completed shaped metal can (28). The ribs may either be arranged longitudinally, circumferentially, or both may be provided to form a grid structure.

Abstract: An articulated hinged closure includes a lid adapted to be attached to a wide-mouthed container. The lid has a pouring aperture and a peripheral rim surrounding the aperture, which is initially plugged by a sealing member having upper and lower leaves interconnected by an integral articulated connector. The connector is a link having opposed upper and lower ends, and a flexible hinge at either end, the upper of said hinges connecting the link to the upper leaf, and the lower of said hinges connecting the link to the lower leaf. Each of said hinges is designed so that a respective end of the link binds against adjacent structure in such a-way that, as the lid is opened, the upper hinge eventually binds against the upper leaf, causing the lower hinge to pivot and bind againstr the lid and until it pries the plug out of the aperture.

Abstract: A spiral wound type composite container of the type that is typically used for packaging refrigerated pressurized dough products includes, as is typical in such containers, an inner liner, a body wall that is wound about the inner layer so as to define a butt joint, and a label member that is wound about the body wall so as to bind the body wall against expansion as a result of forces that are created by the pressurized contents of the container. As is also typical in such containers, the label member has a tab defined at one portion thereof and a predetermined lead path forming the tab so that a consumer can grasp the tab and tear the label member along the lead path, thereby removing enough of the label member from the body wall so that forces of pressurization will cause the body wall to separate and open.

Abstract: A can end having an improved pour-type ecology opening mechanism includes a conventional can end wall that contains a score line that defines a displaceable panel. The score line includes an initial design rupture point, a radiused portion having a first tangent point and a second tangent point, and a main portion that terminates at a final transition point. The can end further includes a tab having a liftable heel portion and a tab nose portion, with the tab nose portion being positioned to apply downward pressure to the panel at a pressure point on the displaceable panel when the heel portion is lifted. The tab has a center line that is coincident with a radius of said can end wall. Advantageously, the pressure point is positioned a distance, taken in the direction of the center line, from the second tangent point of the radiused portion that is selected to prevent a buildup of force that would otherwise hasten propagation of separation along the main portion of the score.

Abstract: A dispensing closure for installation on a bottle finish having a mouth comprises a cap which covers the mouth, and an upwardly bowed diaphragm between the cap and the mouth, normally in contact with the cap. The mouth has a concave frustoconical end surface, and the cap has a circular rib overlying the end surface so that when the cap is pressed downward, it depresses the diaphragm, opening a flow path through an aperture in the cap. In one embodiment of this invention, a sealing interface is formed between the diaphragm and the bottom of the cap, around the aperture, while in another embodiment, a seal is formed around a central aperture in the diaphragm by a protrusion on the bottom surface of the cap.

Abstract: An improved child-resistant plastic safety closure for containers has a depending skirt on it for attaching the closure to the top of a container. The top of the closure has an opening through it, which extends over a major portion of the total area of the top. A lid with upper and lower surfaces is hinged at one edge of the opening in the top for closing the opening. Tongue-and-groove inter-engagement members between the lid member and the top, around at least part of the periphery of the opening, hold the lid closed in the opening. Diametrically-opposed, spaced-apart first and second fulcrum extensions are located on opposite sides of the opening a predetermined distance from the hinged edge of the lid member; and these fulcrum extensions are located below the lower surface of the lid member when it is closed in the opening.

Abstract: In a process for making a multi-chambered container that is lightweight, relatively inexpensive to produce, and that requires less external reinforcement against flexure than conventional multi-chambered containers do, a parison is heated and inflated to form the container. Further, first and second pinched-in areas are fashioned in the sidewall of the container. The first pinched-in area includes first and second wall portions that extend inwardly toward an interior of the main body of the container, and a first end wall portion connecting the first and second wall portions. The second pinched-in area includes third and fourth wall portions that extend inwardly toward an interior of the main body, and a second end wall portion connecting the third and fourth wall portions.

Abstract: An emission containment apparatus and method for use in a fluid system having a chamber housing and a shaft.

Abstract: A blank (2) is molded for the manufacture of a multi-layer preform (1). The blank possesses protrusions (5). After the protrusions (5) have been brought to a plasticised state under the action of heat, those surfaces that contain protrusions (5) are covered by a layer of plasticised material. The blank (2) becomes connected to the layer (6) in the area of the protrusions (5). After cooling of the preform created from the blank (2) and the layer (6), the blank (2) will be connected with the layer (6) by means of microweld positions (7) in the area of the said protrusions (5). With that, delamination of the preform (1) during further processing or use-will be effectively prevented.

Abstract: A stretch label adapted to be fitted to a container includes a stretch film, having a self-shrinking property, and a printing layer. The stretch film, in turn, includes a substrate made from an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer or a mixture of a low density polyethylene and an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and a surface layer made of a polyolefin resin. The surface layer is harder than the substrate and is provided on at least one surface of the substrate. The surface layer is the outer surface layer of the stretch label when the stretch label is fitted to the container.

Abstract: A tool is described for inserting a compressible septum into a seat having a smaller inside diameter than the outside diameter of the uncompressed septum. The utilization of this insertion tool simplifies the insertion of the septum into the seat while avoiding contamination of the septum.

Abstract: A pressing tool for fastening a seal 6 in a groove 5 of a support body is a rotatable holder 12 carrying ball rollers 22. A lip 4 forms a wall of the groove 5. The ball rollers are moved in a circular path along the lip 4 to press the lip 4 so as to grip the seal 6 in the groove 5.

Abstract: A self-braking closure cap for a container, such as a soft drink container, of the type that has a threaded finish portion with at least one raised thread defined thereon includes a top wall portion and a side wall portion having a substantially cylindrical inner surface. The inner surface has at least one raised helically oriented thread defined thereon that has a predetermined pitch. Advantageously, a restrictor is provided for frictionally resisting unscrewing of the closure cap from a container finish portion by bearing primarily against one side of one of the raised threads of the finish portion. Since the braking is achieved by frictional engagement having a significant axial force component, instead of a radial force component, braking can be achieved with a minimum of radial force being exerted on the closure. This preserves the stripping torque value of the closure at an acceptable level without the need to add additional material to reinforce the closure against deformation.