Abstract: A processable plastics pot has a seaming ring which is adapted to be double-seamed to the seaming ring of a conventional easy-opening metal closure to attach the closure to the container. The container seaming ring is designed so that the double-seaming operation can be satisfactorily, and reliably achieved over long production runs; various features of the seaming ring are described which are provided for this purpose.

Abstract: A thin-walled can body having a terminal curled rim at an open end thereof, has this open end closed and sealed by a diaphragm which is first formed into a dished shape by a forming tool which then cuts the dished diaphragm from a web and places it on the open end of the body. The upturned edge portion of the diaphragm is subsequently pressed into adhesion between a heat-sealable layer of the diaphragm and the curled rim, the latter being hot, by a presser tool comprising a mount carrying a spring-loaded pad. The pad is resiliently deformable and applies controlled pressure directly on the diaphragm, thus effecting complete conformity of the latter to any irregularities of the curled rim.

Abstract: A can opener (10) has a cutter roll (40) for cutting an outer seam wall (49) of a double end seam (41) securing a can end (43) to a can body (45). A traction roll (20) of the opener (10) is engageable with the end seam (41) and is rotatable to drive the cutter roll (40) about the seam (41). An abutment (52) is provided to engage the end seam (41) to position the center (O.sub.c) of the cutter roll (40) behind that (O.sub.T) of the traction roll (20) in the direction of movement of the opener (10). The two rolls (20,40) have skew axes so that in use the cutter roll (40) cuts into the outer seam wall (49) ahead of a plane (P.sub.1) through the traction roll axis and the cutter roll center (O.sub.c), and so that a generator (51) of the cutter roll's curved surface (48 ) is inclined where the cutter roll (40) contacts the outer seam wall (49) from the cutting edge (50) towards a plane (P.sub.5) containing the top (47).

Abstract: This disclosure relates to a multiple head for a remotely controllable plotting device in which a body carries a plurality of pen carriers each of which in turn carries a pen having a tip, each pen carrier including a hollow bobbin of non-magnetic material having an axial bore for movement of a pen therealong in a generally downward advancing direction and an opposite retracting direction, in electromagnetic coil surrounding the bobbin, a first magnetic element movable with the pen axially with respect to the bore, a second magnetic element carrried by the bobbin, at least one of the magnetic elements being a magnet whereby when the coil is energized, it influences the first magnetic element to cause the pen to move in one of the directions depending upon the sense in which the coil is energized, the first and second magnetic elements cooperating to hold the pen in a retracted position, the bore defining an axis and the axes being convergent in a single common point externally of the bobbin such that when any

Abstract: A metal surface, particularly a tinplate surface of a can for canned food, is treated by contact with a solution containing a zirconium compound, particularly ammonium zirconium carbonate or zirconium acetate. An inorganic salt may also be present in the solution. The concentration of the zirconium compound, calculated as ZrO.sub.2, is in the range between 0.1 and 10% w/w. The surface is thereafter heated to a temperature in the range between 20.degree. and 300.degree. C. until it is dry. The surface may be cleaned prior to contact with the solution. In this way a coating is provided on the surface which improves the stain resistance of the surface.

Abstract: Apparatus for loading and unloading of vehicles such as a semi-trailer in which two pairs of continuous chains riding on their side plates extend substantially the length of the vehicle, the pairs being separated by a vertical wall, each pair of chains having a sprocket equipped drive shaft at the rear end of the vehicle with a hydraulic motor for driving the shaft and hydrauically operated struts connected to the bearing housings of the shaft for varying the chain tension.

Abstract: A resistance welding machine in which a wire electrode is urged into contact with a workpiece by first and second electrode wheels, the wire having first and second surfaces extending parallel to the axis of the wire and a twisting mechanism located in the path of the wire after the first electrode and before the second electrode for twisting the wire during linear motion of the wire so that the surface of the wire presented to the workpiece at the first electrode wheel is also presented to the workpiece at the second electrode wheel.

Abstract: In a rotary turret-type machine, in which operations are performed on successive can body cylinders (8) or the like by a mandrel (159) inside the workpiece co-operating with a beading rail (176), each workpiece is guided smoothly into a cradle (151) which so supports and locates it throughout its stay in the machine that axial movement of the mandrel is unnecessary. Each cradle is reciprocated towards and away from the mandrel by a fixed cam (145). Each cradle has a spring loaded support roller permitting eccentric support of the can body during beading. Each mandrel preferably has a quick-acting coupling (200) permitting temporary radial displacement of the mandrel without loss of parallelism to accommodate a can body side seam. This coupling consists of a spring mounted support plate (305) engaging a register plate (304) through three balls (306) mounted in seats (307) in the rings to give radially-yielding tripod support.

Abstract: Apparatus for electrolytically treating containers comprising a cell assembly having a cell wall surrounding a mandrel and a lid cooperating with the mandrel and cell wall to form a cavity for the reception of a container, conduit means for introducing an electrolyte into said cavity, and the conduit means including selectively operable port means for(a) conducting electrolyte through said cavity such that only the outside surface of the container can be electrolytically treated and(b) for conducting electrolyte through said cavity such that only the inside surface of the container can be electrolytically treated and(c) for conducting electrolyte through said cavity such that both the inside and outside surfaces of the container can be simultaneously electrolytically treated.

Abstract: A conveyor combiner has a side guide unit, for relieving jammed articles being carried by the conveyor, the unit comprising a longitudinally reciprocating frame carrying an array of freely rotatable rollers which nudge jammed articles free but which are normally kept out of contact with the articles by a retractable side guide rail.

Abstract: There is disclosed a container for containing a liquid such as paint, the container having a side wall and a bottom moulded in one piece from plastics material, the container being formed to co-operate with and retain a removable lid, and comprising a flexible inwardly projecting flange moulded integrally with the side wall and adjacent the top thereof, the flange being upwardly and inwardly inclined at its attachment to the side wall. Because the flange is flexible and is inclined to the side wall at its point of attachment to the side wall, the core on which the container is moulded can be withdrawn from the container past the flange, as the flange will deflect and ride over the core. The flange then springs back to its inwardly projecting position and serves to prevent liquid slopping out of the container if the container is filled with liquid on a standard filling line such as is used for metal lever-ring paint containers.

Abstract: A container comprising a metal container body having an access aperture with a curled rim and a cap for closing the access aperture with the latter carrying a plurality of radially projecting projections and the curled rim of the container body having recesses therein, portions of the curled rim being radially flattened to provide the recesses and leave adjacent thereto rim portions under which the projections of the cap can engage, the recesses being arranged to permit passage of the cap projections therethrough upon bringing the cap axially up to the access aperture, and the cap projections being arranged to engage under the rim portions adjacent the recesses when the cap is then turned, so as to secure the cap on the container body.

Abstract: A bung for closing a wine bottle in the manner of a cork is formed in a conventional injection-moulding machine from ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) with the addition of sodium metabisulphite and sodium bicarbonate. The sodium metabisulphite, which is in stoichiometric excess in relation to the sodium bicarbonate, decomposes to liberate sulphur dioxide. The sodium bicarbonate decomposes to liberate water and carbon dioxide. The bung as moulded accordingly has a foamed core with a liquid-impervious skin. It contains sulphur dioxide, and water enabling the sulphur dioxide to act as an oxygen scavenger when the bung is in use in a wine bottle. The bung therefore provides the bottle with a long shelf life, with no noticeable tainting of the wine.

Abstract: In a waste disposal system (e.g. in a hospital) in which at least one shredding machine comminutes waste which is then drawn by air suction through a closed ducting system for destruction, each shredder has a discharge valve associated with its waste outlet, this valve being normally open but partially or wholly closed when the shredder is opened to receive waste; the shredder also has a vent opening in its waste inlet door to relieve pressure, and internal germicide sprays.

Abstract: In a method of producing uniaxially oriented polymer material, particularly a uniaxially oriented film, from a high density polyethylene, in which the material is put under tension and is drawn from a transverse heated portion with a draw ratio of 5:1 or higher (preferably 7:1 to 20:1), the drawing temperature is selected to be between 80.degree. C. and 110.degree. C., and preferably below 105.degree. C., whereby excellent gas barrier characteristics are obtained in the drawn material.

Abstract: A packaging machine is described in which articles or groups of articles are wrapped in a sleeve of stretch-wrap material. The machine includes a sleeve feeding and cutting assembly for drawing the leading end portion from a roll of stretch-wrap tubing, for opening the leading end, and for severing the leading end portion from the remainder of the roll to form a sleeve. A gripping assembly grips the open leading end and draws the sleeve onto a pair of relatively movable stretching plates. The plates are movable apart to stretch the sleeve to a size greater than the article or group of articles that it is required to wrap. A pusher is arranged to push the article or group of articles into the stretched sleeve. A discharge assembly is arranged to draw the sleeve and article or articles in unison away from the stretching plates.

Abstract: The disclosure relates to can end seamers and similar apparatus, in which end closures are secured on top of successive containers by securing tools, these tools and the support means which carry the containers being rotated simultaneously by a drive common to all the working parts of the machine and derived from a level above the securing tools. A single, unpressurized, gravity/centrifugal, entirely internal lubricating system is described.

Abstract: In an aerosol dispensing container of the kind having a collapsible bag separating the propellant from the product to be dispensed, an elongate core member is arranged completely free, loose and unattached within the bag to prevent pockets of product becoming isolated from the dispensing valve when the bag collapses. The core member provides a path, unaffected by bag collapse, for the product to pass to the valve.

Abstract: A valve for an aerosol container, of the kind which is adapted to pass propellant into the container to pressurize the aerosol product, has a dip tube which is arranged to act as a diffuser. The propellant is thereby caused to enter the product as a large number of small bubbles rather than a much smaller number of larger bubbles. By thus improving the rate of solution of the propellant in the product the propellant charging times can be substantially reduced.

Abstract: An easy opening end unit particularly adapted for packaging granular material such as coffee under pressure and wherein the initial opening of the end unit is by way of a vent opening. The vent opening has underlying the same a baffle plate or diaphragm which is formed of impermeable material and is bonded to the underside of the end unit.