Abstract: A liner composition for a potable fluid container closure element which includes an inorganic sulfite such as sodium sulfite and/or a tocopherol compound such as dl-.alpha.-tocopherol (vitamin E) for preventing off-flavors due to the presence of aldehydes in the fluid. Also, a potable fluid container of a reservoir element for containing a potable fluid, the reservoir element having an opening, a closure element capable of being attached to the opening, and the liner composition associated with the closure element. Also, a method of improving the taste of a potable fluid such as bottled water by use of the container and one of the previously described liner compositions associated therewith. Also, an improved method for processing the composition into closure liners based upon the prevention of the development of off-flavor-causing substances therein.

Abstract: A liner composition for a potable fluid container closure element which includes an inorganic sulfite such as sodium sulfite and/or a tocopherol compound such as dl-.alpha.-tocopherol (vitamin E) for preventing off-flavors due to the presence of aldehydes in the fluid. Also, a potable fluid container of a reservoir element for containing a potable fluid, the reservoir element having an opening, a closure element capable of being attached to the opening, and the liner composition associated with the closure element. Also, a method of improving the taste of a potable fluid such as bottled water by use of the container and one of the previously described liner compositions associated therewith. Also, an improved method for processing the composition into closure liners based upon the prevention of the development of off-flavor-causing substances therein.

Abstract: An apparatus for sorting parts at high speed without undue wear on mechanical parts is disclosed. A mechanism for automatic removal of a defective part that is blocking the flow of parts is also provided. When a sensor downstream from the likely blockage point detects that there is no flow of parts, controlling means activate a number of steps in succession to remove the blocking part. Also disclosed are methods for achieving the desired performance of the apparatus.

Abstract: A crown seal for sealing an opening of a bottle including a flange having between twenty-eight and thirty-two flutes around the circumference thereof. Each flute comprises depression having a generally triangular surface area between a pair of ridges. The additional flutes provide more points of contact with the bead are provided, ensuring a securement of increased strength between the crown and bottle.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and dispensing segments of thermoplastic material into receptacles such as crowns, particularly into those having relatively high sidewalls, includes a conveyor for conveying the crowns through a passageway at predetermined speeds, an extruder for extruding thermoplastic material through a discharge opening, a rotary knife having blades for cutting the extruded material into segments and depositing the segments into the receptacles as they are conveyed through the passage, and a drive system for rotating the blade in response to the conveying of the receptacles. The output or driven shaft of the drive system is coupled to the rotary knife and intermittently rotates 180 degrees at a time at a speed which is twice that of the input or drive shaft, thereby avoiding contact of the knife blades with the receptacle sidewalls and ensuring clean cutting of the thermoplastic material even at low speeds of closure conveyance.

Abstract: An apparatus for cutting and dispensing segments of thermoplastic material into receptacles such as crowns includes a conveyor for conveying the crowns through a passageway at predetermined speeds, an extruder for extruding thermoplastic material through a discharge opening, a rotary knife having blades for cutting the extruded material into segments and depositing the segments into the receptacles as they are conveyed through the passage, and an adjustable belt drive system for rotating the blade in response to the conveying of the receptacles. The belt drive system includes a drive and driven pulley, two pairs of fixed idler pulleys, and a third pair of idler pulleys which are coupled to a laterally shiftable carrier.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming liners of thermoplastic material within closure shells contains a movable die having an inner punch member and an annular outer mold member both of which are movable up and down in relatively slidable relation with each other and arranged so that the inner punch takes its lowermost position after the outer mold member has taken its lowermost position. In one embodiment of the present invention, the lower end surface of the outer mold member is beveled and defines a plurality of radial grooves. The lower end wall of the outer mold member is moved downwardly until it is opposite the horizontal wall of the closure shell. As the inner punch moves into its lowermost position, thermoplastic material is forced through the radial grooves so that a thick annular pad portion of the seal liner is formed beneath the lower end wall of the outer mold member.

Abstract: A sorting device suitable for sorting defective parts from a stream of parts is disclosed. The parts may be non-magnetic. A sorting disc having a number of recesses disposed around its periphery receives the parts to be sorted. A reject disc having a number of reject devices on its tangent to the sorting disc and rotates such that the peripheral speed of the reject devices at the point of tangency is the same as the speed of the recesses in the sorting disc. When a defective part is detected, the appropriate one of the reject devices is activated, withdrawing the defective part from the corresponding recess in the sorting disc.

Abstract: A liner composition for a potable fluid container closure element which includes an inorganic sulfite such as sodium sulfite and/or a tocopherol compound such as a dl-.alpha.-tocopherol (vitamin E) for preventing off-flavors due to the presence of aldehydes in the fluid. Also, a potable fluid container of a reservoir element for containing a potable fluid, the reservoir element having an opening, a closure element capable of being attached to the opening, and the liner composition associated with the closure element. Also, a method of improving the taste of a potable fluid such as bottled water by use of the container and one of the previously described liner compositions associated therewith. Also, an improved method for processing the composition into closure liners based upon the prevention of the development of off-flavor-causing substances therein.