Abstract: An insert (10, 12) for use in providing a creamy head on a carbonated beverage dispensed from a beverage container (50) comprises a restricted orifice (20) for providing communication between its inside and outside, and a pressurized gas contained inside. The restricted orifice (20) is separated from the pressurized gas by a closure (22) which is arranged to be permanently and irreversibly opened on being subjected to a temperature above a predetermined threshold, or on being subjected to a pressure difference in which the pressure outside the insert (10, 12) exceeds that within. This enables the insert to be pre-pressurized and completely closed and stable during insertion into the container (50) and during filling. Then the closure (22) is permanently and irreversibly opened during a subsequent pasteurization step to ensure that all of the gas is vented from the insert (10, 12) on opening the container (50).

Abstract: A counter rotating or reciprocating frame is pivotally connected at one end to a main frame and has a pair of sealing and cutting jaws counter-rotatably connected at the other end. A main drive transfers drive motion to a end seal drive on the reciprocating frame which rotates the upper and lower sealing jaws. The main drive transfer also provides drive motion for a linear drive which converts the drive motion into a linear drive motion. A linear drive transfer mechanism transfers the linear drive motion to the reciprocating frame. The motion of a reciprocating frame and the frequency of the upper and lower sealing jaws engaging are synchronized such that a longitudinal tube of flexible wrapping material engaged at specific locations to form end seals and end cuts in the longitudinal tube of flexible wrapping material which create individual flexible packages.

Abstract: A tubular bag machine has between a filling tube and a shaping tube at least two sealing elements, which divide an annular space, formed by the filling tube and shaping tube, into a feed channel and a suction-removal channel. The two channels are connected to a suction device with a filter by connecting lines. The design and arrangement of the sealing elements produce a closed circuit for the air or inert gas used for dust removal.

Abstract: A crimping tool used to secure a cap onto a bottle or vial. The tool has vertical handles, a crimping action involving combined horizontal movement of a movable handle controlling the vertical movement of the crimper, and an in line screw stop to limit the downward movement of the crimper.

Abstract: An apparatus for hooping a package is described, in which the band in its end position, applied to the package and tensioned, defines a hooping plane which extends in the conveying direction. A band guide channel in the form of a plane, rectangular frame intersects the hooping plane at an acute angle in an intersection line at right angles to the conveying direction. The otherwise customary binding head has a stationary device for holding fast and joining the band loop ends and for separating the oncoming band, and a pivotable device separate therefrom for the insertion and pulling-back of the band. The pivotable device has a pivot axis substantially coinciding with the intersection line. On the insertion of the band into the band guide channel said pivotable device is situated in the frame plane and is pivoted into the hooping plane before or during the pulling-back of the band.

Abstract: Soft packs, especially for stacks of paper tissues, may be provided with a closing tab extending over an end wall up to a front wall. This closing tab may be attached to neighboring regions of the wrapping by gussets. Folding members, specifically folding devices (57), which are designed in a special manner, serve for folding in the region of a folding station (34). These folding devices (57) fold the closing tab into an upright position thereby folding in the gussets, during the transport of the packs. A downstream folding tool, specifically a covering-tab folder (83), then folds a covering tab as a part of the closing tab against the front wall.

Abstract: The method of the present invention realizes accurate control of the feed rate in a veneer lathe under a centerless condition and improves the productivity of the veneer lathe. After spindles (8a) are moved away and disengaged from the axial ends of a log (11), that is, under the centerless condition, the method of the invention controls the feed rate of a knife carriage (9) based on the current rotating speed of the log (11), which is measured by a speed measuring device (7) engaged with the periphery of the log (11). When a difference between the current rotating speed of the log (11) measured by the speed measuring device (7) and a theoretical rotating speed of the log (11) driven by a peripheral drive system (2) exceeds a preset level, the method of the present invention stops the feeding operation of knife carriage (9) and thereby the veneer peeling operation of the veneer lathe.

Abstract: A sealing device is set forth which assists in overcoming the foregoing problems. The sealing device includes a first sealing jaw for sealing a fin of the gabled container. A second sealing jaw is disposed opposite the first sealing jaw. Both the first and second sealing jaws include a generally flat face portion. The second sealing jaw further includes a sealing bar extending from a mid-region of its generally flat face portion lengthwise along at least a portion thereof for sealing the fin of the gabled container with, for example, ultrasonic energy. A ridge extends respectively from each of the generally flat face portions at a position to form a fin base crease at the base of the fin, for example, over the existing weak crease at the base of the fin. The fin base crease assists in preventing separation at the base of the fin below the principal horizontal seal formed by the sealing bar.

Abstract: Wire is straightened as an incident to being pulled through axially spaced upstream, intermediate and downstream straightening dies carried within a rotating arbor. Each die is formed with a groove which is specially shaped to cause the wire to tend to follow its natural path as the wire is straightened, the shape of the grooves reducing high stress concentrations on the dies and increasing the service life thereof.

Abstract: A transfer device designed to reposition and to move heavy filled bulk containers and bags ninety degrees from their original position without lifting the heavy filled bulk container or bag. The transfer device is designed with a moveable upper frame structure that contains a plurality of spaced apart groups of rollers providing a pair of elongated openings. The transfer device also has an inner fixed frame that contains a pair of transfer conveyors, in the preferred embodiment, exposed in the pair of elongated openings whenever the moveable upper frame structure drops downwardly. This permits the pair of transfer conveyors to transfer the container weight from the rollers and to carry the weight of the filled bulk container previously resting on the plurality of rollers. The pair of transfer conveyors then move the filled bulk container from the transfer device in a direction ninety degrees from the original direction that the container was traveling on the rollers of the upper frame.

Abstract: A combination woodworking tool is disclosed. The combination woodworking tool includes a frame having a horizontal bed for supporting workpieces. A rigid column is supported by the frame in proximity to and extends vertically upwardly beyond the horizontal bed. A powerhead is mounted to an upper end of the column in overlying relationship to the horizontal bed, the powerhead being vertically adjustable for movement toward and away from the horizontal bed. The powerhead further includes a motor and spindle which extends below a lower end of the powerhead. The spindle is adapted to interchangeably receive a chuck for use with a drill or a collet for use with a router. The powerhead is adjustably and rotatably mounted relative to the column for positioning the spindle in predetermined vertical, angular or horizontal positions relative to the horizontal bed for vertical, angular or horizontal drilling or routing.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for heat sealing object(s) in various size pouches (10). A closed-loop temperature control system is provided for impulse sealing an open mouth of the pouch. The method includes calculating a heating-on time based on the difference between the actual temperature of the sealing jaw(s) and the desired temperature at which to heat seal the pouch.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for tying bundles with straps made of paper pulp fibers. The machine is positioned transverse to a conveyor upon which bundles are moved into position for tying. The machine includes a track for guiding the strap around the bundle, applying an adhesive to the forward end of the strap, clamping the forward end of the strap, tightening the strap around the bundle, pressing the forward end against an overlapped portion of the strap until the adhesive cures, cutting the rear end of the strap, and releasing the bundle to be conveyed to a position for unloading from the conveyor.

Abstract: Packages being produced on a form, fill and seal machine as provided with transverse zippers inserted thereinto through a fin seal gap. Pairs of fin sealing bars are separated by a gap to produce the fin seal gap. The fin seal gap is opened, perhaps by vacuum means, and a zipper probe inserts a zipper having a web into the tube of plastic sheet material being formed into bags. The web of the zipper is sealed to the plastic sheet material, and the zipper probe withdrawn from the tube. Cross seal jaws seal both transverse ends of the package, a knife separates each package from that previously made, and a fin gap sealer seals the fin seal gap to complete the manufacture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for stacking preforms for blow molded containers wherein the preforms are generally tubular in shape having a closed end and a threaded end. The preforms are arranged so that they are in an array of predetermined size and shape. The preforms in the array are arranged in a plurality of side-by-side horizontally extending rows in which the preforms are upright and in a "threads up" orientation. Alternate rows of the preforms are picked up and inverted so that they are in a "threads down" orientation. The remaining rows are then picked up and positioned in an alternating relationship with the "threads down" rows of preforms, so that multiple layers of preforms can be stacked in a container so as to fully use all of the space in the container for storage and transfer of the preforms.

Abstract: A device is provided for opening at least one package bag which has a first sheet having a first top edge and a second sheet having a second top edge detachably engaged with each other. The device includes a horizontal L-shaped base member. A vertical U-shaped baffle is arranged and has one distal end fixedly attached to a second plate of the base member. At least one horizontal post has one distal end fixedly attached to the baffle, and the top edge of the first sheet of the package bag is mounted around the horizontal post. A pushing member has a vertical section slidably mounted around the horizontal post for urging the first top edge of the first sheet of the package bag to abut on the baffle. A pressing mechanism is mounted on the first plate of the base member and includes a pressing member pivotally mounted thereon. A pressing plate is formed on one end portion of the pressing member and is rested on the second top edge of the second sheet of the package bag.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a production line for rows or layers of products, especially food products and more specifically, confectionery products such as chocolate wafers, bars, or the like, comprising a recycling device for the timed reintroduction of the temporarily stored products into the empty spaces between the products on said conveyor belts.The recycling device (13) comprises a first endless conveyor belt, called the recycling belt (18), mounted on a pivoting support, and a second endless conveyor belt, called the switching belt (19), also mounted on a pivoting support, said switching belt (19) being positioned either in the extension of the recycling belt (18) or inserted between two conveyor belts (10) on the line, and the recycling belt (18) being positioned either in the extension of the switching belt (19) or in the extension of the conveyor belt of the storage device (14).

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for sealing object(s) in various size pouches (10). The apparatus comprises a frame (54) having a support surface (56), a seal assembly (58) including upper and lower sealing jaws (44), a clamp assembly (60) including upper and lower clamping jaws (50), and a snorkel assembly (62) having a snorkel guide member (68) telescopically surrounding a probe (70). The clamp assembly secures the pouch, and the probe is inserted into the pouch to evacuate the air from the pouch. Once the air is evacuated, the seal assembly seals the pouch, and the clamp assembly then releases the pouch.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing reclosable packages on a form, fill and seal machine includes the step of providing a continuous sheet of thermoplastic material with a Z-fold extending longitudinally therealong before the sheet is wrapped around a filling tube for forming and filling the packages. The Z-fold is maintained on the tube of thermoplastic material thus formed until it reaches a loop opener on the outside surface of the filling tube. The loop opener transforms the Z-fold into a loop extending longitudinally along and outwardly from the filling tube and from the tube of thermoplastic material wrapped therearound. Simultaneously, a continuous plastic zipper having a pair of mutually interlocking profiles is directed into the tube of thermoplastic material along a channel on the outside surface of the filling tube.

Abstract: A packaging system indexes a pouch web, packaging web, and base web for forming a bag with an attached pouch enclosing an article such as literature or a merchandising sample. The preferred apparatus attaches the pouch web to the packaging web to form a pocket that opens adjacent respective edges while the base web remains unattached. An article is dispensed into the pocket with each indexing movement of the webs and the pocket then sealed inboard of the bag section edges to form a pouch enclosing the article. A bag handling mechanism holds and conveys the bags for accumulation into a bundle.