Abstract: A machine including a single power source for asynchronously operating dual indexing conveyors. The single power source is a reversible servo unit operatively connected to gear sets and one-way clutches to drive the conveyors. Alternately, the power source is a uni-directional rotating driver with linkage means to reciprocally move a rack operatively connected to gear sets with one-way clutches or ratchets and pawls.

Abstract: A four-armed pour spout fitment applicator adaptable to rotating two of the arms into open-topped cartons and applying flanged pour spout fitments outwardly through openings in a pair of adjacent carton top panels, while the other two arms are adapted to substantially receive two additional fitments transferred thereto by two air cylinders. External ultrasonic sealers have horns serving to engage the outer panel surfaces to seal the flanges of the fitments to the inner surfaces of the top panels around the openings.

Abstract: An article transfer station for transferring articles from a first conveyor to a second conveyor whereby the station can be selected to be either a station at which articles are carried through a predetermined angle about a substantially vertical axis while changing their orientations by the angle or a station at which articles are carried through the angle about the vertical axis without changing their orientations.

Abstract: A pouring spout attachment adapted to being applied to a pourable-product-carrying container over a location where the container has one of a partial depth cut and an opening formed therein. The pouring spout attachment includes a body and may have a removable cap mounted thereon. The body includes an internal projection, an external mounting flange, and an internal end wall having a web segment cut therein so as to be movable about a pivot or hinge line, and a projection formed on the web segment, such that upon the web segment being pivoted inwardly, the projection is pivoted so as to snap past the internal projection to retain a fully open condition.

Abstract: A carton score line breaker assembly for breaking four end closure panels. The assembly includes two oppositely disposed pairs of breaker elements for, in turn, breaking the two oppositely disposed panels inwardly. Both pairs of elements are continuously rotating.

Abstract: A feeding and loading mechanism for use in pulling carton side-seam-sealed blanks from a magazine, opening same into tubes, and loading the latter onto mandrels of an indexing turret on a liquid-carrying container forming, filling, and sealing machine. The feeding and loading mechanism includes a slidably mounted carrier having at least one vacuum cup mounted at each end thereof aligned with oppositely disposed magazines, a forming shoe fixedly secured between each magazine and adjacent mandrel for opening each tubular flat side-seam-sealed blank into a tube as the blank moves therepast, a loading finger for loading each tube onto the respective mandrel, and a drive assembly operatively connected to the carrier for reciprocally moving same to alternately remove blanks from the oppositely disposed magazines to alternately process same.

Abstract: A carton score line breaker assembly for breaking four end closure panels. The assembly includes two oppositely disposed pairs of breaker elements for, in turn, breaking the two oppositely disposed panels inwardly. Both pairs of elements are continuously rotating.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein, a container fitment applicator adaptable to applying a flanged pour spout fitment through an opening in a carton top panel while the carton is on a mandrel of a forming, filling and sealing machine. The applicator includes a rotatable shaft having a bar secured thereto, a vacuum cup or location spigot mounted on one end of the bar, and a roller mounted on the other end of the bar, with a chute and feeder coordinating the supplying of one fitment at a time to the vacuum cup. In one embodiment, the roller engages a first cam which serves to pivot the bar to position the fitment in the center portion of the mandrel to permit loading the carton onto the mandrel, with the fitment entering the panel opening as the roller leaves the cam under the force of a spring operatively connected to the bar.

Abstract: An adjustable container return device for use with a lift arm of a variable stroke lifter system for lifting variable height containers. The return device includes a vertically oriented rod threadedly movable at its bottom end relative to the lift arm; a laterally extending member operatively connected to the top end of the rod for vertical movement therewith; a retention mechanism operatively connected to said rod for retaining the laterally extending member in a selected radial direction so as to extend across an upper edge of an adjacent container; and an actuator mechanism for rotating the rod while permitting the rod to slidably move longitudinally, and thereby threadedly raising and lowering the rod relative to the lift arm, such that the laterally extending member accommodates different height containers.

Abstract: A pour spout fitment applicator adaptable to applying a flanged pour spout fitment through an opening in a carton top panel. The applicator includes a rotatable shaft having an anvil secured thereto, a vacuum cup mounted on the distal end of the anvil, and a cam controlled pivotable chute segment for coordinating the supplying of one fitment at a time to the vacuum cup. A linkage and toggle system serves to rotate the anvil and the cam so as to insert the individual fitment directly into the opening. While backed up by the anvil, the flange of the fitment is sealed by an ultrasonic sealer and horn to the inner surface of the top panel around the opening. The applicator operates transversely to the path of movement along a conveyor. As such, two or more applicators may simultaneously apply fitments to closely adjacent cartons.

Abstract: A variable stroke lifter system for lifting a container so as to surround a filler nozzle for "bottom-up" filling thereof. The lifter system includes a pivotally mounted slide arm, a lift arm operatively connected to the slide arm for movement therewith, a plurality of different size cams, a follower secured to the slide arm for cooperation with the plurality of cams for raising the lift arm. The lift arm engages a container to lift same. A series of suitable actuator devices, such as air cylinders, serve to position the slide arm and follower to engage selected cams for raising particular size containers through the desired stroke length.

Abstract: A carton squaring mechanism in a carrier for effectuating and maintaining a four-sided side-seamed open-topped carton in a squared configuration. The carrier includes a plurality of compartments, wherein adjacent compartments are separated by a pair of spaced-apart, laterally oriented, parallel fixed guides, a first off-center guide secured to one side of the carrier so as to be positioned closely adjacent to one of one pair of parallel guides and perpendicular to the planes of the latter. Each of the fixed guides has downwardly converging lower edges formed thereon for piloting the carton into the compartment. Each carton is first squared by engagement with oppositely disposed side rails, and then maintained square by the above referenced guides.

Abstract: A bottom end closure for a liquid-carrying paperboard container, wherein particular diagonal and sloped score lines are formed on the inner closure panels by modified sealing jaws, such that, upon being engaged by the sealing jaws, the score lines enhance the formation of a concave shape to the bottom end closure. The result is that the filled container will sit flat and stand erect, without any interfering downward bulging.

Abstract: A conveyor chain guide rail system for a conveyor chain having compartments formed therein for carrying square or rectangular cross-section cartons to be filled with still liquid products. The chain guide rail system includes a polymer Z-shaped elongated segment wherein one leg thereof serves as a wear surface supporting the chain and the associated lugs forming the compartments, and the other leg thereof is slidably confined between stainless steel strips, one of which is supported by support posts on the machine base. The resultant arrangement precludes longitudinal deformation or buckling of the polymer segments.

Abstract: A container lifting arrangement wherein a pair of spaced rails and a vacuum cup assembly are concentrically mounted and relatively actuated to raise and lower a container, in part while the container is being conveyed toward a filling station by a conveyor. The vacuum cup is caused to engage the bottom surface of the container only after the container's forward movement has been stopped so as to not be subjected to any sliding action by the container, such action tending to roll the cup's edge and destroy its suction capabilities. Lifting the container before the conveyor stops provides additional time for filling the container.

Abstract: A carton conveyor means for receiving cartons directly from a carton erecting and forming machine, and conveying the cartons along a linear path through a series of work stations for filling and sealing the cartons. The conveyor includes a pair of roller chains. Each of the roller chains has attached thereto a plurality of spaced apart metal lug carrier clips which are detachably mounted on the chain. A non-metallic conveyor lug is assembled to each of the lug carrier clips in a snap-in-fashion. The conveyor lugs function to transport the cartons along a pair of carton support rails. The conveyor lugs also function as guide means and bearing means for supporting the conveyor chains.

Abstract: A preform locator and blow air valve apparatus, for use in a stretch pin assembly in a blow molding machine that produces hollow thermoplastic articles, which functions as a positive blow air shut-off valve means in the absence of a preform in a mold assembly. A tubular valve body is mounted in a stretch pin assembly, with a longitudinally movable blow air nozzle means slidably mounted in the valve body for carrying the preform and locating and sealing the preform against a shoulder in a mold assembly on a blow molding machine. A stretch pin is slidably mounted longitudinally through the blow air nozzle means for stretching a preform mounted on the nozzle means. A blow air passage means is operatively formed through the tubular valve body and blow air nozzle means for admitting blow air under pressure into a preform located in the mold assembly, by said blow air nozzle means, for blowing the preform into a finished article.