Abstract: There is disclosed novel apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines, beverage dispensers, transportable beverage container dispensers and glass door merchandizers, all cooled by Stirling coolers. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure and a Stirling cooler having a cold portion. A plate or coil made from a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The cooled plate or coil is used to cool a container or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: A pour and carry device for use in conjunction with relatively large consumer beverage containers. In one embodiment, the device is integral to the container, in another embodiment, the device is separate. One embodiment includes a finger tunnel. In one embodiment, the tonguelike member extends outwardly relative to the bottle neck and downwardly towards the bottle body so as to provide a crotch therebetween to accept the web portion intermediate a human's thumb and forefinger, to allow the human to grip, lift, and pour the bottle by placing the palm on the bottle below but proximate the neck, such that the web portion fits within the crotch, and the thumb and forefinger combine to at least partially surround the neck of the bottle.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines, beverage dispensers, transportable beverage container dispensers and glass door merchandisers, all cooled by Stirling coolers. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure and a Stirling cooler having a cold portion. A plate or coil made from a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The cooled plate or coil is used to cool a container or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines, beverage dispensers, transportable beverage container dispensers and glass door merchandizers, all cooled by Stirling coolers. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure and a Stirling cooler having a cold portion. A plate or coil made from a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The cooled plate or coil is used to cool a container or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines, beverage dispensers, transportable beverage container dispensers and glass door merchandisers, all cooled by Stirling coolers. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure and a Stirling cooler having a cold portion. A plate or coil made from a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The cooled plate or coil is used to cool a container or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: There is disclosed novel apparatus for use as beverage container vending machines, beverage dispensers, transportable beverage container dispensers and glass door merchandisers, all cooled by Stirling coolers. The apparatus includes an insulated enclosure and a Stirling cooler having a cold portion. A plate or coil made from a heat-conducting material disposed within the insulated enclosure is connected in heat exchange relationship with the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. Heat transfer fluids, heat pipes and direct contact are different methods used to transfer heat from the plate to the cold portion of the Stirling cooler. The cooled plate or coil is used to cool a container or a fluid that is, in turn, used to cool either a container or a fluid. Methods of chilling containers and fluids are also disclosed.

Abstract: In a method for applying labels about a bulbous sidewall region of a container, the leading end of the label is joined to the bulbous sidewall region by adhesive bonds above and below a major diameter section of the bulbous sidewall region. While being pressed to the bulbous sidewall region, the label is wrapped about the container, and the trailing end of the label is then adhesively joined to the bulbous sidewall region, or to the overlapped leading end of the label. An apparatus for applying labels about a bulbous sidewall region of a container employs a label transfer drum which cooperates with an adhesive applicator to apply spaced adhesive patches to the leading end of the label above and below a major diameter section of the bulbous sidewall region. The label transfer drum also cooperates with the adhesive applicator to apply a continuous strip of adhesive to the trailing end of the label.

Abstract: A pop-up valve closure for a container has a cap with a well defined therein. A valve with a valve sleeve is movably mounted in this well. The valve is movable between a closed position and a popped-up open position. An actuator can lock and unlock the valve in order to permit opening and closing of the valve. When the actuator unlocks the valve, a spring or other device can automatically move the valve from the closed position to the open position. This unlocking can be carried out with finger pressure applied to a tilting button of the actuator.

Abstract: A bottle carrier (10) is provided which includes an outer wall having openings (12 and 14) for inserting bottles. The outer wall includes sidewalls (24 and 26). The bottle is supported on shoulders (28 and 30).

Abstract: A twist-off can end assembly has a cylindrical can body and a lid assembly. The lid assembly includes a joined lid and collar. When an open end of the can body is closed by the lid assembly, a sealing lip on the collar engages a flange on the can body to form a hermetic seal. An annular chamber adjacent the sealing lip is formed by the collar and flange. When pressure of the contents within the can body increase to a predetermined amount, gas escapes from the can interior to the annular chamber. When pressure within this annular chamber increases, the lip deforms to increase the seal between the lid assembly and can body. Therefore, a self-sealing can arrangement is obtained. The lid assembly can be readily unscrewed from the can body.

Abstract: A can end assembly formed from interconnected elements of a cover portion, a tear-shaped seal member and a pull member. This assembly encloses an end of a container, such as a beverage can. The cover portion has a dispensing opening and vent and a pivotable connection to one end of the seal member. The other end of the seal member is pivotably connected to the pull member. In a first position, the seal member will close the opening and will be beneath the pull member. Upon a slight lifting of the pull member, a seal between the seal member and opening will be broken. Continued movement of the pull member causes the seal member to rotate 180 degrees about its connection to the cover portion. During this movement, the pull member also rotates 180 degrees about its longitudinal axis and is displaced about 90 degrees relative to its initial orientation.

Abstract: A plastic die cut container carrier comprising an endless band having a handle and a carrier ring with an elliptical opening therein, the carrier ring being connected to the handle by a pair of arms which connect to the carrier ring adjacent the ends of the minor axis of the elliptical opening. The handle includes a longitudinal groove to facilitate folding and is connected to the carrier ring by a break-away tab. The design equalizes stress risers at the critical load points.

Abstract: A multi-container package and method for making the same including two six-pack assemblies of containers, a paperboard cover over at least a part of the multi-container package, and an elastic band encircling and securing together the two six-pack assemblies and the paperboard cover. The band includes a central stabilizing strap located between the two six-pack assemblies, and the paperboard cover includes a top panel formed of two separate sections interconnected by two intermediate panels which extend down in-between the two six-pack assemblies to accommodate and receive there-between the central stabilizing strap.

Abstract: A corrugated cardboard container is disclosed which includes a top handle assembly. The top handle assembly is formed from a relatively light paperboard product and is then applied to the corrugated cardboard container after the cardboard container is assembled. This system has the advantage of using relatively inexpensive paperboard to form the top of the container and handle which are subject to less stress than the bottom of the container which must be formed of the corrugated cardboard. Not only does the container of the present invention utilize a smaller amount of the relatively expensive corrugated cardboard material, but the use of the paperboard as the container top allows advertizing indicia and uniform product code information to be applied directly on the top of the carton. This is not possible in standard corrugated cardboard cartons because the corrugated cardboard does not accept ink in a satisfactory manner.

Abstract: A spring-biased shelf bracket which comprises a shelf support member which is adapted to operate between a folded closed position and an open position wherein a portion thereof extends away from its folded position. The bracket includes a back member and hinge means having a dimension which separates the shelf support member from the back member. A mounting flange adds rigidity to the shelf support member and provides the means for mounting the bracket to a surface. Channel means are provided at the peripheral portions of the shelf support member, the back member and the hinge means, and spring means are operatively associated with said channel means on at least one side of the shelf member and hinge means, whereby a shelf member supported by the bracket is held in its closed, folded position by the bias of the spring means and can be changed to its open, unfolded position by applying a load to the shelf support member against the bias of the spring means.

Abstract: A novel proof-of-purchase configuration for a pull ring, lever style opening device is disclosed for both a detachable and non-detachable self-opening can lid.

Abstract: A pressure-sensitive proof-of-purchase label is transferably affixed to the undersurface of an opening lever of a self-opening can such that the label is inaccessible without actuating the lever to open the can. The label, after opening the can, is transferable to a storage surface for subsequent use or redemption. The label is applied in a continuous process to the lever arm after it is formed and prior to riveting the lever arm to a can end.

Abstract: A combined elastic endless band and integral handle strap for defining and carrying multiple container package configuration is provided in which the handle strap is loosely associated with the endless band in an unstretched condition of the latter and flush with the said endless band in a stretched condition of the latter. In another embodiment there is provided a laminated handle structure constructed of a strip of adhesive tape having exposed adhesive layers at the ends thereof for affixing it to the package. The package is of any suitable material including shrink film, stretch film and paperboard. The gripping portion of the handle is provided by a printed laminate adhered to the adhesive layer on the tape, the latter being sufficiently transparent to permit viewing of printed indicia on the laminate.