Abstract: Processes and machines for decorating exterior surfaces of elongated, three-dimensional, discrete articles of manufacture, with decorative indicia and textural patterns.

Abstract: A checkweigher assembly includes a frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a scale operatively connected with the frame, and a holder member operatively connected with the scale. The holder member is substantially supported by the scale. The holder member includes first and second grip members, each having an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first and second grip members are arranged in a face-to-face relationship and are axially spaced apart by a gap. The first grip member is movable from a first position to a second position. The gap is defined by a first minimum length when the first grip member is in the first position and a second minimum length when the first grip member is in the second position, wherein first minimum length is greater than the second minimum length. A method of weighing objects with the checkweigher assembly is provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: Three-dimensional articles having a transfer material thereon are disclosed. The articles have a surface having two or more portions that each have a radius of curvature that are at least partially separated by an intermediate portion that has a lesser radius of curvature. The transfer material may be pre-formed and transferred to the surface of the articles and may extend continuously across at least parts of the two portions and the intermediate portion. In some cases, the two or more portions and the intermediate portion are all located on the same portion or face of the article and the intermediate portion is a feature on the surface of the article. In other cases, the two or more portions are located on different portions or faces of the article, and the intermediate portion is an edge between the two or more portions.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for applying a transfer material onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of transfer printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a deposition device, such as a printing device; providing a transfer component; depositing a material onto a portion of the transfer component with the deposition device; modifying the portion of the transfer component with the transfer material thereon to conform the transfer component to at least a portion of the surface of the three-dimensional article; and transferring the transfer material onto the surface of the article.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. The apparatuses include a conveyor having at least a first station and a second station thereon or adjacent thereto. There is a first substance deposition device located at the first station and a second device, such as a functional device, located at the second station. The apparatus and method are such that at least at the first station where the first substance deposition device is located, a cycle of at least two intra-station movements occur between the article and the deposition device. The relative motion between the article and deposition device may be substantially in translation. The substance deposition device may deposit a substance on the article in an array during the intra-station movements to form different portions of a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed and/or decorated thereby. The apparatuses include a conveyor having at least a first station and a second station thereon or adjacent thereto. There is a first substance deposition device located at the first station and a second device, such as a functional device, located at the second station. The apparatus and method are such that at least at the first station where the first substance deposition device is located, a cycle of at least two intra-station movements occur between the article and the deposition device. The relative motion between the article and deposition device may be substantially in translation. The substance deposition device may deposit a substance on the article in an array during the intra-station movements to form different portions of a predetermined pattern.

Abstract: A checkweigher assembly includes a frame that is rotatable about an axis of rotation, a scale operatively connected with the frame, and a holder member operatively connected with the scale. The holder member is substantially supported by the scale. The holder member includes first and second grip members, each having an outer surface. The outer surfaces of the first and second grip members are arranged in a face-to-face relationship and are axially spaced apart by a gap. The first grip member is movable from a first position to a second position. The gap is defined by a first minimum length when the first grip member is in the first position and a second minimum length when the first grip member is in the second position, wherein first minimum length is greater than the second minimum length. A method of weighing objects with the checkweigher assembly is provided.

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles that have a substance thereon (such as printing) and/or are decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a decorative effect on an article with a decorating device, and creating a re-circulating relative motion between at least one article and a substance deposition device. In some embodiments, the articles can be conveyed in a closed loop path past one or more substance deposition devices. The articles can be conveyed past the substance deposition device(s) one or more times, and during each pass by the substance deposition device(s), a portion of a predetermined pattern may be applied to the articles by the substance deposition device(s).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed thereby or having a substance deposited thereon. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve creating a re-circulating relative motion between at least one article and a substance deposition device. In some embodiments, the articles can be conveyed in a closed loop path past one or more substance deposition devices. The articles can be conveyed past the substance deposition device(s) one or more times, and during each pass by the substance deposition device(s), a portion of a predetermined pattern may be applied to the articles by the substance deposition device(s).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto the surface of an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on and/or decorating three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles that have a substance thereon (such as printing) and/or are decorated thereby. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve providing a decorative effect on an article with a decorating device, and creating a re-circulating relative motion between at least one article and a substance deposition device. In some embodiments, the articles can be conveyed in a closed loop path past one or more substance deposition devices. The articles can be conveyed past the substance deposition device(s) one or more times, and during each pass by the substance deposition device(s), a portion of a predetermined pattern may be applied to the articles by the substance deposition device(s).

Abstract: Apparatuses and methods for depositing a substance onto an article are disclosed, including apparatuses and methods of directly printing on three-dimensional articles, as well as the articles printed thereby or having a substance deposited thereon. In some cases, the apparatuses and methods involve creating a re-circulating relative motion between at least one article and a substance deposition device. In some embodiments, the articles can be conveyed in a closed loop path past one or more substance deposition devices. The articles can be conveyed past the substance deposition device(s) one or more times, and during each pass by the substance deposition device(s), a portion of a predetermined pattern may be applied to the articles by the substance deposition device(s).

Abstract: A diversion apparatus for a manufacturing line.

Abstract: A diversion apparatus for a manufacturing line.

Abstract: A composite container for storing perishable products may include a composite body and a composite bottom. The composite bottom may include a bottom fiber layer, a bottom oxygen barrier layer, and a bottom sealant layer, such that the composite bottom has an upper surface and a lower surface. A hermetic seal may be formed between a sealing portion of the composite bottom and an interior surface of the composite body. When an internal pressure is applied to the interior surface of the composite body and the upper surface of the platen portion of the composite bottom, an external pressure is applied to the exterior surface of the composite body and the lower surface of the composite bottom, and the internal pressure is about 20 kPa greater than the external pressure, the platen portion of the composite bottom may not extend beyond the bottom edge of the composite body.

Abstract: Processes and machines for decorating exterior surfaces of elongated, three-dimensional, discrete articles of manufacture, with decorative indicia and textural patterns.

Abstract: An object transport apparatus comprises a transport conveyor. Objects are compelled to move through an object space adjacent to the transport conveyor. A plurality of flights is disposed along a variable path and constrained to move along that path. A variable portion of the path is disposed adjacent to the transport conveyor. The flights disposed along the adjacent portion occupy a portion of the object space of the transport conveyor. A first transfer element is disposed along the variable path. The motion of the first transfer element varies the length of the variable path adjacent to the transport conveyor. An object sensor is disposed to detect objects upstream of the transfer element in the object space of the transport element. A controller interacts with a transfer element drive to alter the position of the transfer element along the variable path according to the output of the sensor.

Abstract: A method for sorting and/or orienting caps using an automated capping line can comprise providing a single cap to a cap-receiving cavity defined in a body of a puck. In various embodiments, the body can be vibrated to settle and/or orient the cap to a properly oriented position within the cap-receiving cavity. In at least one embodiment, the vibrating can include applying horizontal vibration and/or vertical vibration to the body. As a result, the properly oriented caps can be conveyed to a capping machine configured to apply each cap to a cap-receiving portion of a container.