Abstract: An improved apparatus for clamping and rotating containers which includes a rotatably supported table for supporting and rotating a container about an axis, drive means connected to the table for rotating the table about the axis of rotation, a plurality of jaws movably mounted on the table for alternately engaging and releasing a container to be rotated, jaw-positioning means engageable with the plurality of jaws for moving the jaws into and out of engagement with a container, and actuator means for actuating the jaw-positioning means. A method of applying sealant to the inside of a container at the juncture between the inner surfaces of the bottom closure member and the sidewall thereof is also disclosed.

Abstract: Apparatus for wrapping a sidewall blank about a mandrel utilizing two wrapping wings which are rotated about the mandrel axis by respective drive trains, each drive train comprising a shaft positioned coaxially with the mandrel, a lever arm connecting the wrapping wing to the shaft, a slide member positioned in a transversely extending slot in a common reciprocating carriage, and a crank arm secured to the shaft and pivotably connected to the slide member. One of the wiping wings can be provided with an L-shaped blade with one leg of the L-shaped blade extending forwardly in the direction of travel of that wiping wing during the wrapping operation to lead the blade of the other wiping wing.

Abstract: An apparatus for forming a container is provided wherein the container is comprised of a side wall having a top bead and also a bottom member secured to the side wall with the side wall being formed from a blank which is wrapped with convolute form having side marginal portions overlapped and secured together. The apparatus includes means for forming the bottom member from a bottom member blank with the formed bottom member being carried by conveying means to various stations of the apparatus. A side wall feeder feeds side wall blanks through a side wall heater and to the conveying means for conveying thereby. A side wall wrapper is provided to wrap the side wall blank in convolute form about a mandrel and bottom member and secure overlapping marginal portions.

Abstract: Means are disclosed which allow one to quickly modify the circumferential dimension or shape of the container that can be formed by an apparatus which forms a tubular container by first clamping a flat blank of sheet material against a basic mandrel with a clamping means and then folding the thus clamped blank around the mandrel sleeve. Also disclosed is an apparatus including that means, which apparatus can be easily modified to form tubular containers of various circumferential dimensions or shapes from flat blanks of sheet material.

Abstract: The end of a tubular member to be heated is received in an annular space between a central core and a shroud. Hot gas passes through passageways in the central core against the inside surface of the tubular member, then along the inside surface to the end of the tubular member, and then along the outside surface of the tubular member. At least one of the flow of hot gas along the inside surface and the flow of hot gas along the outside surface of the tubular member is caused to follow a spiral path.

Abstract: One or more vacuum-operated suction cups are used to grip a carton and transfer it laterally from a first station on an intermittently operated conveyor to a second station on a continuously operated conveyor. Disengaging the vacuum source from the one or more suction cups deposits the container at the second station when transfer of the container is complete.

Abstract: Gable-top cartons are transferred from a first station to a second station by means of a transfer mechanism employing a clamp having opposing jaws which grip the sealed top of a container, holding the container while it is being moved from the first station to the second station, and releasing the container when it has arrived at its desired location in the second station.