Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors includes a platform able to receive a set of shipping containers; a set of connector changers associated with the platform, where each connector changer is able to move along at least one axis parallel to a surface of the platform, a shuttle associated with the platform, and at least one gantry, each gantry having a set of associated handlers able to transfer connectors between at least one connector changer and shuttle.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: An automated method of unloading a shipping vessel includes: receiving a shipping container from the vessel, the container including multiple connectors; retrieving a pallet able to store the connectors, where the pallet includes multiple receptacles, each receptacle able to accommodate one connector; detaching the connectors from the container; transferring the connectors to the pallet; releasing the container; and transferring a subset of the connectors from the pallet to at least one bin that is able to accommodate multiple connectors.

Abstract: An aerating system includes a container, a liquid, and a venturi tube. The liquid is inside the container. The container includes a dispensing port for dispensing the liquid. The dispensing port includes the venturi tube. The venturi tube is positioned so liquid being dispensed through the dispensing port flows through the venturi tube. The venturi tube includes a portion that includes an air-access port. The air access port is located to draw air into the venturi tube when the liquid is dispensed through the venturi tube. The portion of the venturi tube that includes the air-access port is located inside the container.

Abstract: A system for managing shipping containers and twist lock connectors is described. The system includes multiple stations. Each station includes a container platform and a pallet station. The container platform is able to accommodate various container sizes and/or multiple containers at one time. The container platform includes connector changers, handlers, and gantries that are able to automatically engage connectors with a container and disengage connectors from a container. The station includes a shuttle able to transfer connectors between the platform handlers and pallet station handlers and gantries. The pallet station includes a pallet with multiple receptacles for storing connectors. The pallet station and/or the container platform may include one or more magazines and/or one or more conveyors.

Abstract: An aerating system includes a container, a liquid, and a venturi tube. The liquid is inside the container. The container includes a dispensing port for dispensing the liquid. The dispensing port includes the venturi tube. The venturi tube is positioned so liquid being dispensed through the dispensing port flows through the venturi tube. The venturi tube includes a portion that includes an air-access port. The air access port is located to draw air into the venturi tube when the liquid is dispensed through the venturi tube. The portion of the venturi tube that includes the air-access port is located inside the container.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a lid having a permanent portion and a removable portion. The permanent portion includes a first tab. The removable portion includes a second tab. In one embodiment a partially cut line extends between the permanent portion and the removable portion. In one embodiment the removable portion includes a latching region for latching to a container. In one embodiment the first tab is coplanar with the second tab. In one embodiment the lid includes a planar region and the second tab is coplanar with the planar region.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a container and an unopened lid. The unopened lid includes a central planar region and a lid rim. The lid rim has a lid rim inner wall, a lid rim outer wall, a lid flange and a first tab. The first tab extends in a plane parallel to the central planar region. The first tab also extends outside the lid rim outer wall. A partially cut region is located on the lid rim outer wall, extends around most of the lid rim outer wall, and extends adjacent the first tab. The lid flange extends in a plane parallel to the central planar region. The lid flange also extends outside the lid rim outer wall. The container includes a container flange. The lid flange is welded to the container flange.

Abstract: A method of attaching a gasket to a plastic surface includes providing a plastic material having a surface; applying sufficient heat to the surface to melt the surface while other portions of the plastic material remain solid; providing a liquid gasket material on the heated surface while the heated surface is melted; and allowing the liquid gasket material and the surface to cool so the gasket is welded to the plastic material.

Abstract: A method of attaching a gasket to a plastic surface includes providing a plastic material having a surface; applying sufficient heat to the surface to melt the surface while other portions of the plastic material remain solid; providing a liquid gasket material on the heated surface while the heated surface is melted; and allowing the liquid gasket material and the surface to cool so the gasket is welded to the plastic material.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a container and an unopened lid. The unopened lid includes a central planar region and a lid rim. The lid rim has a lid rim inner wall, a lid rim outer wall, a lid flange and a first tab. The first tab extends in a plane parallel to the central planar region. The first tab also extends outside the lid rim outer wall. A partially cut region is located on the lid rim outer wall, extends around most of the lid rim outer wall, and extends adjacent the first tab. The lid flange extends in a plane parallel to the central planar region. The lid flange also extends outside the lid rim outer wall. The container includes a container flange. The lid flange is welded to the container flange.

Abstract: A packaging system includes a lid having a permanent portion and a removable portion. The permanent portion includes a first tab. The removable portion includes a second tab. In one embodiment a partially cut line extends between the permanent portion and the removable portion. In one embodiment the removable portion includes a latching region for latching to a container. In one embodiment the first tab is coplanar with the second tab. In one embodiment the lid includes a planar region and the second tab is coplanar with the planar region.

Abstract: A tamper-indicating wide-mouth food container including a thermoformed or injection molded lid having a downwardly-extending rim portion which engages the rim of the container, the rim portion separated by a tear strip along one or more slitted peripheral lines when the container is first opened. A slitting line extends downwardly from the peripheral line from the horizontal over a small area to form a manually-engageable tab which facilitates the tearing of the stilted peripheral line. When the tear strip is separated, that part of the rim portion below the tear strip falls free of engagement to provide an indication of a first opening of the container.

Abstract: A device for lining container closures in which a punch cuts undivided lining pieces from a strip of web material and pushes the piece through a die to seat the same within an individual closure. The closures are advanced by a pocket wheel having two oppositely disposed pockets driven through 180 degree increments in alternate directions to discharge lined closures from either side of the pocket wheel enclosure. The pocket wheel is driven by a rotary actuator which may be electrically, pneumatically, or hydraulically powered.