Abstract: To provide a composite preform that can ensure that worsening of the appearance of a surface of a plastic member caused by near-infrared heating prior to blow molding is effectively prevented and that an inner preform is efficiently heated. The composite preform of the present invention includes a preform and a heat-contractive plastic member, the preform including a mouth part; a trunk part linked to the mouth part; and a bottom part linked to the trunk part, and the heat-contractive plastic member being disposed so as to surround the outside of the preform and including at least a colored layer that contains a resin material and a colorant, wherein the heat-contractive plastic member has a near-infrared transmittance of 50% or higher.

Abstract: An improved open mouthed container having a profiled upper periphery about the mouth, and comprising a base, and a peripheral sidewall extending generally upwards from the base, wherein the profiled upper periphery comprises a rim region, and the rim region extending outwardly and downwardly from the peripheral sidewall of the improved open mouthed container.

Abstract: A standardized shipping tray is disclosed for use in an order fulfillment system. The standardized shipping tray includes a bottom panel that includes raised portions that assist to inhibit rolling on an object within along the bottom panel, and at least two flexible side panels that are adapted to fold inward under a force of a wrapping.

Abstract: A shipping container formed from a single piece of flexible planar material as a continuous and contiguous structure foldable into a reusable, knock-down box. The shell body comprises a fabric or mesh and includes a semi-rigid bottom panel and a zipper disposed within an end panel securing an end panel flap. A pair of opposing handles are formed in the end portion and a resealable label pouch is affixed to a top panel.

Abstract: A foldably constructed pallet includes a top member forming a top surface of the foldably constructed pallet and a bottom member forming a bottom surface of the foldably constructed pallet. The bottom member includes, extending from the bottom surface, a plurality of outer sidewalls, and a plurality of internal sidewalls. An outer sidewall of the plurality of outer sidewalls and an internal sidewall of the plurality of internal sidewalls cooperate to define a cradle configured to hold a structural insert such that folded panels of the structural insert may be engaged with each of the outer sidewall and the internal sidewall. The top member may be connected to the bottom member and covering the cradle.

Abstract: A diamond-painting tray dimensioned and adapted to controllably store and selectively dispense diamond-painting gems. The tray provides a ridged working surface for storing a plurality of gems in an organized manner, wherein the ridged working surface facilitates both the selective presentation and accessibility of the gems for engagement with a diamond-painting applicator. The tray also provides a sluice gate and opening for controlled dispensing of the gems, wherein adjacent ridges act as rails along which gems controllable slide along when the tray is tilted. Also, a transparent lid encloses the compartment defined by the working surface of the tray.

Abstract: A child-resistant reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items within a product portion. A zipper is coupled to the container. The zipper is above the product portion. The zipper includes one or more primary seals, and one or more secondary seals at one or more defined locations. The one or more secondary seals at the one or more defined locations identify opening areas on the product portion. The opening areas are configured to be grasped and pulled apart to open the zipper.

Abstract: A cap for a fluid container includes a main body, an actuator ring slidable along the main body and having an annular groove, and a plurality of latches having secure and release states and that may be placed in the release state by contact with the actuator ring. A closure system for a fluid container includes the cap, and a lip attached to a fluid container that is engaged by the latches of the cap. The lip may be integral with a fluid container or part of an adapter that is connected to the fluid container. A method of automated handling of a container includes engaging an annular groove of an actuator ring of a cap using a robotic arm, driving the actuator ring, and removing the cap from the container. The method may further include transporting the container via engagement of the robotic arm with the cap.

Abstract: A container lid for use to drink liquid from a drinking container using a hydration tube. The container lid has a cap member that attaches to the container, a coupling aperture through the cap member, a female coupling positioned in the coupling aperture, a male insert that is removably received in the female coupling and a check valve in the cap member. The hydration tube attaches to an upwardly extending barb of the male insert and an internal straw attaches to a downwardly extending barb of the female coupling to extend into the interior of the container. The male insert has a sealing section with a sealing device that is sealably received in a receptacle of the female coupling. The container lid allows the user to easily, quickly and without leaking remove the hydration tube from the lid to replace an empty drinking container with a full drinking container.

Abstract: Hinged closures for containers are provided. The hinged closures allow for a closure that can be held in the open position with a large opening angle. The hinged closures include a lid portion and a tamper evident band interconnected by a hinge portion. The hinge portion can be formed from two connecting bands and a central flexible band, or a continuous band having variable thickness and a central thinner flexible area.

Abstract: A container closure and methods are disclosed for providing visible evidence of removal of the closure from a container after installation by a manufacturer. The closure includes tamper evidence bridges comprising small tabs of material that extend from a bottom-most edge of the closure to a tamper evidence ledge of the container. The bridges break when the closure is rotated relative to the tamper evidence ledge, thereby providing readily visible evidence that the closure has been removed after installation by the manufacturer. In some embodiments, a tamper evidence closure engages with threads of a finish of the container. Cam locks around the perimeter of the tamper evidence closure are permanently flared by cams on the finish during loosening of the closure. Outward flaring of the cam locks provides a visual indication that the tamper evidence closure has been loosened after installation by a manufacturer.

Abstract: A package includes a container and a closure coupled to the container to control release of product therefrom. The closure includes a closure cap coupled to the container and a flip-top cap coupled to the closure cap and configured to pivot relative to the closure cap between a closed position and an opened position.

Abstract: A container having a cylindrical pouring nozzle with an external thread and with a stop; a cap with an internal thread which can be screwed onto the external thread of the pouring nozzle as far as an end position in which the cap bears in the direction of rotation on the stop of the pouring nozzle; and a seal made of a material which is softer than a material of the cap and a material of the pouring nozzle. The seal is fixedly connected to the cap and has a first sealing element which, with the cap screwed on, is arranged in a radial direction between the cap and pouring nozzle and bears on a lateral surface portion of the pouring nozzle.

Abstract: A blank for producing a three-dimensional structure, from paper, cardboard, or plastic, includes at least three lateral surfaces and at least one bottom and/or top tab for forming the three-dimensional structure in a folded state of the blank. At least two of the lateral surfaces and/or at least one of the lateral surfaces having the bottom and/or cover tab being connected to one another by means of at least one mechanically produced creasing line. The creasing line is produced without ablation or other removal of material from the blank, at least one groove being produced by means of a laser within at least one of the lateral surfaces connected by means of the creasing line. The groove being configured to run at an angle to the creasing line and impinging on or intersecting the creasing line. A three-dimensional structure and a folding box produced from the blank are also disclosed.

Abstract: The disclosed systems and methods relate to improved tamper-proof cases for securely storing and shipping products. A case can include a back panel, two sidewalls, an upper foldable section, and a lower foldable section. The features of the case can be manufactured on a single sheet of material. The upper and lower foldable sections include panels having apertures for holding the top and bottom of a product, respectively. The upper foldable section includes one or more fasteners that secures the upper foldable section to the sidewalls. Once secured, the products cannot be removed from the case without showing evidence of the removal. The case systems can also include one or more inserts, for example an upper insert and a lower insert, to provide additional structural support to the case and protection for the products stored therein.

Abstract: A packaging container for transporting multiple beverage articles is provided. The packaging container includes an outer carton and first and second insert trays. The first insert tray includes a base panel having one or more openings for receiving a lower portion of beverage article. The second insert tray includes a base panel having or more openings for receiving an intermediate portion of a beverage article and a top wall having one or more openings for receiving an upper portion of a beverage article. The openings in the first insert tray and the second insert tray are vertically aligned when the first and second insert trays are positioned within the outer carton to secure multiple beverage articles in a separated arrangement.

Abstract: A cap of the press-twist type for a container, includes: a metal capsule having a transversal wall of longest extension which extends transversely with respect to an axis of the container, and a lateral wall; a curling in the distal part with respect to the transversal wall of the lateral wall by means of a curling operation; a sealing gasket with an annular shape for engaging with an opening of the container. The sealing gasket is made of a PVC-free material and includes a lateral portion, positioned in contact with the lateral wall of the capsule, which includes two portions away from the transversal wall of the capsule: a first distal portion relative to the transversal wall of the capsule and a second proximal portion relative to the transversal wall of the capsule, with a thickness greater than the first distal portion.

Abstract: A child safety lid is provided and used to close the opening of content containers including rigid and flexible containers/bags. The cover requires a multiple step process in order to be removed and helps to prevent inadvertent or accidental openings of the container. The lid/cover can comprise a top member, a locking member, a bottom member and a seal member. The top member can be secured to the bottom member with the locking member captured therebetween and the seal member can extend downward from the bottom member and contact an internal shelf/ledge disposed within the container near the container opening. In one embodiment, the seal member and bottom member can be bonded to each other through an overmolding process. In one embodiment, the seal can be constructed from an elastomer material.

Abstract: Child-resistant packaging (1), which comprises at least one blister card (10), known per se, with a carrier film (20) and a cover film (30), wherein the carrier film (20) forms, with at least one blister cavity (25) for receiving a packing product (40), a top side (11) of the blister card (10), and the cover film (30) is connected extensively to the carrier film (20), closes the blister cavity (25) filled with the packing product (40), and forms an underside (12), located opposite the top side (11), of the blister card (10).

Abstract: A container for transporting and storing liquid, viscous or pourable substances, in particular a container of the Intermediate Bulk Container type, includes a base, a side wall and at least one outlet recess in the base and/or the side wall, in which an outlet valve is or can be arranged and which is closable on the outside of the container by a cover. The cover has a base section, by which the cover is fastened or fastenable to the container, and a closure section that is hinged on the base section via a hinge assembly such that it can pivot about a rotational axis. The hinge assembly is designed to hold or lock the closure section in a self-supporting manner in a position releasing the outlet recess.

Abstract: A pull-tab sealing member for a container is provided having a pressure sensitive adhesive for sealing to the container. The sealing members herein include a foam layer and a non-foam polymer layer between the foam layer and a tab.

Abstract: A vacuum-insulated container (1) comprises a container body (2) and a container lid (3). The container body (2) is formed from an inner body shell (8) and an outer body shell (6), which are both made of a metal material. A core (7) is provided between the inner body (shell 8) and the outer body shell (6), and a seal (11) connects to (flanges 12) of the inner body shell (8) and the outer body shell (6), so as to define an intermediate vacuum space (10) surrounding the core (7). A compressible gasket (17) is provided to protect the seal (11). The lid (103) has two pair of fasteners (122) hingedly connected to opposing sides of the lid (103). Each of the fasteners (122) is releasably connectable to the body (102) whilst the lid is in a closed position with respect to the body.

Abstract: A box includes a side wall including an outer side panel; an inner side panel positioned parallel to the outer side panel; and a connecting strip defining a first edge and a second edge, the first edge connected to the outer side panel by a first fold line, the second edge connected to the inner side panel by a second fold line, the connecting strip defining a trapezoidal shape; and a bottom wall coupled to the side wall.

Abstract: A dispensable substance container may include an elongate body encompassing a lumen, wherein the lumen is to contain the dispensable substance; a dispensable; substance dispensing nozzle attached to a first end on the elongate body; a sealing material within the lumen, wherein the sealing material is moveable, by a pushrod, within the lumen to push the dispensable substance out the dispensing tip; and a structurally compromised portion of the elongate body extending along a length of the elongate body, wherein the elongate body is to be severed along the structurally compromised portion by the pushrod.

Abstract: A device for dispensing body scrub. The device includes a globe-shaped housing having an interior volume that can retain body scrub within a second side thereof. The housing is movable between a deformed and a nondeformed configuration and includes a dividing wall disposed within the interior volume. The dividing wall separates the first side from the second side and is movable therebetween via a spring. The spring is biased towards an expanded configuration such that when the housing is deformed, the spring pushes the dividing wall towards the second side thereby forcing the body scrub through an opening within the housing. A valve is disposed at the opening and allows the body scrub to be dispensed therefrom when the housing is deformed upon force applied towards the second side. The valve is closed when pressure is released from the interior volume causing the housing to return to the non-deformed configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods of making a glove pack and for removing gloves from the glove pack are disclosed. The glove pack includes a stack of gloves. The stack of gloves includes a first glove engaging a second glove. The first and second gloves each have an exterior gripping surface. Each exterior gripping surface of the first and second gloves engages and adheres to the exterior gripping surface of the other of the first or second glove in the stack of gloves thereby adhering the first and second gloves together in the stack of gloves such that when the first glove is removed from the stack of gloves at least a portion of the second glove moves with the first glove.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a valve for dispensing flowable product from a container under pressure, the valve comprising a stem, a seal coupled to the stem, and a mounting cup configured to mount the valve to the container, wherein each of the stem, seal, and mounting cup comprises a recyclable plastic, and wherein the valve is free from a gasket configured to surround an opening of the container to form a seal between the valve and the container. Also provided herein is a container for dispensing a flowable product under pressure comprising the valve as described above.

Abstract: Capsule containing a substance for the preparation of a potable beverage, the capsule having an aluminum capsule body having a side wall and an outwardly extending flange and a sealing member at the outwardly extending flange for providing a fluid sealing contact with an enclosing member of a beverage preparation device. The beverage preparation device comprises an annular element having a free contact end which may be provided with a plurality of radially extending open grooves. The sealing member is integral with the outwardly extending flange and comprises a projection. An annular trough between the inner projection foot and the side wall has a bottom axially spaced from the outer projection foot towards the bottom of the capsule body.

Abstract: Described herein are units for transportation of cargo, and methods of using them. In some embodiments, the units are collapsible, stackable cargo units. In some embodiments, the cargo units include a generally rectangular base having a front, a rear and two sides, with forklift slots on its front, rear and each side. The cargo units may further include front and rear walls extending upward from the base. The cargo units may further include first and second side walls extending upward from the base between the front and rear walls. The first side wall may have a length greater than the second side wall. The cargo units may further include an integrated lid hingedly attached to one or more of the front, rear, and side walls.

Abstract: A sealing system for a covered tank, particularly a fixed gas-sealing tank in a wastewater treatment system, includes a thrust ring positioned just inside the tank rim, secured to a series of radial beams for the cover. Preferably supported on corbels anchored to the interior tank wall, the thrust ring has an outwardly extending generally horizontal flange that overlies the edge of the tank rim. To this flange and to the top of the tank rim is secured a flexible membrane seal, around the periphery of the tank. The membrane seal is easily installed, reliable as a seal, and can be efficiently replaced when needed.

Abstract: A garbage can provided with an airtight means for preventing odor leakage is provided. In the garbage can, an inner basket covered with a garbage bag is raised and pressurized so that an upper end of the inner basket is in close contact with an airtight part of an upper cap, thereby preventing garbage odors from leaking via a gap between the upper cap and the inner basket, and also the basket is automatically raised and lowered by simply opening and closing a side cover without any separate operation by a user, thereby increasing convenience.

Abstract: A high-density storage system for goods is described in which totes carrying the goods are stored in a storage structure and stored and retrieved via stationary or mobile conveyers running along opposite ends of each layer of the storage structure. The totes may be moved to or from the conveyers as the rows move at a constant velocity toward or away from the conveyers. Totes at the ends of rows are quickly moved and stored in another row until the desired tote appears at the end of the row, at which point the desired tote is carried to an exit point of the storage structure by one of the conveyers.

Abstract: The invention relates to an overhead conveyor system (1a . . . 1d) with hanging bags (2, 2a . . . 2d), which are adjustable between a transport position and a loading position and which are designed for transporting articles (4, 4a . . . 4i), with a loading station (5a . . . 5d), at which a hanging bag (2, 2a . . . 2d) can be loaded with an article (4, 4a . . . 4i), and with an overhead conveying device (6, 6a . . . 6d) for transporting a hanging bag (2, 2a . . . 2d) into the loading station (5a . . . 5d) and for transporting the hanging bag (2, 2a . . . 2d) out of the loading station (5a . . . 5d). The overhead conveyor system (1a . . . 1d) further comprises a measuring device (11a . . . 11d), by means of which an expansion (a) of the bag body (3) in a transport direction of the loaded hanging bag (2, 2a . . . 2d) is determined in the transport position of the bag body (3). Moreover, the invention relates to a method for operating such an overhead conveyor system (1a . . . 1d).

Abstract: An automated carrier system is disclosed for moving objects to be processed. The automated carrier system includes a discontinuous plurality of track sections on which an automated carrier may be directed to move, and the automated carrier includes a base structure on which an object may be supported, and at least two wheels assemblies being pivotally supported on the base structure for pivoting movement from a first position to a second position to effect a change in direction of movement of the carrier.

Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system and mobile robot are disclosed, where the mobile robot includes a compliant drive for moving between levels of a multilevel storage structure.

Abstract: An automated warehouse storage system including a multilevel storage array is provided. Each aisle has a set of storage levels and each level has storage locations distributed along the aisle. The guideway network extending through the multilevel storage array is configured for autonomous vehicles to move along the guideway network within the multilevel storage array. The guideway network including an inter-aisle guideway spanning at least two of the multiple aisles and a set of guideway levels extending in an aisle of the multiple aisles and disposed so that each guideway level is at a different one of the storage levels and the vehicles on the guideway level can access the storage locations distributed along the aisle. Each set of guideway levels is connected to the inter-aisle guideway forming a common guideway path so that a vehicle can move between inter-aisle guideway and each guideway level along the common guideway path.

Abstract: A system and a method are disclosed that generate for display to a remote operator a user interface comprising a map, the map comprising visual representations of a source area, a plurality of candidate robots, and a plurality of candidate destination areas. The system receives, via the user interface, a selection of a visual representation of a candidate robot of the plurality of candidate robots, and detects a drag-and-drop gesture within the user interface of the visual representation of the candidate robot being dragged-and-dropped to a visual representation of a candidate destination area of the plurality of candidate destination areas. Responsive to detecting the drag-and-drop gesture, the system generates a mission, where the mission causes the candidate robot to autonomously transport an object from the source area to the candidate destination area.

Abstract: A container-handling vehicle picks up storage containers from a three-dimensional grid of an underlying storage system. The container-handling vehicle has a vehicle body and wheels for moving the vehicle in two perpendicular directions on the grid. The vehicle body surrounds a cavity within which at least a first lifting device and a second lifting device are positioned adjacent to each other. Each lifting device is independently controlled and arranged to lift a storage container from the grid and into the cavity. The vehicle includes at least one vertical frame guiding element arranged inside the cavity. The frame guiding element extends between the lifting devices.

Abstract: An automated storage and retrieval system includes a framework structure forming a three-dimensional storage grid structure for storing the storage containers in storage columns. The framework structure includes a grid-based rail system arranged above the storage columns with the rail system providing available routes for the container handling vehicles handling and transferring the storage containers to and from the storage columns. Each container handling vehicle includes a first set of wheels configured to move the vehicle along a first lateral direction of the grid-based rail system and a second set of wheels configured to move the vehicle along a second lateral direction of the grid-based rail system. The second direction is perpendicular to the first direction.

Abstract: A processing system for processing objects using a programmable motion device is disclosed. The processing system a perception unit for perceiving identifying indicia representative of an identity of an object associated with an input conveyance system, and an acquisition system for acquiring the object from a plurality of objects at an input area using an end effector of the programmable motion device, wherein the programmable motion device is adapted for assisting in the delivery of the object to an identified processing location. The identified processing location being associated with the identifying indicia and said identified processing location being provided as one of a plurality of processing locations. The processing system also includes a delivery system for receiving the object in a carrier and for delivering the object toward the identified processing location.

Abstract: An automatically tray feeding device includes: at least one conveying mechanism configured to convey a tray at different heights; at least one lifting mechanism configured to move the tray on a conveying mechanism at a first height to a conveying mechanism at a second height different from the first height; and a sorting table frame configured to carry the at least one conveying mechanism and the at least one lifting mechanism.

Abstract: A belt and a belt conveyor are provided for transporting particulate material and especially oilseeds up the belt conveyor. The belt conveyor can include an intake end having a hopper, a discharge end, a body extending between the intake end and the discharge end and a belt. The belt travels along a travel path in the belt conveyor; the belt traveling through the hopper, up an upper run in the body to the discharge end, down a return run in the body, and back through the hopper. The belt can have a top surface having pairs of adjacent ridges provided on the top surface, each ridge having a pair of arms extending from a point, in a travel direction of the belt, wherein each pair of adjacent ridges define a v-channel on the top surface of the belt.

Abstract: A conveyor belt maintenance system and methods of use thereof are disclosed herein. The conveyor belt maintenance system comprises a support structure for supporting a portion of a belt of a conveyor the support structure comprising a frame, an idler roller supported on the frame, and one or more connectors coupled to the frame. The support structure further comprises a track coupled to the connectors. The idler roller is configured to engage and support the portion of the belt. The connector coupled to the track is configured to facilitate movement of the support structure along the track in a direction parallel to the belt of a conveyor.

Abstract: A transport system (1) for transporting workpieces (2) which preferably consist at least in sections of wood, wood-based materials, plastic or the like, comprising at least one circulating transport means (15); a guide arrangement (4) for guiding the at least one circulating transport means (15); at least one sensor (10, 11, 12) for detecting at least one condition variable, in particular the preload force and/or instantaneous load on the at least one circulating transport means (15) and/or the dynamic behavior of at least one section (6, 8) of the transport system (1); and at least one actuator (13, 20) for influencing at least one condition variable of the transport system (1).

Abstract: A return roller is pivotally supported in a frame-fixed articulation region (20, 21) of a belt conveyor device having a transport belt. A pivot arm (30, 31) extends in a running direction (L) of the transport belt, orthogonal to a longitudinal axis (12) of the return roller, supporting it about the longitudinal axis. A pivot element (40) is spaced apart from the return roller in the running direction. A pivot bearing (22, 23) is arranged on the articulation region for mounting the pivot element for a pivoting movement of the pivot arm around a pivot axis between an operating position and an nonoperating position of the return roller. A bearing surface (24, 25), in a section perpendicular to the pivot axis, is formed as an open arc, with an opening (26, 27) having a center angle (?) of less than 180°.

Abstract: A system for continuously monitoring an apron feeder in real-time, the apron feeder having a plurality of units. The system includes a plurality of sensor modules of different types, wherein each sensor module includes at least one sensor configured to measure an individual condition of a unit of the apron feeder, to generate sensor data representing the measured individual condition, and to transmit the generated sensor data. A base station is configured to collect the sensor data from the plurality of sensor modules, and to transmit outbound data, which is based on the collected sensor data. A processing unit receives the outbound data from the base station, analyses the outbound data for determining whether or not any of the unit of the apron feeder needs to be replaced or readjusted based on its individual condition, and generates a result of the determination for continuously indicating an overall state of the apron feeder.

Abstract: Problem To improve the efficiency of a combination weighing operation. An article conveyance device 110 includes an article discharge container 10, an article conveyance mechanism 30, an article detection mechanism 60, and a control unit 90. The container 10 has outlets 20 to discharge articles A. The article conveyance mechanism 30 has feeders 40 including a first feeder 41 to an n-th feeder 4n configured to convey the articles A. The article detection mechanism 60 has sensors 70 including a first sensor 71 to an n-th sensor 7n configured to detect the articles A in the first feeder 41 to the n-th feeder 4n, respectively. The control unit 90 judges whether jamming of the articles A is occurring in the outlets 20 based on output of the article detection mechanism 60. The control unit 90 increases a conveyance intensity of some feeders receiving the articles A from places where the jamming is occurring in the outlets 20.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for receiving a plurality of objects from an elevated trailer of a tractor trailer. The system includes a collection conveyor extending between a base end and a coupled end, the coupled end being rotatably coupled to an evacuation conveyor, said collection conveyor including an object facing surface between the base end and the coupled end for receiving the plurality of objects, said collection conveyor being rotatably adjustable with respect to the evacuation conveyor at the coupled end, and both the evacuation conveyor and the coupled end of the collection conveyor being elevationally adjustable.

Abstract: A gripper including a receiving end and a locking end and an absorber coupled to at least one of the ends configured to dampen contact forces imparted on the gripper, wherein the receiving end is shaped to marry a container body.

Abstract: A gripper for a container-transporter includes a system, first and second arms with corresponding inner faces and a controller disposed between the arms to pivot the arms. A spring pre-loads the arms towards one another. Rollers at the control unit rotate about a central control-axis thereof. The faces are shaped such that, in response to the rollers' movement, they carry out an equiangular and symmetric pivoting between an opened and closed position of the gripper.