Abstract: Aspects of the invention relate to an applicator plate (10) for use in an apparatus (80) for attaching a set of frangibly adjoined top engaging clips (110) to a group of articles ‘C’. The applicator plate (10) having a generally planar body; and a plurality of apertures (16a-26f) within the body. Each aperture (16a-26f) has a series of internal walls (16i-16x) arranged such that each aperture (16a-26f) has a polygonal shape.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein include needle-free syringe and cap assemblies and filling tub systems. One embodiment of filling tub system includes a filling tub having exterior walls and a floor. The floor is formed into a plurality of sockets configured to receive and support a plurality of cap and syringe body assemblies, with each cap and syringe assembly received in a separate socket. Furthermore, each socket is configured to receive and support a syringe and cap assembly with contact only between one or more surfaces of the socket and selected outer surfaces of the cap. Methods of pre-filling a quantity of needle-free syringes are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carton for holding a plurality of articles. The carton comprises a plurality of panels that extends at least partially around an interior of the carton and a plurality of end flaps respectively foldably connected to respective panels of the plurality of panels. The plurality of end flaps are at least partially overlapped with respect to one another to thereby at least partially form a closed end of the carton. The carton also can comprise at least one article protection flap foldably connected to at least one end flap of the plurality of end flaps for engaging at least one article of the plurality of articles. The at least one article protection flap extends from the closed end at least partially into the interior of the carton.

Abstract: An apparatus for supporting liquid-filled containers having removable closures contacting an interface at one end, in a manner to attenuate escape of gas from the containers between the closures and the interface has a supporting framework and at least one insert within the framework, the insert engaging the framework and presenting a surface having a plurality of indentions in the shape of the liquid-filled containers, each indention conforming to shape of one of the containers in a manner that a container placed in the indention is supported with an axis of symmetry of the container at an acute angle with horizontal and with closure end down, such that liquid in the container surrounds the closure and interface, so gas will not escape between the closure and the interface.

Abstract: A bottle that can be stacked on other similar bottles (4), either with or without an intermediate carrier plate (1), is bound together with adjacent bottles to form stable stacks. The bottom surface of the bottle includes a cavity (15, 16, 18) adapted to receive at least a part of the capsule (12) of a bottle in an underlying layer. The cavity has at least one guiding and constraining surface (15) which coacts, with a tight fit, with a corresponding guiding and constraining surface of the capsule or with some other part of the bottle in the underlying layer, or with a corresponding guiding and constraining surface (11) of a bottle-guiding and constraining device (11, 13, 17) that projects up from a carrier plate positioned between the layers of bottles and in which there is received at least a part of the capsule of the bottle in the underlying layer.

Abstract: An apparatus for safely carrying or storing necked bottles, in particular wine bottles, has a top, a bottom having an opening, and an intermediate structure with an aperture axially aligned with the opening in the bottom. The neck of an inverted bottle is inserted through and supported by the aperture in the intermediate structure. The top of the neck of the bottle fits into, and is supported by, the opening in the bottom. A hinged, openable enclosure surrounds the area between the top and intermediate structure.

Abstract: A shipping container for glass bottles or other articles of uniform size and height, the container being formed of an upright structure of generally rectangular horizontal cross-sectional configuration and having internal partitions providing a plurality of vertical, loading columns extending from the bottom to the top, the structure having spaced apart horizontal slots extending from the front to the back, the spacing between the slots being slightly greater than the height of the articles for which the container is configured, and a plurality of trays, one being received in each of the slots, the trays being moveable to a loading position allowing articles to be inserted in each of the columns in the top until the bottom tray is filled, after which the next tray adjacent to the bottom is closed and additional articles inserted until, in sequence, each section between trays is filled.