Abstract: An apparatus for sterilizing a thermoplastic strip moving forward stepwise and used in the production of hot-formed containers which, after forming, are filled and sealed in a sterile atmosphere, wherein prior to the strip softening operation, the surface of said strip which is subsequently to constitute the inside face of the containers, is exposed evenly and intermittently, in successive portions and for a very short period of time, to a temperature higher than that of the softening point of the said thermoplastic strip and which is dependent on the desired extent of bacterial destruction.

Abstract: The disclosure illustrates and describes a sterilization apparatus and method for sterilizing the interiors of paperboard containers, wherein such apparatus and method are effective through the mandrel assembly on which the container bottom closures are formed and sealed. This is accomplished by forming longitudinal channels through each mandrel and connecting same to separate compartments formed within the hub, and providing means for communicating a suitable sterilant fog through respective compartments and channels at the station where each bottom-formed container is stripped from its respective mandrel. The usual fast stripping action tends to create a vacuum within the container which aids the dispersement of the fog onto the entire inside surface of the container, sterilizing it prior to the subsequent filling operation.

Abstract: This relates to starting up of a machine wherein a thermoformable web forms bottom of a sterile chamber in the machine and wherein it is necessary to sterilize all of the interior of the machine including forming and filling equipment as well as heating equipment. It has been deemed advisable to use as a sterilizing agent super-heated air. However, the temperature of the sterilizing air is above the melt temperature of the thermoformable web which normally forms the bottom closure for the sterile chamber.

Abstract: A method for sterilizing packaging material, the packaging material being employed subsequent to its sterilization for the aseptic packaging of foodstuffs. The method includes the steps of (1) first subjecting the packaging material to ultrasonic vibrations through a liquid medium, and (2) then subjecting the packaging material to ultraviolet radiation. The bactericidal effect of steps (1) and (2) combined together as a sequence in the order recited is greater than if practiced in the reverse order. The process of this invention can be applied to a moving web of packaging material. The moving web, after its sterilization treatment, can be fed through known machinery for forming, filling, and sealing of aseptic packages for foodstuffs.

Abstract: An apparatus which can clean powdered material from a filled pouch during a filling operation and at the same time introduce an inert atmosphere into the pouch prior to sealing. The apparatus includes a pair of wheel members mounted on a shaft for opposite rotation, the wheels having apertures which will eject inert gas in an opposing direction. The wheel members serve the dual function of blowing powdered material from the top of the filled pouch while at the same time introducing an inert atmosphere therein. The wheel assembly is especially suited for a high speed filling operation such as that commonly found in conjunction with a multiple stationed and rotatable filling apparatus.

Abstract: For filling successive spouted bags with a beverage or like fluid product to a prescribed weight, a filling valve assembly and a cap remover assembly are immovably mounted side by side in a germfree chamber formed over a weighing platform. After the germfree chamber and the interior of a filling head forming a part of the filling valve assembly have been sterilized, a bag is placed on or over the weighing platform, with its capped spout caught by a spout carrier arm, which is supported on the weighing platform for both linear up-and-down motion and pivotal motion about a vertical axis. Following the removal of the cap from the spout by the cap remover assembly, the arm carries the spout to a position under the filling valve assembly and holds the spout against the filling head.

Abstract: Machine for automatically capping and labelling bottles or like containers comprising, in addition to the labelling and capping device, apparatus for orienting the caps synchronized with said labelling and capping device, and for holding the oriented caps and depositing them on the bottles maintained fixed with respect to the axes of the capping heads.

Abstract: A device for shaping a film of heat-retractable plastics material in the zone of the lateral spaces of a pallet-less multi-layer load having a layer of reduced width, said spaces for gripping purposes being defined by right-angled dihedrons, comprises mobile shaping elements intended to be applied against the film of plastics material which is still soft covering the faces of each dihedron defining a space for gripping.Each shaping element is constituted by a bar and means are provided to displace each shaper bar in the direction of the edge of the dihedron, to engage said bar in the angle of the dihedron between the layer of reduced width and the normal layer of the load located beneath this reduced layer.Each shaper bar is fast with one or more elements accelerating cooling of the plastics material.

Abstract: An apparatus for aseptically filling premanufactured, presterilized, flexible containers, connected in a continuous web, includes a chamber with an inlet mouth for receiving empty containers seriatim, and an outlet mouth for dispensing filled containers seriatim. The inlet and outlet mouths have respective seals for sealing to the surface of the containers to prevent entry of contaminants into the chamber. This chamber is partitioned to form a spraying compartment, adjacent to the inlet mouth, and a filling compartment, adjacent to the outlet mouth, with a drying compartment therebetween. A sterilizing agent is continuously sprayed, as a mist, into the spraying compartment to coat the exterior of the containers with the sterilizing agent as they are serially advanced through the chamber. This mist also provides an aseptic barrier between the inlet mouth and the drying compartment.

Abstract: Apparatus for the aseptic packaging of high acid foods having a pH below 4.6 includes conveying means with carrier plate receptacles having orifices to receive preformed cups, the orifices being contoured to match the shape of the sealing flanges of the cups. The conveying means carries cups through a lock of liquid sterilant, past sprays that ensure against air pockets in the cups, through a bath of sterilant liquid in submerged, inverted position, lifts the cups from the bath and into a chamber of sterile inert gas, allowing liquid sterilant to drain therefrom, moves the cups in sequence to filling means and then to sealing means, where cover elements, pre-sterilized from the liquid of the cup bath, dried and preheated, are applied to hermetically close the cups by the action of heat and pressure. Jets of the sterile inert gas, recirculated from the chamber, are directed at the cups after liquid sterilant has drained therefrom, so as to dry the sealing flanges of the cups.

Abstract: An object such as a food packaging material is sterilized first by immersion in a nontoxic sterilizing liquid and then by exposure to ultraviolet irradiation. The sterilizing liquid can be either an organic acid solution or hot water. Alternatively, the object is simultaneously treated with both sterilizing agents, by being irradiated with ultraviolet rays while being dipped in the sterilizing liquid. The liquid is reconditioned, as by filtration and ultraviolet irradiation while being recirculated through a closed circuit. The apparatus is disclosed as adapted for the sterilization of a continuous strip of food packaging film.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for providing a sterile inert atmosphere in an aseptic packaging machine wherein an inert gas is passed through a microbiological filter and then sparged through a bath of hot sterilizing liquid into the interior of the machine. A portion of the sterile inert gas is withdrawn from the machine interior by means of a suitable pump or blower, and separated into three parts; the first part being passed through a heater and then over the flange areas of containers passing through the machine to dry same prior to heat sealing operations, the second part being directed to the machine filler means to provide a back-up microbiological barrier for the filler, and the third part being passed through jets aligned on either side of a web of cover material as said cover material emerges from a sterilizing bath, said jets being arranged to blow off liquid sterilant adhering thereto.

Abstract: An arrangement for closing containers with crown corks and the like, has a piston, a guiding opening in which the piston reciprocates, and a passage for supplying a cleaning liquid, which passage is open into an annular gap formed between the piston and the wall bounding the guiding opening. The passage may include a radial passage portion arranged to communicate with a liquid supplying conduit, and a distributing passage portion communicating with the radial passage portion.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotating plate directly coupled to the shaft of the driving motor and carrying phial holding and handling devices selectively actuatable to be rotated between upward and downward positions around their radial shafts. The filling and cleaning stations of the apparatus include small-sized pans releasably mounted on sliding pan-supporting devices, upward displacement of the pans to bring same into sealing contact engagement with the cover plate of the phial holding devices and downward displacement of said pans being achieved by a double-action cylinder, the end of the cylinder rod of which selectively comes into sealing bearing engagement with a shaped draining opening formed in the bottom of the pan.

Abstract: A method of cleaning bottle filling devices after bottle breakage in filling stations circulating in bottle filling machines, especially counterpressure filling machines. That filling station in which the bottle breakage has occurred is freed of glass fragments by spraying liquid thereagainst, while continuing with the machine rotation and still during the same circulation. At least during the first machine circulation subsequent to the bottle breakage and the liquid spraying, the filling device is rinsed with the liquid supplied to the bottle to be filled. After discharge from the machine circulation, the filled bottle is separated from the filled bottles of the remaining filling stations.

Abstract: Cardboard packing cases, which have been loaded with bottles or the like, are fed to apparatus for severing the top flap connecting tabs at diagonally opposite corners of the case. These tabs are provided to hold the top flaps of the case in place during loading, but must be severed prior to closing and/or gluing of the top flaps at a succeeding stage in the packaging of the product. The apparatus includes an infeed station where the cases are separated, by slowing each case on a flight bar conveyor having its flights spaced less than the length of the case, and side belts accelerate the case to match the speed of a pocket chain conveyor. The case has its forward end lifted, and opposite corners tilted, on this pocket chain conveyor to spread the top flaps at the two corners of the case without connecting tabs. Guide plates on either side of the pocket chain conveyor serve to guide the case so that fixed knives cut both tabs without necessity for turning the case through 90 degrees.

Abstract: A package of book-like shape having three leaves is used for maintaining asepsis of a sterile web of bags during web transfer or start up. Each of the leaves contains an absorbant layer to which a sterilizing medium such as hydrogen peroxide can be applied. The two outer leaves also carry anvil plates and a curved knife blade is positioned on one of the anvil plates, either as part of the original package or just prior to use. Where a transfer is to be made from the expiring end of a web of bags to a new web of bags, the package is applied with the central leaf, carrying a sterilizing agent, interposed between opposing surfaces of the expiring and new webs of bags. One of the outer leaves is positioned on an outer surface of the new web of bags and the other outer leaf is positioned on the outer surface of the expiring web of bags. Thereafter pressure is applied to the entire assembly, causing the knife blade to pierce through all of the layers between the two anvil plates.

Abstract: A container is provided with a valve opening at its bottom wall to permit steam to circulate into the container and to permit any condensation to drain from the container while the valve is open. The valve is closed by an expandable chamber in response to the pressure drop at the end of a sterilizing cycle. A valve controlling the flow of steam into the expandable chamber closes when subjected to the high temperature steam, thus capturing steam within the chamber. This steam expands when the pressure drops to close the valve in the container. The container lid and gasket permit steam to be withdrawn from the container but prevent air flow into the container. A vacuum created in the container at the end of the sterilizing cycle holds the container lid in place and holds the valve closed.

Abstract: A container lid is released at a desired point in a sterilizing cycle with the actuating movement being provided by an expandable chamber having a quantity of sterilizing environment captured during the sterilizing cycle.

Abstract: Device for packaging and preserving sterilized products under vacuum in plastic packs, in particular linen, in an autoclave, comprising at least one support-rack, a plurality of parallel bars supported by said rack, a plurality of packs in the form of air-impervious plastic bags open at one end, means for supporting the packs in the support-rack with the open ends of said packs extending between adjacent bar of said plurality of parallel bars, and member for compressing and sealing the open ends of the packs fixed to the parallel bars. Said bars are rigidly secured to the support-rack so as to provide between the compressing and sealing members slots of predetermined width open at at least one of their ends, and the pack supporting means comprises at least one auxiliary parallelipipedical rack which can be introduced into and removed from the main support-rack in a direction parallel to the longitudinal directin of the slots.

Abstract: An apparatus incorporating a microprocessor control is provided for automatically loading nuclear fuel pellets into fuel rods commonly used in nuclear reactor cores. The apparatus comprises a split "V" trough for assembling segments of fuel pellets in rows and a shuttle to receive the fuel pellets from the split "V" trough when the two sides of the split "V" trough are opened. The pellets are weighed while in the shuttle, and the shuttle then moves the pellets into alignment with a fuel rod. A guide bushing is provided to assist the transfer of the pellets into the fuel rod. A rod carousel which holds a plurality of fuel rods presents the proper rod to the guide bushing at the appropriate stage in the loading sequence. The bushing advances to engage the fuel rod, and the shuttle advances to engage the guide bushing. The pellets are then loaded into the fuel rod by a motor operated push rod.

Abstract: A arrangement for the sterilization of a web of packing material is provided which includes a container having an outer wall including an opening. A bath of sterilizing liquid is disposed within the container, with said liquid being conveyed onto the web by a rotary brush as the web is conveyed across the opening. Means to collect sterilizing liquid within the container after having contacted the web may also be provided.

Abstract: Sterilization of a web of packing material is accomplished in two steps with the web first being coated and washed with a sterilizing agent in liquid form at a first treatment station. The web then passes through a second treatment station where sterilizing liquid is sprayed as a fine mist onto a heated surface which vaporizes the sterilizing liquid. The vapor condenses on the passing web to further sterilize the web. One or more heaters again vaporizes the sterilizing agent which is on the packing web to remove the sterilizing agent. The sterilized packing material web is then cut into individual package units after the web has been filled with sterile contents.

Abstract: In packing machines of the kind which form a tube of packing material for subsequent conversion into separate, filled packages, a filler pipe for the contents is usually arranged inside the material tube. Especially when the packing machine works with foodstuff under sterile conditions, the filler pipe as well as other machine parts situated inside the tube have to be carefully cleaned before and after production. As the filler pipe normally is surrounded by the foodstuff in the tube, it will have to be cleaned on the outside as well as the inside, and to facilitate the cleaning it is suggested to use a cleaning container, which has a controllable outlet and surrounds the lower end of the filler pipe and makes cleaning by circulation of a cleaning liquid possible. To increase the cleaning effect the cleaning liquid is circulated through the filler pipe as well as through separate nozzles directed towards the outside of the filler pipe.

Abstract: A method and an arrangement for the cleaning and sterilizing of a filler pipe on a packing machine are disclosed. A cleaning and sterilizing duct is provided which can be concentrically arranged around the filler pipe, which duct is closed at one end and in tight engagement with the filler pipe at its other end, while also being connected to a drainage duct. Cleaning or sterilizing fluid can flow through the filler pipe, into the sterilizing duct, to be discharged through the drainage duct.

Abstract: An aseptic packing machine comprising an enclosure defining a space swept through by a stream of sterile air and means for producing said stream of air. A station for producing containers, a filling station, a closing station and a transfer device cooperating with said stations are disposed inside the enclosure. The moving mechanical parts of said stations and said transfer device which are capable of being contaminating are located outside the part of said space which is maintained non-contaminating by said stream of sterile air.

Abstract: The automatic filling and packaging of foodstuffs under aseptic to low-bacterial count conditions is accomplished by disinfecting a packaging material for at least one second by means of high-intensity ultraviolet radiation, generated by a high-current, low-pressure mercury discharge with a current density of more than 1 A/cm.sup.2 and a mercury pressure of 5.times.10.sup.-3 to 5.times.10.sup.-1 Torr, wherein the spectral radiation intensity of the 253.7 nm line of the ultraviolet radiation UV on the packaging material 1, 2, 3 is set to at least 0.05 W/cm.sup.2.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for retaining asepsis of a sterile web of bags as the web is fed onto the filling pipe of a packaging machine. The filling pipe is covered by a special sterilizing boot and sterilized by directing steam or another sterilizing agent into the boot. The leading end of a sealed web of bags, the interior of which is sterile, is then attached to the boot adjacent the upstream end of the filling pipe with a sterilizing medium, such as hydrogen peroxide, interposed between opposed surfaces of the adjacent walls of the boot and web. The filling pipe has a barbed cone attached to its upstream end with which the adjacent walls of the boot and web are pierced so that the sterilized pipe is then positioned within the sterile web of bags without destroying the sterile condition of the pipe or the web.

Abstract: A joint strip is used comprising a container strip in thermoplastic material and a cover strip having sterile sides facing one another and isolated from the outside in a sealed manner along their edges. The container and cover strips are separated each from the other at the entrance to a sterile enclosure, the cover strip passing along a path which overhangs that of the container strip and passes above stations for forming containers in the container strip, and for filling the containers. The cover strip is exposed, on the side of its sterile face, to a sterile atmosphere whose pressure is slightly in excess of that of the outside. The cover and container strips are moved respectively above and below a non-sterile area containing elements of the forming and filling stations. After the containers carried by the container strip have been filled, the cover and container strips are again joined in a sealed manner along their edges outside the sterile enclosure.

Abstract: A composite strip for producing a sterile package comprises two superposed individual strips, the inner surfaces of which are sterile, and at least one of which comprises a thermoplastic material. The thermoplastic material is such that after the separation of the two individual strips, the individual strip comprising thermoplastic material can be sealed to a part of itself or to the other strip by welding or glueing with the application of heat and pressure. A first part of one individual strip and another part of the same strip or of the other individual strip are joined at their edges in a sealed manner to form a hollow and sealed packing.

Abstract: This invention relates to a method and apparatus for the aseptic packaging of high acid food products. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a method whereby preformed barrier plastic containers are immersed in an aqueous sterilizing bath at a temperature ranging from 212.degree. F. to 140.degree. F. for a time interval ranging from one to sixty seconds, following which, after draining the sterilizing liquid therefrom, the containers are filled with presterilized high acid food product under essentially inert atmosphere conditions and thereafter closed in an inert atmosphere by sealing a sterile closure element thereto. Novel apparatus for automatically carrying out the method of the invention is also provided.

Abstract: An automatic photographic print and film packaging mechanism inserts individual orders of prints and film into multilayered packaging envelopes formed in a continuous strip. The mechanism sequentially seals the sides of the envelopes and cuts the envelopes from the strip. The mechanism has provision for either sealing the top of a cut envelope and depositing the same in a first collection station or depositing the cut envelope with the top unsealed into second collection station.

Abstract: A process for sterilizing an article, more particularly packaging material, by wetting the article with a sterilizing solution having an active-chlorine-concentration in the range of 500 to 20,000 mg/l, and treating the sterilized article with an aqueous solution of hydrogen peroxide to deactivate any remaining active-chlorine.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to internally sterilize a tube of packing material in which a sterile product is being introduced. The sterilizing agent is introduced into the tube in liquid form wherein it is vaporized. When it is vaporized, it rises upwardly in the tube of packing material and condenses on the interior surface of the tube of material.

Abstract: An apparatus and process for aligning elongated articles is disclosed. A plurality of barrier surfaces are positioned transversely to the longitudinal axis of a vibratory trough through which said articles are moved. The surfaces may comprise gates, which are moved between opened and closed positions at timed intervals so that batches of the articles are alternately bunched up behind a closed gate and dispersed as they move through the trough, or may alternatively comprise cleats on a movable belt. An increased degree of parallel orientation occurs each time a batch of articles contacts a barrier surface.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically filling bags with particulate materials in which the method may comprise the steps of: vertically suspending a bag having a sealed bottom and an open top; filling the suspended bag through its open top with particulate materials to near a predetermined net weight; weighing the suspended bag and its contents as the filling continues; terminating the filling of the bag in response to reaching a predetermined net weight; and sealing the top of the bag.

Abstract: A service unit capable of supplying sterile utilities including compressed air and water and preferably both hot and cold water, disinfectant and suction, is particularly adapted to be connected to machines for the packaging of foods, medicines and the like under aseptic conditions to provide servicing utilities. The service unit has the advantage of being capable of supplying sterile utilities to such aseptic packaging machines from outside the aseptic screen surrounding the packaging workspace and thus to be capable of providing sterile services to several packaging machines in turn.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to extract sterilized air and vapor from a packaging machine and the sterilizing agent is separated from the sterilized air and the sterilized air is recirculated to the packaging machine for further use.

Abstract: Extending into the open end of a cylindrical container is the stem of an earplug inserter that has an enlarged portion outside of the container forming a shoulder spaced from the open end of the container. Enclosing the stem between it and the encircling side wall of the container is a thin sound-attenuating mat of fibers, the marginal portion of which extends out of the container and flares outwardly across the inserter shoulder. This mat forms an earplug that is removable with the inserter from the container to permit insertion of the earplug in an ear by means of the inserter, which is then withdrawn from the plug. The earplug is made by placing a flat fibrous mat against the open end of the container and then pushing it into the container by means of the inserter stem.

Abstract: Method for packaging in a carton full size yarn packages by a yarn producing machine provided with a plurality of yarn package producing units. A predetermined number of full size yarn packages are firstly doffed from the corresponding spindles of the yarn producing machine at once by means of the bobbins chucks which are displaceable as one group, and each doffed yarn package is wrapped separately by a film bag while holding by the corresponding bobbin chuck. Next the yarn packages wrapped with the corresponding film bags are deposited at once into a space of a carton by displacing the bobbin chucks, and after releasing the gripping of the yarn packages by the respective bobbin chucks, these bobbin chucks are displaced to their standby positions.

Abstract: An automatic packaging system for coin rolls which includes a conveyor for receiving coin rolls from a plurality of wrapping machines and transporting the rolls in seriatim in the direction of the axes of the rolls. The conveyor comprises a driven continuous belt which is inclined transversely to its direction of movement, with a continuous guide rail cooperating with the lower portion of the belt to form a generally V-shaped track along which the coin rolls are conveyed by the driven belt, with the V shape of the track bringing the coin rolls into axial alignment with each other. The guide rail forms at least one coin slot for discharging any loose coins that fall onto the track. The conveyor includes a first belt which is driven at a fast speed, a second belt which is driven at a slow speed to accumulate the coin rolls in closely spaced relation to each other, and a third belt which is driven at a fast speed to space the rolls farther apart again at uniform intervals.

Abstract: An apparatus for the sterile filling of products into cup-shaped containers, which comprises an endless conveyor passing containers in sterile condition in succession through treatment stations including a filling station, a lid-applying station, a sealing station and an ejection station. A large sterile chamber formed beneath an applied covering hood and enclosing all said treatment stations is provided; and before the treatment stations, as seen in the direction of travel of said conveyor, and in above the conveyor there are of a finished-container magazine and a short-path, quick-acting sterilization station including a sterilizing-agent sprayer and sterilizing-agent drier is above the conveyor and enclosed by the covering hood.

Abstract: Apparatus for conditioning sterile liquid products in a continuous tubular pack comprises an enclosure containing means for sterilizing a web of material intended to form the pack, means in the enclosure for forming the web into a tube and means for filling the tube with a sterile liquid product. The enclosure is capable of resisting an internal pressure of hot water at 120.degree. C of at least 3 kg/cm.sup.2 and is provided with means for temporarily sealing an inlet slot through which the web can be fed into the enclosure, and an outlet slot through which the tube can leave the enclosure.

Abstract: A method of aseptically packaging pre-sterilized foodstuffs is described. The method used `dry` radiation methods for sterilizing packaging material in an aseptic workspace either before or after construction of the container as such. The internal surfaces of the packaging material supplied to the workspace are coated with a radiation resistant lacquer. After sterilization the containers are filled with food such as milk or yoghurt and heat sealed.

Abstract: In packing a sterile filling material under aseptic conditions, a pre-fabricated container is arranged in a holder device which is arranged on a conveyor belt which latter is translatable through a tunnel wherein a sterile atmosphere is maintained by a sterilizing electronic spray. In this tunnel and in the presence of this sterile atmosphere the filling and closing of the container is carried out.

Abstract: Packaging method and apparatus for positively nesting a plurality of individual pieces or articles in a nesting media for containerizing or storage. This nesting media comprises a base member of permanently deformable material such as cellular polystyrene. The individual pieces to be nested are initially placed on the upper surface of the base member in a desired oriented position relative to each other. Thereafter, the base and pieces are conveniently moved along a work path which includes a movable force member disposed thereabove over a portion thereof. As the base member is moved beneath the force member, the force member is moved toward the work path and base member a distance sufficient to engage the pieces or articles and force them at least partially into the base, thus creating the nested relationship between them. The force member is then moved away from the work path and base member in preparation for receiving another base member with pieces or articles positioned therein.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a tank, having a perforated wall disposed above its bottom, arranged to be flooded with a disinfectant and to have the disinfectant drained therefrom, and arranged to have a laminar flow of germ-free air under pressure directed against the surface of the liquid during draining thereof. A pair of laterally spaced guide rails extend longitudinally through the tank in parallel relation with each other. A plurality of container-working stations and a container-filling station are arranged linearly along the guide rails, each container-working station comprising a pair of mutually displaceable, mirror-reversed mating tool parts, each mounted on a respective guide rail. A pair of webs of thermoplastic material or metal foil, which have already been subjected to a preliminary aseptic treatment, are constantly supplied into the tank for step-by-step displacement along the several container-working stations and the container-filling station.

Abstract: A sterilizing device for web shaped packaging material in which the length of travel of the web after sterilant has been applied is increased, prior to the drying operation, and the sterilant on the film is heated during this increased path in order to increase the activity of the sterilant and allow complete sterilization even at high speeds. This is accomplished by a heated metal cylinder and a chamber which surrounds the web between the cylinder and the drying operation, into which chamber is blown heated sterile air.

Abstract: A loading machine and a method for loading small chip capacitors into apertures on an elongated plastic carrier strip are disclosed. The carrier strip is fed along a guide channel which supplies chip capacitors to a feed station. Below the feed station a punch punches apertures in the carrier strip and a gripper engages the strip to index it upwardly to the level of the feed station. A pusher arm at the feed station pushes each chip through the aperture in the carrier strip against a micrometer adjustment member behind the strip. A chip unloading machine is also disclosed in which a loaded carrier strip is fed through a guide channel to a pusher member which is cam operated under the control of an electrical timing mechanism that allows the pusher to push the chip capacitors out of their respective apertures at the proper time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for packaging products such as foodstuffs in which containers are made by heat deforming a band of thermoplastic material in which the band is deformed, the containers are filled, and a metallic cover coated with a thermoplastic material is secured to the filled container in a pressurised environment for example, in the presence of superheated dried steam. The containers are cooled in a connected chamber prior to leaving a housing in which the environment is produced and cutting of the containers from the band and one another.