Abstract: A Method of Processing a Container and Base Cup Structure For Removal of Vacuum Pressure A plastic container (10) has a wall extending to a lower portion including a pressure panel (20). The panel (20) is transversely oriented and can move from a downwardly inclined position providing a geometrically unstable configuration to an upwardly inclined position providing a geometrically stable configuration to control pressure change in the container. This movement may be provided by suitable actuating means such as rod (22). In the unstable configuration a base cup 50 or any other suitable holder can support the container and enable it to be conveyed in a container handling or processing system.

Abstract: The system for removing or replacing caps for vials in a fixed array includes a removable cartridge with a plurality of sets of gripper plates corresponding to the number of columns in the array. Each plate has a plurality of gripper arms corresponding to the number of rows in the array. The gripper arms have hooked ends which are oriented in opposite directions in each set of plates. Relative positioning of the gripper arms is varied by one or more rotating cams, which cause the gripper arms on one plate of each set to move relative to the gripper arms of the other plate(s) of the set, varying the combined width and/or relative angle of the gripper arms to manipulate a cap inserted into the end of each vial. The plurality of plate sets and gripper arms allow all vials in the array to be capped or de-capped simultaneously.

Abstract: A closer for pressing a lid onto a container includes a presser foot mounted for reciprocating movement into and out of force applying engagement with the lid; an actuator moveable between retracted and extended positions; and a force multiplying assembly disposed in operative relationship intermediate the presser foot and the actuator for multiplying an input force from the actuator to a predetermined maximum lid pressing force at the extended position.

Abstract: A stopper change device (10) includes an airtight chamber body (21) detachably mountable on a head of a bottle, a gas supply port (19) for supplying N gas to the chamber body, an air vent valve (57) for discharging air from the chamber body, a first supporting structure (28) movable upward and downward for supporting a corkscrew, and a second supporting structure (34) movable upward and downward for containing a substitute stopper. The first and second supporting structures are mutually position changeable, and one of them is selectively placed above an opening of the bottle. When the first supporting structure (28) is placed above the opening, a bottle stopper can be pulled in N gas atmosphere. On the other hand, when the second supporting structure (34) is placed above the opening, the substitute stopper is mountable on the head of the bottle in N gas atmosphere.

Abstract: An apparatus and an automated method are disclosed by which embossed seals are created in the necks of corked bottles. A die is employed with an image bearing die surface. The bottle moves along an automated bottle track. Molten seal material is introduced into the cavity above the cork in the neck of the bottle. The image bearing surface of the seal embossing mechanism is superimposed over the mouth of the bottle containing the molten seal material. The seal embossing mechanism is centered relative to the top of the bottle. The die surface is extended from the seal embossing mechanism into contact with the surface of the molten seal material. The mechanism is motivated along an automated seal track coincident with the movement of the bottle along the automated bottle track with the image bearing die surface in contact with the molten seal material until the material has cooled so that the die impression will be retained by the sealing material. The image bearing die surface is then retracted.

Abstract: A capsule filling machine is provided which is characterized in that contents substance m is force fed into a body B accommodated and held in a body pocket 221 using a force feeding screw 33 to fill the contents substance m.

Abstract: An embossed seal is formed in a cavity in the neck of a corked bottle over a cork using a die having a die surface with a die image. A first molten seal material is introduced into a die cavity. The die cavity is formed in part with the die surface. The introduction of the first molten seal material deposits an embossed seal portion with an embossed surface. The embossed seal portion is allowed to cool. A second molten seal material is introduced into the cavity of the neck of the corked bottle. The embossed seal portion is brought into contact with the molten seal material in the bottle cavity with the embossed surface disposed on top facing away from the molten seal material. The molten seal material partially melts the embossed seal portion to form a single seal upon cooling. The embossed seal portion is sufficiently cooled and solidified to prevent melting and damage of the embossed surface.

Abstract: An ink supply container for an ink-jet printer is provided with a main reservoir, which is typically maintained at ambient pressure. The main reservoir is coupled to a variable volume chamber via a one-way valve which allows the flow of ink from the reservoir to the chamber and prevents the flow of ink from the chamber to the reservoir. The chamber is coupled to a fluid outlet which is normally closed to prevent the flow of ink. A fill port is provided for directing ink into the reservoir to fill the reservoir. The apparatus and method for filling the ink container includes a nozzle that seals around the fill port and that has valved fluid lines connected thereto for evacuating the container prior to filling and for directing ink into the evacuated reservoir. The nozzle surrounds a plug that is moved to seal the port while the nozzle is still sealed around the port immediately after the container is filled.

Abstract: A kit for opening and sealing a cartridge having an interior ink reservoir coupled to an access port extending from a reference surface comprises a rigid plunger, a plate and a rigid spherical plug. The plate has one or more regions of varying thickness and a bottom surface which is complementary to the reference surface on the cartridge. The bottom surface of the plate may be matched to the reference surface of the cartridge in two distinct orientations such that a sealed access port may be opened, refilled and sealed with a rigid spherical plug by extension of the plunger through the plate in each orientation to a depth determined by the length of the plunger, the thickness of the plate in each orientation, the depth of the access port in the cartridge, and the diameter of the spherical plug.

Abstract: An apparatus for handling a plurality of elongated tubular bodies each having a small-diameter neck and a large-diameter shaft has a pair of support plates formed with respective similar arrays of throughgoing openings generally complementary to the section of the shafts of the bodies and spacers supporting the plates parallel to and spaced from each other with the openings arranged pairwise with one opening of each plate aligned along a respective axis with a respective opening of the other plate so that the bodies can be held therein. A stop plate parallel to and spaced from the support plates is formed with stop openings in an array like the openings of the support plates.

Abstract: A series of syringe bodies with their lower ends closed is filled with a solution of medicine to a predetermined level in the bodies. The syringe bodies are placed in a lyophilizer with the bodies arranged in a predetermined pattern. A plurality of plungers for the syringe bodies is arranged in a corresponding pattern and above the syringe bodies. After the medicine in the syringe bodies is lyophilized in the lyophilizer, a reduced pressure is created in the lyophilizer and the plungers are simultaneously moved into the syringe bodies to a predetermined level above the lyophilized medicine. The pressure within the lyophilizer is then increased to atmospheric and the assembled syringes are removed. Apparatus for implementing the process can include a lower rack having openings for retaining the syringe bodies in the predetermined pattern, and an upper rack seatable on the lower rack for retaining the piston portions of plungers in facing relation to, aligned with, and above the openings of the syringe bodies.

Abstract: An apparatus for inserting an internal lid (6, 7) in a tubular formed container (1) and for sealed connections of the lid to the inner of the container tube by constant heat welding, high frequency welding or ultrasonic welding and comprising a carrier (8) for holding the container tube (1) while introducing and weld connection the lid (6, 7), a support provided above the carrier (8) for positioning a plane punched out lid blank having a larger outer periphery than the inner periphery of the container tube, a piston means (16) pressing the lid blank into the container tube while folding a narrow edge rim (7) upwards from the lid plane (6) and in which the piston means comprises a lower piston part (18) and an upper piston part (20) which are axially movable in relation to each other and an expandable means (19) between said two piston parts (18, 20) which expandable means is pressed radially outwards when the two piston parts (18, 20) are compressed.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for manufacturing a tin-like container comprising a sleeve formed body or jacket (1) and at least one end closure (2, 3), in which the jacket (1) and the end closure or the end closures (2, 3) at the interior side of the container has a layer (5) of a constant heat weldable, high frequence weldable or ultrasonic weldable material, and in which the container is closed under sealed condition in that the end closure (2, 3) is formed with an edge flange extending all around the end closure and is introduced in the jacket (1) and is welded thereto. The introduction of the end closure (2, 3) in the jacket (1) is made by means of a press piston (14) having a press cone (15) which is formed with an expandable means (15d; 29).

Abstract: An apparatus for filling a container (12) having a receiving passage (14) with material and sealing the receiving passage (14) with a spherical sealing plug which is larger than the receiving passage (14) of the container (12) with the container (12) being subjected to a vacuum before and while being filled. A snout assembly (54) is movably mounted on a support structure (20, 22, 24) and includes a large piston-like portion (59) in sliding engagement within a guideway (28) in a housing (26) with a smaller tubular snout member (62) extending downwardly and into a fill passage (30) which is in sealing engagement with the receiving passage (14) of the container (12). The larger piston-like portion (59) of the snout assembly (54) has a material-receiving chamber (63) and a tubular valve member (68) engages a valve seat (66) to control the flow of material from the material chamber (63) to the delivery passage (56) and out the discharge end (58) of the smaller tubular snout member (62).

Abstract: An improved washing device in washing a sealing portion of an apparatus for sealing a container such as a bottle includes a washing cap adapted to be detachably mounted to a bottom of a sealing plunger of the sealing apparatus, and a washing liquid circulating device for circulating a washing liquid to portions of the sealing plunger to be washed by the intermediary of the washing cap.

Abstract: A closure arrangement for stoppering bottles with pressurized, carbonated, water-based liquid contents which comprises in combination; a bottle having a body portion, an elongated neck portion with two annular flanges thereon, and a mouth portion; and a one-piece elastomeric plastic molded corking means having an elongated cylindrical stopper insertable into the mouth of the bottle, a head connected to the stopper, an annular, circumferential ring positioned below the head, concentric with the stopper and capable of being received between the two annular flanges, a flexible, elongated folded tether connecting the ring to the head, and a plurality of short frangible bridges connecting the ring to the head, said bridges breaking when the ring is forced between the two flanges. The elongated tether provides a means for preventing injury when the cork is removed from the bottle.

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 disclosure is of a novel closure for air evacuated tubular containers and comprises a tubular body having flexible, elastic sidewalls, an open end, a closed end formed by a cannula-pierceable, flexible, elastic end wall having a concavo-convex configuration in cross-section and a flange disposed radially about the periphery of the open end. The novel closure structure takes advantage of the vacuum force in the container to maintain a gas-proof, hermetic seal, reduces the thickness required of the closure to maintain the hermetic seal and is easier to assemble in an air evacuated container. The disclosure is also of a novel method of assembling the closure of the invention in an air evacuated tubular container.

Abstract: Thermoplastic battery cover and container piece parts are fused together using vibratory energy, particularly ultrasonic welding, in which the horn has a depending skirt extending along an outer wall of the container and which serves to maintain the cover and container in mutual alignment and simultaneously contain the flow of the melt (flash). In another aspect, a particular interference joint between the components is described featuring a continuous ramp of 50-70 degrees and producing an interference fit for an improved weld. The invention is also directed to a cell or battery formed according to the method of the invention, as well as the horn.

Abstract: A manual stoppering container assembly having a central shaft which is threadedly secured to a handle on an upper portion and fixedly secured to a stoppering plate at a lower portion. The handle is rotatably secured in the cover plate for imparting reciprocal motion to the stoppering plate. The stoppering plate is guided by tracks in the container body. The cover plate is fluid-tightly mounted on a container body, so that the downward movement of the stoppering plate may force a plug into a sample vial while the container assembly is under vacuum.

Abstract: An automatic machine is provided for partially filling a cylindrical vial having one open end with a liquid, inserting a plug into the open end and fitting a cap onto the open end. The machine includes two turrets. Each of the turrets has a plurality of notches in the periphery thereof, the notches each being sized and shaped for receiving a respective one of the vials in an orientation with the open end of the vial directed upwardly. A filling station for partially filling the vials with a liquid is associated with the first turret. The vials automatically transfer from the first turret to the second turret. Respective stations for plugging and capping the vials are associated with the second turret.

Abstract: A tool for placing a lid or closure on a cup or container, such as a cardboard or plastic cup containing hot coffee delivered to a customer at a take-out food service establishment. The preferred form of tool has a upright handle with spring-loaded telescopic sections and a bottom member or shoe which fits snugly within an upstanding marginal flange of the lid with which this tool is to be used, so that when the tool is raised, the lid will be carried with it. The tool is manipulated to place the lid on the top of the cup filled with coffee or other liquid. Downward motion of the handle portion of the tool moves the telescopic portions relative to each other, first compressing a spring, and then suddenly releasing the spring with a hammer effect, to drive the lid into mating engagement with the cup, with just the right amount of pressure to produce adequate sealing between the cup and the lid, without damage to either. Alternative forms of tool, not employing the hammer effect, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A capping machine of the rotary type for closing filled bottle type packing containers for beer or other liquids which are made from a plastic material includes a lower wheel on which the bottles to be capped are placed and an upper wheel which supports closing rams which are movable vertically towards and away from the bottles by means of a cammed track. Caps loaded into a magazine are transferred one by one to the rams as the wheels turn, and the bottles are capped as the ram moves downward onto the bottle mouth.

Abstract: Ball inflating apparatus automatically operable through succession of cycles in each of which a ball inflation needle is momentarily exposed for reception of an end of the same through apertured valve housing of an inflatable ball of stretchable material. In each cycle the ball is also engaged between spaced ball sizing means. Simultaneously with each successive withdrawal of the needle from the valve housing, slide members reciprocated in fixed support base operable to present air sealing device in path of reciprocatable plunger, to urge the sealing device into valve housing aperture for retaining air in the inflated ball. With each withdrawal of inflating needle from fully inflated ball and after insertion of sealing device, full distention of inflated ball actuates ball sizing means to release inflated ball and initiate next successive ball inflation cycle.