Abstract: An extensible bearing element of a tool for sealing a bottom or a lid of a cardboard package on a body of said package has a generally polygonal shape and a cross-sectional profile. The bearing element is formed by two parallel extension sections extending along an extension direction, each connected, at one of their ends, to a bearing section. The extension sections and the bearing section define an inflation cavity. The extension sections are configured to extend along the extension direction when the bearing element is inflated. The bearing section comprises a substantially flat, free bearing surface that contacts the package body. The bearing surface extends along a plane substantially normal to the extension direction. The bearing section further comprises, at the junctions with the extension sections, beveled release portions. An inflation device comprising such an extensible bearing element is also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to apparatus 1 for releasably securing the lid 2 of a receptacle 3 for removal or replacement of the lid, the apparatus 1 comprising means 6 defining first and second vacuum chambers 5,7, the second vacuum chamber 7 being adapted to contact and secure a lid 2 when a pressure drop occurs in said second chamber 7, the arrangement being such that creating of a vacuum in the first chamber 5 acts on the defining means 6 to create a pressure drop in the second chamber 7 without fluid flow between the chambers, the pressure drop being sufficient to secure the lid 2 for removal of the lid from the receptacle.

Abstract: A rotary capping apparatus and feedback control apparatus for regulating torque applied to screw-on type caps for containers is disclosed. The present system is integrated into a machine suitable for a clean-room environment. The apparatus includes a supporting frame whereon a computer-controlled driving mechanism including a servomotor for transmitting a predetermined torque to an inflatable gripping device actuated by compressed air for gripping and torquing such caps is provided. The inflatable gripper is imparted with automatic vertical height adjustment to accommodate containers of various sizes. The present rotary capping apparatus provides an integrated closed loop feedback control system utilizing a computer for setting parameters for regulating the application of such torque and a servocontroller interfaced for bidirectional communication with the computer.

Abstract: A method of supporting a plastic container exposed to elevated temperatures during product filling and packaging to eliminate heat and internal pressure induced distortion, internal vacuum distortion, or structural failure. Plastic containers usually have a body with exterior configuration and a sealable open mouth. The invention provides a method of hot filling, pasteurising and retort processing of conventional containers during product filling where at least a portion of the container is confined in a support casing having an interior cavity mating the exterior configuration of the container body portion. The product is then introduced into the container, and the container mouth is sealed. A positive pressure is induced within the sealed container while the container is exposed to a product processing temperature. An unsupported PET container exposed to high heat and internal pressure variations would distort or fail.

Abstract: A handle taping system provides a mechanism for a taping station that is actuated by the passage of any of a variety of articles or products being conveyed therepast. A length of a first pressure sensitive carrier tape, whose length is automatically determined in accordance with the length of the article is applied in adhering relation to the leading face of the article and the tape drawn lengthwise from the reel by passage of the article therealong. A second, blanking ribbon is released in adhering relation with the first tape, having the pressure sensitive adherent face of the tape pressed in securing relation with the ribbon, to form a handle portion. As the article trailing end passes a first limit switch the blanking ribbon is automatically severed, thus limiting the length of the blanked handle portion of the first tape to a desired length relative to the length of the article.

Abstract: A radially expansible press plunge comprising two main parts named formation part (1) and expansion part (2) which are movable in relation to each other, and in which the expansion part (2) is arranged to provide an expansion of at least some part (16) of the press plunge when the said main parts (1, 2) are moved together, and in which the expansion part (2) comprises a cup formed expansion body (16), and in which the formation part (1) is designed with a formation surface (12) against which at least parts of the expansion body (16) is adapted to slide when the formation part (1) and the expansion part (2) are moved axially towards each other, and in which the expansion part (2) is materially composed of two different portions, namely an outer press portion (19) for executing the actual radially outwards directed contact pressure of the press plunge and consisting of a wear resistant, temperature resistant and elastic material, and an inner carrier portion (20) of a relatively hard, elastic material, preferab

Abstract: A plunger (4) for joining an inner workpiece (7) to an outer tubular workpiece (2) is disclosed. The plunger includes an expansion element (9) which engages the inner workpiece and crimps it to the outer workpiece. The expansion element (9) is an annular cup-shaped resilient element which is mounted on a part (21) which is movable relative to a body (8) and to a bottom plate (16). The body (8) and its bottom plate (16) are provided with guide surfaces which are spaced apart to provide a space through which the expansion element may pass upon movement of member 21. The guide surfaces constrain the resilient expansion element to move into pressure applying engagement with the inner workpiece.

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: There is described an apparatus and a method for the foil-capping of bottles with a patch of metal foil having a point and an adhesive back, comprising(a) adhering each patch to the neck of a bottle by its central area with the upper area of the foil projecting above the bottle neck,(b) applying the laterally projecting patch ends so that they overlap one another,(c) folding down the area of each patch projecting above the bottle neck to the bottle side away from the patch point, and(d) simultaneously pressing down and smoothing the folded down patch area onto the top side and all about the circumferential margin adjacent thereto.A neater tear-free arrangement of the foil about the top and sides of the neck of the bottle results.

Abstract: The device comprises a first pair of pressure chambers, the facing inner walls of which are provided with contoured pleating pads, and a second pair or pressure chambers, the facing inner walls of which are provided with contoured pressing and lapping pads, each said pad being outwardly shaped to substantially correspond to the shape of a bottle neck. The pleating pads have a substantially constant thickness when the pressing and lapping pads have lateral end portions of a greater thickness than the mid-portion thereof. The method comprises the step of first pressure applying the pleating pads, then the pressing and lapping pads to tightly press the cap onto the bottle neck with formation of two symmetrical pairs of outwardly extending pleats, to retract all the pads and to bring back the pressing and lapping pads into pressure contact against the neck to cause said lateral end portions thereof to overflow around the bottle neck, thereby to fold or lap over the thus formed pleats.

Abstract: A collet head at a sealing machine which includes a bushing having a gripper for accommodating a seal, characterized by a flexible diaphragm radially compressible by pressure fluid to apply contractible forces to a segmented gripper jaw.