Abstract: A process for sterilizing and filling packages (1) for flowable media, open on one side, under the influence of pulsating light and use of a filler pipe (5) is improved to the effect that treatment by chemical media together with its associated disadvantages in avoided. For this, the package (1), enclosing the filler pipe (5) and the light source (7), is moved sufficiently far relatively to the filler pipe (5) and to the light source (7) for the bottom edge (16) of the filler pipe (5) and the light source (7) to be located near to the closed end (3) of the package, sterile gas is blown into the package (1) and the light is allowed to take effect, and after shutting off the light source (7), the light source (7) is moved along in one direction and the package (1), being filled, is moved in the other direction, then closed and transported onwards.

Abstract: A carton end panel folding mechanism for forcing both the leading and trailing panels of a gable top carton inwardly prior to the sealing of same. The folding mechanism includes four equally spaced blades, wherein each blade is shaped along its leading and trailing edges so as to be engaged at its trailing edge by a leading panel, forcing the leading panel inwardly and the blade forward, causing the leading edge of the next blade to engage the trailing panel and urge same inwardly.

Abstract: A carton end closure score line breaker mechanism for pre-breaking the top closure score lines before the filling and closing and sealing steps does not include a center post, or any components which extend into the inside of a carton end closure, eliminating any chance for contamination inside the end panels. The center-free breaker mechanism includes a pair of blades each having an arcuate center section for caving in the adjacent end panel and, thereby, bulging the side end panels and pulling in the oppositely disposed panel, and a blade fork and another pair of blades, wherein the blade fork includes two longitudinal, parallel blades which slide across the side body panels, and each blade of the other pair is a flat-faced bar for engaging the adjacent end panel and causing the side end panels to project outwardly completing the pre-breaking of all end closure score lines.

Abstract: An apparatus for use while moving a container from a first processing station to a second processing station of a packaging machine is set forth which includes pincers for temporarily holding the sealing panels of the container in a generally closed condition as the container is moved from the first processing station to the second processing station. In accordance with one embodiment of a packaging machine that includes the apparatus, the first processing station may be a filling station and the second processing station may be a sealing station. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus, a corresponding method is also contemplated.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for adapting a machine employing a wheel assembly to apply a carrier stock to two rows of containers, such as beverage bottles, so that the machine can employ a carrier stock with each carrier having two container-engaging portions and a handle portion joined to the container-engaging portions at a longitudinally extending junction. A camming member for reconfiguring the carrier stock from a flattened condition into a reconfigured condition is positioned so that the carrier stock is drawn past the camming member before the carrier stock is received by the wheel assembly and is arranged to spread the container-engaging portions of the carriers laterally so that the handle portions of the carriers tend to be downwardly turned about the longitudinally extending junction of the carrier stock.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for forming a sealed end portion of a carton wherein at least one surface of the carton is formed from a material that functions as an adhesive when heated to a predetermined temperature and wherein each open end portion is sealed by folding minor flaps to close at least a portion of the open end portion, moving the carton by a relatively fixed elongated reinforcing strip of material, heating the material in at least a portion of a first major flap to the predetermined temperature, folding the first major flap so that at least a portion of the elongated reinforcing strip of material is located between fold lines of the folded minor flaps and the folded first major flap, folding a second major flap to a superposed relationship with the first major flap and applying pressure to the first and second major flaps against the elongated reinforcing strip of material while continuing the movement of the carton until the first and second major flaps are sealed together.

Abstract: A machine and process for more efficient closing of a filled clamshell package at a faster rate than previous machines or processes intended for the same purpose. The machine is most useful for packaging agricultural products such as berries.

Abstract: Improvements are disclosed in a machine for applying carrier stock of resilient polymeric material to substantially identical containers, each having an upper rim of a given diameter and a side wall of a larger diameter. The carrier stock has container-receiving apertures in longitudinal rows. A conveyor conveys the containers in longitudinal rows. A wheel assembly comprising two wheels with paired jaws receives the stock, stretches the stock transversely, and moves the stock downwardly past the rims. The conveyor, the wheel assembly, and the jaws on one wheel are adjustable for applying the stock selectively in a rim-applied carrier position or in a side-applied carrier position. The conveyor is supported by a table and is adjustable vertically, via spacers insertable between the table and a base. The wheel assembly is adjustable longitudinally, via rollers on longitudinal rails. The jaws on one wheel are adjustable transversely, via screws.

Abstract: Multicontainer packages are formed by longitudinally advancing a plurality of containers in a predetermined array having a predetermined transverse width through a packaging station underneath a flexible harness strip having a plurality of loops and positioning a thin and highly flexible film having a transverse width substantially greater than the transverse width of the array under the harness strip and above the array. Then the harness strip is pressed down on the film and the harness strip and film are pressed down on the containers in the station and to fit the loops over the respective containers while forming in the film at each container a pocket snugly engaging over the respective container and held tight around the respective container by the respective loop.

Abstract: A description is given of an apparatus for folding in the front face of a pack (1, 1') made of cardboard coated with plastics material, the front face of which pack is quadrangular in the plan view in the folded in condition and has a transverse sealing seam (5) which can be folded over, having a fold member (b) and a companion fold member (a), which are both driven movably along specific paths of movement by at least one lever mechanism (8-13), and amongst which a conveyer is arranged at a spacing away in the Y-extent, which conveyer moves the packs (1, 1') in the X-extent, wherein the Y-axis is vertical to the X-axis and the zero point of the axes (X, Y) is disposed in the end fold position of the two fold members (a, b) so that the bottom of a pack can be folded in one single step without any subdivision into pre-folding and re-folding steps, and so that no component parts of the machine engage in the pack, preferably not even over the open pack, it is provided that a Y-Z-plane extending in the Z-extent is

Abstract: A recycling strip for holding, storing, toting, and returning empty recyclable plastic bottles, for instance, soft drink bottles. The strip has a plurality of collar holes distributed uniformly and unilinearly along the strip. The collar holes have a diameter sligthly larger than the outside diameter of a common plastic bottleneck. The collar holes have radial slits forming collars which enable a bottleneck flange to be engaged in the strip. The strip is then used for transporting engaged bottles and can be recycled with the bottles. The strip may be loaded in a dispenser which provides a convenient means of storing the strip. The dispenser also holds the strip securely so that a bottle may be engaged in the strip with a single one handed motion. Furthermore the dispenser provides an engagement mechanism, which aligns a collar hole in the strip with the collar openning of the dispenser and prevents the strip from uncontrolled travel out of the dispenser.

Abstract: An apparatus and related method for sealing paperboard cartons with overlapping flanges on the side panel and cover in a continuous operation is disclosed. At least one of the flanges is an inverted U-shaped flange extending outwardly from the side of the carton as the carton is moved along a longitudinal feed path by a conveyor. Adhesive is provided between the flanges and the flanges are pressed together by upper and lower rotary members; the lower member including an inwardly projecting segment mating with the underside of the inverted U-shaped flange so that the sealing can proceed without interference with the depending portions of the U-shaped flange. The projecting segment is mounted on a disc positioned outboard of the feed path so as to provide touch contact for self centering of the carton. The segment on the lower disc is elongated in the direction of the feed path and includes a series of ridges on the pressure face to increase the sealing effect.

Abstract: A machine which installs a carrier of elastic material having openings therein onto an end portion of an article such as a beverage can and the like. The machine moves the article generally forwardly relative to the carrier so that a leading edge of the end portion of the article engages the carrier along a portion of the periphery of one of the openings. The carrier is forced by a guide bar downwardly against the end portion of the article so that the carrier tends to be stretched and to be pushed onto the end portion of the article with the end portion being received in the opening. Fingers engaging the carrier in its openings operate cooperatively with the guide bar as the article moves forwardly relative to the carrier to force the carrier against the end portion. The fingers stretch the carrier laterally around the periphery of the end portion as the article moves forwardly relative to the carrier, generally following the contour of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for sealing a gable-top container to allow easier opening, as well as the carton sealed by the method provided When the container is sealed, a portion of at least one sealing jaw is recessed to prevent functional impairment of the underlying pouring spout tips.

Abstract: A package of substantially identical containers, such as beverage cans, and a carrier and a method of making such packages are disclosed. The carrier has band segments defining container-receiving apertures and additional apertures. The carrier is applied so that the containers are received in the container-receiving apertures and so that the band segments engage cylindrical side walls of the containers. Among the band segments, terminal cross segments define opposite ends of the carrier and medial cross segments separate the container-receiving apertures in each longitudinal row. Each medial cross segment is severed partially, for a substantial distance along its transverse midline, from one of the opposite edges of the carrier, toward one of the additional apertures and has at least one secondary slit extending transversely between the transverse midline and one of the container-receiving apertures.

Abstract: A machine and method for automatically loading a cassette into the storage compartment of a security package at a load station. A package and a cassette are moved simultaneously toward each other from a supply of such packages and cassettes by power actuated slide plates with the cassette being located above the level of the package. In a first embodiment a pivotally mounted pressure actuated cam plate forces a front end of the cassette in an angular direction partially into the storage compartment and then force the remainder of the cassette completely into the storage compartment as the slide plate continues to move the package toward the load station. In a second embodiment the slide plate moves the cassette along a cam plate and partially into the storage compartment, afterwhich, a pressure actuated plunger forces the remainder of the cassette into the storage compartment.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for assembling a plurality of articles with carriers in a connected carrier strip. The apparatus and method separates the strip of carriers assembled with a plurality of articles to form discrete packages of a plurality of articles by dividing the carrier strip horizontally tranversely to the path of travel of the articles and the assembled carrier strip. The portion of the apparatus for separating the articles is positionable between groups of articles moving along a path of travel and provides tensioning of the carrier strip between groups of articles to facilitate dividing the carrier strip along weakened lines.

Abstract: Carrier stock formed from a single sheet of resilient polymeric material, such as low density polyethylene, for machine application to side walls of substantially identical containers. Integrally joined band segments defining separate apertures to receive the individual containers include longitudinal, cross, and diagonal segments. The diagonal segments are joined at generally X-shaped junctions. From each junction, the generally oblique segments of a first pair are continuously curved toward the nearer edge of such stock and the diagonal segments of a second pair are substantially straight and tend toward the other edge of such stock. Each diagonal segment of the first pair at each junction has a progressively changing width, being wider at its end joined at such junction than at its other end, and has a substantially uniform width.

Abstract: An apparatus and a process for bonding a cardboard blank which has been coated or laminated with a plastic film, and particularly for hinge-lid packets such as cigarette packets on a continuously operated packing machine. The plastic film and a portion of the underlying cardboard material are first treated to expose a more suitable surface for bonding. Preferably, such treatment is by contacting with an apparatus which penetrates the plastic coating and creates depressions in the underlying cardboard. Subsequently, an adhesive is applied to the treated surface. The treated surface is compressed with the complementary area of the cardboard blank to be bonded. The apparatus of the invention comprises a heatable member whose contact surface may be comprised several rows of juxtaposed points or tips which may be approximately 1 to 5 mm in height.

Abstract: A method and apparatus of applying carriers to arrays of containers, in particular cans, comprising providing a web of interconnected plastic carriers, each carrier having an array of openings for receiving the upper ends of the containers, the configuration of the openings being slightly less than the cross section of the upper ends of the containers, providing a plurality of containers, each container having a bead, a neck and a body portion, moving the cans in a predetermined path, moving the web in a downward converging path with respect to the direction of movement of the containers, engaging the trailing edges of the beads of each transverse row of containers with the trailing edges of a corresponding row of openings in the carrier.

Abstract: Packaging films, and packages made with those films which have reduced sensitivity to humidity. The films include a first layer comprising an EVOH copolymer and a second layer comprising a vinylidene chloride copolymer. Packages made with the vinylidene chloride copolymer layer between the low ethylene content EVOH copolymer and the contained product provide high oxygen barrier properties under both high and low humidity conditions. At high humidity conditions, the oxygen barrier properties of the package are provided by the vinylidene chloride copolymer. At lower humidity conditions, the packaging material provides the superior oxygen barrier properties of the EVOH. So the packages of the invention provide superior oxygen barrier properties of the low ethylene content EVOH at lower humidities. But the oxygen barrier properties of the package are never less than those provided by the vinylidene chloride copolymer, even at high humidity conditions.

Abstract: A machine and method for sealing closed an integral neck of blow molded bottle and simultaneously forming an integral twist-off.

Abstract: A strip cutoff assembly for successively partitioning an array of can-type containers connected by a continuous plastic strip as the array travels along a conveyor at a constant rate. The strip cutoff assembly includes a pair of endless chains carrying a cutting device in an orbit about a series of axles for periodically dividing the array into units of a predetermined length. An alignment device connected to the cutting device contacts the containers so as to evenly space the containers as the cutting device traverses the plastic strip.

Abstract: An apparatus for closing lidded cartons has a turning station including a flightless horizontal conveyor, and a chain conveyor which extends along one side of the flightless conveyor and has light restraint members pivotally mounted on its links. The chain conveyor is moved in the same direction as the horizontal conveyor, but at a slower speed. Part way along the chain conveyor an upwardly directed air jet moves the restraint members individually but in succession to temporary raised positions in which they are available for engagement by a carton which is moving along the flightless conveyor in overlapping relation to the chain conveyor. A restraint member engaged by a carton in this way thereafter serves as a fulcrum about which the carton pivots through a substantial angle. Plough bars later complete the rotation of the carton through 90.degree. in total.

Abstract: A presaturated wipe product having a dilute glutaraldehyde saturated pad secured to a layer of packaging material is provided. The saturated pad is sealed in the packaging and the entire package is subjected to .gamma.-irradiation in order to maintain the disinfectant activity of the pad over an extended period of time.

Abstract: A retortable, hydraulically solid, sealed package (10) containing a liquid or semi-liquid food product (24) comprises a thermoplastics container (12) formed by a thermo-forming process and a heat-shrinkable thermoplastics closure diaphragm (20). The closure diaphragm is heat-sealed to a rim (18) of the container after the headspace above the product has been evacuated, and is subsequently subjected to external pressure so as to be non-elastically stretched and made to lie wholly in contact with the enclosed product. When retorted (e.g. for sterilization) the package suffers no visible deformation of the container (12), despite the considerable volume shrinkage of the container which may occur. The loss of volume caused by this volume shrinkage is accommodated by a reduction in the concavity of the diaphragm (20) caused by a corresponding heat-induced shrinkage of the diaphragm material.

Abstract: A method for fusing together the bottom of a charged tubular container, formed of a synthetic resin, with its mouth being turned down, comprising the steps of:engaging a flattened portion of the upper end of said tubular container with one side of a vibrator terminal provided at the lower end of an ultrasonic generator oscillating at a given angle to said flattened portion, andapplying ultrasonic vibrations on said one side of said terminal, thereby applying said ultrasonic vibrations on said flattened portion.

Abstract: A mechanism for automatically closing and sealing cardboard boxes, cartons and the like of various sizes. A four- or six-corner glued carton having a hinged cover is conveyed in a first direction to a location where the carton is maintained in a prescribed position. Carriage and closure assemblies are advanced simultaneously to initiate closing of the hinged cover and to subsequently completely close the cover and displace the closed carton in a second direction to a means for sealing the carton and to a conveyor means.

Abstract: A method of producing a package for storing and/or shipping material, and particularly pulverized material such as coffee, provides producing an inner container for placing therein the material by folding flexible sheet material so as to form a substantially rectangular shape and securing the folded edges to each other by adhesion. The so-obtained inner container is inserted into an outer container of similar shape and attached to the inner wall surface of the outer container. One side of the inner container can be conveniently cut open for removal of material and the outer container has on its side adjacent to the side of the inner container which is intended to be opened a closure member which can be opened to provide access to the inner container and can be closed again.

Abstract: A chemical seal for isolating the liquid phase of a contained liquid from the vapor phase present in the container headspace comprises a chemically impregnated gel formed by mixing a biopolymer gel, a high molecular weight polymer and chemical impregnants with water to form a gel-forming aqueous solution which is applied to the surface of the contained liquid and allowed to solidify thereby forming a mechanically stable, chemically impregnated gel seal in intimate contact with the contained liquid.

Abstract: The invention relates to a sheet metal container adapted so that it can withstand an internal pressure. The container comprises two combined shell-shaped cavities, compression-moulded from the same web which cavities are brought together as the web is doubled along pre-impressed folding lines in two steps, namely a first step wherein the longitudinal edges of the web are joined together to form a tube of an elongated, substantially triangular cross-section, and a second step when the tube formed, after the contents have been introduced, is pressed flat and is sealed around the shell-shaped cavities. Finally the web is cut or punched around the hollow bodies formed by the shell-shaped portions to form a flange, closed in itself, which flange is folded down or beaded.

Abstract: A method of and an installation for packaging in a sterile medium employs a composite film constituted in a thermoplastic film in which containers are formed, and a covering film with their opposing faces sterile. These are separated at the entrance to a sterile enclosure in which the containers are formed and filled, in a sterile atmosphere, the thermoplastic film forming the lower wall of the enclosure. The full containers are covered with a strip from which lids are formed without the inside of the containers being able to be contaminated, and the covering strip and thermoplastic film are connected in an air-tight manner. The method and installation are particularly suitable for packaging perishable food products, in particular dairy products.

Abstract: A method of forming a heat-sealable carton having a pair of mating surfaces to be sealed includes the steps of coating at least one of the carton surfaces with a heat-activated thermosetting adhesive, spraying a fine mist of a water-based adhesive which exhibits high contact tackiness when dry, to form a discontinuous film on the coated surface, heating the water-based adhesive coated surface to a temperature sufficient to dry the water-based adhesive and activate the thermosetting adhesive, placing the mating carton surfaces in contact with each other and applying pressure for a time sufficient to seal the contacting surfaces together. A carton formed by the method is provided with flaps sealed by the combination of thermosetting heat-activated adhesive and high tack water-based adhesive. This allows the mating surfaces to be rapidly sealed by automatic carton closing apparatus and results in a sealed carton which exhibits good seal integrity at high temperatures.

Abstract: Apparatus for automatically outfolding the leading and trailing gusset panels of the end closure of a rectangular carton being moved along a predetermined path on a continuous conveyor. First and second arms are attached to a vertical shaft and to a sleeve mounted for independent rotation about the shaft. The shaft and sleeve rotate in opposite directions so that one arm contacts the leading gusset panel and folds it outward along a line at an angle to its hinged edges and the other arm subsequently contacts the trailing gusset panel and similarly folds it outward. A plow positioned adjacent the conveyor path begins to plow the major end closure panel toward the carton opening while the rotating arm is in contact with the leading gusset panel.