Abstract: A folding device for placing an elastomer thin sleeve on a retainer includes a mandrel, one or more rollers, and a drive system. The mandrel is configured to translate relative to a portion of the folding device. The mandrel is adapted to releasably receive the retainer. The one or more rollers are configured to rotate relative to the mandrel. The rotation of the one or more rollers being configured to fold the sleeve onto the retainer. The drive system is configured to translate the mandrel and turn the one or more rollers.

Abstract: A system for packaging two or more containers with a paperboard carrier having two or more apertures. Each aperture has a plurality of tabs formed at an inside edge thereof that bend upward when contacting a lower edge of a chime of one of the containers. The system includes a platen having apertures for pressing the carrier down uniformly onto the containers and carrier supports configured for maintaining the carrier in a flat configuration as the platen presses the carrier onto the containers substantially simultaneously. Some embodiments of the system include a manual applicator, while other embodiments include a semi-automatic apparatus that utilize linear actuators to facilitate loading the carriers and applying the carriers to a group of containers. Methods of use are also disclosed.

Abstract: A fixture for facilitating the serial engraving of a plurality of cylindrical objects such as glasses or mugs mounted on individual serially arranged stations along a master base plate. Each station includes a drive structure and, spaced therefrom, a passive support structure. The two structures in each station can be gang-adjusted for object length. In addition, the support structures can be height-adjusted to level the engraved surfaces of tapered objects. All of the drive structures include drive wheel pairs and all are driven by a single stepper motor via a single shaft and individual belt and pulley systems.

Abstract: A packaging method includes feeding products, ordered into two rows, into a first ring winding unit of extensible film and winding the products in a first film having a first rotation direction to form a continuous packaging or bundle; feeding the wound products to a second ring winding unit of extensible film in a second film having a second rotation direction opposite to the first rotation direction to form a continuous packaging or bundle with two layers of film; and feeding the continuous packaging or bundle into a cutting unit, which moves in synchrony with, and cuts, the continuous packaging or bundle transversely into finished groups of products. A ring winding machine is provided at each of the two ring winding units, obtaining a continuous winding also when the film becomes exhausted in at least one of the two ring winding machines. A packaging machine is also provided.

Abstract: A motor-driven machine tool comprises a tool driven in a rotating fashion, a drive shaft driven by a drive unit and an output shaft for holding the tool. According to the invention, the rotating motion of the drive shaft can be transferred to the output shaft by way of an eccentric coupling device. A mass balancing device is provided for smoothing out vibrations, which has a stroking mass part moveably mounted in a carriage guide and impinged by an eccentric member driven by one of the shafts. The stroking mass part executes a rotary smoothing motion.

Abstract: A product multi-pack is provided with a plurality of elongate product containers. The containers each include a bottom, an open top that is closed by a cap and a wall extending there between. The wall includes a label having a front portion extending about a limited section of the wall circumference. A carton is provided that is sized to display the plurality of product containers. A locator web is provided that is formed of a thin sheet of plastic having a plurality of spaced apart apertures. The apertures are sized to be at least partially elastically deformed when installed over the caps of the product containers. Additionally, the locator web provides frictional resistance to rotation of the product containers, which enables the containers to be positioned and held in place relative to the carton open face so that the label front portions are visible.

Abstract: Methods for making a molded beverage container insulator from a slurry including water and a polysaccharide by presenting at least one male mold, which may have an elliptical cross section, therein and causing a portion of the slurry to temporarily adhere to the at least one mold. After a suitable period of time, removing the mold from the slurry and then removing the insulator. At such time, and particularly if the mold is not characterized as elliptical in cross section, the insulator is subject to bidirectional compression in order to collapse the same. Opposing hinge elements may be formed in the insulator, either at the time of molding or subsequently, to localize stresses resulting from the collapsing of the insulator. The resulting insulator is fully recyclable/compostable and possesses a constricting bias to mitigate container slip issues.

Abstract: A package (10) for a bulb (12) having a bulbous, light-emitting end (14) and a socket end (16), has a first thin-walled plastic body (18a) arrayed along a longitudinal axis (20) and having a closed end (22) and an open end (24), the open end (24) having a diameter D transverse to the longitudinal axis sufficient to admit insertion of the bulbous, light emitting end (14) of the bulb (12), the closed end (22) of the first thin-walled plastic body (18a) formed with at least one internal surface support (26) extending away from the longitudinal axis (20) in a plane transverse to the longitudinal axis and substantially contiguous with a curve of the bulbous light emitting end (14), the open end (24) providing a circumferential coupling area (28); and a second thin-walled plastic body (18b) formed with a socket receiving end (32) and a mating coupling area (34) formed to conform to the circumferential coupling area (28) and coupled thereto.

Abstract: A method for packing containers, in particular bottles, in transport boxes in which on the inside, on flat-lying transport boxes, flat-lying multi-piece packagings are releasably fastened or compartment units are fastened, the transport boxes and the multi-piece packagings or compartment units contained therein are set up, containers are applied through openings of the set-up transport boxes into receivers of the multi-piece packages or compartment units, and the openings of the transport boxes are closed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing aseptically processed low acid products in a container having a small opening, such as a glass or plastic bottle or jar, at a high output processing speed.

Abstract: A novel packaging wrap is used in cushioning a product for shipment and is formed from the combination of a layer of pleated sheet material, the pleated material being creased at the apices of each pleat, and a planar layer of sheet material which is adhered to, and preferably, adhesively bonded, to a pleated sheet of kraft paper. The pleated sheet material has a weight in the range from about 30 to 50 pounds and the planar sheet material is preferably tissue paper having a weight of less than about 20 pounds. The pleated sheet material preferably, has a pleat angle in the range from above 45 degrees to below 85 degrees, and most preferably the pleats have an angle of about 50 to 65 degrees. Preferably, the pleats have a height in the range from about 3 sixteenths of an inch to about one half inch, in terms of distance between top planar sheet and bottom planar sheet.

Abstract: From a general point of view, the present invention relates to a material which has a high degree of impermeability to gases, especially to atmospheric oxygen, and which is particularly suitable for the manufacture of containers for easily oxidizable foods or beverages such as, for example, beer, milk, “soft drinks”, and fruit juices. In particular, the present invention relates to a method for the preparation of polymeric material with a high degree of impermeability to gases, the method comprising the step of subjecting the polymeric material to a high-pressure treatment.

Abstract: A bottle packaging sleeve, and method of using same, for placing advertising on wine and spirits bottles, which provides both advertising and a way to protect the bottles from damage in a shopping bag or box, comprising a sheet of cushioning material, the exterior face of which is provided with informational material, the sheet being sufficiently elastic to be fitted onto a bottle. Optionally, the sleeve includes a bottle girth adaptor for coupling a first and second end of the sheet of cushioning material while further adapting to the girth of the bottle.

Abstract: A mechanism (10) and method for applying a top gripping type carrier carton onto the tops of a group of bottles (B) disposed within a crate comprises a carton transfer unit (34) for withdrawing a carton (c) from a supply (H) and transferring a carton from the supply to a position of application, a carton manipulating device (36) for at least partially erecting the carton during transfer, a pivotal arm (12) being provided for pivoting the transfer unit and the manipulating device together with the carton so that the carton is inverted during transfer into an attitude correct for applying it to the bottle group.

Abstract: A film wrapping machine for wrapping a film around a container comprising a rotary turntable assembly for transporting containers from one station to another. The machine includes a film supply unit for supplying each film onto a respective container carried by the turntable assembly, and a plurality of film retaining members one for each container carried by the turntable assembly. During the rotation of the turntable assembly, the film retaining meers are successively lifted to a raised position and are then rotated around the respective containers for turning the films therearound. Each film retaining member has suction openings defined therein in at least two rows, one row of the suction openings being adapted to suck one end of the respective film and the other row of the suction openings adapted to such a portion of the respective film adjacent the other end thereof. Rotation of the film retaining member results in the turning of the respective film around the associated container to form the film tube.

Abstract: A device for smoothing and pressing down in labeling machines, intended for the point of a blank of foil wrapped around the neck and head of a bottle with the point projecting at the head, and having a pot-like housing that can be moved axially against the head of the bottle and accommodates an elastic sponge structure. To allow the device to handle the blank of foil gently, apply it uniform and smooth to the head of bottle even in the vicinity of depressed zones of the head, and to prolong its life, the face of the sponge structure toward the head of the bottle has a recess that in the pressing-down position embraces at least the head of the bottle on all sides subject to slight tension.

Abstract: A packaging machine (10) for wrapping together a plurality of uniform containers (c) which machine includes an infeed section (12) having conveying means (18) for continuously feeding a series of wrapper blanks in substantially flat condition longitudinally towards an outfeed section of the machine and conveying means (22,24) for continuously feeding a linear series of containers to be wrapped in longitudinal alignment with said series of wrappers so that each container is moved into a position directly above a wrapper blank, a loading section (20) in which each container is caused to be located in an aperture (`a`) provided in a base panel of the wrapper while the container and wrapper are conveyed in synchronism, a forming section in which wrapping of further panels or each blank with respect to the containers is affected to complete the package and an outfeed section from which the completed packages leave the machine, characterized in that loading is achieved by causing the containers to enter the loading

Abstract: A tamper proof container and method of enclosing a medicine bottle or the like. The container comprises top and bottom portions or enclosures, each having an end wall and a side wall permanently joined to and surrounding the end wall, and spaced frangible intermediate portions interconnecting the side walls, preventing opening of the container without breaking the frangible portions. The preferred embodiment may be integrally formed of heat fusible plastic, wherein the end walls comprise similarly configured coplanar portions and the side walls provide a hinge for joining the end wall portions. The medicine bottle or the like is received through the side wall and the side walls and end wall portions are then permanently fused, forming a tamper proof container.

Abstract: A process for packaging individual articles, particularly bottles, into individual packages, specifically gift wrappings, in which the bottles are revolved with a lower rotating turret below an upper rotating turret holding the corresponding packages. The bottom end of the packages are left open and the bottles are inserted thereinto by lifting through the open bottoms. Before insertion of the bottles into the corresponding packages, the bottles are wrapped with an inner liner on the lower turret.

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 machine for packaging a plurality of bottles by enveloping the bottle necks within a plurality of apertures (2-7) formed in a main panel (1) of a carrier blank includes means for moving a group of bottles along a predetermined path (85,87), means for moving a carrier blank above the bottles and in synchronism therewith and with the apertures (b 2-7) in the main panel (1) of the blank disposed in vertical coincidence with the bottle necks, static plows (81,82) arranged to engage the main panel (1) from above and to urge it downwardly so that the apertures in the main panel engage the bottle necks together with a rotatable element (93) which engages a longitudinal fold line (8) formed in the main panel (1) of the blank and disposed in alignment with the apertures to facilitate envelopment of the bottle necks together with plow means (96,97,98,99,100) arranged to engage and fold the extensions of the blank which are foldably joined to the side edges of the main panel upwardly and over the tops of the packaged

Abstract: This relates to the formation of packages of containers, particularly those formed by heat shrinking a plastics material wrap around a plurality of containers and wherein the package is intended to be picked up by engaging an upper central portion of the wrap. A reinforcing strip is interlocked with upper portions of central ones of the containers. The reinforcing strip is divided in roll form and is first perforated to interlock with upper portions of containers, then is applied to adjacent pairs of containers followed by pressing the reinforcing strip down to assure interlocking thereof with two adjacent containers of two adjacent pairs of containers with the strip being severed between the two adjacent containers while held in place relative thereto. The containers are continuously moving during the application of the reinforcing strip and a single movable support is provided for all of the apparatus components. The movable support is driven by a plurality of cooperating cranks.

Abstract: Tubular sleeves are formed by continuously supplying a continuous web of sheet material to a cutter, cutting individual sleeves in succession from the web, forming each severed sleeve into a cylindrical tube by attaching one end of the sleeve to a rotating mandrel by means of suction, spinning the mandrel with the sleeve attached thereto so as to wrap the sleeve around the mandrel and form a tube, slipping the tube off of the mandrel and onto the neck of a container and then conforming the sleeve to the shape of the neck as by mechanical means or by heat-shrinking.

Abstract: A machine is disclosed for packaging a group of beverage bottles, or similar articles, in a wrap-around type blank of foldable sheet material which machine is characterized by a traveling conveyor onto which successive cut and scored blanks are fed and advanced through successive work areas where there are mechanisms for partially folding handle and wall forming panels into which the blanks are divided, which mechanisms include continuously traveling pairs of forming die members which are arranged to move into mating relation against opposite faces of successive blanks so as to fold certain of the panels while the blanks are advanced to a transporting conveyor which carries the partially folded blanks to an assembly area and deposits them on a group of bottles advancing on a bottle conveyor traveling beneath the blank transporting conveyor, mechanism at the assembly area which is operative to seat the partially folded blanks in telescoping relation on the bottles with the handle panels depending between pairs

Abstract: A berry box or basket and a method of forming the same from a rectangular blank of foldable stock material which is cut and scored to provide, when set up, a square bottom wall, side wall members slanted upwardly and outwardly therefrom with one pair thereof which are disposed opposite each other reinforced and rigidified by connecting glue flaps which are cut from the material at the corners of the blank and hinged to the vertical edges of the adjoining side wall members and which have top marginal portions folded down and secured to the face of the remainder of the flaps so as to stiffen and reinforce the top edge of the wall, and the top margins of the adjoining side wall members being reinforced by a folded down edge strip while the corners are reinforced by small tab members which are each integrally hinged to the edge reinforcing strip or flap on the adjoining wall member.

Abstract: A method of forming a substantially encapsulating layer of a heat shrinkable polyolefin plastic on a glass container in which the neck, shoulder and body onto the bearing bottom surface of the container is covered. The body of the container is substantially greater in diameter compared with the neck. A cylindrical sleeve of the polyolefin is telescopically placed along the outer surface of the container and the two are conveyed together into a heating oven for shrinking the sleeve snugly over the container. Upon application of heat in the oven, the polyolefin initially softens and becomes limp such that the sleeve tends to fold over or upon shrinking creates wavy top margins on the shrunken covering.

Abstract: A plurality of article carriers are stacked in vertical inverted relationship in a hopper and are supported on a cantilever type support bar mounted at one end only and having its free end extending in one direction so that a plurality of carrier applicator blocks mounted on an endless chain may withdraw sequentially the lowermost carrier from the hopper, each applicator block having a clearance slot therein for slidably receiving the support bar and each applicator block having abutment means disposed on each side of its clearance slot for engaging the lowermost carrier and for moving it off of the support bar and for subsequently re-inverting and applying the carrier to the group of articles moving in synchronism with the endless element.

Abstract: A topper unit is disclosed which may be utilized for opening, applying and locking a pre-glued open ended carton to the top of a bottle which is being progressively moved through the machine employing the topper unit. The topper unit may be used either singly, doubly, or in greater multiples in a packaging machine and comprises a hopper for receiving the pre-glued and folded cartons. Located below the hopper are means for removing the cartons one at a time from the hopper while opening the cartons so that they can later be applied to the top of the bottle. When the cartons have been opened one at a time, they are then pressed onto the bottle while they are squared up and are then ultimately locked onto the bottle. Also disclosed is a new and novel method for withdrawing a pre-glued open ended folded carton from a hopper and opening the carton and applying it to the top of a bottle or a plurality of moving bottles.