Abstract: A crimper head for use in introducing a fluid product under pressure into the mouth of a container provided with a closure and thereafter crimping the closure to the container mouth. A container, such as for an aerosol package, with a closure resting freely in the mouth of the container is delivered to the crimper head. The head has a lower bell which forms a seal with the upper end of the container when the head is lowered. While the bell remains stationary, other parts of the head are actuated so that vacuum is applied to the bell and the container while the closure is lifted by vacuum from the mouth. Thereafter, the head is actuated to shut off the vacuum and admit a metered quantity of fluid under pressure, such as aerosol propellant, into the bell and container. When the pressurized fluid is admitted it lifts the closure from the container mouth and also acts to lift as a unit all parts of the head except the bell which remains stationary and engaged with the container.

Abstract: An inert gas-filling and packaging apparatus which is adapted to fill an inert gas in containers, each having a content and seal the containers one by one after coverage of an opening of the container with a sealing film is described. The apparatus comprises a plurality of buckets for individually receiving a container having an upper opening, a film supplying means for supplying a sealing film arranged to move over the plural buckets, a vertically movable keep pad for keeping the sealing film in contact with the upper face of the bucket, the contact member having grooves provided at opposite sides of the plural buckets, through which the nozzle is inserted to inject an inert gas, and a nozzle for injecting the inert gas. The sealing film is sealed on the container by means of a heat sealing means surrounded by the keep pad. The heat sealing by the apparatus ensures a good appearance of a final product without involving any wrinkles in the sealed film.

Abstract: A hand device for varying the gas pressure in a valve-less ball comprises a holding structure in which the ball is held non-rotatably and an injection syringe which is introduced into a longitudinal bore in a handle of the holding structure. During the introduction movement the hollow needle of the syringe perforates the wall of the ball and finally projects by a portion thereof into the interior of the ball. The syringe can be operated to inject into the ball a sealing agent which has been previously drawn into the injection syringe and then, after the piston has been removed from the syringe, the connecting portion of an air pump may be introduced into the open end of the syringe cylinder to pump the ball up to the desired pressure which is indicated by a pressure measuring arrangement, the injected sealing agent closing off the perforation formed by the needle when the syringe and the air pump are withdrawn from the holding structure.

Abstract: Apparatus is provided for providing an inert atmosphere in airtight packages, which apparatus is adaptable for use in a packaging line. The apparatus comprises an inerting minitunnel which is provided with a ramp for purging oxygen from the packages, and an inerting ramp. The apparatus can be used with any liquid, pasty, or solid product which is packaged in an airtight package.

Abstract: The apparatus comprises a rotary plate (1) on which are provided receptacle receiving means (2, 3, 4, 5) disposed at 90.degree. to one another. The plate is driven in rotation in 90.degree. steps by a motor-speed reducer unit (6) so that the receiving means pass in succession in front of a station for charging product into the bottoms of the receptacles, a station for laying lids of the receptacles, a station for welding the lids to the bottoms of the receptacles and a receptacle discharging station. The receiving means comprise means for maintaining the lids spaced away from the bottoms of the receptacles and means for injecting neutral gas between the lid laying station and the lid welding station.

Abstract: A hand operated pump has a threaded extension which is engaged with a threaded bottle neck. The pump is used to restore pressure in a beverage bottle.

Abstract: Carbonated beverages in bottles lose their carbonation and become flat once the bottle is opened. In this invention carbonation is preserved and maintained in a simple, inexpensive manner by re-introducing pressure into a bottle which has been opened. A small pump consisting of a cylinder, piston and threaded cap is attached to the top of an opened bottle. This hand operated pump re-introduces pressure to the bottle in the form of compressed air and thus maintains the concentration of carbon dioxide in the liquid regardless of the amount of liquid remaining in the bottle. The pump introduces an air pressure of fifty to sixty pounds per square inch to the bottle which is equivalent to the air pressure found in unopened carbonated beverage bottles at 21 degrees celsius.

Abstract: A capsule 11 for enclosing a neck portion of a container 17 equipped with a bung, cork, screw-cap or other closure 18 is formed from a crimp-shaped capsule blank. The blank has a top 12 and a depending skirt 13 and is made by impact-extruding a strip of aluminum. The skirt is compressed inwardly into close contact with the neck portion of the container and the exposed laterally-facing surfaces of the closure 18. The skirt of the blank may have an increasing diameter in a direction away from the top and may have formed thereon prior to application of the blank to the container circumferentially-extending lines of weakness 14 and a tear-tab for facilitating removal of the capsule.

Abstract: At the upper side of the star wheel bottle feeder of a bottle capping machine, a chamber which encompasses the bottle neck is attached at each pocket in the periphery of the star wheel in which the bottle neck is registered as it is transported in a circular orbit. At the top side, the chamber has an opening for a reciprocating sealing element which revolves with the star wheel. The chamber has a circular internal bore and an opening on its radially outermost side that allows bottles to be passed through it and into a pocket on the star wheel. There is a nozzle slot at the radial inside of the chamber diametrically opposite from the outside gas exit opening. The gas input slot has an elbow connected to it and the elbow is connected to a gas distributor valve which is, in turn, connected to a source of carbon dioxide.

Abstract: A vacuum sealing device includes a plug which is thrust into the port of an insulated steam injection tubing for closing an annular space of the tubing which confines a vacuum. The plug is mounted for movement within a first mounting element and for movement within a bellows having an end connected to the first mounting element. A second mounting element is connected to the opposite end of the bellows and carries a rod which is fixed to the plug. By moving the two mounting elements together, the bellows is compressed and the plug is thrust by movement of the rod. The first mounting element is connected to an upper clamping section which cooperates with a lower clamping section to engage around a tubular to be plugged. The upper section can be correctly centered with its plug over the port of the tubular by momentarily compressing the bellows to extend the plug. The plug is provided with a shank portion and a breakable tab for breaking the plug away from the shank portion.

Abstract: The invention discloses a bell-shaped adapter which facilitates the extraction of air from canning jars fitted with metallic disc type lids. The device operates in conjunction with a vacuum pump. Used on standard canning jars (such as Mason-, Kerr-, Ball-Jars) it is suitable for vacuum sealing perishables in the kitchen or home.

Abstract: Apparatus for packaging product in an inverted, open bottom piston-type pressurized dispenser has a mechanism for pressurizing the container above the piston and for inserting a bottom closure on the open bottom and connecting it to the container body to close the open bottom.

Abstract: A bottle cap is disclosed for use as a closure and as means for pressurizing a previously opened bottle containing a carbonated beverage. It has a body adapted to close over the mouth of the bottle; and has a resilient manually compressible and relaxable bulb mounted to the body. The bulb functions as a pump in conjunction with inlet and discharge valves in the body to pressurize the interior of the bottle and its contents with air. A pressure release valve in the body responds to development of a pressurized condition in the bottle above a predetermined value to release the excess pressure to atmosphere.

Abstract: A metering/dispensing head (10) and system for dispensing small doses of liquid nitrogen into individual filled cans (16) proceeding from a filling station to a closing station. The head includes a nozzle member (32) to which a source of liquid nitrogen under pressure is connected via pipe (12). The lower plane surface (72) of that member cooperates in close sliding relationship with the upper plane surface (70) of a rotary valve disc (40) around which are spaced triangular apertures (68). A small clearance separates those cooperating surfaces, but is of such a size as to effectively prevent loss of liquid nitrogen when the valve disc closes off a downwardly-pointing outlet nozzle (80) which opens into the lower surface of the nozzle member. A jet of liquid nitrogen exiting from said nozzle when uncovered by a said aperture in the valve disc injects a filled can moving beneath the nozzle member with a metered quantity of liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A pressurizing and closure apparatus for carbonated beverage containers. The apparatus is inserted and secured to the container's mouth and a hand pump pressurizes the container to a pressure greater than the surface pressure of the carbonated beverage. A valve then seals the pressurized container from the pressurizing apparatus as the hand pump is slightly withdrawn from its bottom position.

Abstract: A device for filling a container through a spout extending from the container includes a sterile chamber having a wall opening therethrough for inserting the spout into the chamber. A cover inside the chamber is positioned over a base plate which encloses the wall opening to prevent the escape of sterile gas from the chamber when the spout is being inserted into and removed from the wall opening. A pair of jaws fit around the spout when the spout is in the opening to hold the spout in position for filling and to prevent contamination of the sterile chamber during the filling operation.

Abstract: There is disclosed apparatus for aseptically filling a flexible container having a rigid fitment including a neck, outer flange surrounding the neck, a frangible membrane and an outer rim. The apparatus includes an enclosed filling chamber including a platen with an opening, clamping jaws for holding the fitment in the opening, a vacuum head and sealing unit for removing a lid loosely placed on the fitment and supporting it within the sealing chamber while the sealing chamber, fitment and lid are sterilized, a fill tube which is retractable within a housing and shiftable to a position in sealed engagement with the neck to introduce product into the container. After the container is filled, the fill tube is withdrawn and enclosed in its housing, the lid is transferred back onto the rim and heat sealed in place. The fitment is then unclamped to end the filling cycle.

Abstract: A device for filling containers through a spout on the container includes a sterile chamber that has an opening in a wall through which the spout of the container may be inserted into the chamber, a filling head inside the chamber for connecting with the spout and filling the container through the spout, a cup-shaped cap inside the chamber that covers the opening in the wall to substantially prevent the escape of a sterile gas from the chamber when the spout is not in the opening, a fluid spray head inside the cup-shaped cap for sterilizing the spout before it is exposed to the sterile chamber, and a pair of jaws that fit around the spout when the spout is in the opening to substantially prevent the escape of the sterile gas during the filing operation when the cap is removed.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components.

Abstract: A pneumatic spring counterbalance extensible link including a closed end cylinder with an end connector a piston and rod assembly within the cylinder and maintained therein by the crimped over end portion of the cylinder retaining a rod bushing and rod to cylinder seal. The cylinder is pressurized prior to assembly of the complete piston and rod into the cylinder. The piston assembly includes orifice by-pass means either in the piston periphery or in a piston ring, and the piston may include a fail-safe provision in the event the orifice is clogged. A crimping die assembly is used in assembling and completing final assembly of the counterbalance components while simultaneously maintaining the link in a pressurized environment, utilizing sealed arrangement between the crimping dies to maintain pressurization of the interior of the dies and the counterbalance components prior to assembly of the components.

Abstract: A device for sealing a preserving jaw by generation of a powerful vacuum in the head space of the jar. This is put into effect by a hood which is evacuated by means of an external vacuum pump, and is put over the jar's mouth loosely covered with a thin lid, the hood having an air tight seat on the jar. The lid is lifted by the vacuum inside of the hood and the air left within the jar is, consequently, evacuated. A special valve ensures that atmospheric air may not reenter the hood unless the lid had been pressed against the top edge of the jar's mouth, thus creating an air tight seat of both parts. The external overpressure keeps the jar tightly and durably sealed.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed high pressure gas container comprising a high stren chamber for confining the gas and a check valve fitted on and soldered to a boss formed integral with the chamber. The check valve serves as a temporary seal and permits the chamber to be charged with gas under atmospheric conditions. After charging, the inlet port of the check valve is soldered closed to provide a hermetic seal.

Abstract: A tennis ball, racquet ball or other gas-filled ball is inflated with air or gas to such a degree that the ball will precisely balance a given applied force on the ball producing a given deflection of the ball. No attempt is made to achieve uniform internal pressure in inflated balls. The method instead attains a uniform and precise stress-strain relationship. The method of manufacturing produces substantially superior balls in terms of uniformity of play characteristics including bounce.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum-sealing a vial includes a table for receiving the vial temporarily closed with a rubber stopper, a vertically movable enclosing device having a chamber at the lower end thereof for air-tightly enclosing a mouth of the vial in the chamber to hold the vial securely on the table when the enclosing device is lowered, a rubber stopper suction head vertically movable within the chamber of the enclosing device independently thereof, a first evacuating means adapted to communicate with the chamber so as to evacuate the vial, a second evacuating device adapted to communicate with the rubber stopper suction head, whereby, after the enclosing device is lowered to enclose the vial in the chamber, the rubber stopper suction head is lowered to suck the rubber stopper and is raised to remove the rubber stopper from the mouth of the vial so as to evacuate the vial, and the rubber stopper suction head is then again lowered to vacuum-seal the vial with the rubber stopper.

Abstract: An article inflating system for engaging and inflating articles to be decorated is disclosed. A plurality of spaced cup-shaped nozzles are disposed on a horizontal moving endless belt so as to allow the cup-shaped nozzles to engage the article prior to decoration and assume a sealed relation therewith while passing through the decorating station. While at the decorating station, the open end of the cup-shaped nozzle is positioned in communication with an air supply manifold disposed adjacent the decorating station to enable inflation of the article during decorating. After the label has been applied to the article, the nozzle is gradually lifted out of engagement with the decorated article while the latter is conveyed away from the decorating station.

Abstract: A device for inflating tennis balls having a sharpened needle which punctures the wall of the ball which needle inserts both air and a sealant material. A sharpened needle is held by a frame, the needle being hollow to permit passage of air and sealant material. A hollow conduit is affixed to the needle and a pressure sensitive member is positioned in the hollow conduit. Air and a ball sealant is pumped through the hollow conduit into the tennis ball. After all the sealant has been injected additional air is injected in an amount to cause the pressure inside the ball to exceed the desired pre-set pressure. Excess air is removed from the ball through the hollow needle and through a pressure sensitive member until the desired pre-set pressure inside the ball is attained.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for packing products in bottom closed containers of cardboard, plastic, glass or the like, without vacuum suction or compression and in a substantially oxygen free atmosphere. A bottom closed container is mounted in a substantially air tight condition on a holder funnel and thereafter a piston in sealed engagement with the inner sides of the container is forced down through the container to the bottom thereof so that the air which is present in the container is forced up to the upper side of the piston. The piston is then withdrawn from the container to thereby exhaust the air which is present above the piston. A protective gas is introduced simultaneously with the withdrawal of the piston at a location underneath the piston and without subjecting the interior of the container to the influence of air as the container is filled with the product to be packed. The filled container is transfered to a station sealing and closing.

Abstract: Undercap filler machine and method for cyclically vacuumizing product-containing, conventional spray can type aerosol containers, charging metered quantities of compressed gas propellant thereinto, and crimping valve cap assemblies thereon. By means of sequencing spring action on the crimper head, the machine and method provide (1) accurate control of the cap lift against relatively low sequencing spring force during charging with compressed propellant gas and (2) firm cap seating under relatively high sequencing spring force on the bead of the container opening against the internal pressure therein during crimping. The controlled cap lift during charging introduces a temporary throttling restriction in the form of a predetermined narrow annular orifice between the fill chamber of the crimper head and the interior of each container which orifice produces a controlled drop in the impact gassing pressure and increased velocity of gas flow into the container.

Abstract: This disclosure pertains to a carbonated beverage container closure apparatus adapted to be removably secured to the container's mouth. A valve is biased to close an opening in the closure having the closing biased forces reinforced by the pressurized gas within the container. A pump apparatus is threadingly engaged on the closure device and is adapted with a check valve such that manual operation of the pump causes the valve in the closure device to open whilst the check valve is closed and air, under pressure, is injected into the container. The pump apparatus may be removed from the container closure device, enabling the container to be stored in a substantially non-heightened profile and enabling the pump apparatus to re-pressurize other containers equipped with similar closure devices.

Abstract: An air evacuating closure adapted for use with a container whereby the contents of a container can be maintained stored under a negative pressure environment after the container has been opened. The evacuating closure includes a member which forms a closure top for a container, and which closure top incorporates a pump for evacuating any air from a container. The closure also includes a vent for venting the container when under a negative pressure to facilitate the removal of the closure.

Abstract: A sealing head for sealing a container comprises a housing open at the lower end, the housing accommodating apparatus for securing a closure to the container, the sealing head being provided with means for evacuating air from the container prior to sealing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and apparatus for charging a hydro-pneumatic reservoir with gas under pressure. The reservoir is positioned between two vertically aligned supporting members, with the oil charging port and gas charging port of the reservoir axially aligned. The supporting member on which the oil charging port is positioned, is vertically adjustable. The gas charging port carries an initially loose fitting bushing with an expander member at its outer end, the bushing permitting flow of gas therearound to permit charging of the reservoir. A force applying member is slidably mounted in the uppermost supporting member such that when gas under pressure is applied, it will cause the force applying member to move upwardly and the gas under pressure will pass around the bushing into the reservoir to charge the latter.

Abstract: Aerosol packages using carbon dioxide gas as the propellant can be manufactured on present commercial undercap filling machines by a method using a solvent for the liquid fill composed essentially of ethanol, restricting the liquid fill to 35 to 65% of the container volume, and charging the container with high pressure CO.sub.2 gas (e.g., 500 to 800 psig) while limiting the lift of the cap unit to not over 0.23 inches, or less.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for repressurizing hollow valveless articles such as tennis balls and the like in which an article to be repressurized is punctured by a needle having a passageway therethrough and both pressurized fluid for repressurizing the article and sealant for sealing the punctured and repressurized article are delivered sequentially and commonly through a single passageway of the needle. Provision is made for shielding the needle against exposure to undesirable accidental puncture and breakage and, by a particular cooperation of relative movement of an article and the needle, for avoiding removal of a plug of material from the article during puncture.

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.