Illinois Tool Works Inc.

Continental Can Company, Inc.

Robert Lam

Craig W Arends

Lonnie R Seymour

A system and method for packaging oriented containers in a container carrier wherein a plurality of containers are fed into an orientation wheel including one or more chucks. Each chuck engages one end of the container and rotates the container into an oriented position. A transfer belt having a plurality of tactile fingers is operatively connected to the orientation wheel and transfers an oriented container nested within the tactile fingers in a fixed rotational position from the orientation wheel to a packaging machine. In a method of packaging containers according to this invention, multiple containers are positioned within the carrier in one or more rotational positions based upon the desired appearance of the package.

System and method for packaging oriented containers

A gassing apparatus for breaking bubbles at the surface of a newly filled bubbling product (beer) and thereafter removing air from the head space above the surface of the product. The gassing apparatus includes a new bubble breaker which provides for the breaking of the bubbles at lower than customary gas pressure followed by a gassing rail which is of sufficient length and gassing apertures to permit full air removal notwithstanding variations in head space. Preferably the bubble breakers are used in pairs with the gas in the second bubble breaker being at a pressure less than that in the first.

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Glen Ellyn, IL, United States of America

Robert Lam