Portola Packaging Inc., Batavia, Ill., has partnered with Australia’s Zork Pty Ltd. to bring Zork’s wine closure to America. The company’s wine closure is an aesthetic, practical alternative to traditional cork closures.

Nalbach Engineering Co., Countryside, Ill., has received a U.S. patent for its Necosort III high-speed plastic bottle unscrambler.

IonLife Inc., Reno, Nev., and Conquest International, Plainville, Kan., have entered into a joint venture to provide equipment for the commercial production and bottling of alkaline ionized water, which is highly regarded in the United States for its health benefits in Asia.