Abstract: An opening mechanism for use with a fluid filled collapsible container is disclosed. The mechanism comprises an outlet spout adapted to be joined to a wall of the collapsible container, a perforator for opening the collapsible container through the outlet spout and a driver having a passage therethrough. The driver is received within the outlet spout and screw threadedly engaged therewith for advancement by relative rotation thereof to drive the perforator though the outlet spout to thereby open the collapsible container and permit fluid to be dispensed through the passage. A circumferential flexible seal is provided within the outlet spout on one of the driver and the outlet spout to engage with the other of the driver and the outlet spout to reduce leakage of fluid between the outlet spout and the driver as the collapsible container is opened.

Abstract: An apparatus for dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags, includes first and second web printer/web feeders, each adapted to advance and print first and second webs from a first and second roll of serrated bags respectively, the first and second web printer/web feeders including a first and second printer, and a first and second set of nip rollers respectively; first and second accumulator guide plates located downstream of the first and second printers; a set of dispensing nip rollers located downstream of the first and second accumulator guide plates; a web accumulation area; a web sensor for sensing an end of the first or second web; a first and second seal sensing device; a dispensing guide plate located downstream of the web sensor; and a bag handling mechanism for advancing a leading bag to a bag loader.

Abstract: A system for detecting and registering serrated bags includes a web including a plurality of bags connected in an end-to-end arrangement, each bag including a first and second side, a first and second longitudinal end, a transverse seal, a serration disposed transversely across the bag, and a tab integrally connected to the bag at a portion of but less than the entire extent of the tab; a device for projecting a stream of air on each bag as the web passes a predetermined location; and a first and a second pair of nip rolls, each disposed downstream of the device, and adapted to accommodate the web, and to drive at different speeds such that a lead bag is separated from the web.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: A multi-layer, gas-barrier, biaxially oriented and heat-shrinkable film includes a first outer heat-sealable layer, an inner gas-barrier layer, and a second outer abuse resistant layer, the film containing at least 28%, by weight of the film, of polystyrene polymer, such as a high styrene styrene-butadiene block copolymer. The polystyrene copolymer can be present in the second outer abuse-resistant layer, and/or in one or more inner layers positioned between the first outer heat-sealable layer and the inner gas-barrier layer, and/or in one or more inner layers positioned between the gas-barrier layer and the second outer abuse layer. The film of the invention is particularly suitable to be deep-drawn to form a flexible container in a packaging process where the final vacuum lidded package is heat-shrunk.

Abstract: An apparatus for positioning and attaching a plurality of fitments to a film includes a guiding device for guiding a plurality of fitments; an attaching device for attaching the fitments to the film; a means for advancing the attached fitments and film; and an indexing device for indexing the fitments, the indexing device including a spring housing, a spring, and a fastener, the indexing device being configured such that when a first fitment has been attached to the film and then advances past the indexing device, the spring controllably releases the first fitment, and a second fitment is advanced into attaching position. A process and vertical form/fill/seal apparatus are also disclosed.

Abstract: A method of positioning a loaded bag in a vacuum chamber includes loading a bag by placing a product in the bag; placing the bag on an infeed conveyor that is transparent to IR; advancing the bag, on the conveyor, to a sensing apparatus including an infrared camera disposed above the conveyor, and a bank of LED's disposed below the conveyor; interrogating the loaded bag, using the sensing apparatus, with infrared radiation to detect the trailing edge of the product inside the bag; transmitting information acquired from the interrogating step to a PLC; advancing the interrogated loaded bag a distance, based in the information acquired from the interrogating step, to a vacuum chamber including a heat seal assembly; and heat sealing the loaded bag with the heat seal assembly to close the bag mouth.

Abstract: Oxygen scavenging materials incorporated into or attached to a package such as a gable-top or rectangular carton, used to package foods, beverages or other oxygen sensitive materials, and thereby increase shelf-life by decreasing oxygen in the headspace of the package, and decreasing oxidation of the packaged product.

Abstract: A film includes first and second outer layers, a core layer, and first and second substrate layers, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the substrate layers includes an amidic wax, and at least one of the outer layers includes an amidic wax present in an amount of 1% to 50% of the amount of wax in the first and second substrate layers respectively. The wax can be blended with a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid. Alternatively, a film includes first and second outer layers, and a substrate layer, each layer including a polymer; at least one of the first outer layer, second outer layer, and substrate layer including a blend of an amidic wax, and a transition metal salt of stearic acid, or ester of stearic acid.

Abstract: A laminated lidstock includes a substrate film, a support web; a pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the substrate and support webs, and covering the substrate film and support web except for a clear area disposed near one end of the laminated lidstock; a first die cut disposed in the substrate film; a second die cut disposed in the support web; a pull tab; and a tamper evidence device including an end portion of the support web, defined by a first end, a first side edge, and a second side edge of the package made from the laminated lidstock, and the second die cut, capable of indicating tampering of the package upon removal of the tamper evidence device from the support web; wherein at least one of the substrate film and the support web carries a registration device.

Abstract: An apparatus for selectively dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags or layflat tubing comprises a web selector for selecting and advancing a web from the plurality of rolls; a bag driver for advancing the selected web and separating a bag from the web; and a bag transfer device for transporting the separated bag from the bag driver to a location for processing. A sealer/cutter is used to produce a bag from the layflat tubing. A method of selectively dispensing a web from a plurality of rolls of serrated bags or layflat tubing comprises selecting and advancing a web from the plurality of rolls of serrated bags; advancing the selected web and separating a bag from the web; and transporting the separated bag to a location for further processing. In the case of layflat tubing, the selected web is sealed and cut to make a bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a bag supply system arranged to supply bags sequentially as individual products on a conveyor approach a packing apparatus; and a bag opener arranged to automatedly take up a bag from the bag supply system as each individual product approaches the bag opener, and to subsequently machine open a mouth of each bag to a controlled extent based on information relating to products being packed acquired at the upstream product information acquisition stage. An apparatus for packing products includes a product information acquisition stage arranged to acquire information relating to one or more characteristics of products on a product packing line; a product packing stage; and two or more generally parallel conveyors arranged to deliver products of different sizes to the packing stage.

Abstract: A package includes a pouch including a base portion having a first width, the base portion having a closed bottom; and a neck integrally connected to the base portion, the neck having a second width narrower than the first width, the neck including an end portion; and a first easy-open device adapted to remove the end portion from the neck; wherein a common wall formed by the base portion and neck has an outer and inner surface; a discrete cap in connected relationship with the outer surface of the common wall of the pouch, the cap covering the end portion of the neck, the cap including a second easy-open device adapted to remove at least part of the cap and provide access to the end portion of the neck; and a flowable product disposed in the base portion of the pouch. Methods for making a package are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oxygen scavenger film includes a layer including a blend of an oxygen scavenger and a polymer selected from high density polyethylene, polypropylene or a propylene copolymer, and a sealant layer. Alternatively, both the oxygen scavenging layer and the sealant layer include a polymer selected from high density polyethylene, polypropylene or a propylene copolymer. The hot tack strength of these films is at least 2.0 Newtons/inch at 135° C., according to ASTM F 1921-98, measured with DTC instrumentation.

Abstract: A method of triggering a film containing an oxygen scavenger includes providing composition including a peroxide; and packaging the composition in a film including an oxygen scavenger; whereby the oxygen scavenger is triggered in the absence of ultraviolet light, visible light, and electron beam radiation by exposure to the peroxide or an associated enriched oxygen environment.

Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.

Abstract: An apparatus for taking up imbricated bags carried by a pair of carrier tapes includes two carrier tape winding spools positioned coaxially with one another; and a differential gear unit positioned between said spools and adapted to be removably connectable to a shaft of a bag loader whereby the pair of carrier tapes can be wound up on said spools with equal tension. A method includes providing a bag train having a succession of imbricated bags on two supply tapes having lead ends equipped with two tape-winding spools with a differential gear unit positioned coaxially between the spools; connecting the differential gear unit to a shaft of said bag loader; and driving said spools to wind up said tapes on said spools with equal tension to bring each of the imbricated bags successively to a loading position where each bag is loaded and separated from the tapes.

Abstract: A shrink film includes an internal layer including a styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer. First and second intermediate layers including an ethylene copolymer having a melt index less than 4.0 can be optionally included. Alternatively, a shrink film includes an internal layer including an ethylene copolymer having a melt index less than 4.0; a first and second intermediate layer each including a styrene/butadiene/styrene block copolymer; and a first and second outer layer each including an olefinic polymer. Film of the invention has a free shrink of from 40% to 80% at 240° F., and an Elmendorf tear of from 70 grams/mil to 300 grams/mil, in at least one of the longitudinal and transverse directions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a method of initiating oxygen scavenging in a packaging article comprising an oxygen scavenging polymer. The method involves (i) providing the packaging article comprising the oxygen scavenging polymer, wherein the packaging article comprises an interior surface and an exterior surface; (ii) wetting the interior surface of the packaging article with a solution comprising a peroxide, to result in a packaging article with a wetted surface; and (iii) exposing the wetted surface to an initiating factor, to initiate oxygen scavenging by the packaging article. Typically, the initiating factor is ultraviolet light, heat, or both.

Abstract: A vacuum packaging machine and a conveyor to deliver a product package from an upstream station to a position adjacent a vacuum chamber. The conveyor has a longitudinal direction defined by the direction of travel of the product package. The vacuum chamber has a heat sealing and cutting assembly oriented transversely to the longitudinal direction of the conveyor and in a position with sufficient spacing between end walls of the vacuum chamber and the assembly for the product package containing two or more products to be loaded into the vacuum chamber with at least one product located in front of the heat sealing and cutting assembly and at least one other product located behind the heat sealing and cutting assembly. The heat sealing and cutting assembly seals and cuts between two products to form two separate evacuated packages.