Abstract: A reclosable bag has a bag body and a reclosable, zipper-type closure. The reclosable closure has extruded male and female interlocking profiles extending along opposing sides of an opening of the bag and are constructed to releasably interlock. The closure also has an extruded valve flange extending from one side of the closure to engage an opposing surface of the closure when the profiles are interlocked. The flange and opposing surface are constructed to separate in response to pressure within the bag for venting the bag with the profiles interlocked, and to increase a contact pressure therebetween in response to presence of a vacuum in the bag. The closure also defines a vent passage extending from an air space between the opposing sides of the opening and between the interlocking profiles and the valve flange.

Abstract: A container lid includes a recess that rotatably houses a dial. The dial may be manufactured from the material of the package in which the lid is sold, or the package in which an item being stored in the container is sold. The dial includes a handle that is pivotable between a stowed position folded into an upper surface of the dial and an operative position pivoted away from the upper surface of the dial. In a first disclosed example, the dial includes information displayed thereon, while the lid includes a pointer that generally points toward the recess. To point to a particular information on the dial, the dial can be rotated until the pointer generally points to the particular information on the dial. In a second disclosed example, the lid includes information displayed thereon around the recess, while the dial includes a pointer that points radially outward.

Abstract: An apparatus used in the manufacture of a thermoplastic zipper having a slider mounted thereon includes a pair of clamp arms disposed on opposing sides of a path of the zipper. The clamp arms are movable in directions substantially perpendicular to the zipper path so as to clamp the thermoplastic zipper to fuse a length thereof. A pair of fingers is disposed on opposing sides of the zipper path. The fingers are movable in directions substantially perpendicular to the zipper path and in directions substantially parallel with the zipper path relative to the clamp arms. The fingers push the slider along the zipper.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for cutting and preparation of food items thereon includes a first cut resistant layer having an absorbent ply and a thermoplastic ply, wherein the thermoplastic ply includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. The sheet further includes a second liquid impervious layer including an absosrbent ply and a thermoplastic ply, wherein the absorbent ply of the second layer is disposed below and secured to the absorbent ply of the first layer. The cutting sheet further includes a score line disposed across the substrate for separating the cutting sheet into two portions, wherein the score line extends fully through the cutting sheet near edges of the cutting sheet to create a tear notch. The score line extends through the thermoplastic ply of the cut resistant layer in an area of the cutting sheet between the edges thereof.

Abstract: A pouch production apparatus includes a pouch forming apparatus operable to form pouches from an elongate web of material and zipper tape and an extrusion apparatus responsive to operation of the pouch forming apparatus and operable to extrude zipper tape. A pneumatic transport apparatus is operable to transport the zipper tape from the extrusion apparatus to the pouch forming apparatus during operation of the pouch forming apparatus. A method of producing a pouch using such apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A slider is provided that may be oriented on a closure assembly of a reclosable pouch to open and/or close the pouch. The slider includes a top portion and at least two side walls. A channel is formed between the side walls for receiving the closure assembly of the pouch therebetween. Internal to the slider are components that generally contain functionalities to assist in opening and/or closing the closure assembly depending on the direction of movement of the slider along the closure assembly.

Abstract: A manufacturing apparatus, for moving sliders for opening and closing mating zipper elements along the mating zipper elements, includes a roller and a projection. The roller rotates about an axis substantially perpendicular with a path of a film including the mating zipper elements and contacts the film as the film moves in the film path at a speed equal to the speed of rotation of the roller. The projection rotates about an axis at a speed different than the rotational speed of the roller, with the projection rotating into proximity to the moving film along predetermined lengths of the film so as to be contactable with sliders mounted thereon. The projection comes into contact with sliders positioned along the mating zipper elements of the predetermined lengths of film and pushes those sliders along the mating zipper elements to respective registered positions.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side. First and second closure mechanisms are disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, wherein the closure mechanisms are parallel and spaced between about 0.1 inch (2.54 mm) and 0.3 inch (7.62 mm) apart. Further, the first closure mechanism may have a first closure characteristic and the second closure mechanism may have a second closure characteristic different than the first closure characteristic.

Abstract: A recloseable storage bag is disclosed which may include first and second sides having closed sides and an open top. Primary closure members may be provided proximate the top, with a secondary closure element being provided in one of the sides to enable gas to be evacuated from the bag after the primary closure members are closed. The secondary closure member may further include the ability to prevent liquid from exiting the bag therethrough.

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for Processing food items thereon includes a cut-resistant layer including a thermoplastic material ply and an absorbent ply, wherein the first layer has a surface area and wherein the thermoplastic material of the first layer includes a plurality of apertures therethrough. The cutting sheet further includes a second layer including an absorbent ply selected from the group consisting of a hydrophilic material, an oleophilic material, or a composite material having hydrophilic and oleophilic properties and a barrier ply including a thermoplastic material ply. The absorbent ply of the first layer is disposed atop and secured to the absorbent ply of the second layer such that portions of the thermoplastic and absorbent plies of the second layer form a border completely surrounding the first layer.

Abstract: A container (2) includes a bowl (20) and a lid (10). The lid (10) includes a lid lip (16) having a generally inverted U-shape and the bowl (20) includes a bowl lip (26) having a generally inverted U-shape such that the lid lip (16) and the bowl lip (26) interfit, forming mutually opposing surfaces, with the lid lip (16) superposing the bowl lip (26). At least one of the bowl lip (26) and the lid lip (16) includes a seal in firm contact with the opposing surface, with the seal contacting the opposing surface in a small area relative to a total surface area of the bowl lip (26).

Abstract: A disposable cutting sheet for processing food items thereon includes a first cut-resistant layer having a first surface area and including a first absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply. The cutting sheet further includes a second layer having a second surface area and including a second absorbent ply and a thermoplastic material ply, wherein the absorbent ply of the first layer is disposed atop and secured to the absorbent play of the second layer such that portions of the thermoplastic and absorbent plies of the second layer form a border completely surrounding the first layer. Preferably, the thermoplastic material ply of the first layer includes passages therethrough and means for lowering the surface tension of a liquid.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a single use processing substrate includes the step of extruding a first layer having ridges and troughs between the ridges. The method further includes the steps of placing a second layer into the troughs while the first layer is pliant and compressing the pliant ridges so that the second layer is bound into the troughs.

Abstract: A multi-axis force analyzer and data acquisition system is disclosed. Using non-invasive structure, parts to be tested are analyzed without obstructing user access or defacing the object in any way. Accordingly, the forces required to open and close a container can be accurately and easily measured.

Abstract: A cutting sheet for cutting and preparation of food items thereon comprises a first cut-resistant layer having a width and including a first absorbent ply and a first thermoplastic material ply. The thermoplastic material ply of the first layer includes a plurality of apertures disposed in parallel rows. The cutting sheet also includes a second layer having a second absorbent ply and a second thermoplastic material ply, wherein the second absorbent ply is disposed below and secured to the first absorbent ply. A plurality of adhesive portions are disposed in parallel rows to secure the first layer to the second layer between the first and second absorbent plies. The rows of apertures in the thermoplastic material ply of the first layer and the rows of adhesive portions between the first and second absorbent plies are parallel to one another such that the rows alternate.

Abstract: A zippered bag includes two sheets sealed to each other along a plurality of edges to form opposing bag sides. The bag also includes a first fastener strip including an inner wall and an outer wall hinged to the inner wall, with the first fastener strip being attached to one of the opposing bag sides. The inner wall includes a first profile. A second fastener strip includes a second profile, the second fastener strip being attached to the other one of the opposing bag sides. The first and second profiles are adapted to interlock to close the bag, wherein the first and second profiles each include an uppermost closure element, an intermediate closure element, and a bottommost closure element. A slider straddles the first and second fastener strips such that the uppermost, intermediate, and bottommost closure elements are enclosed by the slider and the slider is movable between a closed position and an open position.