Abstract: An adjustable carrying bag having an open upper end and a closed lower end and being formed of a front panel and a rear panel. The panels are foldable about a vertically variable horizontal axis to close the bag such that by varying the vertical elevation of the fold, one varies the volumetric area of the bag. Attachment members are provided for releasably securing the front and rear panels in a folded and vertically adjustable disposition. A handle is slidably mounted on the rear panel such that upon folding the front and rear panels, securing the panels in a folded disposition and lifting the bag by the handle, the handle will slide to the top of the folded bag for carrying irrespective of the vertical elevation of the fold along the bag.

Abstract: A plastic bag including a pair of side gussets 1 is arranged to be free of leakage from one end portion of each of the side gussets. Each of the side gussets has opposite end portions one of which is folded obliquely along a folding line as it is folded into halves so that a triangular flap 13 can be formed by the end portion to be shaped into a triangle having a base formed by the folding line. The triangle has an apex formed by an intersection between one of the opposite end edges and the folded inner edge of each of the side gussets. The panels 2, the side gussets and the triangular flaps are heat sealed respectively along the opposite side edges 3 of panels.

Abstract: A method of making slider end stops on zippers comprising two interlockable profiled closure members. The method comprises the steps of: opening a section of a zipper tape to form a gap between the profiled closure members; inserting a first portion of a body into the gap with a second portion of the body projecting above the tops of the profiled closure members; and joining the first portion of the body to adjoining sections of the profiled closure members. Then the body is narrowed down the middle to form a neck where the zipper tape will later be cut, each half of the body forming a respective slider end stop, but on different zipper segments. Alternatively, two bodies can be inserted into the gap and then joined to adjoining sections of the closure members. The zipper tape is cut between the two bodies, which will ultimately form respective slider end stops on different zipper segments. In an alternative embodiment, the zipper tape and the bag making film can be integrally formed.

Abstract: A packaging member (1, 80, 100) is provided with easy-opening means (7, 85, 107, 108) for allowing the packaging member to be opened easily, wherein the easy-opening means is either positionally or structurally improved. As one example, the packaging member is a packaging bag (1, 80), in which the easy-opening means serves as a tearing start point when opened with the use of the easy-opening means. The easy-opening portion is formed at a position slightly shifted inward from a perimeter edge of the packaging bag. As another example, the packaging member is a packaging container (100), in which the easy-opening means is structurally improved.

Abstract: A bicycle carrier apparatus comprising: a first member configured to attach to an automobile trailer hitch; a first hinged element coupled to the first member; a second member coupled to the first hinged element and to a second hinged element; a bicycle attaching member coupled to the second hinged element; and where the bicycle carrier apparatus is configured move from a ground position to a traveling position, and from a traveling position to a ground position, by pivoting the second member and the bicycle attaching member about the first hinged element and the second hinged element.

Abstract: A compression bag includes longitudinally continuous sheets continuously supplied in a longitudinal direction to lie one upon another, and adhered at predetermined spots to form an article containing portion having a space for an article and an air passageway having a space continuing to the space of the article containing portion. The sheets include a frontal sheet, a rear sheet which is equal to the frontal sheet in breadth (i.e., the transverse side dimension of the sheets), at least one valve body sheet disposed between the frontal and rear sheets and made smaller than the front and rear sheets in breadth, and base members disposed between at least one of the frontal and rear sheets and the valve body sheet and made smaller than the valve body sheet in breadth.

Abstract: A device for storing and dispensing items comprises a first item container having a main body and a tail extending from the main body, a first panel, a second panel connected to the first panel along a first fold line, and a third panel connected to the second panel along a second fold line. The second panel and the third panel defining a pocket with at least a portion of the tail being disposed in and connected to the pocket. The pocket is foldable along the first fold line to a closed position in which the main body, the third panel, the tail, and the second panel overlie the first panel, and the pocket is further foldable to an open position in which the third panel, the tail, and the second panel are angled away from the back panel.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a textured portion that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. To prevent contamination of the valve element, the textured portion can also be configured to facilitate removal of liquids and juices from air exhausting from the storage bag.

Abstract: A return envelope for a ballot on which the voter's address is printed has a folding flap configured so as to eliminate the possibility that the return envelope with an enclosed ballot will be returned to the voter's address and assures that it will be returned to the organization of service providing or conducting the election. The envelope flap also is folded so as to provide verification information from the voter while maintaining the contents of the envelope secret.

Abstract: A plastic bag includes a body portion, a handle portion forming an opening adapted to be grasped to carry the body portion, and a closure portion. The body portion has a bottom, opposed front and back panels extending from the bottom, and opposed first and second side panels extending from the bottom and connecting the front and back panels. The bottom, the front and back panels, and the first and second side panels form a receptacle space having a mouth located opposite the bottom. Preferably, the bottom is flat and the first and second side portions form gussets. The handle portion and the closure portion are preferably formed by adjacent layers of a folded plastic sheet secured to the back panel. The closure portion preferably includes a layer of pressure sensitive adhesive to be secured to the front panel to close the mouth.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a closure assembly that comprises first and second closure profiles disposed on first and second side panels, respectively. A handle is provided that comprises discrete first and second handle sections. Each handle section has an opening in a central portion thereof. The first handle section is attached only to the first side panel at an area below the first closure profile and the second handle section is attached only to the second side panel at an area below the second closure profile. By providing the handle sections in such a manner, the first and second handle sections exert substantially more force on an internal side of the first and second closure profiles, respectively, than on an external side of the respective closure profiles.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a slider-operated zipper wherein at least one of the zipper parts has a hinged flap to which a marginal portion of a panel of packaging film is joined. The hinged flap swings away from the rest of the zipper part in response to a pulling force tending to pull that zipper part away from the other zipper part. The flap is disposed between a base strip of the zipper part that it forms a part of and a sidewall of the slider. The slider is retained on the zipper by retaining ledges projecting from a distal end of a plow that pries open the zipper during slider travel in an opening direction.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising a receptacle and an assembly, the assembly comprising a plastic zipper joined to or integrally formed with the receptacle and a slider mounted to the zipper. The zipper comprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, and a slider end stop projecting outward from a side of the first closure member for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel of the slider in a closing direction. The slider end stop comprises a body of plastic material joined to the first closure member, the body being disposed near one end of the zipper and entirely within an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of the first closure member.

Abstract: Reclosable bags having a slider-actuated string zipper and tamper-evident features. In one aspect, the bag comprises: a receptacle having a mouth and an interior volume; a string zipper installed in the mouth; a slider mounted to the string zipper; a membrane depending within the interior volume to block access to a portion of the interior volume when the string zipper is open; and a hood joined to the receptacle and shrouding the mouth. The membrane is made by forming a gusset. Then a string zipper is installed inside of the gusset and heat sealed in place. Later a hood or shroud is attached to the bag walls at an elevation traversed by the gusset panels. A layer of non-sealable material is applied on a surface of a gusset panel to prevent the gusset panels from being sealed together when the hood is heat sealed to the bag walls.

Abstract: A baby bag that is convertible to a baby carrier includes a base that is movable between a folded configuration for storage and transport of the baby bag, and an unfolded configuration for receiving a baby. In an embodiment, a harness is connected to the base for restraining a baby received upon the base such that a back of the baby is maintained in close proximity to the base. In the same or another embodiment, a shoulder strap is attached to the base for suspension of the base, whereby a baby received upon the base may be carried by a person utilizing the shoulder strap.

Abstract: A golf bag carrying system, in the form of a triple strap carrier, includes a first and a second strap secured to the golf bag to define first and second shoulder openings, respectively. The first strap second end and the second strap first end are attached to a first ring, and the second strap is led through a second ring at a central (second) location at a mid-portion of the bag. The other ends of the first and second straps are secured to the golf bag longitudinally on opposite sides of the second location at first and third locations, respectively. A third strap is attached to the first ring and to the bag at a fourth location below the third location. The mounts for securing the straps to the bag, and the straps themselves, preferably are selectively adjustable to balance the bag in single-shoulder and dual-shoulder carrying modes.