Abstract: An easy open flexible bag containing one or more stacks of flexible articles maintained in a state of compression in a direction substantially parallel to their thickness. For products such as disposable absorbent baby diapers, catamenial pads, incontinent briefs and the like, the degree of compression within the bag may be as much as 50% or more when compared to the uncompressed thickness of the stack of articles in question. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the bag totally encloses the stack or stacks of compressed flexible articles exhibits a substantially rectilinear shape. The bag preferably includes an integral carrying handle. The end panels and at least one pair of either the front and back or the top and bottom panels of the bag are subject to tension imposed by the stack of compressed flexible articles. This leaves at least one pair of panels, preferably the top and bottom panels, in a substantially untensioned condition.

Abstract: An envelope having a single peel-off backing sheet covering strips of pressure sensitive adhesive located along the sides of a panel of the envelope, which facilitates processing through automatic mechanical sheet feed printing equipment, laser printing equipment and feed through copy machines prior to folding the panel in order to form an envelope. Before the panel is folded, the panel, peel-off backing sheet, and peel-off strip attached to an adhesive strip on the envelope's closure flap provide a flat sheet of uniform thickness which can be easily processed through printing and copying equipment. After indicia is printed on the panel or copying is completed, an envelope may be formed by peeling the single backing sheet off the pressure sensitive strips, folding the envelope about a fold line located near the middle of the panel, and pressing the strips of pressure sensitive adhesive at the sides of the panel together so that a pocket is formed for holding a letter or other document.

Abstract: Disclosed is a set of communications documents, each of which includes an integrated envelope and return coupon with intelligently imaged variable and non-variable information. Alpha/numeric characters are provided on the document and scannable by character recognition machines. The envelopes may be plow- or buckle-folded and each has an attached coupon and flap whereby the coupon can be removed from the envelope, inserted into the envelope and the flap sealed to the envelope. Each document is arranged in a set or collection of documents in serial order and packaged such that orderly use of the documents can be effected, with each document so used being unique unto itself.

Abstract: A plastic film bag with overlying front and rear bag walls, the upper edges of which define a bag mouth. Pleats defined in each bag wall extend vertically downward from the mouth-forming edges. The pleats, upon expansion by direct finger engagement therewith or the application of outwardly directed opposite forces on the opposed ends of the mouth portion of the bag, cause a lateral separation of the edges for initiating opening of the bag mouth. The bag may be vertically partitioned into lateral compartments with at least one wall of each compartment including a mouth-opening pleat therein.

Abstract: A paperboard tray for holding spaced rows of flat articles. A divider separating the rows includes sloped walls which, along with sloped wall portions in the side panels of the tray, serve to support the articles. A web connecting an outer end flap to a divider wall acts as a stop member to automatically position the end of the inner end flap as the overlapping flaps are moved into position during the formation of the tray from a blank.

Abstract: A continuous roll or stack of thermoplastic bags having improved openability is disclosed. The bags feature an area of permanently tacky, pressure-sensitive adhesive, applied to an outer surface of each bag. When a bag is pulled from the roll or stack, the adhesive temporarily adheres one side of the bag to the roll or stack, causing the front and back of the bag to separate slightly, thereby enhancing openability. Also disclosed are thermoplastic bags onto the surface of which an area of adhesive is applied in such a manner that the bags are self-closing when twisted shut in the area of the adhesive.

Abstract: A shipping sack having side walls defining a mouth from which contents may be discharged, includes a non-reclosable stitched fastener across and closing the mouth. The stitched fastener includes a removable chain stitch and a removable rip tape for facilitating manual opening of the stitched fastener. The rip tape is composed of a strip having a cut-out opening therethrough defining a handle adapted to be manually grasped for carry the shipping sack. The rip tape also includes a free end extending beyond the edge of the shipping sack to facilitate manual access to the rip tape and to facilitate pulling the rip tape to remove the stitched fastener.

Abstract: A disposable trash receptacle, of rigid or non-rigid construction, that stands independently and can be folded flat is disclosed. It is comprised of a hollow outer body member with an open and a closed end, and a stiffening inner member defining the shape of the receptacle. The inner member has a base and two connected appendages and is inserted into the body member. Both members are of a complementary size and may be secured together by an adhesive.

Abstract: A self-expanding flexible pouch that can be used as the measuring device for reconstituting a concentrated product contained therein. The flexible pouch includes an extensible stay located in the throat area of the pouch that is biased toward a circular or elliptical configuration but initially held substantially flat in a stressed condition by the pouch's sealed top portion. When the pouch's top portion is removed, the extensible stay expands to its unstressed circular configuration and thereby expands and opens the pouch's throat area. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, the pouch's bottom section is provided with a pleated bottom gusset panel that is attached to the sidewall panels' inner surface. When the reconstituting fluid is poured into the pouch, the pouch's bottom gusset panel unfolds and drops downward which allows the pouch's bottom section to also expand and assume a substantially tubular configuration.

Abstract: A decorative, foldable cardboard basket for hand carrying and displaying selected items is disclosed. The basket comprises a central receptacle having connected side walls, end walls and a bottom section with linear fold lines in its end walls and bottom section that enable it to assume an essentially flattened configuration, and a bottom member for holding the receptacle in its opened, erect configuration. A pair of side panels of flexible material which may be provided with a distinctive design shape and graphics are attached to and extend above the side walls, each panel having an opening within an upper portion that forms a handle for the basket.

Abstract: The form includes a pair of outer panels with an insert therebetween. Corresponding ends of the panels and inserts have registering marginal feed strips. The insert has an additional marginal feed strip extending outwardly of the panels at each of the opposite ends thereof. The insert is formed of heavier material than the panels. The transversely extending edges of the insert are set back from the transverse edges of the panels, the latter being adhesively secured one to the other. Problems in tenting are thus avoided.

Abstract: A carrier bag of heat-sealable plastic film has a front panel joined along side edges by weld lines to a rear panel. The top ends of the panels are joined by an inwardly foldable gusset which is integral in one piece with the panels. The gusset is joined at the ends to the weld lines such that when the bag is in expanded position, the gusset opens to form a top panel of the bag with inner triangular gussets at the ends thereof lying adjacent double-layer triangular film portions joined through the apexes thereof by the weld lines. A cut-out handle for the bag is formed in one of these double-layer triangular portions. The handle may be further reinforced by joining the two film layers of the double-layer portion by means of a V-shaped weld line having the apex on a side edge weld line and extending upwardly on each side of the cut-out handle.