Abstract: A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface including a first side having a first internal surface and a first external surface, a second side having a second internal surface and a second external surface, an internal cavity between said first and second sides, at least one externally accessible opening, and a flexible film reservoir containing a product. At least a portion of the flexible film reservoir of said flexible film reservoir is disposed between said external surfaces of said first side and said second side.

Abstract: A semi-enclosed applicator for distributing a substance onto a target surface including a first side having a first internal surface and a first external surface, a second side having a second internal surface and a second external surface, an internal cavity between said first and second sides, at least one externally accessible opening, and a flexible film reservoir containing a product. At least a portion of the flexible film reservoir of said flexible film reservoir is disposed between said external surfaces of said first side and said second side.

Abstract: A plastic container for multiple side-by-side stacks of fragile articles has a single blow molded body. The body has side walls and at least one internal partition extending from near a continuously rimmed open top to near a closed bottom end of the body. The partition has two spaced apart walls connected in a longitudinal plane substantially perpendicular to said at least one partition. The partition forms at least two separated compartments within the body for supporting the stacks of fragile articles. It provides resistance to squeezing the side walls so as to protect the stacks of fragile articles, and the two spaced apart walls are adapted to deform in the presence of vacuum and pressure in the compartments such that an outer perimeter dimension of the body remains substantially constant. The container also has a reclosable closure located at the continuously rimmed top end of the body.

Abstract: A replacement fluid cartridge for a dispenser has three parts: an injection molded nozzle, a thermoformed reservoir portion, and a cover sheet. The nozzle has a substantially flat top portion, an outer portion adjacent to the flat top portion, an outermost end, and a plurality of orifices extending through the nozzle. The second part is a piece of flexible film having a plurality of depressions surrounded by a flange. The flange is continuous and in a plane except at a nozzle-fitting portion. The nozzle-fitting portion is shaped to wrap around the outer portion of the nozzle where it is bonded to the nozzle in a fluid-tight manner. The flat top portion of the nozzle resides substantially within the plane of the flange. Each of the plurality of depressions has an inside, a continuous sidewall, and a closed bottom. The third part is a substantially flat cover sheet bonded to the flange and to the flat top portion of the nozzle such that the plurality of depressions are sealed closed by the cover sheet.

Abstract: A dispenser comprises an upper portion having an annular member depending therefrom and a bottom portion having a base and an upright post connected to the base. It also includes a flexible bag capable of containing fluid suspended from the upper portion and located inside the annular member. The flexible bag has a nozzle connected to it such that the flexible bag is closed except at the nozzle. The nozzle has a discharge orifice in fluid communication with the flexible bag. The upper portion telescopingly engages the bottom portion such that the upright post is located substantially aligned with the flexible bag. The upright post is sized to cause the flexible bag to invert when the upper portion and the bottom portion are pressed together. An openable closure closes the discharge orifice so that a fluid-containing flexible bag may be easily handled for replacement of the emptied flexible bag in the dispenser.

Abstract: A dispenser comprises an upper portion having an annular member depending therefrom and a bottom portion having a base and an upright post connected to the base. It also includes a flexible bag capable of containing fluid suspended from the upper portion and located inside the annular member. The flexible bag has a nozzle connected to it such that the flexible bag is closed except at the nozzle. The nozzle has a discharge orifice in fluid communication with the flexible bag. The upper portion telescopingly engages the bottom portion such that the upright post is located substantially aligned with the flexible bag. The upright post is sized to cause the flexible bag to invert when the upper portion and the bottom portion are pressed together. An openable closure closes the discharge orifice so that a fluid-containing flexible bag may be easily handled for replacement of the emptied flexible bag in the dispenser.

Abstract: A collapsible tube package having a reclosable closure comprises a tubular body having a first open end and a second open end. It also comprises a tube head having an outer shoulder surface and a perimeter edge. The tube head is located just inside the first open end of the tubular body such that a continuous wall portion of the tubular body extends longitudinally beyond the perimeter edge of the tube head. The continuous wall portion is swaged against and ultrasonically welded to the outer shoulder surface. The second open end of the tubular body is flattened and sealed closed. The tube head has an energy concentration ring melted into a sealing interface between the continuous wall portion and the outer shoulder surface, and the tubular body and the tube head comprise just two individual parts made of weldable, non-polar plastics having no metal laminates and metal particles therein.

Abstract: A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency tea filter pack capable of flavor extraction efficiencies comparable to those obtained using an identical quantity of bulk tea leaves and a paper filter under identical brewing conditions, but which exhibits substantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee maker. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outermost periphery with a predetermined quantity of tea leaves housed within a brew chamber formed between the two layers. The brew chamber exhibits a maximum volume between about 100 percent and about 400 percent greater than the volume of the dry tea leaves contained therein. The discharge flow rate from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for producing a flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment. The package has a planar enclosed body extending between a bottom end and a top end. The package further includes a planar gusset panel sealed to the body at the top end. The gusset panel is sealed to the body such that the package can be folded so that the gusset panel will lie flat against and in the same plane as the body of the package. The gusset panel further includes an aperture disposed therein. A dispensing fitment extends through the aperture on the gusset panel for dispensing.

Abstract: In accordance with the present invention there is provided a flexible package for dispensing a product through a fitment. The package has a planar enclosed body extending between a bottom end and a top end. The package further includes a planar gusset panel sealed to the body at the top end. The gusset panel is sealed to the body such that the package can be folded so that the gusset panel will lie flat against and in the same plane as the body of the package. The gusset panel further includes an aperture disposed therein. A dispensing fitment extends through the aperture on the gusset panel for dispensing.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch package for dispensing a product has a fitment in a folded end of the pouch. A substantially rigid fitment has an inner end, an outer end, and an orifice therethrough extending from the inner end to the outer end. The fitment also has a planar flange at the inner end. The pouch is formed from a substantially rectangular piece of thermoplastic film. The piece of film has a hole therein. Around the hole a depression is formed in the film either by thermoforming or cold forming. The depression is sized such that when the flange of the fitment is bonded to the film at the hole, and the piece of film is folded away from the fitment and fin-sealed closed, the folded end of the resulting pouch has minimal concavity and the pouch has parallel side seals.

Abstract: A conformable, self-aligning, high extraction efficiency coffee filter pack capable of flavor extraction efficiencies comparable to those obtained using an identical quantity of bulk coffee and a paper filter under identical brewing conditions, but which exhibits substantially consistent pot-to-pot brew strength for any given automatic drip coffee maker. The preferred filter pack is formed from two layers of flexible material which are secured to one another about their outermost periphery with a predetermined quantity of roast and ground coffee housed within a brew chamber formed between the two layers. The brew chamber exhibits a maximum volume between about 25 percent and about 300 percent greater than the volume of the dry roast and ground coffee contained therein. The discharge flow rate from the brew chamber is slower than the inlet flow rate into the brew chamber to permit a buildup of water and flooding of the brew chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a highly aerated fatty composition and food products made therefrom that are smooth and creamy, storage stable, and resistant to slump and collapse. The fatty composition comprises at least about 5% by weight fat substitute selected from sugar fatty acid esters and sugar alcohol fatty acid esters, where the sugars and sugar alcohols contain from 4 to 8 hydroxyl groups, and where each fatty acid group has from about 2 to about 24 carbon atoms. The fatty composition is aerated to contain from 5% to 75% by volume edible gas dispersed uniformly in the composition.