Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a body portion having first and second opposing bag walls, wherein each bag wall has an internal side and first and second closure elements disposed on the internal sides of the first and second bag walls, respectively. A rib is disposed on the internal side of the first wall, wherein the rib is parallel to and spaced apart a sufficient distance from the first closure element to guide a user's fingers when sealing the closure elements.

Abstract: A method of producing a reclosable pouch includes the steps of extruding a bag web onto a casting roll and forming a closure profile on the bag web while the bag web is in contact with the casting roll. An apparatus for implementing the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: Methods for forming a thermoplastic film with an attached closure strip are disclosed. The thermoplastic film can then be used to produce zippered reclosable plastic bags. The methods include providing a thermoplastic film web having a sealing surface and providing a closure strip having a binding surface, both being maintained in a non-melted condition at room temperature. A heated thermoplastic binder layer is then extruded and positioned between the sealing surface of the film web and the binding surface of the closure strip very quickly after extrusion. The hot freshly extruded binder layer transfers enough heat to the closure strip and to the film web to melt the binding surface of the closure strip and sealing surface of the film web. Pressure is then applied to the film web and the closure strip to seal the closure strip to the film web. An apparatus for practicing the method at high speed is also disclosed.

Abstract: A storage bag having a recloseable mouth, which is biased into an open configuration, is disclosed. The bag, typically manufactured from thermoplastic material such as low-density polyethylene, includes first and second adjacent layers joined or folded along bottom and side edges. The top edges are not folded or permanently joined, but are provided with closure members such as mating male and female zipper strips. The bag is further provided with structure to bias the top edges apart from one another thus biasing the mouth of the bag into an open configuration. The closure members are sufficiently strong to overcome the force of the biasing structure and thereby hold the bag closed when the closure members are engaged. However, upon disengagement of the closure members the biasing structure forces the bag top edges apart to thereby place the bag into an open mouth configuration.

Abstract: Methods for forming a thermoplastic film with an attached closure strip are disclosed. The film can be used to produce zippered reclosable plastic bags. The methods include providing a thermoplastic film web having a sealing surface and a closure strip having a binding surface, both being in a non-melted condition. The film web and the closure strip are aligned in non-overlapping relationship and a heated thermoplastic binder layer is positioned on the film web sealing surface and on the closure strip binding surface quickly after extrusion. The hot binder layer transfers enough heat to the closure strip and to the film web to melt the closure strip binding surface and the film web sealing surface. Pressure is applied to seal the closure strip to the film web. An apparatus for practicing the method and a reclosable bag formed from the thermoplastic film with attached closure strips are also disclosed.

Abstract: A carrier puck is provided for receiving and supporting an article to be moved along a predetermined path. The carrier puck is made of a main body having an inner cavity for receiving the article. The puck also includes at least one gripper element extending from an inner side wall of the main body into the first cavity for engaging with a protruding ridge on the article to releasably hold and stabilize the article in the puck. The carrier puck may also include a second cavity having a size which differs from the size of the first cavity.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing rolls of thermoplastic film stock wherein zipper elements are interlocked for structural support while the web is open, resembling a "Z" in cross-section, and ready for use on container and packaging machines.

Abstract: A process for forming a plastic article, such as a container, involves heating at least one or more layers individually to temperatures below the melting point, immediately stacking two or more layers while retaining the peripheral portion of the layers and immediately forming the stacked layers into a plastic article which is then allowed to cool. Alternatively after stacking the layers, the stacked layers are immediately forged into a preform in a heated and lubricated mold and immediately thermoformed into a plastic article, which is then allowed to cool. The layers may be diverse (i.e. material, shape, molecular weight, additives, etc.) or similar and stacked so as to provide a layered angular orientation.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for sealing plies of thermoplastic material included in laminated sheets having thickened sections in a manner such that strong side seals result with substantially no delamination of one or more plies of a laminated sheet comprises performing a first blocking operation on the laminated sheets by application of heat and pressure through a first pair of seal bars having an effectively matched cross-section such that the laminated sheets remain substantially planar during the first blocking operation. A second blocking operation is performed over the previously blocked areas by the application of heat and a soft pressure through a second pair of seal bars having an effectively matched cross section such that the laminated sheets remain substantially planar during the second blocking operation.

Abstract: Miscible blends of poly-2-oxazolines and thermoplastic polymers are disclosed herein. These blends exhibit a single glass transition point indicative of a miscible blend. The blends of this invention are useful as membranes, particularly separation membranes for mixtures of organic compounds or organic compounds and water and pervaporation process.

Abstract: Miscible blends of poly-2-oxazolines and thermoplastic polymers are disclosed herein. These blends exhibit a single glass transition point indicative of a miscible blend. The blends of this invention are useful as membranes, particularly separation membranes for mixtures of organic compounds or organic compounds and water and a perevaporation process.

Abstract: Miscible blends of poly-2-oxazolines and thermoplastic polymers are disclosed herein. These blends exhibit a single glass transition point indicative of a miscible blend. The blends of this invention are useful as membranes, particularly separation membranes for mixtures of organic compounds or organic compounds and water and a pervaporation process.