Abstract: A woven laminated plastic bag having a weakened portion is provided. The weakened portion is generally defined by a plurality of perforations in the bag. In various aspects the bag can be fabricated from woven polypropylene and/or polyethylene layer which can be laminated with a film layer, can form a pinch bottom bag, and can have one or both sides include graphics and/or printing. The bag can also provide a top end and/or a bottom end either or both of which provide a discrete area which may contain discrete graphics and/or printing.

Abstract: A method for forming a food package product is disclosed. The food package product includes layers and patches of adhesive strategically placed on packaging stock that prevents leakage of liquid products. In an exemplary embodiment, the food package product is microwavable popcorn.

Abstract: A two-channel dispensing device intended to close a vial includes two reservoirs (13, 14), two channels having an inlet end opening into one of the reservoirs and outlet end opening outside of the reservoir. First closing means are provided in each channel, which can change from a closed position to an opened position in which a product can exit said reservoir. The two channels are isolated from each other at least between their inlet ends and the respective closing means. The reservoirs are formed by a single flexible pouch separated by a central partition (12) into first and second compartments (13, 14) performing the functions of the first and second reservoirs. The inlet end of the first channel opens into the first compartment (13) and the inlet end of the second channel opens into the second compartment (14), so that a single pouch makes it possible to form two reservoirs.

Abstract: A utensil manipulating article has a sleeve formed of a pliable material. The sleeve is suitable for receiving the utensil therein. The sleeve is movable between a utensil-receiving position and a utensil-manipulating position. The sleeve has an adhesive material on an outer surface thereof. The adhesive is suitable for attaching to fingers of a user so as to allow the user to move the sleeve between the utensil-receiving position and the utensil-manipulating position. The adhesive material includes a first adhesive strip and second adhesive strip respectively placed on a first side and an opposite side of the sleeve. A liner is removably affixed over the first and second adhesive strips.

Abstract: A flexible container includes a panel structure of flexible web material, including panels that are adjoined to define a pouch. The pouch has a top opening with a fitment, and is expandable from a collapsed, unfilled condition to an expanded, filled condition. When the pouch is in the filled condition and resting on a flat surface, the panel structure supports the pouch in an upright orientation in which the fitment opening faces upward. The panel structure also provides the pouch with a flat footprint upon which the pouch overlies the flat surface. The flat footprint is defined in part by the pouch and in part by the lower handgrip in a condition folded beneath the pouch.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are embodiments of an apparatus for use in securing or transporting a tarpaulin or other sheet of material. The apparatus may include a body, a securing device configured to secure the apparatus to the ground, a connecting member mechanically coupling the securing device to the body, a handle mechanically coupled to the body, and a joining device configured to removably join the apparatus to an object.

Abstract: Containers for infusion liquids and methods for making the same are described herein. Aspects of an exemplary container include an extended hollow body, a standing bottom, collapsible side walls and a tapered shoulder region which transforms into a neck. Fold lines (BL) are provided and configured such that they cause portions of the container having the fold lines to be flattened when liquid is removed from the container without venting.

Abstract: A method of forming a bag for encasing material is described. The bag includes a sheet having a top panel, a bottom panel, an extended panel and adhesive tape. A tear line separates the extended panel from the bottom panel, and a fold line separates the bottom panel from the top panel. The top panel is defined by a top border, a bottom edge, a bottom border, and the fold line. The bottom panel is defined by a top border, the fold line, a bottom border, and the tear line. The extended panel is defined by a top border, the tear line, a bottom border, and a top edge. The adhesive tape is adhered to a first side of the sheet and intersects the fold line. The first side of the sheet is folded onto itself at the fold line. The top panel top edge is joined to the bottom panel top edge, and the top panel bottom edge is joined to the bottom panel bottom edge.

Abstract: A collapsible and erectable organizer for holding bags and their contents, such as bags containing grocery items, upright during transport, such as in the trunk of a car. The organizer has Velcro® pieces on its bottom that resist slipping on a carpeted surface and that secure opposite halves of the bottom when the bottom is folded in half to collapse the organizer. The organizer can be used when collapsed to carry smaller items.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: A plastic bag includes a front wall and a rear wall that are joined together to define a containment portion. To facilitate pouring a pourable substance from the containment portion, the plastic bag includes a pour spout. The pour spout includes an aperture that is defined in a lip. The lip can be formed into a channel such that the pourable substance is directed through the aperture. The plastic bag also includes a series of ribs that are formed in the region where the bag is folded to define a bottom end. The ribs reinforce the bottom end without compromising the flexibility of the bottom end.

Abstract: An apparatus for washing items comprises a generally cylindrical mesh housing; a first wall and a second wall, said first wall and said second wall being positioned within said housing so as to define first, second and third compartments in said housing; an opening in each of said compartments through which an item to be washed can be placed in or removed from a respective compartment; and a closure device for closing said compartments to retain said items in said compartments when said items are being washed. The first wall and said second wall may each comprise an endless pocket and a stiffener disposed within said pocket. A polymer loop may be used to stiffen said first wall and said second wall. A method of using the apparatus to wash various items, including those of delicate fabrics.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a microstructured optical fiber including a photonic band gap-guided core; and at least one index-guided core. Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a microstructured optical fiber including a set of main cores; a microstructured region surrounding the set of main cores; and at least alignment core, the alignment cores having substantially different optical propagation properties than the main cores. The present invention also includes methods for coupling, monitoring, and locating discontinuities in the fibers of the present invention.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of fabricating a photonic crystal fiber preform using an extrusion die, comprising the step of extruding a first optical material into a plurality of dispersed phases to axially orient the dispersed phases.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: A product and process for laundering delicate or dry-clean only garments in a conventional home washing machine. The process represents a home version of the commercial wet-cleaning processes for cleaning of delicate garments. The product comprises a liquid combination washing/conditioning composition and optionally a wash pretreatment composition, a flexible wrap container within which the garments are contained during washing and a pretreatment applicator.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: A reclosable standup bag and a method for manufacturing the bag. The bag includes opposing top and bottom panel assemblies. The top panel assembly includes first and second opposing fins having upper edge portions that define a mouth opening. Opposing front and back wall panels extend between the top and bottom panel assemblies. First and second opposing gusseted side wall panels couple and bridge the side edges of the front and back wall panels, defining four wall corners. A resealable closing assembly is coupled to the upper edge portion of the fins. The method for manufacturing the bag includes providing a lay flat web of a flexible packaging material and cutting comer reliefs at the location of the upper side corners of the bag. The lay flat web is run over a forming tube to create a duct-shaped cylinder with overlapping side edges. The side edges are joined and are fin sealed to form a tube having a bottom opening and a top opening.

Abstract: A flexible, sealable container apparatus having a substantially pinch-bottomed configuration prior to expansion of the bag during cooking. The container apparatus includes substantially quadrilateral regions of adhesive. The shape and positioning of the quadrilateral regions, with diagonals substantially collinear to panel edges of the container apparatus, serves to articulate the container apparatus into a substantially rectangular-bottomed configuration during cooking, while improving the integrity of the bottom region seals against blowout and/or leakage.

Abstract: A package is described comprising a bag with a pair of opposing face panels joined by longitudinally extending centrally projecting gussets. The bottom of the bag has a strong permanent seal containing a stiffening member or stay. The top has a rupturable seal formed from thermoplastic adhesive that allows the top to open during popping to form a vent. The bottom seal includes adhesive seals that extend diagonally from the center of the bag obliquely toward the side edges and is pinched shut to provide a temporary fin seal across the entire lower end of the bag. The temporary fin seal is folded down and bonded to an outside face of the bag to provide the stiffening stay member. During cooking, the popping of corn expands the bag and forms a bottom wall which is held quite flat by the cooperation of the bottom diagonal seals and the stiffening stay member.

Abstract: A seamless, bone puncture resistant bag is provided that representatively includes a length of lay-flat seamless tubular film folded to a double lay-flat configuration and having all adjacent film surfaces interfacially bonded, respectively, except at one outermost interface. The configuration thus forms a seamless envelope with one face thickened integrally to triple thickness. In a less preferred mode, a similarly reinforced bag is provided but which has either an end-seal or side-seals. Associated methods for making such bags are also provided.

Abstract: There is disclosed a bag assembly comprised of a tubularly-shaped bag preform formed of a plastic material defining a top closure portion and a bottom closure portion and provided with an adhesive layer peripherally-disposed about the tubularly-shaped bag preform proximate the top and bottom closure portions. The top closure portion and the bottom closure portion are subsequently formed with corner folds and side folds with the side folds being dimensioned whereby end portions of said side folds are spaced apart from one another upon subsequent folding agent about a fold line. A conduit member including a sleeve portion is mounted on one of the corner folds of the top closure portion by an adhesive layer portion disposed on the corner fold, and sheet members are thereupon mounted over the side and corner folds by adhesive layer portions thereon. After folding of the side fold members about the fold lines, top and bottom closure sheet members are mounted on the top and bottom closure portions.