Abstract: A method of forming a bag is provided. The method includes providing an elongate tubular member (22) having opposed ends, at least one end (24) of which defines an open mouth (26). The method further includes folding opposed portions (28, 30, 32, 34) of the tubular member (22) to extend at least partially across the mouth (26). The method also includes positioning a panel (36) to extend across the opposed portions (28, 30, 32, 34). The method further includes securing the panel 36 and the opposed portions (28, 30, 32, 34) together thereby to close the mouth (26) at the at least one end (24) of the tubular member (22).

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention provides a carrying case for computer and electronic accessories containing a foldable mouse pad 90. The foldable mouse pad includes a perimeter extending around the mouse pad 130, wherein the perimeter contains a fastener 120, so that when the mouse pad folds it can form a storage pouch. Other embodiments of the present invention provide a mouse pad 200 having a pocket 220 for storage of computer and electronic accessories and a mouse pad comprising a perimeter of piping 180 to prevent a mouse from sliding off the mouse pad on an uneven surface.

Abstract: The collecting bag has a bag member formed by a first and a second film blank, and a discharge portion that is foldable and unfoldable to bring the discharge portion from an open unfolded condition to a closed folded condition and vice versa. A first plate member is positioned on the first film blank and a second plate member is positioned on an extension of the second film blank Each plate member is formed from a relatively stiff material, and the distance between the distal edge of the first plate member and the proximal edge of the second plate member is smaller than the thickness of the first plate member. When folding the discharge portion, the distal edge of the first plate member acts as a pivot, and a stretching effect is created on the second film blank to effectively seal the discharge opening without deformation of the plate members.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for increasing the operational bandwidth of a multimode optical fiber communications system is provided. The method comprises launching optical radiation into the core of the multimode fiber away from the center of the core so as to strongly excite mid order modes of the multimode fiber, but to only weakly excite low order and high order modes of the multimode fiber. The mid order modes excited are predominately within a small number of mode groups and thus have similar propagation constants. This leads to a reduction in modal dispersion and thus to a significant increase in bandwidth compared to an overfilled launch. The offset launch of the invention is tolerant both to the launch conditions and to any imperfections in the fiber refractive index profile. Modal noise performance is also enhanced. Embodiments of the invention employ a singlemode fiber, a multimode fiber or a lens to illuminate an end face of a multimode fiber with a small spot offset from the optical axis of the fiber.

Abstract: A reusable, reclosable, suspendable bag assembly facilitates storage of an object, such as a medical instrument, between uses. The bag assembly includes a suspension tab for hanging or carrying the bag. A closure flap is provided to fold over an opening of the bag to close the interior cavity therein. The bag assembly is formed in two sections, a removable section and a reusable, reclosable bag section. The removable section is attached to the reclosable bag section by tear lines that allow the removable section to be readily detached from the bag section by a user.

Abstract: A convertible carrying bag/envelope suitable for carrying and shipping printed materials and other items. The bag/envelope provides a handle that may be used to carry the bag/envelope while allowing items to be placed into or removed from the interior of the bag. The bag/envelope provides an exterior flap that is operative for sealing the bag, on which delivery indicia is printed, so that it may be shipped via a small package delivery service. To prepare the bag for shipping, the handle is folded into the interior of the bag. The flap is then extended across the opening and affixed to the opposite panel using the pressure-sensitive adhesive provided on the flap.

Abstract: A bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel comprising a bag front wall attached to a beach towel and a flap. The flap further comprises a zippered storage compartment. One or more shoulder straps are attached to the bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel in order to provide hands-free transportation of the items contained in the bag with storage pocket which converts into a beach towel and the storage compartment.

Abstract: A laundry bag is provided with a first loop on a wall of the bag on one side of an aperture and a second loop on a wall of the bag on the opposite side of the aperture. An elongate strap extends perpendicularly from the vicinity of the second loop. In use, the strap may be passed successively through the first and second loops and pulled tightly, whereupon the aperture is securely closed, to a variable degree. Also disclosed is a similar arrangement for use with a laundry bag which has a closure flap for covering the aperture and wherein the strap and the second loop are affixed to the closure flap.

Abstract: A handbag is disclosed comprising pouch with a flap, a pulley drawstring means, and a fulcrum means. Preferably the drawstring runs in a continuous circuit through the edge of the flap and the fulcrum means. Opening the flap pulls the drawstring in one direction; pulling the drawstring in the other direction closes the flap. A preferred fulcrum is a pair of loops, one on each side of the handbag. Balancing loops above the pulley loops and one or more tension loops between the pulley loops and the balancing loops are optional. This same invention may be applied to a backpack.

Abstract: An assembly of disposable biodegradable containers has smaller containers of the assembly telescopingly housed within next larger containers of the assembly where each container includes a body and a closeable reopenable closure at an end of the body including a cap joined to the body where the cap extends longitudinally from the body to an aperture, where the cap includes a pair of longitudinally extending opposite V-shaped flexible folding hinge portions whereby when the longitudinally extending exterior surfaces of the cap which are subtended by the V-shaped hinge portions are urged towards one another, interior surfaces of the cap bounded by edges of aperture contact thereby closing the aperture and including a contact adhesive for releasably maintaining the cap closed by securing contacting interior surfaces of the cap and including a deformable strip for retaining the container closed upon wrapping strip end portions about the cap has been folded about the strip.

Abstract: Two hangable display packages, one being a plastic bag container and the other a cardboard box container, have a separate rigid plastic hanger for hanging on a rod or the like of a display rack. The plastic bag is of a different material than the plastic hanger which is disposed within a pocket formed at the top of the bag with the hook portion of the hanger extending through a hole in the top peripheral edge of the bag, and the bag has layers thereof bonded together slightly below the lower edges of arms of the hanger to entrap the hanger within the bag. A method of forming the hangable package by properly positioning the hanger within the bag and bonding the layers of the bag together while the top edge of the hanger arms are properly positioned against the top peripheral edge of the bag is disclosed.