Abstract: A method of manufacturing an infusion package 10 comprising a porous-walled container 12 for an infusible substance and a support for the container by means of which the container can be mounted on a rim of a drinking vessel. The method comprises (i) making cuts in at least one web of a semi-rigid material in a direction transverse to the web length to define a plurality of support members 14, each cut defining a first end 16 of one support member and a second end 20 of an adjacent support member such that the first end includes a projection 18 and the second end includes a recess 22 the cutting of which recess produces the projection; (ii) bringing two such support members into opposed relationship with the first end of one of the support members disposed opposite the second end of the other of the support members; (iii) positioning an end region of the container between the opposed support members; and (iv) securing that end region to the support members.

Abstract: A method of making a reclosable plastic bag (38) having a fin seal (35) which provides a weakness area (23, 80, 81, 84, 86) that extends into at least one side of the fin seal (35). Perforation axes (19, 20) for opening the reclosable plastic bag (38) may be aligned with the weakness area (23, 80, 81, 84, 86). A reclosable bag (38) made in accordance with the method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pair of superposed laminated films are fed by a web feed unit, and a longitudinal heat-sealing unit and a lateral heat-sealing unit unite together the pair of films by heat-sealing. A notch and tearing incision forming unit forms notches and tearing incisions in the pair of films. A cutting unit cuts the thus processed pair of united films into packages.

Abstract: A block of bags for a product filling process includes a plurality of bags stacked in overlying relationship. Each bag of the block has a top edge, a bag mouth and opposite first and second side edges. First and second weakened segments extend from adjacent edge points on respective opposite lateral edges of the bag. A central line of perforations extends between inner ends of the first and second weakened segments. A tear-off region is defined between the central line of perforations and the top edge. During automatic filling of the bag, the weakened segments are torn to form an open bag mouth, and the central line of perforations is torn after filling to separate the bag from the block. The weakened segments can be cuts and are spaced from the lateral edges of the bag to define frangible bridges at the lateral edges, wherein the frangible bridges are broken during opening of each bag.

Abstract: A device and method for installing sliders onto fasteners for plastic bags includes a rotor having one or more slider pockets for carrying sliders and one or more notch cutting tools for cutting notches in a fastener. A slider is put into a slider pocket and the rotor is actuated to cut a notch in a fastener and position a slider in the notch. The fastener is then advanced, sliding the slider onto the fastener.

Abstract: Tampon applicator for feminine hygiene, comprising a cylindrical applicator barrel of paper-like material, having a front end comprising segments which are bent forwards and inward with respect to the longitudinal center axis of the applicator barrel, forming a dome whereby a weakening of the segments is provided for reducing their resistance to a spreading movement of the segments during the pushing out of a tampon from the applicator barrel. The bases of the segments are formed by the front, solid-cylindrical end of the applicator barrel and the weakening of the segments is provided on the inner surface and at an axial distance from the base of the segments. The tampon applicator reduces the ejecting pressure by means of the predetermined breaking lines at the inner surface of each segment while the smooth outside of the segments reduces irritations when in use. Additionally, the invention relates to a process and an apparatus for manufacturing said tampon applicator.

Abstract: A flexible pouch includes a flexible compartment with a bottom. A rim is formed around the bottom of the compartment and is spaced from and extends outwardly from this compartment bottom. At least three coplanar feet are provided on the rim for stabilizing the pouch when the pouch is resting on the rim. These coplanar feet can be generally flush with the rim when the pouch is in a flat, empty position. However, when the compartment of the pouch is filled, the coplanar feet will be formed as the lowermost portions of the rim. The pouch will rest on these coplanar feet when on a support to be stably held in position. This pouch design will avoid wobbling or tipping over of the pouch and therefore minimize or eliminate product spillage. Also, a method for making this pouch includes the steps of forming the pouch with the compartment, providing a rim around the bottom of the compartment, and spacing the rim from the bottom of the compartment.

Abstract: A carry out bag having a base portion of which opposing two sides are facing each other, first side portions extending from the opposing two sides of the base portion until a middle area of the base portion respectively, and second side portions extending from the first side portions extended until the middle area and toward an opposite direction to that of the first side portions. The other both sides of the first side portions are bonded to the base portion. Putting an article across the both second side portions not to block up the hand grips therewith, and taking out the hand grips to pull out from the article and to separate the second side portions one from the other, so that the article is received in the carry out bag.

Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a form-fill-seal process is disclosed. The apparatus includes a first bar; a means for cutting, housed within the first bar, the means for cutting including a main cutting blade having two ends, and a tear notch blade attached to the main cutting blade between the ends of the main cutting blade, the tear notch blade disposed at an angle to the longitudinal axis of the main cutting blade; a means for holding the means for cutting within the first bar; a second bar; and means for advancing the means for cutting from the first bar, and through the pouch material, and subsequently retracting the means for cutting from the pouch material, thereby severing the pouch material and cutting a tear notch in an upper transverse seal of a first pouch, and a lower transverse seal of a second pouch.

Abstract: An apparatus for the manufacture of sheets of corrugated board of variable size comprises a cross cutter for severing the entire web of corrugated board disposed, in the conveying direction of a web of corrugated board, downstream of at least one longitudinal cutting arrangement, of cutting devices for cutting lateral margins and of discharge devices for the margins cut off, and upstream of at least one cross cutting arrangement for cutting sheets of corrugated board.

Abstract: A plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout, and a method and apparatus for forming a plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout are disclosed. The bag includes a radially disposed perforation in the upper corner of the bag. Above a heat sealing strip, a slit is formed in the portion of the bag extending above the heat sealing strip, to aid in tearing through the heat seal strip to gain access to the perforation.

Abstract: Method for producing sheets of corrugated cardboard with a variable format in which a web of corrugated cardboard is removed continuously from a heating and pulling device of s conventional corrugated cardboard installation. The sheets are processed to the required format in at least one longitudinal cutting and grooving device. For this purpose the web is conveyed through a pulling device. A cross cutter cuts the sheets of corrugated cardboard from the cardboard web according to a preset format. The cardboard web is conveyed to a cross cutter for the corrugated cardboard sheets in the direction of conveyance without cutting them crosswise. When the format is changed, the area of the web of corrugated cardboard where the formats overlap is cut out by the cross cutter and removed to a waste container through a trap.

Abstract: An envelope blank forming machine for forming generally rectangular booklet envelope blanks and generally diagonal envelope blanks on the same machine includes a pair of removable turnbars, adjustable pull rolls and an adjustable cutoff device. Preselected adjustment of these components provides a generally rectangular blank or a generally diagonally shaped blank. Retractable trim devices are provided in cutting relation with the blank when diagonal blanks are being formed. Seal flap cutters and first and second flap cutters are provided to form the booklet seal flap and bottom flap on the booklet envelope blank. These cutters are removed and replaced with seal flap corner cutters, bottom flap corner cutters and diagonal trim cutters when generally diagonal envelope blanks are being formed.

Abstract: An envelope blank forming machine for forming generally rectangular booklet envelope blanks and generally diagonal envelope blanks on the same machine includes a pair of removable turnbars, adjustable pull rolls and an adjustable cutoff device. Preselected adjustment of these components provides a generally rectangular blank or a generally diagonally shaped blank. Retractable trim devices are provided in cutting relation with the blank when diagonal blanks are being formed. Seal flap cutters and first and second flap cutters are provided to form the booklet seal flap and bottom flap on the booklet envelope blank. These cutters are removed and replaced with seal flap corner cutters, bottom flap corner cutters and diagonal trim cutters when generally diagonal envelope blanks are being formed.

Abstract: Holders for flat objects such as computer disks which can provide pages of a book which carries such objects, instruction for their use and etc. Each page is made of a single sheet of foldable material, preferably spunbonded olefin (such material being available from DuPont under their tradename "Tyvek"). The sheets are cut into the shape of rectangular center panels with bottom and side flaps extended therefrom; the side flaps extending from opposite side edges of the center panel and being off-set from each other. Since a single sheet is used it may be printed with visible indicia (e.g., the name of the manufacturer of and the computer program on the disks), prior to cutting, by conventional printing techniques in one pass through the press. The cut sheets (blanks) can then be manipulated in envelope manufacturing equipment which scores, applies adhesive lines and folds the flaps to provide a plurality of partially overlapping pockets, disposed one above the other.

Abstract: A reclosable bag having an open end with a side margin adjacent the open end, a metal segment in the side margin having ends extending beyond the opening and a sealing tape overlying the metal strip for encapsulation thereof. Apparatus for manufacturing reclosable bags includes a continuous webbing of flexible bags joined end-to-end, a continuous roll of metal strip with an arrangement for forming the metal strip into discrete segments. A roll of adhesively coated sealing tape and an arrangement for positioning the sealing tape over a metal strip segment while applying the sealing tape to one end of a flexible bag. A method of forming the reclosable bags includes the steps of providing a serial succession of bags joined end-to-end, stretching a portion of each bag so as to be free of wrinkles, aligning a metal strip segment with the wrinkle-free portion of the bag and sealing the metal strip segment of the bag with a portion of sealing tape.

Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a pouch is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal between pouches as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower pouch and a bottom closure for the upper pouch, the easy open feature being provided by a U-shaped portion having a plurality of seal ribs, and a tear initiation notch.

Abstract: Gusseted bags are provided with extruded reclosable plastic profile strips along free upper end portions of face walls flanking a bag mouth, the fastener strips being free to separate throughout their lengths when opening the bag mouth to the full extent permitted by opposite side expanding gussets of the bag so that free access into the bag such as for inserting or removing contents such a tray loaded with products such as cookies, or the like, or for pouring contents therefrom selectively between either of the separated ends of the upper end portions of the face walls and the corresponding ends of the fastener strips is permitted. The fastener strips may have interlockable wraparound extensions. A method of making the bags is disclosed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for forming draw tape bags wherein the bag material moves continuously during the manufacture, except for the last step. The apparatus may be used with an in-line system wherein a tube is extruded and a side gusset is formed to create a hem; or the apparatus may be used with an off-line system wherein folded bag material is used, and a continuous hemmer is provided to turn the loose edges. In the off-line system a constant tension dancer precedes the hemmer to maintain constant tension on the web regardless of the size of the supply roll. The web continues to move, and a cutter is actuated to move through a circle and engage the web to punch finger holes in the hem. A reel of a strip of material is continuously fed, the strip being slit longitudinally to provide the draw tapes which are inserted into the hems. A tape guide tensions the tape and assures that the tape is well within the hem, the hems are sealed, and the bags are side welded.

Abstract: A bag forming apparatus passes a hemmed web through a rotating edge notcher and related units to form a taped hem in the web which is passed through an intermittently operated bag making machine. A web supply unit includes a web take-up unit to maintain a constant tension in the continuously moving web to the bag making machine. The web notches are phased with the bag making machine to locate the notches centrally of each bag. During starting and stopping, the web take-up unit changes the web length moving through the notching unit at normal full web speed operation and the web length variations are minimal. A programmable notch controller actuates a stepper motor to rotate the notcher. The controller responds to a control signal to form a notch. A programmable switch is coupled to the bag making machine to generate a first control signal for each bag cycle and is phased with the full web speed to locate the notch centrally of the bag.

Abstract: A method for obtaining wrapper sheet blanks from a continuous web having opposite parallel edges, wherein each blank is composed of first and second portions, the first portion having the shape of a rectangle and the second portion having the shape of a non-rectangular parallelogram joined to the first portion along a common imaginary edge.

Abstract: Method and system for preparing a flat-bottom thermoplastic sack including forming a transverse sealed seam across the mid-section of a collapsed, gusseted tube and simultaneously or subsequently forming a preweakened transverse line closely next adjacent to the sealed seam; forming diagonal sealed seams of each 2 ply gusset fold so as to meet the ends of the transverse sealed seam and removing the four double-film triangular regions outside of the diagonal seams and separating said structures along the preweakend lines to form individual flat bottom sacks. The process also includes forming a handled version of the same sack.

Abstract: A slitter mechanism for use in a double fold bottomer apparatus employed in making bags from starting flush cut tubes is described which gives precise, high speed side marginal tube slitting in order to permit subsequent downstream gluing and folding operations. In preferred forms, the slitter mechanism includes a bag-end separating assembly having a vacuum manifold and a cooperating adjacent deflector bar serving to separate end portions of the sidewalls of a moving tube. A sequentially rotatable blade is also provided which first enters the open end of the moving tube between separated wall portions, overtakes and slits the leading side margin of the tube, and then stops with a trailing slitting edge situated within the tube open end; subsequent bag movement causes the trailing tube side margin to engage and be slit by the stationary blade edge.