Abstract: A reclosable bag for filling with at least one food product. The reclosable bag generally includes at least one sheet of web material having at least two areas of structural weakness. At least one fold structure is located between and defined by the two areas of structural weakness. An opening is located generally opposite the fold structure. The reclosable bag further includes a reclosable fastener structure having an integral skirt structure of skirt web material extending therefrom. The integral skirt structure includes a distal margin. The distal margin is coupled to the web material at, at least one location between the areas of structural weakness and the opening. The reclosable fastener structure extends past the areas of structural weakness and into the fold structure. The reclosable bag capable of being filled with at least one food product through the opening.

Abstract: Methods are provided for packaging floral groupings in a modified atmosphere at or near the site or harvest. The modified atmosphere package, which generally contain oxygen and carbon dioxide concentrations which differ from those seen in air, is constructed of a material which has modified atmosphere characteristics such that the material is permeable to certain gases while impermeable to others. The package may also include fluid impermeable perforations to assist in the removal of the floral grouping from the package. A surface packaging agent, which maintains the appearance of the floral grouping and/or the modified atmosphere package, may also be present on the package, and a floral grouping maintenance agent, which maintains the appearance of the floral grouping, may also be disposed within the package with the floral grouping before partially sealing the modified atmosphere package about the floral grouping.

Abstract: A plant packaging system and method comprising a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a potted plant or a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. The protective upper portion can be detached from the lower portion of the package system once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve may be provided without a detachable upper portion. The lower portion may have a skirt portion which has a non-linear upper peripheral edge. The lower portion may be tapered and may have a gusset in the lower end.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a floral grouping, preferably an orchid, with a wrapper which may be a sheet of material, a sleeve or a preformed pot cover. The wrapper is preferably constructed from a laminated material made up of at least a waxy layer and a support layer which are superposed upon each other and connected or laminated to each other. A second waxy layer may be connected or laminated to the other surface of the support surface. The waxy layer is made from a waxy material such as waxed paper, waxed tissue or high density polyethylene. The wrapped floral grouping may also contain a shredded material for cushioning the blooms of the floral grouping.

Abstract: The bottle is of a single-piece and comprises a main body (2) with a hermetically closing part (6) delimited by a weakening (7) of the material adjacent to the periphery of the mouth. The bottom part is constituted by a sheet of a thermoplastic material joined to the bottle body by thermowelding. The bottle is closed with a screw-on-cap (8), or a top (12), which are joined to the closing part (6) by means of an adhesive or glue (11).

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strip.

Abstract: A method of covering a pot wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which comprises a base portion tapered to fit a pot and may have a skirt having an edge and having a lower end having excess material therein for forming a bottom. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed package for food items, such as loaves of processed cheese, employing plastic film with serrated ends and an accessible tear strip, which together provide points of focus for easy opening of the package without unwanted tearing or undesirable contamination of the food item. A process for forming this package also forms part of the invention.

Abstract: A reclosable zipper is provided. The reclosable zipper is comprised of a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof. One of the zipper flanges is longer than the other and the zipper flanges are attached together by a peel seal. A slider may optionally be included for opening and closing the zipper. Lengths of the reclosable zipper are attached to a length of thermoplastic film via the longer zipper flange, either transverse or parallel to a running direction of the film, to form a supply of package making material. The supply of package making material is fed into an FFS machine or the like where it is made into reclosable packages.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: Sipping straws are confined in discrete envelopes while advancing in a single file of spaced-apart straws through a wrapping station. The envelopes are obtained from a continuous strip of wrapping paper which is conveyed to the wrapping station in the direction of advancement of the file of spaced-apart straws and is draped around the straws in such a way that one of its longitudinally extending marginal portions overlies and adheres to the other marginal portion with simultaneous formation of a seam rather than an outwardly extending fin. The thus obtained tubular wrapper is thereupon severed in the gaps between successive spaced-apart straws, and the end portions of the thus obtained discrete envelopes are sealed by knurling, e.g., simultaneously with severing of the tubular wrapper.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: A plant package, comprising a pot containing a floral grouping and a flexible sleeve having detaching elements at preselected areas, the sleeve further including a bonding material which connects the sleeve to the pot when the pot is positioned within the sleeve. The sleeve is positioned about the pot and a lower portion of the sleeve closely surrounds and encompasses the pot, an upper portion of the sleeve extending upwardly from the pot and substantially surrounding and encompassing the floral grouping contained within the pot, at least a portion of the sleeve being removable via the detaching elements, leaving a portion of the sleeve which is a decorative plant cover.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: Methods of making slide-zippered reclosable packages are provided. In one embodiment, a pair of opposing film extensions are provided on each package between which a zipper and slider are attached. In another embodiment, sliders are inserted on to zippered packages output from a form-fill-seal machine or the like. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and then a slider is inserted on to the zipper. In yet another embodiment, during package formation a reclosable zipper is sealed to each package and a slider is inserted on to each zipper, either before or after zipper sealing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cover mountable to a beverage container and mounting method and apparatus thereof. The container cover detachably mountable to an upper surface of a beverage container comprises a body which is formed to have substantially a disc-shaped configuration. The body is partly cut away from an edge toward a center thereof thereby to define a beverage discharging opening which has a predetermined width and a predetermined contour. The beverage discharging opening is capable of being selectively communicated with a discharging hole of the beverage container as the body is rotated. An inner end of the beverage discharging opening is delimited by a rotation guiding part which has a predetermined curvature to guide rotation of the body. The body has a straw insertion hole which is defined therein at a predetermined location to have a predetermined diameter in a manner such that a straw can be inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A zipper strip for a reclosable package having a transverse zipper is provided. The zipper strip comprises a male interlocking profile and a female interlocking profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and an integral web which defines a leading flange. The leading flanges are sealed to thermoplastic film material which is used to make the reclosable packages and to each other. A perforation extends along the length of the zipper strip so that the profiles can be readily separated.

Abstract: A plant packaging system and method comprising a combination of a protective upper portion and a decorative lower portion having a base portion and a skirt portion for packaging a potted plant or a botanical item and a growing medium without a pot. The protective upper portion can be detached from the lower portion of the package system once the protective function of the upper portion has been completed. The sleeve may be provided without a detachable upper portion. The lower portion may have a skirt portion which has a non-linear upper peripheral edge. The lower portion may be tapered and may have a gusset in the lower end.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which includes a lower portion and an upper portion which are connected along a detaching element, for example, perforations. Upon opening of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve defines and encompasses an inner retaining space and conforms to the outer surface of a pot. The potted plant is disposed in the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the sleeve such that at least a portion of the pot is covered by the lower portion of the sleeve. The lower portion of the sleeve is detachable from the upper portion by tearing along the detaching element forming an upper edge of the lower portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: Disclosed is a cover mountable to a beverage container and mounting method and apparatus thereof. The container cover detachably mountable to an upper surface of a beverage container comprises a body which is formed to have substantially a disc-shaped configuration. The body is partly cut away from an edge toward a center thereof thereby to define a beverage discharging opening which has a predetermined width and a predetermined contour. The beverage discharging opening is capable of being selectively communicated with a discharging hole of the beverage container as the body is rotated. An inner end of the beverage discharging opening is delimited by a rotation guiding part which has a predetermined curvature to guide rotation of the body. The body has a straw insertion hole which is defined therein at a predetermined location to have a predetermined diameter in a manner such that a straw can be inserted therethrough.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve. Upon opening of the sleeve, the sleeve has a bottom which may be closed, and the sleeve is sized to fit a pot. The potted plant is disposed within the inner retaining space of the open sleeve, and the pot is positioned on the bottom of the sleeve such that the sleeve covers at least a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the pot to provide the decorative cover for the potted plant.

Abstract: A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel, and then the second track is attached to the second panel.

Abstract: A process for the production of a hermetic re-closeable package suitable for various products, in particular food products (4), which consists in partly overlapping two (1,2) sheets of flexible material in order to define two longitudinal side edges (1a,2a) overlapping each other, in joining the two edge regions in such a way as to make them separable and recloseable, in locating the product on said sheets, with one side located next to the edge regions sealed in such a way that they are separable, thereafter in wrapping the so joined sheets around the product by sealing one to the other the side edges opposed to the edges among them already joined; in joining the opposed free ends of such sheets and in sealing them so as to form two end seals; an air-tight packaging is thus produced, openable and recloseable after each partial drawing of product through the opening made by separation and raising of the edge region from the underlying one.

Abstract: A carton sealer is provided whereby a bent-back portion having non-sticky outer surfaces can be formed at a tip of an adhesive tape that is supplied in order to join flaps on a carton. The carton sealer of the invention can join flaps on a carton that is conveyed by adhesive tape. The carton sealer comprises: a tape sticking mechanism that applies adhesive tape from an adhesive tape supply unit onto a sticking-on region extending from a lead region on a front face of an advancing carton, through a joining region extending in the conveying direction, to a tail region on the rear face of the carton, a cutter for cutting the rear end of the adhesive tape that has been applied, and a suction head that forms a bent-back portion at the head of the following tape formed by cutting. Reduced pressure subjected to the suction head acts on and applies suction to the non-sticky surface of the adhesive tape, thereby bending the adhesive tape back so as to form a bent-back portion having non-sticky outer surfaces.

Abstract: In order to produce (cigarette) packs with an (inner) wrapper made of heat-sealable sheet material and with folding tabs which are connected to one another by sealing, first of all a cigarette group (11) is enclosed by a wrapper blank and following completion of the necessary folding operations, is fed to a sealing turret (48). In the region of the latter, folding tabs on sideways directed side walls and on radially outwardly directed end walls of the folded wrapper are sealed.

Abstract: An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.

Abstract: In an automatic filling and closing process for flexible package in which a film is supplied while being longitudinally fused, and the respective steps of filling the longitudinally fused film with contents, laterally fusing the film and cutting the laterally fused area are performed, a slit or a hole is intermittently formed in the supplied film, at a site from unwinding of the film to the longitudinal fusing, during interruption of the supply of the film in the steps of lateral fusing and cutting, and an opening fusing tape is placed over the slit or hole to weld around the perimeter of the slit or hole, thereby obtaining a tape-sealed bag which is easily openable in an opening direction approximately parallel with the laterally fused area.

Abstract: Sipping straws are confined in discrete envelopes while advancing in a single file of spaced-apart straws through a wrapping station. The envelopes are obtained from a continuous strip of wrapping paper which is conveyed to the wrapping station in the direction of advancement of the file of spaced-apart straws and is draped around the straws in such a way that one of its longitudinally extending marginal portions overlies and adheres to the other marginal portion with simultaneous formation of a seam rather than an outwardly extending fin. The thus obtained tubular wrapper is thereupon severed in the gaps between successive spaced-apart straws, and the end portions of the thus obtained discrete envelopes are sealed by knurling, e.g., simultaneously with severing of the tubular wrapper.

Abstract: A method for attaching reclosable zipper to a package is provided. A pair of opposing film extensions are provided on the package above the seal at the package opening. The reclosable zipper is then inserted between the film extensions on the package and sealed thereto.

Abstract: A process for manufacturing a container and a container which can be readily opened without a tool wherein after sterilization of the sealed container a wall of the container is weakened to permit the top to be twisted off without the use of a tool.

Abstract: A method for the packaging of oil-coated cutting tools, and the resultant packaged product. An oil-coated cutting tool is packaged by providing a package blank which includes a pair of panels of heat-sealable and oil-impervious material defining a product-containing area between them. The panels have edges defining a package top, bottom and opposite sides, and are permanently sealed to each other along the side-defining and top-defining edges, with an opening along the bottom-defining edges. The package blank additionally includes a zipper-type recloseable strip in the form of an interlocking bead structure, which effects an openable and recloseable seal between the panels. The interlocking bead structure extends across the panels generally from one of the side-defining edges to the other, and is spaced a distance from the top-defining edge to define a tear zone portion of the panels between the top-defining edge and the interlocking bead structure.

Abstract: A perforating apparatus for use in the formation of shrink film packages is disclosed. The apparatus comprises a bottom seal tool with a plurality of peninsula regions forming a plurality of window areas. Each pair of window areas has a knife receiving area to receive a knife retaining block. The retaining block contains a perforation knife that extends beyond the surface of the sealing tool a sufficient distance to perforate the packages. At least one screw member extends through the peninsula, contacting the retaining block and securing the retaining block within the retaining channel. A change plate, having slots dimensioned and located to receive the knife blades is placed over the sealing tool surface. The packages are placed on the change plate and sealed by contacting the package with the upper platen. The upper platen is provided with a nonconductive material positioned to receive the knife blade.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet, and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strip. Apparatus and methods for placing a product in a flexible recloseable container, and also for manufacturing an empty, flexible recloseable container.

Abstract: The present invention provides, at low cost, a self-supporting package which is excellent in heat resistance and can be sterilized at high temperatures and the content of which is drunk through a straw.

Abstract: A method of wrapping a potted plant in a decorative cover wherein the cover is a flattened sleeve which includes a lower portion and an upper portion which are connected along a detaching element, for example, perforations. Upon opening of the sleeve, the lower portion of the sleeve defines and encompasses an inner retaining space and conforms to the outer surface of a pot. The potted plant is disposed in the inner retaining space of the lower portion of the sleeve such that at least a portion of the pot is covered by the lower portion of the sleeve. The lower portion of the sleeve is detachable from the upper portion by tearing along the detaching element forming an upper edge of the lower portion of the sleeve.

Abstract: A slide-zipper assembly, a method of attaching the slide-zipper assembly to thermoplastic film, and a method of making slide-zippered packages are provided. According to the first aspect of the present invention, the slide-zipper assembly is comprised of a reclosable zipper and an optional slider. The reclosable zipper includes a first profile interlockable with a second profile. Each profile includes an interlocking member and a flange extending from the interlocking member on one side thereof at the bottom of the zipper. The interlocking members are interlockable with one another. The zipper flanges are wrapped around the zipper and joined together at the top of the zipper. The slider straddles the zipper and is adapted to open the zipper as it is moved therealong in an opening direction and to close the zipper as it is moved therealong in a closing direction.

Abstract: An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.

Abstract: A post processing fitment applicator for applying a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton is disclosed herein. The post processing fitment applicator may be utilized in conjunction with a linear form, fill and seal packaging machine such as a TETRA REX® packaging machine. The post processing fitment applicator includes a supply of fitments, a plurality of fitment carriers, a conveyor system and a hot melt dispenser. The plurality of fitment carriers are disposed on a continuous track that partially parallels the movement of a series of formed, filled and sealed cartons on the conveyor system. The plurality of fitment carriers is capable of applying a fitment to a formed, filled and sealed carton as it is moving along the conveyor system. Each of the plurality of fitment carriers may include a fitment holder and a fitment displacement mechanism.

Abstract: A method for covering a pot, the cover is a flattened sleeve comprising a base portion sized to fit a pot and having an upper portion which is detachable leaving an upper edge and a closed bottom in the base. The cover may be bondingly connected to or crimped about the pot.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants or comestibles. The sleeve has a closed curved bottom. The sleeve may also have an expansion element such as a gusset, pleats, random folds or elastic material for enabling the lower portion of the sleeve to conform to the outer and bottom surfaces of the pot to provide a decorative cover about the pot. The sleeve optionally has a detachable upper portion.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve has a bonding material disposed upon an inner and/or outer portion of the sleeve for crimping the sleeve adjacent the pot to hold the sleeve about the pot.

Abstract: In a horizontal form-fill-and-seal (FFS) machine, a continuous length of packaging film is folded lengthwise over the consumer products to be packaged. The lateral edges of the packaging film are separately and independently aligned with one another by edge sensing and control devices. A zipper is fed between the aligned lateral edges of the packaging film. The lateral edges are sealed to one another, and the zipper sealed to the folded packaging film, by a pair of sealing sections, each of which includes a pair of parallel sealing devices. Side seals are produced by conventional means, which also separate completed packages from one another.

Abstract: In a vertical form, fill, seal machine that produces liquid-filled stand-up pouches, a flat vertical fill tube is surrounded by an envelope of thermoplastic film that is closed along one longitudinal edge and open along the opposite longitudinal edge. A main drive assembly includes drive members that press opposite sides of the envelope against the flat fill tube. An auxiliary film drive assembly is responsive to film tension. Stand-up base cups are formed seriatim along the closed longitudinal edge of the envelope. Fitments are inserted seriatim into the open longitudinal edge, in correspondence with respective cups, and are sealed to the thermoplastic film, first by a spot-sealer and then by a top sealer. End seal/cut-off assemblies provide a seal transversely of the envelope that is bisected by a knife to release a leading pouch that has been formed, filled, and sealed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for manufacturing reclosable bags having slide zippers on a form-fill-seal machine is provided. In a first embodiment the sliders are preapplied to the zipper and the bags are made using conventional form-fill-seal techniques. In a second embodiment a coil of sliders is fed into the form-fill-seal machine where the sliders are applied to the zippers by an insertor mechanism. In a third embodiment a magazine of individual or connected sliders is used to feed a slider insertor mechanism which then applies the sliders to the interlocked zippers. In a fourth embodiment bulk sliders are introduced into a vibratory feeding bowl which then orients and feeds the sliders to the slider insertor mechanism.

Abstract: Pouches of flexible packaging material exhibit a tearing zone in the form of a weakness such as perforations or a separation in the material, this in order to be able to remove the contents easily. The packaging material is covered over by at least one film-forming mass, at least in the region of weakness, in order that the package remains closed until the contents are to be used. The film-forming mass may be the decorative printing on the pouch. After packaging, the contents are protected by the pouch and, in order to remove the contents, the pouch may be opened readily by a pulling or snapping movement which causes the covering of film-forming mass to break.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A particulate aerosol dissemination device comprising a shreddable belt is disclosed. The belt has a plurality of individual cells aligned along the belt length and which extend across the belt width. The cells are separated by partitions extending between the cells across the belt width. The cells are capable of holding a solid aerosol filler comprising any one of the following: obscurant or smoke generating materials; pesticides; insecticides; fungicides; riot control agents; fertilizer; and feed. A method for disseminating a solid particle aerosol using the belt and a process for manufacturing the aerosol belt segments is also disclosed.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed container is provided with a dispensing nozzle terminating in an aperture surrounded by locking lugs. A removable closure portion unitary with the dispensing nozzle and delineated by a frangible web that circumscribes the opening is provided as well so that the closure portion may be severed from the cap portion at the frangible web. An apparatus for fabricating such container is provided which includes a main mold assembly for molding the container body and dual seal mold assemblies for molding the container cap portion and container closure. The main seal mold assembly includes a top surface having a knife edge and an annular cavity. After the main seal mold assembly is closed during the molding process, a forming assembly including a mandrel is extended through the parison into abutting contact with the parison over the top surface of the main seal mold assembly.

Abstract: A container for fluids or liquids is formed of flexible material such as plastic and includes a body having an internal reservoir and a tubular spout extending upwardly from the body. The spout has an internal passage in fluid communication with the body. A constriction in the container creates a low pressure zone in the passage downstream of the constriction as liquid flows along the internal passage. Means are also provided to inflate the spout as fluid flows along the internal passage. A method of forming fluid-filled containers from a tube of flexible material and a method of forming a self-supporting fluid-filled container are also disclosed.