Abstract: A dispensing system, a flexible bag or pouch for use therewith, and methods for filling a dispensing bottle with a flowable product and dispensing the same are disclosed. The system includes a flexible bag and a dispensing bottle. The flowable product is located in the bag. The bag includes a first end and a second end. The bottle includes an interior chamber, a squeezable sidewall surrounding the chamber and a bottom cap including a dispensing valve. The bag is disposed in the chamber with the second end opened to form an open mouth, whereupon the flowable product is in communication with the dispensing valve. Squeezing of the bottle's sidewall applies pressure to the flowable product to cause it to be dispensed out of the bottle through dispensing valve.

Abstract: A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. In two embodiments the fitment is configured so that the piercing member pierces through a wall of the bag to dispense the bag's contents through an outlet port of the fitment. One of those embodiments includes a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. Another embodiment does not include a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. A third embodiment makes use of a fitment connected to a filling gland of the bag and which is in communication with the interior of the bag. That third embodiment includes a frangible seal forming part of the fitment and which is pierced by the piercing member to dispense the liquid from the bag.

Abstract: A flexible package and methods of making the same are disclosed. The package is formed of a flexible sheet material and includes plural panels connected together to form an internal compartment holding a flowable granular or particulate material. The package includes a transverse seal line which includes a permanently sealed section and a releasably securable sealed section. The releasably securable sealed section is configured to be peeled open to form a spout for the package. The package also includes a re-closable connector located adjacent the releasably securable section to close the spout after it has been opened. The package also includes a handle for lifting and carrying the package and for facilitating pouring the contents of the package out of the spout.

Abstract: A flexible side-gusseted package and methods of making the same are disclosed. The package has a central longitudinal axis, a front panel, a back panel, and a pair of gusseted side panels. The front panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. The back panel is secured to the gusseted side panels along a pair of side seal lines. Each of the seal lines includes a pair of end portions and an intermediate portion. The intermediate portion, e.g., a concave recessed portion, of each side seal line is located closer to the central longitudinal axis than the end portions of the side seal lines to provide a package which is somewhat necked-down at its middle, to facilitate grasping of the package by users.

Abstract: A flexible package with a one-way, pressure-equalizing or degassing valve and method of making the same is provided. The package includes a tortuous path preventing particulate materials, e.g., fine powders, from clogging or interfering with opening and closing of said valve. The package includes a heat seal including discontinuities or gaps which defines a tortuous path between the valve and the compartment within the package in which the particulate material is located, allowing air and internal gases trapped in the package to escape through the valve while preventing fine powders, dust and particulate from reaching the valve body by trapping or collecting them in the tortuous path.

Abstract: A flexible package having a tamper evident product authentication label secured thereto and methods of making the same are disclosed. The package includes at least one panel having a heat seal line. The label has an outer surface with authentication indicia appearing thereon and an inner surface adhesively secured to the package adjacent the heat seal line. The label includes peripheral portions that are frangible, with one of the frangible peripheral portions of the label being located within a portion of the area made up by the heat seal line. Accordingly, attempted removal of the label from the package will cause the label to tear, leaving at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the label secured to the package to thereby prevent reuse of the label.

Abstract: A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. The fitment is configured such that when the bulb is first actuated, e.g., pressed, it causes the piercing member to pierce through the wall of the bag so that the contents of the bag can be dispensed through an outlet port of the fitment. In one embodiment of the fitment a portion of the piercing member is permanently located within the bag after first use and a valve is provided to open and close the outlet port thereafter. In another and more preferred embodiment the piercing member is extended into and out of the bag to dispense the contents of the bag through the outlet port, without necessitating use of a separate valve to open and close that port.

Abstract: A flexible package for dispensing a liquid. The package includes a fitment and a piercing member. The fitment is secured to a wall of the flexible package and has a passageway extending through it and a screw-thread section. The piercing member has a passageway extending through it, a piercing tip, and a screw-thread section. The piercing member is configured for insertion in the passageway of the fitment, with the screw-thread sections engaging each other to cause the piercing tip to penetrate the package, whereupon the liquid within the package can flow into and through the piercing member.

Abstract: A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. In two embodiments the fitment is configured so that the piercing member pierces through a wall of the bag to dispense the bag's contents through an outlet port of the fitment. One of those embodiments includes a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. Another embodiment does not include a separate valve to open and close the outlet port. A third embodiment makes use of a fitment connected to a filling gland of the bag and which is in communication with the interior of the bag. That third embodiment includes a frangible seal forming part of the fitment and which is pierced by the piercing member to dispense the liquid from the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are provided for dispensing a liquid from within a flexible package. The apparatus includes a fitment and a piercing member. The fitment is secured to a wall of the flexible package and has a passageway extending through it and a screw-thread section. The piercing member has a passageway extending through it, a piercing tip, and a screw-thread section. The piercing member is configured for insertion in the passageway of the fitment, with the screw-thread sections engaging each other to cause the piercing tip to penetrate the package, whereupon the liquid within the package can flow into and through the piercing member.

Abstract: A flexible package having a tamper evident product authentication label secured thereto and methods of making the same are provided. The package includes at least one panel having a heat seal line. The label has an outer surface with authentication indicia appearing thereon and an inner surface adhesively secured to the package adjacent the heat seal line. The label includes peripheral portions that are frangible, with one of the frangible peripheral portions of the label being located within a portion of the area made up by the heat seal line. Accordingly, attempted removal of the label from the package will cause the label to tear, leaving at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the label secured to the package to thereby prevent reuse of the label.

Abstract: Disclosed are apparatus and methods for producing bags filled with a flowable particulate material from a continuous tube of flexible material. The apparatus includes a one-way valve application station having a valve applicator mechanism and a cutting and heating mechanism configured for movement with the bag through the apparatus. The valve applicator mechanism holds a one-way valve for insertion within the bag as the bag is moved through the apparatus. The cutting and heating mechanism is configured to be moved in unison with the valve applicator mechanism to cooperate with it to cut a vent hole in the bag at the valve and to weld the valve to the bag. Then the valve applicator mechanism and the cutting and heating mechanism are moved to apply another one-way valve to another filled bag and the bag with the valve secured thereto is sealed. The resulting sealed bag is suitable for stable palletization.

Abstract: A package including a fitment for dispensing a liquid from a flexible bag is disclosed. The fitment is secured to the bag and includes a compressible bulb and a piercing member that are coupled together. The fitment is configured such that when the bulb is first actuated, e.g., pressed, it causes the piercing member to pierce through the wall of the bag so that the contents of the bag can be dispensed through an outlet port of the fitment. In one embodiment of the fitment a portion of the piercing member is permanently located within the bag after first use and a valve is provided to open and close the outlet port thereafter. In another and more preferred embodiment the piercing member is extended into and out of the bag to dispense the contents of the bag through the outlet port, without necessitating use of a separate valve to open and close that port.

Abstract: Flexible packages and methods of filling them are disclosed. The package includes front and a rear panels. The front and rear panels each have a pair of side edges, a bottom edge, and a top edge. Respective ones of the side and bottom edges of the panels are secured together. The panels confront each other at the top portion of the package to form an interface through which the package may be filled. The top portion of the package is reinforced with reinforcing layers to form at least one top extension, which includes a handle for supporting the package.