Abstract: The disclosure provides ethylene/?-olefin copolymer based co-extruded, multi-layer films, including barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have improved flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have good barrier properties as the barrier films include a core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer having a high ethylene content. The low amount of EVOH copolymer in the total film that is needed to achieve the flex-crack resistance, toughness, and good barrier properties, further allow for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The disclosure provides co-extruded, multi-layer films, including metallized barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have good heat retention, and barrier properties, as well as good flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have a metallized barrier core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer wherein both the metal and EVOH are in amounts that achieve the heat retention, flex-crack resistance, toughness, and barrier properties, while allowing for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The disclosure provides methods and probes used to dispense flowable materials from a packaged source, such as a bag in box container. The probes are adapted to engage with one or more dispensing components, for example, spouts, faucets, caps, bags, boxes, or other dispensing components. The disclosure also provides methods of using the probe, including connecting the probe to one or more dispensing components, for example flip caps, and methods of dispensing the packaged flowable material.

Abstract: A tap dispenser assembly for use with a fluid container including a tap body, a spring button, and a valve. The tap body includes an attachment portion, a dispensing portion, and a fluid channel with an upper wall and a lower wall. The dispensing portion includes a valve stem guide and a guide support. The guide support is above the lower wall and/or the upper wall. The valve is connected to the spring button and is slidingly inserted into the valve stem guide. The tap dispenser assembly has a closed position where the spring button is not depressed and the valve seals the dispensing portion and an open position where the spring button is depressed and the seal between the valve and dispensing portion is broken, allowing fluid to flow from the tap dispenser assembly.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing or eliminating organoleptic degradation in organoleptically sensitive foods packaged in flexible packaging, and packaged products thereof. This invention also relates to organoleptic flexible packaging made from polymeric films comprising oxidation-stable and non-migratory polysiloxane as slip additive. The oxidative-stability and non-migratory nature of the polysiloxane slip additive provides an organoleptic flexible packaging that is non-interactive with and inert to the organoleptically sensitive food packaged within, specifically: (1) coffee; (2) beer; (3) water; and (4) wine.

Abstract: The disclosure provides ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer and/or copolymer based co-extruded, multi-layer films, including high barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have good flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have good high barrier properties as the barrier films include a core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer. The relatively low amount of EVOH copolymer in the total film that is needed to achieve the flex-crack resistance, toughness, and high barrier properties, further allow for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: Filtering assemblies to be used with a flowable material container. The assembly includes a filtering screen. The assembly further includes filtering media. The filtering media includes activated carbon. The filtering media includes dissolvable material. The assembly further includes a filtering basket to contain the filtering media. The assembly further includes a valve assembly. The assembly further includes a spout with a filter. The spout further includes a removable filter. The removable filter is configured to extend beyond the end of the spout. The removable filter includes circulation holes. The removable filter is configured to be pushed into the spout by a closure cap. The removable filter is configured to contain filtering media.

Abstract: The present application relates to a closure assembly for connection to a spout in fluid communication with a container. The closure assembly includes a housing configured to be secured to the spout and including a fluid passageway and a piercable membrane in the fluid passageway. The closure assembly includes a retention member configured to be secured to the housing and a flexible valve that is positioned in the fluid passageway of the housing and that is secured to the housing by the retention member. The closure assembly is configured to receive a piercing element that extends into the housing such that the piercing member can pierce the valve and the membrane, and the retention member has locking elements that engage the piercing element to lock the piercing element in place with respect to the assembly.

Abstract: A fitment assembly for use with a spout of a fluid container. The assembly includes a fitment and a poppet seal with a flexible element. The fitment includes a top portion and a bottom portion. The poppet seal extends from the bottom portion into the top portion. An attachment portion secures the flexible element within the bottom portion of the fitment. The flexible element provides a closing force to move the poppet seal from a closed to an open position. The poppet seal has a closed position, an open position, and a transport position. The poppet seal has a central support member that extends from the sealing surface of the poppet seal into the top portion of the fitment in the closed and transport condition.

Abstract: The disclosure provides ethylene/?-olefin copolymer based co-extruded, multi-layer films, including barrier films and non-barrier films, and articles of manufacture that include the films, such as flexible bags and containers for flowable materials. The films and articles that include the films have improved flex-crak resistance and toughness. The films and articles that include the films have good barrier properties as the barrier films include a core layer of ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer having a high ethylene content. The low amount of EVOH copolymer in the total film that is needed to achieve the flex-crack resistance, toughness, and good barrier properties, further allow for the recycling of the films and articles of manufacture.

Abstract: The present application relates to a system for dispensing fluid. The system includes a flexible container including a spout that is in fluid communication with an interior region of the container. The system includes a cap configured to be mounted to the spout. The cap includes an opening that leads to a membrane and a first retention mechanism located in the opening. The system includes a piercing tube having a first end configured to puncture the membrane and a second end configured to be connected to a dispensing tube. The piercing tube includes a seal bead and a second retention mechanism. The piercing tube is inserted into the opening of the cap such that the first end punctures the membrane, the first and second retention mechanisms engage each other to retain the piercing tube in the cap, and the seal bead sealingly engages the cap.

Abstract: Multi-layer films for making bags for containing flowable materials, in particular to large bags for dairy products. The multi-layer films have an outer and an inner sealant layer and a core layer and optionally, an interposed layer positioned between the outer sealant layer and the core layer and between the core layer and the inner sealant layer. The outer and inner sealant layers contain an ethylene/?-olefin interpolymer composition and the intermediate layer optionally contains this interpolymer composition.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a fluid transfer assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container, the fluid transfer assembly having a spout, a screw cap body, and an aseptic plug, wherein the aseptic plug is configured to form an aseptic seal with the screw cap body.

Abstract: This invention relates to a process for reducing or eliminating organoleptic degradation in organoleptically sensitive foods packaged in flexible packaging, and packaged products thereof. This invention also relates to organoleptic flexible packaging made from polymeric films comprising oxidation-stable and non-migratory polysiloxane as slip additive. The oxidative-stability and non-migratory nature of the polysiloxane slip additive provides an organoleptic flexible packaging that is non-interactive with and inert to the organoleptically sensitive food packaged within, specifically: (1) coffee; (2) beer; (3) water; and (4) wine.

Abstract: An adjustable table assembly for use in a filler assembly includes a table having a top surface configured to receive a flexible container thereon and a clamp disposed on the table and configured to releasably secure the flexible container to the table. The table has an infeed end and an outfeed end opposite the infeed end. The table is movable along a plurality of rails affixed to the filler assembly. The table is movable between a loading position, in which the table is configured to receive the flexible container, and an operating position, in which the table is inside the filler assembly. The movement of the table along the plurality of rails is along a first axis. Filler assemblies and methods of using adjustable table assemblies are also disclosed.

Abstract: A separator assembly for separating adjacent flexible bags in a filling assembly includes a body defining an opening therethough, a surface defined on the body within the opening, a clamp movable in the opening and configured to selectively contact the surface, a separator blade movable within the opening, a rail, and a rail guide configured to slidably engage with the rod. The separator assembly is movable along the rail. Methods of moving the separator assembly are also disclosed.

Abstract: A valve assembly for use with a spout. The assembly includes a slide that includes a side wall, an end wall, a slide flange, and an anti-tamper strap. The side wall includes a dispensing hole. The assembly further includes a sleeve and a cap that includes an inlet, an outlet, and a cap flange. The cap flange includes a strap cavity. The cap is configured to be slidably inserted into a spout, the sleeve is configured to be slidably inserted into the cap, the slide is configured to be slidably inserted into the sleeve, and the anti-tamper strap is configured to be inserted into the strap cavity.

Abstract: This invention relates to inner-plies for bulk-bags that surprisingly offer not only high thermal resistance, but also high flex-crack resistance. This invention also relates to such bulk-bags made for packaging of flowable materials, aseptic or otherwise, and the process for improving their flex-crack and thermal resistance. Preferably, the packaging is aseptic. More specifically, the inner-ply of the invention comprises a resin blend comprising the Exceed® XP resin; an LDPE resin or an ethylene—?-olefin copolymer (EAO copolymer); or a blend of said LDPE resin and said EAO copolymer, with flex-crack resistance improved in both machine direction and transverse direction, in conjunction with an improved thermal resistance. Thus, in addition to possessing good flex-crack resistance, the bulk-bags can withstand steam sterilization and/or aseptic packaging conditions.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a dispensing assembly for dispensing flowable material from a container. The dispensing assembly has a spout that communicates with the flowable material and defines a spout retention element. The assembly further has a cap configured to releasably attach to the spout. The cap has a first collar and a second collar, the first collar defining a cap retention element. The cap retention element is configured to contact the spout retention element such that the cap is affixed to the spout, and the engagement between the cap retention element and the spout retention element is reversible, such that the cap is removed from contacting the spout.

Abstract: Disclosed are devices and methods for dispensing flowable material. A dispensing assembly may include a spout defining an internal surface and a passage therethrough, the spout having a first receptacle defined on the interior surface; a first slider insertable into the spout, the first slider having an external surface that defines a first locking ridge configured to releasably engage with the first receptacle; and a second slider insertable into the first slider. The first slider may be configured to move within the spout and be configured to have a first configuration and a second configuration different from the first configuration.