Abstract: This invention relates to blends of polyethylene and polypropylene useful to make films for packaging of flowable materials, in particular liquids. In addition to possessing good flex crack resistance, these films can withstand steam sterilization and/or aseptic packaging conditions as they have Hot Tack Initiation Temperatures in the range of from about 100° C. to about 140° C. and Hot Tack Strengths of not more than 5 N/inch in the temperature range from 100° C. to 150° C.

Abstract: A heat sealing jaw for use in cooperation with an opposing backing jaw for sealing layers of film together is described. The heat sealing jaw may be suitable for forming an easy-open feature on a packaging pouch used to contain flowable material. In certain embodiments the heat sealing jaw comprises a jaw body, a heat sealing element secured to the jaw body, a support surface for clamping the layers of film together against the opposing backing jaw, and, a heat sink coupled to the heat sealing element for inducing a temperature gradient along a sealing face of the heat sealing element. The sealing face may have a protrusion for forming a notch within the layers of film. Related apparatuses and methods are also described.

Abstract: This invention relates to an adaptor used in a fitment valve assembly, said adaptor comprising an outer ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface; a flange moulded to the bottom of said outer ring collar; an interior ring collar having a top and a bottom, and an outer and an inner surface moulded in adjacent relationship to said outer ring collar near the top of said interior ring collar; an inverted dome structure moulded toward the bottom of said inner surface of said interior ring collar defining at least one opening for the flow of fluid there-through; a groove for an O-ring moulded in said inner surface of said interior ring collar above said dome structure; a lip moulded onto said bottom of said interior ring collar for forming a seal with said fitment valve assembly; and a groove for an O-ring moulded in said outer surface at the bottom of said interior ring collar.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layer film for making pouches for containing flowable materials, said multi-layer film comprising generally five layers in order: inner sealant-layer, first interposed layer, the core layer, second interposed layer, and the outer sealant layer. The sealant and core layers are ethylene-based, whereas the interposed layers are polypropylene-based. The multi-layer film thickness is in the range of from about 35 microns to about 66 microns. The combined thickness of the first and the second interposed layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of said multi-layer film. Similarly, a combined thickness of the inner and the outer sealant-layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of the multi-layer film. The interposed layers comprise polypropylene that has a melt-index of less than 0.75 dg/min.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layer film for making pouches for containing flowable materials, said multi-layer film comprising generally five layers in order: inner sealant-layer, first interposed layer, the core layer, second interposed layer, and the outer sealant layer. The sealant and core layers are ethylene-based, and the interposed layers are polypropylene-based. The multi-layer film thickness is in the range of from about 35 microns to about 66 microns. The interposed layers comprise a novel polypropylene blend with a major component polypropylene and a minor component polypropylene, wherein the minor component polypropylene is a heterogeneous polypropylene interpolymer with a density in the range of from about 0.875 to about 0.91 g/cm3.

Abstract: This invention discloses a multi-layer film for making pouches for containing flowable materials, said multi-layer film comprising generally five layers in order: inner sealant-layer, first interposed layer, the core layer, second interposed layer, and the outer sealant layer. All layers are ethylene-based. The combined thickness of the first and the second interposed layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of said multi-layer film. Similarly, a combined thickness of the inner and the outer sealant-layers is in the range of from about 10% to about 27% of the total thickness of the multi-layer film. The interposed layers comprise high-density polyethylene that has a density of at least 0.950 g/cm3 and a melt-index of less than 1.05 dg/min.

Abstract: An improved piercing fitment assembly for mounting to a flexible container is provided, whereby the contents of the container are dispensed by piercing a pierceable portion of a cap using a fluid transfer device. The piercing fitment assembly is easy to use as a relatively minimal amount of force is required for piercing and establishing fluid transfer. It also has a locking system which locks the fluid transfer device into a dispensing state and also forms a reliable seal between the cap and the fluid transfer device which minimizes the risk of unwanted spillage. The fitment assembly comprises: a spout connected in fluid communication to the container; a cap having a pierceable portion sealing an end of the spout and a fluid transfer device having a leading tooth to initiate piercing of the pierceable portion of the cap.

Abstract: A tamper evident fitment assembly for use with a container for flowable material, the closure comprising a cap and a spout secured to the container, the cap having a frangible tamper evident band, the cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging a top portion of the spout, the cap and spout having cooperating detent and locking elements so that the assembly in a first position where the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is not broken when the cap is removed for filling may move to a second position when the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is broken upon removal of the cap. An important feature of the present invention is that the cap frictionally engages a top portion of the spout. No screw threads or similar securing means are required to retain the cap on the spout.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fitment, for use on a flexible container, comprising a spout member having a first end and a second end and defining a passageway between the two and a plug member which is sized to be received in the passageway. The plug member also has a leading end that lies in sealing engagement with the first end of the spout member when the plug member is received in the passageway.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flowable material packaging film comprising at least a resin blend of (a) from about 33 wt % to about 80 wt % of at least one ethylene-C4 to C10-?-olefin interpolymer having a melt index of from 0.4 to 1.5 g/10 min (190° C., 2.15 kg), a density of from 0.900 to 0.916 g/cc; and (b) from about 67 wt % to about 20 wt % of at least one heterogeneous interpolymer of propylene with ethylene or ethylene and butene comprising from about 71 mol % to about 86 mol % propylene and from about 29 mol % to about 14 mol % ethylene or ethylene and butene, the interpolymer having an overall weight average molecular weight (MW) of at least about 400,000, a xylene soluble phase of not less than 30% (wt), with the xylene soluble phase having a MW of at least about 275,000 and said heterogeneous interpolymer of polypropylene has a density of from 0.875 to 0.91 g/cc; and the film has a Hot Tack Initiation Temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 140° C.

Abstract: There is disclosed a flowable material packaging film comprising at least a resin blend of (a) from about 33 wt % to about 80 wt % of at least one ethylene-C4 to C10-?-olefin interpolymer having a melt index of from 0.4 to 1.5 g/10 min (190° C., 2.15 kg), a density of from 0.900 to 0.916 g/cc; and (b) from about 67 wt % to about 20 wt % of at least one heterogeneous interpolymer of propylene with ethylene or ethylene and butene comprising from about 71 mol % to about 86 mol % propylene and from about 29 mol % to about 14 mol % ethylene or ethylene and butene, the interpolymer having an overall weight average molecular weight (Mw) of at least about 400,000, a xylene soluble phase of not less than 30% (wt), with the xylene soluble phase having a Mw of at least about 275,000 and said heterogeneous interpolymer of polypropylene has a density of from 0.875 to 0.91 g/cc; and the film has a Hot Tack Initiation Temperature in the range of from about 100° C. to about 140° C.

Abstract: A tamper evident fitment assembly for use with a container for flowable material, the closure comprising a cap and a spout secured to the container, the cap having a frangible tamper evident band, the cap having an annular recess for frictionally engaging a top portion of the spout, the cap and spout having cooperating detent and locking elements so that the assembly in a first position where the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is not broken when the cap is removed for filling may move to a second position when the cap is removably sealed to the spout and the tamper evident band is broken upon removal of the cap. An important feature of the present invention is that the cap frictionally engages a top portion of the spout. No screw threads or similar securing means are required to retain the cap on the spout.

Abstract: In one of its aspects, the present invention relates to a process for forming a flexible liquid-packaging pouch. This process improves fill-accuracy of the flowable material contained in the pouch. Specifically, the invention relates to a process for improving the fill-accuracy of a pouch by incorporating at least one stand-pipe in a balance tank that feeds the pouch with flowable material to be packaged. This invention also relates to such apparatus for improving the fill-accuracy of the flexible liquid-packaging pouch.

Abstract: A process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material is disclosed. The process includes the steps of: providing a continuous tube of flexible and sealable film; supplying the continuous tube with a predetermined amount of flowable material; pinching the continuous tube above a sealing region so as to form a pinched portion of the continuous tube; evacuating the headspace between the pinched portion and the predetermined amount of flowable material; and sealing the continuous tube at the sealing region to form a top seal of a previously formed pouch containing flowable material and a bottom seal of a next-to-be filled pouch. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a fitment, for use on a flexible container, comprising a spout member having a first end and a second end and defining a passageway between the two and a plug member which is sized to be received in the passageway. The plug member also has a leading end that lies in sealing engagement with the first end of the spout member when the plug member is received in the passageway.

Abstract: This invention discloses a process for forming a pouch having an evacuated headspace containing a flowable material. The process relates to optimizing both, the evacuation of the headspace in the pouch and the accuracy of the flowable material filled in the pouch. Specifically, the present invention employs a process that includes a multiple-step or a continuous compression of the pouch headspace to accomplish the goals. Also disclosed is a vertical form-fill-seal apparatus for forming a pouch containing a flowable material and having an evacuated headspace.