Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: A process for forming and trimming a part comprises providing a continuous web of polymeric material, thermoforming the continuous web of polymeric material into the desired part, providing a cutter arrangement comprising a blade, providing a platen assembly comprising a closed groove that generally corresponds to the outer shape of the blade and a vacuum system, wherein at least one of the cutter arrangement and the platen assembly is moveable with respect to the at least one other assembly, trimming the part of the continuous web of polymeric material from the remainder of the continuous web of polymeric material via the blade, and removing undesirable trim material formed during the trimming of the part via the vacuum system.

Abstract: Polymeric bag includes first and second opposing body panels attached to each other along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides, a reclosable fastener extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom, a pressure relief opening defined in the first body panel, and a pressure relief valve attached to the first body panel. The valve includes a cover member to cover the opening. The cover member includes an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer is connected at a first end to the lower layer. The lower layer includes a first portion attached to the body panel and a second contiguous portion not attached to the body panel. The first end of the upper layer is hingedly connected to the second portion of the lower layer. An additional aspect includes a seal line extending proximate the pressure relief opening.

Abstract: A generally circular container is disclosed. The container comprises a continuous body portion. The container further comprises a rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the body portion. The container further comprises a first feature projecting generally upwardly from the rim. The container further comprises a corresponding second feature positioned on the rim. The container further comprises a stacking feature formed on the body portion opposite the rim. The stacking feature extends substantially along the circumference of the container. The container is adapted to be stacked with a second container, the second container being inverted relative to the first container, by engaging the stacking feature of the container with a second stacking feature of the second container to prevent or inhibit lateral movement of the container relative to the second container.

Abstract: An antifogging composition for food packaging containers comprising (i) an antifogging nonionic surfactant blend comprising a fatty acid ester and an ethoxylated compound and (ii) acetone. An antifogging composition comprising (i) an antifogging nonionic surfactant blend comprising a fatty acid ester and an ethoxylated compound and (ii) a solvent selected from methyl acetate, isopropyl alcohol, ethanol, and mixtures thereof. A method of defogging a food packaging container surface comprising defogging a food packaging container surface comprising selecting a surface; providing (i) an antifogging nonionic surfactant blend comprising a fatty acid ester and an ethoxylated compound and (ii) a solvent selected from methyl acetate, isopropyl applying the antifogging composition to the surface.

Abstract: A method of forming a container (100) includes heating two webs of material and indexing the webs into a vacuum thermoformer (40) which forms first (220) and second trays (110) simultaneously, wherein the second tray is disposed within a space of the first tray to define a reservoir (300) therebetween. A portion of the first tray is brought into contact with a flange portion of the second tray, and joined by a heat seal within the vacuum thermoformer. A punch device within the vacuum thermoformer perforates a drain aperture (117) in a central region of the bottom of the second tray, such that the drain aperture is in fluid communication with the reservoir. The cut-out section is adhered to the bottom of the first tray to eliminate the presence of any scrap material. The joined first and second tray is indexed out of the vacuum thermoformer and trimmed to separate an assembled container from the web supply.

Abstract: A unit operation station for use in a web processing machine comprising: a shuttle system including an input roller for receiving a web and an attached zipper, an output roller and a the connecting element for maintaining the input roller and the output roller in a fixed position relative to each other; a plurality of stations performing distinct operations for mechanically altering the attached zipper, one of the plurality of stations including a slider-insertion mechanism for placing a slider onto the zipper; a web path located beyond the input roller and including the plurality of stations; a driver for providing reciprocating movement to the shuttle system to cause intermittent movement of the web and the attached zipper along the web path; wherein the output roller releases the web and the attached zipper at a rate substantially equal to a continuous input feed rate of the web and the attached zipper, and wherein the shuttle system moves at a speed substantially equal to the continuous input/output feed

Abstract: A multilayer polymer composite structure that includes a first layer including a polymer and at least one mineral filler and a second layer including a polymer. A third layer is positioned between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the third layer includes a mixture of material from at least the first and second layers. Preferably, the third layer is formed by recycling and mixing excess material from the multilayer polymer structure. The second layer can further include a colorant. The multilayer polymer structure can also include a fourth and/or fifth layer comprising a high clarity polymer and/or a high gloss polymer that provides a glossy surface or a sealant polymer that provides surface capable of being sealed. In a preferred embodiment, the multilayer polymer structure is thermoformed into a multilayer polymer article such as a container. Preferably, the container is a drinking cup.

Abstract: A fastener includes first and second tracks. The first track includes a first profile, and the second track includes a second profile for interlocking with the first profile. The fastener extends between opposing ends. The first and second profiles at each of the opposing ends are sealed to each other using a laser. In one embodiment, the fastener is initially continuous and is subsequently divided into segments by simultaneously cutting and sealing the fastener at spaced target locations using the laser. The segments are associated with respective plastic bags. At each of the target locations, the laser directs a laser beam at the fastener such that the laser beam cuts through the first and second profiles and simultaneously seals the first and second profiles to each other on opposite sides of the cut. The seals on the opposite sides of the cut terminate respective ends of adjacent ones of the segments.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a polymer composite foam with a treated filler and methods for making the same. The polymer composite foam includes a polymer capable of being formed into a polymeric foam and a treated filler, wherein the polymer defines a plurality of cells dispersed therethrough and the treated filler is dispersed throughout the polymer. The filler is treated by techniques which exfoliate, delaminate or intercalate the filler particles into individual micro and/or nano size particulates and platelets. Ideally, the treated filler has a median particle size ranging from about 0.1 nm-10 ?m. The treated filler enhances the rigidity, barrier properties, heat deflection temperature, nucleation characteristics, fire retardant characteristics and impact properties of the foam. The products fabricated from the polymer composite foam include containers, cups, sleeves, bags, plates, bowls, protective packaging, boards, sheets, void fillers, storageware, dinnerware and cookware.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: Ultrasonic end stops and methods of making ultrasonic end stops are provided. The present invention relates to plastic reclosable fasteners with sliders for opening and closing the reclosable fasteners on plastic bags and the like and particularly to the use of protruding end stop structures on reclosable fasteners to prevent travel of sliders past the fastener ends. The end stop structures include at least one of high density polyethylene, medium density polyethylene, polypropylene, a cyclic olefin copolymer, a high density material, or a high modulus material and may optionally include low density polyethylene or linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.