Abstract: A collapsible storage device includes a collapsible container and a lid for the container. The container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels and a hinge portion connecting each adjacent pair of wall panels. The container may be foldably converted between a substantially flat collapsed position and a substantially rectangular prismatic expanded position by articulating the wall panels about the flexible hinges. At least one of the hinge portions is arched to latch the container in the expanded position. The lid may be used to cover the container in the expanded position and receive the container in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. Alternatively, a set of hollow male closure profiles may also form one or more female closure profiles therebetween. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. The closure elements and grip strips may be integral with pouch sidewalls, may be secured and/or separately extruded on to, for example, a polymer, directly to pouch sidewalls, or may be secured to backing strips to form a closure strip, which may subsequently be secured to pouch sidewalls.

Abstract: A closure assembly useable with a pouch or bag includes an elongate seal assembly and a slider. The seal assembly includes upper and lower interlocking profiles and a rib disposed between the interlocking profiles on at least one side of the seal assembly. The slider includes forward closure bars at a first end and a separator finger and lower closure bars adjacent to an opposing second end. The forward and lower closure bars occlude the upper and lower interlocking profiles. The separator finger extends between the upper interlocking profiles and presses outwardly against the rib to de-occlude the lower interlocking profiles. The lower interlocking profiles can be occluded along substantially an entire length thereof. The slider also includes a retention plate and pressing members, which operatively retain the slider on the seal assembly and may increase the opening force created by the separator finger against the rib.

Abstract: A pouch includes an elongate closure mechanism having upper and lower pairs of opposing interlocking profiles and a slider for opening and closing the closure mechanism. The slider includes upper closure bars vertically and longitudinally spaced from lower closure bars for occluding the upper and lower opposing interlocking profiles, respectively, and a separator member for separating only the upper opposing interlocking profiles. The lower closure bars are disposed at the opening end, and the upper closure bars are disposed at a closing end of the slider opposite the opening end. A longitudinal retention member extends longitudinally from the separator finger toward the closing end below the upper closure bars, and a lateral retention member extends laterally outwardly from the separator member above the lower closure bars. The longitudinal retention member and the lateral retention member each engages an underside of the upper pair of interlocking profiles to help retain the slider on the closure mechanism.

Abstract: A closure assembly includes a slider for opening and/or closing an elongate closure mechanism including a pair of opposing closure members. The slider includes a first separator finger and a second separator finger, each of which is articulably connected to a hinge member. The first and second separator fingers extend between the closure members and may be articulated between a closing position, in which the separator fingers are adjacent each other, and an opening position, in which the separator fingers are laterally spaced from each other. In the opening position, the separator fingers urge the members apart. Closing bars and retention members may also be included to facilitate re-closing the closure members and retaining the slider in an operative position thereon.

Abstract: A method of extruding two or more closure elements onto a web includes extruding the closure elements through a die plate having a first aperture for a first closure element and a second aperture for a second closure element. The first aperture is spaced from and at least partially overlaps the second aperture in a lateral direction. The partial overlapping of the apertures allows the closure elements to be spaced very closely together on the web. The space between the apertures prevents extrudate streams forming the elements from bonding to each other. The closely spaced elements are extruded through the same die plate without an interconnecting portion therebetween.

Abstract: A slider for use with an elongate closure mechanism includes a retention member protruding into a medial space between an upper pair of opposing interlocking members and a lower pair of opposing interlocking members. The retention members define a gap through which the upper pair of opposing interlocking members cannot pass, and that allows the slider to be slidably shifted along the length of the closure mechanism, thereby maintaining the slider operatively disposed thereon. The retention members may have the form of one or more protrusions disposed on an interior surface of a channel sidewall spaced between a top end of the channel sidewall and a bottom end of the channel sidewall.

Abstract: A method of and apparatus for producing plastic bags are disclosed. A web of plastic is folded to form an elongate folded web having free ends and closer tape is secured to the free ends of the elongate folded web. End stops are formed in the closer tape at spaced locations thereof and an indicia is formed in the end stops. The elongate folded web is simultaneously severed and sealed at the spaced locations to produce individual bags.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes a closure assembly that comprises first and second closure profiles disposed on first and second side panels, respectively. A handle is provided that comprises discrete first and second handle sections. Each handle section has an opening in a central portion thereof. The first handle section is attached only to the first side panel at an area below the first closure profile and the second handle section is attached only to the second side panel at an area below the second closure profile. By providing the handle sections in such a manner, the first and second handle sections exert substantially more force on an internal side of the first and second closure profiles, respectively, than on an external side of the respective closure profiles.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch comprises a body portion having first and second bag walls. A first and a second closure mechanism are disposed on internal sides of both the first and second bag walls. The first closure mechanism includes a first female closure element having first and second spaced legs and a first male closure element. The second closure mechanism includes a second female closure element having third and fourth spaced legs and a second male closure element. The first male closure element includes two hook portions extending from an end thereof to engage the legs of the first female closure element and the second male closure element includes only one hook portion extending from an end thereof to engage one of the legs of the second female closure element.

Abstract: A sealable container cover includes both a flexible film and an elastic film for sealing the container cover to the wall or walls of a container. The elastic film creates an expandable opening of the container cover, which can accept containers of various sizes and shapes. Pull tabs are provided to facilitate removal of a container cover from atop a container. Also constructed in the same manner as the container covers provided herein is a container liner.

Abstract: A reclosable pouch includes interlocking male and female closure elements having elongate hollow closure profiles. The male closure profile has a hollow shaft section, and the female closure profile has a channel with at least one hollow side. A set of pleated grip strips may be disposed adjacent the closure elements to aid in opening a pouch. A die plate for extruding the closure element includes an extrudate aperture that forms an intermediate closure profile including a gap between spaced apart base wall portions.

Abstract: Certain surfactants suitable for use alone to dissolve a water-insoluble component in compositions is described for providing VOC-free compressed gas aerosol compositions. The compositions include water-insoluble component(s), a surfactant and water. The water-insoluble component(s) can be active agent(s), such as fragrance(s) and/or an insecticide(s). The surfactant is present as a single surfactant which, in the absence of a solvent, dissolves or disperses the water-insoluble component(s) and provides a homogenous blend in water which provides a stable compressed gas emulsion.

Abstract: A vacuum sealer for packaging, sealing and storing items and a film cartridge for a vacuum sealer is disclosed. The vacuum sealer has a means to feed, form, seal and cut film bags for storing items. The vacuum sealer preferably includes a body, a top portion, a base portion, a film cartridge, a drive mechanism, a sealing and cutting mechanism and a vacuum/pump mechanism. The film cartridge is operatively positioned in a feed opening in a top portion of the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge houses film for forming film bags for use in the vacuum sealer. The film cartridge may have tubular film contained in a collapsed state or may have two film rolls which are brought together and sealed at the edges. The vacuum sealer may be used in a vertical orientation or optionally in a horizontal or angled orientation.