Abstract: A pouring spout is mounted within an opening in a container. The spout includes an open channel or trough dimensioned for slidable engagement within the opening. The open channel is defined by a u-shaped wall extending between a mounting end and a discharge end. An end wall is formed at the discharge end, adjacent a discharge opening formed in the bottom surface of the u-shaped wall. A visible flow path is formed along the open channel, between the inlet to the discharge opening.

Abstract: An opening feature for a flexible laminate membrane having a metal foil layer sandwiched between first and second structures is formed by a first score line through a thickness of the first structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, and a second score line through a thickness of the second structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, the first and second score lines together encompassing a removable panel portion of the flexible membrane. A press-and-pull tab constituting part of the removable panel portion is arranged to be pressed downward to cause the metal foil layer to break in the region of the tab, and then to be grasped and pulled upward to cause the metal foil layer to break all around a periphery of the removable panel portion to enable the removable panel portion to be completely removed from the flexible membrane.

Abstract: An assembly of a container and a closure. The container has a rim defining an upper sealing surface formed of a heat-sealable material, and an external screw thread extending helically along an outer surface at a location spaced below the rim. The closure includes a screw cap assembled with a separately formed disk inserted in the cap, the closure defining an internal screw thread for attaching the closure to the container when the closure is rotated in a first direction. The disk is constructed of a laminated metal having an upper metal layer and a lower heat-sealable layer affixed to an underside of the metal layer. A heat seal between the heat-sealable layer of the disk and the upper sealing surface of the rim affixes the disk to the rim such that the disk seals closed the open top end of the container.

Abstract: A support for mounting a paperboard yarn core on a spindle assembly includes a proximal-end support member for supporting a proximal end of the core and engaging it in a substantially non-slip manner, and a distal-end support member for supporting a distal end of the core. The proximal-end support member is configured to be mounted on a hub of the spindle assembly. The support members locate the core substantially coaxially with respect to a rotational axis of the spindle assembly. The proximal-end support member is configured to automatically prevent or minimize slippage of the core with respect to the support member both in acceleration and deceleration or braking of the spindle assembly.

Abstract: An assembly is provided for storing and dispensing flowable material. The assembly includes a reusable tube dimensionally formed to fit within the body of a dispensing gun. A separate pouch member is provided for storing a quantity of flowable material and is formed to be removably positioned within the tube. A nozzle is provided on the pouch for directing discharge of the material from the pouch. The pouch is provided with a fitment at one end. Cooperative elements are formed between the end wall of the tube and the fitment, which engage upon insertion of the pouch into the tube. A disk is provided for removable attachment to the plunger portion of the gun. A hook or gripping device projects from the disk for engagement of the end of the pouch.

Abstract: An overcap is provided for use in sealing a container of the type having an outer rim, an inside wall surface, and an inner rim spaced inwardly from the inside wall surface, with the inner rim forming a container opening. A flexing portion is formed within the body portion of the overcap and is moveable between a first sealing position and a second sealing position. The flexing portion includes a downwardly depending wall member positioned adjacent the inside wall surface of the container in the first sealing position. A sealing plug is provided and is moveable between the first sealing position and the second sealing position. The sealing plug includes a peripheral surface dimension for frictional engagement with the inner rim, releasably closing of the opening in the second sealing position. The sealing plug is separated from the inner rim in the first sealing position.

Abstract: A product display apparatus, has a tray with at least one station for receiving one or more products to be displayed, a directed illumination source in the at least one station for projecting light from the tray at a product received at the station, a product adapted for stable holding in the at least one station, and at least one light display element associated with the product, optically coupled to receive the projected light and to perform operations on the light received from the group consisting of: reflection, refraction, highlighting, backlighting, diffusion, concentration or combinations of the foregoing.

Abstract: An end support for supporting a roll of material wound on a tubular core is defined by a generally rectangular plate and a projecting hub member. The hub is dimensioned for insertion into a tubular core material roll. A plurality of spaced plate ribs are provided internally within the plate with at least one rib extending inwardly from each of the plate side perpendicular to the hub member. A plurality of crossing ribs are also provided and intersect with the perpendicular plate ribs and other crossing ribs to define a generally open areas lattice pattern. A plurality of corrugation surfaces are fixed to one or more of the side members, corner members, hub member, crossing ribs and plate ribs and extend into the open areas of the lattice pattern. The corrugations surfaces are alternately formed along the front and rear faces of the plate.

Abstract: A modular packaging system for shipping and displaying palletized products is provided. The packaging system comprises a plurality of vertically stacked trays for holding the products and corner posts extending between vertically adjacent trays for spacing and supporting the trays. The corner posts and trays are locked together in a number of ways to strengthen and stabilize the system. The system is strong enough not only to support the weight of the products on the trays and withstand the vibration and impact forces that can occur during shipping, but to withstand the weight of one or more units stacked on top.

Abstract: A container is provided for heating items, such as contents of the container. The container has a compartment for storing an air-activated material for heating those contents. The compartment is formed between a first web of material and a second web of material, where the first web includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer via an adhesive layer. The second film layer includes a plurality of score lines that define plugs, such that when the first film layer or a portion thereof is peeled away from the second film layer, the plugs are separated and displaced from the second film layer to create openings in the second film layer that allow air to enter the compartment. When the air contacts the air-activated material to activate the material, an exothermic reaction takes place that serves to produce heat, such as to heat the contents of the container.

Abstract: A bulk bag carrier for transporting soft goods or granular products is provided. The carrier comprises a flexible bulk bag and a pallet. The bulk bag comprises an upper section that defines a product compartment and a sleeve suspended below the upper section that defines a pocket for receiving the pallet. The pallet may be foldable to facilitate insertion of the pallet into the sleeve.

Abstract: A retort container includes a metal end applied and sealed to an all-thermoplastic container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a chuck wall that extends down from the curl. One or both of the inner surface of the container side wall and the outer surface of the chuck wall has/have a heat-sealable material thereon. The metal end is crimp-seamed or double-seamed to the container body and the heat-sealable material(s) are heated to soften or melt such that the interface between the chuck wall and the side wall is fused. The interface is oriented along a direction relative to internal pressure exerted on the metal end such that stress on the interface caused by the internal pressure is predominantly shear stress.

Abstract: A closure is provided having a closure body dimensionally formed for closing an opening within a container. A closing flap is pivotally positioned on the closure body and is moveable between an opened position, wherein the flap is pivoted upward, and a closed position, wherein the flap is pivoted to overlap a recess in a top surface of the body. A frangible area is provided in the recess. A flexible dome is formed on the closing flap. A contact member projects from the flap, opposite the dome. The contact member is positioned adjacent the frangible area when the closing flap is in the closed position. A downward actuation force to the dome causes a flexing of the dome toward the frangible area and at least a partial tearing of the frangible area.

Abstract: A collapsible, easy-to-assemble corrugated hutch for shipping and displaying products is provided. The hutch comprises a back wall, two side walls, shelves and two side wall supports. The side walls are hingedly attached to the back wall and can be folded to capture the side wall supports. The shelves extend between the side walls and have front edges that are supported by the side walls and side wall supports.

Abstract: A composite shipping base for supporting an appliance such as a washing machine is provided having a detachable sub-structure that can be added during the washing machine assembly to restrict the vertical and lateral movement of a centralized load of the washing machine during assembly, shipping and handling. A rigid bottom frame allows for the composite shipping base and appliance to move down virtually any form of conveyance and to be lifted or turned during the course of conveyance.

Abstract: An opening feature for a flexible laminate membrane having a metal foil layer sandwiched between first and second structures is formed by a first score line through a thickness of the first structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, and a second score line through a thickness of the second structure but not breaching the metal foil layer, the first and second score lines together encompassing a removable panel portion of the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A reclosable package formed from a sheet having a layered structure formed on a first region of the outer surface proximate a top edge thereof, formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive (PSA) and a sealant coating covering the PSA. The sheet is folded about transverse fold lines and side seals are formed along the two side edges of the sheet, and a flap portion of the sheet overlaps the layered structure. Permanent seals are formed between the sealant coating of the layered structure and the flap portion. The first permanent seal has a higher bond strength than that between the sealant coating and the PSA.

Abstract: A modular container for maintaining an article under controlled temperature conditions includes a generally rectangular box-shaped enclosure defining an interior volume, wherein at least one enclosure side includes an access opening to allow for insertion or removal of the article within the interior volume, and wherein enclosure sides may be made of an insulating material. The modular container further includes at least two first phase change elements including a first phase change material, wherein each of said at least two first phase change elements is positioned adjacent one of a pair of opposed enclosure sides, at least two buffer inserts disposed within said enclosure, and at least two second phase change elements including a second phase change material, to one of the at least two buffers inserts wherein the second phase change material changes phase at a different temperature than the first phase change material.

Abstract: A metal end is applied and sealed to a plastic or paper/plastic composite container body by a crimp-seaming or double-seaming operation. The metal end has an outer curl joined to a compound-angle chuck wall that extends down from the curl. The chuck wall has an upper part that is substantially linear and at an angle ?1 with respect to an axis of the end, and a lower part that is substantially linear and at a larger angle ?2 with respect to the axis. The compound-angle chuck wall allows a substantial diametral clearance between a lower end of the lower part of the chuck wall and the inner surface of the container body, while there is substantially zero clearance, or preferably an interference fit, between the upper part of the chuck wall and the inner surface of the container body. Accordingly, the chuck wall guides the end into concentric alignment with the container body during application.