Abstract: A cutting apparatus is provided having a resilient handle, a guide on one end of the handle and a cutter body on the opposite end. The guide includes two spaced members forming an outwardly facing slot with a stop formed therein. The handle is flexed into an assembled position to form a close loop, with the cutter body positioned within the guide slot and in contact with the stop. A cutting edge is movable along with cutter body to an activated position, with the cutting edge extending outwardly of the slot and the guide. The movement of the cutter body is caused by an activation force applied to the closed loop of the resilient handle member.

Abstract: A dual-ovenable container is formed from a blank of laminate material that includes a paperboard layer sandwiched between outer heat-sealable layers of amorphous polyester or heat-sealable cellophane. The blank is wrapped into a tubular or conical configuration and opposite edges of the blank form a lap joint at which the edges are heat-sealed together to form a container body. End closures can then be applied to the ends of the container body. The laminate is heat-sealable to itself, is able to withstand heating/cooking conditions in both conventional and microwave ovens, and has a low oxygen permeability. The edge of the blank exposed to contents of the container can be wrapped by a sideseam tape in order to protect the edge.

Abstract: A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated.

Abstract: An overcap is provided for removably covering an access opening into the interior of a container. The opening in the container defines a peripheral rim and includes an outwardly projecting bead for releaseably retaining the overcap. The overcap is defined by a body portion formed to cover the opening of the container and a depending skirt. The skirt extends from the bottom surface of the body portion for a distance sufficient to cover the projecting bead of the container rim. An inwardly directed retaining ring is formed on an inside surface of the skirt for engagement with the projecting bead on the container. A vent is formed within the retaining ring to define a flow path past the retaining ring. The vent may be a spacing rib formed on the inside surface of the skirt with one or more flow channels formed within the retaining ring.

Abstract: A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen.

Abstract: A device is provided for dispensing a length of elongate material wound on the barrel of a spool. A support is provided for the spool including first and second end plates. The end plates are positioned in a spaced relationship. A support hub extends from each plate and is engaged within an opening in the spool on opposite sides thereof, such that the spool may rotate about the support hub. The support hub includes a peripheral dimension that permits a dynamic, pivoting motion of the spool about the contact with the hub. The support hub normally positions the spool in a radially offset position and engages a friction member formed adjacent the periphery of the flange of the spool. During unwinding, pulling of the end of the elongate material causes the spool to pivot in the direction of the pulling force and away from the friction member. Once the pulling force is removed, the spool pivots about the hub, back into frictional engagement with the friction member.

Abstract: A package is provided having at least one panel formed from a laminate having an inner sealing layer, an outer web layer and an adhesive layer provided between the inner and outer layers. The outer web layer includes a removable tab portion defined by a first line of weakness in the layer. The inner sealing layer contains at least one removable plug portion defined by a second line of weakness. The first line of weakness is in registration with and surrounds the second line of weakness. The adhesive layer includes a permanent adhesive provided directly between at the tab and the plug portion and a non-permanent adhesive within the remainder of the area defined by the first line of weakness. Removal of the tab from the outer web causes separation of the plug from the inner layer, opening a vent within the package.

Abstract: A reel assembly is provided comprising a cylindrical barrel, a barrel head secured to each end of the barrel and a flange construction secured to each barrel head adjacent the ends of the barrel. The flange construction is formed by arcuate flange segments, each releasably secured to one another and to the associated barrel head. The barrel head includes inner and outer annular supports and an end plate securing the structure together. The inner and outer annular supports define a receipt slot for receiving and securing an end of the barrel therein. The end plate is rigidly fixed to the inner and outer supports and the flange construction is releasably secured to the outer annular support of the barrel head.

Abstract: A packaging system for seedling trays is provided which maintains the trays in a stacked, spaced apart vertical arrangement. The packaging system comprises an outer box, a tray holder folded into a U-shape and placed inside the box for holding the trays, and a locking device comprising locking panels wedged between the trays.

Abstract: An overcap is provided for fitting over a top end of a container of the type having a top end closure including an inner rim defining an opening for access to the inside of the container. The overcap includes a body portion having an outer peripheral flange for attachment to the top end closure. The overcap further includes a downwardly depending flange adapted to engage the inner rim of the top end closure with a friction fit. The downwardly depending flange includes a vent that is active during engagement of the flange with the inner rim, prior to forming the friction fit between the flange and the rim.

Abstract: A paperboard core suitable for use in winding yarns may include strips of paperboard wrapped about an axis and secured together to form an elongate structure defining a winding surface. A coating of a polymer such as polyvinylidene chloride covers the winding surface. The coating may be applied to the strips of paperboard prior to winding and/or applied to the winding surface after winding. The coating may comprise multiple layers of the polymer, which may be cured individually. The coating may also be applied so as to create a substantially uninterrupted coating along the winding surface. One method of applying the coating is by roll-coating.

Abstract: A container cover comprises a central dome, a peripheral rim portion surrounding the central dome, wherein the central dome extends upwardly from the peripheral rim portion, a skirt extending downwardly from an outer edge of the peripheral rim portion, and a plurality of grippers. Each gripper comprises a flange extending downwardly from a lower surface of the peripheral rim portion and at least two gripping fingers extending downwardly from the flange. The skirt and the grippers form a space for receiving an edge protrusion, for example a curled edge, of a container body. Each of the at least two fingers has a protrusion extending toward the skirt and the fingers are adapted to provide a gripping force to an edge protrusion of a container received in the space. The plurality of grippers are spaced from one another around the peripheral rim portion. The container cover may be combined with a container body having an edge protrusion at its opening.

Abstract: A concrete form comprises a single insert assembly or a plurality of insert assemblies within an outer tube. Each insert assembly comprises a pre-formed polymer liner sheet, a pre-formed polymer backing sheet, and a plurality of prefabricated cellular material pieces. Each cellular material piece has a first surface configured to form a portion of the non-round cross-section desired for the column and an opposite second surface formed substantially as an angular section of a cylinder. An insert assembly is constructed by affixing the liner sheet to the first surfaces of a plurality of the cellular material pieces. The cellular material pieces are arranged in a plurality of laterally adjacent rows extending lengthwise along the liner sheet for a length approximately equal to the length of the outer tube. The backing sheet is then fixed to the second surfaces of the cellular material pieces. The liner sheet and backing sheet together substantially fully envelope the cellular material pieces.

Abstract: A bumper pad for use in cushioning and protecting packaged articles is provided. The bumper pad is made primarily from paper and comprises an arced top member glued or otherwise affixed to a flat base along longitudinal edges. The bumper pad can be placed around the packaged article between the article and the outer packaging, which can be a cardboard sleeve, stretch wrap film or other packaging material. The arced top member preferably is formed using a linear draw process.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for restraining cargo in a trailer is provided. The apparatus has four components: a mobile cargo stop, a chain, means for anchoring the chain to the trailer floor near the trailer front wall, and a front wall liner mounted to the trailer front wall. The chain runs from the anchoring means near the trailer front wall, under the cargo, and is affixed to the cargo stop with a turnbuckle hook. The cargo is restrained between the front wall liner and the cargo stop by tightening the chain using a cinching device mounted on the cargo stop.

Abstract: A packaging system or container for packaging one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The container includes a wall that defines an interior for receiving one or more oxygen-sensitive products. The space between the product or products and the wall defines a headspace. The headspace is filled with an inert gas and a scavenger gas. The wall has at least an inner layer and one or more outer layers. At least one of the outer layers includes an oxidation catalyst such that as oxygen diffuses from outside the container to the interior and scavenger gas diffuses from the interior to outside the container, the diffusing scavenger gas and oxygen react together with the oxidation catalyst in one or more of the outer layers substantially consuming the oxygen.

Abstract: A corner post (10) for protecting a packaged article (50) having a curved vertical edge is provided. The corner post (10) comprises an outer wall (12) having first and second substantially planar outer wall members (14, 16) joined at a right angle along an outer corner (18), and a curvilinear inner wall (20) that conforms to the shape of the vertical edge.

Abstract: A wound paperboard tube having enhanced burst strength in high-moisture conditions up to and including complete and prolonged submersion in liquid water comprises a plurality of paperboard plies formed from a pulp comprising papermaking furnish and an effective amount of a size such that the paperboard plies have reduced moisture add-on when submerged in water, relative to paperboard plies formed from a pulp comprising the identical furnish but without the size. The plies are wound one upon another about an axis of the tube and adhered together with a water-resistant adhesive comprising a polyvinyl composition containing a cross-linking agent for inducing cross-linking of the adhesive.

Abstract: Structures having an antenna incorporated therein are provided. Each structure may comprise one or more strips of flexible sheet material wrapped about an axis and secured together. The antenna may comprise an electrically conductive material secured to one or more of the strips in a pattern forming a closed loop except for a break in the loop defining a plurality of contracts for connection to an electrical device, which may be an RFID chip. The antenna may comprise a pair of spaced tracks with a connection therebetween, which may take the form of an intersection of the tracks or a connector. The antenna may extend for a substantial portion of the axial length of the tubular structure and may also extend helically around the tubular structure. Methods of manufacturing structures are also provided.

Abstract: A container having an integrated bottom end closure subassembly. The container includes a top opening and bottom opening. The top opening is initially closed and sealed with a top membrane while the bottom opening is closed by the end closure subassembly. The subassembly includes an end cap and a bottom membrane. The subassembly is configured so that positioning the end cap onto the container to close the bottom opening positions the bottom membrane near the container. The bottom membrane may be sealed to the container. Once the bottom membrane is sealed to the container, the end cap may be removed from the container independently from the bottom membrane. The end cap provides protection to the bottom membrane during shipping and handling and then is used by the consumer to reclose the top opening once the top membrane is removed.