Abstract: A dispensing cap is provided for a container and includes a body portion having a formed sliding track thereon. An opening is provided in the body for providing access through the body. A retention slot is formed adjacent the sliding track. A slider is moveably positioned within the sliding track for selectively opening and closing the body opening. A frangible tab is initially formed as part of the slider and engaged within the retention slot to fix the position of the slider within the sliding track. Removal of the frangible tab permits the slider to move relative to the body opening. The cap is formed by an injection molding process, in conjunction with an in-mold assembly of the slider.

Abstract: A laminate material for a flexible packaging is provided having first and second layers. The first layer has a weakened line therethrough that defines a first flap. The second layer is adhered to the first layer and has a second weakened line formed offset from the first weakened line in the first layer and defines a removable panel in the second layer. An adhesive layer is located between the first and second layers. The adhesive layer comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive located inwardly of the weakened line in the first layer and a vacancy located laterally inward of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and adjacent the removable panel. The removable panel remains connected to the second layer when the first flap is peeled back. The removable panel is separately removable from the first flap. The first flap is resealable to the second layer by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive exposed upon opening the first flap.

Abstract: A spool is provided for winding elongate material thereon. The spool includes a barrel having first and second ends and a central longitudinal axis. First and second flanges extend radially outward from the ends of the barrel. A longitudinal bore is located radially inward of the barrel. A plurality of support members extend radially outward from the bore to the barrel. One or more engagement beads are provided on at least one of the support members and extend longitudinally along the support member. The beads are positioned for engagement with a drive apparatus for facilitating winding of the spool.

Abstract: A flexible package is provided having a side panel with an inner surface that is fixedly sealed to the inner surface of a second side panel. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the sealable material of one side panel and the outer ply or layer of the side panel. A separation line is provided within the sealable material adjacent the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first side panel separates from the pressure-sensitive adhesive upon application of an opening force transverse to the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first panel remains sealed to the sealable material on the opposing surface of the second panel upon release. The release of the sealable material from its associated panel causes exposure of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive forms a reclosable seal for the ends of the first and second panels.

Abstract: Combustible packages for containing a fuel source and a fire started are provided. A combustible package may include a cardboard outer wall and top and bottom lids for substantially closing top and bottom openings defined by the outer wall. Each lid may define a central panel for extending across an opening and a plurality of tabs for facilitating a press fit between the lids and the outer wall. Each lid may also define a central opening for receiving an end of a fire starter. The fire starter may be wound paper tube impregnated with an accelerant. The fuel source may be a plurality of charcoal briquettes contained between the outer wall, the top and bottom lids and the fire starter. The outer wall may define one or more ventilation openings between the bottom edge and the bottom lid. Or the bottom edge may be scalloped to provide ventilation openings.

Abstract: A display carton for products is described that is open at the top and front and that has an inclined floor panel, and that does not include any further bottom wall beyond the inclined floor panel. The carton includes a front panel joined to the front edge of the floor panel and extending downwardly therefrom to engage a support surface on which the carton is supported, a rear panel joined to the rear edge of the floor panel and extending upwardly therefrom, and a pair of side panel assemblies respectively located proximate opposite side edges of the floor panel. Each side panel assembly has an upper portion that extends upwardly from the respective side edge of the floor panel and a lower portion that extends downwardly from the respective side edge of the floor panel to engage the support surface.

Abstract: A metallized laminated structure suitable for making a rigid container having a metallic appearance is provided. The laminated structure includes a metallized film and a thermoplastic sheet. At least a portion of the thermoplastic sheet is bonded to the metallized film through a lamination process. The metallized film includes a metallic layer, a sealable layer, and a polypropylene core between the metallic layer and the sealable layer. The thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene or a thermoplastic olefin. Or the thermoplastic sheet includes at least one layer of a polypropylene and at least one layer of a thermoplastic olefin.

Abstract: A composite container for refrigerated dough products comprises a body ply helically wrapped about an axis to form a tubular body, opposite edges of the helically wrapped body ply being juxtaposed to form a butt joint therebetween. A label is helically wrapped about and adhered to the tubular body, the label comprising an inner layer adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body and an outer layer adhered to a radially outer surface of the inner layer. The inner layer defines a helically extending line of weakness positioned in alignment with the butt joint of the body ply. The outer layer comprises a removable peel strip that is peelable from the inner layer, the peel strip extending helically along the tubular body straddling the line of weakness and butt joint.

Abstract: A lid for a container having a built-in opening feature comprises a flexible laminate comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, a pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness being formed in the laminate, an outer one of the lines of weakness being formed in the upper layer and an inner one of the lines of weakness being formed in the lower layer, wherein the upper and lower layers in an annular region between the lines of weakness are readily peeled apart, and wherein the upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a greater peel strength than that required to separate the layers in the annular region.

Abstract: A method for welding parts formed of polymeric resins having different melt-index grades. The method may include the steps of selecting a tube formed of a first thermoplastic in an extrusion process, selecting a first flange formed of a second thermoplastic in an injection molding process and having a containment region sized to receive an end of the tube, inserting an end of the tube within the containment region of the first flange, and welding the tube to the flange by inducing relative rotation between the flange and the tube. The containment region may have a depth more than two times the wall thickness of the tube. Moreover, the containment region may maintain its shape and support friction pressure on a significant portion of melted material within the weld zone, so the material may continue to generate heat and conduct the same to the less easily melted material.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate is formed to have a built-in opening and reclose feature by forming the laminate as a two-part structure having an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation with an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting an opening portion (e.g., a flap or the like) of the two structures out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate.

Abstract: A tube having enhanced inner diameter stiffness is provided. The tube includes a wall having an inner zone, intermediate zone, and an outer zone. The intermediate zone includes a plurality of partially offset and overlapped plies that form a number of non-radial spokes and voids extending from the inner zone and the outer zone. The non-radial spokes of the tube facilitate the transmission of torque from the inner zone to the outer zone during winding and handling operations, while insulating the inner diameter from radial pressure on the outer zone. The spokes and voids may essentially extend around the entire circumference and length of the tube and thus provide for more consistent properties throughout the tube.

Abstract: A core for a roll of pressure-sensitive adhesive tape comprises a paperboard material wound about an axis and adhered together to form a tubular body, and a polymer film layer wrapped about and adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body so as to form a tape-receiving surface upon which adhesive tape is to be wound. The polymer film layer has an overlap joint between the opposite edges of the polymer film ply. A recessed region is formed in the outer surface of the tubular body, the recessed region being recessed radially inwardly relative to the cylindrical outer surface. At least a portion of the length of the overlapping edge of the polymer film ply extends into and terminates in the recessed region such that the overlapping edge is not contacted by the adhesive tape wound about the core.

Abstract: The present invention relates to composite paperboard containers and methods for making the same. Specifically, the present invention includes a curvilinear container comprising a tubular body formed convolutely or via spiral winding from a single paperboard ply or multiple plies as commonly known in the art. The tubular body includes opposing ends that can be sealed by paperboard, metallic, plastic, or membrane-type end closures so as to preserve the consumable products typically enclosed by the container. The curvilinear container includes a tubular body having a curvilinear portion wherein the diameter of the tubular body varies along the length of the curvilinear portion. A plurality of radially projecting ribs are distributed about the circumference of the curvilinear portion as collection areas for excess tube wall material and thereby accommodate reduction of the tube wall diameter within the curvilinear portion.

Abstract: A lid for a container having a built-in opening feature comprises a flexible laminate comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, a pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness being formed in the upper and lower layers, respectively, wherein the upper and lower layers in an annular region between the lines of weakness are readily peeled apart, and wherein the upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a greater peel strength than that required to separate the layers in the annular region. An integral tab is formed in the upper layer by a U-shaped cut line. A distal end of the tab opposite from the two ends of the cut line is within an adhesive-free region of the laminate. The ends of the cut line are in an adhesively laminated area of the laminate.

Abstract: A rack includes a loading chute into which products are loaded in a generally horizontal face-down orientation, and a dispensing chute defining a dispensing aperture at the front side of the rack. A cam is disposed at the rear end of the loading chute to tilt a product into an upright orientation and to position the upright product with the front face facing forward. The cam also slopes downwardly in a lateral direction so as to move the upright product onto the rear end of the dispensing ramp with the front face still facing forward. The product slides down the dispensing ramp and is stopped by a stop positioned adjacent the dispensing aperture. By virtue of the rack's design, facilitated by the specially designed cam, the upright product is positioned with its front face facing forward such that a consumer can view any indica thereon.

Abstract: A unitary palletized packaging assembly for securing a packaged article to a wooden shipping pallet is provided. The article is assembled on a paperboard base and then after assembly enclosed in an open bottomed carton and placed on a shipping pallet. The transport base and carton each have bottom flaps that are folded downward and stapled to the sides of the shipping pallet in overlapping fashion to prevent lateral movement of the transport base and packaged article with respect to the shipping pallet. The transport base includes cushioning elements to cushion and support the article.

Abstract: A scooping device with an integrated electromagnetic (EM) surveillance device for a container. The container defines an interior for storing a product. The scooping device is configured for scooping or capturing the product. The electromagnetic surveillance device is integrated with, embedded into or attach to the body of the scooping device. The electromagnetic surveillance device may be an EAS, Bistatix, RFID, or other electromagnetic surveillance tag or label that is configured to respond to an electromagnetic signal such that the presence of the electromagnetic surveillance device is detectable. The detectability of the electromagnetic surveillance device provides an anti-theft feature to the container without interfering with the construction of the container.

Abstract: A paper base for supporting an object such as a large household appliance is provided. The base comprises a honeycomb middle layer sandwiched between and substantially coextensive with top and bottom trays made from corrugated board. A platform can be mounted above the top tray to support a washing machine motor or other object.

Abstract: An improved support post for cushioning and supporting large products is provided. The post is made from a non-rectangular sheet that is convolutely wound around a mandrel and shaped into a desired cross-sectional shape. The post has a higher axial compression strength than a conventional post.