Abstract: A package having multiple seals in close proximity is set forth. At least one of the seals is accomplished through the use of a polar polymer that bonds to an opposing panel in the package when exposed to an alternative electromagnetic field. The strength of the sealing can be controlled by the type and the amount of the polar polymer that is present as well as the field strength of the electromagnetic radiation, and its duration. The region to be sealed by the electromagnetic radiation can also be precisely controlled.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for forming thermoplastic containers having a male locking member. The apparatus includes a cavity defining a shape of the container, a stripper movable in a longitudinal direction relative to said cavity, and a retractable lock adjacent to an edge of the cavity. The retractable lock is movable in a transverse direction relative to the cavity between a retracted position and an unretracted position and movable in a longitudinal direction between a first position and a second position. The containers are formed through a process in which the apparatus is sequentially placed in a ready mode, lift mode, disengage mode, and back to the ready mode. In the ready mode, the retractable lock is placed in the unretracted position and first position in order to receive a sheet of plastic material and form a locking member thereon.

Abstract: In a plastic food container including a lid and a base, a latching mechanism includes a first continuous rim along a periphery of the lid and a second continuous rim along a periphery of the base. The first rim includes an inner female member, a central male member, and an outer latching member. The central male member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner female member, and the outer latching member encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the central male member. The second rim is adapted to latch with the first rim. The second rim includes an inner male member and an outer female member. The outer female member encompasses and is integrally connected to the inner male member. The outer female member includes an outer peripheral wall forming a plurality of spaced inwardly-projecting tabs.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved polyolefin cling/slip stretch wrap films having superior load retention, elongation, tear resistance and puncture resistance properties and for the methods of using those stretch wrap films. The stretch wrap films are preferably constructed in a multilayer fashion having an outside cling layer, an outside slip layer, at least one inside puncture resistant layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin, and at least one inside transverse direction tear resistant layer.

Abstract: The present invention provides for improved thermoplastic stretch wrap films having superior cling force, load retention, elongation, tear resistance and puncture resistance properties and for the methods of using those stretch wrap films. The stretch wrap films generally have a thickness of from about 0.4 to about 3 mils. The stretch wrap films are preferably constructed in a multilayer fashion having outside cling layers, and at least one inside puncture resistant layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed polyethylene resin and at least one inside transverse direction tear resistant layer comprising a polyethylene copolymer.

Abstract: A paperboard container having a reclosable shaker pour spout for dispensing granular products. The reclosable shaker pour spout is formed on a wall of the container from first and second minor flaps which are folded inwardly within the container, a first-down major flap which is folded inwardly and overlies the the first and second minor flaps, and a second-down major flap which is folded inwardly and overlies the first-down major flap. Both of the first and second minor flaps have at least one semi-aperture formed on their outer edges which are aligned with corresponding semi-apertures on the other minor flap. The semi-apertures on each of the flaps cooperate to form full apertures in response to the first and second minor flaps being folded inwardly within the container. A detachable plug formed on the first-down major flap overlies the apertures in response to the first-down major flap being folded inwardly on top of the first and second minor flaps.

Abstract: A nested blank arrangement comprises first and second unitary, continuous blanks each for forming a side-filled, flip-top reclosable carton having opposing top and bottom walls, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls. Each blank includes at least five panels hingedly connected to each other along generally horizontal fold lines. Each panel includes opposing first and second vertical edges. In order of connection, the panels include an inner front panel, a bottom panel, a back panel, a top panel, and an outer front panel. First and second side closure flaps are hingedly connected to each of the panels along the respective first and second vertical edges. The first and second side closure flaps cooperate to form the opposing first and second side walls of the carton. The first and second blanks are vertically oriented in opposite directions and are horizontally adjacent to each other.

Abstract: A plastic food container includes a lid and a base. The lid includes a continuous first body portion and a continuous first rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first body portion includes at least one lid partition dividing the first body portion into at least two lid compartments. The lid partition includes, in cross-section, a generally inverted trough-shaped female partition member. The first rim includes, in cross-section, a generally inverted trough-shaped female peripheral member. The base includes a continuous second body portion and a continuous second rim encompassing and projecting laterally outwardly from the second body portion. Like the first body portion of the lid, the second body portion includes at least one base partition dividing the second body portion into at least two base compartments. The base partition includes, in cross-section, a generally inverted trough-shaped male partition member.

Abstract: A package for maintaining a modified atmosphere around contents being contained therein when stored in an ambient environment is set forth. The modified-atmosphere package includes a tray, a membrane, and a structural member. The tray has a base and side walls extending upwardly from the base. The side walls and the base define a cavity wherein the contents are disposed. A membrane is attached to a top portion of the side walls and encloses the cavity. The structural member is detachably connected to the top portion of the side walls and is disposed above the membrane to prevent the membrane from contacting an external structure which inhibits permeation through the membrane. The structural member also has at least one opening for exposing the membrane to the ambient environment. Stacking means at the base of the tray and the top of the structural member allow the modified-atmosphere packages to be easily stacked.

Abstract: A method of using an assembly line and shipping container including the step of first providing the container. The container has an outer shell, a first pad element and a second pad element. The pad elements have an inside surface and an outside surface. Compressible elements are coupled to the outside surfaces of the pad elements. The inside surfaces of the pad elements are oppositely aligned with respect to each other inside the outer shell. The first and second pad elements include a first and a second longitudinal slot respectively, the slots aligned opposite each other. During use, the container is placed on an assembly line having at least one work station. A board component is inserted into the container along the longitudinal slots. The board component is removed from the container at the work station. Work then is performed on the board component. The board component is placed back into the container after performing the work and the board component is shipped inside the container.

Abstract: A collapsible carton comprises opposing front and back panels, opposing top and bottom panels generally bridging said opposing front and back panels, a first pair of accordion panels connecting said front panel to said bottom panel, and a second pair of accordion panels connecting said back panel to said bottom panel. The carton further includes a plurality of side closure flaps extending from opposing ends of the top and bottom panels and the front and back panels. When the carton is in open-sided form and after a compressible product is loaded into the carton through one of the open sides, the carton is collapsed in response to moving the top and bottom panels toward each other so as to cause the first and second pairs of accordion panels to spread outward in accordion-like fashion into overlapping relationship.

Abstract: A carton for a bag stack comprises a bottom wall, opposing front and back walls, and opposing first and second side walls bridging the opposing front and back walls. The first side wall forms a first pair of detents in proximity to the respective front and back walls. The second side wall forms a second pair of detents in proximity to the respective front and back walls. The front and back walls each include a profiled upper edge forming a window adapted to accommodate a human hand and allow retrieval of the plastic bags within the carton via the window. The bag stack includes first sets of plastic bags and second sets of plastic bags interleaved (alternately-arranged) with each other. Each set of plastic bags may include one or more plastic bags. The first and second sets of plastic bags are oriented in opposite longitudinal directions.

Abstract: A flexible folding bag having a hold-open top to facilitate easy loading of the bag. The hold-open top is formed on the top edge of the bag from a plurality of top flaps connected to top edges of the bag sidewalls. The top flaps are adapted to be folded inwardly by a user to form one or more cuffs within said opening for maintaining the bag in a maximally open position. The cuffs hold the bag open by applying outward pressure on gusseted sidewalls of two opposing width panels and/or by applying outward pressure on the corners of the bag. In addition to holding the bag in an open position, the cuffs cause the top opening of the bag to be tear-resistant.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and first and second upstanding panels. The opposing body panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position. The first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels.

Abstract: A beverage cup carrier includes multiple pockets arranged in laterally spaced relation. Each pocket includes a bottom wall, a plurality of conical side wall portions, and a plurality of circumferentially spaced webs. The side wall portions encompass the bottom wall and extend upwardly and outwardly therefrom. The side wall portions are circumferentially spaced from each other and form surface portions of a curved surface of an imaginary inverted cone. The webs interconnect the side wall portions and extend radially inward from the curved surface of the imaginary inverted cone. Each of the webs includes a flat central section and a pair of opposing side sections connecting the central section to adjacent ones of the conical side wall portions. The central section extends upwardly and outwardly from the bottom wall. The pair of opposing side sections of each of the webs form surface portions of a curved surface of a respective imaginary upright cone.

Abstract: A thermoplastic bag structure and method for making and packaging thermoplastic bags such that their tops are easily identified and the bags are easily opened. The method for producing these bags begins with cutting a flattened thermoplastic tube into two portions. At least one of the two portions is then collapsed to form a sheet of material having a pair of thermoplastic layers, a straight folded bottom edge and a pair of top edges, at least one of which has a skewed-cut. Bag side structures are formed in the sheet of material at about bag-width distances apart. The bags are then folded a predetermined number of times, in a direction transverse to the bag side structures, so that the skewed-cut top edge(s) of each of the bags remains exposed.