Abstract: A packaged roast and ground coffee product comprising a lightweight, thin-walled reclosable container comprising a moisture barrier and an oxygen barrier, and a quantity of roast and ground coffee disposed within the container. The container comprises a finish having a top surface and one or more snap beads positioned below the top surface. A sealing member may be sealed to the top surface and may include a one-way valve permitting venting of CO2 resulting from off-gassing of the roast and ground coffee while preventing ingress of air. A removable overcap comprising a top wall and a depending skirt may be affixed to the finish. The skirt may include an inner surface with at least one locking member dimensioned to engage the snap beads in an interference fit. The packaged roast and ground coffee is preferably capable of withstanding stacking loads and loads associated with decreased interior pressure.

Abstract: A flexible package and method for manufacturing thereof is provided. The flexible package includes a first layer of adhesive material disposed on an interior surface of the rear panel of the package. The adhesive material of the first layer includes at least one visual indicator formed by at least one area of predetermined shape that is more translucent than adjacent areas of the adhesive material of the first layer. A second layer of adhesive material is disposed on an interior surface of the front panel. The second layer of adhesive material is located opposite the first layer of adhesive material. When the flexible package is not completely sealed, the visual indicator in the adhesive material of the first layer is not visible through the adhesive material of the second layer. When the flexible package is sealed, the visual indicator is visible through the second layer of adhesive material.

Abstract: A flexible package and method for manufacturing thereof is provided. The flexible package includes a first layer of adhesive material disposed on an interior surface of the rear panel of the package. The adhesive material of the first layer includes at least one visual indicator formed by at least one area of predetermined shape that is more translucent than adjacent areas of the adhesive material of the first layer. A second layer of adhesive material is disposed on an interior surface of the front panel. The second layer of adhesive material is located opposite the first layer of adhesive material. When the flexible package is not completely sealed, the visual indicator in the adhesive material of the first layer is not visible through the adhesive material of the second layer. When the flexible package is sealed, the visual indicator is visible through the second layer of adhesive material.

Abstract: An apparatus includes means for providing one-way degassing valves to be installed on corresponding containers; means for placing a viscous liquid in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves; means for capturing an image of at least a portion of at least some of the plurality of installable one-way degassing valves; and control means for automatically and non-destructively determining for the at least some of the plurality of installable one-way degassing valves, prior to installation on the corresponding containers, by using the image, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes means for providing one-way degassing valves to be installed on corresponding containers; means for placing a viscous liquid in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves; means for capturing an image of at least a portion of at least some of the plurality of installable one-way degassing valves; and control means for automatically and non-destructively determining for the at least some of the plurality of installable one-way degassing valves, prior to installation on the corresponding containers, by using the image, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed.

Abstract: One provides (101) a plurality of one-way degassing valves (202) that are to be installed on corresponding containers and places (102) a viscous liquid (such as silicon oil) (205) in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves (208). These teachings then provide for automatically and non-destructively determining (103), prior to installation of these valves on the corresponding containers, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed. By one approach, this can comprise using a captured image (210) of at least a portion of each such one-way degassing valve to make this determination.

Abstract: A packaged roast and ground coffee product comprising a lightweight, thin-walled reclosable container comprising a moisture barrier and an oxygen barrier, and a quantity of roast and ground coffee disposed within the container. The container comprises a finish having a top surface and one or more snap beads positioned below the top surface. A sealing member may be sealed to the top surface and may include a one-way valve permitting venting of CO2 resulting from off-gassing of the roast and ground coffee while preventing ingress of air. A removable overcap comprising a top wall and a depending skirt may be affixed to the finish. The skirt may include an inner surface with at least one locking member dimensioned to engage the snap beads in an interference fit. The packaged roast and ground coffee is preferably capable of withstanding stacking loads and loads associated with decreased interior pressure.

Abstract: A system for applying a tin-tie, from a supply of tin-ties releaseably adhered along the length of a liner, with the tin-tie length generally aligned along a length of packaging moving in a first direction includes a tamp applicator for extending and retracting along a second direction substantially transverse to the first direction. The tamp applicator includes a magnet for carrying the tin-tie after it is released from the liner by a peeler, an air assist for aid in releasing and positioning the tin-tie, and a recess and edge for positioning the tin-tie. Part of the tamp applicator carrying the released tin-tie is also moveable in the same first direction, allowing travel in the same first direction as the moving packaging material when putting the tin-tie on the moving packaging material. A spring biases the part to return in a third direction opposite the first direction.

Abstract: There is provided a packaged roast and ground coffee product comprising a lightweight, thin-walled reclosable container made of laminated plastic material comprising a moisture barrier and an oxygen barrier, and a quantity of roast and ground coffee disposed within the container. The container comprises a finish that includes a top surface and one or more snap beads positioned below the top surface. A plurality of snap bead segments may be circumferentially spaced from one another. A sealing member may be sealed to the top surface. The sealing member may include a one-way valve permitting venting of CO2 resulting from off-gassing of the roast and ground coffee while preventing ingress of air. A removable overcap comprising a top wall and a depending skirt may be affixed to the finish.

Abstract: There is provided a packaged roast and ground coffee product comprising a lightweight, thin-walled reclosable container made of laminated plastic material comprising a moisture barrier and an oxygen barrier, and a quantity of roast and ground coffee disposed within the container. The container comprises a finish that includes a top surface and one or more snap beads positioned below the top surface. A plurality of snap bead segments may be circumferentially spaced from one another. A sealing member may be sealed to the top surface. The sealing member may include a one-way valve permitting venting of CO2 resulting from off-gassing of the roast and ground coffee while preventing ingress of air. A removable overcap comprising a top wall and a depending skirt may be affixed to the finish.

Abstract: One provides (101) a plurality of one-way degassing valves (202) that are to be installed on corresponding containers and places (102) a viscous liquid (such as silicon oil) (205) in each of the plurality of one-way degassing valves to provide a corresponding plurality of installable one-way degassing valves (208). These teachings then provide for automatically and non-destructively determining (103), prior to installation of these valves on the corresponding containers, whether the viscous liquid has been properly placed. By one approach, this can comprise using a captured image (210) of at least a portion of each such one-way degassing valve to make this determination.