Abstract: An activatable wrap material includes a film material a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The wrap material includes a plurality of protrusions extending outward from the first side of the wrap material and oriented in a pattern across the first side of the wrap material and a plurality of planar portions defined within the first side of the wrap material and throughout the plurality of protrusions. The wrap material exhibits an average peel adhesion force, when activated against a surface, between about 1.50 g/in to about 3.25 g/in. The wrap material further exhibits an average roll unwind force, when wound on a roll, between about 1.50 g/in to about 5.0 g/in. The wrap material also exhibits an average blocking force, when contacting itself, between about 0.4 g/in2 to about 1.30 g/in2.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing one or more physical properties of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction and/or transverse direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while maintaining or increasing a ratio of the machine direction to transverse direction resistance to tear. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges.

Abstract: Methods of enhancing one or more physical properties of a thermoplastic film include incrementally stretching thermoplastic films in the machine direction and/or transverse direction. In one or more implementations, methods of incrementally stretching thermoplastic films include reducing the gauge of the films while maintaining or increasing a ratio of the machine direction to transverse direction resistance to tear. The methods can involve cold stretching the films and imparting rib patterns into the film. The linear ribs can have alternating thick and thin gauges.

Abstract: The trash bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth with a hem and a draw tape in the hem. A liquid additive may be applied to the interior of the bag using the intermittent application of micro-droplets to the interior of a folded web and then converting to a roll of connected trash bags or to individual trash bags on a roll. The liquid additive may contain fragrance, malodor control agents and fragrance release inhibitors. Also, described is a method of producing trash bags with liquid additives applied by the application of micro-droplets.

Abstract: A wearable absorbent article, comprising a drawstring member that is at least partially inelastic. The drawstring member can include an inelastic material. The drawstring member can be substantially inelastic. The article can include a chassis with an edge, and a drawstring chamber disposed along at least a portion of the edge, wherein the drawstring member is disposed within the drawstring chamber.

Abstract: The trash bag for receiving refuse may include a bag body, the bag body including an inside surface, an outside surface, and a rim defining a mouth with a hem and a draw tape in the hem. A liquid additive may be applied to the interior of the bag using the intermittent application of micro-droplets to the interior of a folded web and then converting to a roll of connected trash bags or to individual trash bags on a roll. The liquid additive may contain fragrance, malodor control agents and fragrance release inhibitors. Also, described is a method of producing trash bags with liquid additives applied by the application of micro-droplets.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bracket for evacuating a storage bag having a one-way valve element is provided that has parallel first and second flat panels that delineate a gap. A bag can be placed into the gap such that the valve element on the bag aligns with an aperture disposed through the first panel. To evacuate the bag, a nozzle of an evacuation device can be inserted through the aperture and pressed against the bag sidewall about the valve element. When the evacuation device is activated, the sidewall of the bag is pulled against the rim of the nozzle and air is drawn through the valve element. In another embodiment, the nozzle can be pressed against the first panel around the aperture. In another aspect, the bracket can be included as part of a handheld evacuation device.

Abstract: The flexible storage bag includes overlaying first and second sidewalls defining an internal volume that can be accessed from an open top edge. To evacuate air from the internal volume after the open top edge has been closed, the bag includes a one-way valve element attached to the first sidewall and communicating with the internal volume. To prevent the one-way valve element from becoming clogged by the opposing second sidewall, the bag also includes a clearance member that maintains at least a partial clearance between the first and second sidewalls proximate the valve element. The clearance member can take many forms such as a textured portion on the second sidewall that includes evacuation passages which provide air in the internal volume access to the valve element, a permeable element covering the valve element, and a rigid or compressible structure that spaces the second sidewall from the valve element.

Abstract: A thin-walled vacuum storage container made of a plastic material may have a base providing a storage cavity and a detachable lid connectable to the base for covering the storage cavity. To evacuate the storage cavity, the container also includes a valve element communicating with the storage cavity and that may be adapted to interface with a vacuum device. The base and/or the lid can have at least one wall made by a thin-wall manufacturing process wherein the wall thickness is about 2.5 millimeters or less. Alternately, the base and/or lid can have at least one wall with a flow-length-to-wall-thickness ratio of about 90:1 or greater.

Abstract: A closure element is used for closing an opening disposed through the flexible sidewall of a storage bag such as those used to store food items. The storage bags provide an internal volume accessible via the opening. The closure element includes a first fastening strip and an interlocking second closure strip. The first and second fastening strips include complementary, engagable first and second closure profiles. To hermetically seal the internal volume, at least a portion of the first or second fastening strip can include a sealant. The sealant can be a displaceable fluid, fluid-like substance, semi-rigid substance, or wax-like substance such as an oil or a gel. When the closure profiles are engaged, the sealant provides an air tight barrier sealing the internal volume.

Abstract: The storage bag includes an interior volume for containing food items and a one-way valve element through which air from the interior volume can be evacuated. To prevent fluids and juices from the stored food items from contaminating the valve element, a separator defining a chamber is included that sealingly connects the valve element to the interior volume. In the separator, fluids and juices separate from the evacuating air by gravitational separation and are returned to the interior volume. In an embodiment, to facilitate packaging and distribution of multiple storage bags, the separator is adjustable between an expanded position for providing the chamber and a collapsed position substantially eliminating the chamber. In an embodiment, the separator may be comprised of elastically expandable material.

Abstract: An absorbent article with a drawstring member that is at least partially inelastic.

Abstract: The storage bag includes an interior volume for containing food items and a one-way valve element through which air from the interior volume can be evacuated. To prevent fluids and juices from the stored food items from contaminating the valve element, a separator defining a chamber is included that sealingly connects the valve element to the interior volume. In the separator, fluids and juices separate from the evacuating air by gravitational separation and are returned to the interior volume. In an embodiment, to facilitate packaging and distribution of multiple storage bags, the separator is adjustable between an expanded position for providing the chamber and a collapsed position substantially eliminating the chamber.

Abstract: An absorbent article has a chassis assembly with a front region, a rear region, a crotch region disposed between the front and rear region, and a pair of longitudinal edges. A chamber is positioned adjacent to each longitudinal edge and extends from the front region to the rear region with each chamber being substantially enclosed. Drawstring members extend through each of the chambers and exit the chassis assembly from an opening in the rear region. A waist fit member extends across the rear region and is connected to a portion of the drawstring member. The drawstring members are substantially unattached to their respective chambers such that a more secure fit is provided about the legs and the waist of the wearer upon tensioning of the drawstring members.

Abstract: In one aspect, a bracket for evacuating a storage bag having a one-way valve element is provided that has parallel first and second flat panels that delineate a gap. A bag can be placed into the gap such that the valve element on the bag aligns with an aperture disposed through the first panel. To evacuate the bag, a nozzle of an evacuation device can be inserted through the aperture and pressed against the bag sidewall about the valve element. When the evacuation device is activated, the sidewall of the bag is pulled against the rim of the nozzle and air is drawn through the valve element. In another embodiment, the nozzle can be pressed against the first panel around the aperture. In another aspect, the bracket can be included as part of a handheld evacuation device.

Abstract: The storage bag includes an interior volume for containing food items and a one-way valve element through which air from the interior volume can be evacuated. To prevent fluids and juices from the stored food items from contaminating the valve element, a separator defining a chamber is included that sealingly connects the valve element to the interior volume. In the separator, fluids and juices separate from the evacuating air by gravitational separation and are returned to the interior volume. In an embodiment, to facilitate packaging and distribution of multiple storage bags, the separator is adjustable between an expanded position for providing the chamber and a collapsed position substantially eliminating the chamber. In an embodiment, the separator may be comprised of elastically expandable material.

Abstract: The storage bag includes an interior volume for containing food items and a one-way valve element through which air from the interior volume can be evacuated. To prevent fluids and juices from the stored food items from contaminating the valve element, a separator defining a chamber is included that sealingly connects the valve element to the interior volume. In the separator, fluids and juices separate from the evacuating air by gravitational separation and are returned to the interior volume. In an embodiment, to facilitate packaging and distribution of multiple storage bags, the separator is adjustable between an expanded position for providing the chamber and a collapsed position substantially eliminating the chamber. In an embodiment, the separator may be comprised of elastically expandable material.

Abstract: A closure element is used for closing an opening disposed through the flexible sidewall of a storage bag such as those used to store food items. Storage bags of this type provide an internal volume accessible via the opening. The closure element includes a first fastening strip and an interlocking second closure strip. The first and second fastening strips include complementary, engagable first and second closure profiles. To hermetically seal the internal volume, at least a portion of the first or second fastening strip can include a sealant. The sealant can be a displaceable fluid, fluid-like substance, or wax-like substance such as an oil or a gel. When the closure profiles are engaged, the sealant provides an air tight barrier sealing the internal volume.

Abstract: An absorbent insert for use with an outer cover, the outer cover having a front waist region, a rear waist region, a longitudinal centerline and a lateral centerline perpendicular to said longitudinal centerline. The absorbent insert includes a first absorbent assembly; a second absorbent assembly; and an adjustment member adjustably joining the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly such that the first absorbent assembly and the second absorbent assembly are moveable relative to each other in at least a direction parallel to said longitudinal centerline. The insert also includes a slip element joined with at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly, the slip element providing a low friction surface such that at least a portion of the first absorbent assembly can be positioned over at least a portion of the second absorbent assembly in an overlapping configuration.