Abstract: A grain cart grain discharge including a pivotable discharge chute having a first position to discharge grain from a first side of a grain cart and a second position to discharge grain from an opposite side of the cart. The discharge chute is movably mounted on a guide and pivotable about the central axis of a grain supply auger mounted at the bottom of a grain hopper. A discharge head rotatably located on an end of the discharge chute opposite the supply auger and a control located on a vehicle, the control controlling the movement of the chute from the first position to the second position and controlling a rotational position of the discharge head without leaving the cab of the vehicle.

Abstract: A packaging system suitable for distributing and dispensing disposable cups and lids includes a protective sleeve as well as a polymer envelope. The protective sleeve is configured to receive a nested stack of lids at its upper portion as well as a nested stack of cups at its lower portion. In one preferred embodiment a separator disk separates the two nested stacks and the cups are paperboard cups adapted for hot beverages by having foamed insulation on their outer surface. In another preferred embodiment, a pressure-sensitive adhesive mount is provided which can be removed from a mounting surface without leaving substantial pressure-sensitive adhesive residue on the surface.

Abstract: A drinking straw for consuming a beverage is prepared by: a) melt-extruding a polymeric material in the shape of a continuous tubular conduit suitable for preparing a plurality of drinking straws; b) cooling said continuous tubular conduit to a temperature below the softening point of the polymer; c) flattening the tubular conduit so as to collapse its structure into a substantially planar form, thereby constricting the central longitudinal cavity and reducing the volume of the continuous tubular conduit; d) cutting a length from the continuous conduit of suitable length for making the straw; and e) dilating the length cut from the conduit so as to restore the cross-sectional area of the central cavity and reconstitute the tubular structure of the straw. Advantages of the invention include minimizing storage space and shipping bulk, as well as reducing the need for packaging materials.

Abstract: Packaging materials, in particular, film and products which comprise (a) a substrate and (b) an energy sensitive indicia-former. The film has at least one heat sensitive indicia-former on at least part of the film. The film comprises a thin film substrate which is substantially transparent to radiant energy. Associated with at least part of the film substrate is an absorbent material which is sufficiently opaque to radiant energy to absorb said radiant energy and convert the radiant energy into heat energy. The indicia-former undergoes conversion from a first visual condition to a second visual condition upon exposure to heat energy from the absorbent material. The film is used preferably as a shrink wrap of the open top of drink containers and to identify the contents of the container.

Abstract: Packaging materials, in particular, film and products that are marked with an energy sensitive indicia-former. The film has at least one heat sensitive indicia-former on at least part of the film. The film comprises a thin film substrate which is substantially transparent to radiant energy. Associated with at least part of the film substrate is an absorbent material which is sufficiently opaque to radiant energy to absorb said radiant energy and convert the radiant energy into heat energy. The indicia-former undergoes conversion from a first visual condition to a second visual condition upon exposure to heat energy from the absorbent material. The film is used preferably as a shrink wrap of the open top of drink containers and to identify the contents of the container.

Abstract: A process of forming improved cellulosic fibers, fibrous compositions containing cellulosic fibers, and absorbent articles comprising such compositions are disclosed. In the process, liquid ammonia penetrates cellulosic fibers in a pressurized environment, and when the pressure is released, an explosive process produces cellulosic fibers having unique structure and properties. The high pressure liquid ammonia treatment introduces a significant curl into the fiber and introduces a smooth, soft, silky feel to the fiber not present in conventional cellulosic fibers. Such fibers are particularly useful in tissue, wipes, distributive layers, fiber mats, filter papers, and other porous articles.

Abstract: A process of forming improved cellulosic fibers, fibrous compositions containing cellulosic fibers, and absorbent articles comprising such compositions are disclosed. In the process, liquid ammonia penetrates cellulosic fibers in a pressurized environment, and when the pressure is released, an explosive process produces cellulosic fibers having unique structure and properties. The high pressure liquid ammonia treatment introduces a significant curl into the fiber and introduces a smooth, soft, silky feel to the fiber not present in conventional cellulosic fibers. Such fibers are particularly useful in tissue, wipes, distributive layers, fiber mats, filter papers, and other porous articles.

Abstract: A method of making a disposable tumbler includes: injection molding a polyethylene terephthalate resin in an annular mold cavity defined by an injection mold wall and a core to form a resinous parison on the core; separating the parison from the injection mold wall by moving the parison on the core away from the mold wall; moving the parison on the core into alignment with a blow-mold; and expanding the parison by directing a pressurized fluid to its interior such that the parison separates from the core and expands to the surface of the blow mold to form the tumbler, wherein the parison is radially expanded by a factor of at least about 2.6 at its base to form the tumbler. Typically, the parison is radially expanded at its base by a factor of from about 2.6 to about 3.25 to form the tumbler; whereas preferably the parison is expanded by a factor of from about 2.7 to about 2.9.

Abstract: A drinking straw for consuming a beverage is prepared by: a) melt-extruding a polymeric material in the shape of a continuous tubular conduit suitable for preparing a plurality of drinking straws; b) cooling said continuous tubular conduit to a temperature below the softening point of the polymer; c) flattening the tubular conduit so as to collapse its structure into a substantially planar form, thereby constricting the central longitudinal cavity and reducing the volume of the continuous tubular conduit; d) cutting a length from the continuous conduit of suitable length for making the straw; and e) dilating the length cut from the conduit so as to restore the cross-sectional area of the central cavity and reconstitute the tubular structure of the straw. Advantages of the invention include minimizing storage space and shipping bulk, as well as reducing the need for packaging materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides compressed paper webs that maintain a substantial amount of their absorptive capacity and wet strength when compressed. The compressed webs bounce back to a portion of their uncompressed state when wetted. The present compressed webs allow more towels to be added to a dispenser without substantially sacrificing the absorbent capacity or the strength of the towels.

Abstract: A beverage container equipped with a top and a pop-up straw inside for a convenient and sanitary drinking purpose. The straw has an upper end and a lower end and is placed in the container. The straw has substantially lower density than a liquid in the container to urge the upper end through an openable portion of the top. Preferably, a bonding agent fixes the straw temporarily to the container at the time of filling the container with the liquid and closing the container with the top, and releases the straw automatically to allow flotation of the straw within the container after closing the container. The beverage container with the pop-up straw facilitates sanitary drinking and is compatible with the current high-speed canning and bottling processes.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material containing fibers bearing foraminous hydrophobic water-vapor-permeable pellicles, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. Additionally, the absorbent layer will include highly absorbent material formed by in-situ crosslinking of a partially pre-neutralized polyacrylic acid. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A composite integral sheet of wrap material which includes a first layer of absorbent material containing fibers bearing foraminous hydrophobic water-vapor-permeable pellicles, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. Additionally, the absorbent layer will include highly absorbent material formed by in-situ crosslinking of a partially pre-neutralized polyacrylic acid. The composite wrap material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. A method of making the composite integral sheet.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A creping adhesive is described which provides the ability to readily control glass transition temperature (Tg) and adhesion and which can be easily removed from dryer surfaces. The creping adhesive contains a crosslinkable polymer and preferably an ionic crosslinking agent such as metal cations having a valence of three or more.

Abstract: A disposable, cloth-like towel of superior wet strength and absorbency comprises a scrim coated with a superabsorbent material, with one or more nonwoven fibrous webs bonded to the coated scrim. The superabsorbent coating preferably is formed by wetting the scrim with water or an aqueous adhesive, applying a solid hydrophilic polymer to the scrim, then applying a nonwoven absorbent cellulosic web to the coated scrim and drying the resulting composite laminate. Bonding of the scrim to the nonwoven fibrous web can be achieved by applying an adhesive to the side of the cellulosic web which is brought into contact with the coated scrim.

Abstract: A patterned microwave interactive element and laminate including a patterned microwave interactive element for use in forming food packaging materials that may be employed to store and subsequently cook the food stored therein are provided. The pattern of the microwave interactive element is selected to focus the heat generated to predetermined areas of the food contained in the packaging. Areas where the microwave interactive element has been deactivated may be formed by a variety of methods, such as by demetallization, by the application of an inactivating chemical, by mechanical means and the like, to create a preselected pattern of inactive areas relative to the active areas, thereby controlling the temperatures produced in different sections of the packaging material. Optimum browning and/or crisping of the microwave heated food product may be achieved by selecting a pattern of microwave interactive and inactive areas tailored to specific food products.