Abstract: A resealable flexible thermoplastic bag including a front wall and a back wall, said walls being joined along the major portions of their opposite longitudinal edges and bottom; an open mouth adjacent to the top edge of said bag; a closure near the open mouth of said bag including an adhesive strip affixed to a first inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; and a flap member strip affixed to a second inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; said flap member of said bag being pressable against and into said adhesive strip on said first inner surface, whereby a seal is formed by contacting said adhesive strip with said flap member of said second inner surface.

Abstract: A flexible container, and a process and apparatus for making the container having first and second sidewalls, side seams, a bottom edge, a top and an opening adjacent the top including the first and second sidewalls made from the same film web stock material, said web stock having at least a first visual pattern impressed thereon such that upon forming said first and second sidewalls from said web stock, said first and second sidewalls are adjacent to each other and at least a second visual pattern on the container different from the first visual pattern is perceived by an observer of the container.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for providing microperforations in a zippered film useful for manufacturing reclosable zippered produce bags including(a) providing a web of thermoplastic film with zipper profile members on at least one side of the web, the zipper profile members spaced apart on the web forming a central web area between the profiles;(b) feeding the web between the nip of a cylinder having a plurality of heated pins and a pressure roller such that a plurality of microholes are formed in the central web area between the zipper profile members; and(c) maintaining the web in feeding alignment between the pin cylinder and the pressure roller such that uniform sized microholes are perforated in the web area between the profile members.

Abstract: A resealable flexible thermoplastic bag including a front wall and a back wall, said walls being joined along the major portions of their opposite longitudinal edges and bottom; an open mouth adjacent to the top edge of said bag; a closure near the open mouth of said bag including an adhesive strip affixed to a first inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; and a first roughened surface strip affixed to a second inner surface of one of a front wall or rear wall of a bag at a preselected distance from the opening of the bag; said roughened surface of said bag being pressable against and into said adhesive strip on said first inner surface, whereby a seal is formed by contacting said adhesive strip with said roughened surface of said second inner surface.

Abstract: A flexible film and flexible food storage bag for packaging produce such as vegetables and fruits wherein the film or bag has plurality of microholes specifically designed to allow the produce to breath in a controlled rate such that localized condensation and weight loss is minimized, which in turn reduces microbial (bacteria and mold) growth and reduces produce mushiness (softness) respectively.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zipper for a reclosable thermoplastic bag having opposing rib and groove profiles wherein at least one of the opposing zipper profiles has an longitudinally extending part interlockable and substantially free of interdigitation with the opposing profile and wherein the part is structurally discontinuous along its length. When the rib and groove profiles are interlocked, an audible clicking sound and/or a vibratory or bumpy feel perceptible to the touch is imparted.Further disclosed is a process and apparatus for making the zipper wherein a zipper profile is extruded and indentions are formed within and along it.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a reclosable closure profile, wherein the configuration of the closure profile is mechanically altered for controlling the width of the gap in a groove member by passing the closure profile, while still hot enough to be formed, through a profile gapping means, whereby the surfaces of the closure profile contact the gapping means, thereby maintaining the desired final gap width of the closure profile and/or whereby the gapping means includes a cutting means for notching the base of the groove member for controlling the closure force of the groove member.

Abstract: A process for providing microperforations in a zippered film useful for manufacturing reclosable zippered produce bags including the steps of(a) providing a web of thermoplastic film with zipper profile members on at least one side of the web, the zipper profile members spaced apart on the web forming a central web area between the profiles;(b) feeding the web between the nip of a cylinder having a plurality of heated pins and a pressure roller such that a plurality of microholes are formed in the central web area between the zipper profile members; and(c) maintaining the web in feeding alignment between the pin cylinder and the pressure roller such that uniform sized microholes are perforated in the web area between the profile members.

Abstract: A process and apparatus for forming a reclosable closure profile, wherein the configuration of the closure profile is mechanically altered for controlling the width of the gap in a groove member by passing the closure profile, while still hot enough to be formed, through a profile gapping means, whereby the surfaces of the closure profile contact the gapping means, thereby maintaining the desired final gap width of the closure profile and/or whereby the gapping means includes a cutting means for notching the base of the groove member for controlling the closure force of the groove member.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zipper for a reclosable thermoplastic bag having opposing rib and groove profiles wherein at least one of the opposing zipper profiles has an longitudinally extending part interlockable and substantially free of interdigitation with the opposing profile and wherein the part is structurally discontinuous along its length. When the rib and groove profiles are interlocked, an audible clicking sound and/or a vibratory or bumpy feel perceptible to the touch is imparted.Further disclosed is a process and apparatus for making the zipper wherein a zipper profile is extruded and indentions are formed within and along it.

Abstract: A closure member for a reclosable plastic bag, including a longitudinally-extending profile interlockable with an opposing longitudinally-extending profile of a second closure member, and a pair of longitudinally-extending ribs located adjacent and generally parallel to the profile on either side of the profile, with the ribs each being characterized in cross-section by a lower generallly triangularly-shaped portion and by an upper bulbous portion defined generally at an apex of the lower generally triangularly shaped portion.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag including grip strips of a plurality of spaced apart ridges extending generally parallel to one another over the width of the bag on opposed lips of the bag, wherein the ridges are characterized in cross-section by a lower generally triangularly-shaped portion and by an upper bulbous portion defined generally at an apex of the lower generally triangularly-shaped portion.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for measuring the tactility of a zipper of a reclosable thermoplastic zippered bag of the type described in commonly-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,070,584, including an opposed pair of mechanical fingers defining a gap therebetween through which the zipper is made to pass, means associated with the opposed pair of mechanical fingers for continuously measuring the resistance of the male and female profiles to being interlocked by such fingers as the zipper passes through the gap defined between such fingers, and means for recording, graphing, displaying and/or analyzing these measurements.

Abstract: A zipper for a reclosable thermoplastic bag which produces an audible clicking sound and/or a vibratory or bumpy feel when closed or "zipped", and processes and apparatus for making such zippers.

Abstract: A closure for reclosable plastic containers including male and female closure elements having extremities which are suited for interlocking with one another, in which the interlocking extremities of the male and female elements are guided into interlocking engagement responsive to compressive force placed on the elements, as in the clamping together and edge-sealing of film portions carrying the elements.

Abstract: A zipper closure for a reclosable thermoplastic bag includes two opposing interlockable rib and groove profiles, wherein at least a part of one or both of the profiles is divided into segments of materials having different elastic moduli. The zipper provides an audibly and/or tactilely perceptible indication of proper interlocking of the profiles.

Abstract: Disclosed is a zipper for a reclosable thermoplastic bag having opposing rib and groove profiles wherein at least one of the opposing zipper profiles has an longitudinally extending part interlockable and substantially free of interdigitation with the opposing profile and wherein the part is structurally discontinuous along its length. When the rib and groove profiles are interlocked, an audible clicking sound and/or a vibratory or bumpy feel perceptible to the touch is imparted.Further disclosed is a process and apparatus for making the zipper wherein a zipper profile is extruded and indentions are formed within and along it.

Abstract: A closure for reclosable plastic containers including male and female closure elements having extremities which are suited for interlocking with one another, in which the interlocking extremities of the male and female elements are guided into interlocking engagement responsive to compressive force placed on the elements, as in the clamping together and edge-sealing of film portions carrying the elements.

Abstract: The invention is a device and method for cooling a high temperature furnace. A typical high temperature furnace will include a hot zone that is insulated with carbon-based materials, such as lamp-black. The cooling device is a probe consisting of two elongate tubular members. The smaller diameter member fits lengthwise inside the larger member, such that an annulus is defined within the probe. A tapered metal tip at the lower end of the probe is positioned above a frangible disk, and the disk fits over a guide tube that extends into the insulation section. In operation, the probe is shoved downwardly through the frangible disk into the guide tube, to position the tip near the hot zone of the furnace. An inert gas is then passed through the inside member of the probe, and exhausted through the annulus, to dissipate the furnace heat.