Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers having gradients where at least one of a plurality of physical characteristics that are perceptible via tactile interaction with an exterior surface of the container are varied across the exterior of the container. The flexible containers may permit users to perceive viscosity or relative thermal condition of contained product in discrete zones or regions of the container through one or more outer surface of the container without direct interaction with the product, or vary hardness or softness of the container.

Abstract: A method for designing a product processing apparatus. The method includes: providing a design of a product processing apparatus; providing a representation of the product processing apparatus; providing a representation of a product; providing a representation of a product package; simulating the interactions of any combination of the product, apparatus, and package as a set of transformations utilizing the product, apparatus, and/or package representations; creating a surrogate model for at least one transformation of the set utilizing the simulation results; evaluating the performance of the apparatus utilizing the set of surrogate models of the transformations; and altering the design of the apparatus according to the evaluation.

Abstract: A method for designing a product processing apparatus. The method includes: providing a design of a product processing apparatus; providing a representation of the product processing apparatus; providing a representation of a product; providing a representation of a product package; simulating the interactions of any combination of the product, apparatus, and package as a set of transformations utilizing the product, apparatus, and/or package representations; creating a surrogate model for at least one transformation of the set utilizing the simulation results; evaluating the performance of the apparatus utilizing the set of surrogate models of the transformations; and altering the design of the apparatus according to the evaluation.

Abstract: A method of filling a product volume of a flexible container that includes a product volume and a structural support volume that at least partially extends into the product volume can include filling the product volume with product and applying an external force to the product volume and sealing the product volume to reduce a product receiving volume of the product volume.

Abstract: A method of expanding a structural support volume of a flexible container can include dispensing a cryogenic fluid into at least one structural support volume and sealing the at least one structural support volume such that it has a closed volume prior to complete conversion of the cryogenic fluid into a gas and expansion of the structural support volume to a pressurized state. The flexible container includes a product volume and at least a portion of the structural support volume extends into the product volume when the structural support volume is expanded.

Abstract: A method of forming a flexible container can include folding a web or sheet to define one or more gussets in one or more regions of the flexible container. The gusset can be a continuous gusset or can be an interrupted gusset, having a seal disposed in the gusset.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers having gradients where at least one of a plurality of physical characteristics that are perceptible via tactile interaction with an exterior surface of the container are varied across the exterior of the container. The flexible containers may permit users to perceive viscosity or relative thermal condition of contained product in discrete zones or regions of the container through one or more outer surface of the container without direct interaction with the product, or vary hardness or softness of the container.

Abstract: A non-durable flexible container can include a first film wall including a first portion comprising at least one first structural support member defined in the first film wall, and a second portion that is free of a structural support member. The container can further include a second film wall including at least one second structural support member defined in the second film wall, wherein at least a portion of the first structural support member is adjacent to at least a portion of the second structural support member to define a seam region, and a side of the seam region defines an edge of the non-durable flexible container. The container can also include a closed produce volume defined between first and second film walls; and a seam projecting outwardly from the seam region at an intersection of the first and second film walls.

Abstract: Methods of forming flexible containers, the methods comprising joining together a first flexible material and a second flexible material, to form a joined material, using the joined material, at least partially forming a structural support volume and an expansion port in communication with the structural support volume, and by joining a third flexible material to the joined material, at least partially forming a product volume and a fill port in communication with the product volume.

Abstract: A discharge device having a liquid outlet with a hollow interior. The valve system is located inside the hollow interior of the liquid inlet. The valve guide system has a valve guide and a first rib. The valve guide system has a valve guide having a valve guide width. The valve guide width is at less than about 1.15 mm. The first rib has a first rib width having a first rib width. The width of the first rib is less than about 2.5 mm wide.

Abstract: A gravity discharge device for liquids, especially concentrated liquid detergents, comprises a valve guide system whose surface area optimizes liquid flow. The discharge is especially useful with concentrated (“2×”) liquid detergents, whose viscosities tend to unacceptably slow their flow rate from home-use containers, especially when the containers progressively empty after multiple uses.

Abstract: Fabric care products having a package useful for storing, dispensing, and/or measuring flowable compositions, including at least one inner container; an outer container at least partially encompassing the inner container; a dispensing means operatively attached to the inner container; and a vessel.

Abstract: Containers useful in bottle-in-box applications among others, including a blow molded portion and a non-blow molded portion integrally connected, wherein the blow molded portion includes: (i) at least one layer of polypropylene thermoplastic material having a flexural modulus (1% secant) of from about 140,000 psi to about 220,000 psi under ASTM D790; (ii) a containing volume of at least two liters suitable for containing a liquid or semi-liquid composition; and (iii) a containing volume to polypropylene thermoplastic material mass ratio of greater than 100 mL/gram; wherein the non-blow molded portion further includes an attachment means for connecting a dispenser.

Abstract: A discharge device which has a body with a hollow interior. The discharge device has i.) a liquid inlet having liquid inlet surface area and ii.) a liquid outlet wherein the liquid outlet has a hollow interior. The hollow interior has i.) a stem and ii.) a valve guide having a top valve guide, a bottom valve guide, and a valve guide surface area. The stem passes through the valve guide and the bottom of the valve guide is above the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A discharge device has i.) a body having a hollow interior; ii.) a liquid inlet; and iii.) a liquid outlet having a first end and a second end. The first end has a button. The liquid outlet has a stem. The liquid outlet has an orifice having an orifice surface area. The valve system has a rib and a valve guide having a valve system surface area. The stem passes through the valve guide. The valve system surface area and the orifice surface area have a ratio of less than about 35%.

Abstract: A gravity discharge device for liquids, especially concentrated liquid detergents, comprises a valve guide system whose surface area optimizes liquid flow. The discharge is especially useful with concentrated (“2×”) liquid detergents, whose viscosities tend to unacceptably slow their flow rate from home-use containers, especially when the containers progressively empty after multiple uses.

Abstract: A discharge device having a liquid outlet with a hollow interior. The valve system is located inside the hollow interior of the liquid inlet. The valve guide system has a valve guide and a first rib. The valve guide system has a valve guide having a valve guide width. The valve guide width is at less than about 1.15 mm. The first rib has a first rib width having a first rib width. The width of the first rib is less than about 2.5 mm wide.