Abstract: An electroluminescent switch is described incorporating an electroluminescent lamp assembly and one or more membrane switch assembly. The rear or base electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element which functions as the means by which the membrane switch may be closed upon actuation by a user. The membrane switch can be constructed from two electrodes arranged so that the conductive layer when brought into contact with said electrodes, shorts the electrodes thereby closing the circuit. Applications for the membrane switch include electronic devices where panel switches are required or electronic devices requiring particularly thin switches which are to be backlit.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for forming and filling tubes containing a product, with the filling process taking place from the longer side of the tube, rather than the shorter side. An elongated product delivery tube contains product diverters that evenly spread out the product, allowing a clean seal in less time. An optional vibrator helps the product to settle quickly. Throughput is increased over the prior art, as well as facilitating improvements in opening the tube and in marketing.

Abstract: A flexible container with a wall structure comprised of multi-layer, flexible thin, films, including a first film layer that is affixed to the wall structure by a releasable adherence and that incorporates a removable promotional piece. The removable promotional piece is incorporated into the first film layer such that, other than a continuous cut facilitating removal and any conspicuous printing on the removable portion, it is indistinguishable from the rest of the exterior of the package. The continuous cut allows for full detachment of the removable portion from the first film layer so that only the releasable adherence prevents it from separating from the container. The promotional piece is removed by peeling it away from the container, where the peeling is facilitated by the action of the continuous cut and releasable adherence.

Abstract: In order to reduce the percentage of leaks in sealed packages, the sealing jaws contain one or more raised regions that correspond to problem areas for leaks, i.e., adjacent to back seals and folds in the package design. The raised regions are raised approximately 4-20 mils above the regions that seal the normal two layers of material.

Abstract: A flexible self-standing package and method for making the same provides for a package that has its own support mechanism. Thereby, a package, such as a snack food package, can be displayed in an upright position without the need to be placed against another package or wall. To achieve this, the package is formed with a support flap formed extended away from the tube of the package. When the package is positioned to stand, a pocket forms between the support flap and tube of the package to provide support.

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating one or two vertical creases along the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Such creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.

Abstract: The invention discloses the Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane protein polypeptide and polypeptides derived therefrom (collectively “OMP21”), nucleotide sequences encoding said OMP21, and antibodies that specifically bind OMP21. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, which may be immunogenic compositions including vaccines, comprising OMP21, antibodies thereto or nucleotides encoding same. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing an immune response to M. catarrhalis and OMP21 in an animal, preferably a human, methods of treating and methods of diagnosing Moraxella infections in an animal, preferably a human, and kits therefor.

Abstract: A flexible package and method for making the same provides for a package that has a pocket formed adjacent to a portion of a package. Thereby, the package, such as a snack food package, can be filled with one product in the main compartment of the package and can be filled with a separate product in the pocket. To realize this, the package is formed with an extra length of film extended adjacent to the main portion of the tube of the package. First and second longitudinal seals are provided to form a pocket over a portion of the tube of the package. The package can then be filled with a first product in the main portion of the package and a second product in the separate and distinct pocket.

Abstract: A flexible package and method for making the same provides for a package that has a pouch formed adjacent to a portion of a package. Thereby, the package, such as a snack food package, can be filled with one product in the main compartment of the package and can be filled with a separate product in the pouch. To realize this, the package is formed with an extra length of film extended adjacent to the main portion of the tube of the package. First and second longitudinal seals are provided to form the pouch over a portion of the tube of the package. The package can then be filled with a first product in the main portion of the package and a second product in the separate and distinct pouch. As the pouch is filled, the material of the pouch protrudes away from the surface of the main portion of the package.

Abstract: A flexible self-standing package and method for making the same provides for a package that has its own support mechanism. Thereby, a package, such as a snack food package, can be displayed in an upright position without the need to be placed against another package or wall. To achieve this, the package is formed with a support flap formed extended away from the tube of the package. When the package is positioned to stand, a pocket forms between the support flap and tube of the package to provide support.

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch, flat bottom bag, or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed with a quick change module modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch or flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating one or two vertical creases along the packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Such creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines comprising, in part, a quick change module that easily installs on the base of a forming tube.

Abstract: A flat bottom bag or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a flat bottom bag from a single sheet of packaging film by creating two vertical creases along opposite sides of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. These creases are formed using fixed or stationary modifications to prior art vertical form, fill, and seal machines.

Abstract: A vertical stand-up pouch or flexible package, and method for manufacturing same, constructed by modification to existing vertical form and fill packaging machines. The invention involves producing a vertical stand-up pouch from a single sheet of packaging film by creating a vertical crease along one edge of a packaging film tube prior to forming a transverse seal on the tube. Said vertical crease is formed using a stationary tucker bar positioned outside the packaging film tube and between two forming plates positioned inside the packaging film tube.

Abstract: The invention discloses the Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane protein polypeptide and polypeptides derived therefrom (collectively “OMP21”), nucleotide sequences encoding said OMP21, and antibodies that specifically bind OMP21. Also disclosed are pharmaceutical compositions including prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, which may be immunogenic compositions including vaccines, comprising OMP21, antibodies thereto or nucleotides encoding same. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing an immune response to M. catarrhalis and OMP21 in an animal, preferably a human, methods of treating and methods of diagnosing Moraxella infections in an animal, preferably a human, and kits therefor.

Abstract: Multiple side-by-side packages are produced on a vertical form, fill, and seal machine by using a former/delivery tube assembly designed for this purpose. The front and back surfaces of the package are sealed together to form separate pouches. The technology is extendable to more than two pouches simultaneously and can handle pouches of the same or different sizes and food products that are either the same or unlike.

Abstract: The invention discloses the Moraxella catarrhalis outer membrane protein-106 (OMP106) polypeptide, polypeptides derived therefrom (OMP106-derived polypeptides), nucleotide sequences encoding said polypeptides, and antibodies that specifically bind the OMP106 polypeptide and/or OMP106-derived polypeptides. Also disclosed are immunogenic, prophylactic or therapeutic compositions, including vaccines, comprising OMP106 polypeptide and/or OMP106-derived polypeptides. The invention additionally discloses methods of inducing immune responses to M. catarrhalis and M. catarrhalis OMP106 polypeptides and OMP106-derived polypeptides in animals.

Abstract: A method and device are disclosed for forming and filling tubes containing a product, with the filling process taking place from the longer side of the tube, rather than the shorter side. An elongated product delivery tube contains product diverters that evenly spread out the product, allowing a clean seal in less time. An optional vibrator helps the product to settle quickly. Throughput is increased over the prior art, as well as facilitating improvements in opening the tube and in marketing.

Abstract: In order to handle bag configurations having extra layers in some portions, especially where thicker materials are used, the facings of the sealing jaws are relieved in the area of the extra layers, so that even pressure is applied to the material across the entire seal area. An improved transverse seal is obtained using this method.

Abstract: An electroluminescent switch is described incorporating an electroluminescent lamp assembly and one or more membrane switch assembly. The rear or base electrode of the electroluminescent lamp and a conductive layer of the membrane switch are superimposed on opposite sides of the same element which functions as the means by which the membrane switch may be closed upon actuation by a user. The membrane switch can be constructed from two electrodes arranged so that the conductive layer when brought into contact with said electrodes, shorts the electrodes thereby closing the circuit. Applications for the membrane switch include electronic devices where panel switches are required or electronic devices requiring particularly thin switches which are to be backlit.