Abstract: In a method of making disposable, flexible containers for fluent products, methods of opening the flexible containers are disclosed, including methods of opening multi-layer structures to enable filling of fluent product(s). The methods may include opening a partially complete container blank made of three or more layers by separating a portion of one layer from a portion of another layer by bending portions of all of the layers outward toward a first direction; and then bending portions of at some of the layers outward toward a second direction that is within 20 degrees of opposite to the first direction.

Abstract: Methods of making vents in containers made from flexible materials, including forming vent openings in a first flexible material, forming vent stand-offs on a second flexible material, and combining the flexible materials to form a vent passage for the flexible container.

Abstract: Methods of making flexible containers that include structural support frames, including methods for sealing such containers.

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: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

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: 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: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: Methods of forming flexible containers having gussets formed by Z-folding then V-folding.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: Non-durable self-supporting flexible containers with easily variable sizing. Line ups of flexible containers have similar sizes, shapes, and constructions, but hold differing amounts of fluent product at unexpected fill heights.

Abstract: An orienting apparatus and method are disclosed. In one embodiment, the orienting apparatus is for orienting articles and for conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship in a direction. The articles being conveyed have at least two opposing ends. The orienting apparatus includes a conveyor comprising at least a portion extending in the direction for assisting in conveying the articles in a spaced apart relationship. At least one rotatable platform is joined to the conveyor at a location. The rotatable platform is rotatable about an axis that is perpendicular to the conveyor at the location. One end of an article may be placed in contact with the rotatable platform. A device in operational communication with the rotatable platform rotates at least one platform and the article in contact therewith. The device for rotating the platform does not directly contact the article.

Abstract: A flexible container formed of first and second flexible materials, which may be laminates. The flexible materials can include a gas barrier layer. The gas barrier properties may be selected so as to be adequate for short shelf-life products or fluent products having low susceptibility to dissolving or water loss. Association of destination indicia with at least one flexible material of which a flexible container is to be assembled, prior to, during, or subsequent to assembly and/or filling of a product volume of the flexible container facilitates timely sorting and delivery of the flexible container to an intended destination.

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: 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: 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.