Abstract: A multilayer film which loses its memory when subjected to heat shrinking comprising at least three layers, wherein at least one of the layers comprises a styrene-butadiene copolymer and the other layers comprise at least one material selected from the group consisting of HDPE, LLDPE and LDPE.

Abstract: A method of forming a load for transportation comprising the steps of: i) placing a base member on a flat surface, wherein the base member is wider than the intended width of the load; ii) forming a base layer of the load on the base member such that a side flap of the base member extends beyond each side of the base layer, wherein the base layer defines at least two channels for receiving forks of a forklift truck or other lifting device; iii) building a partial load, less than the intended maximum height, on top of the base layer iv) folding the side flaps of the base member around the partial load; v) building the remainder of the load on top of the folded base member; and vi) securing the completed load for transportation.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packing a product (1) in a flexible enclosure (2) therefor, the apparatus comprising means (6, 7) for evacuating air from within the unsealed enclosure (2), the product (1) being disposed within the unsealed enclosure (2), means (18, 19) for restraining sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2), during the said evacuation of air, in a configuration whereby the said sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) can be sealed without substantial rucking thereof and means (33, 34) for sealing the sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2) in an airtight manner in the said configuration thereof, after the said evacuation of air.

Abstract: An apparatus for vacuum packing a product (1) in a flexible enclosure (2) therefor, the apparatus comprising means (6, 7) for evacuating air from within the unsealed enclosure (2), the product (1) being disposed within the unsealed enclosure (2), means (18, 19) for restraining sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2), during the said evacuation of air, in a configuration whereby the said sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) can be sealed without substantial rucking thereof and means (33, 34) for sealing the sealable meeting portions (3a, 3b) of the unsealed enclosure (2) in an airtight manner in the said configuration thereof, after the said evacuation of air.

Abstract: A stack of plastic T-shirt type bags for use with a dispenser. Each bag in the stack has a pair of handles with aligned apertures for receiving the prongs of the dispenser. The stacks are retained in alignment by a releasable flap on the periphery of the aperture in each aperture integral with the bag. The stack provides for the releasable securement of adjacent flaps together for retention of bags in overlying aligned relation in the stack. Each bag has at least one discrete region of weakness between each aperture and the inward side of the respective handle stack which can be broken for detachment of a bag from the dispenser. The stack is adapted to dispensers with prongs carrying surface projections (i.e. transverse ridges) to restrict unwanted sliding of the stack along the prongs.

Abstract: A method for retaining a stack 1 of removably mutually connected pre-formed plastic bags 2, e.g. in supermarkets, comprises supporting the stack in a dispenser in a laterally (side-to-side) folded-over condition thereby presenting a spine of the fold, with the spine of the fold presented so as to be accessible to be grasped between a thumb and fingers of a person seeking to remove an individual bag 2 from the stack by pulling in direction A. The stack includes a block of lips 3, to which each bag is connected via a line of weakness 8 defining a rim 9 of the bag. A dispenser for dispensing plastic bags in accordance with this method is also described and claimed. The dispenser can suitably include a cantilevered shaft passing through the block of lips 3 via a through-hole 5.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing individual pre-formed bags from a stack of pre-formed bags has a body part and an anchor part for the stack of bags. The anchor part includes a catch for engaging the stack, whereby the stack of bags depends from the catch, and may be grasped for removal. A stack restraining member bears against the stack to restrain the stack of bags, but can be deflected against a gravitational restoring force when one side of the first bag of the stack is drawn past it to open the first bag for loading prior to removal from the stack.

Abstract: A dispenser for dispensing individual pre-formed bags from a stack of pre-formed bags has a body part and an anchor part for the stack of bags. The anchor part includes a catch means for engaging the stack, whereby the stack of bags depends from the catch means, and may be grasped for removal. A stack restraining member bears against the stack to restrain the stack of bags, but can be deflected against a gravitational restoring force when one side of the first bag of the stack is drawn past it to open the first bag for loading prior to removal from the stack.