Abstract: Systems, methods, and processes are disclosed for the manufacture, filling and dispensing of flowable contents. The dispenser system generally includes a dispenser bottle, a dispensing cap, a pre-filled container, and an optional inversion tube wherein the pre-filled container contains flowable contents therein for dispensing when a dispenser bottle is squeezed, pumped or sprayed. A user grasps the bottle, squeezes it to increase internal pressure, and forces out through the dispensing cap the flowable contents. Upon release, the system allows air to enter and replace the forced-out flowable contents and neutralize the pressure in the space between the container and the bottle. An inline process of manufacturing and filling the containers is provided.

Abstract: A dispenser that may be loaded with a plurality of interconnected articles with at least one grasping section and that may then be selectively withdrawn one at a time out through an extraction site and indexed for subsequent withdrawal upon removal along with methods of manufacturing and assembling, the article itself, and additional features such as a separator for engaging the article to dispense the article in an open configuration, a restrainer for aiding separation of the articles, and an elevator or ramp for locating the grasping sections of the articles near the extraction site are disclosed herein.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processes are disclosed for the manufacture, filling and dispensing of flowable contents. The dispenser system generally includes a dispenser bottle, a dispensing cap, a pre-filled container, and an optional inversion tube wherein the pre-filled container contains flowable contents therein for dispensing when a dispenser bottle is squeezed, pumped or sprayed. A user grasps the bottle, squeezes it to increase internal pressure, and forces out through the dispensing cap the flowable contents. Upon release, the system allows air to enter and replace the forced-out flowable contents and neutralize the pressure in the space between the container and the bottle. An inline process of manufacturing and filling the containers is provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processes are disclosed for the manufacture, filling and dispensing of flowable contents. The dispenser system includes a dispenser bottle, a dispensing cap, a pre-filled container, an optional inversion tube wherein the pre-filled container contains flowable contents therein for dispensing when a dispenser bottle is squeezed, pumped or sprayed. A user grasps the bottle, squeezes it to increase internal pressure, and forces out through the dispensing cap the flowable contents. Upon release, the system allows air to enter and replace the forced-out flowable contents and neutralize the pressure in the space between the container and the bottle. An inline process of manufacturing and filling the containers is provided.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and processes are disclosed for the manufacture, filling and dispensing of flowable contents. The dispenser system includes a dispenser bottle, a dispensing cap, a pre-filled container, an optional inversion tube wherein the pre-filled container contains flowable contents therein for dispensing when a dispenser bottle is squeezed, pumped or sprayed. A user grasps the bottle, squeezes it to increase internal pressure, and forces out through the dispensing cap the flowable contents. Upon release, the system allows air to enter and replace the forced-out flowable contents and neutralize the pressure in the space between the container and the bottle. An inline process of manufacturing and filling the containers is provided.

Abstract: A bag having an inwardly disposed seam is manufactured from a sheet of plastic bag material having two major surfaces and two parallel side edges. A first seam seals the two parallel side edges together at the same major surface with the side edges disposed inwardly of the tube to form the sheet of plastic bag material into a tube with internal flap portions extending interiorly of the tube. At least one seal across the tube is provided for forming at least a three-sided bag structure (and preferably two seals across the tube for forming a closed four-sided bag structure) whereby pressure in the interior of the bag acts against the internal flap portions disposed inwardly of the tube to enhance the sealing of the seam. The bag is filled at an opening defined along the opposite side edges of the seam facing inwardly of the tube.

Abstract: A bag having an inwardly disposed seam is manufactured from a sheet of plastic bag material having two major surfaces and two parallel side edges. A first seam seals the two parallel side edges together at the same major surface with the side edges disposed inwardly of the tube to form the sheet of plastic bag material into a tube with internal flap portions extending interiorly of the tube. At least one seal across the tube is provided for forming at least a three-sided bag structure (and preferably two seals across the tube for forming a closed four-sided bag structure) whereby pressure in the interior of the bag acts against the internal flap portions disposed inwardly of the tube to enhance the sealing of the seam. The bag is filled at an opening defined along the opposite side edges of the seam facing inwardly of the tube.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for securing, loading and singularly dispensing bags in a bag bundle from a dispensing hook includes a bag bundle formed from a plurality of stacked bags. Each bag has apertures are defined in the front panel and the rear panel adjacent the open top, these apertures having an opening of a selected dimension normal to the vertical side walls with an upper edge. A dispensing hook is used having parallel sides separated by a width complimentary to the selected dimension of the apertures to provide a secure, snug fit when the bag bundle is placed on the dispensing hook at the registered apertures. The dispensing hook defining a bag holding surface complimentary to the upper edge of the apertures.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed for a plastic film. This film has a predetermined thickness sufficient for the plastic film to remain planar in an absence of a first bending moment applied across the plastic film. The hinge includes at least one linear groove configured in the plastic film to reduce the predetermined thickness of the plastic film at the linear groove. The hinge permits preferential hinging of the plastic film at the linear groove responsive to a bending moment at the linear groove across the plastic film less than the first bending moment. The linear groove has insufficient depth to sever the plastic film and enables the hinge film to retain sufficient remaining thickness at the linear groove to permit hinging and not tearing of the plastic film at the linear groove. When the hinge is placed across a plastic film, and the film bent at the hinge, the film defines a first panel and a second panel with each panel disposed at an angle to one another at the hinge.

Abstract: In the process of die-cutting bag stacks to form individual bag tops, die-cut handle apertures, or other mounting apertures, die blade configurations forming the vent lines of an array of vent apertures are also used to bond the outer surfaces of the front and rear bag walls together. The die-cutting operation selectively bonds the successive front and rear bag walls together at or adjacent the cut edges of the vent lines, thereby allowing the bags in a bag stack to subsequently self-open when dispensed.

Abstract: A tab for mounting a bag bundle on a retaining hook of the type having an upwardly bent hook is shown configured in a bundle of bags. The bundle of bags has at least a leading bag and a plurality of trailing bags. There is at least one tab attached to one bag wall of each bag. This tab is in alignment with like tabs from like bag walls. The tab includes a flanged aperture including at least one peak, with this peak protruding inwardly toward and to the aperture for contact with the upwardly bent hook whereby the tabs are bent out of alignment with the upwardly shaped hook.

Abstract: A hinge is disclosed for a plastic film. This film has a predetermined thickness sufficient for the plastic film to remain planar in an absence of a first bending moment applied across the plastic film. The hinge includes at least one linear groove configured in the plastic film to reduce the predetermined thickness of the plastic film at the linear groove. The hinge permits preferential hinging of the plastic film at the linear groove responsive to a bending moment at the linear groove across the plastic film less than the first bending moment. The linear groove has insufficient depth to sever the plastic film and enables the hinge film to retain sufficient remaining thickness at the linear groove to permit hinging and not tearing of the plastic film at the linear groove. When the hinge is placed across a plastic film, and the film bent at the hinge, the film defines a first panel and a second panel with each panel disposed at an angle to one another at the hinge.

Abstract: A process of cold sealing two layers of plastic film material together is used as part of the structural element of a plastic bag made from plastic film. The bag has a closed bottom, a continuous closed periphery, and an open top. The improvement provides the bag with a cold seal, which cold seal does not form a part of the closed bottom and continuous closed periphery of the bag. In the improved process, it is required that the first and second plastic films of the bag be confronted to one another in a disposition for sealing. Compression dies are provided on at least one side of the juxtaposed first and second plastic films, the compression dies are provided with the size and shape of the cold seal desired. Impressing of the compression dies across the juxtaposed first and second plastic films occurs. This impressing is at a temperature and pressure sufficient to fuse the first and second plastic films together.

Abstract: A process for bag manufacture of a bag having a first dimension from a sealed bottom of the bag to an open top of the bag, the bag being fabricated from a continuous tube of plastic film bag material. The process includes the steps of providing a continuous tube of plastic film bag material. The side edges of the bat material are folded between a front bag panel and a rear bag panel to form gussets. A sealing station having apparatus for placing two parallel and spaced apart seals and a knife for cutting the continuous tube of the plastic film bag material between the two parallel and spaced apart seals; First adjacent double seals are formed across the front bag panel and the rear bag panel, the double seals in parallel side-by-side relation with one another with the plastic film bag material there between. The continuous tube of plastic film bag material is at least twice the first dimension from the sealed bottom of the bag to the open top of the bag.

Abstract: A process of serially dispensing and opening a bag from a bundle of bags includes providing a bundle of bags having at least a leading bag and a plurality of trailing bags. Tabs at the top of the bags fasten to a support and sever under a first force. A fastening adjacent the top of the rear bag wall of a leading bag joins to the top of the front bag wall of a trailing bag, this fastening severing under a second force. Pulling on the front bag wall of the leading bag to sever the front support tab of the leading bag from the support; continued pulling on the front bag wall of the leading bag severs the rear support tab of the leading bag. The front support tab of the trailing bag from the support is also severed. The rear support tab of the leading bag pulls on the front support tab of the trailing bag to sever both the rear support tab of the leading bag and the front support tab of the trailing bag from the support.

Abstract: Ventilation slits are placed in a plastic bag wall for opening in response to tension passing through the bag wall as the bag is carried. A conventional bag has a front bag wall, with the front bag wall having a top, a bottom, and two parallel side edges. The rear bag wall is of identical construction. The bag is conventionally sealed at the sides and bottom and typically carried from the top. The bag is improved by providing at least one bag wall with a plurality of vent apertures. In the preferred embodiment, each vent aperture has a first slit and a second slit with the slits inclined both to one another and with respect to the edges of the bag wall. Preferably, the vent apertures defined by the inclined slits overlying one another in parallel spaced apart relation. When the plastic bag is loaded at the bottom and carried from the top, stress in the bag wall or passes around the slits, causing the slits to open as vent apertures responsive to the stress.

Abstract: An expandable plastic film gusseted bag is utilized. As in conventional bag manufacture, each front gusset panel is connected to a rear gusset panel and each of the gusset panels is foldable between the front panel and the rear panel to provide a continuous bag periphery. A bottom joins the bottom of the front panel, rear panel, two rear gusset panels and two front gusset panels at substantial right angles to the side edges of the front panel, rear panel and gusset panels to close the bottom of the bag and leave only the top open. The improvement provides each plastic bag with eight first linear folding axes, each configured adjacent the bottom and within one of the front panel, each front gusset panel, the rear panel and each rear gusset panel. These folding axes extend from a joinder of a gusset at the bottom to the side edges of the front panel or the rear panel and the front gusset panel or the rear gusset panel at an approximate 45.degree. angle.

Abstract: A dispenser for a roll of bags joined in series end-to end along transverse severable lines comprising a receptacle in which a roll of bags may be held and rotated to pass the bags through the outlet of the receptacle and a web guide secured to the outlet. The web guide may be provided with a floor and inwardly overhanging side edges with the floor terminating in an upwardly projecting serrated edge which effects separation of each bag from its next ensuing bag.

Abstract: A rack and bag combination in which rack is provided with a pair of parallel rods spaced apart from each other extending outwardly from a transverse support member and between which is disposed an upwardly extending hooking element. A pack of plastic T-shirt type bags is provided for mounting on the rods and hooking element of the rack, each bag having slotted central detachable portions extending downwardly from the inner edges defining the bag mouth, the detachable portions being formed by a series of scalloped cuts joined to adjacent cuts by small bridges with the cuts directed so that when the portions are detached, any tearing will extend into the detachable portions and away from the bag wall. Orifices are provided in the sides of the bags for mounting on the rods while the detachable portions are disposed on the upwardly extending hooking element with the result that the bag mouth is raised and may be opened more widely for filling with articles.

Abstract: A dispenser having a top surface and a front surface with a cut-out extending between the front and top surfaces with slits extending from sides of said cut-out along the front surface. A stack of plastic bags or plastic sheet pick-up tissues are arranged in the dispenser and are dispensed by grasping an uppermost one via the cut-out and pulling outward with the bags being pulled one at a time through the cut-out and slits. The bags may be sculptured with a wave pattern defining a periphery of the corner regions on either side of the mouth of the bag.