Abstract: A slider for a closure assembly of a bag. The slider has a top wall and a pair of wings extending from the top wall. A first wing of the pair of wings includes a first finger pad and a surrounding lip, and a second wing of the pair of wings includes a second finger pad and a surrounding lip. The first and second finger pads each have a major axis dimension that is larger than a minor axis dimension to provide a slider with an improved ergonomic feel.

Abstract: A hinged slider for a closure assembly of a bag. The hinged slider includes a top wall, a pair of legs that extends vertically from the top wall, and a pair of wings hingedly attached to the pair of legs. In one embodiment, the pair of wings hinges upwardly in order to install the slider onto the closure assembly. In another embodiment, the pair of wings hinges downwardly in order to install the slider onto the closure assembly. A storage bag is also provided, in which the storage bag includes at least one zipper profile and a hinged slider in a straddling relation with the zipper profile.

Abstract: A storage bag comprising first and second zipper profiles provided adjacent to an opening to the interior of the bag. The first and second zipper profiles are provided with opposing closure elements that respectively interlock with each other. The storage bag further includes first and second isolation sections between the first and second zipper profiles to prevent the opening of the first zipper profile from impacting the opening of the second zipper profile by a slider.

Abstract: Valves useful in vacuum compression storage bags are described. The valve includes a check valve, a carrier film having adhesive on a surface thereof, and a plastic stand-off with projecting protrusions. The check valve, carrier film and stand-off each have an opening therethrough which when affixed together align to provide a passageway through the valve. When used with a vacuum compression storage bag, the valve is aligned with a hole through a wall of the bag to provide an air flow passageway through the aligned holes from the interior of the bag through the valve when vacuum force is applied over the valve and the bag sealed. The stand-off extends inside the bag to prevent contents therein from blocking air flow from inside the bag through the valve during vacuum evacuation of air from the bag. The stand-off has a rigidity to prevent collapse of the valve under vacuum force.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a scanner, a keypad, a wireless communication component, and an electronic readout device, which are communicatively coupled to a processing device. The processing device is configured to communicate data indicative of a barcode or data indicative of a food product to the remote electronic device. The processing device is also configured to receive from the remote electronic device an indication of a particular container and a corresponding portion size associated with the particular container and the food product. Further, the processing device is configured to effect electronic readout via the electronic readout device of a container indicator corresponding to the indication of the particular container and the corresponding portion size. The container indicator distinguishes the particular container from at least one other particular container and the container indicator corresponds to a physical container indicator of a physical particular container.

Abstract: A gastight valve strip for a reclosable container includes first and second film layers adapted to be disposed over an aperture through a sidewall of a reclosable container. The second film layer opposes the first and includes an attachment surface adapted to be sealed to the sidewall of the container. The attachment surface has a patterned portion that defines a region of flow channels. Opposing surfaces of the first and second film layers form a substantially gastight seal therebetween upon contact of the first and second film layers to each other. A first film layer aperture extends through the first film layer, and is in fluid communication with an exterior side of the valve strip. A second film layer aperture extends through the second film layer, is offset and spaced apart from the first film layer aperture, and is in fluid communication with the container aperture through the patterned portion.

Abstract: A gastight valve strip for a reclosable container. The valve strip includes opposing first and second film layers adapted to be disposed over a container aperture through a sidewall of the reclosable container. The first film layer is attached to the second film layer by a first thermal seal disposed around the periphery of the first film layer. An attachment surface of the second film layer is adapted to be sealed to the sidewall of the reclosable container. Opposing surfaces of the first and second film layers form a substantially gastight seal therebetween upon contact of the film layers. Offset first film layer and second film layer apertures extend through the first and second film layers, respectively, the first film layer aperture being in fluid communication with an exterior side of the valve strip and the second film layer aperture being configured to be in fluid communication with the container aperture.

Abstract: A flexible container includes a bottom wall, a plurality of side walls, each extending upwardly from the bottom wall and each having a top end defining an opening into an interior of the container, and a top wall connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls. The top wall covers the opening. A continuous mesh layer is connected to the top end of at least one of the side walls and provides ventilation to the interior of the container. A flexible handle is attached to an exterior surface of at least one of the side walls. The handle includes multiple layers of flexible thermoplastic material connected together, with a first end of the handle being attached to (i) the at least one side wall near the top end thereof, and (ii) the continuous mesh layer.

Abstract: A pouch has an elongate closure mechanism adapted to provide vacuum retention within an interior of the pouch over an extended period of time when sealed. The closure mechanism includes a first pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, a second pair of interlocking members that resealably mate together, and a pair of sealing members that form an air tight seal separate from the interlocking members disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure members are connected with opposing panels of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a container wall and a handle attached to the wall. The handle includes multiple layers of thermoplastic material having stitching applied through the multiple layers and a portion of the handle is attached to the container wall.

Abstract: A link for use in a breakaway portion of a strap includes a body portion and first and second opposing engagement portions. Each engagement portion has at least one hook.

Abstract: This disclosure is generally directed toward containers with improved anti-buckling performance by incorporating one or more structural reinforcement features into the containers. The container may include a bottom wall, opposing sidewalls each including a plurality of ribs, and opposing end walls interconnecting the sidewalls. The sidewalls may include at least one reinforcement protrusion having a geometric center disposed in the upper half of the sidewall. The container may also include a non-planar top rim to redistribute top load so that the anti-buckling performance of the container can be improved.

Abstract: Disposable storage bags are disclosed having a first side wall, a second side wall and a bottom portion which forms the bag and having an open top portion for receiving and removing items to be stored such as snack foods or other material. Near the top opening of the bag is a closure mechanism for opening and closing the bag. The side walls of the bag are tapered inwardly from the top portion toward the bottom portion such that quillons are formed when the bag is filled with items such as snack food or other material. The bottom portion of the bag includes a gusset which, when the bag is filled with snack food or other material, expands and opens such that the bag may stand upright.

Abstract: A vacuum storage container having a container body, a check valve and a lid with an outer rim surrounding a diaphragm. A vacuum pump is engagable with the check valve to remove air from the interior of the container to create a vacuum in the container. The diaphragm is pushed inward by atmospheric forces upon removal of the air until the diaphragm touches and conforms to at least upper exposed surfaces of the contents of the container. The storage container aids in preventing degradation of the contents of the container by maintaining the contents free from the degrading effects of air and by substantially immobilizing the contents during movement of the container to protect the contents from breakage and bruising.

Abstract: A detachable closure device for a bag includes a fastener having a first wall coupled along a fold to an opposing, second wall. A first attachment mechanism is disposed at a first end of the first wall and a second attachment mechanism is disposed at an opposite, second end of the first wall. At least one latching element is disposed on the fastener and configured to detachably couple the fastener to a side panel of a bag.

Abstract: A stream of products includes a first product having a first communication element thereon and a second product having a second communication element thereon. The first and second products are interrelated for use in a particular activity. Further, the first communication element and the second communication element interact to produce a collaborative communication.

Abstract: A container includes a bowl having a bottom and a sidewall, wherein a ledge is disposed on an inner surface of the sidewall and includes two opposing horizontal portions having a lowermost portion defining a first plane therebetween. A paperboard lid is removably retained within the bowl, wherein the lid includes an apex that lies in a second plane, which is parallel to the first plane. The distance between the first plane and the second plane is between about 0.15 cm to about 1.3 cm.

Abstract: A closure mechanism for a pouch includes a first interlocking closure element and a second interlocking closure element. A first closure profile is disposed on an interior side of the first interlocking closure element. A flange extends from the first closure profile and has a first aperture disposed therethrough. A resilient valve flap covers the first aperture and is attached to an exterior side of the flange. The resilient valve flap includes a sealing member and an at least partially elastomeric latch attached between a distal end of the sealing member and the exterior side of the flange. A channel is defined between the resilient valve flap and the flange that extends from the first aperture to an edge of the resilient flap. The resilient valve flap is biased to form a releasable airtight seal against the exterior side of the flange across the channel.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a single use disposable storage container and a lid therefor. The container includes a base and lid. The base includes a generally inverted U-shape rim for mating with the lid to secure the lid to the container base. The container lid includes a composite of paper and plastic. The plastic portion of the lid generally includes an inverted U-shape ring for mating with the base and securing the lid to the base. The plastic ring includes a peripheral ledge and seat extending from an inner side wall of the ring. The paper center panel is secured to the peripheral ledge and seat.