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: The invention is directed to a thermoformed, rectangular disposable storage container. The container includes a base and lid. The base includes arched front and rear walls to redistribute the pressure placed on the top of the container and to generally evenly balance the load force around the container front, rear and end walls to prevent buckling of the container front or rear walls. The container lid includes an arched front wall and rear wall which generally corresponds to the degree of arch of the front and rear walls of the base.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of resilient wall panels. Each wall panel is connected to each adjacent wall panel at a hinged connection, and the wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall and defining an upper lip. At least one of the hinged connections between adjacent side walls is an arched hinge. The container also includes a downwardly projecting bracket disposed proximate the upper lip on an exterior side of a side wall.

Abstract: A container includes a plurality of wall panels. Each wall panel is connected to adjacent wall panels at hinged connections and the wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The container also includes a first latch that is configured to interlockingly engage when the wall panels are in the expanded position and a second latch that is configured to interlockingly engage when the wall panels are in the collapsed position.

Abstract: A two-piece hanger for hanging a bag filled with contents without puncturing the bag holds the bag between the two pieces with a cleat-and-groove connection. The hanger includes a hanger piece for hanging from a support and a clamping piece that is removably attachable to the hanger piece. The hanger piece includes a hanger mechanism and a cleat. The clamping piece includes a body having an upper surface and a slotted grove receptor. The clamping piece is removably connected to the hanger piece by inserting the head of the cleat into the slotted grove receptor, whereby the cleat locks the clamping piece to the body of the hanger member in a cleat-and-groove arrangement.

Abstract: A pouch having a flexible wall panel at least partially defining a mouth into an interior includes a hold-open mechanism for the mouth. A locking mechanism automatically locks the hold-open mechanism in an open position.

Abstract: A pouch with a valve includes first and second pouch sidewalls sealed to one another to define an opening. A resealable closure mechanism is attached to inner surfaces of the first and second sidewalls proximate the opening to define a pouch interior opposite the opening. A channel extends from the interior to the opening between a section of the first closure element and the first sidewall. A pleated thermoplastic member is sealingly disposed in the channel and has an aperture disposed through the member. A fluid path may provide direct fluid communication between the interior and an exterior of the pouch, wherein the fluid path passes through an edge of the pouch defined by at least one of the first or second pouch sidewalls.

Abstract: An offset resealable closure mechanism adapted to provide an airtight seal for a pouch includes a first elongate closure element and a second elongate closure element. The first elongate closure element includes a first elongate closure profile extending therefrom and a second elongate closure element includes first and second legs extending therefrom to define a channel. A sealing flange extends across the channel and includes a slit therethrough adapted to receive the first elongate closure profile. The sealing flange forms an airtight seal with the first elongate closure profile when the closure mechanism is occluded.

Abstract: A pouch comprises a first sidewall and a second sidewall forming an interior space therebetween, a resealable closure mechanism including a first and a second elongate closure profile, and a resilient profile extending from one of the first or second closure profiles and having at least one notch extending therethrough to allow the evacuation of air from the interior space.

Abstract: A pouch includes first and second opposing pouch walls and a plurality of flow channel protuberances that defines a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls and is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first or second pouch walls. At least one of the plurality of protuberances includes a first component extending from the at least one of the first or second pouch walls and a second component extending at a non-zero angle from the first component. The flow channel extends between an opening of the pouch and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening.

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 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 pouch includes first and second opposing pouch walls and a plurality of flow channel protuberances that defines a flow channel between the first and second pouch walls and is disposed on an inner surface of at least one of the first or second pouch walls. At least one of the plurality of protuberances includes a first component extending from the at least one of the first or second pouch walls and a second component extending at a non-zero angle from the first component. The flow channel extends between an opening of the pouch and a portion of an interior of the pouch that is spaced from the opening.

Abstract: A valve for a reclosable container comprises first and second opposing layers of a film material, wherein an overlap region of the second layer overlaps the container, and the first layer is sealed to the second layer around a portion of the second layer. The second layer is sealed to the container around a periphery of the overlap region, and opposing surfaces of the first and second layers form a substantially airtight seal therebetween upon direct contact of the layers. First and second offset apertures extend through the first and second layers, respectively. One of the first and second apertures is in fluid communication with an interior of the container and the other of the first and second apertures is in fluid communication with an exterior of the container. Vacuum pressure disposed over both of the first and second apertures causes the first layer to separate from the second layer to allow air to exhaust from the container.

Abstract: An airtight closure mechanism for a reclosable pouch includes first and second complementary closure elements, the first closure element comprising a first interlocking profile and the second closure element comprising a complementary second interlocking profile. First and second sealing sections are disposed on respective complementary sides of the first and second interlocking profiles. The first sealing section includes a first protuberance having a first distal surface, a second protuberance having a second distal surface, and a sealing flange attached to and extending between the first and second distal surfaces of the first and second protuberances, respectively. The second sealing section includes a sealing member disposed on a base of the second closure element. The sealing member is located a distance from the second interlocking profile that places a distal surface thereof between the first and second protuberances when the first and second interlocking profiles are occluded.

Abstract: A collapsible container includes a plurality of wall panels. Each wall panel is connected to each adjacent wall panel at a hinged connection, and the wall panels are arranged so as to articulate at the hinged connections between a collapsed position and an expanded position defining a bottom wall and a plurality of side walls extending upwardly from the bottom wall. The collapsible container further includes a deformed portion on a side wall disposed across a hinged connection. The deformed portion projects toward an exterior of the collapsible container to releasably lock the hinged connection in a convexly bowed position when the collapsible container is in the expanded position.

Abstract: A pouch has an airtight 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 sealing members that form an air tight seal disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure elements may be connected with opposing sidewalls of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may also include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A pouch has an airtight 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 sealing members that form an air tight seal disposed between the first and second pairs of interlocking members. The closure elements may be connected with opposing sidewalls of the pouch in a manner designed to provide differential opening and closing forces. The pouch may also include a check valve and air evacuation channels to aid in evacuating air from the interior.

Abstract: A flexible container comprises a mesh material layer and a thermoplastic layer that forms a wall of the flexible container and is disposed external to the mesh material layer. A flexible handle is disposed external to the mesh material layer. The mesh material layer, the thermoplastic layer, and the flexible handle are joined by a set of stitching disposed therethrough.