Abstract: A heat-shrinkable packaging article has one or more tear initiators for initiating a manual tear that can be propagated to open a package and allow a product to be readily removed therefrom, without the use of a knife or scissors or any other implement. The tear initiators are present in a skirt and/or header of the article. The skirt and/or header has a first side and a second side. In one embodiment, some or all of the first side of the skirt and/or header can be heatset in order to reduce the shrink and curling of the skirt and/or header. This improves identification and utilization of the tear initiators by a consumer upon shrinking the packaging article around the product. In another embodiment, the skirt and/or header has a plurality of pairs of tear initiators to allow portions of the package to be torn off to expose a portion of the product that can then be sliced off while the remainder of the packaged product remains covered by a remainder of the film.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dispensing system for dispensing a packaged product, e.g. a condiment, onto one or more areas. A package including a pouch having the product therein cooperates with a dispensing gun to dispense a dose of product. In various aspects the invention includes a packaging system that includes a container and a flexible package; a package with a frangible seal, the package including a flexible pouch; a dispensing assembly for dispensing a product from the package; a dispensing gun system; a method of making a package; and a method of dispensing a product. The packaging system includes a container such as a rigid sleeve, and a flexible pouch positioned within the container interior, and also includes a valve that enables the product to exit the pouch interior and be dispensed. An optional diffuser coordinates with the valve to dispense product from one or more product outlets.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable packaging article has one or more tear initiators for initiating a manual tear that can be propagated to open a package and allow a product to be readily removed therefrom, without the use of a knife or scissors or any other implement. The tear initiators are present in a skirt and/or header of the article. The skirt and/or header has a first side and a second side. In one embodiment, some or all of the first side of the skirt and/or header can be heatset in order to reduce the shrink and curling of the skirt and/or header. This improves identification and utilization of the tear initiators by a consumer upon shrinking the packaging article around the product. In another embodiment, the skirt and/or header has a plurality of pairs of tear initiators to allow portions of the package to be torn off to expose a portion of the product that can then be sliced off while the remainder of the packaged product remains covered by a remainder of the film.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dispensing system for dispensing a packaged product, e.g. a condiment, onto one or more areas. A package including a pouch having the product therein cooperates with a dispensing gun to dispense a dose of product. In various aspects the invention includes a packaging system that includes a container and a flexible package; a package with a frangible seal, the package including a flexible pouch; a dispensing assembly for dispensing a product from the package; a dispensing gun system; a method of making a package; and a method of dispensing a product. The packaging system includes a container such as a rigid sleeve, and a flexible pouch positioned within the container interior, and also includes a valve that enables the product to exit the pouch interior and be dispensed. An optional diffuser coordinates with the valve to dispense product from one or more product outlets.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable packaging article has one or more tear initiators for initiating a manual tear that can be propagated to open a package and allow a product to be readily removed therefrom, without the use of a knife or scissors or any other implement. The tear initiators are present in a skirt and/or header of the article. The skirt and/or header has a first side and a second side. In one embodiment, some or all of the first side of the skirt and/or header can be heatset in order to reduce the shrink and curling of the skirt and/or header. This improves identification and utilization of the tear initiators by a consumer upon shrinking the packaging article around the product. In another embodiment, the skirt and/or header has a plurality of pairs of tear initiators to allow portions of the package to be torn off to expose a portion of the product that can then be sliced off while the remainder of the packaged product remains covered by a remainder of the film.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dispensing system for dispensing a packaged product, e.g. a condiment, including a pouch (60) having the product therein cooperates with a dispensing gun (30) to dispense a dose of product. In various aspects the invention includes a packaging system that includes a container (40) and a flexible package (50) with a frangible seal (70), and a flexible pouch (60); a dispensing assembly (100) for dispensing a product from the package; a dispensing gun system; a method of making a package; and a method of dispensing a product. The packaging system includes a container such as a rigid sleeve, and a flexible pouch positioned within the container interior, and also includes a valve that enables the product to exit the pouch interior and be dispensed. An optional diffuser coordinates with the valve to dispense product from one or more product outlets.

Abstract: The present invention includes a dispensing system for dispensing a packaged product, e.g. a condiment, including a pouch (60) having the product therein cooperates with a dispensing gun (30) to dispense a dose of product. In various aspects the invention includes a packaging system that includes a container (40) and a flexible package (50) with a frangible seal (70), and a flexible pouch (60); a dispensing assembly (100) for dispensing a product from the package; a dispensing gun system; a method of making a package; and a method of dispensing a product. The packaging system includes a container such as a rigid sleeve, and a flexible pouch positioned within the container interior, and also includes a valve that enables the product to exit the pouch interior and be dispensed. An optional diffuser coordinates with the valve to dispense product from one or more product outlets.

Abstract: A composite assembly useful for resisting the penetration of projectiles. The composite assembly comprises a plurality of ballistic fabric layers and a plurality of distinct films. The plurality of distinct films is adjacent the plurality of ballistic fabric layers. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films comprises thermoplastic polymer. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films has an elongational strength index of at least 800 psi.

Abstract: A self-heating patch includes a bottom barrier layer, an air-activated heat-generating layer, an air regulation layer, optionally a top barrier layer, and optionally a skin contact layer, wherein the air-activated heat-generating layer is encapsulated by the air regulation layer and bottom barrier layer, and/or the top and bottom barrier layers, and the temperature of the patch, when the air-activated heat-generating layer has been exposed to air, and when the top barrier layer if present is removed, is controlled at least in part by the air regulation layer; and a perimeter seal seals the air regulation layer to the bottom barrier layer around the perimeter of the patch. Optionally a temperature-responsive mechanism, such as a wax, can be used to reduce oxygen intake into the self-heating patch and thereby control the temperature of the self-heating patch during use. Optionally, a portion of the self-heating patch can be thermoformed.

Abstract: A composite assembly useful for resisting the penetration of projectiles. The composite assembly comprises a plurality of ballistic fabric layers and a plurality of distinct films. The plurality of distinct films is adjacent the plurality of ballistic fabric layers. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films comprises thermoplastic polymer. Each distinct film of the plurality of distinct films has an elongational strength index of at least 800 psi.