Abstract: Provided herein are blown films with encapsulated active agents, such as volatile anti-microbial agents, suitable for use as food packaging materials. Also provided herein are methods of manufacturing such blown films. The methods include extruding a bubble from molten polymers, dispensing active agents inside the bubble, and collapsing the bubble such that the bubble self-adheres to form a film with the active agents encapsulated.

Abstract: Provided herein are packaging systems suitable for storing products, such as food products. The packaging systems are made up of multilayer film constructions that provide controlled release of an active agent at a point in time that is past the manufacturing of the packaging systems but coincides with their functional use (e.g., at the food packaging step). The multilayer film constructions have a composition that is sensitive to humidity, which converts the constructions from a barrier to a transmitter of the active agent loaded within multilayer film constructions.

Abstract: Provided herein are laminated films with active agents, such as volatile anti-microbial agents, suitable for use as food packaging materials. Also provided herein are bags made from such laminated films, as well as methods of manufacturing such laminated films.

Abstract: Provided herein are blown films with encapsulated active agents, such as volatile anti-microbial agents, suitable for use as food packaging materials. Also provided herein are methods of manufacturing such blown films. The methods include extruding a bubble from molten polymers, dispensing active agents inside the bubble, and collapsing the bubble such that the bubble self-adheres to form a film with the active agents encapsulated.

Abstract: A modular container assembly comprises first, second and third containers. Each of the containers includes a continuous body portion and a rim. The rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the body portion. The rim has a first feature projecting generally upwardly therefrom and a corresponding second feature being adapted to be releasably engageable with another one of the first feature. The rims of the containers are substantially identical. The containers are releasably engaged to each other by fitting respective upwardly-projecting features into the corresponding feature of another container or into the upwardly-projecting feature of another container. At least one of the first, second and third containers is inverted with respect to the remaining containers so as to form a modular container assembly.

Abstract: Polymeric bag includes first and second opposing body panels attached to each other along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides, a reclosable fastener extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom, a pressure relief opening defined in the first body panel, and a pressure relief valve attached to the first body panel. The valve includes a cover member to cover the opening. The cover member includes an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer including a first portion attached to the body panel and a second portion contiguous with the first portion but not attached to the body panel. The upper layer has a first end hingedly connected to the second portion of the lower layer on a first side of the pressure relief opening, and the upper layer has a second end fixedly attached on a second side of the pressure relief opening opposite the first side with the upper layer covering the pressure relief opening.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: Polymeric bag includes first and second opposing body panels attached to each other along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides, a reclosable fastener extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom, a pressure relief opening defined in the first body panel, and a pressure relief valve attached to the first body panel. The valve includes a cover member to cover the opening. The cover member includes an upper layer and a lower layer, wherein the upper layer is connected at a first end to the lower layer. The lower layer includes a first portion attached to the body panel and a second contiguous portion not attached to the body panel. The first end of the upper layer is hingedly connected to the second portion of the lower layer. An additional aspect includes a seal line extending proximate the pressure relief opening.

Abstract: A unit operation station for use in a web processing machine comprising: a shuttle system including an input roller for receiving a web and an attached zipper, an output roller and a the connecting element for maintaining the input roller and the output roller in a fixed position relative to each other; a plurality of stations performing distinct operations for mechanically altering the attached zipper, one of the plurality of stations including a slider-insertion mechanism for placing a slider onto the zipper; a web path located beyond the input roller and including the plurality of stations; a driver for providing reciprocating movement to the shuttle system to cause intermittent movement of the web and the attached zipper along the web path; wherein the output roller releases the web and the attached zipper at a rate substantially equal to a continuous input feed rate of the web and the attached zipper, and wherein the shuttle system moves at a speed substantially equal to the continuous input/output feed

Abstract: Polymeric bag includes first and second opposing body panels attached to each other along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides, a reclosable fastener extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom, a pressure relief opening defined in the first body panel, and a pressure relief valve attached to the first body panel. The valve includes a cover member to cover the opening. The cover member includes an upper layer and a lower layer, the lower layer including a first portion attached to the body panel and a second portion contiguous with the first portion but not attached to the body panel. The upper layer has a first end hingedly connected to the second portion of the lower layer on a first side of the pressure relief opening, and the upper layer has a second end fixedly attached on a second side of the pressure relief opening opposite the first side with the upper layer covering the pressure relief opening.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: Methods are provided for making slider-operated fasteners for use in reclosable plastic bags using at least a double index and dual unit operations. The methods involve forming two preseals, forming two notches within the preseals, applying two sliders into the previously formed notches, and applying two end stops proximate the previously applied sliders by having the various stations perform their respective functions, either simultaneously or at generally the same time, on different parts of the fastener spaced approximately at a double index. Also provided are methods of producing finished bags by applying the slider-operated fastener to a flat web of plastic film and conveying the web to a vertical or a horizontal form-fill-seal machine.

Abstract: Packages with active agents are described. Generally, the disclosed packages have a pair of opposing body panels joined together along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides so as to define a mouth opposite the bottom, a reclosable fastener extending along the mouth, and an active agent. The reclosable fastener includes a pair of polymeric tracks, in which each of the tracks includes a mating element and a fin portion. The mating elements are releasably engageable to each other, and each of the fin portions extends downwards from the respective mating element towards the bottom of the reclosable package. The active agent is associated with at least one of the fin portions for communication with the interior of the reclosable package.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process used for packaging a product in a web of material that has a zipper attached thereto. The process includes providing a web of material having first and second edges and a zipper including first and second interlocking members. The first and second interlocking members of the zipper are interlocked together. The first interlocking member of the zipper is attached to the web at an intermediate portion of the web between the first and second edges of the web. The second interlocking member has an attachment region that is facing away from the web. One edge of the web is folded away from the zipper and toward the other edge of the web. Unit operations are performed on the zipper to create zipper segments from the zipper while the zipper is exposed. Each of the zipper segments is associated with an individual food package made from the web.

Abstract: A slider is adapted for use with a reclosable fastener for bags containing material. The reclosable fastener includes a first track and a second track. The first track includes a first profile, while the second track includes a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. At least one of the first and second profiles has an interior portion. The slider comprises a body that includes a top, a first side, a second side and a separation member on an underside of the top. The separation member is adapted to open and close the fastener and includes a slider finger that extends generally downwardly from the top. The slider finger extends into an interior portion of the first profile so as to assist in removing material trapped in the interior portion of the first profile when closing the reclosable fastener.

Abstract: A fill-through-the-top reclosable package includes first and second opposing body panels joined to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The package is provided with a reclosable fastener extending along a package top disposed opposite the bottom. The fastener includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track includes a male profile, while the second track includes a female profile adapted to releasably interlock with the male profile. To provide tamper evidence, the first and second tracks may be joined to each other along an area of weakness. When making the package, the first track is first attached to the first panel, the package is filled with a product via a fill opening between the second track and the second panel, and then the second track is attached to the second panel.

Abstract: A zipper arrangement for use in manufacturing thermoplastic bags that includes a zipper and at least one slider. The zipper includes first and second opposing tracks. The first track has a first profile and the second track has a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The first track has one or more spaced primary notches interrupting the first profile. At least one slider is inserted onto the first profile via a respective one of the primary notches. The slider is adapted to engage and disengage the first and second profiles in response to movement along the zipper. The second track may have one or more to spaced primary notches interrupting the second profile. The spaced primary notches of the second track are generally aligned to respective ones of the primary notches of the first track. At least one slider is inserted onto the aligned pairs of primary notches via a respective one of the generally aligned notches.