Abstract: A shipping container liner system for use in the shipping of bulk flowable products is described. The system comprises a specially adapted shipping container liner that is self-supporting without the need of rear-mounted rigid supportive bars to retain the liner within the shipping container during filling and discharge. The system comprises an arrangement of interior support baffles operating in conjunction with a plurality of exterior anchor straps adapted to distribute the cargo load throughout the length of the liner. A specialized hopper for unloading the bulk material is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an insert for reinforcement of bags made of plastic film, comprising a star-like plastic part having at least three jaws, wherein the insert is adapted for insertion and heat-sealing at a junction inside a three-dimensional bag where at least three plastic films meet, so that each jaw extends in a direction between two films. The invention also relates to a three dimensional bag incorporating such inserts and a method of producing such a bag.

Abstract: A flexible shipping bag is comprised of at least one panel having edges. The panel is formed of weft and warp filaments and has a central region of predetermined full thickness and a selvage forming at least one of the respective edges and of a lesser thickness. The warp filaments in the central region are thicker than the warp filaments in the selvage.

Abstract: Expandable bag assemblies and associated methods are disclosed herein. Certain aspects of the invention are directed toward an expandable bag assembly that includes a flexible bag with closed and open ends and collapsible sidewalls disposed between the ends. The assembly beneficially includes an integrated support structure provided with stiffeners and a mechanism for attachment to help hold a mouth of the bag in an open position while filling the bag. The assembly can be compressed for easy packaging and storage and be expanded into a self-supported, open position without memory folds. The assembly is also configured to retract during closure of the open end of the bag.

Abstract: A folding collapsible bag includes a soft collapsible bag body, a first base member and a second base member bilaterally and separately set in and affixed to the bag body for stretching the bottom side of the bag body into a planar shape, a first supporting element and a second supporting element respectively made by bending a resilient wire rod into shape and bilaterally obliquely set in and affixed to the bag body to support the periphery of the bag body in shape, and a set of matching fastening members fastenable to each other to hold the bag body in a collapsed condition when the first base member and the second base member are respectively upwardly biased toward the first supporting element and the second supporting element.

Abstract: A flexible package has a reclosing function. The package has a first panel and a second panel sealed to each other along their perimeters to form a sealed perimeter surrounding an interior storage space. The sealed perimeter has an upper seal, a bottom seal, a first side seal, and a second side seal opposite the first side seal. The first side seal and the second side seal both connect to the upper seal and the bottom seal. A spout is formed in the sealed perimeter when the package is open along at least a portion of the upper seal. A discharge channel leads from the spout through the upper seal to the interior storage space. A first recess is along the second side seal; and a second recess is along the upper seal opposite the discharge channel from the first recess. The first recess can engage the second recess such that a fold line is formed that intersects the discharge channel to close the discharge channel.

Abstract: A waterproofing device for a mobile apparatus, using a thin coaxial cable or an optical cable and capable of being applied to a portable telephone of bi-directionally openable/closable type. A waterproofing device for a mobile apparatus, adapted to connect housings to each other by a linear member. The waterproofing device is provided with seal members consisting of a rubber-like elastic material and sealing a gap between the housings, and also with a connecting member having opposite ends in the vicinities of which the seal members are integrated. The linear member is passed through the inside of the connecting member to electrically interconnect electronic parts of the housings. The connecting member has a circular tube-like shape consisting of a soft resin material.

Abstract: A watertight ready-made or foldable storage bag suitable for preserving and protecting items against flood hazards, preferably has a lower part in the shape of cuboid made of watertight material, and an upper part with an upper edge watertightly sealed. The bag is foldable from a planar form into a suitable shape immediately before use which saves space for large items. For smaller items the bag may be pre-folded, so that the preserved item can be placed therein, and closing the bag watertightly with its upper part. The dimensions of the bag vary depending on those of the item placed within. In an alternative option the lower and upper parts of the bag are separate parts. The lower part ensures complete watertightness of the item from the sides and below, and upon flooding, floatability of the item, while the upper tent part ensures watertightness of the item against precipitation from above.

Abstract: A bag has a reinforcement that is configured in a predetermined manner for reinforcing at least a portion of the bag. One or more predetermined areas of the bag may be reinforced. The bag may have one or more layers, and may be reinforced by placing and affixing reinforcing media in selected areas. The nature of the reinforcing media—its dimensions and structural properties—may be selected with respect to targeted uses of the bag. The bag may be subjected to one or more types of potentially failure-causing strain (e.g. bending, twisting, puncture, tensile, compression) during the useful life of the bag. For example, the bag may be stressed during filling the bag with product, top sealing, conveying by hand or machine, loading and stacking, transportation, storage, selling and final use by the consumer.

Abstract: An apparatus preferably holds a bag or charcoal briquettes that are useful for filling and heating a barbecue grill. More specifically, the apparatus holds and/or stores a bag of charcoal and is useful for maintaining charcoal briquettes contained therein dry and for easily dispensing the same upon use. The apparatus may be made from a flexible, watertight material and includes a lid over a top opening for easily dispensing the charcoal briquettes therefrom.

Abstract: A bulk cargo bag includes: an outer container body having an outer surrounding wall; and an inner container body having an inner bottom wall, and an inner surrounding wall extending upwardly from the inner bottom wall. The inner surrounding wall has a plurality of spaced apart reinforcing folds, and a plurality of fixing members. Each of the reinforcing folds has an outwardly bent portion, and a folded back portion. Each of the fixing members fixes the outwardly bent portion and the folded back portion of one of the reinforcing folds to the outer surrounding wall.

Abstract: A container is configured to store and dispense a material. More specifically, the container includes a top portion that is configured to be partially torn from a body portion of the container to dispense the material. The container includes a reinforced side portion that resists tearing. The tear-resistive portion may incorporate a strand (or thread) that is significantly more difficult to tear, as compared to the container, itself. In an implementation, the container may includes two hollow portions—a first portion for storing material and a second portion for securing the resistive thread. The two hollow portions may be separated by a crimped portion of the container. In other implementations, front and rear portions of the container may be glued together to create the two hollow portions. Alternately, the lateral edges of the front and rear surfaces of the container may be fused to create the tear-resistive portion.

Abstract: A plastic bag includes a body having two sides. Each side of the body includes a corrugated portion having a layer unit with more than four layers. The load capacity of the plastic bag is increased due to reinforcement in structural strength at the sides by the corrugated portions. In preferred forms, the layer unit of each corrugated portion is interconnected to a bottom of the body. The layer unit of each corrugated portion has eight layers. The layer unit of each corrugated portion includes a recessed portion located inside of the body and having two sections contiguous to each other. Each section has four layers.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a multi-wall bag, such as one used to hold particles or powder using corrugated or fluted cardboard supports as well as the reinforced bag itself. The reinforced bags may be stacked horizontally or vertically. The supports are preferably constructed from flat cardboard, but may be constructed from plastic or any other suitable material. The supports may remain flat, or they may be scored perpendicular to the flute direction in such a way as to bend when pressure is applied along the flute direction. The scoring does not penetrate through the entire depth of the cardboard. The supports may be inserted into the bag either along the sides of the bag or along both the sides and bottom of the bag. They may also be attached to the outside of the bag along the sides and bottom in the same manner. A hybrid bag is possible wherein some of the supports appear inside the bag, and others appear outside the bag.

Abstract: Containment systems are provided. In one example embodiment, a containment system is provided, the containment system comprising: a container; and a skeletal reinforcement comprised of flexible fibers.

Abstract: Container for heating food in an electrical bread toaster or other radiant heating device comprises a closed or partially open pouch formed of flexible sheet material comprising a woven fabric, such as glass or KEVLAR fibers, coated or impregnated with an electrically non-conductive heat resistant material, for example PTFE.

Abstract: A method of reinforcing a multi-wall bag, such as one used to hold particles or powder using corrugated or fluted cardboard inserts as well as the reinforced bag itself. The inserts are preferably constructed from flat cardboard, but may be constructed from plastic or any other suitable material. The inserts may remain flat, or they may be scored perpendicular to the flute direction in such a way as to bend when pressure is applied along the flute direction. The scoring does not penetrate through the entire depth of the cardboard. The inserts may be inserted either along the sides of the bag or along both the sides and bottom of the bag.

Abstract: An apparatus for material storage and transport uses one or more bags, each constructed from one of more flexible plastic sheets and forming a chamber for holding material. A bag may be coupled to an adjacent bag by at least one strip of flexible material, which may optionally be perforated to allow adjacent bags to be separated from one another. Multiple bags may be arranged side-by-side, or end-to-end, in a line. The ends of the line may be removably coupled to one another to form a loop.

Abstract: A composite or so-called “half and half” bag has a first side wall formed from a synthetic resin mesh material and a second side formed from a synthetic resin film material. A reinforcing strip extends horizontally along the upper end portion of the mesh side wall of the bag. The reinforcing strip overlaps the upper edge of the first side wall such that it is joined to the first side wall through a horizontal seam positioned well beneath the top edge of the reinforcing strip to form an extension that protrudes well above (e.g., ½ inch to 1½ inches or even more) the upper edge of the mesh side wall. In order to strengthen the seam at the sides of the bag, the side edges of the reinforcing strip are joined to the second film side wall along at least most of the vertical extent of the extension. This film-to-film bond is considerably stronger than a bond through an intermediate mesh layer, as occurs along the remainder of the side seams of the bag.

Abstract: A bulk bag for dense materials includes side walls seamed together end-to-end to form a rectangular enclosure and at least a bottom wall secured to the lower ends of the side walls. Baffles are secured in the side wall seams and extend diagonally across the interior of the bulk bag to maintain the bulk bag in a rectangular cross-sectional configuration when filled with dense materials.

Abstract: A pot belly bag which includes a bag portion having four walls and a top portion, and a floor portion; a portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the floor portion, which defines the pot belly portion; a pair of channels formed along either sidewall of the pot belly portion with the channel sleeves secured along the underside of the pot belly portion of the bag which results in the two sleeves and the pot belly functioning as a united unit to overcome various stresses normally placed upon the bag. The bag also provides a free flowing product which may attempt to push the sidewalls of the pot belly outward contacts the plastic channels in an attempt to outwardly displace the channel, but as the channel begins to move outwardly it immediately encounters the outer sleeve which is tied to the pot belly which restricts outer movement and spreads the forces out along its entire length.

Abstract: Systems and methods provide for a flexible fuel bladder assembly disposed to store fuel and supply the fuel to a vehicle. The flexible fuel bladder assembly may include: a fuel bladder including a fuel-resistant film disposed to store the fuel and supply the fuel therefrom at a manifold assembly connected thereto; and a netting disposed within the fuel bladder and disposed to prevent collapsing of any two or more sides of the fuel bladder upon each other and permit a substantial portion of the fuel to be supplied from the fuel bladder to the manifold assembly in an uninterrupted fashion until the substantial portion of fuel is removed from the fuel bladder. The flexible fuel bladder may be used in an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), which may be any one of: an organic air vehicle (OAV), a micro air vehicle (MAV), an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) or an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV).

Abstract: A stiffening system and method for a foldable bag. A foldable bag is disclosed having: one or more fold lines; a first adjacent section and a second adjacent section separated by a fold line; and a stiffener having a first portion pre-fastened to the first adjacent section and a second portion that includes a mechanism for manual attachment to the second adjacent section for maintaining the foldable bag in an open position.

Abstract: An improved pouch has a crimped or squeezed mouth region to facilitate pouch opening and hold open during filling. Mouth edge curls are disclosed for enhancing mouth opening. Roller nip and crimp roller apparatus is disclosed. Pouch conditioning methods are disclosed.

Abstract: A plastic bag with flexible sidewalls defining an interior volume for holding contents includes a reinforcing feature to resist puncture and/or rupture of the bag. The reinforcing feature may include reinforcing the portion of the bag proximate the bottom edge with additional or thicker thermoplastic material. In various embodiments, the reinforcing feature may be a strip of plastic material attached along a bottom edge of the bag, either internally or externally, to provide additional material resistant to puncture. In other embodiments, the sheet material used to produce the bag may be made with varying thicknesses. In addition, methods of manufacturing a bag with such reinforcing features in a high speed automated process are disclosed.

Abstract: A device is provided for securing against crime-of-opportunity theft at least one fishing rod and reel to be stored or transported in an outdoor, unsecured area or on an open, unsecured portion of a vehicle, such as an open bed of a pick-up truck, trailer, or boat.

Abstract: Triangular packaging comprising a flexible outer wrapper and an inner support means, in which the flexible outer wrapper comprises a bag formed from two panels, each of which has a first side, a second side extending from a first end of the first side at a first angle which is greater than 90 degrees to the first side, and a third side extending from a second end of the first side at substantially the same greater than 90 degrees first angle in the opposite direction, in which the first sides of the two panels meet, the second sides of the two panels meet and the third sides of the two panels meet such that a bag is formed, in which the inner support means is disposed inside said bag, and is mounted in compression between the two panels such that a complimentary packaging structure is formed in which the first sides of the two panels meet at a second angle which is substantially twice that by which the first angle exceeds 90 degrees.

Abstract: Disclosed is a container bag for containing particulate materials, which is prevented from being barreled and retained in a stable erect state when contents fill the container bag, whereby the container bag can maximize the loadage of the particulate materials within a limited space with stability. The container bag includes lateral walls, the particulate materials filling an inner space defined by the lateral walls, a bottom wall formed generally in a quadrangle shape and connected to the bottom ends of the lateral walls, a cover connected to the top ends of the lateral walls, and hoops connected to the top ends of the lateral walls, the cover, the lateral walls and the bottom wall being formed from a flexible material, wherein each side of the quadrangle-shaped bottom wall is recessed at the central area thereof.

Abstract: A bag having an integral closure mechanism includes perforated lines along which the bag is torn to form handles, wherein each of the perforated lines includes an aperture at opposite ends thereof for inhibiting tearing of the bag beyond the perforated lines. The handles are used to tie the bag closed. Finger apertures along the perforated liens in-between opposite ends thereof for facilitating tearing of the bag along the perforated lines to form the handles. Methods of making and using the bag are similarly disclosed.

Abstract: A collapsible and erectable organizer for holding bags and their contents, such as bags containing grocery items, upright during transport, such as in the trunk of a car. The organizer has Velcro® pieces on its bottom that resist slipping on a carpeted surface and that secure opposite halves of the bottom when the bottom is folded in half to collapse the organizer. The organizer can be used when collapsed to carry smaller items.

Abstract: A system and method to form a transportable package is disclosed. The method includes placing a frame on a suitable base and placing a collapsible bag inside the frame, wherein an open top portion of the collapsible bag is draped over an open top of the frame to support the collapsible bag in an open position. The collapsible bag is then filled with flowable particulate matter and a vacuum is drawn in the interior of the collapsible bag. While the vacuum is being applied, the frame is removed and the collapsible bag is spirally wrapped with a reinforcing material. The open top portion of the collapsible bag is then preferably sealed to form the transportable package.

Abstract: Closable watertight case for storing accessories, such as car keys, credit cards, etc., which case comprises a bag and a closing means. The bag has an opening, which opening provides access in order to store the accessories in the bag. The bag is furthermore provided with a reinforcing body. The closable watertight case is designed to be used in situations, in which valuable accessories have to be stored in a safe and watertight manner. The closing means is formed by a closure sleeve, which comprises an insertion opening. The bag is inserted at least partly into the insertion opening of the closure sleeve. Characteristic of the invention is the fact that the reinforcing body with the bag can be connected to the closure sleeve by means of a click-fit connection in order to exert a clamping force on the bag in the closed position of the case.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprises side wall panels formed from woven polypropylene fabric and arranged in a rectangular configuration. A long, narrow, strip of polypropylene fabric is sewn to the side wall panels at each of the corners to define a pocket which receives a support member. A frame having a rectangular configuration congruent with the shape of the bulk bag has legs depending therefrom which are received in the pockets to secure the bulk bag in an open configuration.

Abstract: A soft sided insulated cooler bag has a base and side panels. The base includes a rigid or semi-rigid reinforcement or batten that serve to provide a relatively hard or stiff edge about which the bag can be panel folded over on itself. The upper edge of the bag has a length that is as great as half the periphery of the bottom panel. The bag can be collapsed to a flat position and then panel folded to a storage position. Retainers are provided to keep the bag in the storage position. The bag has lifting apparatus, which may be strap. The straps may be anchored to the bag at a plurality of anchor points, some of which may be sliding keepers, such that the handle can be moved to a first position in which the bag may be held in a predominantly up-and-down orientation, and to a second position in which the bag may be held in a predominantly flat or horizontal position.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for collecting fallen leaves or other objects. According to various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a mesh, central collection section for lying flat on the ground such that objects may be accumulated onto an upper side of an interior portion of the central collection section. The apparatus also includes an enclosure system connected to the central collection section such that an operator can enclose a peripheral portion of the central collection section around the interior portion. In that way, the objects accumulated onto the central collection section can be easily transported and subsequently emptied. The apparatus may also comprise a plurality of stiffeners connected to a lower side of the peripheral portion of the central collection section. The stiffeners may extend inward from an outer edge of the central collection apparatus and may be made of plastic.

Abstract: A pot belly bag which includes a bag portion having four walls and a top portion, and a floor portion; a portion extending outwardly and downwardly from the floor portion, which defines a pot belly portion; a pair of sleeves formed along either sidewall of the pot belly portion with the sleeves tied to the pot belly portion of the bag which results in the pair of sleeves and the pot belly portion functioning as a united unit to overcome various stresses normally placed upon the bag by a free flowing product in the bag which may attempt to push sidewalls of the pot belly portion outward and contact the plastic channels in an attempt to outwardly displace the channel. As the channel begins to move outwardly it immediately encounters the sleeve which is tied to the pot belly portion which restricts outer movement of the channel and spreads the forces out along its entire length.

Abstract: A package for containing a product such as meat. The package includes top and bottom opposing flexible chamber sheets. These sheets are sealed together in a selected chamber seal zone to define a watertight chamber portion that is capable of containing the product. A hollow frame circumscribes the chamber portion. The frame supports the chamber portion when the frame is inflated. The need for a rigid tray may be eliminated by the inventive package.

Abstract: In a packing bag made of a flexible film-like first material with, a substantially rectangular base which is formed as a standing surface with longitudinal and side edges, the base comprises a second material giving form-stability to the bag in the area close to the base, and has a base fold line running in the center and parallel to the two longitudinal edges and dividing the base into two base parts which can be folded against each other, and the longitudinal edges form side fold lines between the base and substantially rectangular side walls arranged on two opposite sides of the base, wherein the fold part which is constructed from the base and the two side walls is glued to the bag.

Abstract: A carry-out food container comprised of a flexible open-ended, bag-like container having an upper partially transparent panel and a lower panel, in combination with a food tray which is movable into and out of the closable open end of the bag-like container, the tray having a food-supporting planar base panel with a peripheral edge supporting an upstanding sidewall that extends partially therearound to define an unrestricted access to the interior of the tray, the tray being freely movable within the container to a position where the tray base panel is beneath the window and its unrestricted access is adjacent to and slightly inward of the openable end of the closable container.

Abstract: Gussets are formed in longitudinal edges of a bag and result from two internal folds that are formed from a central line and connect, via connecting regions, the front face and rear face of the bag. At least one of the gussets has arrangements acting as a handle, and being continued, all the way along its length and at the regions of connection to the front and rear faces, by a part so shaped as to act as a sheath capable of receiving internally an element forming the handle.

Abstract: An air filling bag with an outer film strengthening structure includes two outer films and a main check valve, where the two outer films are adhered to each other to form an air chamber by means of hot sealing, in which each outer film includes the first film sheet and the second film sheet stacked together, and a plurality of first hot sealing lines is formed by adhering the first film sheet to the second film sheet by means of hot sealing in a first direction together with a plurality of second hot sealing lines formed by adhering the first film sheet to the second film sheet by means of hot sealing in a second direction. The main check valve is positioned between the two outer films and one end thereof projects from the air chamber. Air in the air chamber can compress the main check valve to shield a first air passageway of the main check valve so as to prevent air from leaking out of the air chamber after outside air flows in the air chamber via the first air passageway.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an apparatus for collecting fallen leaves or other objects. According to various embodiments, the apparatus comprises a mesh, central collection section for lying flat on the ground such that objects may be accumulated onto an upper side of an interior portion of the central collection section. The apparatus also includes an enclosure system connected to the central collection section such that an operator can enclose a peripheral portion of the central collection section around the interior portion. In that way, the objects accumulated onto the central collection section can be easily transported and subsequently emptied. The apparatus may also comprise a plurality of stiffeners connected to a lower side of the peripheral portion of the central collection section. The stiffeners may extend inward from an outer edge of the central collection apparatus and may be made of plastic.

Abstract: A soft storage bag includes a bottom, end and side walls made of generally soft panels and a top or upper end that can be selectively closed or opened to respectively close the bag or provide access to the interior of the bag and any contents placed into the bag. At least one rigidifying panel is positioned proximate to at least one of the panels. Securing members are provided for selectively securing the rigidifying panels to the soft panels to rigidify or stiffen the soft panels secured to an associated rigidifying panel. Thus, one or more of the soft panels can be stiffened when used to receive tools or the like within the bag while the soft panels can be rendered deformable when not is use by detaching the rigidifying panels to allow the bag to be collapsed for storage.

Abstract: A folding bag has a generally rectangular parallelepiped shape with rigid lateral front and backsides and a flexible bottom panel with a diagonal slit that enables folding of the bag into a compact flat configuration. A rigid folding panel is provided on the inside of the bag to enable maintenance of the bottom side in a generally fixed configuration and to maintain the shape of the bag.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bag assembly for foods, in particular granular foods, including at least one bag which comprises two main walls joined by two side faces forming a gusset (S1, S2, S) along each side edge of the said main walls, and gripping means for the bag assembly, characterized in that the gripping means are implanted close to a side edge of each bag of the assembly.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: A flexible pouch for containing a carbonated product, and having a curvilinear shaped lower edge and method of producing the same is provided. The pouch includes a pouch body having an upper edge, a curvilinear bottom edge, and a side edge extending between the upper edge and bottom edge. The curvilinear bottom edge includes a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge, to distribute a force from the product evenly across the curvilinear bottom seal. The method forming a pouch body from a panel of laminate material, and aligning the first side edge with the second side edge to form the front wall and back wall of the pouch body. The method includes forming a side seal and forming a curvilinear bottom seal corresponding to the curvilinear bottom edge of the pouch body.

Abstract: A bulk bag comprising a bottom wall and at least one side wall extending upwardly from the bottom wall is provided with at least one pocket secured to the exterior of the side wall and extending substantially vertically. The pocket receives a support member which maintains the side wall of the bulk bag in an upright, open configuration.

Abstract: To provide a bag for containing an article that includes a gusset at a bottom portion thereof and in which a bottom sheet is difficult to tear and that has sufficient strength. A film that has excellent extensibility and tearing resistance in comparison to a front sheet and a rear sheet is used for a bottom sheet, whereby a bag for containing an article can be provided that has sufficiently great strength and in which the bottom sheet is difficult to tear in comparison to conventional bags for containing an article, even if the weight of an article disposed in an article containing space is applied.

Abstract: Apparatus for storing food and for keeping it warm and moist comprising a substantially water impermeable pouch that bounds an insulated food warming chamber, the pouch having opposing substantially coextensive lips capable of being moved apart for providing passage to the warming chamber and for providing a partial vapor lock for inhibiting moisture from building up in the warming chamber.