Abstract: A flexible package includes a recloseable zipper along the mouth of the package for selective opening and closing of the mouth. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles, which are configured and constructed to selectively interlock. A tamper evident seal is provided, attached to both the first and second closure members to indicate whether or not the seal on the package has been damaged. A slider device is configured and constructed to facilitate the mating (closing) and unmating (opening) of the zipper, and to open the tamper evident seal to provide access to the package interior.

Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and opening system therefor includes first and second barrier walls having top edges and upper portions of opposite side edges which matingly face one another and which form an open top therebetween. A bifold membrane with a longitudinal fold is located in the open top. A membrane attachment securely attaches peripheral edges of the bifold membrane to adjacent top edges and upper portions of the opposite side edges such that the bifold membrane closes the open top and the facing top edges of the barrier walls are movable away from one another to expose the longitudinal fold for piercing by a straw. In a preferred embodiment, a side attachment securely attaches facing portions of the peripheral edges of the bifold membrane adjacent the upper portions of the opposite side edges so that the facing upper portions of the opposite side edges are not movable away from one another and thus the facing top edges tend to stay together and protect the bifold membrane.

Abstract: A flexible package includes a recloseable zipper along the mouth of the package for selective opening and closing of the mouth. The zipper includes first and second closure profiles, which are configured and constructed to selectively interlock. A tamper evident seal is provided, attached to both the first and second closure members to indicate whether or not the seal on the package has been damaged. The tamper evident seal extends along a side of at least one of the first and second closure profiles. A slider device is configured and constructed to facilitate the mating (closing) and unmating (opening) of the zipper, and to open the tamper evident seal to provide access to the package interior.

Abstract: A flexible pouch includes a flexible compartment with a bottom. A rim is formed around the bottom of the compartment and is spaced from and extends outwardly from this compartment bottom. At least three coplanar feet are provided on the rim for stabilizing the pouch when the pouch is resting on the rim. These coplanar feet can be generally flush with the rim when the pouch is in a flat, empty position. However, when the compartment of the pouch is filled, the coplanar feet will be formed as the lowermost portions of the rim. The pouch will rest on these coplanar feet when on a support to be stably held in position. This pouch design will avoid wobbling or tipping over of the pouch and therefore minimize or eliminate product spillage. Also, a method for making this pouch includes the steps of forming the pouch with the compartment, providing a rim around the bottom of the compartment, and spacing the rim from the bottom of the compartment.

Abstract: A container, a container receiving sleeve cap and a process of unloading and receiving a filled material at a receiving facility that does not require expensive, exclusively specialized areas, such as clean rooms, for preventing the filled material from being contaminated or mixed with foreign matter when transported in a flexible and economic container. The container includes a double layer structure having an outer shell positioned about a flexible inner containing member, such as a bag. The process includes providing such a container having a blade cover with a tying member positioned at the lower surface of the container. The process also includes untying the tying member, positioning an outer shell unloading mouth away from the lower end of an inner bag unloading spout and securing it to an unloading frame receiving member. An inner bag unloading spout over-cover is then secured to an outer surface of a receiving sleeve.

Abstract: The invention relates to pouch or bag-shaped beverage containers (1) having an opening system which is pierced by a straw to access the beverage. The container includes a wall (14) which is a multilayer laminate which from the outside to the inside includes polyester film (3), printing ink (4), adhesive (5), foil (6), adhesive (7) and polyethylene film (8). In order to facilitate piercing of wall (14) by a straw, a portion of the outer polyester film is removed at an area (2) which is intended to be pierced by a straw as is known in the art. To further facilitate piercing of wall (14) an area of delamination (9) is created opposite area (2) between foil layer (6) and the polyethylene film (8). Area of delamination (9) is created by vaporizing adhesive layer (7) by means of laser radiant energy which is transmitted through the polyethylene film (8) and absorbed by adhesive layer (7).

Abstract: An improved bulk bag or bulk box liner and spout fitment construction for the liner discharge and/or fill openings. The liner is of liquid impervious thermoplastic multiple-ply sheet material, and the spout fitment is a rigid thermoplastic spout of either open or closed flange type. The spout tube extends through the liner fitment opening and has an external flange base adjacent the liner-interior tube end that is permanently affixed and heat sealed to the liner in a first annular heat weld zone formed between an outward facing surface of the flange base and the interior surface of the liner. A first backing piece of liquid impervious plastic sheet material overlies the inward-facing flange surface and has a marginal portion overlying the liner interior surface. A second annular heat seal is formed between this backing piece and flange base in a second annular weld zone spaced radially inwardly from the first heat weld seal zone.

Abstract: A double bag for application of a fluid substance including an outer bag having at least two adjoining each other edges, and an inner bag for receiving the fluid substance, located in the outer bag and having a length and a width which are shorter than inner dimensions of the outer bag, with the two adjoining each other edges of the outer bag and the inner bag defining together a free flooding region along the edges.

Abstract: A flexible pouch is formed from a first and second sheet which are in sealing engaged along their side edges. Two gussets are provided at the top and bottom, respectively, of the sheets. The bottom of the uppermost gusset is recessed such that a pocket is formed at one end of the pouch. A compartment is formed within the pouch by the two sheets and the two gussets. A straw or other suitable instrument can be used to puncture the uppermost gusset in order to remove the contents from the compartment of the pouch. This pocket has a wide mouth and will enable easy insertion of the straw while minimizing or eliminating product spillage.

Abstract: An aperture forming structure, which when attached to or integrally formed in dispenser packages for flowable substances allows reclosure and single or multiple uses. The aperture forming structure includes a break away tip member of thermoformable plastic. The break away tip includes a hollow protrusion from a surface. The intersection of the hollow protrusion and the surface is a fault line. Rupturing of the fault line creates an aperture from which the contents of the dispenser package may exit. A cap may be integrally formed with the aperture forming structure and detached for protecting the hollow protrusion or for closing the aperture created when the fault line is ruptured. The aperture forming structure can be made by heating a relatively stiff substantially flat thermoformable sheet of and then stretching the sheet to create a first and a second hollow protrusion in a tiered configuration. A rupture line is placed at the intersection of the first and the second protrusions.

Abstract: The container closure device for attachment to a container includes a substantially planar sidewall segment having a front surface, rear surface and plurality of sides. Formed through the sidewall segment from the front surface to the rear surface is an orifice for permitting the contents of a container to pass through. The container closure device further includes a flap which extends from the top of the sidewall segment by means of a hinge or the like. The hinge permits the flap to fold upwardly to keep the orifice unobstructed, or fold downwardly to cover and obstruct the orifice. The container closure device is attached to a container by an adhesive means.

Abstract: An easy-open and tamper-evident beverage container and opening system for the beverage container are provided which include a container barrier wall. The barrier wall has a series of slits therein which define a pierceable straw hole. The series of slits divides the barrier wall into a hole portion and a remainder portion, with the hole portion connected to the remainder portion by attachment points provided between adjacent slits of the series. A membrane seal is located inside of the container and sealingly covers the straw hole. This membrane seal is liquid impervious and includes (a) an outer portion which is sealed to an inside surface of the front barrier wall about the straw hole, and (b) an inner portion integral with the outer portion which is not sealed to the inside surface of the barrier wall and which covers the straw hole.

Abstract: A connecting device for connecting a container (1) consisting of a sealed flexible bag (3) to an external duct (2) that includes a tube (4) with a connecting opening (5). A rigid tubular coupling (6) is loosely arranged within the flexible container (1) and comprises a frusto-conical projection (7) sized in such a way that it may be force-fitted into the opening (5). A user grasps the coupling (6) and places it against the inner surface of the bag (3) while placing the opening (5) of the external duct (2) against the outer surface of the bag (3), then axially presses on the coupling (6) so that it perforates the bag (3) and sealingly engages the opening (5). The fluid in the container (1) can then flow through the coupling (6) into the external duct (2).

Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and an opening system for the beverage container are provided which include a container barrier wall having a straw hole. An easy-open tamper-evident membrane seal is located inside of the container and sealingly covers the straw hole. This membrane seal includes an outer portion which is sealed to an inside surface of the barrier wall about the straw hole and which terminates at a distance from the straw hole. This outer portion includes fingers which extend toward the straw hole. The membrane seal also includes an inner portion integral with the outer portion which is not sealed to the inside surface and which covers the straw hole so that in use the straw pierces the inner portion after being inserted into the straw hole. Preferably, the fingers form a sinusoidal intersection of the inner and outer portions, and the inner and outer portions as well as the straw hole are concentric.

Abstract: An emptying valve for emptying liquid packages such as sealed liquid pouches, said emptying valve being detachably attachable to the sealed liquid pouch, and said emptying valve having an essentially tubular, mainly hollow and at least one end open body piece, whose that end which is to be attached to the liquid pouch is provided at its distal end with a sharply pointed, liquid pouch wall (13) piercing, at least partially conical tip part (2, 4) having liquid-conducting holes (12) made to its wall, whereby the holes communicate with the hollow interior of said tubular body piece, and at least immediately after the tip part (2, 4) the diameter of the tubular body piece (1) being provided with an outer thread after the tip part (2, 4), whereby a tightening element 97) with a mating inner thread can be rotated thereon so as to tighten the element against the collar.

Abstract: An improved bulk bag or bulk box liner and spout fitment construction for the liner discharge and/or fill openings. The liner is of liquid impervious thermoplastic multiple-ply sheet material, and the spout fitment is a rigid thermoplastic spout of either open or closed flange type. The spout tube extends through the liner fitment opening and has an external flange base adjacent the liner-interior tube end that is permanently affixed and heat sealed to the liner in a first annular heat weld zone formed between an outward facing surface of the flange base and the interior surface of the liner. A first backing piece of liquid impervious plastic sheet material overlies the inward-facing flange surface and has a marginal portion overlying the liner interior surface. A second annular heat seal is formed between this backing piece and flange base in a second annular weld zone spaced radially inwardly from the first heat weld seal zone.

Abstract: An easy-open beverage container and opening system therefor includes an opening provided in a barrier wall. Covering the opening is a tamper-evident pull tab having a holding portion and a topmost free end portion. An adhesive adheres the holding portion to an outside surface of the barrier wall so that the hole is sealed. A pair of slits is provided in the holding portion at opposite lateral edges of the holding portion adjacent the free end portion and the respective slits extend inwardly and downwardly away therefrom. The consumer grasps and pulls the non-adhered free end portion downwardly toward an opposite end of the holding portion to expose the opening. This causes a peeled part of the holding portion initially to be pulled from the barrier wall until the slits are reached; at which time the peeled part laterally separates from a remainder of the holding portion initially along the slits and then further along tear lines beginning at the lowermost ends of the slits to expose the opening.

Abstract: An improved straw hole design for a drink package which allows venting to occur in air gaps around the straw while the straw is inserted in the straw hole. This invention prevents the common problem of squirting or spill-over out of the top of the straw when a drink box is squeezed or otherwise compressed. Several embodiments are disclosed in which a "C" shaped pre-cut, a "U" shaped pre-cut and "V" shaped pre-cut are incorporated into the package for later insertion of the straw.

Abstract: A cutting device angularly and removably attached to a heat-sealed edge of a food-contained polybag. The cutting device includes two integrally molded first and second parts. The first part is so formed that it has a tongue portion with two fixing pins raised from two outer comers of the tongue portion. A razor having a slant edge is clamped in locating grooves formed on top of the two fixing pins. The second part is formed with pin holes and a razor receiving groove corresponding to the fixing pins and the clamped razor. In use the cutting device is first positioned on the heat-sealed edge by folding the first part to the second part. Depressing the tongue portion of the first part will cause the razor to cut into the razor receiving groove on the second part and the polybag. Moving the cutting device sidewardly causes the razor to cut open the heat-sealed edge of the polybag.

Abstract: A point of sale photographic film package also functions as a non-prepaid mailer to a pre-designated professional film processor. In one embodiment, a film cassette or cartridge is sold in a sealed container, such as an envelope or "bubble pack" card, having a removable label which overlies the name and address of a film processor. The label bears film-identifying indicia on one side thereof and a customer-identifying form on the reverse side. The container further includes (i) indicia or perforations for facilitating access to the film cassette while leaving the container substantially intact for re-use, and (ii) an adhesive strip for resealing the container after the original seal is broken to gain access to the film cassette therein. Upon opening the sealed container and using the film, the customer may have the film processed by returning the exposed film and the container together with the label bearing the completed customer identification form, which includes customer credit information.

Abstract: A package header arrangement includes a header with first and second opposing films, a tear bead and a support member. The support member is attached to the first film below the tear bead. The tear bead is disposed between the first and second films. When heat and pressure are applied to the first and second films in proximity to the tear bead, the tear bead scores the first and second films creating a breakable tear bead line. When heat and pressure are applied, the tear bead pushes aside the inner layer of the first and second films, weakening the film along the breakable tear bead line without harming the hermetic seal provided by the films. The breakable tear bead line tears easily because it does not have the tough, flexible inner layer of the films to aid in tear resistance. The breakable tear bead line also provides an even tear along a straight line. The support member provides support while tearing along the breakable tear bead line.

Abstract: An outlet stopper includes a cap part made of a resin and having a cylinder which has a screw thread on a side face thereof, and an outlet part made of a resin and having a disk flange which has a bottom face thereof coated with an adhesive. The disk flange has a hole at a center portion thereof. The outlet part has another cylinder which is placed on top of the disk flange and has a screw thread on a side face thereof which fits the screw thread on the cylinder in the cap part. An opening blade is fixed to the inside of the cap part, and a stopping ring which has a protrusion projected outward therefrom has a break therein for opening the ring and for stopping the insertion of the cap part and the outlet part into each other before reaching a fully screwed-in position. The outlet stopper can be easily attached with the adhesive to a package commercially available in a pouch form.

Abstract: An easy open tear control package, preferably a pouch, from a film of polymeric barrier material is disclosed. Methods and films for making of such packages are also disclosed. The easy open tear control feature arises from roughening portions of the outer or inner surface of the films, prior to fabricating into the package. The roughened portion is on one face or on each face of the package and is at least a full width of a seal when the film is made into the package. The roughened portion can extend the entire width of the package and can be of any desired length.

Abstract: A hose-shaped bag (1) is formed of a composite foil made up of a metal foil (3c) and at least one plastic foil (3a) arranged as an outer layer on an outer surface of the metal foil (3c). A weakened location is provided in the outer plastic foil (3a) produced by a thermal heat effect and affording a rated failure location. The weakened location reduces the overall mechanical strength of the composite foil (1), so that an opening member on a dispensing tool can reliably open the hose-shaped bag at this location.

Abstract: Packaging apparatus and method, for use in controlled atmosphere packaging of horticultural produce in controlled permeability film. A valve apparatus mounted on or in a packaging film including a temperature sensitive sensor formed from a bimetallic or shape-memory material (2), or a chemical sensitive sensor formed from a swellable polymer, to actuate the valve member (pin or plug) (1) on, or in communication with the sensor. In use, after sealing the produce within the packaging film, the valve apparatus opens the packaging film in response to a temperature change of predetermined magnitude to allow oxygen flow for extension of storage life or fumigation of the produce.

Abstract: The invention relates to a beverage container, in particular a beverage bag, made of a monomaterial or a multi-layer compound material, which is provided with a piercing opening for inserting a straw.In order to make a beverage container available which makes an easy insertion of a straw possible and, at the same time, is justifiable under the viewpoints of environmental protection, the piercing opening is punched through all layers of the mono- or compound material and a sealing foil is affixed to the inner side of the mono- or compound material around the piercing opening, which is outwardly exposed by the piercing opening.

Abstract: A utensil for dispensing liquid, such as detergent, from a bag set in the utensil which contains the liquid, and bags for use with the utensil. The bag is comprised of a synthetic resin film and is housed in a container body having an opening at its top end. The top end opening of the container body is closed by a cover member to which is attached a liquid delivery element, such as a pump with a nozzle. A suction tube projects downward from the liquid delivery element. The tube is adapted to sealingly pierce the upper surface of the bag set in the container body for communication with the interior of the bag. That portion of the bag which is pierced by the suction tube is formed of a nylon film, or an unstretched nylon film in particular. Therefore, the tube is not liable to be torn when pierced by the tube, and a hole formed by the piercing comes in close contact with the tube.

Abstract: A packaging, preferably a bag of a flexible material, provided with an opening device for facilitating opening of the packaging. The opening device comprises a plate being more brittle and rigid than the packaging material and provided with a transverse weakened line formed of a groove-like portion of reduced plate thickness dividing the member into two halves, each of which may gripped between the thumb and forefinger of a person. The opening device is dimensioned in such a manner in the area of the weakened line that without any difficulty a person can break the device along said line by rotating the two halves towards each other about said line. In close proximity of the groove, a perforation edge is formed in at least one of the halves. The plate member is attached to the packaging with the sharp edge facing the interior of the packaging.

Abstract: Valve unit (1) intended for puncturing a film (P), especially a plastic film, thereby creating a tight lead-through through the plastic film (P), which valve unit (1) comprises a first member (2) for puncturing the plastic film (P), which first member (2) has a hollow space (5a) and at least one opening (5) leading through between the outside of the first member (2) and said hollow space (5a), and further a second member (3), which is intended to be positioned on the side of the plastic film (P), which is opposite to the first member (2) when the valve unit (1) is attached to a plastic film (P), said hollow space (5a) being in open connection with the surrounding atmosphere through the second member (3), a groove (7) extending around the circumference in the area between the first and the second members (2,3) being disposed to receive the edge portion of the plastic film (P) around the valve unit (1), which has been pricked through the plastic film (P), and an annular, resilient element (12) being displaceabl

Abstract: Containers, in particular plastic bags, for limited doses of liquid, oil, cream doses, and the like, that can be easily opened and reclosed, and that are well sealed and resistant to from tearing and leakage. The container body (envelope) is formed of a thermosealable, substantially flexible composite film (laminated or coextruded). A substantially rigid insert is welded to the inside top portion of the envelope. The insert has a base, a neck with a central hole, a groove fracture part, and a knurled cap from the center of which a pin protrudes. After the insert is fractured and removed, it can be easily flipped over and reinserted in the base to reseal the envelope.

Abstract: A portable disinfecting and disposal device for medical waste. A disposal device includes a plastic container resistant to penetration, either from medical sharps inside or external effects. The device has a top and bottom portion with perimeter seal areas which upon closure prevent nondestructive reopening. The device top portion includes a chemically filled packet which is sealed during ongoing use for attachment of medical waste to the device but is unsealed by spikes for use after collection of the medical waste. The collected medical waste is accounted for by a system to identify the number and type of medical waste viewable through the plastic container after closing the device as well as when the device is open and being used.

Abstract: A prepackaged adhesive bandage in a protective envelope includes a semi-rigid backing strip adhered to the bandage, and a flexible backing interconnected between the bandage and the envelope seam. The semi-rigid strip is manipulated to penetrate the envelope face, permitting the strip and attached bandage to be withdrawn from the envelope. The retained flexible backing is peeled from the bandage during withdrawal, exposing an adhesive surface for application of the bandage to the skin.

Abstract: A zipper closure strip for attachment to the top of a formed, filled and sealed package is provided. The zipper strip has a pair of interlocking profile members that extend from bowed webs which conform generally to the cross section of the top of the filled package. The strip may thus straddle the top of the package, gable fashion, and be bonded to the top of the package by heat seals, adhesive or the like. A slider seats on the profile members for urging them into engagement or forcing them apart. A blade protrudes through the slider from a plunger to enable the film at the top of the package beneath the closure strip to be slit. The zipper may be cuffed to expose the top end of the package to facilitate opening.

Abstract: A flexible plate member is arranged for adherence to a bag member, wherein the plate member includes an adhesive strip mounted to a bottom surface thereof, and the plate member including interlocking zipper webs securable selectively by a zipper slidably mounted in intercommunication between the first and second webs, wherein the zipper member includes a severing plunger rod reciprocatably mounted within the zipper orthogonally oriented relative to the plate member to effect initial severing of an associated bag web subsequent to the plate member adhered to the bag web outer surface.

Abstract: A reinforced collapsible bag and method of making it from blanks of a flexible woven material which are cut from an elongate web substantially without wasting any material between adjacent blanks with pairs of reinforced strips extending along the side edges and through the central portion of the sides and top and bottom of the bag, thereby reinforcing the bottom, top, sides and corners of the bag. Each blank has a circumferentially continuous central portion and four isosceles triangular portions at each end of the blank. Adjacent sides of adjacent triangular portons are connected together to provide, when the bag is exapnded or filled, generally square ends which are interconnected by generally rectangular side walls. Lifting sstraps can be attached to the reinforced strips along the side edges of the bag. An access opening is provided in an end of the bag by terminating the connections of its triangular portions short of their apexes.

Abstract: A device for opening a flexible package is embodied by a planar tab which has a first tab portion for being secured to a flexible surface of a package to be opened and a second tab portion which contains lines of weakening which define a cutter having a cutting edge for enabling the cutter, by finger pressure, to be broken from the second tab portion at the lines of weakening and to be bent out of a plane defined by the second tab portion for exposing the cutting edge of the cutter for piercing the flexible package surface for opening the package.