Abstract: A boil-in-a-bag pouch provided with a handle for grasping and lifting the pouch and including a easy opening mechanism The opening of the pouch is facilitated by a longitudinal line of weakness spaced a short distance from one longitudinal edge of the pouch in combination with either a lateral cut from the edge of the pouch to the line of weakness or one or more interruptions in the lateral seals used to form and seal the pouch through which the line of weakness passes. The interruptions in the lateral seal are small enough to prevent egress of the product from the pouch and are located so as to permit the pouch to be torn open along the line of weakness through the interruptions in the lateral seals. In this manner, a pouch is provided that has both a handle and an easy opening feature.

Abstract: A reusable, reclosable, suspendable bag assembly facilitates storage of an object, such as a medical instrument, between uses. The bag assembly includes a suspension tab for hanging or carrying the bag. A closure flap is provided to fold over an opening of the bag to close the interior cavity therein. The bag assembly is formed in two sections, a removable section and a reusable, reclosable bag section. The removable section is attached to the reclosable bag section by tear lines that allow the removable section to be readily detached from the bag section by a user.

Abstract: In continuous sign language recognition, reference sign language patterns of good quality are generated. Continuous sign language patterns and reference sign language patterns are efficiently compressed. The compressed continuous sign language patterns are sequentially and directly matched with the compressed reference sign language patterns to recognize the sign language at high speed and with high precision. A reference sign pattern generating unit generates a reference sign language pattern by normalizing sample patterns while taking into consideration of their nonlinear compression/expansion and by calculating an average of the sample patterns. A continuous sign language recognition unit recognizes a continuous sign language at high speed by sequentially matching the continuous sign language of time sequential patterns with reference sign language patterns while allowing nonlinear expansion and compression in the time domain.

Abstract: A bag construction for use to distribute flowable material is provided. The bag construction generally includes first and second panels or panel sections oriented juxtaposed to one another. In one end of the bag construction, a base gusset is provided between the panels. The base gusset includes apertures therein, for distribution of flowable materials. In preferred embodiments, a rib-and-trough closure arrangement is provided so that the pouch construction can be selectively closed to inhibit distribution of material, when desired. Methods of preparing such arrangements and methods of use are provided.

Abstract: An opening and reclosing device for flexible containers, comprising a label having an adhesive face intended to be applied to a wall of the container in correspondence of a die-cut area thereof. The adhesive face is formed with two side-by-side sections the first of which is intended to detachably overlay the wall of the container along the die-cut area, and the second of which is constituted by a bi-adhesive strip which is detachable from the label and intended to permanently adhere to the wall of the container (1) in proximity of the die-cut area.

Abstract: A plastic bag is provided which allows for the bottom loading of the plastic bag and subsequent sealing of the bottom edges of the plastic bag without the use of tools, adhesives or tapes. In the invention, the plastic bag includes a one-time plastic zipper mechanism disposed at the bottom edges which provides a one-time, permanent seal to the bottom edges of the bag. The seal is such that it cannot be unsealed without discernable damage to the bag.

Abstract: A plastic bag has two perforations, an upper and a lower, and a flip top allowing the top of the bag to be torn from a header or saddle loaded with product and closed. The flip top can then be removed using the lower perforation to expose the product.

Abstract: A package in the form of a recloseable bag includes a bag body including front and back walls, and a profile strip fastener assembly sealingly mounted on the inside surface of the front wall. The profile strip fastener assembly includes a pair of releasably interlocking profile strips, with a secondary, peelable seal provided between the profile strips apart from their mechanically interlocked portions. By this arrangement, enhanced sealing for the package is provided, while abating the stress to which the interlocked portions of the profile strips are subjected during forming and filling of the package. The bag body preferably includes a removable panel substantially aligned with the fastener assembly for gaining access to the assembly, with the removable panel desirably providing tamper-evidence of opening of the package.

Abstract: A disposable bag having a gusset containing drainage holes positioned at the bottom of the disposable bag for storing and washing produce is provided. The disposable bag includes a removable seal positioned proximate the gusset and configured to prevent the flow of liquids through the drainage holes in the gusset before the seal is removed. The gusset permits the bag to stand in an upright position while washing or rinsing produce contained within the bag.

Abstract: A sanitary cover comprised of a non-porous flexible material having a first opening is provided. The flexible material can be large enough to cover a toilet seat, and to tuck one or more portions of the flexible material underneath the toilet seat, to secure the toilet seat cover. The flexible material may be in the shape of a sheet or a bag. A bag shaped flexible material has a top opening which is large enough to fit over the toilet seat and to tuck one or more portions underneath the toilet seat. There is also provided a bottom opening in the bag shape which is preferably ovally shaped and slightly smaller than the opening in the toilet seat. An attachment device is provided through which a cord passes. The cord may be elastic or plastic and can be pulled to tighten and further secure the top of the bag shape underneath the toilet seat.

Abstract: A solid processing agent packaging body comprises (1) a moisture proof bag; (2) an internal plate member including an approximately rectangular-shaped base plate and three side plates provided on three sides of the base plate and bent in the same direction so that the three side plates define three inner side surfaces and a floor surface of the base plate on the internal plate member and the three inner side surfaces and the floor surface form an accommodation space; and (3) solid processing agents. The moisture proof bag has a sealed open portion at a position corresponding to an open side of the base plate on which the three side plates are not provided so that the solid processing agents are discharge from the accommodation space through the open side of the base plate and the opened sealed open portion of the moisture proof bag.

Abstract: A machine to make up doses of semen in a container comprising welded thermoplastics films that can be opened by hand without using instruments in order to insert therein an insemination probe includes a tubular needle having a nozzle over which is threaded a cleaning ring to prevent coating of a region to be sealed by welding with semen and to keep the walls of the thermoplastics films dry after filling the dose with semen. The sealing weld is made by a device having inverted U-shape jaws. An incision perpendicular to the branches of the U-shape is made at the same level as the latter by an incision device including an orientable blade.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing body panels, a zipper, a slider, and first and second upstanding panels. The opposing body panels are fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The zipper extends along a mouth formed opposite the bottom. The zipper includes a first track with a first profile and a second track with a second profile. The first and second profiles are releasably engageable to each other. The slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The first and second profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position, and the first and second profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider from the closed position to the open position. The first and second upstanding panels extend upwardly from the respective first and second body panels.

Abstract: A bag construction for use to distribute flowable material is provided. The bag construction generally includes first and second panels or panel sections oriented juxtaposed to one another. In one end of the bag construction, a base gusset is provided between the panels. The base gusset includes apertures therein, for distribution of flowable materials. In preferred embodiments, a rib-and-trough closure arrangement is provided so that the pouch construction can be selectively closed to inhibit distribution of material, when desired. Methods of preparing such arrangements and methods of use are provided.

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 plastic bag for personal-hygiene articles, in particular for a stack of flexible pads, comprising a sheet-plastic tube forming an essentially cylindrical bag wall, both ends of said bag are initially closed, a suspension string located at one end and at the opposite end of said bag a frangible ring providing an opening allowing pads to be removed, the closure at the first one end being formed by a linear seam running between two diametrically opposite points on the cylindrical wall of the bag and passing through the longitudinal axis of the bag, the suspension string passing through the interior of the bag below the seam.

Abstract: A method of welding at least two layers of a thin thermoplastic polyurethane elastomer (10A, B) to form a weld seam (12) to produce polyurethane barrier products such as, but not limited to, gloves (20), condoms (30), inflatable catheter balloon cuffs (48A, B), ostomy pouches (50), organ bags (60), and instrument covers (70) through a process of pre-heating a sealing die platen, the at least two layers of the polyurethane (10A, B) softened while under pressure from the preheated die platen, followed by welding the at least two layers of polyurethane (10A, B) film by transmission of a radio-frequency energy to the film (10A, B) to produce a weld seam (12) and then allowing the weld seam (12) to cool, the resultant product having seam integrity.

Abstract: A reclosable plastic bag comprises first and second opposing panels fixedly connected to each other along a pair of sides and a bottom bridging the pair of sides. The bag is provided with a reclosable zipper extending along a mouth formed opposite the sealed bottom. The zipper includes a male track with a male profile and a female track with a female profile. A slider is slidably mounted to the zipper for movement between a closed position and an open position. The male and female profiles are engaged to each other while the slider is in the closed position. The male and female profiles are disengaged from each other in response to movement of the slider to the open position. To prevent tampering with the contents of the plastic bag prior to being initially opened, the slider is initially parked in the closed position at one end of the zipper, and upper edges of the male and female profiles are detachably connected to each other, except at the one end of the zipper supporting the parked slider.

Abstract: An easy opening plastic bag includes a plastic front panel, a plastic rear panel, and plastic left and right end panels coupled to the front and rear panels. A plastic gusset is formed at the top of the bag and is joined to the front, rear, left, and right panels. A first frangible portion is disposed near a top of the front panel, and a second frangible portion is disposed near a top of the rear panel. The first and second frangible portions lie in a plane which allows a portion of the bag to rotate away from the remainder of the bag about an axis parallel to the plane. A third frangible portion is provided in the bag and extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and second frangible portions.

Abstract: An easy opening plastic bag includes a plastic front panel, a plastic rear panel, and plastic left and right end panels coupled to the front and rear panels. A plastic gusset is formed at the top of the bag and is joined to the front, rear, left, and right panels. A first frangible portion is disposed near a top of the front panel, and a second frangible portion is disposed near a top of the rear panel. The first and second frangible portions lie in a plane which allows a portion of the bag to rotate away from the remainder of the bag about an axis parallel to the plane. A third frangible portion is provided in the bag and extends substantially perpendicular to the plane of the first and second frangible portions.

Abstract: A pouch especially adapted for packaging small articles such as orthodontic appliances includes a pair of sheets that are joined together. In one embodiment, one sheet of the pouch extends beyond the other sheet in order to provide additional space for text or other information. In another embodiment, the pouch includes a tamper evident indicator and a recloseable section so that the pouch can be reused. In another embodiment, a line of perforations extends across the pouch and across an orthodontic archwire packaged in the pouch, so that the archwire can be grasped with a tool when the package is opened along the perforations without directly contacting the user.

Abstract: A plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout, and a method and apparatus for forming a plastic, heavy duty bag having an easy opening pouring spout are disclosed. The bag includes a radially disposed perforation in the upper corner of the bag. Above a heat sealing strip, a slit is formed in the portion of the bag extending above the heat sealing strip, to aid in tearing through the heat seal strip to gain access to the perforation.

Abstract: A pouch adapted to accommodate medicine or the like comprising first and second compound films forming front and back surfaces of a pouch. Each of these compound films is composed of a resin film having a predetermined tear strength and a resin film having a good heat adhesive property and the first mentioned resin film is provided with a linear slit on one side thereof having un-cut portions. These compound films are overlapped with each other with the resin films having the heat adhesive property being disposed inside so as to oppose each other and with the slits formed to the resin films of the compound films forming the front and back surfaces of the pouch being coincident with each other in positions. The compound films are then heat fused. When a pouch is formed by these compound films, the pouch has an orientation capable of being torn in a direction corresponding to an extending direction of said slit.

Abstract: A bag with a corner tear-away pour spout opening is provided with a detachable reenforcing patch adhered to the area of a slit near the top of the bag which serves as a carry handle to provide enhanced strength to the handle area. The patch can be removed from its position over the handle slit and used to reseal the bag for storage after some of the contents have been dispensed through the pour spout opening.

Abstract: A bag of plastic construction for carrying substantial loads. The bag includes a perforated tear line with the perforations cut along a substantially arcuate shape at the corner of the bag.

Abstract: An improved, tamper-evident container having a reclosable zipper-type fastener useful for providing access to the interior of the container is disclosed. The reclosable fastener is characterized by a pair of mating sealing strips wherein each one of the pair is attached to a common surface of the container. The container is further characterized by the provision of a security seal to provide a tamper-evident closure for the container until it is initially opened.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A bag including first and second walls having joined first and second opposed side edges, and an end edge and at least one seal line spaced from the end edge and extending laterally from one side to the other for sealing closed the end of the bag. In combination with the bag is the improvement comprising an easy-open corner portion of the bag. The corner includes a cut formed in both side walls closer to one side edge than the other and communicating with the end edge of the bag and extending towards the spaced-apart seal line, and a plurality of closely spaced-apart perforations in both side walls extending in a line from within close proximity of the cut to the closer side edge and forming a tear line for permitting a portion of the side walls, including a portion of the end edge of the bag, to be torn away from the bag in a progressive tearing motion to form a hole in the bag from which the contents can be poured without interference from a remaining portion of the end edge of the bag.

Abstract: A plant packaging system comprising a combination of a protective sleeve portion and a decorative cover portion having a base and skirt for packaging a potted plant. The protective sleeve can be detached from the decorative portion of the package system once the protective function of the sleeve has been completed, thereby exposing the decorative cover and allowing the skirt portion to extend angularly from the base. The protective sleeve and decorative cover components may comprise a unitary construction or may comprise separate components which are attached together by various bonding materials.

Abstract: A disposable sterile plastic bag is proposed for holding samples in blenders during the mixing thereof comprises a two-ply sheet flexible material integrally joined at opposed side edges thereof and joined at the upper and lower ends thereof respectively by upper and lower heat seals with a sealed sample receiving chamber being defined between the two plastic sheets inwardly of the bag's side edges and upper and lower seals. Inwardly of the upper seal, there is defined a tear off line transversally across the two sheets and parallelly to the upper seal thereby forming a detachable strip outwardly of the tear off line. When the sample is ready to be introduced in the bag, the strip is removed from the bag by pulling it so as to cause rupture of the two sheets at the tear off line. The bag's chamber is thus sterile when the sample is introduced therein and the bag and its contents can then be inserted in the blender.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: A bag with a corner tear-away pour spout opening is provided with a detachable reenforcing patch adhered to the area of a slit near the top of the bag which serves as a carry handle to provide enhanced strength to the handle area. The patch can be removed from its position over the handle slit and used to reseal the bag for storage after some of the contents have been dispensed through the pour spout opening.

Abstract: The invention is a fragrance sample container comprised of a central cosmetic-containing portion substantially surrounded by a peripheral portion having thickened edges. The entire container is preferably made of soft-gelatin. The thickened edges of the peripheral portion, made of solid gelatin, serve to distribute and absorb the planar force of a weight applied to the container, in order to prevent the central cosmetic-containing portion from rupturing under the pressure of the weight. The invention is particularly useful in the distribution to potential customers of sample unit doses of fragrances or other cosmetics through the mails or in magazines.

Abstract: In a packet containing a plurality of dual tab merchandising bags, each bag includes a front panel, a rear panel, each side of said bag between the front and rear panels including, a front gusset folded from the front panel, a rear gusset folded from the rear panel, the front and rear gussets joined at a common gusset fold to form an endless tube of bag material around the periphery of said bag. The bags are sealed and severed at the bottom and open and severed at the top, and collapsed and folded one on another so that said gusset sides are folded upon themselves and collapsed under and between the bag front and rear panels. Handle holes are provided centrally of said front and rear panels adjacent said open top of the bag. Tabs are adjacent the sides of the bags at the top of the bag, the tabs having a first portion overlying the gussets and a second portion overlying the central portion of the bag between the gussets, these tabs fused together to form said packet of bags.

Abstract: Apparatus for providing a decorative cover for a flower pot comprising a collar wherein the collar clamps a sheet of material to the flower pot or wherein the sheet of material is connected to the collar and the collar is connectable to the flower pot.

Abstract: A sleeve used to wrap items such as potted plants. The sleeve may have an open or closed bottom. When closed, the bottom may have a gusset for allowing expansion upon the depositing of the pot into the sleeve. The sleeve has a detachable upper portion. The sleeve may have a bonding material disposed upon an inner or outer portion of the sleeve for attaching the sleeve to the pot or item.

Abstract: A bag of plastic construction for carrying substantial loads. The bag includes a perforated tear line with the perforations cut along a substantially arcuate shape at the corner of the bag.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a disposable hydrotherapy tank liner formed of a fluid impervious sheet material. The liner is secured to the upper rim of a hydrotherapy tank by means of any suitable fastener such as a plurality of clips. The liner is adapted to occupy the interior of the tank and serves to isolate the interior surface of the tank from contact with hydrotherapy fluids. The liner utilizes a pull strip or rip cord assembly to open a liner drain hole so that the therapist may avoid contact with the hydrotherapy fluids. Further, an adhesive applied to the exterior of the liner and surrounding the liner drain hole removably secures the liner to the bottom of the tank adjacent the tank drain hole to aid in preventing fluids from contacting the floor of the tank during draining.

Abstract: A hermetically sealed food product package is provided having a vacuum sealed or gas flushed and sealed product cavity and having a preformed perforated or cutaway portion on at least one of the sheets of film forming the package to allow easy separation of the package in order to gain access to the vacuum or gas flushed product cavity.

Abstract: A container system for the shipping and storing of product such as bananas, comprising: (a) a substantially rigid outer container having at least one ventilation opening; (b) a closable inner container positioned within the outer container for receiving the product, the inner container having a bottom portion and a top portion; and (c) means attached to the top portion of the inner container for opening the inner container so as to provide increased ventilation to the product. The inner container preferably comprises a flexible bag having a sealed bottom as its bottom portion, an open top adjacent the top portion, and a perforation extending about at least a portion of the bag, so that the opening means opens the bag by severing the bag at the perforation. The opening means may comprise a cord attached to the top portion of the bag.

Abstract: A perforated package of a composite integral sheet material which includes a first layer of absorbent material, a second layer of printable material and an impermeable pigmented polymer layer interposed between the first and second layers. The composite material has a plurality of air pockets formed between at least one of the first or second layers and the polymer layer, by discontinuously bonding the first or second layers to the polymer material. The package has two parallel lines of perforation which allow access to the interior of the package and to the foodstuff contained therein. A method of using the perforated package of composite integral material.

Abstract: An improved top opening, rectangular flexible bag for containing a stack of highly compressed flexible articles. The bag has front and back panels, two side panels and top and bottom panels, all of which are connected together to form an internal compartment for containing the stack under high compression. The stack is arranged within the bag in such a way that the side panels are under tension. The line of weakness defines the entire top portion of the bag which can be easily removed, thus exposing the entire contents of the bag for easy removal. The improvement to the bag is that the line of weakness is applied to the front and back panel of the bag simultaneously, thus providing perfect alignment of the lines of weakness where they intersect the side seals of the bag. The bag is further improved with a notch where the line of weakness intersects the side seal, thus significantly reducing the force to initiate the tear through the bead of plastic created by the side seal.

Abstract: The bags may be sculptured with a wave pattern defining a periphery of the corner regions on either side of the mouth of the bag. The bags may be secured to two tabs which are connected to the corner regions via the wave pattern, which is perforated. By attaching the tabs to a carton and pulling the bag, the bag severs cleanly from the tabs at the waveform perforation.

Abstract: A paper bag particularly adapted for the packaging of carryout food items such as hamburgers and chicken. The bag is of a unitary construction and includes two inwardly folded bellows panels on its sides, each bellows joining respective sides of the bag. A fold line is positioned below the top, free edges of the side walls. A pair of spaced cuts is located substantially midway of respective fold lines, each cut of each pair extending from above to below its respective fold line, the individual cuts being spaced from each other along the fold line. Respective areas of the front and rear bag walls above the fold line carry indicia, such as printed indicia, to indicate the bag contents. After folding the top of the bag about the fold lines and against either side walls, one or the other indicia is visible to indicate the bag contents. The bag top is inhibited from opening after such folding by distorting the paper between the cuts to effect a latching action.

Abstract: A packaging container having a discharging or docketing device for allowing uninterrupted aseptic connection to for instance a hose having an orifice.The container has a channel (13') of a flexible material terminated by a grip flap (16). The flap (16) is torn away along tearing denotations (17, 17') and weakenings (19, 20) for opening the channel. By locating the weakenings (16) such that they do not coincide there is obtained at least one protruding portion which will expose portion on the inside of the channel when the channel is opened up.This portion then acts as an entering surface for facilitating connection.

Abstract: In a packet containing a plurality of dual tab merchandising bags, each bag includes a front panel, a rear panel, each side of said bag between the front and rear panels including, a front gusset folded from the front panel, a rear gusset folded from the rear panel, the front and rear gussets joined at a common gusset fold to form an endless tube of bag material around the periphery of said bag. The bags are sealed and severed at the bottom and open and severed at the top, and collapsed and folded one on another so that said gusset sides are folded upon themselves and collapsed under and between the bag front and rear panels. Handle holes are provided centrally of said front and rear panels adjacent said open top of the bag. Tabs are adjacent the sides of the bags at the top of the bag, the tabs having a first portion overlying the gussets and a second portion overlying the central portion of the bag between the gussets, these tabs fused together to form said packet of bags.

Abstract: A reclosable, hermetically-sealed flexible package which has an inner, hermetic peel seal and a reclosure seal comprised of interlocking closure strips is provided with a tamper-evident feature located peripheral to the reclosure seal. The tamper-evident feature must be visibly disrupted to gain access to the reclosure seal.

Abstract: A self-expanding flexible pouch that can be used as the measuring device for reconstituting a concentrated product contained therein. The pouch includes an improved one-piece extensible stay located in the throat area of the flexible pouch that is biased toward a relaxed, expanded, circular configuration but is initially held substantially flat in a stressed condition by the sealed top portion of the pouch. When the top portion of the pouch is removed, the improved stay expands to its relaxed, expanded configuration and thereby expands and opens the throat area of the pouch. The improved stay comprises a one-piece, continuous extensible loop having a pair of opposed hinges. The hinges are thinner in thickness than the remaining portions of the loop and aligned with the side peripheral edges of the pouch. Two opposed thick-walled sections are located between the opposed hinges. The opposed thick-walled sections provide the automatic opening force for the pouch.

Abstract: A sampling bag such as for sampling of liquids or other material is provided with an improved wire-type closure. A pair of wires are connected to the front and rear walls of the bag, and extend outwardly beyond the side edges of the bag. Facing adhesive strips are secured to the front and rear walls of the bag along the length of the wires, and the ends of the adhesive strips extend beyond the ends of the wires. The adhesive strips are secured to each other beyond the wire ends, to enclose the wire ends. In this manner, contact of the wire ends with the walls of the bag is prevented when the wire ends are bent inwardly to close the bag.

Abstract: A bag for packaging products includes a generally parallelepiped-shaped body of composite sheet material having a rectangular closure zone formed at one end. A closure line extends across the closure zone between the upper and lower sides of the closure zone and a through cutout is formed in the closure zone at the closure line to facilitate opening of the bag. Preferably, the cutout is defined by first and second edges which are generally perpendicular to one another. The first edge is substantially perpendicular to the upper edge of the closure zone and the second edge adjoins the lower end of the first edge and extends substantially parallel to the upper and lower edges of the closure zone. The upper end of the first edge also extends above the upper edge of the closure zone.