Abstract: Sealable pouch assemblies are described. In some embodiments, the sealable pouch assembly includes a soft pouch formed from an elastomeric material. The pouch includes a plurality of spaced apart external protrusions located near a top end of the pouch. A semi-rigid external frame is attachable to the pouch by the protrusions. The frame has a stable closed state and a stable open state. A slider is configured to slide over the external frame with the external frame in the closed state to seal the pouch in a closed pouch state.

Abstract: A device for selectively retaining a package opening in a gaping configuration and a package including the device applied to a package body. The device includes a circumferential strip with side seams formed as vertical or longitudinal hinges. One or more tabs extend in a first axial direction from an upper edge of the circumferential strip at the side seams. Each tab is coupled to the circumferential strip with a horizontal or transverse hinge. The tabs are pivotable about the horizontal or transverse hinges in opposite directions away from the opening axis to respective folded-out positions, which inhibits the device from folding at the side seams and retains a gaping open configuration of the device and package. The vertical hinges include thru cuts or line of perforations that go through the entire material thickness of the circumferential strip and the one or more tabs and extend for a majority of the full axial length of the device.

Abstract: A package, such as a bag or stand-up pouch, is described that includes a built-in opening support that can be actuated by the user to maintain the package in an open or wide-open configuration, thereby preventing or reducing the need to manually keep the front and back panels of the package separated as product is accessed. The opening support may be disposed near the opening end of at least one of the front or back panels and may be designed to be moved from an inactive position to an active position. In the inactive position, the opening support is disposed along one of the front panel or the back panel, whereas in the active position, the opening support extends between the front panel and the back panel, across a corresponding longitudinal seam of the package, to maintain the opening of the package in a wide-open position.

Abstract: A connection assembly for connection to the mouth of a flexible container comprising of an inner ring having an inner flange around its external diameter and an outer ring having a recess around its inner diameter sized to engage the inner flange. The inner and outer rings being adapted to interengage to trap the mouth between the inner and outer rings.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an adapter for use with ordinary lawn and leaf bags and a method for manufacture of such adapter. The adapter has a cavity that has four sides and four corners, and a lower portion consisting of four flaps. The use of a frame, side and/or corner fasteners create an adapter where the flaps lie inside the bag and the cavity remains outside the bag to create a large surface area for filling the bag and also prevents the mouth of the bag from closing due to wind or other forces.

Abstract: A bag construction for use to distribute flowable material is provided. The bag construction generally includes a first and second panel sections and one or more side gusset panel sections. An internal gusset member may be positioned inside the bag construction, between the first and second panel sections. A tape is disposed inside the bag construction and secures portions of end edges to other sections. In preferred embodiments, a bag construction includes an openable and reclosable closure arrangement and an anti-tamper arrangement.

Abstract: A pouch includes a seamless body having a first end and a second end opposite to the first end, with a substantially flat, planar base at the first end. First and second opposing walls extend upwardly from the planar base to form an elongate mouth at the second end. Each of the opposing walls includes an upper wall portion and a lower wall portion. The upper wall portions extend to the elongate mouth and the lower wall portions extend to the planar base. The first and second opposing walls have a varying thickness. An elongate closure mechanism, adjacent to the elongate mouth, provides a resealable closure for the pouch. The seamless body stands independently in an upright position upon the planar base when the body is in an expanded position. The pouch, being both flexible and collapsible, can be folded into a substantially flat condition.

Abstract: A device for selectively retaining a package opening in a gaping configuration and a package including the device applied to a package body. The device includes a circumferential strip with side seams formed as hinges. One or more tabs extend in a first axial direction from an upper edge of the circumferential strip at the side seams. Each tab is coupled to the circumferential strip with a hinge. The tabs are pivotable about the hinges in opposite directions away from the opening axis to respective folded-out positions, which inhibits the device from folding at the side seams and retains a gaping open configuration of the device and package.

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 yard waste bag device is provided having a rectangularly tubular structure with rounded lower edges, adapted to maintain a bag opening while loading contents therein. The device comprises two open ends, a hollow interior and rotating corners adapted to allow a condensed, folded configuration for storage. A user may slide this assisting device into a yard waste bag in order to maintain the bag opening, whether in a vertical or horizontal position. Once the yard waste bag is full, the assisting device may be removed and stored. There is a designated marker within the device to identify the fill mark for the bag to prevent overfilling. A handle may be provided in the top edges of the device to facilitate removal of the device once the bag has been filled. The lower edges of the device are rounded to facilitate smooth entry into a yard waste bag.

Abstract: The subject matter of the invention is a container with flexible wails. The container includes an opening provided with means for keeping it open, said means having two flexible elongate elements connected at their ends by a first articulation and a second articulation. The first and second articulations are configured to bring the two flexible elongate elements one against the other in a first configuration and to separate the two flexible elongate elements in a second configuration. In the second configuration, the two flexible elongate elements are turned over on themselves with respect to the first configuration. The two flexible elongate elements are at least partially formed from a flexible band, and the first articulation includes a cut in a pail of the thickness of the band, said cut being oriented towards the outside of the container in the first configuration.

Abstract: A utility bag having a closure arrangement coupled with opposing first and second panels of the utility bag. The first closure member coupled to the first panel at about an entrance of the utility bag. The first closure member includes a pair of parallel bulbous elements which form a longitudinal channel parallel to the entrance of the utility bag. A second closure member includes a third bulbous element having an interfacing surface complementary with an interfacing surface of the longitudinal channel to form an overlapping closure arrangement. Counterpart strips of hook/loop fasteners coupled to complementary interfacing surfaces associated with the first and second closure members are used to maintain the utility bag in a closed state. The bulbous elements may be formed from deformable materials disposed in sleeves which surround the entrance to the utility bag.

Abstract: A resilient unitary beverage container comprises a body portion, a ring portion, and a lid portion. In one embodiment, the body portion comprises a fluid reception cavity and has a first thickness. The ring portion is integrated to the body portion and comprises a second thickness. The lid portion comprises a spout and an opening, with the lid portion having a third thickness and also being integrated to the ring portion.

Abstract: An expandable insert to be used in flexible storage bags, and particularly to expand the flexible storage bag in such a manner as to hold the mouth of the bag open as well as provide a stable base so the bag is free-standing and self supporting to provide for hands-free filling of the bag with food or other materials by a user.

Abstract: A yard waste bag device is provided having a rectangularly tubular structure with rounded lower edges, adapted to maintain a bag opening while loading contents therein. The device comprises two open ends, a hollow interior and rotating corners adapted to allow a condensed, folded configuration for storage. A user may slide this assisting device into a yard waste bag in order to maintain the bag opening, whether in a vertical or horizontal position. Once the yard waste bag is full, the assisting device may be removed and stored. There is a designated marker within the device to identify the fill mark for the bag to prevent overfilling. A handle may be provided in the top edges of the device to facilitate removal of the device once the bag has been filled. The lower edges of the device are rounded to facilitate smooth entry into a yard waste bag.

Abstract: A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured to first selected lacing surfaces of the pivotally connected panels and such that an interior of the bag is communicable through an aperture defined between the panels. The first and second panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items placed within the bag enclosure. Additional tamper-evident resealing structure is located along at least one facing side of the associated bag material, allowing documentable re-entry of the pre-sealed evidence bag.

Abstract: A pouch having a flexible wall panel at least partially defining a mouth into an interior includes a hold-open mechanism for the mouth. A locking mechanism automatically locks the hold-open mechanism in an open position.

Abstract: A retail checkout station includes a housing having at least a front wall, a first side wall and a second side wall, and a product scanning portion mounted to the housing. The product scanning portion includes a scanning device for scanning products purchased by a consumer. The checkout station also includes a collapsible multiple bag holder having a guide track mounted to at least one of the front wall, the first side wall and the second side wall of the housing. A plurality of bag support arms are shiftably mounted to the guide track. The plurality of bag holders extend outward from the guide track and are adapted to support a plurality of bags for holding items scanned at the product scanning portion.

Abstract: A bag, for e.g. collecting garbage or freezing foods, includes a thin, flexible material, e.g. plastic foil formed with an opening, which in its flat-laid state is bounded by two facing edges. A flexible stiffener made of plastic or a similar material is attached along each of these edges. The two stiffeners are connected with a foil hinge at their ends. The bag is furthermore provided with means to bend the stiffeners in a direction opposite to each other. A single operator, without the risk of soiling his or her fingers, can quickly and easily fill the bag.

Abstract: A tamper-evident evidence bag including a blank having first and second planar shaped and pivotally connected panels. The bag has an open perimeter edge and is secured to first selected lacing surfaces of the pivotally connected panels and such that an interior of the bag is communicable through an aperture defined between the panels. The first and second panels are folded from an open position, in which they panels are established in a substantially parallel relationship, to a closed position in which opposingly facing surfaces of are adhered against one another and in order to maintain, in tamper-evident fashion, items placed within the bag enclosure. Additional tamper-evident resealing structure is located along at least one facing side of the associated bag material, allowing documentable re-entry of the pre-sealed evidence bag.

Abstract: A storage bag having a recloseable mouth, which is biased into an open configuration, is disclosed. The bag, typically manufactured from thermoplastic material such as low-density polyethylene, includes first and second adjacent layers joined or folded along bottom and side edges. The top edges are not folded or permanently joined, but are provided with closure members such as mating male and female zipper strips. The bag is further provided with structure to bias the top edges apart from one another thus biasing the mouth of the bag into an open configuration. The closure members are sufficiently strong to overcome the force of the biasing structure and thereby hold the bag closed when the closure members are engaged. However, upon disengagement of the closure members the biasing structure forces the bag top edges apart to thereby place the bag into an open mouth configuration.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an air-tight closure for enhancing accessibility to contents of a container when the container is opened and for preventing exposure of the container contents to ambient air when the container is closed. The invention further relates to re-closable containers including the same. The closure comprises at least two elongated male units disposed a gap apart on the outer surface of one wall of the container and at least two corresponding elongated female units disposed a gap apart on the outer surface of an opposite wall of the container opposite the male units, forming at least two male-female pairs. The closure may further include a tongue for facilitating opening the container.

Abstract: A storage bag having a recloseable mouth, which is biased into an open configuration, is disclosed. The bag, typically manufactured from thermoplastic material such as low-density polyethylene, includes first and second adjacent layers joined or folded along bottom and side edges. The top edges are not folded or permanently joined, but are provided with closure members such as mating male and female zipper strips. The bag is further provided with structure to bias the top edges apart from one another thus biasing the mouth of the bag into an open configuration. The closure members are sufficiently strong to overcome the force of the biasing structure and thereby hold the bag closed when the closure members are engaged. However, upon disengagement of the closure members the biasing structure forces the bag top edges apart to thereby place the bag into an open mouth configuration.

Abstract: A zippered bag comprises a main bag body having first and second opposing face members, a top, a bottom, and first and second opposing sides; and a zipper disposed on the main bag body. The zipper extends from the top to one of the first and second opposing sides so as to be oblique relative to the top. The zipper may comprise a male track and a female track engageable therewith. The male track and the female track may be formed by an injection molding. Each of the male track and the female track may comprise a main portion and end portions provided on opposite ends of the main portion, each of the end portions having a smaller height than that of the main portion. The main bag body may have a sealed zone, which is placed on the outer side of the zipper and has an opening guide portion, which is provided in parallel with the zipper so that the sealed zone is to be easily torn open along the opening guide portion.

Abstract: Prior-art rubber hot-water bottles have a screw cap, which is arranged directly on the bottle body and forms a rather hard thickening there, which is felt to be irritating when the user is lying on the bottle. Moreover, a screw cap is difficult to use and must be screwed in with a certain force, which also requires corresponding forces for loosening. To avoid these drawbacks, it is proposed according to the present invention that a clamping means (23, 40), by which the bottle neck can be closed, be provided on the bottle neck (21) of the rubber hot-water bottle. Clamping means are simple to use and require only little force for closing. In addition, they can be opened easily and are very flat, so that they are not irritating. Furthermore, the bottle neck (21) may be designed such that the clamping means (23, 40) can be led away from the body of the user.

Abstract: A pouch of the present invention comprises a front and a rear walls and a narrow pouring portion, and at least one wall portion is partially protruded to an outward direction of the pouch to be provided with a bulge portion having a hollow structure at vicinity of the pouring portion. Alternatively, a cut line of the pouring portion is positioned based on a vertex of a vertical angle of an assumed right triangle which is drawn at the pouring portion by the predetermined regulations. A half-cut line as an opening aid may be provided to a position to be opened of the pouch, the half-cut line being formed so as to have a combination of a deep part and a shallow part and/or a combination of a wide part and a narrow part. The bulge portion may be formed by subjecting a preheated resin film to press molding with the use of a die comprising a cavity and a core, and then cooling the thus press-molded resin film while it is held in the die.

Abstract: Gussetted packages having openable and reclosable interlocking seals, the seals having male and female portions, snap detents, and formed transversely to the direction of film flow. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine with gussets forming tooling where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strips inside at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed. The reclosable seal provides auditory and tactile indications of seal closing. Some packages are formed with the thermoformable strips in the gusset, and some are formed with the gusset free of strip material.

Abstract: A container for retaining articles includes a pliable sack and a closure attached to an opening of the sack. The closure includes a substantially flexible member having a pair of anchors and a substantially rigid member having a pair of pivotal seats. Each of the pivotal seats is adapted to receive a respective one of the anchors of the flexible member. The closure is positionable between a closed position in which the flexible member is substantially proximate to the rigid member and an opened position in which the flexible member is substantially separated from the rigid member. The closure may be configured to have a generally circular shape when in the opened position and a generally crescent shape when in the closed position. The seats may be configured to slidably receive the anchors to minimize complexity in the manufacturing process. Each of the rigid and flexible members preferably has a unitary construction to further reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: Packages having improved openable and reclosable interlocking seals and a method and apparatus for making the same from a novel continuous web of composite packaging film, the seal having male and female portions of arrowhead shape in cross section, snap detents, and being formed transversely to the direction of film flow during package formation at line speed. The packaging film is provided at package length intervals with thermoformable strips secured thereto transversely to the running length of the film, and is fed to a modified standard vertical form, fill and seal packaging machine where the film is formed into a bag with the thermoformable strip inside in ends abutting folded facing relationship at the upper end of the bag, product deposited into the bag, the bag sealed, the reclosable interlocking seal formed, and the bag severed from the next bag being formed.

Abstract: A mesh bag for holding small items in a dishwasher. The bag preferably includes a top frame having a resilient front rail member and a resilient rear rail member. Each rail member has opposite ends. The rail members are pivotably joined at their ends such that the rail members are disposed adjacent each other. A mesh body depends from the top frame and has a substantially flat, rectangular shape. The mesh body includes a first mesh side wall and a second mesh side wall joined together along opposite side edges and a bottom edge. The top edge of the first mesh side wall is connected to the front rail member and the top edge of the second mesh side wall is connected to the rear rail such that the frame forms a closure mechanism for the bag.

Abstract: A bag of flexible material has a pair of opposing flat stiffener strips of stiffer material than the bag extending from the open end of the bag. The strips are joined together at least at one end. A closure device is formed on the inner face of each strip for releasably closing the open end of the bag. A handle flap extends upwardly from the upper edge of the strips at least at the one, joined end of the strips, and is integrally formed with the strips. A fold line joins the handle flap to the strips. The bag can be held open by urging opposite ends of the strips towards each other, and the handle flap can be bent downwardly about the fold line to secure the bag in an open condition.

Abstract: A pour-spout closure for use on a gusseted flexible package is provided, the package having an interior for holding some material and formed of a flexible material and including first and second panels connected to each other by respective side gussets. Each of the panels and gussets has an upper end portion, at least a portion of which conjoin to form an openable pour-through mouth for the package. When the pour-through mouth is opened, the material within the interior of the package can be poured out. The pour-spout closure is arranged for opening and re-closing the package's pour-through mouth and comprises first and second, elongated closure sections which are coupled together. The first closure section includes a first cut-away portion, and is arranged to be located, e.g, secured, on the first panel with the first cut-away portion disposed over at least a portion of the pour-through mouth. The second closure section includes a second cut-away portion, and is arranged to be located, e.g.

Abstract: An interlocking pour-spout closure for a flexible, gusseted package and a flexible gusseted package including such a closure. The package is formed of a flexible material and includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side gussets. The package is initially sealed, e.g., by a peelable seal line. The panels and gussets each include a top portion. The package also includes a pour-through mouth, e.g., a portion of the panels and one side gusset is arranged to be removed from the remainder of the package. The pour-through mouth is located at the top of the package at one of the side gussets and is arranged to be opened by the pour-spout closure to provide access to the contents of the package. The closure includes a pair of closure sections hingedly secured to each other and each section includes a cut-away portion.

Abstract: A container for retaining articles includes a pliable sack and a closure attached to an opening of the sack. The closure includes a substantially flexible member having a pair of anchors and a substantially rigid member having a pair of pivotal seats. Each of the pivotal seats is adapted to receive a respective one of the anchors of the flexible member. The closure is positionable between a closed position in which the flexible member is substantially proximate to the rigid member and an opened position in which the flexible member is substantially separated from the rigid member. The closure may be configured to have a generally circular shape when in the opened position and a generally crescent shape when in the closed position. The seats may be configured to slidably receive the anchors to minimize complexity in the manufacturing process. Each of the rigid and flexible members preferably has a unitary construction to further reduce manufacturing costs.

Abstract: A flexible storage bag comprising at least one sheet of flexible sheet material assembled to form a semi-enclosed container having an opening defined by a hinged peripheral flange. The hinged flange includes a closure means for sealing the opening to convert the semi-enclosed container to a closed container. The bag includes at least one pair of opposed gussets formed in the sheet material extending in a direction normal to the opening and a substantially planar bottom extending in a direction substantially parallel to the opening. When the bottom is placed on a horizontal surface the container is self-supporting and maintains the opening in an open condition. The present invention also provides a flexible storage bag having an opening and a closure means for sealing the opening to convert the semi-enclosed container to a closed container.

Abstract: A plastic grocery bag opening device including a back panel securable to an interior surface of a kitchen cabinet door. A pair of side panels are pivotally coupled with the back panel. The pair of side panels each have a generally rectangular configuration defined by a vertical edge, a horizontal edge, and a diagonal edge. The vertical edge and the horizontal edge are essentially planar. The diagonal edge is essentially arcuate. The vertical edge of each side panel is hingedly coupled with opposed side edges of the back panel. The horizontal edge of each side panel has a pair of small arcuate recesses formed therein in a spaced relationship.

Abstract: An interlocking pour-spout closure for a flexible, gusseted package and a flexible gusseted package including such a closure. The package is formed of a flexible material and includes a front panel, a rear panel, and a pair of opposed side gussets. The package is initially sealed, e.g., by a peelable seal line. The panels and gussets each include a top portion. The package also includes a pour-through mouth, e.g., a portion of the panels and one side gusset is arranged to be removed from the remainder of the package. The pour-through mouth is located at the top of the package at one of the side gussets and is arranged to be opened by the pour-spout closure to provide access to the contents of the package. The closure includes a pair of closure sections hingedly secured to each other and each section includes a cut-away portion.

Abstract: A stretching apparatus includes two U-shaped frames and two pivot couplers which pivotally interconnect joint ends of the U-shaped frames. At least one coupler includes a U-shaped pivot seat and a slider. The pivot seat has two opposite upright walls and a bottom bight portion. Two adjacent joint ends of the U-shaped frames are pivotally connected to the pivot seat adjacent to the bottom bight portion to prevent downward pivotal movement of the U-shaped frames toward one another. The opposite upright walls have two pairs of positioning holes above the bottom bight portion. One of the walls has a perpendicularly extending extension plate.

Abstract: A female hinge member, and a hinge assembly including the member, includes a pair of spaced ears between which a cylindrical roller is supported for rotation about an axis parallel to the axis about which the female hinge member and a pivotally attached male hinge member are relatively rotatable. The hinge assembly is connected to opposite end portions of a framework forming part of a handbag. As the hinge members are relatively rotated in moving between open and closed positions, the roller moves along the surface of a cantilever spring on the male hinge member, in rolling contact therewith.

Abstract: A new motor vehicle trash bag for storing garbage that has accumulated in a vehicle. The inventive device includes an interior frame member having a generally V-shaped cross-section. The interior frame member has an inverted generally U-shaped inner member. The inner member has a spring member disposed thereon. The interior frame member has an inverted generally U-shaped outer member. The outer member is secured to the spring member whereby the spring member biases the outer member outwardly with respect to the inner member. The inner member and the outer member each have a pair of clips disposed thereon. The pair of clips are adapted for holding a garbage liner therebetween in an open orientation. An exterior portion is dimensioned for receiving the interior frame member therein. The exterior portion is dimensioned for positioning beneath a seat of a vehicle.

Abstract: A wire management bag (18) including a body (20) having closure mechanism, and furniture attachment system, is provided. The body (20) further includes an open top (38) and at least one opening (29) therein for egress of wires destined for other electronic or electrical equipment. The closure mechanism is preferably a portfolio-type hinged mechanism (54). The furniture attachment system preferably includes first and second hanging straps (36), (40). One end (42) of each hanging strap is attached to the body, other end (44) is hung from furniture-attached hooks (48) via a D-ring (46) in each strap. In a first alternative embodiment, the body (20) of the present invention includes one or more dividers therein for permitting the separation of various types of wiring. In a second alternative embodiment, the body includes one or more venting holes (60), (62) for allowing maximum heat dissipation.

Abstract: A chalk bag for climbers includes a flexible bag structure with an internal cavity for holding chalk and an upper opening providing a passage to the cavity when open. A closure device circumscribes the opening and when open configures the opening in substantially circular shape for receiving the hand of a climber for chalking. When closed, the closure device configures opposite walls of the bag structure in engagement with one another in a substantially half-circular arcuate configuration. The chalk bag is wedge shaped in side elevation view to dispose the shape-retaining opening in vertically open disposition when the climber is standing with the chalk bag secured at the waist in the small of the back. Consequently, the climber can access the chalk within the bag easily with either hand, and may open and close the bag with either hand and with only one hand.

Abstract: A flexible, preferably transparent, container for food or other contents has a pliable body of flexible plastic material, the body having an opening with a closure flap extending from one side of the opening. The flap forms a continuation of the body and is pivotal relative to the body to close and open the opening. A stiffened portion is disposed around a peripheral portion of the opening opposite the one side, and another stiffened portion is disposed around a periphery of the flap. These stiffened portions are hingedly connected at opposite ends of the one side. The flap stiffened portion moves inside the opening stiffened portion when the flap closes the opening. The pliable body is collapsible to a collapsed disposition for storage when empty, and is variably adapted in size between the collapsed disposition and an expanded maximum size disposition depending upon the volume of contents to be stored in the container.

Abstract: A leaf and debris yard transport for holding and transporting leaves and debris from yards comprising a mouth having a generally concave left member and a generally concave right member, each member further having two free ends; a pair of hinges, each hinge coupled to a free end of the left member and a free end of the right member with the pair creating a pivotal axis therebetween for rotation of the members thereabout; and a container further having a flexible body with a space therein for holding items and an opening coupled about the periphery of the mouth for allowing access to the space, whereby reciprocating the members away from each other about the pivotal axis causes the mouth to open, thus allowing access to the space, and reciprocating the members toward each other about the pivotal axis causes the mouth to close, thus preventing access to the space.

Abstract: A collapsible or folding storage container adapted to be mounted on a wall or other vertical support and includes a frame having a closed net dependent therefrom, and tangentially interconnected by a hinge to a first mounting plate to be secured to the wall or upright support. The frame is supported in a first position by a pair of support arms, each having a first end interconnected by a hinge to a second mounting plate attached to the wall or upright support, and a second end detachably coupled to the frame. When not in use, the frame may be detached from the support arm and be suspended from the mounting plate by the hinge. The support arms may be moved upward and stored adjacent the mounting plates. The folding storage container is preferably molded from a polymeric material in no more than three individual components. The polymeric material provides the living hinges interconnecting the mounting plates and the respective structures.

Abstract: A dishwasher bag for use in combination with an automatic dishwashing machine to ensure a thorough cleansing of small objects and articles of a fragile or delicate nature. The bag is principally comprised of an open mesh material with a large opening at the top to accommodate the convenient insertion and removal of the objects to be cleansed. The opening usually spans the approximate length of the bag and is designed to be placed and cleaned inside. The opening is reinforced usually with a rigid frame and includes a cover element with a plurality of openings to allow water to penetrate from the top. The cover is connected to the bag by one or more hinges affixed to one side of the rigid frame and includes a clasp or similar type of device to secure the cover when closed.

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 containment and disposal bag for human bodily fluids is disclosed which includes a bag having a hollow interior and a top at least partially open to receive the bodily fluids; preferably a funnel structure within the bag to channel said bodily fluids into the interior and to restrict expulsion of bodily fluids from the interior prior to sequestration; a hydrophilic material within the bag which is rapidly gellable upon contact with the bodily fluids in the bag, the gellation serving to essentially completely sequester the bodily fluids and prevent it from thereafter being expelled from the bag; and a closure to close the top of the bag after introduction of the bodily fluids into the bag. The hydrophilic material is commonly a polymer which is activated upon contact with the water-based bodily fluids and which gels rapidly (normally within thirty seconds or less) to sequester the bodily fluids.

Abstract: A reclosable package for containing and protecting product disposed therein including an initial seal and a releasable snap-closure mechanism adapted to maintain a tight closure between the product and the environment after the initial seal is broken, the snap-closure mechanism adapted to be snapped open and remain in the open position without the application of pressure so that the product may be easily dispensed therefrom and, when pressure is applied, to snap back to the closed position.

Abstract: A disposable container for solid animal waste products comprising a waterproof flexible bag, a locking support structure, a closure strip, and a removable spatula. The support structure has a locking mechanism consisting of a center stay located opposite a pair of hinged support arms that maintain the bag mouth in an open configuration when the bag is in use. The locking support structure provides for accurate placement of solid animal waste into the bag during use, and the convenient collapsibility after use. The disposable container is economical to manufacture, and is also disposable, portable, sanitary, collapsible, and sealable. The disposable container also may be reopened several consecutive times without destroying the integrity of the locking support structure.