Abstract:
A vacuum pump comprises a casing having a bottom forming an aperture therein and a chamber slidably coupled within the casing. The chamber has a bottom forming an aperture therein. The vacuum pump further comprises a piston slidably coupled within the chamber. The piston includes an upper portion generally parallel to the chamber bottom. The piston further includes a hollow shaft extending from a bottom surface of the upper portion. The shaft has a first end adjacent to the upper portion and a second opposing end. The shaft is configured to fit within the chamber aperture and the casing aperture. The shaft includes at least one aperture positioned at the first end. The second end of the shaft is coupled to the casing at the casing aperture. The vacuum pump is configured to evacuate air from a flexible storage container by pushing the chamber in a downward direction.
Abstract:
The present invention relates to compositions comprising blends of alkenyl aromatic polymers such as styrenic polymers (i.e. PS and HIPS) and bio-based or biodegradable polymers (i.e. PLA, PGA, PHA, PBS, PCL) compatibilized with styrene-based copolymers (i.e. styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS) block copolymers, maleated SEBS, styrene-maleic anhydride (SMA) copolymer, styrene- methyl methacrylate (SMMA) copolymer) or a mixture of two or more styrene-based copolymers such as SEBS and SMA. These novel compositions can be extruded and thermoformed to produce very low density food service and consumer foam articles such as plates, hinged lid containers, trays, bowls, and egg cartons with good mechanical properties.
Abstract:
A fastener for a plastic bag includes first and second mutually engageable track portions and a slider for engaging and disengaging the track portions. In a preferred embodiment, the slider includes a core portion and an end portion. The core portion is made of a first material having a first preselected material property. The end portion is made of a second material having a second preselected material property and is arranged at opposing ends of the slider.
Abstract:
A container (100) includes a first tray (220), and a second tray(110) disposed within the space of the first tray to define a reservoir therebetween. The first tray has a first bottom wall (325) and a surrounding first sidewall (321), which extends generally upwardly from the first bottom wall to define a space therein. The second tray has a second bottom wall (113) and a surrounding second sidewall (111), which also extends generally upwardly from the second bottom wall. The second bottom wall has at least one aperture (115) defined in a central region thereof, and also has an upper surface, which slopes downwardly toward the at least one aperture. The reservoir defined between the first and second trays (110, 220) is in fluid communication with the aperture (115).
Abstract:
A container assembly comprises a first container and a second container. The first container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim. The rim has a first plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that first spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim. The rim has a second plurality of ribs projecting generally upwardly therefrom such that second spaces are formed between adjacent ribs. The second rim and the first rim are shaped substantially the same. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably lockable to each other by fitting the first plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective second spaces and fitting the second plurality of upwardly-projecting ribs into respective first spaces. The first container may be shaped substantially the same as the second container
Abstract:
A polymeric container assembly comprises first and second polymeric containers. The first polymeric container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first surface of the first rim includes a first cohesive. The second polymeric container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The second surface of the second rim includes a second cohesive. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.
Abstract:
A paper container assembly comprises first and second paper containers. The first paper container includes a first continuous body portion and a first rim having a first surface. The first rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the first body portion. The first surface of the first rim includes a first cohesive. The second paper container includes a second continuous body portion and a second rim having a second surface. The second rim encompasses and projects laterally outwardly from the second body portion. The second surface of the second rim includes a second cohesive. The first container and the second container are adapted to be releasably attachable to each other by pressing the first and second rims together such that the first cohesive and the second cohesive contact and releasably attach to each other.
Abstract:
A nestable or stackable container having at least one recess (120) formed in the sidewall (114) of the container (100) to improve wall strength integrity. The surface of the recess further including texturing (124) to improve grippability such that the container can be grasped in any direction while providing improved tactile engagement. Engaging portions include an annular shoulder (146) to maintain spacing between adjacent stacked containers, and depressions to define antirotational interlock (142) between adjacent stacked containers.
Abstract:
Low density expanded and extruded thermoplastic polymer foams are obtained using an environmentally benign non-VOC and non-HAP methyl formate as a blowing agent. The blowing agent can be a blend further including at least one co-blowing agent, preferably an environmentally friendly species (e.g., non-VOC and/or non-HAP). The co-blowing agent is either a physical co-blowing agent (e.g. an inorganic agent, a hydrocarbon, a halogenated hydrocarbon, a hydrocarbon with polar, functional group(s), water or any combination thereof), or a chemical co-blowing agent, or combinations thereof. The thermoplastic polymer foam can be an alkenyl aromatic polymer foam, e.g. a polystyrene foam. The blowing agent blend can include any combination of methyl formate and one or more co-blowing agents. The methyl formate-based blowing agent blends produce stable foams for various applications, including containers, packaging systems, as well as insulation boards and building materials. Processes for the preparation of such foams are also provided.
Abstract:
Packages with active agents are described. Generally, each disclosed package (10) has a pair of opposing body panels (16, 18) joined together along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the sides, a reclosable fastener (14) extending along a mouth formed opposite the bottom, and an active agent (50) . The active agent (50) is associated with at least one of the body panels (16, 18) and includes a freshness-extension agent to inhibit spoilage of perishable products disposed in the package and manage, mask, and/or neutralize odors from such products disposed in the package.