There is provided a pack (10) for a product (12) which is sealingly retained in a volume defined by first and second films (13, 14) sealingly secured about a periphery. The pack has an openable portion through which a liquid contained in the product (12) can be dispensed. One of the films (14) has a pre-formed hinge (20) across at least part of the volume to assist folding of, and liquid extraction from, the product (12). The pre-formed hinge (20) may be in the form of a pre-formed fold line.

A novel food dispensing device is described which includes a tubular container for holding the food to be consumed, a pushing apparatus which fits inside of the container like a piston in a cylinder and is moved upward to push the food out of an opening in the container. This will allow handicapped persons, or other users that only have one free hand to feed themselves, since it only requires a single hand to operate. In other embodiments the pushing apparatus is mechanized allowing for feeding oneself with no hands. In alternate embodiments, there is also a beverage container and a tube ending near the container opening, allowing one to drink the beverage from the tube by only having to move his/her head and without the user to physically change positions.

Provided herein are methods and compositions comprising a non-toxic ferromagnetic ink composition. Also provided herein are plastic objects containing a surface coating of a food-safe ferromagnetic ink composition. The coating imparts functionality to a plastic object such that the object is capable of being mechanically separated from waste stream using a commercial magnetic separator. The food-safe ink composition, which can be printed using high-speed flexographic, intaglio, offset printing or pad printing, combined with heat transfer printing or hot foil stamping consists of an ingestible magnetically susceptible pigment capable of rendering the printed template with magnetically active properties. The surface of the plastic object described can consist of geometric designs which increase printable surface area without significant changes in dimensions of the said object.

A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.

A utensil dispenser including a reservoir that stores utensils and front and rear pedestals in contact with a next utensil. The pedestals contain a plurality of utensils within the reservoir. A gravity feed ramp moves the next utensil to an access port of the utensil dispenser. The utensil dispenser includes an actuator operably connected to a drive pin or other drive mechanism. The actuator is configured to halt a dispensing utensil at a ready position based upon contact between the dispensing utensil and the actuator. In the ready position, a handle portion of the dispensing utensil is accessible via the access port. The drive mechanism is configured to contact the next utensil. The actuator is configured to move the drive mechanism to move the next utensil to clear the front pedestal to release the next utensil from the reservoir onto the gravity feed ramp when the dispensing utensil is dispensed.

A system and method for forming reinforced packages. The method can comprise forming an attached web by adhering a construct to a web of material, and moving the attached web in a downstream direction through at least a web edge forming assembly. The moving the attached web can comprise moving the construct with the web of material. The method further can include at least partially forming a folded web by folding at least a portion of the web of material as the attached web moves through the web folding assembly and forming a reinforced package comprising a liner and the construct by separating the liner from a remainder of the folded web. The construct is adhered to the liner.

A system and method for forming reinforced packages. The method can comprise forming an attached web by adhering a construct to a web of material, and moving the attached web in a downstream direction through at least a web edge forming assembly. The moving the attached web can comprise moving the construct with the web of material. The method further can include at least partially forming a folded web by folding at least a portion of the web of material as the attached web moves through the web folding assembly and forming a reinforced package comprising a liner and the construct by separating the liner from a remainder of the folded web. The construct is adhered to the liner.

A container comprising an outer shell formed from a plurality of elongate wall members. Lip portions extend outwardly from along longitudinal sides of each of the wall members such that inner surfaces of the lip portions face each other. Inner surfaces of the lip portions include a press seal mechanism such that pressing inwardly on outer surfaces of adjacent lip portions engages the press seal mechanism to form a plurality of seams securing adjacent wall members together

A device designed to secure a condiment, sauce, or food container on the lid of a beverage container is described. The device and its related embodiments provide a means for holding a condiment, sauce, or food container in such a manner that lateral and/or vertical movement is restricted and/or prevented to reduce the occurrence of container displacement or spillage of contents while enabling greater freedom and use of hands. The device contains features which utilize common features of a beverage container such as the straw, lid lip, or container edge to secure the device and its contents to the beverage container.

There is provided a pack (10) in the form of a stirrer for a hot or cold beverage. The stirrer comprises first and second films (13, 14) sealingly connected around a periphery to enclose a volume in which is disposed a liquid. The liquid is conveniently disposed in an elongate channel (15) formed in one of the films. Openable portions (17, 55) are provided at respective ends of the stirrer, one openable portion (17) allowing the liquid to flow out once opened and the other openable portion (55) acting as a vent. Each openable portion is opened by peeling apart the two films and has a stronger connection (52, 57) provided to limit the opening of the ends.