A method of sealing reinforced packages. The method can comprise moving an open-ended package in a downstream direction on a package conveyor by engaging the open-ended package with a chain flight of the package conveyor moving in the downstream direction. The method further can comprise forming a bag with a closed end by engaging at least a seal portion of a tail section of an open-ended tube portion of the open-ended package between the chain flight of the package conveyor and a hot plate positioned adjacent the package conveyor. The chain flight can move with the tail section in the downstream direction relative to the hot plate, which can transfer thermal energy to the tail section to at least partially form a seal along the seal portion in the tail section to at least partially form the closed end of the bag.

A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.

Apparatus for manufacturing an open-mouth bag of at least one layer of a flexible bag material, and method of manufacturing a bag by such apparatus. The apparatus includes a shaping device with a shaping box in the contour of the bag shape to be formed, with a top end and a bottom end, a conveying device for transporting the bag material along the shaping box, a closing device for joining the bag material along the shaping box to form a tube, and a closing station for generating a bag bottom, which is disposed beneath the bottom end of the shaping box. A partial vacuum device is configured to generate intermittently, a partial vacuum. When manufacturing a bag, the bag material is draped around the shaping box in the contour of the bag shape to be formed as continuous material and is joined to form a tube by the closing device.

A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.

A thermoplastic film which exhibits elastic-like behavior along at least one axis when stretched or elongated and then released. The thermoplastic film comprises a plurality of raised rib-like elements extending in a direction perpendicular to a main surface of the thermoplastic film. The thermoplastic film further includes a plurality of web areas positioned about the plurality of raised rib-like elements. The plurality of raised rib-like elements and plurality of web areas are arranged in a complex pattern. The complex pattern provides visual and tactile cues as the films are stretched or elongated. The complex pattern can cause the thermoplastic film to have a complex stretch profile.

According to some illustrative embodiments, a system and method is provided that includes, e.g., means for continuously conveying an assembly of layered sheets including a first paper sheet, at least one expanded sheet and a second paper sheet in a conveying flow between, e.g., a rotary mandrel or member at an upstream position in a direction of conveyance and a rotary die crushing and cutting tool, with said rotary mandrel or member and said rotary die crushing and cutting tool maintaining the at least one expanded sheet in an expanded state, said rotary tool having a crushing component that crushes a portion of the at least one expanded sheet such as to form a flap forming region of an envelope and a cutting component that cuts the assembly of layered sheets such as to separate individual envelope units.

Improvements to asynchronous spatial listen before talk (LBT) procedures are disclosed. In a shared spectrum network spatial LBT procedures are used for directionally targeting the channel reservation process. Prior to transmitting channel reservation signaling, the transmitter and receiver determine an effective interference considering available multiple input, multiple output (MIMO) configuration information. When the effective interference exceeds a predefined threshold, the node may without transmission of its channel reservation signal. Otherwise, when the effective interference remains within the threshold, each node's transmitted channel reservation signal may also identify at least a beamforming matrix either as payload or used to precode the node's channel reservation signal.

The present invention relates generally to a protective wrap and a protective envelope or pouch: made therefrom, as well as the apparatus and: process for forming such wraps and envelopes. Water-based heat-expandable adhesives (WBHEA) which include a plurality of heat-expandable microspheres are disposed in a pattern between, web substrates on a continuous, high speed manufacturing line to produce padded, insulated products: useful as envelopes, mailers and other protective packaging.

The present disclosure relates to strata 2-ply drawstring trash bags implementing a J-flap extended hem to provide increased top-of-bag strength. In one or more embodiments, the J-flap extended hem includes a 2-ply web folded back on itself (e.g., during a hem folding operation to enclose the drawstring within a hem channel). In one or more implementations, a hem seal secures the 2-ply web to an inside surface of the trash bag. At least one ply of the 2-ply web fold-over extends past the hem seal and is additionally secured to the inside surface of the trash bag via one or more hem skirt seals. For reduced material consumption in certain embodiments, the J-flap extended hem of the present disclosure imparts added strength using only one ply of the 2-ply web fold-over. In some embodiments, at least one ply of the 2-ply web fold-over includes ring-rolled portions to add top-of-bag strength.

One or more implementations of a multi-film thermoplastic bag with a grab zone of contact areas positioned in a high-touch area of the bag. For example, the multi-film thermoplastic bag includes one or more regions of a first film in contact with a second film at one or more contact areas. The grab zone regions of one or more contact areas are located in visible and high-touch areas to provide visual and tactile cues of strength and durability. Moreover, the grab zone regions of one or more contact areas serve to distribute pull and lift forces across a wider area in order to avoid common failures in high-touch areas such as over stretching, punctures, tears, and rips.