One or more implementations of a multi-layer film include a first layer non-continuously bonded to a second pigmented layer. The multi-layer film includes an unexpected appearance differing from the appearance of the pigmented layer. In one or more embodiments, the multi-layer film includes a metallic appearance despite the pigmented layer being devoid of metallic pigment. The multi-layer film also includes areas that are visually distinct from areas of the film with the unexpected appearance. The visually-distinct areas comprise areas in which the first layer non-continuously is in intimate contact with the second pigmented layer. The visually-distinct areas have the appearance of the pigmented layer or another appearance. One or more implementations also include methods of making multi-layer films and bags with an unexpected appearance and visually-distinct areas.

The invention comprises, in an embodiment, a resealable packaging structure comprising a container having a bottom and at least one sidewall extending upwardly therefrom, wherein the sidewall terminates in a flange. A flexible resealable lid is sealed to the flange. The lid comprises a polyethylene terephthalate layer disposed adjacent the flange, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed adjacent the polyethylene terephthalate layer, and an oriented polypropylene layer disposed adjacent the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The polyethylene terephthalate layer comprises a laser scored line which penetrates through the thickness of the inner layer but not through the outer layer and defines an opening portion that can be lifted out of the plane of the inner layer, thereby creating an opening through the lid defined by the laser score line.

A liner for use with a fluid dispensing vessel. The liner includes a flexible pouch defining an interior region and configured to be placed in a fluid dispensing vessel. The pouch includes a top end that is partially sealed and that includes a first opening. The pouch includes a fluid passageway defined by at least two sealed boundaries and that leads from the opening to the interior region. The pouch includes a bottom end that includes a second opening. The liner includes a fluid dispensing fitment connected to the pouch and configured to be in fluid communication with interior region via the second opening. When fluid is poured into the interior region of the pouch through the opening, it can be dispensed from the pouch through the fitment.

A flexible package having a closure device and a lap or fin seal is provided that reduces or eliminates an air gap present at the fin or lap seal portion of packages. The package can include a film with a closure applied to the film. The flexible package can include a film having a closure device applied to the film transverse to the first and second side edges of the film, with the first side edge portion extending into the fin seal such that at least a portion of the first side edge portion eliminates an air gap between the fin or lap seal and at least one of the first and second side edge portions.

The present invention is a bag making machine (20, 30). The bag making machine (20, 30) includes: a conveying unit (37) which conveys a multi-layer film (S) in which films (13a, 13b) are overlapped; a side edge sealing device (27) which thermally fuses the films (13a, 13b) to each other; and an ultrasonic device (26) which crushes a part of a zipper member (14) disposed between films (13a, 13b). The side edge sealing device (27) includes: a platform (44); and a heat-generating head (45). The ultrasonic device (26) includes: an anvil (41); and an ultrasonic horn head (42). The heating-generating head (45) and the ultrasonic horn head (42) reciprocate at a same cycle via a link member (51).

A method of forming reinforced packages. The method can comprise forming an attached web by adhering a blank to a web of material and moving the attached web in a downstream direction through at least a tube forming assembly and a carton forming assembly. The method also can comprise at least partially forming a tube by folding at least a portion of the web of material as the attached web moves through the tube forming assembly, forming a reinforcement sleeve by folding at least a portion of the blank so that the reinforcement sleeve extends at least partially around the tube as the attached web moves through the carton forming assembly, and forming a reinforced package comprising the reinforcement sleeve and a tube portion by separating the tube portion from a remainder of the tube, the reinforcement sleeve being adhered to the tube portion.

Thermoplastic bags with phased deformation patterns are described. In particular, one or more implementations comprise thermoplastic bags with ring rolling, SELFing, or other deformation patterns phased or aligned relative to the sides of the bags. The phased deformation patterns can allow for reducing or eliminating deformation patterns in areas of the thermoplastic bag in which side seals or other seals are formed. Additionally or alternatively, the phased deformation patterns can provide for zones that provide differing properties (e.g., functional or aesthetic). Such zones can vary aligned along a width of the thermoplastic bag and optionally also vary along a height of the thermoplastic bag. The differing zones can provide the thermoplastic bags with phased deformations that provide leak prevention, liquid containment, and other benefits.

A method includes a bag forming process with a bag wicketing machine having a sideweld seal head that receives plies of web material, conveys the plies through the sideweld seal head, seals the plies together, cuts the plies to form a bag blank, and moves the bag blank onto an exit conveyor. Pressurized air from nozzles of a pneumatic blow down bar is directed at the bag blank. With an energized laser operatively mounted on the pneumatic blow down bar, the position of the pneumatic blow down bar relative to the bag blank and the exit of the sideweld seal head is adjusted so that a beam emanating from the laser is positioned against the bag blank at a desired location where pressurized air from the nozzles of the pneumatic blow down bar is directed against the bag blank and forces the bag blank into engagement with the conveyor.

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.

A method and apparatus for making bags or pouches is disclosed. It includes a track, at least two sleds that move on the track, and operating stations mounted on the sleds. The film moves along the track, and the sleds move with the film while performing operations on the film. The system can have the sled stationary while operating for an intermittent machine, and move to reconfigure when the film is moving. The operating stations include one or more of a sealer, a heater, a cooler, an inserter, a knife, a punch, a perforator, a static charger, and a printer. The track forms a continuous path or is linear. A controller controls the sleds and operating stations. The controller includes an operating time and/or a reconfiguration module. The operating time module is responsive to a user set material thickness or a sensed material thickness.