A flexible, sterilizable pouch includes a first gas-impermeable web, a second gas-permeable web, and the third gas-impermeable web. The webs are arranged and sealed to form a cavity portion of the pouch and a header portion of the pouch. The header portion of the pouch is gas-permeable through the second gas-permeable web. The cavity portion of the pouch is configured to hold a medical device for sterilization and is configured to be sealed from the header portion after sterilization, thereby making the cavity portion gas-impermeable. The header is also configured to be removed from the pouch, leaving the cavity portion.

A child-resistant reclosable bag includes a container configured to retain one or more items within a product portion. A zipper is coupled to the container. The zipper is above the product portion. The zipper includes one or more primary seals, and one or more secondary seals at one or more defined locations. The one or more secondary seals at the one or more defined locations identify opening areas on the product portion. The opening areas are configured to be grasped and pulled apart to open the zipper.

A method and apparatus for forming pouches and/or bags is disclosed. A seal and/or insert is crushed using a multiphase sealer or crusher.

A system for applying a fastening material to a substrate is provided. The system may include a first material source including the substrate. The substrate may define a first length extending from a first edge to a second edge and the first material source may feed the substrate in a first direction transverse to the first length. The system may additionally include a second material source including the fastening material. The fastening material may define a second length extending from a third edge to a fourth edge, whereby the second length is substantially equal to the first length and the second material source feeds the fastening material in a second direction transverse to the second length. The system may also include an applicator system that secures the fastening material to the substrate.

A form, fill and seal machine for making a reclosable package with a reclosable fastener includes a reclosable fastener handling assembly, a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly and a sealing jaw assembly. The handling assembly includes a flattening device, a reclosable fastener feed device and a slack sensor. A form, fill and seal machine alternatively includes a forming tube, a vertical seal assembly disposed adjacent the forming tube, wherein the vertical seal assembly is configured to continuously seal the film tube, and a tear notch applicator positioned downstream of the vertical seal assembly and configured to apply a slit to the continuously moving film tube. The tear notch applicator is positionally fixed in the machine direction. Methods for continuously forming a reclosable package are also provided.

A flexible container is provided. The flexible container includes four panels. The four panels form (i) a body portion; (ii) a neck portion, and a flare portion that extends from the neck portion; (iii) a tapered transition portion between the body portion and the neck portion; and (iv) the neck portion has a reduced width. The flare portion has an expanded end. The width of the flare portion gradually increases from the neck portion to the expanded end.

A vertical flow-wrapper, which produces packages from a packaging material, the vertical flow-wrapper includes: a form-fill tube, a form shoulder, a longitudinal-sealing means, a cross-sealing means/cutting means, and means to attach a reclosure means to the packaging material, the form shoulder is an asymmetrical form shoulder and the means are at least partially provided within vertical boundaries of the asymmetrical form shoulder.

A flexible container is provided. The flexible container includes four panels. The four panels form (i) a body portion; (ii) a neck portion, and a flare portion that extends from the neck portion; (iii) a tapered transition portion between the body portion and the neck portion; and (iv) the neck portion has a reduced width. The flare portion has an expanded end. The width of the flare portion gradually increases from the neck portion to the expanded end.

A child resistant bag includes: a front piece, a rear piece, a first zipper tape, a second zipper tape and a protective sheet; wherein both sides and a lower side of the first piece are respectively connected with the second piece; an up side of the first piece and an up side of the rear piece are both opened; the first zipper tape is provided on an internal face on the up side of the front piece; wherein an entire surface of a single face of the first zipper tape is integrally adhered and connected with the front piece; the second zipper tape is provided on an internal face on the up side of the rear piece; wherein the second zipper tape is adhered and connected into one body with the rear piece only by a low side portion.

A system and a method for closing, in an automated way, at least one package having a reversibly closeable interlocking element comprising a first complementary element and a second complementary element extending between two extremities. The system includes a pressing element, configured to press the first complementary element against the second complementary element by sliding between the two extremities, and a counteracting element, configured to stop the second complementary element when the pressing element presses the first complementary element against the second complementary element, in such a way that the first complementary element and the second complementary element interlock with each other along their entire length.