Abstract: The invention is a method of measuring oxygen concentration in a package having an oxygen sensitive product disposed therein. The method includes exposing a luminescent compound that is disposed in an interior of the package to light having a wavelength that is absorbed by the luminescent compound so that the luminescent compound is promoted into an excited state. When the exposure of the light is terminated, the excited luminescent compound emits light that is detectable by a detector positioned outside of the package. The intensity of the emitted light is inversely proportional to the oxygen concentration and is used in conjunction with mathematical function that describes the luminescent intensity of the luminescent compound as a function of oxygen concentration and temperature to calculate the oxygen concentration. The method may be used to verify and track the oxygen concentration of a package as it moves through a distribution system.

Abstract: The invention is a UV sensitive composition that undergoes a color change upon exposure to a predetermined dosage of UV-C radiation. The UV-C sensitive composition comprises a halogenated polymer, such as polyvinylidene chloride, that produces an acid upon exposure to UV radiation, and a pH sensitive dye. Upon exposure to UV-C radiation, the halogenated polymer undergoes degradation and produces HCl. The pH sensitive dye changes color as a result in an increase in HCl in the system. The composition may also include an acid scavenging composition and/or a diluent to control the amount of HCl produced in the system. The amount of HCl liberated from UV-C exposure may be selectively controlled so that a color change may be produced at a desired UV-C dosage. In some embodiments, the composition may be used to indicate a UV-C dosage from about 100 to 1600 mJ/cm2.

Abstract: An apparatus and non-invasive method of measuring oxygen by exciting a luminescent compound disposed in a container and then measuring the intensity of the light emitted by the excited luminescent compound as it relaxes to the ground state. A plot of emission intensity as a function of time results in an exponential decay curve the area of which is inversely proportional to the oxygen concentration. The oxygen concentration can be determined over a wide temperature range by measuring the temperature of the container and the emission intensity and then applying the following equation: [O2]=(ATa(T)2+BTa(T)+CTa)(tau)2+(ATb(T)2+BTb(T)+CTb)(tau)+(ATc(T)2+BTc(T)+CTc) T is the measured temperature; tau is the area of the exponential decay curve; and ATa, BTa, CTa, ATb, BTb, CTb, ATc, BTc, and CTc are coefficients that are specific to the luminescent compound being examined.

Abstract: The invention is a UV sensitive composition that undergoes a color change upon exposure to a predetermined dosage of UV-C radiation. The UV-C sensitive composition comprises a halogenated polymer, such as polyvinylidene chloride, that produces an acid upon exposure to UV radiation, and a pH sensitive dye. Upon exposure to UV-C radiation, the halogenated polymer undergoes degradation and produces HCl. The pH sensitive dye changes color as a result in an increase in HCl in the system. The composition may also include an acid scavenging composition and/or a diluent to control the amount of HCl produced in the system. The amount of HCl liberated from UV-C exposure may be selectively controlled so that a color change may be produced at a desired UV-C dosage. In some embodiments, the composition may be used to indicate a UV-C dosage from about 100 to 1600 mJ/cm2.

Abstract: A method of activating the shrink characteristic of a film comprises two steps. First, a film comprising one or more thermoplastic polymers and at least about 0.01 weight % photothermic material is provided. Second, the film is exposed to an amount of non-ionizing radiation effective for the photothermic material to generate heat to cause an effect selected from one or more of: 1) shrinking the film by at least about 5% in at least one direction, and 2) increasing the tension in the film by at least about 50 pounds per square inch in at least one direction.

Abstract: A tubular lay-flat film includes outer polymeric layers, at least one intermediate layer including a polyamide, and self-welded polymeric layers in contact with one another; wherein in various embodiments (a) the outer polymeric layers each include a blend of an olefinic polymer and a polydimethylsiloxane; (b) the at least one intermediate layer including a polyamide includes a blend of polyamide and ionomer resin; and (c) the self-welded polymeric layers each include a blend of an anhydride grafted ethylene copolymer having a density of from 0.916 to 0.935 grams/cubic centimeter, and a single site catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from 0.85 to 0.915 grams/cubic centimeter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a process for detecting a leak in a package. The process comprises preparing a package by covering at least a portion of an O2-sensitive product with a multilayer film comprising (i) a leak-indicator layer in which a O2-sensitive indicator is present throughout the leak-indicator layer; and (ii) an O2-barrier layer outward of the leak-indicator layer. A low O2-environment is provided within the package. The leak-indicator layer is then illuminated with light containing a wavelength absorbed by the O2-sensitive indicator, so that the O2-sensitive indicator produces an emission of radiation in an amount inversely proportional to a level of O2 present with the O2-sensitive indicator. Then the multilayer film is scanned while the O2-sensitive indicator is emitting radiation, the scanning being carried out by sensing and comparing the amount of radiation emitted from at least two different regions of the multilayer film.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an oxygen scavenger composition comprising a mixture of (i) a polyester polymer composed of polymer segments containing cycloalkenyl group or functionality; and (ii) an ester type polymer selected from (a)a polyester having a high content of alkylene groups; (b) a polylactone; and (c) a polyvinylacetate having at least about 50 weight percent vinyl acetate mer units therein. The present polymer composition has been found to act as an oxygen scavenger agent under both ambient and refrigerated conditions, to be compatible with conventional film forming packaging materials, to provide compositions exhibiting low tack, and to be capable of being readily processed using conventional film forming equipment.

Abstract: A method of increasing the gas transmission rate of a packaging film comprises providing a packaging film that comprises at least about 0.001 weight % of single-walled carbon nanotube material based on the weight of the film. The packaging film is exposed to an amount of radiation energy effective to increase the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging film by at least about 100 cc (STP)/m2. day (1 atm, 0% RH, 23° C).

Abstract: A bag includes a first and second panel; first and second layflat side edges; a bottom edge; and a bag mouth; at least one of the layflat side edges, and the bottom edge, includes a radiation cured adhesive layer bonding the first and second panels together. A thermoformed container includes a forming web and a substantially non-forming web; and a radiation cured adhesive layer disposed between and bonding at least portions of the forming web and the substantially non-forming web. A film/foam composite includes a thermoplastic film and a polymeric foam sheet; and a radiation cured adhesive layer disposed between and bonding at least portions of the thermoplastic film and the polymeric foam sheet. An inflatable packaging cushion includes a plurality of flexible plastic sheets bonded together in the region of their edges; a radiation cured adhesive layer bonds at least a portion of the flexible plastic sheets together.

Abstract: Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc., comprise one or more layers of a thermoplastic, homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, as well as many others. The homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a monolayer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers therto. Finally, also included is an RF-sealable film comprising such copolymers.

Abstract: Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc., comprise one or more layers of a thermoplastic, homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, as well as many others. The homogeneous alpha-olefin-vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a mono-layer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto. Finally, also included is an RF-sealable film comprising such copolymers.