Abstract: A process, product, and system for detecting a defective vacuum in a packaged product. The process may include providing a packaged product including a product enclosed within a packaging article. The packaging article may include a film having at least one layer containing a fluorescence-based indicator. The process may further include exposing the packaged product to incident electromagnetic energy to produce an excited fluorescence-based indicator, such that the excited fluorescence-based indicator emits fluorescent electromagnetic energy; and determining, based on the fluorescent electromagnetic energy emitted by the excited fluorescence-based indicator, that gas is present within the packaging article.

Abstract: The continuity of a functional layer of a web (32, 60, 78) is assessed by forwarding the web, detecting (42, 63) the presence of the functional layer and a discontinuity and/or a thin region in the functional layer, and generating a signal in response to the discontinuity and/or thin region. The functional layer comprises a detectable component (360) in a thermoplastic composition. The detecting is carried out by a machine vision system capable of detecting the detectable component (360) in the functional layer. The detectable component (360) can be active or passive. Also included are systems for carrying out the process.

Abstract: A process for monitoring seal quality of a packaging article. In one embodiment, the process for monitoring the seal quality includes sealing a film to form packaging article and forming a seal area. The seal area is analyzed by a vision system to acquire image data of the seal area. A vision inspection engine analyzes the image date to determine the continuity of the seal, the strength of the seal, or both.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a PVDC additive blend in which an additive is blended with PVDC under high shear blending to produce a highly uniform blend in which the additive is homogeneously distributed throughout the PVDC. It has been found that performing high shear blending in multiple successive stages in which the concentration of the additive in the blend is reduced in each successive stage helps in prove the uniformity of the PVDC additive blend. For example, the high shear blending may be carried out in 2 to 6 stages, and in particular, from 2 to 4 stages. Also provided is a PVDC additive blend having a uniform blend of PVDC and an additive, such as a blend of a PVDC copolymer of vinylidene chloride and methyl acrylate and a fluorescing agent, such as 2,2?(2,5-thiophenylendiyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

Abstract: A process, product, and system for detecting a defective vacuum in a packaged product. The process may include providing a packaged product including a product enclosed within a packaging article. The packaging article may include a film having at least one layer containing a fluorescence-based indicator. The process may further include exposing the packaged product to incident electromagnetic energy to produce an excited fluorescence-based indicator, such that the excited fluorescence-based indicator emits fluorescent electromagnetic energy; and determining, based on the fluorescent electromagnetic energy emitted by the excited fluorescence-based indicator, that gas is present within the packaging article.

Abstract: An autoclavable film has a seal layer, a first tie layer, a barrier layer, a second tie layer, and a skin layer. The seal layer, skin layer, first tie layer, and second tie layer each comprise a polymer having a melt point <121° C. The seal and skin layers comprise the polymer at 5-80 wt %; the tie layers comprise the polymer at 50-100 wt %. The barrier layer comprises PVDC and/or amorphous polyamide. A packaging article is made from the autoclavable film. A retort process comprises placing a product in the packaging article, sealing the article closed, and heating the packaged product to a temperature of at least about 121° C. for ?30 minutes.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to multilayer films suitable for use in forming pouches, such as (but not limited to) bioprocessing pouches. When used in the formation of solution pouches, the disclosed films help prevent or reduce the number of seal failures, such as during transportation or use. The disclosed films comprise first and second vibration dampening layers and first and second barrier layers.

Abstract: Provided is a process for preparing a PVDC additive blend in which an additive is blended with PVDC under high shear blending to produce a highly uniform blend in which the additive is homogeneously distributed throughout the PVDC. It has been found that performing high shear blending in multiple successive stages in which the concentration of the additive in the blend is reduced in each successive stage helps in prove the uniformity of the PVDC additive blend. For example, the high shear blending may be carried out in 2 to 6 stages, and in particular, from 2 to 4 stages. Also provided is a PVDC additive blend having a uniform blend of PVDC and an additive, such as a blend of a PVDC copolymer of vinylidene chloride and methyl acrylate and a fluorescing agent, such as 2,2?(2,5-thiophenylendiyl)bis(5-tert-butylbenzoxazole).

Abstract: The continuity of a functional layer of a web (32, 60, 78) is assessed by forwarding the web, detecting (42, 63) the presence of the functional layer and a discontinuity and/or a thin region in the functional layer, and generating a signal in response to the discontinuity and/or thin region. The functional layer comprises a detectable component (360) in a thermoplastic composition. The detecting is carried out by a machine vision system capable of detecting the detectable component (360) in the functional layer. The detectable component (360) can be active or passive. Also included are systems for carrying out the process.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to multilayer films suitable for use in forming pouches, such as (but not limited to) bioprocessing pouches. When used in the formation of solution pouches, the disclosed films help prevent or reduce the number of seal failures, such as during transportation or use. The disclosed films comprise first and second vibration dampening layers and first and second barrier layers.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to polymeric films suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, such as the formation of ostomy bags, incontinence bags, medical collection bags, and the like. Specifically, the disclosed films comprise at least one barrier layer. At least one quiet layer positioned adjacent to the barrier layer incorporates sound dampening polymers. As a result, the disclosed films maintain improved sound dampening, as well as exemplary barrier characteristics and high tensile strength compared to prior art barrier films.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to monolayer or multilayer films suitable for use in forming pouches, such as (but not limited to) medical solution pouches. When used in the formation of solution pouches, the disclosed films help prevent or reduce the presence of bubbles in the solution after heat sterilization, such as autoclaving. In particular, the presently disclosed subject matter provides a polymeric film for forming pouches that are capable of passing the bubble test as set forth in the Chinese State Drug Package Container Material Standard No. YBB00112005. The disclosed film comprises at least one anti-foaming layer comprising copolyether-ester copolymer.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to polymeric films suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, such as the formation of ostomy bags, incontinence bags, medical collection bags, and the like. Specifically, the disclosed films comprise at least one barrier layer. At least one quiet layer positioned adjacent to the barrier layer incorporates sound dampening polymers. As a result, the disclosed films maintain improved sound dampening, as well as exemplary barrier characteristics and high tensile strength compared to prior art barrier films.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to methods of making and using films that serve as barriers to atmospheric oxygen. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter pertains to methods of making and using films wherein at least one layer of the film contains a blend of primary and secondary barrier components. The primary barrier component is present in the layer in an amount of from about 65 to 95 weight percent, based on the blend weight, and comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene unit content ranging from 21 to 30 mol %. The secondary barrier component is present in the layer in an amount of from about 5 to 55 weight percent, based on blend weight, and comprises ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene unit content ranging from 41 to 50 mol %.

Abstract: A noise dampening film is provided, and in particular, a film having at least one quiet layer that comprises a polymer resin and from about 5 to 50 weight percent of a styrene-vinyl polyisoprene-styrene block-co-polyisopyrene block triblock polymer. The quiet layer has a tan delta of at least about 0.27 or greater at a temperature range between about 17° C. and 40° C.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a polymeric films suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including (but not limited to) the formation of bioprocessing containers. Particularly, the disclosed films comprise a first barrier layer comprising polyglycolic acid, polyamide, EVOH, and/or an EVOH blend and a second barrier layer comprising EVOH. The dual barrier layers of the film maintain a high gas barrier under a variety of relative humidity conditions. In addition, the disclosed film is biologically inert and free from film surface-modifying additives such that the film does not inhibit the growth of biological cell cultures.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a multilayer coextruded sterilizable film that can be used for aseptic packaging applications. The film comprises an outer layer comprising a blend of a cyclic olefin copolymer with a glass transition temperature of at least 80° C. and an olefinic copolymer with a melting point of at least 125° C. The film has a storage modulus of at least 109 dynes/cm2 at temperatures of up to 140° C. An aseptic package and a method of making an aseptic package are also disclosed.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a polymeric films suitable for use in a wide variety of applications, including (but not limited to) the formation of bioprocessing containers. Particularly, the disclosed films comprise a first barrier layer comprising polyglycolic acid, polyamide, EVOH, and/or an EVOH blend and a second barrier layer comprising EVOH. The dual barrier layers of the film maintain a high gas barrier under a variety of relative humidity conditions. In addition, the disclosed film is biologically inert and free from film surface-modifying additives such that the film does not inhibit the growth of biological cell cultures.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to films that serve as barriers to atmospheric oxygen. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter pertains to monolayer and multilayer films wherein at least one layer of the film contains a blend of a 21 to 30 mol % ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer and a 41 to 50 mol % ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. Methods of making and using the disclosed films are also provided.

Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a polymeric film that comprises at least one odor absorbent layer. Specifically, the odor absorbent layer can comprise polyvinylidene chloride polymer and magnesium oxide, magnesium salt, magnesium hydroxide, zeolite, or combinations thereof. The use of the disclosed film in ostomy pouches and other medical products is also described.