Abstract: A label assembly includes a label print layer with enhanced tensile, tear, and/or stiffness properties. The enhanced property or properties may be achieved by including a reinforcement layer, including a reinforcement material in the adhesive layer, and/or modifying the facestock layer.

Abstract: UV-LED ink composition compositions containing a matrix or binder system, one or more colorants, and one or more photo-initiators. In some embodiments, the matrix or binder system is cured using one or more UV-LED sources. In some embodiments, the matrix or binder system contains one or more materials that are polymerized, crosslinked, and/or cured upon exposure to the UV-LED source. This allows the ink composition to be free of any organic solvents. After polymerization and/or crosslinking, the ink is dry. UV-LED ink compositions can be better suited for curing black inks, improve/increase productivity due to its instant on/instant off capability, and produce little or no heat. Such compositions may have environmental benefits as well as the curing process does not produce ozone and requires less exhaust air surrounding the press.

Abstract: Hot melt adhesives comprising (i) styrene butadiene copolymer, (ii) olefin block copolymer (OBC), and (iii) water white hydrogenated hydrocarbon resin are described. The adhesives exhibit high optical clarity and are relatively clear over a wide range of temperatures. The adhesives also exhibit good adhesion at cold temperatures. Also described are laminates of the adhesive with polymeric films, such as adhesive labels that can be used in labeling containers. In addition, various goods such as containers labeled using the adhesives are described.

Abstract: Microporous structures in face films are described for improving printability of the films. Also described are laminates and pressure sensitive adhesive laminates including the microporous structured face films. Various related methods are additionally described.

Abstract: Modification of functional groups along a polymer backbone to render the groups activatable upon exposure to actinic radiation is described. The polymers are typically controlled architecture polymers. Also described are adhesives containing the modified architectured polymers and related methods of use.

Abstract: RFID devices are provided for improving the performance of electronic surveillance article systems. The RFID devices may be modified in any of a number of ways to decrease their peak sensitivity and increase their bandwidth, thereby stabilizing their read range. The performance of an RFID device will depend on the nature of the article to which it is associated, such that the nature of the article to which the RFID device is to be associated may be factored into the design of the RFID device to equalize the performance at an operating frequency of RFID devices associated with different articles. By reducing the peak sensitivity and increasing the bandwidth of RFID devices in an electronic article surveillance system, the size of a transition zone between two read zones of the system may be reduced.

Abstract: RFID devices for use in electronic surveillance article (“EAS”) systems may be differently configured, resulting in different performance at the operating frequency or range of frequencies of an EAS system. The performance of differently configured RFID devices may be converged or rendered substantially similar by testing the performance of such RFID devices in a range of frequencies. At least one of the RFID devices is reconfigured to converge the performance of the RFID devices in the range of frequencies if the performance of the RFID devices is not sufficiently similar. This may include changing the configuration of an antenna, an RFID chip, and/or a non-functional component of an RFID device and/or the location in which an RFID device is associated to an article. Differently configured RFID devices may all be manufactured from the same initial configuration, with different RFID devices being differently processed before incorporation in an EAS system.

Abstract: A method of detection of unauthorized intervention into an identification structure is provided. The method includes configuring the identification structure such that the identification structure interacts with the intervention such as a physical intervention, or mechanical intervention, or electrical intervention. Further, the method involves propagating the intervention along the identification structure in such a control as to cause a detectable alteration in any predetermined attributes associated with the identification structure including a physical attribute, mechanical attribute, electrical attribute, and an optical attribute. Finally, the alteration in the attributes is detected by visual, electrical, or optical assessments or a combination of assessments.

Abstract: Compositions and methods to produce adhesive articles with active agents concentrated at the substrate contacting surface. The active agents are applied in powder form, or in combination with a liquid or gel vehicle, to the substrate contacting surface of an adhesive layer of an adhesive article. The active agent compositions are directly applied to the adhesive layer, or are first applied to a release liner, which is then brought into contact with the adhesive layer to dispose the active agent compositions to the substrate contacting surface of the adhesive layer. Upon application of the adhesive article to a substrate, the active agent is delivered to a region of interest on the substrate.

Abstract: Adhesives comprising rubber, tackifier, oil, and optionally absorbent and active ingredient are described. The adhesives are suitable for medical applications as they are repositionable on skin. Also described are medical articles using the adhesives.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing RFID device includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled thereto. The RFID chip includes a temperature sensor, while the antenna is adapted to receive energy from an RF field and produce a signal. A shielding structure and/or a thermally conductive or absorbent structure may be associated with the RFID chip. The shielding structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and an outside environment and configured to shield the temperature sensor from at least one environmental factor capable of affecting a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of an article to which the RFID device is secured. The thermally conductive or absorbent structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and the article and configured to enhance thermal coupling between the temperature sensor and the article.

Abstract: A temperature-sensing RFID device includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled thereto. The RFID chip includes a temperature sensor, while the antenna is adapted to receive energy from an RF field and produce a signal. A shielding structure and/or a thermally conductive or absorbent structure may be associated with the RFID chip. The shielding structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and an outside environment and configured to shield the temperature sensor from at least one environmental factor capable of affecting a temperature sensed by the temperature sensor of an article to which the RFID device is secured. The thermally conductive or absorbent structure is oriented so as to be positioned between at least a portion of the RFID chip and the article and configured to enhance thermal coupling between the temperature sensor and the article.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a method of manufacturing a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag on a target surface of a non-planar object may be provided. The method may include positioning an antenna on the target surface of the non-planar object, positioning a reactive RFID strap on the target surface, and coupling the reactive RFID strap to the antenna to induce an antenna response.

Abstract: In some embodiments, a radio frequency identification (RFID) device may include a reactive strap may include a conductor enclosing an area and an RFID chip connected to the conductor, the conductor enclosing an area and defining a first opening, and a flexible substrate attached to the conductor and defining a second opening. The first and second openings together may define a passage through both the conductor and the flexible backing material.