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: A system of distributed printing for use with automated robotic sorting has at least one work cell including a robotic sorting station, and a plurality of locations that receive sorted items from the robotic sorting station, with each of the plurality of locations having a separate printer. Each printer is configured to print labels related to items received by the respective location, wherein the printers in the work cell are configured in a network that receives data relating to the labels to be printed in the respective locations. Also included is a method of using the system and operating the automated robotic sorting station to place items in the plurality of locations, and sending data to the work cell relating to the labels to be printed in the respective plurality of locations by the separate printers and in association with the items received by the respective plurality of locations.

Abstract: A multilayer self-adhesive fouling release coating composition includes an optional removable underlying liner; an adhesive layer applied over and to the optional underlying liner when the latter is present; and a synthetic material layer applied over and to the adhesive layer. Optionally, an intermediate silicone tie coat is applied over and to the synthetic material layer. A silicone fouling release top coat is applied over and to the synthetic material layer, or, when present, over and to the intermediate silicone tie coat. Optionally, a removable polymeric film is applied over and to the fouling release top coat.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for assembling an RFID device mounted to a fabric substrate via a “flip chip” approach. The system includes a pin thermode with a tip configured to penetrate the fabric substrate. The pin thermode may include or omit a heating element, with the tip being variously configured. The tip may have a variable cross-sectional area or include a plurality of projections that separately penetrate the fabric substrate, for example. If the pin thermode includes a heating element, a body of the pin thermode may be formed of a low thermal conductivity material to allow the temperature of the tip to increase without increasing the temperature of the body to the same degree. The body may define a lumen, with the tip and/or body defining an aperture for flowing a liquid out of the pin thermode and into the region surrounding the pin thermode.

Abstract: Adhesive compositions exhibiting antimicrobial properties, good stability, long shelf lives and enhanced release of antimicrobial agents are described. In certain versions, the compositions also exhibit relatively high fluid handling capacities. The adhesive compositions inhibit microbial growth by more than 2 log after 24 hours contact and particularly more than 3.5 log after 6 hours contact. Also described are various medical articles using such adhesives and related methods.

Abstract: A blockchain-based “fork chain” system and method for tracking RFID labels and other products. The method ensures authenticity at each step, and that the digital identity of a physical item can be accurately verified. The method may include: (a) receiving and verifying RFID chips manufactured by a trusted supplier; (b) creating a blockchain related to the chips; (c) assembling the chips into a roll inlay, the inlays into a carton and the cartons into a pallet; (d) updating the blockchain with roll, carton, and pallet codes; (e) taking receipt from a specific trusted individual and adding verification to the blockchain; and (f) activating a digital identity. GPS information may be associated with each step in the process to ensure that the product is properly present at the appropriate manufacturing and encoding locations. Once a digital identity is produced for the product, it may be added to by subsequent users.

Abstract: The present invention relates to heat transfers that include silicone based heat transfer inks and digitally printed toner images, particularly for use on fabrics, apparel items, garments and accessories. The present subject matter is especially suitable for use in heat-transferable labeling or creating embellishments on polyester fabrics and garments.

Abstract: Methods for forming melt processable, actinic radiation polymerizable and crosslinkable adhesives are described. In certain versions, the adhesives or pre-adhesive compositions include two initiators and are polymerized and/or crosslinked by exposure to actinic radiation such as UV light or electron beam radiation. Also described are pre-adhesive compositions including polymerizable monomers, articles including the adhesives, and various methods and systems related to the adhesives and their application. In addition, various apparatuses are described for polymerizing or crosslinking the compositions.

Abstract: Methods of making tiled articles and molds used to make retroreflective articles. The methods include forming a prism array on a master substrate and forming a replica of the master. A reference edge is formed on the replica, thereby reducing the size of the prism array, yet maintaining a lateral dimension of the replica to maintain ease of handling of the replica. The replica is copied and the reference edge on the copied tiles are exposed, such that the reference edge can be mated and secured face-to-face with a reference edge on other tiles in order to form a tiled article. The tiled article is used as a mold to produce retroreflective articles or can be further duplicated and mated to form larger tiled articles to be used as molds. Tiled articles used as molds and retroreflective articles produced from the molds are also disclosed.

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: RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an antenna defining a gap and configured to operate at a first frequency. An RFID chip is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap. A shielding structure is electrically coupled to the antenna across the gap and overlays the RFID chip. The shielding structure includes a shield conductor and a shield dielectric at least partially positioned between the shield conductor and the RFID chip. The shielding structure is configured to limit the voltage across the gap when the antenna is exposed to a second frequency that is greater than first frequency. In additional embodiments, RFID tags are provided for incorporation into the packaging of a microwavable food item, with the RFID tag being configured to be safely microwaved. The RFID tag includes an RFID chip and an antenna electrically coupled to the RFID chip.

Abstract: Various fastening tape closure assemblies are described. The closure tapes are useful in the manufacture of disposable articles, and particularly disposable diapers. The closure tapes generally include a fastening component, an extension component, and a bonding component. The tape systems provide a new folding configuration and reduced adhesive along a face of the extension component. Also described are disposable articles utilizing the tape closure assemblies.

Abstract: Articles on flexible webs with different pitches are assembled together by displacing portions between articles of one web out of plane to move the articles on that web to the same pitch as the other web, aligning the two webs to register corresponding articles on the two webs, and assembling the corresponding articles together. The assembly may be used for example in the making of RFID tags, labels and inlays.

Abstract: A composite image heat transfer is disclosed for use on specific merchandising articles, sports jerseys, or other apparel for a specific sport. A scannable mark would be embedded in a heat transfer positioned on a sports jersey, such as a jersey number or a club crest. The scannable mark would be scanned by a user to provide stats, personal information, or other information about the corresponding sports team/club and/or individual athlete. The user can also register the scannable mark and follow the sports team/club and/or athlete on social media. Thus, the composite image heat transfer with embedded scannable mark would link each jersey number with information related to the corresponding player/athlete, and each club crest would be linked to information related to the corresponding club/team. This would enable a strong interaction through social media and other web tools between athletes and/or clubs and fans.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for logging temperatures of food products using a temperature assembly including a housing and one or more temperature sensors, e.g., an infrared sensor for surface temperatures and an elongate probe for acquiring a temperature within a food product, and a mobile electronic device including a camera, a communication interface for communicating with the temperature assembly, a processor configured to acquire a temperature reading from the temperature assembly and an image from the camera when the temperature reading is acquired, and memory for storing the temperature reading and image.

Abstract: Methods and systems form shaped wire lengths of flexible wire materials by use of dispensing heads and movement of same in a direction along an axis different from the axis of movement followed by a web of material with which the thus formed shaped wire lengths are combined or to which the thus formed shaped wired are secured or adhered by adhesives applied onto the web prior to or during dispensing. Items are prepared that are suitable for use as antenna components of RFID devices. Also, RFID elements can be positioned on the web and the shaped wire length applied to the RFID element to provide a combination RFID device having both antenna and RFID element. Shaping of the flexible wires is achieved in manufacturing times substantially shorter than other methods and systems.

Abstract: Cure in place pressure sensitive adhesive compositions are described that comprise one or more of a bodying component, a structural diluent, a radical diluent as well as additives such as crosslinkers, external catalysts, photoinitiators and stabilizers/process aids. The bodying component can be acrylic or non-acrylic.