Abstract: A method for producing packaging cushioning includes successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed to a crumpling mechanism, crumpling the sheets at a second speed to convert the sheets into packaging cushion units, and controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, thereby generating a connected series of the packaging cushion units.

Abstract: A supply structure for a supply of fan-folded sheet stock material, which is positionable relative to a cushion conversion machine to provide thereto the fan-folded sheet stock material for conversion thereof into packaging cushioning. The supply structure includes two or more supports, each of the supports including a base and a riser extending upwardly from the base. The base and the riser are structured and arranged to cooperatively accommodate a stack of the fan-folded sheet stock material.

Abstract: A system for producing packaging cushioning generally includes a cushion conversion machine and a supply structure for a stack of fan-folded sheet stock material. The structure is positioned relative to the machine to supply thereto the fan-folded sheet stock material for conversion thereof into packaging cushioning, and includes an inclined, load-bearing support. The load-bearing support includes a base and a riser extending upwardly from the base, the base and the riser being structured and arranged to cooperatively accommodate the stack of fan-folded sheet stock material such that the sheet stock material is supplied to the cushion conversion machine from a top of the stack and a bottom of the stack is supported by the base. The riser is inclined at an angle relative to vertical such that the stack of fan-folded sheet stock material is also inclined at the angle, whereby, the stack is urged against the riser by force of gravity.

Abstract: A method for producing packaging cushioning includes successively feeding sheets of a substrate at a first speed to a crumpling mechanism, crumpling the sheets at a second speed to convert the sheets into packaging cushion units, and controlling at least one of the first and second speeds to produce a desired degree of overlap between successive sheets, thereby generating a connected series of the packaging cushion units.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus wherein each product is packaged by capturing the product in flexible packaging material. The packing apparatus includes a product detector for detecting the presence or absence of a product to be packaged. The detection of the product may cause the advancement of packaging material and the product through a nipping station to form a package. The failure to detect a product may cause the advancement of the packaging material to stop and conserve packaging material until a product is detected. The product detector may be a color sensor trained to detect a color of the first web, a luminescence sensor trained to detect a luminance of the first web, or a light-sensitive sensor trained to detect a difference in light passing through the first web. Also, a luminescence additive may be joined with the lower web to provide a distinct luminance.

Abstract: A bag comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber comprises an inlet end defining an inlet opening. The lower chamber defines a lower chamber interior volume less than the upper chamber interior volume. A strainer is between the bottom end of the upper chamber and the top end of the lower chamber. The strainer places the upper chamber interior volume in fluid communication with the lower chamber interior volume. The bag wall may define an outlet port. A filter patch may be attached to the bag wall to cover the outlet port. The filter patch may be adapted to entrap airborne particles having a diameter of one micron or greater carried by air passing from the bag interior volume through the filter patch. The bag may be useful in enhancing the detectability of and in reducing the exposure to contaminants that may be present in mail deposited in the bags.

Abstract: A metallic laminated gusseted insulated bag includes a front and rear wall each having two lateral edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; first and second side walls; a bottom member; and a means for hermetically closing the bag; wherein the front and rear walls are joined along their respective lateral edges to the first and second side walls; either or both of the side walls and bottom member are gusseted; and the front and rear walls are joined along their respective bottom edges to the bottom member; and the front and rear walls each include an outer ply including a metallic foil or metallic coated web, and an inner ply having an inner and outer surface, including a thermal insulating layer; the metallic foil or metallic coated web being adhered to the outer surface of the inner ply.

Abstract: A tamper evident container includes a first portion; an opening capable of providing access to the interior of the tamper evident container; a second portion; an adhesive strip adhered to the first or second portion; and a temperature sensitive tape; wherein at least one of the first portion, second portion, and temperature sensitive tape includes a radiation cured adhesive; and wherein the temperature sensitive tape is adhered to the first or second portion by means of the radiation cured adhesive. A method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A metallic laminated gusseted insulated bag includes a front and rear wall each having two lateral edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; first and second side walls; a bottom member; and a means for hermetically closing the bag; wherein the front and rear walls are joined along their respective lateral edges to the first and second side walls; either or both of the side walls and bottom member are gusseted; and the front and rear walls are joined along their respective bottom edges to the bottom member; and the front and rear walls each include an outer ply including a metallic foil or metallic coated web, and an inner ply having an inner and outer surface, including a thermal insulating layer; the metallic foil or metallic coated web being adhered to the outer surface of the inner ply.

Abstract: A mail collection apparatus comprising a housing defining an access opening. An access door is supported by the housing. The access door is moveable between a door open position, providing access to the housing interior space through the access opening, and a door closed position blocking the access opening. A chute is supported by the housing. The chute comprises an inlet end defining a chute inlet opening adapted for receiving mail and a chute outlet end defining a chute outlet opening opposite the inlet end. A bag comprises an inlet portion defining a bag inlet opening.

Abstract: A mail collection apparatus comprising a housing defining an access opening. An access door is supported by the housing. The access door is moveable between a door open position, providing access to the housing interior space through the access opening, and a door closed position blocking the access opening. A chute is supported by the housing. The chute comprises an inlet end defining a chute inlet opening adapted for receiving mail and a chute outlet end defining a chute outlet opening opposite the inlet end. A bag comprises an inlet portion defining a bag inlet opening.

Abstract: A bag comprises an upper chamber and a lower chamber. The upper chamber comprises an inlet end defining an inlet opening. The lower chamber defines a lower chamber interior volume less than the upper chamber interior volume. A strainer is between the bottom end of the upper chamber and the top end of the lower chamber. The strainer places the upper chamber interior volume in fluid communication with the lower chamber interior volume. The bag wall may define an outlet port. A filter patch may be attached to the bag wall to cover the outlet port. The filter patch may be adapted to entrap airborne particles having a diameter of one micron or greater carried by air passing from the bag interior volume through the filter patch. The bag may be useful in enhancing the detectability of and in reducing the exposure to contaminants that may be present in mail deposited in the bags.

Abstract: A server communicates bidirectionally with a gateway over a first communication link, over which service requests flow to the server for one or more merchants and/or consumers. Service requests are associated with a particular merchant based on storefront visited by a consumer or credentials presented by a merchant. Service requests result in merchant specific transactions that are transmitted to the gateway for further processing on existing host applications.

Abstract: This invention is an emulsion polymer for use as a redispersible pressure sensitive adhesive and a process for making the emulsion polymer. The polymer is the emulsion polymerization reaction product of one or more neutralized ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid monomers, one or more alkyl acrylates or methacrylates, and optionally, one or more vinyl containing monomers. The carboxylic acid functionality is either neutralized before initiation of polymerization, concurrently with the polymerization, or partially before and partially during polymerization. The polymerization occurs in the presence of a polyalkylene oxide plasticizer, having a molecular weight greater than 3000. In other embodiments, the invention is the water redispersible pressure sensitive adhesive made with the polymer, and a repulpable substrate made with the polymer.