Abstract: A composite material wherein one or more backing materials are disposed in generally contiguous relation to an insulating material. Methods for forming composite materials comprising securing one or more backing materials to an insulating material such that the backing materials are in generally contiguous relation to the insulating material. Methods for using the composite materials of the present invention wherein a structure is wrapped with a composite material of the present invention.

Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.

Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.

Abstract: The invention provides an absorbent pad for a case-ready package that has a controlled rate of wicking. The packaging comprises a support member, a food product that exudes liquids positioned on the support member, an absorbent pad between the food product and the support member, and a lid member enclosing the package. The absorbent pad is composed of an upper layer, an intermediate absorbent layer, and a lower layer. The upper and lower layers extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent layer and are attached directly to one another. Preferably, the upper and lower layers are composed of nonwoven materials that are coated with a hydrophilic composition. Typically the upper layer will be a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded web and the lower layer will be a spunbonded web. The hydrophilic coating wicks liquid exuded by the food product into the absorbent layer, and therefore prevents the accumulation of liquids within the support member.

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: An inflatable cushioning article is made by a process of extruding two multilayer films (or extruding one film which is either annular or folded over) each having (a) a seal layer, (b) a tie layer containing an anhydride modified olefin polymer containing anhydride at a level of at least 150 ppm, based on the weight of the modified olefin polymer, and (c) an oxygen barrier layer comprising crystalline polyamide, crystalline polyester, ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyacrylonitrile, and/or crystalline polycycloolefin. Selected portions of the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area providing a heat seal pattern which leaves inflatable chambers between the films, whereby an inflatable cellular cushioning article is produced. At some point after extrusion, at least one of the multilayer films are aged for a time and at a temperature in accordance with at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (i) 141° F. to 250° F. for a period of at least 1 second; (ii) 101° F.

Abstract: An inflatable cushioning article is made from a multilayer film having a seal layer, a gas barrier layer, and a tie layer adhering the seal layer to the gas barrier layer. The cushioning article has a plurality of inflatable chambers, with each of the chambers having a plurality of cells connected in series to one another via inflation channels. Although the inflatable article can be made from relatively thin films, the article exhibits a relatively high burst pressure and can be inflated to, for example 3 psi, and withstand conditions such as 140° F. and high altitude, without film delamination, seal failure, or film rupture. Preferably, the tie layer comprises an anhydride modified polyolefin having an anhydride content of at least 150 ppm.

Abstract: An inflatable cushioning article is made from a multilayer film having a seal layer, a gas barrier layer, and a tie layer adhering the seal layer to the gas barrier layer. The cushioning article has a plurality of inflatable chambers, with each of the chambers having a plurality of cells connected in series to one another via inflation channels. Although the inflatable article can be made from relatively thin films, the article exhibits a relatively high burst pressure and can be inflated to, for example 3 psi, and withstand conditions such as 140° F. and high altitude, without film delamination, seal failure, or film rupture. Preferably, the tie layer comprises an anhydride modified polyolefin having an anhydride content of at least 150 ppm.

Abstract: An envelope includes a front wall having two lateral edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge; and a rear wall having two lateral edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge, the front and rear walls joined along their respective lateral and bottom edges; wherein the front and rear walls each have an outer ply including an outer layer including a propylene polymer or copolymer, polyamide or copolyamide, or polyester or copolyester, and an inner layer including an ethylene homopolymer or copolymer; and an inner ply including an inner and outer surface, including an air cellular or foamed material; the inner surface of the outer ply being adhered to the outer surface of the inner ply. A closure flap or other closure device, and one or more intermediate layers, can optionally be included in the envelope.

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 packaging structure useful as retention and suspension packaging. The packaging structure comprises a frame and a film connected to the frame. The film comprises first and second layers. The first layer is an outer layer of the film and comprises polyethylene polymer having a density of at least about 0.910 g/cc. The first layer comprises no more than about 20% of the total thickness of the film. The second layer comprises ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of less than about 0.910 g/cc. The film has an elastic recovery in each of the transverse and longitudinal directions of at least about 60% measured according to ASTM D5459-95 at 100% strain, 30 seconds relaxation time, and 60 second recovery time.

Abstract: A forensic evidence container includes a first flexible panel, the first flexible panel including a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of at least 10 gm/24 hours-100 square inches; a second flexible panel, the second flexible panel including a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of equal to or less than 5 gm/24 hours-100 square inches; an opening capable of providing access to the interior of the forensic evidence container; an adhesive, applied to the first panel or second panel, having a free surface so arranged as to seal the opening on superposition of the first panel and the second panel; and a tamper evident device arranged on the first or second panel. A peelable flexible third panel, including a material having a moisture vapor transmission rate of equal to or less than 5 gm/24 hours-100 square inches, can optionally be peelably adhered to the first flexible panel.

Abstract: A cellular cushioning article comprises first and second multilayer films each having first and second outer layers, each of which contains an olefin-based polymer, and an inner O2-barrier layer. At least one of the O2-barrier layers contains recycled polyester. The first multilayer film is laminated to the second multilayer film so that a plurality of cells are formed between the first multilayer film and the second multilayer film. The cells can be discrete, fluid-filled cells produced by forming one or both of the films. Alternatively, the cushioning article can be an inflatable article in which the films are adhered to one another in a pattern to form a series of inflatable chambers connected by inflatable passageways terminating in a dead-end chamber. Processes for making the articles are also disclosed.

Abstract: An integrated process for making an inflatable laminated article comprises extruding a first film and a second film, followed by cooling the first film and the second film so that the films will not fuse to one another upon contact with each other. The films are then brought into contact with one another, and selected portions of one or both films are heated so that the films are heat sealed to one another in a selected area having a desired pattern. The unsealed area between the film provides inflatable chambers between the first film and the second film. An alternative process utilizes a film tubing in lay-flat configuration to produce a laminated inflatable article.

Abstract: A composite material wherein one or more backing materials are disposed in generally contiguous relation to an insulating material. Methods for forming composite materials comprising securing one or more backing materials to an insulating material such that the backing materials are in generally contiguous relation to the insulating material. Methods for using the composite materials of the present invention wherein a structure is wrapped with a composite material of the present invention.