Abstract: A shrink sleeve label is provided. Broadly, the shrink sleeve label includes an unshrunken shrink film and a varnish applied to the shrink film. The varnish is applied to the shrink film in an application area to reduce shrinking of the shrink film in the area where the varnish is applied. Additionally, the shrink sleeve label includes a secondary label that is applied to a surface of the shrink film. Further, a method of manufacturing a shrink sleeve label is provided. Broadly, the method includes providing a shrink film and seaming the shrink film into a tubular shape. Additionally, the method includes providing a secondary label and applying the secondary label to the shrink film. The secondary label is applied to the shrink film before the shrink film is applied to an article.

Abstract: A label, a method of assembling the label, and a method for using the label are presented. The label includes a base ply. A tab extends from the base ply in a longitudinal direction. The label also includes a top ply located atop and dimensioned to cover the base ply. The tab of the base ply is not covered by the top ply. The label further includes an outer layer located atop and dimensioned to cover the top ply. The tab of the base ply is secured to the outer layer. Moving the outer layer in a direction pulls a portion of the base ply from beneath the top ply such that the portion of the base ply can be visibly perceived.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for reducing the tack of adhesive ooze around components and other materials associated with articles and labeling and packaging of articles. In some embodiments, the packaging includes a substrate, an adhesive, a component, a de-tackifying agent, and an ooze zone. The substrate may be a shrink sleeve label. The adhesive may be a pressure sensitive adhesive used to attach the component to the substrate. The component may be a smart component or a promotional material. The de-tackifying agent may reduce the tackiness of the adhesive that oozes (i.e., progresses) beyond the interface of the component and the substrate into an adjacent ooze zone when heat, pressure, or heavy coat weight is applied to the packaging.

Abstract: A label including a separable article for use. The label includes a first portion adapted to be affixed to an article, and a second portion adapted to be separated from the first portion and removed from the remainder of the label. The second portion may be defined by at least one feature that facilitates removal of the second portion. And the second portion is capable of being formed into a second article following separation from the first portion, and may include an interior space capable of receiving a material therein or therethrough. The label including portion for forming a separable article may be formed in an inline process.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the dispensing of articles and, more specifically, for the dispensing of stacked articles. The apparatus may be a container including a housing having an upper surface, a lower surface, and at least one side wall. The housing defines an interior chamber; and includes a removable section, wherein removal of the removable section allows access to the interior chamber. A plurality of articles may be disposed within the interior chamber, such as in a stacked configuration. The plurality of articles including at least a first article and a second article, wherein each article has opposite first and second ends, and at least a portion of the second end of the first article is releasably attached to the second end of the second article.

Abstract: Packaging materials or labels that incorporate an anti-mold, anti-bacterial, or anti-virus substance therein or thereon. A container may include a housing defining an interior chamber adapted to receive items, the housing comprising at least one component or having at least one material disposed on at least one component, and an anti-mold, anti-bacterial, or anti-virus substance incorporated in or on the at least one component or in the at least one material. A label may include at least a first label layer and a second label layer, the first label layer being a facestock layer, and the second label layer being chosen from an adhesive, an ink, a varnish, a coating, and a protective layer, and an anti-mold, anti-bacterial, or anti-virus substance incorporated in or on the first label layer or the second label layer.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: A microwave heating device for activating a microwave-activatable foam insulating material within the dual sidewalls of a beverage cup. The device has a waveguide that defines an exposure chamber for the articles. The waveguide has a plurality of 90-degree twisted rectangular sections, for rotating a perpendicular microwave field pattern along the length of the waveguide. A continuous flexible belt made of a dielectric material passes into and through the exposure chamber along a conveying path, and is formed and maintained into a curled shape in cross section through the exposure chamber to retain the untreated beverage cup upon the curled belt.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: Various embodiments of the apparatus and methods are configured to make containers such as disposable reinforced cups using reinforcing members configured to be respectively attached to cups. The apparatus and method of various embodiments of the present disclosure sequentially heat different or selective portions of the heat activated adhesive on the reinforcing member at multiple sequential stages, steps or times to attach the reinforcing member to the container.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.

Abstract: A reinforced plastic foam cup including a body which defines an open top end and a closed bottom end, wherein the top end has a greater diameter than the bottom end. The body includes a reinforced tapered side wall that extends from the bottom end to the top end. A substantial portion of the reinforced tapered side wall includes a plastic foam layer, a pressure sensitive adhesive layer and a rigid material layer. Such reinforced plastic foam cup provides an improved tactile feel and enhanced insulation and rigidity properties.