Abstract: A transferable film includes a carrier layer and an intermediate film portion. The carrier layer is configured to receive one or more additional layers and to be releasable from the one or more additional layers temporally proximate to an application of the transferable film to an object. The intermediate film portion includes a readable conductive image portion and is configured for application thereto of an adhesive layer. The intermediate film portion is configured to be interposed between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer configured to adhere to the object for the application of the transferable film to the object.

Abstract: A front panel overlay having a plurality of layers and one or more logic circuits incorporated therein is disclosed. One of the plurality of layers may have a first electrical contact and another one of the plurality of layers may have a second electrical contact. The one or more logic circuits may be incorporated at least indirectly within the plurality of layers and may be activated when the first electrical contact completes an electrical circuit with the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A foil assembly of a printed product includes a metallic layer and a polymer layer. The metallic layer forms conductive bodies that can be detected by a touch-sensitive device. The polymer layer is coupled with the metallic layer and includes a pigment that is reflective and/or opaque and a flexible binder material. The polymer layer absorbs changes in shape of an adhesive between the foil assembly and the printed product apparatus to prevent cracking. The foil assembly may include a tie coat layer that couples the metallic layer with the adhesive and/or another tie coat layer on the other side of the metallic layer which bonds to first side of a second metallic layer. The second side of the second metallic layer includes a tie coat that couples the complete assembly with the adhesive of the printed product apparatus.

Abstract: A filmic circuit includes a circuit portion and a carrier layer. The circuit portion includes a logic circuit that includes, for example, plural logic gates configurable to receive an input and provide a corresponding logical output. The carrier layer is configured as a film. The circuit portion is affixed directly to the carrier layer or to an upper coat disposed adjacent to the carrier layer, and the carrier layer is configured to be releasable from the circuit portion after the filmic circuit assembly is affixed to a target. The circuit portion is configured to receive an adhesive layer configured to affix the filmic circuit assembly to the target.

Abstract: A method providing for the replacement of the traditional release layer of transfer foils uses a plasma treatment to chemically modify the foil side surface of a PET substrate of the transfer foils. The chemically modified surface of the PET substrate provides the necessary low surface energy and release characteristics to allow for the controlled release of the foil from the PET carrier film. Accordingly, plasma treated transfer foils can be made without a release layer.

Abstract: A method and system for card printing and protection provides for single step construction of a card having an image and a protective overlay. A blank card is fed into a hot stamp module, through which is also fed a supply of overlay or patch film. A thermal transfer printer prints an image onto the overlay or patch before it enters the hot stamp module. The blank card is registered with the printed overlay or patch and then hot stamped together to create the finished card construction. A security printing/application module can also selectively apply a security feature or element to the overlay or patch before it enters the hot stamp module.

Abstract: A method providing for the replacement of the traditional back coat of thermal transfer ribbons or dye sublimation ribbons uses a plasma treatment to chemically modify the print head side surface of a PET substrate of the ribbons. The chemically modified surface of the PET substrate provides the necessary heat resistance and coefficient of friction to allow the thermal print head to function properly without burn-through of the PET carrier film and without sticking to the thermal print head. Accordingly, plasma treated thermal transfer ribbons or dye sublimation ribbons can be made without a back coat.

Abstract: A filmic circuit includes a circuit portion and a carrier layer. The circuit portion includes a logic circuit that includes, for example, plural logic gates configurable to receive an input and provide a corresponding logical output. The carrier layer is configured as a film. The circuit portion is affixed directly to the carrier layer or to an upper coat disposed adjacent to the carrier layer, and the carrier layer is configured to be releasable from the circuit portion after the filmic circuit assembly is affixed to a target. The circuit portion is configured to receive an adhesive layer configured to affix the filmic circuit assembly to the target.

Abstract: A transferable film includes a carrier layer and an intermediate film portion. The carrier layer is configured to receive one or more additional layers and to be releasable from the one or more additional layers temporally proximate to an application of the transferable film to an object. The intermediate film portion includes a readable conductive image portion and is configured for application thereto of an adhesive layer. The intermediate film portion is configured to be interposed between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer, and the adhesive layer configured to adhere to the object for the application of the transferable film to the object.

Abstract: A transferable film includes a carrier layer and an intermediate portion. The carrier layer is configured to receive one or more additional layers and to be releasable from the one or more additional layers temporally proximate to an application of the transferable film to an object. The intermediate portion includes the one or more additional layers and a circuit. The one or more additional layers include a graphics layer. The intermediate portion is configured for application thereto of an adhesive layer, whereby the intermediate portion is configured to be interposed between the carrier layer and the adhesive layer. The adhesive layer is configured to adhere to the object for the application of the transferable film to the object.

Abstract: A front panel overlay having a plurality of layers and one or more logic circuits incorporated therein is disclosed. One of the plurality of layers may have a first electrical contact and another one of the plurality of layers may have a second electrical contact. The one or more logic circuits may be incorporated at least indirectly within the plurality of layers and may be activated when the first electrical contact completes an electrical circuit with the second electrical contact.

Abstract: A reclosable bag is disclosed which includes a reclosable zipper with interlocking profiles and a slider. The interlocking profiles include flanges which include arcuate cut-outs at the ends thereof. The width of the flanges is thereby reduced at the distal ends thereof. This allows the flanges to be sealed to the front and rear panels of the reclosable bag without being sealed within the side seals of the reclosable bag. In order to maintain the integrity of the bag, the flanges are sealed to each other immediately inwardly adjacent from the arcuate cut-outs, and the seal lines between the flanges and the front and rear panels are extended so that the front and rear panels are sealed to each other in an area bounded by the arcuate cut-outs and the side seals.

Abstract: A tamper evident package has a first wall and a second wall facing the first wall. A zipper is provided at a top of the package. The first and second walls include portions that extend over the zipper and the first wall extension portion has a line of weakness that extends parallel to the zipper. A peel seal joins the first wall and the second wall above the interlocking members of the profiles and sections of the first and second walls extend beyond the peel seal. If the zipper has a slider, a pocket is formed in one of the walls to accommodate the slider. The slider pocket extends parallel to the zipper. Methods of forming the package on various types of form, fill and seal equipment as well as the equipment are also disclosed.

Abstract: A reclosable package having a slider-operated zipper wherein the contents of the package are accessed through the front wall of the package, not through the top of the package. The reclosable package comprises: a bag body comprising front and rear walls of bag making material; a flexible zipper joined to the front wall and not joined to the rear wall; and a slider mounted to the zipper, the slider being movable in a first direction along the zipper for opening the zipper and movable in a second direction along the zipper for closing the zipper. Alternatively, the flexible zipper is joined to the front wall along first and second zones of joinder disposed at different heights on the front wall, and is joined to the rear wall only in zones of joinder where the zipper is joined to both of the front and rear walls.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprises a receptacle having a mouth, a header that encloses a space above the mouth, and a slider-zipper assembly disposed in the mouth, the slider-zipper assembly comprising a slider mounted to a zipper. The header has a tear-away portion and respective remaining portions that flank at least a portion of the slider. A pull tab is coupled to and rotatable relative to the slider and projects above the upper edges of the remaining portions of the header. This arrangement enables the user to move the slider by grasping the pull tab. The user need not reach into the space between the remaining portions of the header to grasp the slider itself. In one embodiment, the pull tab is coupled to the sidewalls of the slider.

Abstract: A reclosable packaging having a slider/zipper assembly and a sealed header. The header has a tear notch for initiating tearing of the header material and a line of weakness for continued tearing of the header material at an elevation which is lower than the top of the slider. Most preferably, the line of weakness is lower than the bottom of the slider. When the header is torn along the line of weakness, at least part of the slider is exposed and accessible to the consumer. In one embodiment, the tear notch is located in a side edge at an elevation higher than the top of the slider. A slit is provided which traverses a range of elevations encompassing a first elevation near an elevation of the tear notch and a second elevation near an elevation of the line of weakness.

Abstract: A reclosable package comprising a receptacle and an assembly, the assembly comprising a plastic zipper joined to or integrally formed with the receptacle and a slider mounted to the zipper. The zipper comprises first and second interlockable profiled closure members, and a slider end stop projecting outward from a side of the first closure member for a distance sufficient to obstruct further travel of the slider in a closing direction. The slider end stop comprises a body of plastic material joined to the first closure member, the body being disposed near one end of the zipper and entirely within an elevational range bounded by top and bottom edges of the first closure member.

Abstract: A slider for use with interlocking profiles in a reclosable plastic bag is disclosed. The slider includes a rotary device which allows the user to hold the reclosable plastic bag and operate the slider with a single hand. The rotary device can be a thumbwheel which is journaled for rotation about an axis in the side or top of the slider, and can also be a flexible or elastic band which passes through and is retained by slots formed in the slider.

Abstract: The method of forming a tamper-evident plastic bag or similar container includes providing a zipper with interlocking first and second profiles with respective first and second flanges. The second flange is longer than the first flange. A distal portion (with respect to the interlocking elements of the profiles) of the second flange is sealed to the web thereby forming a transport seal to carry the zipper with the web through a form, fill and seal machine. At the form fill and seal machine hard seals are formed between the web and the first flange and a proximal portion of the second flange. The transport seal is a peel seal or alternatively the second flange is formed with a frangible section between the distal and proximal portions and the transport seal is a hard seal. In both cases the second flange provides tamper evidence and/or a hermetic barrier for the completed bag.

Abstract: A tamper-evident reclosable package having a header that is tack sealed to the zipper. A light tack, in the form of a light weld, is made at the end of the package header. The header is the top portion of the package and is designed to shroud the zipper. The header serves as a tamper-evident feature, and also serves to maintain cleanliness and aesthetics of the package. The header must be tom before a person can gain access to the contents of the package. Typically, means for preferential tearing are provided for easy removal of the header. The tack seal contributes to the maintenance of the cleanliness and aesthetics of the package, while still allowing easy removal of the header. The tack is light (i.e., low bond strength or pull-off force) in order to not make it significantly more difficult to open the package.