Abstract: A method of making a plurality of flexible containers (12/112/212) comprising the steps of manufacturing a plurality of bag structures (13/113/213), separately manufacturing a plurality of valves (10/110/210), aligning the valves (10/110/210) with openings (24/124/224) in the bag structures (13/113/213), and securing the aligned valves (10/110/210) to the bag structures (13/113/213). Each valve (10/110/210) comprises a vent layer (30/130/230) which is pervious with respect to expected gasses and a sealed passageway is formed between the vent layer (30/130/230) and the container (12/112/212) when the valve (10/110/210) is secured to the bag structure (13/113/213).

Abstract: A valve (20) is provided for sealing an evacuation port (16) in a port area (18) of a wall structure (12) of a container. The valve (20) comprises a casing (22) having a shell portion (30) which is deformable from an open condition, whereat the shell portion (30) forms a chamber (32) over the port area (18), and a closed condition, whereat the shell portion (30) contacts the port area (18). When the shell portion (30) is in its open condition, gas exits from the chamber (32) through gas-releasing holes (24) in the casing (22). When the shell portion (30) is deformed to its closed condition, a port-sealing adhesive (26) adheres to the port area (18) to thereby seal the evacuation port (16).

Abstract: A container (10) having a valve flap (20) which is movable between a closed position, whereat it is seated on the seating area (18) to close an evacuation port (16), and an opened position, whereat it is unseated from the seating area (18) to open the evacuation port (16). A label structure (26) includes a film layer (28) forming a seat platform on which a seating area (18) is located and/or a film layer (30) forming a flap platform on which the valve flap (20) is located. A plurality of label structures (26) can be efficiently and economically mass-produced by a label-manufacturer and then supplied to the container-manufacturer for incorporation into the containers (10).

Abstract: A method of making a plurality of flexible containers (12/112/212) comprising the steps of manufacturing a plurality of bag structures (13/113/213), separately manufacturing a plurality of valves (10/110/210), aligning the valves (10/110/210) with openings (24/124/224) in the bag structures (13/113/213), and securing the aligned valves (10/110/210) to the bag structures (13/113/213). Each valve (10/110/210) comprises a vent layer (30/130/230) which is pervious with respect to expected gasses and a sealed passageway is formed between the vent layer (30/130/230) and the container (12/112/212) when the valve (10/110/210) is secured to the bag structure (13/113/213).

Abstract: A tamper monitoring article and system, and an associated method of making, installing and using the article and system. The article has an elongate body portion. The body portion has a first end portion that adheres to a second end portion, if present, or to a substrate. The article also includes a pathway structure that runs along or throughout the body portion and can conduct energy, such as light or electricity, along its length. A monitor communicates with the pathway structure and detects a change in the energy being conducted thereby. A change in the energy is indicative of a change in a conductive property of the pathway structure caused by, for example, manipulation of the body portion and the pathway structure that is disposed therein or thereon. The monitor can then signal, or respond to a request signal, and provide information that such manipulation has occurred.

Abstract: This invention relates to a livestock identification tag assembly comprising: (a) a heat seal laminate comprising: (i) a facestock having an upper surface and a lower surface; (ii) a heat-activatable adhesive layer having an upper surface and a lower surface, wherein the upper surface of the heat-activatable adhesion layer is adhered to the lower surface of said facestock; (iii) an ink or graphics layer adhered to the lower surface of said heat-activatable layer; and (b) a flexible polymeric substrate; wherein the lower surface of the heat-activatable adhesive of the laminate is adhered to the substrate. In one embodiment, the ink or graphics layer is positioned between said heat-activatable adhesive layer and said facestock.

Abstract: The invention relates to an in-mold labeling method, and to molded plastic articles having an in-mold label as described herein. In one embodiment of the invention, the in-mold label film comprises: (A) a polymer facestock having a printable upper surface and a lower surface, (B) a print layer having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface of the print layer is in contact with and adhered to the upper surface of the facestock, and (C) an adhesive layer having an upper surface and a lower surface wherein the lower surface is in contact with and adhered to the upper surface of the print layer.