Abstract: Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Abstract: Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Abstract: Durable fabric RFID labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics and other fabric-containing items, the mounting and durability being before, during or after manufacturing and processing of the items. These labels are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, while being capable of remaining on the item during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use, including washing and drying. The durable labels include an RFID inlay, a face sheet overlying a first face of the RFID inlay, and a functional adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, overlying a second face of the RFID inlay. The face sheet can be of printable material or have indicia or be a printed face sheet. The functional adhesive can be of a moisture-resistive type. The RFID inlay can be encased within a pocket of polymeric material. A polymeric sheet reinforcement layer can be adhered to and cover all or a portion of the RFID inlay.

Abstract: Durable fabric RFID labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics and other fabric-containing items, the mounting and durability being before, during or after manufacturing and processing of the items. These labels are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, while being capable of remaining on the item during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use, including washing and drying. The durable labels include an RFID inlay, a face sheet overlying a first face of the RFID inlay, and a functional adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, overlying a second face of the RFID inlay. The face sheet can be of printable material or have indicia or be a printed face sheet. The functional adhesive can be of a moisture-resistive type. The RFID inlay can be encased within a pocket of polymeric material. A polymeric sheet reinforcement layer can be adhered to and cover all or a portion of the RFID inlay.

Abstract: Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Abstract: Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Abstract: Durable fabric RFID labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics and other fabric-containing items, the mounting and durability being before, during or after manufacturing and processing of the items. These labels are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, while being capable of remaining on the item during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use, including washing and drying. The durable labels include an RFID inlay, a face sheet overlying a first face of the RFID inlay, and a functional adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, overlying a second face of the RFID inlay. The face sheet can be of printable material or have indicia or be a printed face sheet. The functional adhesive can be of a moisture-resistive type. The RFID inlay can be encased within a pocket of polymeric material. A polymeric sheet reinforcement layer can be adhered to and cover all or a portion of the RFID inlay.

Abstract: Durable fabric RFID labels are provided for mounting on garments, fabrics and other fabric-containing items, the mounting and durability being before, during or after manufacturing and processing of the items. These labels are robust enough to withstand processing during manufacturing, while being capable of remaining on the item during inventory handling, merchandising and consumer use, including washing and drying. The durable labels include an RFID inlay, a face sheet overlying a first face of the RFID inlay, and a functional adhesive, such as a hot-melt adhesive, overlying a second face of the RFID inlay. The face sheet can be of printable material or have indicia or be a printed face sheet. The functional adhesive can be of a moisture-resistive type. The RFID inlay can be encased within a pocket of polymeric material. A polymeric sheet reinforcement layer can be adhered to and cover all or a portion of the RFID inlay.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: Various methods of laser cutting polyolefin films are described, and particularly using carbon dioxide lasers. Also described are modified polyolefin materials which can be subjected to laser cutting.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: Multiple processes for preparing porous articles are described. The porous articles can be in a wide array of shapes and configurations. The methods include providing a soluble material in particulate form and forming a packed region from the material. The methods also include contacting a flowable polymeric material with the packed region such that the polymeric material is disposed in voids in the packed region. The polymeric material is then at least partially solidified. The soluble material is then removed such as by solvent washing to thereby produce desired porous articles. Also described are systems for performing the various processes.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: A system is disclosed for printing, activating and applying a flow of linerless activatable labels to a flow of items to be labeled. An activatable adhesive is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive linerless label incorporates such the activatable adhesive. Related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: An activatable adhesive that is formulated to readily absorb energy from a given radiation source, an activatable adhesive label that incorporates such an activatable adhesive, a system for activating such labels, and related methods and uses are described. The activatable adhesive includes a plasticizer, a tackifier, and an adhesive base polymer that includes butyl acrylate, styrene, methyl methacrylate, methacrylic acid, and acrylic acid.

Abstract: A method of making an embossed optical sheet material includes: providing an optically anisotropic, uniaxially oriented polymer substrate having a first major surface and a second major surface; heating a patterned tool using radiant energy from a radiant energy source, wherein the pattern comprises a plurality of parallel raised microstructures having a longitudinal direction; pressing the tool against the first major surface of the polymer substrate such that the longitudinal direction of the raised microstructures is substantially parallel to the direction of orientation of the polymer substrate, to soften the first major surface of the polymer substrate and emboss groove-shaped microchannels into the polymer substrate; cooling the embossed polymer substrate; and separating the tool from the polymer substrate; wherein the orientation of the polymer substrate is unchanged throughout the polymer substrate and first major surface.

Abstract: A method of embossing a sheet material includes: heating at least a portion of the sheet directly or indirectly with radiant energy from a radiant energy source; pressing a tool against the heated portion of the sheet, thereby patterning a surface of the sheet; and separating the sheet and the tool. The radiant energy may travel through a solid material that is relatively transparent to radiation, on its way to being absorbed by a relatively-absorptive material. The relatively-transparent material may be an unheated portion of the sheet, and the relatively-absorptive material may be either the tool or the heated portion of the sheet. Alternatively, the relatively-transparent material may be the tool, and the relatively-absorptive material may be all or part of the sheet. The method may be performed as one or more roll-to-roll operations.