Abstract: A microchamber structure (100) comprising a base layer (120), a lid layer (130), and at least one microchamber (140) having a cross-sectional shape with a depth (d) of less than 1000 microns and a width (w) of less than 1000 microns. The base layer (120) includes a depression (122) and the lid layer (104) includes a projection (132) positioned within the depression (122) to together define the cross-sectional shape of the microchamber (140).

Abstract: A method of making RFID tags includes printing individualized information to a printable facestock on which an RFID device is attached. Generic information may be preprinted on the facestock before the RFID device is attached. The facestock may be folded over, putting the generic information and individualized information on different sides of the tag. The individualized information may be a function of information obtained by reading or interrogating the RFID device.

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 method of making a microneedle array structure (20) comprising a plurality of simultaneously formed microneedles (24), each microneedle (24) having a protrusion (32) and a passageway (34) extending therethrough. The method comprises the steps of pressing an embossable sheet material between a complimentary tools and radiantly heating the sheet material using radiant energy from a radiant energy source. One tool is relatively-radiantly-transparent, and another tool and/or the sheet material is relatively-radiantly-absorptive.

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.

Abstract: A method of making an article (10) having a desired microembossed architecture (18). In this method, a substrate (40) having an exterior surface (42) is sealed within a pouch (36) having an interior surface (32) with a microstructure (34) corresponding to the desired microembossed architecture (18). The pouch (36) is evacuated, whereby the microstructure (34) contacts the exterior surface (42) of the substrate (40) sealed therein. The evacuated pouch (36) is then thermally processed so that the microstructure (34) embosses at least a region of the exterior surface (42) of the substrate (40) so as to form the desired microembossed architecture (18).

Abstract: A microchamber structure (100) comprising a base layer (120), a lid layer (130), and at least one microchamber (140) having a cross-sectional shape with a depth (d) of less than 1000 microns and a width (w) of less than 1000 microns. The base layer (120) includes a depression (122) and the lid layer (104) includes a projection (132) positioned within the depression (122) to together define the cross-sectional shape of the microchamber (140).

Abstract: A method of making a heat shield for an exhaust system tailpipe which comprises the steps of positioning a blank of sheet metal between a die having a forming surface of generally arcuately concave cross-sectional configuration which extends in a generally arcuately convex direction and a straight cylindrical body of elastomeric material having a longitudinal axis extending generally tangentially with respect to the arcuately convex direction of extent of the die forming surface, effecting an initial relative movement between the die and the cylindrical elastomeric body in a direction toward one another so as to compress a central portion of the sheet metal blank to a central portion of the die forming surface by a central portion of the exterior surface of the cylindrical elastomeric body while the latter is in a straight condition, and progressively flexing opposite end portions of the cylindrical elastomeric body in directions toward the end portions of the die forming surface so as to progressively compre