Abstract: An apparatus is provided for activating an oxygen scavenging composition that includes a plurality of UV lamps arranged in a bank and disposed in a UV chamber; the UV lamps include first and second sides through which UV light is transmittable. A series of guide rolls disposed in the UV chamber define a film pathway for directing a film in close proximity with the first and second sides of the UV lamps. The UV shade is arranged to wrap about the first and second sides of the UV lamps, and may be configured to move between an open, partially open, and closed position so that the dosage of UV light to which the film is exposed may be controlled by adjusting the degree to which the shade is open. As a result, the UV shade may limit UV exposure without having to turn off the UV lamps.

Abstract: A multilayer active oxygen barrier film includes at least one bulk layer and a microlayer section including a plurality of microlayers, at least one of which includes an active oxygen barrier. The microlayer section can comprise at least one microlayer comprising an active oxygen barrier, and at least one microlayer comprising a passive oxygen barrier. A method of making a multilayer active oxygen barrier film is also disclosed, in which a bulk layer is extruded, a plurality of microlayers is coextruded to form a microlayer section; and said bulk layer and said microlayer section are merged to form a multilayer film and wherein the plurality of microlayers includes an active oxygen barrier.

Abstract: A multilayer oxygen barrier film includes at least one bulk layer and a microlayer section including a plurality of adjoining microlayers including ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, wherein the plurality of adjoining microlayers includes at least one microlayer including a first ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer having a first ethylene content, and at least one microlayer including a second ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer having an ethylene content different from the ethylene content of the first ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer. Methods of making a multilayer oxygen barrier film are also disclosed, e.g. in which a bulk layer is extruded, a plurality of adjoining microlayers is coextruded to form a microlayer section; and said bulk layer and microlayer section are merged to form a multilayer film; wherein the plurality of adjoining microlayers is as recited above.

Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.

Abstract: A package includes a non-thermoformed thermoplastic pouch including a first and second panel; and an optical data storage medium disposed in the pouch; wherein the pouch comprises an oxygen barrier material, and an oxygen scavenger. Two methods of making a package include (1) providing a web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the thermoplastic web, the pouch comprising a first and second panel; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein the web includes an oxygen barrier material and an oxygen scavenger; or (2) providing a first and second web; providing an optical data storage medium; forming a non-thermoformed pouch from the webs; placing the optical data storage medium in the pouch; and sealing the pouch; wherein at least one of the webs includes an oxygen barrier material, and at least one of the webs includes an oxygen scavenger.

Abstract: A method comprises subjecting ant oxygen scavenger to actinic radiation; and then optionally storing the oxygen scavenger in a container, the container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The dosed oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, if stored therein, subjected to a second dose of actinic radiation to trigger the oxygen scavenger, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, untriggered, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.

Abstract: A multilayer film has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises an additive, a binder, and a crosslinking agent. The additive is a flavor, fragrance, colorant, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, chelating agent, and/or odor absorbent. The binder is a polysaccharide and/or a protein. The crosslinking agent comprises a compound with at least two carbonyl groups. The second layer comprises a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Each of the additive, binder, and crosslinking agent are present throughout a thickness of the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is coated onto the second layer, which is preferably a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, and/or polyester.

Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.

Abstract: A method comprises subjecting ant oxygen scavenger to actinic radiation; and then optionally storing the oxygen scavenger in a container, the container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The dosed oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, if stored therein, subjected to a second dose of actinic radiation to trigger the oxygen scavenger, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, untriggered, is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method includes triggering an oxygen scavenger; and storing the scavenger in a container configured such that the oxygen scavenger exhibits no substantial oxygen scavenging activity while inside the container. The triggered oxygen scavenger can later be removed from the container, and used in packaging oxygen sensitive products. A stored oxygen scavenger, triggered, is also disclosed. A method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing a tubular film at a first location, the film having oxygen barrier and oxygen scavenger layers; triggering the oxygen scavenger; collapsing the film; rolling up the film; transporting the film to a second location; and triggering the oxygen scavenger. Another method of distributing an oxygen scavenger film includes providing an oxygen scavenger film at a first location; transporting the film to a second location; triggering the oxygen scavenger; storing the oxygen scavenger film in a container; and transporting the film to a third location.

Abstract: A multilayer film has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises an additive, a binder, and a crosslinking agent. The additive is a flavor, fragrance, colorant, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, chelating agent, and/or odor absorbent. The binder is a polysaccharide and/or a protein. The crosslinking agent comprises a compound with at least two carbonyl groups. The second layer comprises a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Each of the additive, binder, and crosslinking agent are present throughout a thickness of the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is coated onto the second layer, which is preferably a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, and/or polyester.

Abstract: A package includes a thermoformed web or support member, an optical data storage medium disposed in a cavity of the thermoformed web, or on the support member; and a covering web disposed on the optical data storage medium, and on the thermoformed web or support member, and in sealing relationship to the thermoformed web or support member; where each of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen barrier; and where at least one of the thermoformed web or support member, and the covering web, includes an oxygen scavenger. Methods of making the package are also disclosed. In addition to, or alternatively to including the oxygen scavenger in at least one of the thermoformed or support member, and the covering web, the oxygen scavenger can be disposed on the optical medium, e.g. in the form of a disc, coating, label, pellet, wafer, or flattened sachet.

Abstract: A multilayer film has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises an additive, a binder, and a crosslinking agent. The additive is a flavor, fragrance, colorant, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, chelating agent, and/or odor absorbent. The binder is a polysaccharide and/or a protein. The crosslinking agent comprises a compound with at least two carbonyl groups. The second layer comprises a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Each of the additive, binder, and crosslinking agent are present throughout a thickness of the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is coated onto the second layer, which is preferably a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, and/or polyester.

Abstract: A laminate comprising first and second polymeric films. One of the films is heat shrinkable and the other of the first and second films is non-heat shrinkable. At least one of the first and second films has an oxygen permeance of no more than about 150 cm3/m2·atm·24 hours at 23° C. and 0% relative humidity. The first film comprises an outer layer which, even when untreated, has a surface energy of at least 0.034 J/m2, and at least about 10 weight percent of one or more polymers having a Vicat softening point of at least about 65° C. The first film outer layer forms a first outer surface of the laminate. The outer layer of the second film forms the second outer surface of the laminate. The laminate has an improved ability to be sealed about a forming shoe without necking down.

Abstract: A multilayer film has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises an additive, a binder, and a crosslinking agent. The additive is a flavor, fragrance, colorant, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, chelating agent, and/or odor absorbent. The binder is a polysaccharide and/or a protein. The crosslinking agent comprises a compound with at least two carbonyl groups. The second layer comprises a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polyamide, polyester, polyvinylidene chloride, polyvinyl chloride, and polystyrene. Each of the additive, binder, and crosslinking agent are present throughout a thickness of the first layer. Preferably, the first layer is coated onto the second layer, which is preferably a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer, e.g., polyolefin, polyamide, and/or polyester.