Methods and systems are described for generating a shipping label for an item to be shipped using a wireless node network. The network includes a master node associated with a shipping facility, a node associated with a shipping customer, and a server. The master node receives shipping information from the server, where the shipping information is related to the node associated with the shipping customer and item to be shipped. The master node then detects a signal from the shipping customer's node as it approaches the shipping facility. The master node proceeds to become associated with the shipping customer's node. The master node then causes generation of the shipping label for the item to be shipped when the master node determines the node associated with the shipping customer is within a predetermined range of a location within the shipping facility.

Methods and systems are described for generating a shipping label for an item to be shipped using a wireless node network. The network includes a master node associated with a shipping facility, a node associated with a shipping customer, and a server. The master node receives shipping information from the server, where the shipping information is related to the node associated with the shipping customer and item to be shipped. The master node then detects a signal from the shipping customer's node as it approaches the shipping facility. The master node proceeds to become associated with the shipping customer's node. The master node then causes generation of the shipping label for the item to be shipped when the master node determines the node associated with the shipping customer is within a predetermined range of a location within the shipping facility.

Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for deploying a plurality of pickup entities to a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. A server in the network receives a message from a node-enabled logistics receptacle. The message identifies a plurality of packages currently maintained within the node-enabled logistics receptacle ready for pickup. In response, the server accesses shipping information from a server memory storage, where the shipping information is related to the identified plurality of packages currently maintained with the node-enabled logistics receptacle. The server then identifies which of the plurality of pickup entities need to be deployed to provide one or more pickup services at the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the shipping information.

Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for deploying a plurality of pickup entities to a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. A server in the network receives a message from a node-enabled logistics receptacle. The message identifies a plurality of packages currently maintained within the node-enabled logistics receptacle ready for pickup. In response, the server accesses shipping information from a server memory storage, where the shipping information is related to the identified plurality of packages currently maintained with the node-enabled logistics receptacle. The server then identifies which of the plurality of pickup entities need to be deployed to provide one or more pickup services at the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon the shipping information.

Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for proactively reporting a content status of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. Generally, the node-enabled logistics receptacle may update the content status stored in memory onboard the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon whether the node-enabled logistics receptacle has received a package and is temporarily maintaining custody of the package. The receptacle may then broadcast status information related to the updated content status for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. In more detail, a node assembled within the node-enabled logistics receptacle may detect a signal broadcast from a master node in the wireless node network, access the content status stored in memory onboard the receptacle, and broadcast status information to the master node related to the content status for the node-enabled receptacle.

Methods, computer-readable medium, and apparatus are described for proactively reporting a content status of a node-enabled logistics receptacle in a wireless node network. Generally, the node-enabled logistics receptacle may update the content status stored in memory onboard the node-enabled logistics receptacle based upon whether the node-enabled logistics receptacle has received a package and is temporarily maintaining custody of the package. The receptacle may then broadcast status information related to the updated content status for the node-enabled logistics receptacle. In more detail, a node assembled within the node-enabled logistics receptacle may detect a signal broadcast from a master node in the wireless node network, access the content status stored in memory onboard the receptacle, and broadcast status information to the master node related to the content status for the node-enabled receptacle.

Improved object wrapping materials exhibiting a number of beneficial properties to overcome prior deficiencies are provided. Such properties include the inclusion of a separation interface overlay that allows for greater rigidity at the leading and trailing edges of such wraps. Also, the inclusion of shear-reducing wrap material portions is described, as well as recoil reduction structures within the leading edge regions. Furthermore, core adhesive additions allow for greater resiliency to the base wrap material as it unwinds therefrom, reducing potential waste wrap products by permitting greater amounts of wrap materials in use. Other considerations include the ability, through proper configuration designs, to position a wrap separation indicator within a certain range of distances from the trailing edge, thereby providing greater reliability of wrap application device disengagement during wrap application. Such benefits are thus supplied individually and in tandem for improved versatility and utility of such wrap materials.

Improved object wrapping materials exhibiting a number of beneficial properties to overcome prior deficiencies are provided. Such properties include the inclusion of a separation interface overlay that allows for greater rigidity at the leading and trailing edges of such wraps. Also, the inclusion of shear-reducing wrap material portions is described, as well as recoil reduction structures within the leading edge regions. Furthermore, core adhesive additions allow for greater resiliency to the base wrap material as it unwinds therefrom, reducing potential waste wrap products by permitting greater amounts of wrap materials in use. Other considerations include the ability, through proper configuration designs, to position a wrap separation indicator within a certain range of distances from the trailing edge, thereby providing greater reliability of wrap application device disengagement during wrap application. Such benefits are thus supplied individually and in tandem for improved versatility and utility of such wrap materials.

The present invention is based on the surprising result that packaging materials comprising at least one moisture modulating agent can significantly reduce moisture loss, physical damage, and/or microbial decay of produce. Inclusion of such moisture modulating agent(s) can provide at least one of the following advantages: (1) less disease development as compared to traditional packaging material; (2) fresher, firmer produce with less rot or defects (for example cracking or splitting); (3) better see-through as compared to traditional packaging material; (4) preventing the humidity inside the bag from coalescing into large drops or even pools of water (i.e., less water accumulation or moisture condensation within the package); and (5) providing sufficient gas transmission of oxygen (O.sub.2)/carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and/or a quality management agent, for example ethylene or 1-MCP, for better quality control during storage at room temperature (shelf life).

The present invention is based on the surprising result that packaging materials comprising at least one moisture modulating agent can significantly reduce moisture loss, physical damage, and/or microbial decay of produce. Inclusion of such moisture modulating agent(s) can provide at least one of the following advantages: (1) less disease development as compared to traditional packaging material; (2) fresher, firmer produce with less rot or defects (for example cracking or splitting); (3) better see-through as compared to traditional packaging material; (4) preventing the humidity inside the bag from coalescing into large drops or even pools of water (i.e., less water accumulation or moisture condensation within the package); and (5) providing sufficient gas transmission of oxygen (O.sub.2)/carbon dioxide (CO.sub.2) and/or a quality management agent, for example ethylene or 1-MCP, for better quality control during storage at room temperature (shelf life).