Patents Represented by Attorney, Agent or Law Firm Jennifer L. Skord
  • Patent number: 5158831
    Abstract: A plurality of corona-treated polymeric films, and metal foils or sheets, are alternately arranged and laminated together to form a laminate suitable for e.g. insulating panels. Construction of this absolute or near-absolute barrier can be simultaneous or sequential. The metal foils may be of the same type, or may differ. Aluminum and steel are preferred metal foils. At sufficient thicknesses, the sheet can be stamped or shaped. Both outermost surfaces of the laminate can comprise polymeric film, or both surfaces can comprise metal foils. Alternatively, one outer surface can be a polymeric film and the other outer surface can be a metal foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5158836
    Abstract: Polymeric, oriented films can be made by the use of a combination of a hot blown process and a blown bubble process. Styrene butadiene copolymer (SBC) forms two outer layers of the preferred embodiment, with a core layer of very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) or blends thereof, and intermediate polymeric adhesive layers such as ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) bonding the core layer to the outer layers. A monoaxially or biaxially oriented film is produced with excellent optics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 27, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Henry G. Schirmer, Stephen F. Compton, Martin Nelson
  • Patent number: 5153075
    Abstract: An acid copolymer/quaternary amine mixture is disclosed which is permanently antistatic. The acid copolymer is a copolymer of (i) a major amount by mol % of an alpha-olefin of the formula RCH.dbd.CH.sub.2 wherein R is H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, and (ii) a minor amount by mol % of an alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The quaternary amine is of the formula [(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)N]+ [X]- wherein R.sup.1 is selected from H, aryl, or C.sub.1 to C.sub.50 alkyl optionally having one or more non-contiguous C.dbd.O or NHC.dbd.O or --S-- or --O-- in the carbon chain, or the same as R.sup.2 ; each of R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 is the same or different and selected from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more OH or from --(R.sup.5 --O).sub.a --H where a is an integer from 1 to 10 and R.sup.5 is ethylene or propylene; and X is an anion selected from chloride, bromide, iodide, fluoride, nitrate, fluoborate, phosphate, C.sub.1 to C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 6, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, William P. Roberts
  • Patent number: 5147594
    Abstract: This invention relates to extruding films made from vinylidene chloride copolymers. Specifically, this invention relates to a method for lowering the oxygen permeability and enhancing the thermal stability and enhancing the melt shear stability of packaging films having a layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer film by adding a processing aid such as an epoxy resin to vinylidene chloride copolymer of low molecular weight. The conventional stabilizer/plasticizer combination of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-hexyl diphenyl phosphate may be employed with the vinylidene chloride copolymer. The layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer can be as thin as 0.18 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 15, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Moffitt
  • Patent number: 5145633
    Abstract: A container such as a jerry can can be produced with one or more handles molded with the blow molded body of the container. This invention eliminates the need for separate injection molded inserts. A first pair of molds, and a second pair of molds having a lower and upper section, are used in the apparatus to close a top portion and a bottom and/or draped portions of a standard parison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 8, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: George W. Hawkins, III
  • Patent number: 5142842
    Abstract: A film/foil panel comprises a substrate such as a thermoformed film; a first film/foil combination; an insulating material; a second film/foil combination; a top web in sealing relationship to the substrate; the film/foil combinations substantially enclosing therebetween the insulating material; and the insulating material and enclosing film/foil combinations disposed between and enclosed by the substrate and top web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 1, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5139831
    Abstract: An impact resistant film suitable for medical solution pouches and the packaging of parenteral materials generally includes an interior layer of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and outer layers of a propylene homopolymer or copolymer blended with a styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer. In some cases, a flexible copolyester may be substituted for one of the outer blend materials. Sacrificial layers may be optionally included on one or both outer surfaces of the film to improve processing. Additional interior layers of olefin polymers and copolymers such as EVA, and polymeric adhesive layers can also be included. At least one of the EVA or polymeric adhesive layers preferably includes a carbonate of an alkali metal. The flexible copolyester layer preferably includes a high molecular weight stabilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5110530
    Abstract: Striped films of the invention can have two or more preferably polymeric layers, of which at least one continuous or discontinuous layer includes a pigmented resin. The striped film is produced by modifying conventional coextrusion dies to restrict the flow of a pigmented melt stream. The result is a striped film useful for identifying the contents of a package made from the film, tamper evidence, counterfeit protection and verification of properties. The stripes can be of one or more colors, and vary in width and spacing. The pigment can be a material visible in ordinary light, or a material invisible in ordinary light but visible in e.g. ultraviolet light.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 5, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Havens
  • Patent number: 5106688
    Abstract: The packaging of high profile, high abuse products, like bone-in meat cuts and/or fresh/processed fish, often results in vacuum loss, especially when the vacuum skin packaging (VSP) process is used. To reduce this problem a highly formable, highly abuse resistant film is provided wherein at least 25% of the total thickness comprises ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: John G. Bradfute, Claudio Freschi
  • Patent number: 5106545
    Abstract: The present invention provides a process for increasing the orientation rate during manufacturing a heat-shrinkable (oriented) polymeric film including: (a) introducing a pro-rad agent to a cross-linkable polymer by blending the cross-linking agent with the cross-linkable polymer, (b) extruding the blended cross-linkable polymer, (c) subjecting the extruded polymer to irradiation, (d) orienting the extruded polymer in at least one direction, and (e) recovering an oriented polymeric film, wherein (f) both the original amount of pro-rad agent and the dosage of irradiation are to an extent sufficient to provide an amount of cross-linking effective to accomplish an increased orientation rate during the orientation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Warren
  • Patent number: 5096761
    Abstract: A masking film suitable for masking during electrostatic spray painting is disclosed. In one embodiment the masking film is made from an acid copolymer/quaternary amine mixture which is permanently antistatic. The acid copolymer is a copolymer of (i) a major amount by mol % of an alpha-olefin of the formula RCH.dbd.CH.sub.2 wherein R is H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, and (ii) a minor amount by mol % of an alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The quaternary amine is of the formula [(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)N].sup.+ [X].sup.- wherein R.sup.1 is selected from H, aryl, or C.sub.1 to C.sub.50 alkyl optionally having one or more non-contiguous C.dbd.O or NHC.dbd.O or --S-- or --O-- in the carbon chain, or the same as R.sup.2 ; each of R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 is the same or different and selected from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more OH or from --(R.sup.5 --O).sub.a --H where a is an integer from 1 to 10 and R.sup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 17, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: William P. Roberts, Charles R. Morgan, Marvin R. Havens
  • Patent number: 5088268
    Abstract: A vacuum chamber has its cover 11 adjustable in height by way of two rams 37 and 38 which lift a chamber cover ceiling 39 relative to a sidewall assembly 35, with the agency of an equalizing cylinder 41 to ensure identical lifting and lowering of the ceiling. During adjustment, an inflatable seal 33 around the periphery of the ceiling 39 is relaxed to allow the sliding movement and then after adjustment the seal 33 is re-inflated to ensure complete sealing between the ceiling 39 and the sidewall assembly 35.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Werner Gunter
  • Patent number: 5089352
    Abstract: Described is the presence of both a chemical cross linking agent and irradiation such as electron beam irradiation, in the manufacturing process for making an oriented, i.e. heat-shrinkable, polymeric film. The presence of both results in an amount of cross-linking that is effective to accomplish an increased orientation rate during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 18, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Steven B. Garland, Thomas C. Warren
  • Patent number: 5086924
    Abstract: In order to reduce splitting in a perforated, heat shrinkable, thermoplastic bags made from seamless tubing, rather than employ needle punched perforations, it has been discovered that slits cut by a knife blade will surprisingly reduce the splitting when a product, such as a meat product, is cooked within the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 11, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co. - Conn.
    Inventor: Timothy T. Oberle
  • Patent number: 5084324
    Abstract: A micro-bubble laminate is made by drawing a heated thermoplastic film through the perforations of a perforated substrate laminated to the film. The bubbles may then be trapped by laminating an additional thermoplastic layer to the laminate construction. This laminate may be used in producing air cushioning or bubble laminates, and the inventive process avoids the intricate and expensive machinery typically used in the production of air cushioning materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5076436
    Abstract: In a vacuum skin package wrinkles and weak spots are avoided by providing a tray as the support or backing member rather than a flat sheet, the angle of the walls as they diverge outwardly being 91.degree. to 160.degree.. Especially useful is such a package when provided with a lid for stacking purposes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Ermanno Bortolani, Enzo Vassarotti
  • Patent number: 5064699
    Abstract: A semi-rigid, heat-sealable laminate with permanent antistatic characteristics comprising a semi-rigid packaging material having a coating of heat-sealable antistatic plastic. The antistatic plastic is a film of a modified acid copolymer. The modified acid copolymer is selected from (I) a mixture of (A) a polymer containing carboxylic acid moieties and (B) an antistatically effective amount of a quaternary amine, or (II) the acid/base reaction product of (A) a polymer containing carboxylic acid moieties and (C) an antistatically effective amount of an organic or inorganic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, Stephen L. Fowler, William P. Roberts, Cynthia L. Ebner
  • Patent number: 5041316
    Abstract: A multi-layer thermoplastic shrinkable film with improved processing properties comprising at least a heat sealing VLDPE layer, a core oxygen barrier layer and an outer thermoplastic layer, and also comprising interposed between the barrier and the outer thermoplastic layer a further intermediate VLDPE layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Colin D. Parnell, Tito A. Fornasiero
  • Patent number: 5033253
    Abstract: Disclosed is a skin packaging film for skin packaging high profile and/or heavy articles. The film comprises linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. In one embodiment, the film is antistatic and may be employed for skin packaging of electro-static sensitive items such as circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, Stephen L. Fowler, George J. McCrary, Jr., Alfred P. Engelmann
  • Patent number: 5030511
    Abstract: This invention relates to films made from vinylidene chloride copolymers. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and composition for lowering the oxygen permeability and enhancing the thermal stability and enhancing the melt shear stability of packaging films having a layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer film by adding a processing aid such as an epoxy resin to vinylidene chloride copolymer of low molecular weight. The conventional stabilizer/plasticizer combination of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-hexyl diphenyl phosphate may be employed with the vinylidene chloride copolymer. The layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer can be as thin as 0.18 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Moffitt