Abstract: A tray-type package is disclosed which includes a polyester support member, a product contained on the support member, and a lidding film containing the product and sealed to the periphery of the support member, the lidding film including a sealant layer of a polyester copolymer having greater than about 50% by mole of glycol polymerization units. Preferably, the support member is a foamed or nonfoamed polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tray and the lidding film is a multilayer film which includes a glycol-modified PET sealant layer. Also disclosed is a lidding film having a sealant layer of a blend of a glycol-modified PET and at least one further polymeric component.

Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method, apparatus, and system for loading, vacuumizing, and sealing bagged articles. The invention includes placing a bagged article onto a subplaten, and advancing the loaded subplaten through a synchronizing assembly which allows synchronized placement of the loaded subplaten onto the platen of a vacuum/seal apparatus. The invention provides improved automation of the entire loading/vacuumizing/sealing process for a wide variety of bagged articles, especially food articles such as meat, poultry, cheese, and the like.

Abstract: A film includes a core layer including a linear random alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having Young's modulus between 50,000 and 200,000 psi, free shrink between 40 and 80% at 240° F., and shrink tension of between 50 and 400 psi, or a shrink force of between 20 and 180 grams, at 240° F. First and second intermediate layers including an ethylene copolymer having a melt index less than 2.0 can be optionally included. Alternatively, a film includes a core layer including an ethylene copolymer having melt index less than 2.0; first and second intermediate layers including a linear random alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer; and first and second outer layers including an olefinic polymer; the film having properties as disclosed above.

Abstract: A composition includes greater than 50% by weight such as between 51% and 99% by weight, of a first PVdC copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of between 80,000 and 125,000, and less than 50% by weight, such as between 1% and 49%, by weight of a second PVdC copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of between 126,000 and 180,000, the weight percent of each of the first and second polymers based on the combined weight of the first and second polymers. A film includes at least one layer having the above composition. A film can have at least one layer including a blend of a first vinylidene chloride polymer and a second vinylidene chloride polymer, the film having a free shrink ratio of between 0.6 and 2.2 at a shrink temperature of 180° F., or a free shrink ratio of between 0.8 and 1.4 at a shrink temperature of 200° F. Methods of making the film of the invention are also disclosed.

Abstract: An article, such as a tamper evident container, includes an indicator having a first layer including a thermochromic ink composition, and a second layer, disposed on the first layer, having a composition different from the ink composition of the first layer. The article exhibits better evidence of tampering. The first and/or second layer can be in the form of a message.

Abstract: An improved composition and a method of scavenging oxygen using said composition which comprise oxidizable organic compounds, transition metal catalysts in combination with certain photoinitiators is disclosed. The method comprises initiating scavenging by exposing the composition to UV radiation. The present composition uses certain defined benzophenone derivatives which maintain effectiveness of photoinitiation while providing reduced migration of the photoinitiator from the resin matrix.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A method for triggering an oxygen scavenging composition for use in packaging an oxygen sensitive article includes the steps of providing an oxygen scavenging composition including an oxidizable organic compound, and exposing the composition to a source of pulsed light wherein each pulse has a duration of between 1 microsecond and 1 millisecond, a frequency of between 0.1 to 100 Hertz, and an intensity of at least 350 mW/cm2 so that each pulse provides the composition with a dose of UV light of at least 0.1 J/cm2 so as to provide a triggered composition. The triggered composition can be applied to an article so as to provide an oxygen scavenging package. An apparatus and packaging system are also disclosed.

Abstract: An oriented heat shrinkable film includes a layer including a multicomponent ethylene/alpha-olefin interpenetrating network resin having a melt index less than 1.4, the resin including a homogeneous component having a melt index of less than 1, and a density of at least 0.91 grams/cubic centimeter, and a heterogeneous component with a melt index of between 1.5 and 20; the film having a haze value (ASTM D 1003-95) less than or equal to 5, a peak load/mil value (ASTM D 3763-95a) of at least 155 newtons/mil, and a free shrink (ASTM D 2732-83) at a temperature of 200° F. of at least 8% in either or both of the longitudinal and transverse directions. Films with substantially balanced free shrink are preferred, in particular those with a free shrink balance of less than or equal to 30%. Advantages in downgauging and/or mechanical properties are provided without substantially adversely affecting properties such as free shrink and optics.

Abstract: A film includes a core layer including a polymer such as nylon 6, nylon 66, nylon 6,66, and/or polyamide elastomer; first and second intermediate layers including polymeric adhesive; a first outer layer including ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer having a density of less than 0.940 grams/cubic centimeter; and a second outer layer including heat sealable polymer such as (1) ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer having a density less than 0.921 grams/cubic centimeter, (2) ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, (3) ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, (4) ethylene/(meth)acrylic acid copolymer, and/or (5) ionomer. The film has good resistance to tear, and good resistance to impact, making it useful for packaging coins and other objects. A bag made from the film, and an article such as a sealed bag filled with coins or other objects, are also disclosed.

Abstract: A coextruded packaging film has an outer and intermediate layer of fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, partially hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, or polyethylene oxide; and an inner layer comprising acid/acrylate copolymer, styrene maleic anhydride copolymer, ethylene acrylic acid copolymer, ionomer, cellulose, hydroxy propyl cellulose, polyether block amide copolymer, polyhydroxy butyric acid, polyhydroxy valeric acid, polyethylene oxide, polyester, copolyester, polyethyloxazoline, polyurethane, partially metal salt neutralized acid/acrylate copolymer, and a blend of acid/acrylate copolymer and ionomer. Fillers such as salt can optionally be added to one or more of the polymeric materials, prior to or during coextrusion of the film, to improve the processability of the film or to add a pigment to the film.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: A composition suitable for scavenging oxygen is disclosed which comprises a carrier having a combination of a hydroxosulfitometalate and a transition metal ion source.

Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The zeolite reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and a zeolite; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.

Abstract: Packaging such as a blockbase sack (201) suitable for packing of particulate material has an inner bag having two layers of polyethylene, surrounded by an outer bag (201) having three layers of polyethylene. Each bag has a closed bottom and has an open top (208) prior to filling. After filling of the inner bag, the inner bag is closed by a first heat seal along zone (205) in a heat-sealing operation, which can be performed through the outer bag (201) in such a way that the outer bag (201) is not heat sealed to the inner bag at that point. The outer bag (201) is closed by a second seal (207) located between the first seal (205) and the top of the bag (208). A frangible zone (206) is located between the first (205) and second (207) heat seals to enable the outer bag (201) to be removed from the sealed inner bag by cutting or tearing along the frangible zone (206).

Abstract: A highly oriented, heat-shrinkable, multi-layer film comprising a layer a) comprising a polyamide and an outer heat-sealing layer b) comprising a polyolefin, which film has been oriented at a stretching ratio ≧ about 3.0:1 in the machine direction and at a stretching ratio ≧ about 6.0:1 in the transverse direction, characterized in that the polyamide of layer a) is a crystalline or partially crystalline co-polyamide with a Tg≦100° C.

Abstract: A film includes at least one layer comprising a blend of an ethylene polymer having a density of at least 0.925 grams per cubic centimeter, and an ethylene copolymer selected from the group consisting of ethylene/ester copolymer, and ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The film is preferably substantially free from linear low density polyethylene. The film can be a monolayer or multilayer film, and can comprises a core layer comprising an ethylene polymer having a density of at least 0.925 grams per cubic centimeter; and one or more outer layers with the above described blend. At least one intermediate layer comprising an ethylene copolymer having a density of less than 0.925 grams per cubic centimeter can also be included. The film preferably has a thickness of less than 0.60 mils; a shrink force of less than 0.35 pounds in the longitudinal direction, and less than 0.

Abstract: The present invention relates to sealed pouches, and apparatus and processes for producing the same. The pouch includes contoured first and second lateral edges, with each lateral edge having concave and convex surfaces. The concave surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the convex surface of the second lateral edge and the convex surface of the first lateral edge is substantially opposite the concave surface of the second lateral edge. Accordingly, a distance between the first and second lateral edges is substantially the same for all elevations of the pouch.

Abstract: A method for triggering an oxygen scavenging film includes the steps of providing an oxygen scavenging film comprising an oxidizable organic compound and, optionally, a transition metal catalyst; and exposing the film to a source of UV-C light at a wavelength, intensity and residence time sufficient to provide the film with a dose of UV-C light of at least 100 mJ/cm2. An apparatus and packaging system are also disclosed.