Abstract: A package comprising a container, a closure assembly which includes a tearing portion. The container includes a sidewall, a closed end and an end with an opening. The closure assembly includes a central panel covering the container opening and a circumferential edge secured to the container. The tearing portion allows the closure to be opened for access to the contents of the package.

Abstract: The invention relates to a polymeric composition which acts as an improved cold seal mechanism over prior art cold seal structures. The composition comprises a blend of 40% to 80% by weight of a tacky adhesive and 60% to 20% by weight of a lower viscosity, non-tacky resin. The composition has a seal strength of at least 0.2 lbs per inch when sealed to itself at a temperature of less than 120.degree. F., and can be formed into a film for subsequent use in packaging.

Abstract: A coextruded multilayer polymeric film for use as a chub film having a core layer of an oxygen barrier material and layers disposed on either side of the core layer comprising a blend of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer formed from a polymerization reaction in the presence of a single site catalyst and a tie or adhesive, or alternatively a blend of a tie or adhesive and an ethylene acid copolymer, including a neutralized ethylene acid copolymer such as an ionomer. The film also comprises outer sealant layers comprising a blend of an ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer formed from a polymerization reaction in the presence of a single site catalyst and optionally a compound selected from the group consisting of LLDPE, having a density of between about 0.910 g/cc to about 0.940 g/cc, and an ethylene acid copolymer.

Abstract: Packaging machinery alignment, and a package having tear initiation and tear control, result from laser scoring of the package substrate, particularly, by providing at least two substantially parallel, substantially straight or linear, laser scores across the entire width of such package substrate.

Abstract: An easy open tear control package, preferably a pouch, from a film of polymeric barrier material is disclosed. Methods and films for making of such packages are also disclosed. The easy open tear control feature arises from roughening portions of the outer or inner surface of the films, prior to fabricating into the package. The roughened portion is on one face or on each face of the package and is at least a full width of a seal when the film is made into the package. The roughened portion can extend the entire width of the package and can be of any desired length.

Abstract: Disclosed and claimed are formulations of polyvinylidene chloride, methyl acrylate and substantially no ethylene vinyl acetate which have high gas, especially oxygen, barrier properties and which maintain said high gas, especially oxygen, barrier properties after retorting; films and film-packages such as pouches from such formulations; and, methods of preparing foods employing such film-packages.

Abstract: Multi-layer films having an outer sealant layer which readily delaminates from the adjacent sealant layer are disclosed. For retort applications, preferably one of the outer or adjacent sealant layers is comprised of a majority of ethylene moieties and the other of the outer or adjacent sealant layers is comprised of a majority of propylene moieties. The film is especially well-suited for use as a lidstock sealed to a container, such as a tray.

Abstract: Novel blends of (i) PET, PBT, CoPET, CoPBT or mixtures thereof with (ii) nylon, wherein component (i) is from a catalyst system based on antimony and germanium, or has virtually no residual cobalt and manganese are disclosed and claimed. These blends have superior barrier properties and clarity. The clarity thereof is further enhanced by adding cobalt octoate to the blend. Articles from such blends are also disclosed and claimed. Novel blends of nylon and cobalt octoate which exhibit superior barrier properties are also disclosed and claimed, as well as articles therefrom. And, multilayer structures and articles therefrom having a core layer of a blend of (i) PET, PBT, CoPET, CoPBT or mixtures thereof, and, (ii) nylon, and optionally (iii) cobalt octoate, are also disclosed and claimed.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for fabricating films, especially films containing vinylidene chloride copolymer, wherein the process is susceptible of continued operation over an extended period of time greater than a few days. The process typically can operate for at least 2 weeks between shut downs for cleaning the die. The apparatus comprises a coextrusion feedblock 20 in combination with an annular extrusion die 10 having a crosshead mandrel 11, and means for conveying the exit stream 24 from the feedblock to the die. The particular apparatus combination especially reduces the rate of carbon buildup in the extrusion apparatus during extrusion of VDC-copolymer, such that the extrusion process can be operated for a longer time between shutdowns for cleaning and maintenance of the die. The invention further includes novel tubular films 32 made with the apparatus and methods of the invention, and packages made from the films.

Abstract: Blends of polymers, such as aromatic condensation polymers including formable polyesters and polycarbonates with an oxygen barrier material such as aromatic or aliphatic nylon, an amorphous nylon or EVOH, which have been oriented and which contain a transition metal catalyst, exhibit the improved barrier properties and oxygen absorption properties of the present invention.

Abstract: Method, apparatus, and films, related to coextrusion of heat-sensitive polymer materials. The sensitive melt stream element (12) is encapsulated in a second polymeric melt stream element (16). Transport means (36) is preferably employed between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). A third melt stream element (68) is joined to one or both opposing surfaces (70) of the second melt stream element (16) between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). In the die (42) the encapsulated melt stream element (12) becomes an interior layer (46) between encapsulating layers (48A, 48B) derived from the second melt stream element (16). The third melt stream element (68) forms layers (72, 74) positioned outwardly of the encapsulating layers (48A, 48B). The positioning, on the interior of the extrudate, of edges (54) of layer (46) is adjusterd independently of the combined thicknesses of a layer derived from the third melt stream element (68) and an adjacent layer (48).

Abstract: A structure for use in making an easy open package comprises a thermoplastic sheet material. The sheet material has a strip of reflective metal on one surface. Over the metal strip on the opposite surface of the sheet material is a score line. The score line may be formed by a laser. The metal strip reflects the laser and provides a score line of more uniform depth and also provides barrier properties in the area of the score line.

Abstract: Sheet materials and packages capable of holding hard-to-hold products such as methyl salicylate. The preferred embodiments include a foil layer 12 and a layer 14 of EVOH between foil layer 12 and the enclosed product. An anhydride modified adhesive layer 18 is disposed between the EVOH layer 14 and the product 52. Additional layers are used in the sheet material for purposes of adhesion, appearance, protection, body, and the like. One embodiment of the invention is a coextruded film comprising the EVOH layer 514, a surface layer 516 of LLDPE, an intervening adhesive layer 518, and a fourth covering layer 519 for covering and protecting the EVOH layer 514, especially from physical abuse. The sheet materials of the invention may be made into packages by means of fin seals 54 or lap seals 50.

Abstract: Sheet materials and packages capable of holding hard-to-hold products such as methyl salicylate. The preferred embodiments include a foil layer 12 and a layer 14 of EVOH between foil layer 12 and the enclosed product. A carboxy modifed adhesive layer 18 is disposed between the EVOH layer 14 and the product 52. Additional layers are used in the sheet material for purposes of adhesion, appearance, protection, body, and the like. One embodiment of the invention is a coextruded film comprising the EVOH layer 514, a surface layer 516, an intervening adhesive layer 518, and a fourth covering layer 519 for covering and protecting the EVOH layer 514, especially from physical abuse. The sheet materials of the invention may be made into packages using fin seals 54 and lap seals 50.

Abstract: A valve for the expiratory tubing of a ventilator circuit. The valve assembly includes a valve body, diaphragm, top cap and control tubing. The valve body includes a valve seat, annular surface, sealing ribs, along with other annular members. The diaphragm includes a thick center portion, connected by a thin web to a relatively thick annular rim and surrounding flange. The top cap includes a compression ring which clamps the diaphragm annular flange to the valve annular surface. In the valve open position, the valve body supports the diaphragm only at the diaphragm flange.

Abstract: A body fluid drainage device that includes a wedge-shaped reservoir evacuator which has a first sidewall and a second sidewall integrally formed and joined along a coextending common edge. A third collapsible bellows-shaped sidewall extends between the nonjoined edges and is sealed to the nonjoined edges of the first sidewall and second sidewall to enclose and form a fluid tight reservoir between the first, second and third sidewalls. An inlet port and outlet port are provided in fluid communication with the reservoir. A one-way valve is provided in the inlet port for permitting fluid flow into the reservoir but preventing fluid flow out of the inlet port. A spring element is provided for storing energy to force the first sidewall away from the second sidewall following compression of the first sidewall towards the second sidewall such that as the first sidewall moves away from the second sidewall a partial vacuum is created within the reservoir for drawing fluid into the reservoir.

Abstract: Device for continuous cleaning and/or decontaminating a band of a thermoplastic film comprising a housing (1) where the band (7) follows a sinuous trajectory between return cylinders (8, 10, 40, 41, 9) and is subjected to the action of demineralized and/or distilled water jets projected by nozzles, (20, 43, 45, 22) mounted on spraying ramps (19, 42, 46, 21), the direction of jets being preferably opposite to the feed direction of the band (7).

Abstract: Linear low density polyethylene is used in multiple layer, molecularly oriented films. Novel blends of linear low density polyethylene with ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer are disclosed, and used in molecularly oriented multiple layer films. Bags made from the multiple layer films are especially useful for shrink packaging, and particularly for shrink packaging of meats having large cavities.