Abstract: The invention discloses a multiple layer packaging film, packages made therefrom and a method of opening the packages. The invention provides inseparable seal strength and in some cases hermetic seals, in combination with peelable ply separation opening for access to the contents of the package, while at the same time providing excellent barriers to transmission of oxygen and moisture. Certain embodiments provide for improved abuse resistance, excellent graphics, and other improvements. The method of opening the package depends on separating opposing ones of the package sidewalls, forcing the opening tear to be propagated partially through the film to a peelable layer interface, with subsequent ply separation along the interface to effect completion of opening of the package.

Abstract: A method is provided for obtaining an acceptable configuration of a thermally processed container packed with food. Improvement in container configuration is attained by proper container design, by maintaining proper headspace of gases in the container during thermal processing, proper pressure outside the container during the cooking cycle and cooling cycle of the process and/or by controlled reforming of the bottom wall of the container. Further improvements are attained by controlling the thermal history of the empty container, such as by pre-shrinking the container before it is filled with food and sealed.

Abstract: Improved polymer additive concentrate compositions used in nylon film layers. The improved concentrate comprises a carrier of a nylon polymer composition and the additive material. Preferred nylons includes nylon 6; nylon 6,66; nylon 6,6; and combinations thereof. Preferred additives are antiblock agents and slip agents. The film layers may comprise a single layer nylon film, or may be part of a multiple layer composition. The films are susceptible to being used in making packaging.

Abstract: A three layer oriented film, packages made from the oriented films, and packaging methods using the oriented film. Each layer of the film is molecularly oriented. A first outer layer of the film is nylon 6. The other outer layer of the film is a blend of 50% to 100% linear low density polyethylene and 50% to 0% low density polyethylene. An intermediate adhesive polymer layer has a high fraction of linear low density polyethylene.

Abstract: Molecularly oriented films are produced which comprise a layer containing a blend of EVOH and nylon. The films exhibit a desirable balance of oxygen barrier and strength properties, and are ideally suited for many packaging applications.

Abstract: A multiple layer sheet structure has oriented layers of nylon and EVOH. Additional layers may or may not be utilized, and may or may not be oriented. Where additional layers are used, one of the additional layers, on the exterior surface of the structure, is preferably heat sealable. The structure shows improved impact resistance, after retort processing, over similar structures not having oriented nylon and EVOH layers. In certain embodiments, retort processed pouches made from the packaging structures have improved stress crack resistance when dropped onto a hard surface.

Abstract: A polymeric structure having an oxygen barrier layer (e.g., ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) is heated in the presence of moisture to improve its resistance to oxygen and moisture penetration. A drying agent is incorporated in the multi-layer structure to control the rate of water penetration to, and the amount of water in, the barrier layer.

Abstract: An improved package and method of packaging, including an oil-containing product, includes a multiple layer packaging sheet material which has reduced sensitivity to cockling. The multiple layer sheet material includes a layer which is susceptible to being swelled when in contact with oil, giving a cockled appearance. With reference to the package structure, the sheet material also includes a layer which impedes penetration of oil, the impeding layer being between the oil-containing product and the layer which is susceptible to being swelled when in contact with oil. The impeding layer comprises polypropylene.

Abstract: The invention discloses a multiple layer film useful in packaging, and the packages made therefrom. A first layer of the film is a material containing an ester group, a polycarbonate or a polyether block amide copolymer. A second layer of the film is a sealant, preferably polypropylene polymer blended with an elastomeric styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer. A third functionally adhesive layer is between the first and second layers. The composition of the third adhesive layer is typically either a polypropylene modified with a carboxy group such as an organic acid or anhydride or a styrene ethylene butylene styrene copolymer.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the use of polymer blends in making multiple layer films. In some layers, the elastomer or ethylene-based copolymer is blended with polypropylene, and in some layers, with polyethylene. Typical films have two to five layers. In multilayer films, at least one layer of a blend of polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene, with elastomer and/or ethylene-based copolymers. Another layer is polypropylene blended with elastomers and/or ethylene-based copolymers. The films may have as few as two layers, one each having polypropylene and polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene. Additional layers may be added to the two or three layer films taught herein, for variety of purposes.

Abstract: The invention is in an improved multiple layer packaging sheet material which can be formed into closed and sealed packages suitable for holding products containing substantial fractions of cyanoacrylate. The invention depends on the positioning of high density polyethylene in direct contact with the cyanoacrylate-type product, and positioning a primer on the other side of the high density polyethylene. Preferred embodiments of the sheet structure include additional layers to provide barrier and abuse resistance properties, and the necessary adhesive materials to hold the various layers of the structure together with good adhesion. Additional layers are contemplated. The sheet structure can be formed into a package which positions the high density polyethylene adjacent the cyanoacrylate product, and between it and the other layers at all locations of contact between the cyanoacrylate product and the packaging sheet material.

Abstract: A polymeric structure having an oxygen barrier layer (e.g., ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer) is heated in the presence of moisture to improve its resistance to oxygen and moisture penetration. A drying agent is incorporated in the multi-layer structure to control the rate of water penetration to, and the amount of water in, the barrier layer.

Abstract: Multiple layer films and containers. The films have a first layer of either nylon 6,6 or a combination of nylon 6,6 with nylon 6 wherein the melting point temperature of the combination is greater than the melting point temperature of the corresponding nylon 6. A second layer is comprised of linear low density polyethylene, and 0% to 40% low density polyethylene. A third adhesive layer is disposed between the first and second layers. The containers are susceptible of being sealed with included gas at low pressure, and subsequently boiled in water without rupture of the seals. The film is preferably coextruded from tubular die, thereby setting forth a new method for forming a mulitple layer film comprising a combination of linear low density polyethylene, optionally with up to 40% low density polyethylene, and nylon 6,6, optionally combined with nylon 6 in a composition having a melting point temperature greater than that of the corresponding nylon 6.

Abstract: This invention pertains to blends of a first component of a polypropylene, a second component of an ethylene-based copolymer, and a third component which provides some properties representative of elastomeric polymers. The blends are useful in making single and multiple layer sheet structures. The invention further contemplates packages made from sheet structures incorporating layers of the blends therein.

Abstract: A collapsible dispensing tube has a multi-layer sheet material sealed over its dispensing orifice to provide a hermetically sealed tube. The multi-layer sealant sheet comprises two layers of metal foil separated by a polymer layer firmly adhered to the metal foil layers. A polymeric layer is adhered to the outer surface of one of the metal foil layers and serves to seal the tube orifice. The laminated sheet may be sealed across the orifice by the application of radio-frequency energy.

Abstract: Methods of injecting into a cavity an at least three-layer flow stream having a fast flow stream line, are provided which include establishing the flow of material of first and second layers of the flow stream to form an interface therebetween at a first location not coincident with the fast flow stream line, interposing the flow of material of a third layer in the interface, and moving the third layer to a second location relatively more proximate to, substantially coincident with, or across from and not substantially coincident with the fast flow stream line. This moving achieves foldover of the third layer and can be effected by selectively changing the flow of material(s) on one side of the third layer relative to the flow of material(s) on the other side thereof, at or shortly after the interposition of the third layer. Preferably, the interface is annular and the interposition is at substantially all places around the interface.

Abstract: Injection molded and injection blow molded multi-layer substantially rigid plastic articles are provided, which, in preferred embodiments, include:at least five layer plastic articles having side and bottom walls comprised of an outside surface layer, an inside surface layer, an internal layer, and first and second intermediate layers, one on either side of the internal layer, and having the terminal end of the internal layer encapsulated by intermediate layer material, whether it be solely or primarily by first or by both first and second intermediate layer material.

Abstract: Low acid heat-sensitive foodstuffs, such as low acid heat-sensitive vegetables and cereal grain products, are thermally processed in the presence of a mixture of an acid and its lactones, preferably an aldonic acid with its lactones, the acid of which makes possible a considerably reduced commercial sterilizing parameter whereby more of the flavor, color, or texture of the foodstuff is retained, and is closer to that of the freshly harvested home-cooked product, compared to the foodstuff processed at a more severe parameter when the acid is not employed. The type and level of the acid employed and its presence with its lactones results in a thermally processed foodstuff which does not have an objectionable acid taste. The preferred mixture is gluconic acid with its lactones, glucono-delta lactone and glucono-gamma lactone, provided to the foodstuff by combining it with a precursor of gluconic acid, preferably glucono-delta lactone.

Abstract: The invention is an improved multiple layer packaging sheet material which can be formed into closed and sealed packages suitable for holding products containing substantial fractions of cyanoacrylate. The invention depends on the positioning of high density polyethylene in direct contact with the cyanoacrylate-type product, and positioning a primer on the other side of the high density polyethylene. Preferred embodiments of the sheet structure include additional layers to provide barrier and abuse resistance properties, and the necessary adhesive materials to hold the various layers of the structure together with good adhesion. Additional layers are contemplated. The sheet structure can be formed into a package which positions the high density polyethylene adjacent the cyanoacrylate product, and between it and the other layers at all locations of contact between the cyanoacrylate product and the packaging sheet material.

Abstract: Ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer is blended with polyetheramide block copolymer to form a novel composition of matter. The blended composition can be extruded and/or coextruded to make packaging films. In the most preferred embodiments, the blend is contained as one layer in a film comprising a multiplicity of layers, and at least the blend layer is molecularly oriented. Methods of making the films are also disclosed.