Abstract: A package which allows for butchering and packaging of fresh red meat at a centralized facility is provided which includes a an impermeable tray supporting the product, a first film sealed to the tray for enclosing the product, means defined within the first film for exchanging gases into and out of the package, and a second impermeable film enclosing the first film, such that removal of said impermeable film provides for the exchange of gases into and out of the package. The means for exchanging gases may be perforations defined within the first film, a second highly permeable film sealed to the first film, or an enlarged opening formed within the first film which is enclosed with a patch following adequate gas exchange at retail. Such gas exchange is required to release any low oxygen atmosphere and allow for the introduction of oxygen to the packaged meat product. Said means for exchanging gases having a gas transmission rate of at least about 50,000 cc/m.sup.2 /24 hrs./atm. at 73.degree. F.

Abstract: A multilayer film generally includes a first exterior layer of polyurethane and a second exterior layer which can be formed from polyurethane, a homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene, a blend of homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene and elastomer, high density polyethylene, or mixtures of the foregoing. Such multilayer film is highly flexible and is advantageously used for various medical applications, such as the production of flexible pouches for the packaging and administration of medical solutions, drainage pouches, compression devices, and thermal blankets.

Abstract: The present invention provides a process for producing thermoplastic foam, including:(a) melting a thermoplastic polymer to produce a polymer melt;(b) introducing a carbon dioxide blowing agent into the polymer melt;(c) adding to the polymer melt one or more additives selected from the group consisting of(1) polysiloxane, and(2) mineral oil; and(d) extruding and foaming the melted polymer melt, blowing agent, and one or more additives to produce thermoplastic foam.The resultant thermoplastic foam can be thermoformed into various foamed articles, such as foam packaging trays. The quality of foams made from a carbon dioxide blowing agent, and particularly 100% carbon dioxide, has been found to be substantially improved by adding one or more of the foregoing additives, i.e., polysiloxane, mineral oil and, optionally, polyolefin to the polymer melt during the extrusion and foaming process.

Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed in which at least one layer thereof comprises a blend of:a first styrene butadiene copolymer having a butadiene content of 50 weight percent or more; anda second styrene butadiene copolymer having a butadiene content of 50 weight percent or less, wherein, the total butadiene content of the blend ranges from about 30 weight percent to about 50 weight percent. When used as an outer layer of an overwrap material, such blend provides provides an improved overlap heat seal.

Abstract: A method of preparing a package having a product enclosed between a support member and a multiple-film lid, comprising the steps of providing a support member supporting a product; providing a multiple-film lid over the product and the support member, the multiple-film lid having a first film for enclosing the product on the support member when sealed thereto and a second film over the first film, the first film and the second film defining a first space therebetween and the first film and the support member defining a second space therebetween; evacuating the first and second spaces; and sealing the multiple-film lid to the support member so as to form a sealed package.

Abstract: A package and a method for making a package which allows for the central processing of fresh red meat is disclosed which includes a tray, a first film enclosing the product within the tray and a second film, which is removed at retail, enclosing the first film. The first film and the second film are sealed to the inner periphery and the outer periphery, respectively, of the single flange of a conventional foamed or nonfoamed tray. The first film is a heat shrinkable film which is sealed to the inner periphery of the flange forming a first seal, trimmed outboard of the first seal, thereby forming an excess portion of the first film outboard of the first seal, and then subjected to a sufficiently high temperature to shrink the excess portion and thereby expose a sealing area on the outer periphery of the flange. The second film is then sealed to the sealing area on the outer periphery of the flange, forming a second seal such that the second film encloses the first film.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a laminate film useful as a material from which to manufacture surgical and other protective garments. The laminate film comprises at least one layer formed from a first polyetherester copolymer produced from the condensation reaction of dimethyl-1,4-cyclo hexane dicarboxylate and 1,4-cyclo hexane dimethanol and poly(tetramethylene ether glycol) and a second layer comprising a material selected from the group consisting of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, an ethylene methacrylate copolymer, a second polyetherester copolymer, an anhydride modified polyolefin copolymer, and a polyether block amide copolymer. The total amount of the first polyetherester copolymer present in the laminate is greater than or equal to 35 wt. % of the total weight of the laminate film to provide strength to the laminate film. The laminate film may be bonded to one or more layers of polyesters, polyolefins, polyamides, and non-woven fabrics.

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 be included on one or both outer surfaces of the film to improve processing.

Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention discloses an apparatus for, and method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing such that the area used to produce a heat seal closure of the bag or casing is protected against contamination during the product loading process.

Abstract: A packaging laminate which includes a layer of polymethylpentene film and a sealant film. The films may be bonded by corona treatment. The laminate displays high oxygen transmission and heat resistance and may be used as a packaging material for produce such as cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material which comprises a non-woven plastics film and bonded thereto without an adhesive, a barrier film; the sheet material is especially useful for the production of ostomy bags.

Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material which comprises a non-woven plastics film and bonded thereto without an adhesive, a barrier film; the sheet material is especially useful for the production of ostomy bags.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a film suitable for packaging medical solutions and other pH sensitive products. Product pH is controlled by including an ionomer resin blended with a vinyl carboxylate copolymer in a film layer or adhesive. Alternatively, the ionomer may be present as either a core layer, strength layer, or other distinct layer positioned between the sealant layer and the vinyl carboxylate copolymer containing layer.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of making flexible film pouches having fitment tubes attached thereto. The process includes a single operation for the simultaneous sealing of the pouch edge seams and the fitment tubes to the pouch. An apparatus for producing pouches with fitment tubes sealed thereto as well as the pouches so produced is also disclosed.

Abstract: Novel mordants based upon a polyethyleneimine backbone and either pendant phosphonium or quaternized-nitrogen compounds are disclosed. The mordants find use in stopping or controlling ink-bleeding into ink-jet receptors and photographic films.

Abstract: Certain poly(lactic acid) and poly(glycolic acid) polymers or copolymers, and certain carbonates, lactones, lactates, lactylates, lactides, glycolates, glycolylates, and glycolides have been found to stabilize thermal-dye-bleach constructions containing a dye in association with a thermally-generated-bleaching agent. Preferably, the thermally-generated-bleaching agent is a thermal-carbanion-generating agent such as a quaternary ammonium salt of a phenylsulfonylacetic acid or a thermal-nucleophile-generating agent such as an ammonium salt of a phenylsulfonylacetic acid. These materials have been found to be particularly effective when used in acutance and antihalation systems for photothermographic and photographic elements.

Abstract: An optical fiber element includes an optical fiber having a numerical aperture ranging from 0.08 to 0.34 and a protective coating affixed to the outer surface of the optical fiber. The protective coating has a Shore D hardnees value of 65 or more and remains on the optical fiber during connectorization so that the fiber is neither damaged by the blades of a stripping tool nor subjected to chemical or physical attack.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a multilayered element having a top coat. The method includes the application of an undercoating to the upper surface of a support and the application of a continuous top coat coating composition to the surface of the undercoating. The undercoating includes a binder while the top coat composition includes one or more dissolved or dispersed materials and one or more solvents. At least one of the solvents is compatible with the binder. The composition and coating weight of the top coat composition and of the undercoating are controlled such that the ratio T/B is less than or equal to 3, whereinT is the coating weight of the compatible solvent(s), andB is the coating weight of the binder.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for applying a protective coating to a film strip. The apparatus includes a coating unit for applying a coating of a curable liquid material to at least one surface of the film strip, a curing device for curing the coating of liquid material on the film strip into a protective coating, and a transport system for moving the film strip along a path extending from the coating unit to the curing device. The coating unit includes a substantially rigid, porous matrix having therein a plurality of interconnected pores, and is positioned such that the porous matrix contacts the surface of the film strip to be coated. The porous matrix stores the liquid material within the pores thereof and, upon contact with a surface of the film strip, transfers a coating of the liquid material thereto.

Abstract: A coating of a mixture of sodium metasilicate together with a silica sol and a silane coupling agent provides antistatic protection when overcoated with a gelatin containing photographic construction.