Patents Assigned to Viskase Corporation
  • Patent number: 5597587
    Abstract: An apparatus to manufacture a cellulose food casing including a nonderivatized cellulose film precipitated in tubular form from an extruded thermoplastic solution of cellulose and an amine oxide cellulose solvent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1997
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Myron D. Nicholson, Edward M. Kajiwara, Paul E. Ducharme, Jr., Merlan E. McAllister, Joseph R. Walta
  • Patent number: 5593747
    Abstract: A biaxially stretched film with very high heat shrink and puncture resistance properties, formed of an ethylene alpha olefin copolymer having a density between about 0.88-0.905 g/m.sup.3, a low melt index not exceeding about 1.5 g/min, a Mw/Mn not exceeding about 3, and having a melting point below about 102.degree. C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1995
    Date of Patent: January 14, 1997
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Georgelos
  • Patent number: 5573801
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising a Streptococcus-derived or Pediococcus-derived bacteriocin or synthetic equivalent antibacterial agent in combination with a chelating agent. Such composition may be used in conjunction with a foodstuff or with a food packaging film (with or without the chelating agent) to protect foodstuffs against growth of harmful bacteria such as Listeria. Also disclosed are methods of protecting foodstuffs using film having a transferrable antimicrobial agent which may protect foodstuff surfaces before and/or following removal of the film and peelable films useful in such methods which may include the above bacteriocin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Darrel L. Wilhoit
  • Patent number: 5573797
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising a Streptococcus-derived or Pediococcus-derived bacteriocin or synthetic equivalent antibacterial agent in combination with a chelating agent. Such composition may be used in conjunction with a foodstuff or with a food packaging film.(with or without the chelating agent) to protect foodstuffs against growth of harmful bacteria such as Listeria. Also disclosed are methods of protecting foodstuffs using film having a transferrable antimicrobial agent which may protect foodstuff surfaces before and/or following removal of the film and peelable films useful in such methods which may include the above bacteriocin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Darrel L. Wilhoit
  • Patent number: 5573800
    Abstract: An antimicrobial composition comprising a Pediococcus-derived bacteriocin or synthetic equivalent antibacterial agent in combination with a chelating agent. Such composition may be used in conjunction with a foodstuff or with a food packaging film (with or without the chelating agent) to protect foodstuffs against growth of harmful bacteria such as Listeria. Also disclosed are methods of protecting foodstuffs using film having a transferrable antimicrobial agent which may protect foodstuff surfaces before and/or following removal of the film and peelable films useful in such methods which may include the above bacteriocin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Darrel L. Wilhoit
  • Patent number: 5549943
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable multilayer film food casings comprising inner and outer polyamide layers on either side of a core layer predominantly of one or more polyolefins such as VLDPE or EVA and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5480945
    Abstract: Novel orientable single and multilayer thermoplastic flexible films utilizing blends comprising an amorphous nylon copolymer such as nylon 6I/6T and a nylon copolyamide having a melting point of at least about 145.degree. C. having improved processability, shrinkage and optical properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5470519
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a cellulosic article of cellulose or a cellulose derivative that has incorporated a polyethylene oxide composition having a molecular weight of at least 70,000.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1994
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: John Markulin
  • Patent number: 5460861
    Abstract: This invention relates to an improved biaxially oriented heat shrinkable multilayer film, a hermetically sealed and evacuated trayed food package wherein the film is used as a stretched heat shrunk overwrap and a method for sealing and wrapping such packages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: October 24, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stephen J. Vicik, Craig L. Sandford
  • Patent number: 5451364
    Abstract: In a method for forming a cellulose tube suitable for use as a food casing, in which a solution of nonderivatized cellulose, tertiary amine N-oxide and water is extruded through a die gap and the extruded tube downwardly flowed through an air length while being internally cooled, and passed into a water bath, the tube transverse direction tensile strength is substantially increased by drawing the extruded tube through an air length of at least about six inches.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 19, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Ducharme, Jr., Edward M. Kajiwara, Norman A. Portnoy
  • Patent number: 5439717
    Abstract: Heat-shrinkable films suitable for packaging food articles such as frozen poultry, primal meat cuts, and processed meat products. In one embodiment, the film may be a biaxially stretched monolayer film of a very low density polyethylene copolymer. In another embodiment, the film may be a biaxially stretched multilayer film comprising a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film such as a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and a second outer layer comprising a blend of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a very low density polyethylene copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by coextrusion of the layers. The films are fabricated into bags useful for the aforementioned purposes. The bags have improved toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 25, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 8, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Nancy M. Mack, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5434010
    Abstract: Biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable monolayer and multilayer films comprising very low density polyethylene terpolymers of monomers (a), (b) and (c), where (a) comprises ethylene, (b) comprises a C.sub.6 -C.sub.8 alpha-olefin and (c) comprises 1-butene or 1-hexene, have a very good combination of physical properties and processability including high shrinkage values and puncture resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: July 18, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Edwin R. Smith, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stanley Lustig
  • Patent number: 5407611
    Abstract: A meat product package including an enclosing film having an EVA-containing inside surface and an in situ aqueous medium-cooked meat product in adhering relation to the film inside surface as the meat contacting and adhering surface. Starch particles are preferably dispersed across the meat contacting surface which has been both irradiated and subjected to corona treatment. A method for corona treating a thermoplastic tube inside surface in which small particles within the flat tube separate opposite surfaces providing voids, and the electric discharge crosses the flat tube through the voids.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 18, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Darrel L. Wilhoit, Vincent J. Dudenhoeffer
  • Patent number: 5403668
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing a biaxially oriented heat-shrinkable food packaging film comprising a three component blend wherein the major constituents are a polyethylene, such as, VLDPE or LLDPE or a mixture thereof, EVA, and an ethylene alpha-olefin plastomer copolymer of a density below about 0.90 g/cm.sup.3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Darrel L. Wilhoit
  • Patent number: 5399213
    Abstract: A shirred fibrous casing article containing about 20% to about 30% moisture by total casing weight and composed of shirred portions spliced together and retained in an overwrap wherein a flag which identifies the splice location between the shirred portions is extended radially through the overwrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Jeffery A. Oxley
  • Patent number: 5399399
    Abstract: A shirred casing article is composed of a cut length of fibrous casing and must be soaked prior to stuffing. A loop is attached at one end of the cut length for hanging the casing after stuffing. However prior to stuffing, the loop is extended longitudinally about the shirred casing article to maintain the integrity of the shirred casing during soaking. Thus the loop which functions as a means to suspend the casing after stuffing, functions before stuffing as a means to restrain longitudinal expansion of the shirred article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 21, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony G. Benik, Jeffery A. Oxley
  • Patent number: 5397640
    Abstract: An improved biaxially oriented heat-shrinkable film of the type used for packaging food, such as poultry, processed meat, and fresh meat.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Paul N. Georgelos, James E. Pelkie, Darrel L. Wilhoit
  • Patent number: 5397613
    Abstract: A biaxially stretched film with very high heat shrink and puncture resistance properties, formed of low density ethylene alpha olefin copolymer having low melt index, low Mw/Mn, low melting point and low Young's Modulus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: March 14, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Paul N. Georgelos
  • Patent number: 5393293
    Abstract: Bag making apparatus and method for forming a handle opening in a thermoplastic food packaging shrink bag includes both cold cutting and hot cut cutting operations to form a handle which, on heat shrinking the bag, is strong and has an enhanced appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Philip F. Cilia, Vytautas Kupcikevicius
  • Patent number: H1592
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cellulosic food casing made from a nonderivatized cellulose and the various additives that can be incorporated onto or within the casing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 1994
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1996
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Myron D. Nicholson