Patents by Inventor Joshua R. CLOUTIER

Joshua R. CLOUTIER has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20240066847
    Abstract: Multi-layer biaxially oriented compostable composite film with a sealant layer formulation has improved heat seal initiation temperature, enhanced plateau seal strength, and broadened heat seal temperature range, while optical clarity is maintained, and film modulus (noise) is reduced. The film includes a core layer comprising a PLA-rich biodegradable composite resin, and a heat sealable layer comprising 20 to 60 wt % amorphous polylactic acid resin, and 40 to 80 wt % flexible compostable polymeric modifier Y having a glass transition temperature of Tg?0° C. and a melting temperature of 56° C.?Tm?90° C. Specifically, the flexible compostable polymeric modifier includes 20 to 70 wt % polybutylene succinate-co-adipate (PBSA) copolymer and 5 to 35 wt % polycaprolactone as a promoter of low heat seal initiation temperature (SIT) and hermeticity. The inventive compostable composite film is desirable to have improved home compostability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2022
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Shichen DOU, Joshua R. CLOUTIER
  • Publication number: 20240066848
    Abstract: A biaxially oriented multi-layer composite film comprises a PHA-rich core layer and a heat sealant layer and a second outer skin layer. The core layer comprises a PHA resin at an amount of more than 50 wt % of a total weight of the core layer and a modifier X, the modifier X includes PLA, PLA copolymers, PBSA and PCL; the heat sealant layer comprises a PLA resin and a modifier Y, the modifier Y including PBSA and PCL resins is at an amount of about 20 wt % to 95 wt % of the total weight of the heat sealant layer. The composite film has low SIT and improved home compostability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2023
    Publication date: February 29, 2024
    Inventors: Shichen DOU, Joshua R. CLOUTIER
  • Patent number: 10543667
    Abstract: Composite film structures for packaging use. The composite film structures have easy open, clean peel and hermetic seal characteristics stemming from good caulkability characteristics when a region of the composite film structures are folded over and sealed to form a seal on a bag, pouch or package. The composite film structure includes a base film which includes a biaxially-oriented film and a vacuum-deposited metal layer and a heat-sealant structure comprising a low density polyethylene and a linear low density polyethylene. The metal layer is between the biaxially-oriented film and the heat-sealant structure. The heat-sealant structure thickness is from about 50 to about 100 gauge, the adhesion strength between the biaxially-oriented film and the metal layer is less than about 800 g/in, and the seal strength when a region of the composite film structure is folded onto a composite film structure region is from about 500 to about 1500 g/in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: Adam Hanks, Joshua R. Cloutier, Keunsuk P. Chang
  • Patent number: 10406793
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are dual ovenable, high-hermecticity sealable films for packaging uses, such as form-fill-and-seal packages (e.g., bags). The films disclosed herein can have hermetic seal characteristics and hot tack strength at elevated temperatures for cooking and/or reheating operations. The films disclosed herein can be made comprising a heat stable base layer (e.g., a cast, monoaxially oriented, or biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyester, or polyamide film); a heat sealable layer; and/or a lap sealable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.
    Inventors: Adam L. Hanks, Joshua R. Cloutier, Patrick Alexander Murphy
  • Publication number: 20180311919
    Abstract: A lighter-than-air holographic envelope such as a balloon decorated with a holographic pattern and having long float life (one week or longer) comprises a metal layer, an embossable layer, and a polymeric gas barrier of polyvinyl alcohol/polyvinyl amine copolymer crosslinked with citric acid and an optional additional crosslinking agent such as epichlorohydrin and a heat-seal layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Publication date: November 1, 2018
    Inventors: Milan W. MOSCARITOLO, Tracy A. PAOLILLI, Joshua R. CLOUTIER, John J. FITCH
  • Publication number: 20180281367
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are dual ovenable, high-hermecticity sealable films for packaging uses, such as form-fill-and-seal packages (e.g., bags). The films disclosed herein can have hermetic seal characteristics and hot tack strength at elevated temperatures for cooking and/or reheating operations. The films disclosed herein can be made comprising a heat stable base layer (e.g., a cast, monoaxially oriented, or biaxially oriented polypropylene, polyester, or polyamide film); a heat sealable layer; and/or a lap sealable layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2017
    Publication date: October 4, 2018
    Applicant: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.
    Inventors: Adam L. HANKS, Joshua R. CLOUTIER, Patrick Alexander MURPHY
  • Publication number: 20180186136
    Abstract: Composite film structures for packaging use. The composite film structures have easy open, clean peel and hermetic seal characteristics stemming from good caulkability characteristics when a region of the composite film structures are folded over and sealed to form a seal on a bag, pouch or package. The composite film structure includes a base film which includes a biaxially-oriented film and a vacuum-deposited metal layer and a heat-sealant structure comprising a low density polyethylene and a linear low density polyethylene. The metal layer is between the biaxially-oriented film and the heat-sealant structure. The heat-sealant structure thickness is from about 50 to about 100 gauge, the adhesion strength between the biaxially-oriented film and the metal layer is less than about 800 g/in, and the seal strength when a region of the composite film structure is folded onto a composite film structure region is from about 500 to about 1500 g/in.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2016
    Publication date: July 5, 2018
    Inventors: Adam Hanks, Joshua R. Cloutier, Keunsuk P. Chang
  • Patent number: 9539605
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for masking the edges of a substrate when performing direct or reverse gravure coating using a kiss-coat configuration, particularly useful for in-line coating of biaxially oriented polymeric films. The methods and apparatuses include a masking plate configured to prevent the edge of a portion of a substrate from contacting a gravure roll, the masking plate includes a top portion having a Rockwell B hardness equal to or greater than 80, and a thickness of between 0.03125 inches and 0.375 inches. This masking plate prevents build-up of coating on the edges of the substrate which otherwise can cause film orientation production instabilities such as film breaks, sticking to tenter clips, and/or edge trim recycling incompatibilities. The masking plate provides a masking method that is effective and durable, minimizing production downtime and maintenance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. L'Heureux, Joshua R. Cloutier, Will E. Nunn
  • Patent number: 9314999
    Abstract: A multilayer film including a first layer including a polylactic acid polymer, a second layer of a metal primer, deposited upon one surface of the first polylactic acid polymer layer, and a third metal layer deposited on the second metal primer layer. This metal-primed and metallized polylactic acid film exhibits improved moisture barrier properties versus a non-metal-primed and metallized polylactic acid film and can be used as part of a lamination structure for food packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Cloutier, Takeshi Mizumura, Keunsuk P. Chang
  • Patent number: 8795811
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a polyolefin-containing film comprising a solidified form of a melt, the melt comprising at least 1 weight percent shredded recycled crosslinked vinyl-alcohol polymer coated polyolefin material and an amount of a compatibilizing agent and/or an un-crosslinking agent configured to un-crosslink the crosslinked vinyl-alcohol in the melt, the polyolefin-containing film having an average dimple count of less than about 50 dimples/4 in2, and method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua R. Cloutier, Shichen Dou, Claudio Paulino, Chang Yeol Jung
  • Publication number: 20140004301
    Abstract: Embodiments herein relate to a polyolefin-containing film comprising a solidified form of a melt, the melt comprising at least 1 weight percent shredded recycled crosslinked vinyl-alcohol polymer coated polyolefin material and an amount of a compatibilizing agent and/or an un-crosslinking agent configured to un-crosslink the crosslinked vinyl-alcohol in the melt, the polyolefin-containing film having an average dimple count of less than about 50 dimples/4 in2, and method of manufacturing the same.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 29, 2012
    Publication date: January 2, 2014
    Applicant: Toray Plastics (America), Inc.
    Inventors: JOSHUA R. CLOUTIER, Shichen Dou, Claudio Paulino, Chang Yeol Jung
  • Publication number: 20130224383
    Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for masking the edges of a substrate when performing direct or reverse gravure coating using a kiss-coat configuration, particularly useful for in-line coating of biaxially oriented polymeric films. The methods and apparatuses include a masking plate configured to prevent the edge of a portion of a substrate from contacting a gravure roll, the masking plate includes a top portion having a Rockwell B hardness equal to or greater than 80, and a thickness of between 0.03125 inches and 0.375 inches. This masking plate prevents build-up of coating on the edges of the substrate which otherwise can cause film orientation production instabilities such as film breaks, sticking to tenter clips, and/or edge trim recycling incompatibilities. The masking plate provides a masking method that is effective and durable, minimizing production downtime and maintenance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2012
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA), INC.
    Inventors: Jeffrey S. L'Heureux, Joshua R. Cloutier, Will E. Nunn
  • Publication number: 20100040904
    Abstract: A multilayer film including a first layer including a polylactic acid polymer, a second layer of a metal primer, deposited upon one surface of the first polylactic acid polymer layer, and a third metal layer deposited on the second metal primer layer. This metal-primed and metallized polylactic acid film exhibits improved moisture barrier properties versus a non-metal-primed and metallized polylactic acid film and can be used as part of a lamination structure for food packaging applications.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: TORAY PLASTICS (AMERICA). INC.
    Inventors: Joshua R. CLOUTIER, Takeshi MIZUMURA, Keunsuk P. CHANG