Patents by Inventor Stephen J. Vicik

Stephen J. Vicik 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).

  • Patent number: 7244481
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable multilayer film food casings comprising inner and outer polyamide layers on either side of a core layer of EVOH surrounded by an inner and outer adhesive layer, and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Viskase Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Stephen J. Vicik, Amy L. Glawe
  • Publication number: 20030008084
    Abstract: Tubular, biaxially stretched, heat shrinkable multilayer film food casings comprising inner and outer polyamide layers on either side of a core layer of EVOH surrounded by an inner and outer adhesive layer, and a coextrusion process for making the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: January 9, 2003
    Inventors: Stephen J. Vicik, Amy L. Glawe
  • Patent number: 5632843
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of a first ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, and a second outer layer of a second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties and heat-sealing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 27, 1997
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • 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: 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: 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: 5382470
    Abstract: A biaxially stretched oriented heat shrinkable film for food packaging comprising an EVOH-nylon 6,66 core layer, second and third intermediate adhesive layers, a self heat sealable fourth outer layer and an abuse-resistant fifth outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5344679
    Abstract: 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: April 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: September 6, 1994
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5290613
    Abstract: In a multilayer thermoplastic film having a vinylidene chloride copolymer barrier and at least a polyolefin second layer laminated to the barrier layer wherein at least the barrier layer is irradiated, hydrotalcite is blended with the polyolefin and substantially reduces odor generation due to ionizing irradiation of the barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1992
    Date of Patent: March 1, 1994
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey M. Shuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5256351
    Abstract: A method of manufacturing heat-shrinkable, puncture resistant, biaxially stretched thermoplastic films from very low density polyethylene (VLDPE). The film may be entirely VLDPE or it may be multilayer with an oxygen barrier core layer formed of material such as a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer or an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, and two outer layers. One of these outer layers may for example be a blend of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) and VLDPE, and the other outer layer may be EVA. The film may be fabricated into bags suitable for packaging food articles such as frozen poultry, primal meat cuts, and processed meat products. The bags have high shrink and improved toughness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Nancy M. Mack, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5256428
    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 21, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 26, 1993
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Nancy M. Mack, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5077109
    Abstract: An oriented multilayer film comprising a barrier layer, a first layer on one side of said barrier layer and a second layer on the opposite side of said barrier layer is provided for use in food packaging applications. The first and second layers have melting points of at least about 115.degree. C. The barrier layer comprises amorphous nylon having a glass transition temperature greater than the higher of the two melting points or higher than the melting point of the first and second layers. The barrier layer is substantially impermeable to oxygen, while the first and second layers may comprise certain polyethylene resins. The oxygen barrier properties of the film do not deteriorate as the barrier layer gradually absorbs moisture. A process for making such multilayer films is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 31, 1991
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5059481
    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: March 28, 1990
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1991
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Nancy M. Mack, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 5053259
    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: August 23, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 1, 1991
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 4997690
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of a first ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer, and a second outer layer of a second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties and heat-sealing characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 4976898
    Abstract: Method of manufacturing a heat shrinkable biaxially oriented thermoplastic film by extruding a primary tube including very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), heating the primary tube and biaxially stretching the heated primary tube using a double bubble method to form a tube which is heat shrinkable from about 30% to about 50% in at least one of the transverse and machine directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Nancy M. Mack, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 4963419
    Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed having improved heat sealing characteristics, comprising a first outer layer containing a heat sealable thermoplastic polymer having substantial freedom from cross-linking bonds, and a second layer containing a cross-linked ethylene polymer. In one embodiment the multilayer film is suitable for use in packaging primal and subprimal meat cuts, said film comprising a first outer layer containing a heat sealable thermoplastic polymer; a core layer comprising an oxygen barrier film; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene polymer having siloxane cross-linking bonds. In another embodiment the multilayer film contains a second core layer containing an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which is located between the barrier core layer and the second outer layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 4911963
    Abstract: An oriented multilayer film comprising a barrier layer, a first layer on one side of said barrier layer and a second layer on the opposite side of said barrier layer is provided for use in food packaging applications. The first and second layers have melting points of at least about 115.degree. C. The barrier layer comprises amorphous nylon having a glass transition temperature greater than the higher of the two melting points or higher than the melting point of the first and second layers. The barrier layer is substantially impermeable to oxygen, while the first and second layers may comprise certain polyethylene resins. The oxygen barrier properties of the film do not deteriorate as the barrier layer gradually absorbs moisture. A process for making such multilayer films is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 27, 1990
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Stephen J. Vicik
  • Patent number: 4892603
    Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved storage stability characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1990
    Assignee: Viskase Corporation
    Inventors: Stanley Lustig, Jeffrey M. Schuetz, Stephen J. Vicik