Patents by Inventor Thomas D. Kennedy

Thomas D. Kennedy 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: 20030082321
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the non-invasive use of a luminescent compound to detect and measure concentrations of oxygen dissolved in solids, particularly polymeric materials present in multi-layered packaging materials. The measurement is made independent of the oxygen concentration of the surrounding atmosphere. The invention is especially useful as a quality assurance check to verify oxygen scavenger activation during the assembly of modified atmosphere and vacuum packages. The method according to the invention is faster and less wasteful than previous methods that rely on measuring oxygen concentration within the headspace of an assembled package. Novel articles, methods, and packages are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 6, 2001
    Publication date: May 1, 2003
    Inventors: Thomas D. Kennedy, Marvin R. Havens, Drew V. Speer, Charles R. Barmore, R. Karina Espinel, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 6500559
    Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2002
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Thomas D. Kennedy, Carlo E. Musco, Paul J. Satterwhite, G. Vince Sharps
  • Publication number: 20020142168
    Abstract: A package includes a container, the container including an oxygen scavenger; and an oxygen sensitive product contained in the container; wherein the oxygen scavenger is triggered, and the oxygen sensitive product is pasteurized. A package includes a tray; a lidstock in communication with the tray; and an oxygen sensitive product contained in the tray, and enclosed by the lidstock and the tray; wherein at least one of the lidstock and the tray includes an oxygen scavenger, the oxygen scavenger is triggered, and the oxygen sensitive product is pasteurized. A method includes providing a container containing an oxygen sensitive product, the container including an oxygen scavenger; and exposing the container and the oxygen sensitive product to ionizing radiation at a dosage and energy sufficient to pasteurize the oxygen sensitive product, and trigger the oxygen scavenger of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: October 3, 2002
    Inventors: Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy, Ronald L. Cotterman
  • Publication number: 20020119295
    Abstract: An article includes a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger, the first outer surface including a printed image, and a radiation-curable varnish covering at least a portion of the image. A method includes providing an article including a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; printing an image on the first outer surface; and applying a radiation-curable varnish on the first outer surface so as to cover at least a portion of the image. A multilayer article includes a first and second outer surface; and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; wherein the first outer surface includes a radiation-curable printed image. A method includes providing an article including a first and second outer surface, and a first layer including an oxygen scavenger; and printing a radiation-curable image on the first outer surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2001
    Publication date: August 29, 2002
    Inventors: Drew V. Speer, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Patent number: 6379812
    Abstract: A multilayer film, comprising, in the following order: a. a first layer consisting essentially of amorphous polyamide; b. a second layer adhered to a surface of the first layer; and c. a third layer adhered to a surface of the second layer, the third layer comprising at least one member selected from ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide MXD6, polyamide MXD6/MXDI, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyacrylonitrile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2000
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2002
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Paul J. Satterwhite, Thomas D. Kennedy
  • Publication number: 20010010846
    Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 4, 1998
    Publication date: August 2, 2001
    Inventors: FRANK M. HOFMEISTER, THOMAS D. KENNEDY, CARLO E. MUSCO, PAUL J. SATTERWHITE, G. VINCE SHARPE
  • Patent number: 5837358
    Abstract: A packaged product has a cooked meat product, within a film, adhered to a meat-contact surface of the film. An anhydride functionality is present on the meat-contact surface of the film. Upon extraction in ethanol, the anhydride is extractable from the cook-in film to a level of less than 50 parts per billion. A packaged product is prepared by packaging a meat product in the cook-in film and cooking the meat product within the film so that the meat-contact surface of the film adheres to the meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 1, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 17, 1998
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Frank T. Bauer, Thomas D. Kennedy, Ram K. Ramesh, Paul J. Satterwhite, John S. Sczesny, G. Vincent Sharps, Richard K. Watson
  • Patent number: 5484653
    Abstract: A non-woven fiber mat for use as a backing material for various components used in the building industry, and having improved fire resistant qualities. The mat comprises a blend of mineral fibers and glass fibers bonded together with a fire resistant binder system. The binder system comprises a mixture of a fire resistant latex and an aqueous aldehyde condensation polymer-based thermosetting resin. The preferred weight ratio of the latex to the aldehyde condensation polymer is at least 1:1 on a non-volatile basis. The binder may optionally further contain an aqueous silica colloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: Herbert Malarkey Roofing Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Kennedy, Michael O. Malarkey, Larry R. Graves
  • Patent number: 5308692
    Abstract: A non-woven fiber mat for use as a backing material for various components used in the building industry, and having improved fire resistant qualities. The mat comprises a blend of mineral fibers and glass fibers bonded together with a fire resistant binder system. The binder system comprises a mixture of a fire resistant latex and an aqueous aldehyde condensation polymer-based thermosetting resin. The preferred weight ratio of the latex to the aldehyde condensation polymer is at least 1:1 on a non-volatile basis. The binder may optionally further contain an aqueous silica colloid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 1992
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1994
    Assignee: Herbert Malarkey Roofing Company
    Inventors: Thomas D. Kennedy, Michael O. Malarkey, Larry R. Graves
  • Patent number: 4589693
    Abstract: A reusable tamperproof lock having a body and shackle which as tow parallel ends disposed in a first aperture in the body. A locking screw is threadly engaged in a second aperture in the body for locking engagement with complimentary portions of the shackle ends. The locking screw is removable by means of a non-standard tool such as a pentagonal driver. The head of the locking screw is concealed by a deformable plastic cap. A simulated key hole is provided in the lock body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 1982
    Date of Patent: May 20, 1986
    Inventor: Thomas D. Kennedy