Abstract: A craft fabric process wherein a fabric edge has a discontinuity formed by a core yarn which is replaced with an embellishment woven through the discontinuity formed by the removal of the core yarn.

Abstract: Live metabolically active microorganisms are immobilized on a solid support by contacting particles of aggregate material with a water dispersible polyelectrolyte such as gelatin, crosslinking the polyelectrolyte by reacting it with a crosslinking agent such as glutaraldehyde to provide a crosslinked coating on the particles of aggregate material, contacting the coated particles with live microorganisms and incubating the microorganisms in contact with the crosslinked coating to provide a coating of metabolically active microorganisms. The immobilized microorganisms have continued growth and reproduction functions.

Abstract: The multi-layer polyolefin shrink film of this invention provides shrink tensions, optical clarity, cuttability, sealability, shrink temperature range, and tear resistance heretofore unobtainable in an oriented, monolayer polyolefin material. The preferred film has three layers in which the core layer comprises a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with ethylene-butylene copolymer and each skin layer comprises ethylene-propylene copolymer.

Abstract: The strength of a heat seal which bonds irradiatively cross-linkable thermoplastic materials together can be significantly improved by irradiating the seal area after sealing is completed. This technique is especially effective for improving the seal strength of packaging film laminates such as those having a layer of saran and a layer of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.

Abstract: A crosslinked copolymer of an olefin and vinyl alcohol is produced by crosslinking a copolymer of the olefin and a vinyl ester to produce a crosslinked precursor, hydrolyzing the crosslinked precursor copolymer to produce a crosslinked copolymer of an olefin and vinyl alcohol.

Abstract: Thermoplastic materials, particularly material in sheet form, may be sealed or thermowelded together using the energy from a single laser beam source by splitting the beam and directing it by mirrors to desired seal areas on the opposed sides of the materials to be sealed. The beam may be split in proportion to the thickness of the respective materials. Heating the opposed sides of materials to be sealed avoids the problem of overheating or burning the side to which energy is applied.

Abstract: In the preparation and storage of cooked, bulk packaged food in flexible receptacles, the quality of the food is increased, the cooking conditions are closely controlled, the growth of bacteria is restricted, and the storage time is increased by reducing the interior temperature of the food from its filling temperature of at least 180.degree. F. to below 45.degree. F. in less than a half hour. Said temperature reduction is preferably achieved by filling the receptacle so that the food therein is flowable or mobile and then tumbling the receptacle in a cooling medium so that the food flows or moves within the receptacle. After storage at 28.degree. F. to 32.degree. F., the food may be heated by tumbling the receptacle in a heating medium in order to bring the food quickly to serving temperature thereby avoiding overcooking.

Abstract: A tire shaped article is blow molded by extruding a tubular parison between movable mold sections, sealing the open end of the parison, injecting air into the parison, moving a lower mold section and the bottom portion of the parison upwardly and expanding an intermediate portion of the parison radially outwardly into a mold cavity.

Abstract: To provide a hermetic seal for flexible receptacles such as plastic bags, pouches, or casings, the outside of the mouth of the receptacle is coated with a cold flowing resin so that when the receptacle is filled and its mouth gathered under pressure the resin will cold flow and fill the voids in the gathered folds. Preferably, the end of the gathered mouth is trimmed and then high pressure is applied to cause the resin to exude from the trimmed end. Next, a forming plunger is used to press the exudate into a smooth surface whereby a fused cap of resin is formed hermetically closing the bag's mouth. As an alternative, a clip or band can be placed around the gathered end under sufficient pressure to case cold flow of the resin thereby sealing the voids.

Abstract: A shrink tunnel for use in shrink packaging of articles with shrinkable films comprises a gaseous return flow, having a working section along which gas passes from an inlet to an outlet in a substantially rectilinier direction, and a return section around which the gas is recirculated for heat and velocity boosting prior to the next cycle through the working section.

Abstract: A molded plastic article having either a transparent window or a mirror insert therein is produced by molding a plastic mass around the insert with a layer of insulation or parting material interposed between the plastic mass and the insert.

Abstract: The multi-layer polyolefin shrink film of this invention provides shrink tensions, optical clarity, cuttability, sealability, shrink temperature range, and tear resistance heretofore unobtainable in an oriented, monolayer polyolefin material. The preferred film has three layers in which the core layer comprises a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer with ethylene-butylene copolymer and each skin layer comprises ethylene-propylene copolymer.

Abstract: Microwave energy is used for sealing polymeric film material particularly the sealing of film material in the form of flexible containers.

Abstract: The multi-layer polyester/polyolefin shrink film of this invention provides a combination of shrink tension, hot seal strength, sealability, and shrink temperature range heretofore unobtainable in an oriented, monolayer polyolefin material. The preferred film has five layers in which the middle layer comprises a polyester or copolyester, two inner layers adjacent the middle layer comprise ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and the skin or outer layers comprises an ethylene-propylene copolymer.

Abstract: This invention is a process for making a self-welding packaging film by blending at least two ethylene polymers, one of the polymers having a melt flow substantially greater than any of the other polymers in the blend, and thereafter extruding a film from the blend. The film may be self-supporting or it may be an inner layer in a multi-ply film. Preferred ethylene polymers for the blend are the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers wherein one copolymer has a melt flow of less than 5.0 and the other has a melt flow greater than 28.0.

Abstract: A device for separating from a continuous strip having score lines defining individual sheets or bags wherein a plate and a pressure bar justapositioned to the plate and spaced apart therefrom to permit the strip to pass therebetween is provided. A bearing or prong projects outwardly from the center portion of the plate in order to facilitate separation sections of the strip along the score lines and display the next succeeding section for easy grasp by an operator.

Abstract: This invention is a self-welding packaging film made by blending at least two ethylene polymers, one of the polymers having a melt flow substantially greater than any of the other polymers in the blend, and thereafter extruding a film from the blend. The film may be self-supporting or it may be an inner layer in a multi-ply film. Preferred ethylene polymers for the blend are the ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers wherein one copolymer has a melt flow of less than 5.0 and the other has a melt flow greater than 28.0.

Abstract: The opening of a flexible container is closed by gathering the portion defining the opening into a bunch, surrounding the opening with an adhesive and allowing the adhesive to harden.

Abstract: A film useful as a packaging material having a self-adhering layer on the interior thereof has improved optical and adhesion characteristics. The self-adhering layer is composed of a terpolymer of ethylene, a vinyl ester and an alkenoic acid. The saran layer is plasticized with a polyester to synergistically improve both the optical and adhesive characteristics of the composite laminate.

Abstract: In the prior art, vacuum skin packaging processes are performed by placing the product to be packaged on an impervious backing board; placing the product and board in a vacuum chamber; positioning a sheet of thermoplastic film above the product and backing board in the chamber; evacuating the chamber; then, either pulling the film down over the product or pushing the product up into the film; and, thereafter sealing the film to the board. In the present invention, a portion of the film is drawn by differential air pressure against the concave interior surface of the upper portion of a vacuum chamber; the film is then heated by surface contact; and then, after evacuation of the chamber, air pressure is used to blow the film down over the product and against the backing board. Thus, in the present invention, the film is shaped in a concave fashion surrounding the upper portion of the product and it is not necessary for the product to move.