Patents Represented by Attorney John J. Toney
  • Patent number: 5012926
    Abstract: A blow molded container comprises a base; a first cover in communication with the base, when the first cover is in a closed position, to form a first compartment; and a second cover, in communication with the base, when the second cover is in a closed position, to form a second compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 1990
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: David S. Jamison
  • Patent number: 5011735
    Abstract: A laminate useful in thermoforming and VSP processes comprises a surface film, barrier film, and sealant film bonded together by, for example, corona bonding. At least one of the films comprises a hot blown high molecular weight polymeric material. Preferably, at least one of the films is cross-linked by irradiation or chemical cross-linking.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: April 30, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 5002782
    Abstract: In order to reduce splitting in a perforated, heat shrinkable, thermoplastic bags made from seamless tubing, rather than employ needle punched perforations, it has been discovered that slits cut by a knife blade will surprisingly reduce the splitting when a product, such as a meat product, is cooked within the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: March 26, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Timothy T. Oberle
  • Patent number: 5001015
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film having antistatic characteristics and a method to make the film. The film comprises a blend of polyolefin with an antistatic agent chosen from fatty acid esters of polyhydroxy alcohols, polyalkoxylated compounds or mixtures thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1990
    Date of Patent: March 19, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Havens
  • Patent number: 4999252
    Abstract: An acid copolymer/quaternary amine mixture is disclosed which is permanently antistatic. The acid copolymer is a copolymer of (i) a major amount by mol % of an alpha-olefin of the formula RCH.dbd.CH.sub.2 wherein R is H or C.sub.1 to C.sub.8 alkyl, and (ii) a minor amount by mol % of an alpha,beta-ethylenically unsaturated carboxylic acid. The quaternary amine is of the formula [(R.sup.1)(R.sup.2)(R.sup.3)(R.sup.4)N].sup.+ [X].sup.- wherein R.sup.1 is selected from H, aryl, or C.sub.1 to C.sub.50 alkyl optionally having one or more non-contiguous C.dbd.O or NHC.dbd.O or --S-- or --O-- in the carbon chain, or the same as R.sup.2 ; each of R.sup.2, R.sup.3, and R.sup.4 is the same or different and selected from H, C.sub.1 to C.sub.18 alkyl optionally substituted with one or more OH or from --(R.sup.5 --O).sub.a --H where a is an integer from 1 to 10 and R.sup.5 is ethylene or propylene; and X is an anion selected from chloride, bromide, iodide, fluoride, nitrate, fluoborate, phosphate, C.sub.1 to C.sub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 12, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, William P. Roberts
  • Patent number: 4997710
    Abstract: A multilayer layer cook-on film utilizes a linear low density polyethylene sealant and, in place of a relatively thick and expensive adhesive layer, two thin adhesive layers having between them an intermediate layer of ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1988
    Date of Patent: March 5, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pockat, Hubert J. Cook, Paul J. Satterwhite
  • Patent number: 4983171
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ostomy bag that is made with air cushion film so that the air bubbles are on the bag outside. Air cushion film is known as bubblepak in the industry. The bubbles afford a high degree of comfort to the person wearing the ostomy bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: January 8, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4981009
    Abstract: Apparatus for the opening of a bag 1 is provided with a clamp 2 having one fixed jaw 3 which applies a high pressure to a limited area of the bag by means of a pip 4, and a movable jaw 5 which applies a lower pressure to the bag 1 over a larger area through a spring-loaded block 6 and a rubber pad 7, and is movable by means of a pneumatic cylinder 8. The high pressure applied by the pip 4 is sufficient to prevent any relative movement of the bag panels. The lower pressure exerted by the rubber pad 7 is sufficient to prevent sliding movement of the pad 7 relative to the upper surface of the bag 1 but does not prevent relative movement between the upper and lower panels of the bag 1. When the movable jaw 5 is moved towards the fixed jaw 3 a region of the upper panel of the bag is buckled between the two jaws. Raising of the clamp thus opens the bag, the lower side being held down by adhesive tape 9.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 1, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gian C. Gianelli
  • Patent number: 4977022
    Abstract: A barrier stretch film comprises an outer layer of a heat sealable polymeric material; a first interior layer of an oxygen barrier polymeric material; a second interior layer of a high molecular weight polymer; an inner copolyamide layer; and an adhesive between the second interior and inner layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: December 11, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4965136
    Abstract: This invention relates to films made from vinylidene chloride copolymers. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and compositions for lowering the oxygen permeability and enhancing the thermal stability and enhancing the melt shear stability of monolayer and multilayer packaging films having a layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer film by adding an organic silicon polymer to the vinylidene chloride copolymer. The conventional stabilizer/plasticizer combination of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-hexyl diphenyl phosphate may be eliminated from the vinylidene chloride copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 1988
    Date of Patent: October 23, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4963427
    Abstract: This invention relates to a co-extruded multilayer film and particularly for vacuum packaging food products. The film comprises at least one layer formed by ethylene-vinyl acetate-copolymer with a vinyl acetate content preferably comprised between 9% and 26% range by weight. The film is preferably radiated at a lower level than 20 MRad. The film is adaped to resist high stretch ratios during the packaging process, so that packaging of bodies with projecting portions or cavities is possible, without breaking the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1989
    Date of Patent: October 16, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Paolo Botto, Claudio Freschi
  • Patent number: 4958735
    Abstract: An easy open, hermetically sealed, display package made from a single sheet of thermoplastic, gas barrier, heat shrinkable film is provided. The sheet is folded to form one end of the package, the fold being spaced apart from a seal parallel to the fold line with the material between the seal and the fold line being unshrunken and the remainder of the material being shrunk around the product and sealed on all sides. A unshrunken strip of plastic material having a line of weakness is adhered to the unshrunken portion which is also provided with a line of weakness which also corresponds to the line of weakness in the unshrunken strip. The material on both sides of the line of weakness serves as tear tabs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 1985
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Robert A. Odabashian
  • Patent number: 4958412
    Abstract: A sizing ring includes a cylindrical sleeve and optionally a frustoconical portion, in which a least one channel located within the sleeve provides for the transfer of liquid additive from a liquid source to the outer extremity of the sizing ring. Grooves in the outer face of the ring provide a means of transmitting the liquid additive from the ring onto the interior of the casing as it is unshirred. The liquid additive, such as liquid smoke or colorant, is then transferred to the exterior surface of the stuffed meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Tom G. Stanek
  • Patent number: 4958480
    Abstract: The present invention involves a method of packaging a product including drawing a thermoplastic thermoformable web into a thermoforming mold to form a cavity, inserting the product into the cavity, moving the web and product to a vacuum chamber, placing a tray, upside down, in the chamber on top of the web to define an unsealed package; sealing the tray to the web under vacuum; and shrinking the bottom web.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 25, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: John J. Warner
  • Patent number: 4957790
    Abstract: Described is the presence of both a pro-rad linking agent and irradiation such as electron beam irradiation, in the manufacturing process for making an oriented, i.e. heat-shrinkable, polymeric film. The presence of both results in an amount of cross-linking that is effective to accomplish an increased orientation rate during manufacturing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1987
    Date of Patent: September 18, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Warren
  • Patent number: 4956212
    Abstract: A vacuum skin package for packaging fresh red meat and like articles is produced by using a composite, multilayer, oxygen barrier, vacuum skin package forming film in which the barrier layer can be manually separated from the non-barrier, oxygen permeable layer. After the vacuum skin package is formed to enclose a fresh red meat product in a vacuum the meat will have a purplish color. Then, after storage, the barrier layer can be removed so that the remaining permeable film can admit oxygen to impart the desirable red bloom to the fresh meat. Of importance is the "tear through" feature of the permeable inner layer which has a greater bond strength to the tray than internal strength or layer-to-layer bond strength so that a tab may be torn loose at a score line and then the barrier layer may be readily delaminated and peeled from the permeable layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: September 11, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co. -Conn.
    Inventor: Solomon Bekele
  • Patent number: 4952451
    Abstract: A multi-layered thermoplastic polyolefin film having an improved combination of physical characteristics is disclosed. In particular, the multi-layered film evidences an improved combination of elongation, oxygen transmission and heat shrinkability. Preferred five layer embodiments of the film comprises (1) a core layer of either a low density polyethylene homopolymer or an ethylene acetate copolymer or a blend of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer with a linear low density polyethylene; (2) two adjacent intermediate layers of a very low density polyethylene with a density of less than 0.900 gms/ccm, and (3) two surface layers of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1988
    Date of Patent: August 28, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4950354
    Abstract: A micro-bubble laminate is made by drawing a heated thermoplastic film through the perforations of a perforated substrate laminated to the film. The bubbles may then be trapped by laminating an additional thermoplastic layer to the laminate construction. This laminate may be used in producing air cushioning or bubble laminates, and the inventive process avoids the intricate and expensive machinery typically used in the production of air cushioning materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4949430
    Abstract: A stuffing horn includes a cylindrical sleeve in which a least one channel located within the sleeve provides for the transfer of liquid additive from a liquid source to the outer extremity of the stuffing horn. Atomizers in the outer face of the horn provide a means of transferring the liquid additive from the horn onto the interior of a food-product thermoplastic container such as a casing or bag. The liquid additive, such as liquid smoke or colorant, is then transferred to the exterior surface of the stuffed meat product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Thomas G. Stanek
  • Patent number: 4948604
    Abstract: A package of shrunken heat-shrinkable flexible film conformed to a contained food product has no gap or virtually no gap between the food product and the shrunken film. Prior to heat shrinking, the package is subjected to non-ionizing radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 14, 1990
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Richard O. Kuehne, Karl R. Deily, Timothy L. Lawlis