Patents Represented by Attorney John J. Toney
  • Patent number: 4847148
    Abstract: Thermoformable barrier sheet includes a barrier film having low oxygen transmission, and a thermoformable plastic, especially a foamed or unfoamed polystyrene sheet bonded thereto. Bonding can be accomplished by corona bonding or by thermal bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: July 11, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4842952
    Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed having improved adhesion between layers and consisting essentially of the following elements:(a) a layer consisting essentially of vinylidene chloride copolymer; and,(b) a layer consisting essentially of about 5-40 weight percent of ethylene/butyl-acrylate copolymer having a melting point of about 110.degree. C. blended with about 95-60 weight percent of linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Steven B. Garland
  • Patent number: 4839235
    Abstract: A coextruded multiple layer oriented film comprises a core layer comprising an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, two intermediate adhesive layers, and two outer layers comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer, and blends comprising at least 10% of said ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer blended with ethylene alpha-olefin copolymers. A preferred embodiment of the multilayer film exhibits high oxygen barrier especially useful in food packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 13, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Gautam P. Shah
  • Patent number: 4837084
    Abstract: Disclosed is a heat-shrinkable film suitable for making bags and pouches. The film has at least one layer comprising a copolymer of ethylene and an alphaolefin with six or more carbon atoms per molecule, said copolymer having a density of about 0.910 g/cc of less and a melt index of about 2 or less.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 1987
    Date of Patent: June 6, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Warren
  • Patent number: 4833862
    Abstract: By providing raised peripheral edges, preferably walls, for the supporting member of a vacuum skin package, a superior vacuum package is achieved when a product is vacuum packaged on such a supporting number. Wrinkles and weak spots are avoided. Preferably, the raised edges are formed in-line as the package is made.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 1983
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co. - Conn.
    Inventors: Ermanno Bortolani, Enzo Vassarotti
  • Patent number: 4833024
    Abstract: The multilayer shrink film of the present invention provides very low shrink tension approximating some PVC films, while providing relatively high free shrink characteristics and relatively low shrink temperatures. The preferred film has five layers including a core layer comprising a linear low density polyethylene or ethylene propylene copolymer, two outer layers comprising a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of linear low density polyethylene and ethylene propylene copolymer, and two intermediate layers comprising a polymeric material or blend of materials having a melting point of less than 100.degree. C. Suitable materials include ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, a blend of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and very low density polyethylene, ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer, and a blend of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer and ethylene butyl acrylate copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 23, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 4827694
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a machine for wrapping filled trays in thermoplastic film, said machine having a film folding device in which the side folding arms and back folding bar move along linear paths in synchronized motion so that the points of coincidence between the back folding bar and the side folding arms define a curve which approximates a diagonal to the tray being wrapped. This film folding device provides uniquely smooth folds on the bottom of a tray which can be readily heat sealed to produce a relatively leakproof package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1988
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Dave L. Owen, Robert E. Jahn
  • Patent number: 4828928
    Abstract: A coextruded multiple layer film is oriented in primarily the longitudinal direction, and comprises a core layer comprising high density polyethylene, outer layers comprising ethylene propylene copolymer, polypropylene, or blends thereof, and intermediate layers which bond the outer layers to the cure layer and comprise an ethylene copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Gautam P. Shah
  • Patent number: 4826493
    Abstract: HB polymers, such as copolymers of hydroxy butyric acid and hydroxy valeric acid, are provided as melt extruded films having a thickness of 5 to 200 .mu.m. Sheet materials may consist of such a film or the film may be laminated with other films to increase strength or impermeability. The films are best made by co-extrusion with a thermoplastic that is substantially non-tacky upon solidification. The sheet materials are of particular value as diaper backsheets and ostomy bags. They may include a layer of non-woven material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 1987
    Date of Patent: May 2, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Francesco Martini, Luigi Perazzo, Paolo Vietto
  • Patent number: 4820557
    Abstract: Disclosed is a high abuse-resistance film suitable for making bags and pouches. The film has at least one layer comprising a linear copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin with a density of about 0.935 g/cc or less. The copolymer has a comparatively lower I.sub.10 /I.sub.2 ratio than the corresponding ethylene/alpha-olefin with the same comonomer and essentially the same density and essentially the same melt index at condition 190/2.16.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: April 11, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Thomas C. Warren
  • Patent number: 4817263
    Abstract: A storage container for electrostatic discharge sensitive devices comprises an enclosable polymeric outer shell, a polymeric inner shell disposed within the outer shell, grooves in the inner shell for accommodating electrostatic discharge sensitive devices, and means for affixing the inner shell to the outer shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1989
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Dennis C. Donalson, Robert R. Wilkie
  • Patent number: 4816343
    Abstract: In a multilayer flexible film sutable for medical solution packaging, film-derived extractables are controlled by the use of a small amount of a high molecular weight stabilizer in the outer layer of the film. Solution pH can be controlled by the addition of a carbonate of an alkali metal to at least one intermediate adhesive layer and/or the core layer of the film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventors: Walter B. Mueller, Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4815602
    Abstract: A vacuum skin package, having a peripheral area and a central area, comprises a thermoplastic supporting member; a thermoplastic heat-formed top web sealed to the supporting member in the peripheral area of the package; a first moisture impervious metallic sheet having outer and inner non-heat sealable surfaces; a second moisture-impervious metallic sheet having outer and inner non-heat sealable surfaces; the first and second sheets unbonded to each other and substantially enclosing therebetween a product in the central area of the package; and the product and enclosing sheets disposed between and enclosed by the supporting member and top web, the top web in comunication with the outer non-heat sealable surface of the first sheet, and the supporting member in communication with but unbonded to the outer non-heat sealable surface of the second sheet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4808010
    Abstract: A pouch and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open pouch in a vertical form-fill-seal process wherein a pouch is formed from a sheet of thermoplastic film and a heat seal between pouches as they are filled serves as the top closure for the lower pouch and a bottom closure for the upper pouch, the easy open feature being provided by a U-shaped portion having a plurality of seal ribs, and a tear initiation notch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 28, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Dennis J. Vogan
  • Patent number: 4803122
    Abstract: Discrete, self-supporting films are adhered together to form a unique laminate. The surface or outer self-supporting films comprise heat-sealable thermoplastic material, and one interior self-supporting film is adhered to one outer films and comprises an oxygen barrier material. An optional interior film may be adhered to the barrier film to add strength to the laminate. At least one of the films is oriented and the laminate has a thickness of at least about 10 mils. A preferred method of bonding or adhering the films together is by means of corona discharge treatment. The resulting film is characterized by shrinkability and high strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Patent number: 4801486
    Abstract: A thermoplastic, multi-layer packaging film is disclosed which comprises at least 5 layers in which one surface layer is a heat sealing layer and one of the internal layers is a barrier layer. The heat sealing surface layer comprises a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule and said copolymer comprises 90% to 75% ethylene and 10% to 25% alpha-olefin having 4 to 8 carbon molecules and a density of less than 915 kg/m.sup.2. The heat sealing layer may also comprise a blend of the aforementioned copolymer with an ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer or an ethylene/butyl-acrylate copolymer. The film can be oriented to be heat shrinkable and can be formed into bags by heat sealing portions of the sealing surfaces together. The heat seals have superior cold strength and minimize seal failure when the bags are loaded with relatively heavy products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 31, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Cesare Quacquarella, Richard S. Williams
  • Patent number: 4800115
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic plymeric composition having antistatic characteristics and a method to make same. The composition comprises a thermoplastic polymer in admixture with an antistatic agent. In one embodiment the polymer is polyethylene and the agent is a mixture of polyethoxylated cetyl alcohol and glyceryl monostearate. Also disclosed is the antistatic polymeric composition in a film, which is useful for packaging static sensitive devices such as electronic circuit boards, or for packaging devices that must be protected from static electricity such as devices in a medical operating room where explosive oxygen and/or ether are present.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 1986
    Date of Patent: January 24, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Havens
  • Patent number: 4796408
    Abstract: A support tray 6a with a product 11a thereon is covered loosely by a cover sheet 8 in a first chamber portion 12 to be drawn upwardly into contact with the heated walls of a shallow first mould cavity. The combination of the product 11a, support tray 6a and cover sheet 8 is then advanced to a second chamber portion 13 defined by a deeper second mould cavity into which the cover sheet can be drawn while vacuum is applied to the interior of the ensuing pack through slits in the tray 6a, by means of suction ports 20.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Bengt U. Mobark
  • Patent number: 4796412
    Abstract: A bag chain for feeding packaging bags to a bag loader includes bags 2a, 2b, 2c imbricated and carried by a pair of parallel carrier tapes 3 and 4 which are wound up on spools 8 and 9 of a cassette 5. Loading the bag chain in a bag indexing drive unit involves simply placing the cassette 5 into position with the spools 8 and 9 engaged with parallel drive dogs 11 and 12, after which operation of a drive motor 15, driving the dogs 11 and 12 through a differential unit 14-22 indexes the bags 2a, 2b, 2c . . . and winds up the tapes 3 and 4. Upon complete consumption of the bag chain, the cassette can be removed and replaced by a fresh cassette with the tapes outside the cassette and carrying the imbricated bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Ronan R. O'Neill
  • Patent number: 4796405
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a machine for wrapping filled trays in thermoplastic film, said machine having a film folding device in which the side folding arms and back folding bar move along linear paths in synchronized motion so that the points of coincidence between the back folding bar and the side folding arms define a curve which approximates a diagonal to the tray being wrapped. This film folding device provides uniquely smooth folds on the bottom of a tray which can be readily heat sealed to produce a relatively leakproof package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 10, 1989
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Dave L. Owen, Robert E. Jahn