Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for lacing an extruded tube of a non derivatized cellulose through an S-wrap to collapse the tube to a flat width. The lacing to form the S-wrap is accomplished without slowing the extrusion speed. At the start of the extrusion operation, the extrusion path leads between a pair of horizontally lacing members. After the leading edge of the extruded tube has passed downwardly through the space between the lacing members, the members are rotated as a unit to bring them into contact with opposite sides of the extruded tube. This collapses the and creates the S-wrap.

Abstract: Disclosed is a package containing a plurality of cut lengths of fibrous casing which are moisturized to substantially soaked levels of moisture and are retained in an evacuated plastic bag wherein the moisture level of the casing is derived from free water added into the bag prior to evacuation. Also disclosed is a method of packaging cut lengths of casing which provides for the addition of soaked levels of moisture to the casing in the bag.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling the diameter of a clear extruded molten tube wherein the extruded tube contains a volume of a clear liquid and the level of the liquid is indicative of the tube diameter so the level rises as the tube diameter decreases. A light beam passing through the tube is refracted from a straight line path when the liquid level rises above the level of the beam. The refracting of the beam in turn triggers the introduction of air into the extruded tube to increase the diameter of the extruded, molten tube.

Abstract: A method of applying an indicia to the surface of a cellulose casing by non contact printing wherein the indicium is applied in-line with the casing manufacture at a location between the wet end and the dry end of the casing manufacturing process wherein the indicia comprises an ink that is cured and cross linked with the cellulose prior to the casing reaching the dry end of the process. The indicia preferably is in the form of a dot matrix pattern that is visible yet presents no barrier to the passage of smoke.

Abstract: The removal of a cellulosic casing from about a sausage, stuffed and processed in the casing, is accomplished by contacting the casing, either before or after stuffing, with a food grade enzyme, e.g.a. cellulase or cellulase enzyme complex, to metabolize the cellulosic casing on the sausage thereby producing a substantially casing-free sausage. Contacting the casing with the enzyme is accomplished prior to stuffing by applying an enzyme solution to the internal surface of the casing as part of an internal shirring spray or as a stripe to the exterior of the casing. Contacting with the enzyme after stuffing is accomplished by showering the stuffed casing with the enzyme solution. Also disclosed is the use of a combination of pre and post stuffing methods for applying the enzyme to the casing.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed for forming a cellulose film suitable for direct food contact by precipitation from a solution of cellulose water and a tertiary amine oxide cellulose solvent. After precipitation of a cellulose gel from the solution, the gel is washed at ever increasing temperatures and then dried to provide a cellulose film having a solvent level to not more than 40 ppm. Portions of the wash water is collected and treated to recover the solvent for reuse.

Abstract: The removal of a cellulosic casing from about a sausage stuffed and processed in the casing is accomplished by contacting the sausage with a cellulase or cellulase enzyme complex to metabolize the cellulosic casing on the sausage thereby producing a substantially casing-free sausage.

Abstract: Disclosed is a bag arrangement and packaging method for packaging bone-in cuts of meat using two bags to provide a double wall of film surrounding the cut of meat for bone puncture resistance. Both bags are bottom sealed bags formed of a heat shrink film, the inner bag has an interrupted bottom seal to provide an opening for venting air between the bags and the outer bag has a continuous bottom seal. The outer bag is longer than the inner bag so the outer bag can be closed without involving any portion of the inner bag in the closure. The bone-in cut of meat is inserted first into the first bag and then the first bag and its contents are inserted into the second bag, the bags are evacuated and then the outer bag is closed.

Abstract: Described is an edible, water insoluble film which is a blend of polysaccharide and protein and, in particular, a ternary blend of konjac flour as a major constituent, agar and gelatin. Also, described is a method of forming the film including a deacetylating step to insolubilize the konjac flour.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method of extruding a solution of cellulose and an amine oxide cellulose solvent as a tube about a sizing mandrel which diametrically stretches the extruded tube. An aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) solution is introduced into the interior of the extruded tube to facilitate passage of the tube over the sizing mandrel and to extract the amine oxide cellulose solvent from the tube. After such extraction, the aqueous poly(ethylene oxide) solution containing the extracted amine oxide cellulose solvent is contacted with an anion exchanger to remove the poly(ethylene oxide) so the amine oxide cellulose solvent can be recovered.

Abstract: A curl resistant battery separator of a noncellulosic nonwoven substrate extrusion coated on at least one surface with a cellulose film and process for making such separator by contacting a nonwoven noncellulosic textile substrate with a cellulose or cellulose derivative solution on at least one side of said substrate; converting the solution to a solid cellulose or cellulose derivative, preferably having a degree of polymerization of at least 350, more preferably at least 600, to form a coated substrate; washing said substrate in an aqueous solution; drying the coated substrate under biaxial tension to provide a battery separator having a moisture content of from about 4 to 25 wt. % based on the bone dry gauge of the separator(BDG); and then holding the separator for at least 8 hours at elevated temperatures of at least 40.degree. C. in the presence of a controlled amount of moisture to produce a separator which is stabilized against curling and has a moisture content between about 4 to 25 wt.

Abstract: A vented food casing having a plurality of die cut vent openings which are uniform and free-draining so as to provide the casing with a vent rate for air and liquids such as meat juices which is substantially constant around the periphery of the casing. The vent opening being formed by a die cutting operation by drawing flattened casing between rollers, one of which has made punches that mate with female die openings on another roller.

Abstract: The tubular extrusion of a thermoplastic nonderivatized cellulose solution about a mandrel and through a long air gap in excess of 304 mm is facilitated by use of a mandrel which is extensible from the extrusion die. On extrusion start-up, the mandrel extends a short length from the die. For steady-state operation, the mandrel is extended its full length from the die. Also disclosed is a mandrel structure to facilitate the introduction of a nonsolvent liquid into the interior of the extruded tube at a high location on start-up of extrusion and at a lower location during steady-state operation.

Abstract: The tubular extrusion of a thermoplastic nonderivatized cellulose solution about a mandrel and through a long air gap in excess of 304 mm is facilitated by use of a mandrel which is extensible from the extrusion die. On extrusion start-up, the mandrel extends a short length from the die. For steady-state operation, the mandrel is extended its full length from the die. Also disclosed is a mandrel structure to facilitate the introduction of a nonsolvent liquid into the interior of the extruded tube at a high location on start-up of extrusion and at a lower location during steady-state operation. The mandrel also includes a sizing portion having circumferential grooves which gather gas bubbles that may evolve at the interface between the extruded tube and the sizing portion. Vertical channels in the sizing portion connect these grooves and provide the passage of gas bubbles into a volume below the mandrel.

Abstract: A crosslinked cellulose composite film including a regenerated cellulose matrix containing a uniform dispersion of hemp fibers and a poly(ethylene oxide) plasticizer. A method for forming the film includes mixing a slurry of the hemp, poly(ethylene oxide) and a cellulose solvent with a cellulose solution, extruding the mixture, regenerating the cellulose from the solution to form the matrix containing hemp fibers, contacting with a crosslinking agent and then drying.

Abstract: The present invention relates to compounded fibrous dope compositions of amine oxide cellulose solutions having a uniformly dispersed second fibrous material, methods of producing the compositions, and shaped articles such as fibers, paper, films, and food casings produced from the compositions.

Abstract: A cellulose food casing comprising a nonderivatized cellulose film precipitated in tubular form from an extruded thermoplastic solution of cellulose, an amine oxide cellulose solvent and water.

Abstract: Disclosed is a food product encased in a water insoluble film of glucomannan and a method for its manufacture. In the process an aqueous solution of glucomannan is cast onto the food product surface and then is deacetylated and coagulated in sire by contact with a saturated salt solution having either an acidic or basic pH. The coagulated solution is cured and dried in the presence of salt and subsequently washed and further dried to provide the water insoluble film.

Abstract: In a method for forming a cellulose tube suitable for use as a food casing, in which a solution of nonderivatized cellulose, tertiary amine N-oxide and water is extruded through a die gap and the extruded tube is downwardly drawn through an air gap while being internally cooled and then is passed into a water bath, the tube transverse direction tensile strength being increased by drawing the extruded tube through an air length of at least about five inches and exposing the exterior surface of the extruded tube to cooling air in the air gap.

Abstract: In a method for forming a cellulose tube suitable for use as a food casing or as cellophane film, in which a solution of nonderivatized cellulose, tertiary amine N-oxide and water is extruded through an air gap of at least five inches, and into a water bath, such that a wet cellulose tube is formed. The wet tube is inflated from about 55% to 140% or more and dried thereby substantially retaining its work-to-rupture characteristics, especially when compared to viscose-derived tubes.