Patents Represented by Attorney William D. Lee, Jr.

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  • Semi-rigid heat-sealable laminates with permanent antistatic characteristics
    Patent number: 5064699
    Abstract: A semi-rigid, heat-sealable laminate with permanent antistatic characteristics comprising a semi-rigid packaging material having a coating of heat-sealable antistatic plastic. The antistatic plastic is a film of a modified acid copolymer. The modified acid copolymer is selected from (I) a mixture of (A) a polymer containing carboxylic acid moieties and (B) an antistatically effective amount of a quaternary amine, or (II) the acid/base reaction product of (A) a polymer containing carboxylic acid moieties and (C) an antistatically effective amount of an organic or inorganic base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: November 12, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, Stephen L. Fowler, William P. Roberts, Cynthia L. Ebner
  • Vacuum packaging method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5048268
    Abstract: A packaging method and apparatus employ (i) a thermoforming station 6 through which a support film web 4 is advanced by means of an endless chain carrying clamps 16, followed by (ii) a loading station in which product articles are inserted into the trays formed by the thermoforming station, and (iii) a film-combining station II at which a covering film 3 is stretched longitudinally and then applied in its stretched configuration to the support web 4 (with or without the above-mentioned thermoformed trays) and is clamped thereto for subsequent vacuum skin packaging of the product articles between the support web 4 and the upper film 3. The resulting vacuum skin packs from such a process and apparatus are wrinkle free whereas the conventional vacuum skin packs exhibit longitudinal wrinkling in the covering film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 17, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Sandro Brembilla, Mario Romani
  • Film packaging
    Patent number: 5044145
    Abstract: Packaging apparatus, using an upper film (6) pre-heated before contact with a lower film (9) on which products (not shown) are placed, has at least the central region heated by radiant heaters (7) and the marginal regions heated by hot air nozzles (10) at least in the region immediately preceding contact (8) between the upper and lower films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Sandro Brembilla
  • Packaging method and apparatus
    Patent number: 5044142
    Abstract: A package is steam-shrunk while subjected to a substantially constant sub-atmospheric pressure generated by a suction fan 22 operating at the same time as a steam generator 13 maintaining the prevailing pressure within a chamber interior 20 at sub-atmospheric pressure in the presence of steam. The low pressure of the steam ensures that its temperature is well below the boiling point of water and avoids thermal damage to the material of a container 12 being shrunk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1990
    Date of Patent: September 3, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gian C. Gianelli
  • Noiseless polymeric film, and containers for medical use made thereof
    Patent number: 5043205
    Abstract: The film is formed by a composition comprising a mixture of 50-100 weight % of an ethylene-butyl-acrylate copolymer (EBA) having a content of butyl-acrylate (BA) of 5-50 weight %, and 0-50 weight % of an elastomeric polyolefin. Laminates comprising a layer constituted by said film have excellent characteristics of noiselessness and softness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 27, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Luigi Perazzo, Francesco Martini
  • Tear off hinge
    Patent number: 5040695
    Abstract: A molded container includes body and cover portions and a hinge with a central thickened rib and relatively thin segments on either side of the rib. A means for initiating tear can be used to tear open the container along the hinge to provide quick access to the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Dwight V. Adams, Donald S. Aikin
  • Multi-layer film structure for packaging and bags made therefrom
    Patent number: 5041316
    Abstract: A multi-layer thermoplastic shrinkable film with improved processing properties comprising at least a heat sealing VLDPE layer, a core oxygen barrier layer and an outer thermoplastic layer, and also comprising interposed between the barrier and the outer thermoplastic layer a further intermediate VLDPE layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Colin D. Parnell, Tito A. Fornasiero
  • Method of making very high barrier film
    Patent number: 5035851
    Abstract: A method of producing an oxygen barrier film, and the resulting film, includes the coextrusion of a multi-layer extrudate having an outside ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer layer which has been passed through a hot water system to soften and wet the ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer. The wetted film can be more easily oriented to produce a shrinkable film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 1991
    Date of Patent: July 30, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Process for skin packaging electostatically sensitive items
    Patent number: 5033253
    Abstract: Disclosed is a skin packaging film for skin packaging high profile and/or heavy articles. The film comprises linear ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. In one embodiment, the film is antistatic and may be employed for skin packaging of electro-static sensitive items such as circuit boards.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 23, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, Stephen L. Fowler, George J. McCrary, Jr., Alfred P. Engelmann
  • Extruded vinylidene chloride copolymer flexible packaging film
    Patent number: 5030511
    Abstract: This invention relates to films made from vinylidene chloride copolymers. Specifically, this invention relates to a method and composition for lowering the oxygen permeability and enhancing the thermal stability and enhancing the melt shear stability of packaging films having a layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer film by adding a processing aid such as an epoxy resin to vinylidene chloride copolymer of low molecular weight. The conventional stabilizer/plasticizer combination of epoxy resin and 2-ethyl-hexyl diphenyl phosphate may be employed with the vinylidene chloride copolymer. The layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer can be as thin as 0.18 mil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Ronald D. Moffitt
  • Method and apparatus for dispensing packaging bags
    Patent number: 5029728
    Abstract: Packaging apparatus and a method therefor, comprise a bag dispenser in which a stack of bags is supported on extensible wicket pegs and the leading bag is advanced from the stack to bag-receiving wicket pegs of bag-receiving retainer means while the extensible parts of the wicket pegs of the stack holder means are extended into engagement with the wicket pegs of the bag-receiving retainer means. In that configuration a suction pad can draw the nearest bag from the rest of the stack to a separated position from which it may be further advanced by mechanical means and/or an air jet to pass that bag from the extensible wicket pegs of the stack holder means on to the wicket pegs of the bag retainer means. The bag dispensing apparatus may comprise part of a packaging apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 1989
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Philip P. Su
  • Agent for imparting antistatic characteristics to a thermoplastic polymer and a thermoplastic polymer composition containing the agent
    Patent number: 5025922
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic polymeric 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 nylon 12 and the agent is N-butyl benzenesulfonamide. 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: June 9, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 25, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Marvin R. Havens, Joseph R. Lovin
  • Antistatic thermoplastic/polyamide-polyether compositions and antistatic polymeric films made therefrom
    Patent number: 5024792
    Abstract: Disclosed is a film having antistatic characteristics and a method to make the film. The film comprises a blend of polyether block amide copolymer with an aromatic sulfonamide antistatic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Havens
  • Process for producing an easily opened package
    Patent number: 5024044
    Abstract: A first web having an ionomer, or ionomer/ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA) sealant layer, heat sealed to a second web having an EVA/ethytlene butene copolymer (EBC)/polypropylene (PP) sealant layer, forms an easily opened package. A layer adjacent the sealant layer of the second web optionally includes PP or ethylene propylene copolymer. With this optional layer, the sealant layer of the first web may comprise a polymeric material which forms strong interweb adhesion upon heat sealing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 18, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Steven G. Friedrich, Kent A. Davis
  • Low shrink force shrink film
    Patent number: 5023143
    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 three layers including a relatively thick core layer comprising a polymeric material or blend of polymeric materials having a relatively low melting point, typically less than about 100.degree. C., two outer layers comprising a polymeric material or blend of polymeric materials having a relatively high melting point, typically greater than about 100.degree. C., the material of the outer layers having a melting point at least about 10.degree. C. higher than the melting point of the material of the core layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 1989
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Martindale Nelson
  • Coextruded film with peelable sealant
    Patent number: 5023121
    Abstract: An easily opened package is made by heat sealing a first web to a second web. The sealing layer of the first web is a blend of polybutene and polypropylene with a third polymeric material of ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer. Low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, or ionomer. The sealant layer of the second web is ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene or ionomer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 1990
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Gregory R. Pockat, Carl C. Christenberry, Paul J. Satterwhite
  • Bone puncture resistant bag
    Patent number: 5020922
    Abstract: A seamless, bone puncture resistant bag is provided that representatively includes a length of lay-flat seamless tubular film folded to a double lay-flat configuration and having all adjacent film surfaces interfacially bonded, respectively, except at one outermost interface. The configuration thus forms a seamless envelope with one face thickened integrally to triple thickness. In a less preferred mode, a similarly reinforced bag is provided but which has either an end-seal or side-seals. Associated methods for making such bags are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 1986
    Date of Patent: June 4, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Henry G. Schirmer
  • Electrically conductive container
    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
  • Highly formable laminates
    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
  • Oxygen barrier biaxially oriented film
    Patent number: 5004647
    Abstract: A coextruded multiple layer oriented film comprises a core layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, two intermediate adhesive layers, and two outer layers of a blend of linear low density polyethylene and a very low density polyethylene. A preferred embodiment of the multilayer film exhibits improved heat seal strengths, and excellent optics and shrink properties while providing high oxygen barrier especially useful in food packaging applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 1988
    Date of Patent: April 2, 1991
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gautam P. Shah