Patents Represented by Attorney William D. Lee
  • Patent number: 5514400
    Abstract: A method of packaging meat emulsion in a flexible thermoplastic bag, wherein the bag has dispersed on its insides, prior to insertion of the meat emulsion into the bag, additives such as liquid colorant or liquid smoke, via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers), is shown. An apparatus for dispersing the additives via a squeeze roller and backing plate (or two squeeze rollers) is also shown.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 1995
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Gray
  • Patent number: 5514473
    Abstract: A copolymer blend having improved extrusion performance comprising from 90 to 50% by weight of vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer and from 10 to 50% by weight of a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer wherein the weight percentage of vinyl chloride in the blend is greater than 12% and the weight percentage of methyl acrylate in the blend is less than 2.8%.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 7, 1996
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Tito Fornasiero, Mario Paleari
  • Patent number: 5483784
    Abstract: An apparatus for, and a method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing is disclosed. Particularly, the present invention discloses an apparatus for, and method of, loading a meat product into a thermoplastic bag or casing such that the area used to produce a heat seal closure of the bag or casing is protected against contamination during the product loading process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Howard D. Conner, Frederick A. Dobbins
  • Patent number: 5484654
    Abstract: A packaging laminate which includes a layer of polymethylpentene film and a sealant film. The films may be bonded by corona treatment. The laminate displays high oxygen transmission and heat resistance and may be used as a packaging material for produce such as cauliflower, broccoli and lettuce.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.
    Inventor: Walter B. Mueller
  • Patent number: 5484375
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of heat sealing fitment tubes to pouches or bags of flexible film using a pair of hot bars. Also disclosed is the use of warm bars or cold bars to cool the hot bar seal. An apparatus for producing pouches with fitment tubes sealed thereto as well as the pouches so produced is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 1994
    Date of Patent: January 16, 1996
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Gregory E. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5482771
    Abstract: A multiple layer film useful in moisture barrier packaging applications has at least one layer comprising a blend of propylene polymer or copolymer, and a hydrocarbon resin; and two additional layers comprising a propylene polymer or copolymer, ethylene alpha olefin copolymer, ionomer, polybutene, or blends thereof. A core layer of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer or other oxygen barrier material, or high density polyethylene, can be included in some embodiments. A preferred embodiment of the multi-layer film exhibits excellent moisture barrier and optical properties, and shrink properties as well if the film has been oriented. High oxygen barrier is also a feature in embodiments including EVOH or other oxygen barrier materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 9, 1996
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Gautam P. Shah
  • Patent number: 5470624
    Abstract: The invention provides a sheet material which comprises a non-woven plastics film and bonded thereto without an adhesive, a barrier film; the sheet material is especially useful for the production of ostomy bags.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1995
    Date of Patent: November 28, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Aurelio Oreglia, Paolo Vietto
  • Patent number: 5466498
    Abstract: A pasteurizable and/or cook-in multilayer shrink film, which is characterized in that the innermost sealing layer comprises an ethylene-butyl acrylate-maleic anhydride copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 14, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Roberto Forloni, Mario Paleari
  • Patent number: 5427645
    Abstract: Films of thermoplastic material may be sealed together by application of a radio frequency field through a pair of oppositely positioned electrodes. Preferred thermoplastic materials have a low dielectric dissipation factor, and such materials include polyethylene. The sealing apparatus includes a circuit having compensation and matching circuits for providing resonant operation and minimizing the amount of reflected energy from the electrodes. Through the use of this invention effective RF sealing is produced-between films of thermoplastic material having a low dielectric dissipation factor. Further the sealing apparatus preferably includes at least one electrode coated with a ceramic and a release material for providing thermal conduction to the films, thereby enhancing the sealing effectiveness of the apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 27, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Joseph R. Lovin
  • Patent number: 5413412
    Abstract: A bag and a method and apparatus for forming an easy open bag wherein a said bag is formed of thermoplastic heat shrinkable film is disclosed. Specifically, an easy open thermoplastic heat shrinkable bag having a heat shrinkable thermoplastic tear strip panel sealed without adhesives or heat seals is disclosed. A method of making said easy open bag is also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 9, 1995
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Robert A. Odabashian
  • Patent number: 5402625
    Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and method for loading bone-in meat products into flexible receptacles such as thermoplastic bags. The apparatus comprises a bag loading table having a hopper and bag holder comprising metal rods such that the bone-in product does not contact the bag during loading and thereby eliminates bag failure caused by bone damage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Clifford S. Halstead
  • Patent number: 5402622
    Abstract: A method for packaging a product includes the steps of providing a composite film including a non-barrier layer and a peelable barrier layer; providing a bottom web having the product supported thereon; removing a strip of the non-barrier layer from an edge of the composite film so as to provide an extending portion of the barrier layer which extends beyond the non-barrier layer; and sealing the composite film over the product to the bottom web so that the non-barrier layer overwraps the product and is sealed to the bottom web wherein the extending portion of the barrier layer forms a pull tab for peeling the barrier layer from the non-barrier layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 4, 1995
    Assignee: W.R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Henry W. Stockley, III, Joseph E. Owensby
  • Patent number: 5387470
    Abstract: A multi-layer film useful in food packaging comprising a first core layer comprising VLDPE or LLDPE; optionally a second core layer comprising VLDPE or LLDPE; two outer layers each comprising an ionomer; and further core layers between the first core layer and the outer layer and between the second core layer and the outer layer the further core layers comprising an olefin polymer or copolymer. The film may also include an oxygen barrier layer and may be oriented to provide a heat shrinkable film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1990
    Date of Patent: February 7, 1995
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Colin D. Parnell, Tito A. Fornasiero
  • Patent number: 5371998
    Abstract: Devices for packaging selected items. More particularly, the present invention relates to devices for continuously packaging selected items in a controlled atmosphere enclosure. Further, the present invention relates to devices for continuously sealing containers containing selected items in a controlled atmosphere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1993
    Date of Patent: December 13, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Randall E. Johnson, Stephen L. Gray
  • Patent number: 5369179
    Abstract: Disclosed is a thermoplastic flexible film suitable for wrapping static sensitive devices such as electronic circuit boards. The film is made of an inherently hydrophilic polyether block amide copolymer in blend with a compatible polymer. Compatible polymers typically are amide polymers or are acid copolymers, such as the nylons or ionomers. The film does not have a degree of hydrophilicity unsuitable for packaging static sensitive devices. Yet the film is antistatic without requiring the addition of an antistatic agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Marvin R. Havens
  • Patent number: 5346735
    Abstract: A vacuum skin package for packaging fresh red meat and like articles is produced by using a composite, multilayer, oxygen barrier, vacuum skin packaging forming film in which the impermeable film can be manually separated from the non-barrier, oxygen permeable film. 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 impermeable film can be removed so that the remaining permeable film can admit oxygen to impart the desirable red bloom to the fresh meat. The oxygen permeable film preferably includes a core having enhanced permeation properties. The impermeable film preferably includes an EVOH layer sandwiched between ionomer layers for improved barrier properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn
    Inventors: Robin H. Logan, Solomon Bekele, Henry W. Stockley, III, Gloria G. Toney
  • Patent number: 5346708
    Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a thermoplastic packaging bag having a carrying handle and relates specifically to a packaging bag having a separate carrying handle. After the bag is loaded with product and closed, the closure securely attaches the handle to the bag.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 1992
    Date of Patent: September 13, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: John P. Carson
  • Patent number: 5329747
    Abstract: This invention relates to a packaging method and device utilizing heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film for bundling a plurality of prepackaged containers which allows for access to a carrying means on the prepackaging. The packaging method and device forms a means of bundling a plurality of containers which have been prepackaged into units. Further, the heat-shrinkable thermoplastic film device forms a protective shielding for the prepackaged containers so bundled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 19, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventor: Allen C. Williams, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5324233
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of heat sealing fitment tubes to pouches or bags of flexible film using a pair of hot bars. Also disclosed is the use of warm bars or cold bars to cool the hot bar seal. An apparatus for producing pouches with fitment tubes sealed thereto as well as the pouches so produced is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 1992
    Date of Patent: June 28, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace & Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Gregory E. McDonald
  • Patent number: 5322720
    Abstract: A multi-layer heat shrinkable film not confined to but including at least three layers, one outside layer being of a blend of EVA and VLDPE, the other outside layer being VLDPE or a blend of VLDPE and EVA and an internal layer being EVA or primarily EVA.Such a multi-layer heat shrink film has good resistance of abuse. The film may include the optional barrier film and optionally two of the two contiguous co-extruded layers can be irradiated prior to the third or further layers. Such a precursor is then stretched into the film thickness required. The invention covers the method of treatment of such a film and a container or package including such a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 1993
    Date of Patent: June 21, 1994
    Assignee: W. R. Grace and Co.-Conn.
    Inventors: Anthony W. McMurtrie, Graham T. H. Bainbridge