Abstract: Method, apparatus, and films, related to coextrusion of heat-sensitive polymer materials. The sensitive melt stream element (12) is encapsulated in a second polymeric melt stream element (16). Transport means (36) is preferably employed between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). A third melt stream element (68) is joined to one or both opposing surfaces (70) of the second melt stream element (16) between the encapsulating means (20) and the die (42). In the die (42) the encapsulated melt stream element (12) becomes an interior layer (46) between encapsulating layers (48A, 48B) derived from the second melt stream element (16). The third melt stream element (68) forms layers (72, 74) positioned outwardly of the encapsulating layers (48A, 48B). The positioning, on the interior of the extrudate, of edges (54) of layer (46) is adjusterd independently of the combined thicknesses of a layer derived from the third melt stream element (68) and an adjacent layer (48).

Abstract: A structure for use in making an easy open package comprises a thermoplastic sheet material. The sheet material has a strip of reflective metal on one surface. Over the metal strip on the opposite surface of the sheet material is a score line. The score line may be formed by a laser. The metal strip reflects the laser and provides a score line of more uniform depth and also provides barrier properties in the area of the score line.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reforming the bottom of a drawn and ironed or a drawn beverage container, and a container made by that method. The container for which this method and apparatus are suitable has a vertical axis; a generally cylindrical side wall parallel with the vertical axis; an outer annular wall; a convex U-shaped portion; a preformed bottom wall including a center domed portion; and an annular, substantially vertical wall joining the domed portion and the convex U-shaped portion. The method comprises supporting the container in a jig, the jig having a bottom peripheral profile portion substantially corresponding in shape to the outer annular wall of the container. The bottom peripheral profile portion of the jig is then mated with the outer annular wall. A reforming roller is brought into engagement with the substantially vertical wall. The reforming roller rotates along the vertical wall and about an arcuate path, affecting the angle of the substantially vertical wall.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for fabricating multiple layer sheet materials while minimizing the time during which a sensitive polymeric melt stream is in contact with metal. The method comprises encapsulating the sensitive melt stream with a second polymeric melt stream, preferably of a lower viscosity, at the outlet of the apparatus which produces the sensitive melt stream. When the encapsulating melt stream has a lower viscosity than the sensitive melt stream, a transport means is preferably employed between the encapsulating means and the die, whereby thickness variations about the circumference of the encapsulating melt stream are reduced.

Abstract: Sheet materials and packages capable of holding hard-to-hold products such as methyl salicylate. The preferred embodiments include a foil layer 12 and a layer 14 of EVOH between foil layer 12 and the enclosed product. An anhydride modified adhesive layer 18 is disposed between the EVOH layer 14 and the product 52. Additional layers are used in the sheet material for purposes of adhesion, appearance, protection, body, and the like. One embodiment of the invention is a coextruded film comprising the EVOH layer 514, a surface layer 516 of LLDPE, an intervening adhesive layer 518, and a fourth covering layer 519 for covering and protecting the EVOH layer 514, especially from physical abuse. The sheet materials of the invention may be made into packages by means of fin seals 54 or lap seals 50.

Abstract: Foodstuffs subject to oxidative or enyzmatic discoloration particularly fruits, vegetables and cereal grains are treated with a combination of hydrolysis mixtures of aldonic acids and their lactones, particularly gluconic acid and its lactones together with very small quantities of a sulfiting agent in aqueous solutions to assist in maintaining fresh appearance and inhibiting discoloration without detracting from the flavor or leaving residues of sulfites in quantities of public health significance.

Abstract: Compositions of matter, sheet material, and packages made therefrom. Novel compositions of polypropylene and high density polyethylene are useful as sealant materials for flexible sheet material structures wherein the sheet material is sealable to a preformed container, to form a lid therefor, and is peelable therefrom, with cohesive failure of the sealant layer in the area of the formed seal. The novel sealant layer compositions provided for package closure and sealing which is capable of withstanding retort conditions while maintaining the integrity of the package closure and seal. Concurrently the lid is readily peeled from the package to provide access to the interior of the package. The peelability comprises cohesive failure of the sealant material in a novel blend of a polypropylene polymer with an ethylene polymer having a density of at least 0.940.

Abstract: An easy open pouch having superimposed layers of film and at least two substantially parallel and linear laser scores located adjacent to at least one seal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for testing the seals of container lids to the top portion of container bodies are provided. Testing the integrity of the seal is achieved by injecting fluid under pressure under the lid portion of the container and detecting if the lid bulges outwardly with respect to its at-rest position prior to injecting fluid. A container adapted to having the seal tested for leakage is also provided.

Abstract: Disclosed are resin stream modulation or shut-off control apparatus for use in a multi-layer extrusion die head for forming a multi-layer plastic resin parison tube suitable for blow-molding. The tube can be formed into articles such as containers. By use of the apparatus, the tube, and accordingly articles therefrom can have layers which vary in thickness or can have portions wherein layers are omitted, e.g., portions which become flash. In an apparatus herein, there is a resin channel having an exit orifice defining a merge area where a first resin stream merges with at least one second resin stream. A die member adjacent to the exit orifice can define the resin channel. Movable means and the die element are caused to intermittently abut or contact one another at the merge area to control, i.e., modulate or shut-off, the flow of the first resin. There is preferably no contact downstream of the merge area.

Abstract: A multiple layer sheet structure has oriented layers of nylon and EVOH. Additional layers may or may not be utilized, and may or may not be oriented. Where additional layers are used, one of the additional layers, on the exterior surface of the structure, is preferably heat sealable. The structure shows improved impact resistance, after retort processing, over similar structures not having oriented nylon and EVOH layers. In certain embodiments, retort processed pouches made from the packaging structures have improved stress crack resistance when dropped onto a hard surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for fabricating films and packages, especially films and packages containing a layer of vinylidene chloride copolymer. The preferred apparatus includes a coextrusion feedblock (20) in combination with an annular extrusion die (10) having an internal crosshead mandrel (11), and intervening spacing means for conveying the melt stream (24) from the feedblock to the die. The mandrel (11) has a cross-head groove (14), whose preferred design resembles elements of a rectangle. The inner surface of the outer die wall (19) preferably has an offset portion, including one of a pair of ramps (33A, 33B) traversed by the melt stream (24) as it leaves the groove. The die (10) maintains the melt stream in a single basic shape as the melt stream traverses the die. The VDC copolymer is shielded from the equipment surfaces beyond the VDC copolymer extruder. Equipment surfaces beyond the VDC copolymer extruder are protected from the VDC copolymer.

Abstract: A multiple layer sheet material comprising a first layer 12 of vinylidene chloride copolymer having a first softening temperature. A second polymeric sealant layer 14 has a second softening temperature no more than about 50.degree. C. less than the first softening temperature. An optional third layer 16 between the first and second layers has a third softening temperature greater than either of the first and second softening temperatures and comprises a polyethylene terephthalate composition. A fourth polymeric layer 18 has a fourth softening temperature greater than the first and second softening temperatures. The first layer is positioned between the third and fourth layers. A fifth impact layer 20 is positioned between layers 14 and 16.

Abstract: This invention teaches using blends of polyisobutylene and polypropylene copolymer in the formation of single layer films and multiple layer sheet materials. The films and sheet materials are useful as flexible packaging materials. The multiple layer sheet materials may be entirely polymeric or may include layers having non-polymeric components, such as metal. The blends of polyisobutylene and polypropylene copolymer unexpectedly have the capability of being extruded through a slot die to form a film having a functionally useful mixture of its components. Thus the invention further includes methods of forming film-like layers of the blends of polyisobutylene and polypropylene copolymer.

Abstract: Improved polymer additive concentrate compositions used in nylon film layers. The improved concentrate comprises a carrier of a nylon polymer composition and the additive material. Preferred nylons include nylon 6; nylon 6,66; nylon 6,6; and combinations thereof. Preferred additives are antiblock agents and slip agents. The film layers may comprise a single layer nylon film, or may be part of a multiple layer composition. The films are susceptible to being used in making packaging.

Abstract: Blends having improved adhesion to each other when coextruded into multilayer films, such films, film-packages such as pouches from such films, and methods for making and using the films and film-packages are disclosed and claimed. Improved adhesion between layers results from adjusting the components of the blends of the layers. In addition, improved adhesion between layers results from reducing the temperature of the chill roll in the cast coextrusion process.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reducing the impact of a higher temperature polymeric melt stream element on a lower temperature polymeric melt stream element, and vice versa. The methods include: supercooling the hotter melt stream element, exposing one or more melt stream elements to an undesirable thermal condition for a limited period of time, and/or using one or more layers as a heat sink. The apparatus is provided by a modified die in which one of the melt stream elements having the disparate temperatures traverses the die in a foreshortened path in the direction of extrusion of the extrudate.

Abstract: A plastic resin extruder to co-extrude a multi-layer melt-laminate film including a multi-port diverter plug which selects the orders of the layers by changing the alignment of the plug channels with different pairs of exit and entrance ports. The walls of the plug and its barrel are tapered and the plug is rotatable about its axis. The plug has interconnected indentations which lie between its surface channels with the indentations leading to a weep hole. Resin which leaks from the channels to the indentations is led out the weep hole so that leakage of resin from one surface to another is prevented.