Patents Assigned to Pliant Corporation
  • Publication number: 20100285286
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides one or more types of low cost elastic laminates with improved elasticity via stretching of an elastic layer, a non-woven layer, or the overall laminate that achieves reduced processing time and cost, can be utilized in a variety of end-user applications, and further provides self-warning capability to end-users of potential film and/or laminate overstretch. The described elastic laminates have at least one elastic layer and at least two non-woven layers, in which the elastic layers has at least one inelastic region formed via heating, incremental stretching, severing, or bonding. Additionally, heat shrink laminates having improved elasticity and compatibility with various laminate components are also described. Processes and systems for the manufacture of the described elastic laminates are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth
  • Patent number: 7812293
    Abstract: Multilayer freezable/microwaveable films and packages having both low temperature resistance to withstand subzero freezer storage temperatures and high temperature resistance to withstand microwave cooking temperatures. The freezable/microwaveable films and packages include, for example, a film having at least three coextruded layers comprising an inner heat sealable layer, at least one core layer adjacent to the heat sealable layer, and an outer skin layer adjacent the core layer opposite the heat sealable layer. Preferably, the films and packages further include an outer protective layer laminated to the outer skin layer. The freezable/microwaveable packages can include a venting system, such as vent slits or a vent valve in the package, or vents in at least one seal of the package, to facilitate microwave heating or cooking of the package contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Jau-Ming Su, Paul Z. Wolak
  • Patent number: 7812726
    Abstract: The present technology relates to tamper evident films, systems and methods for detecting tamper events in films or film packages. The present technology is especially useful in applications for detecting tamper events with individually packaged goods, as well as with bulk packaging or wrapped pallets in circumstances where visual inspection is hampered or prevented. In one or more preferred systems, films and methods of the present technology utilize a conductive pattern, a sensor and/or alarm circuit, and a wrapping film, such as a stretch film, shrink wrap, bagging or stretchhooder. In at least one particularly preferred embodiment, films of the present technology are stretch films having conductive ink patterns applied thereto that remain conductive when the films are stretched to a percent stretch of about 1% or greater. In other embodiments, a conductive material can be separately wrapped and/or cowrapped in conjunction with a film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 12, 2010
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Barlow, Jr., W. Douglas Lilac, Jeffrey A. Middlesworth, Keith Nelson
  • Patent number: 7799418
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film preferably comprising two skin layers, each preferably comprising low density polyethylene, two outer core layers, preferably comprising an additive and a styrene block copolymer, and an inner core layer preferably comprising an additive and a styrene block copolymer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2010
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventor: William T. Champion
  • Publication number: 20100215925
    Abstract: A printed thermoplastic film having a radiation-curable overprint coating is disclosed. The thermoplastic film is printed with an ink system that comprises a polyvinyl butyral carrier resin, a pigment dispersed in the carrier resin, a solvent, a plasticizer, and a coupling agent. The polyvinyl butyral based ink system provides better adhesion to the thermoplastic film than conventional nitrocellulose-based inks when used in conjunction with the radiation-curable overprint coating.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2007
    Publication date: August 26, 2010
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Yuhming Chen, Paul Georgelos
  • Patent number: 7662463
    Abstract: A mulch barrier film having, for example, a methyl bromide permeability of less than about 15 g/m2-hr and machine direction Elmendorf tear strength of at least about 75 gf. The mulch barrier film is an extruded, cast, and preferably embossed, multilayer film having at least one polyolefin layer and at least one polyamide layer. The combination of the film structure and the casting process achieves a barrier film that has low permeability to volatile soil treatment chemicals, such as methyl bromide, and superior tear strength properties.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2010
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventor: Amiel Bassam Sabbagh
  • Publication number: 20090305015
    Abstract: The agricultural film of the present invention includes a monolayer and multilayer embodiment wherein a first layer is composed of at least one polyolefin polymer wherein the film has a thickness of from about 0.1-10 mils and the film is formed by chill cast extrusion. A method for making the agricultural film of the present invention is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2004
    Publication date: December 10, 2009
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jodi Fleck-Arnold, Mark Jordan, Emit Stover
  • Patent number: 7629278
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides a low cost multilayer elastomeric film containing at least one layer of styrene block copolymer and at least one elastomer layer substantially free of styrene block copolymer such that the resultant film has a low permanent set substantially equal to or less than a film comprised of styrene block copolymer only. The elastomeric film may be used in elasticized features of various articles, such as disposable absorbent articles. Methods for producing the low cost elastomeric film having a low permanent set are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Amiel B. Sabbagh, Martin F. Hoenigmann
  • Publication number: 20090299314
    Abstract: The presently described technology provides a machine-direction stretch elastic laminate having in addition cross-direction stretch. The elastomeric laminate comprises an elastic film layer laminated to at least one nonwoven fabric layer and may be used in elasticized features of various articles, such as disposable absorbent articles. Methods for producing the elastic laminate are also described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2009
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeffrey Alan Middlesworth, Martin F. Hoenigmann
  • Publication number: 20090285511
    Abstract: A film having a cross directional tear/machine directional tear ratio below 1 is described. The film has a sealant layer with a cyclic olefin copolymer. The film can be used in the manufacture of packages having an easy cross-direction tear open feature. There are also provided methods for the production of the film and packages made of the film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Dinesh Aithani
  • Patent number: 7550198
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer sealable film having a sealable outer layer, a first heat resistant layer, a core layer, and a second heat resistant layer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core layer is positioned between the two heat resistant layers. The sealable layer is positioned such that one of the heat resistant layers is located between the seal layer and the core layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E Chambliss, Paul Z Wolak
  • Publication number: 20090068431
    Abstract: A multi-layer film having a tacky or non-skid surface includes at least one non-tacky first layer composed of at least one polyolefin polymer. At least one second tacky layer is also provided and is composed of metallocene-catalyzed polyolefin polymers, ethylene copolymer resins, styrene-ethylene/butylene-styrene block copolymers and mixtures thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: PLIANT CORPORATION
    Inventor: Martin F. Hoenigmann
  • Publication number: 20080075934
    Abstract: The present technology relates to tamper evident films, systems and methods for detecting tamper events in films or film packages. The present technology is especially useful in applications for detecting tamper events with individually packaged goods, as well as with bulk packaging or wrapped pallets in circumstances where visual inspection is hampered or prevented. In one or more preferred systems, films and methods of the present technology utilize a conductive pattern, a sensor and/or alarm circuit, and a wrapping film, such as a stretch film, shrink wrap, bagging or stretchhooder. In at least one particularly preferred embodiment, films of the present technology are stretch films having conductive ink patterns applied thereto that remain conductive when the films are stretched to a percent stretch of about 1% or greater. In other embodiments, a conductive material can be separately wrapped and/or cowrapped in conjunction with a film.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Publication date: March 27, 2008
    Applicant: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: William Barlow, W. Lilac, Jeffrey Middlesworth, Keith Nelson
  • Patent number: 7282258
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer sealable film having a sealable outer layer, a first heat resistant layer, a core layer, and a second heat resistant layer. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the core layer is positioned between the two heat resistant layers. The sealable layer is positioned such that one of the heat resistant layers is located between the seal layer and the core layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Robert E Chambliss, Paul Z. Wolak
  • Patent number: 7175903
    Abstract: A heat sealable film for use in food packaging comprises a resin composition comprising vinyl chloride homopolymer, vinyl chloride-vinyl acetate copolymer and plasticizer in an amount greater than about 15% by weight of the resin composition. In one embodiment, the film is adapted to provide a controlled oxygen transmission of at least 500 cc/in2/24 hours. The embodiment is also adapted to heat seal on conventional packaging equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2007
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas E. Hopton, Carl M. Sullivan, Paul N. Georgelos
  • Patent number: 7172815
    Abstract: Stretch wrap films are used to hold goods to pallets during storage and shipping. A multilayer stretch wrap film with at least one outer layer of polypropylene and other layers of blends of polyethylenes. The film of the present invention optimizes physical properties enabling the film to have sufficient cling while creating a tolerable noise level upon unwinding. The optimized properties include good clarity, high load containment, high puncture resistance, high stretch and good tear resistance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: John Cook, Brooke Kitzmiller
  • Patent number: 7087314
    Abstract: A nonoriented film containing highly crystalline polypropylene, standard polypropylene and nucleating agents. The film has physical properties that are desirable for applications such as food wrappers and tampon overwrap, including good tearability, stiffness and memory. In addition, the nonoriented film is cost effective because the film achieves these physical properties without the step of stretching or orienting the film, as required for conventional polypropylene films used in food wrappers and tampon overwrap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2006
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Nicholas F. Forte, Sharon L. Korp
  • Patent number: 6913809
    Abstract: A lap sealable film for forming bags on conventional vertical form/fill/seal equipment containing a seal layer and a barrier layer. The seal layer and barrier layer form opposing surfaces of the film. The seal layer contains single site catalyzed polyethylene and is capable of sealing to the barrier layer. The barrier layer comprises a heat resistant and moisture barrier material, such as high density polyethylene or polypropylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventor: Paul Z. Wolak
  • Patent number: 6907713
    Abstract: An invention for forming, filling, and sealing a flexible recloseable container. Both vertical and horizontal methods for placing product within the container are disclosed. The invention includes guiding a web of film which has interlocking fastener strips sealed to the web. A slider for locking and unlocking the fastener strips is placed in the correct orientation, spread apart at a pair of inner feet and inserted over the fastener strips. The slider is positioned to close a substantial portion of the strips, and then an end stop, docking station, and corner seal are formed against a sealing plate. The slider is then repositioned, and a tamper evident seal may be placed over the fastener strips.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2005
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald G. Thieman
  • Patent number: 6874935
    Abstract: A double gusseted, tamper evident, reclosable container 120 of plastic film. The container can be stored in a flat condition but is capable of receiving a bulky item such as a loaf of bread or a stack of paper napkins with the bag assuming a squared off condition. The container 120 has two gussets 185 and 191.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Pliant Corporation
    Inventors: Paul F. Edelman, David W. Keith