Abstract: Articles comprise a monolayer blown film prepared from a composition comprising at least one vinylidene chloride polymer and at least one plasticizer wherein at least one vinylidene chloride polymer comprises vinylidene chloride and at least one alkyl acrylate, selected from methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, or butyl acrylate or a combination thereof in an amount of from 2.5 to 9 mole percent of the monomer content of the vinylidene chloride polymer and wherein the plasticizer is present in an amount of from 1 to 15 parts by weight per hundred parts of polymer, wherein the article is selected from a package, a container, a laminate, sausage casing or combination thereof, particularly a sausage casing, wherein at least 4 of designated characteristics are present. The invention also includes processes for making articles of the invention and films used therein.

Abstract: A process for making a thermoplastic film by the blown film extrusion process comprises extruding a molten thermoplastic polymer through a tubular die to form a tube of molten polymer, contacting the inner surface of the tube of molten polymer as it exits the die with an aqueous solution of a water-soluble polysaccharide ether, inflating the tube of molten polymer to form a blown tubular film and then collapsing the blown film to a flat web. The thermoplastic film has on its surface a coating of a water-soluble polysaccharide ether.

Abstract: A vinylidene chloride polymer composition comprising a vinylidene chloride polymer and a concentrate comprising a blend of a high viscosity, high molecular weight silicone polymer and a carrier polymer, e.g. high density polyethylene, the concentrate being present in an amount sufficient to improve the extrudability of the vinylidene chloride polymer. The vinylidene chloride composition can be fabricated into flexible and rigid containers, both in monolayer and multilayer structures for use in the preservation of food, drink medicine and other perishables.

Abstract: An improved polystyrene foam having less corrugation is disclosed which uses carbon dioxide as the blowing agent and 1-30 weight percent endothermic agent, such as water, with the weight based on the total carbon dioxide blowing agent and endothermic agent weight. This combination of carbon dioxide and endothermic agent decreases the corrugation of the thermoplastic foam, while just slightly increasing density, when the process parameters, including throughput, are equivalent to using only carbon dioxide. The process an also allow an increased foaming temperature and greater process throughput of an equivalent density thermoplastic foam at approximately equivalent corrugation levels when compared to the use of only using only carbon dioxide.