Patents by Inventor Frank M. Hofmeister
Frank M. Hofmeister has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20110236540Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to packaging films that exhibit favorable sealing characteristics and reduced adhesion to meat at high temperatures. The presently disclosed subject matter also relates to packages constructed from such films and methods of using the films in high temperature applications.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 24, 2010Publication date: September 29, 2011Inventors: Joseph E. Owensby, Amy Hunter, Frank M. Hofmeister, Herve M. Brebion
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Patent number: 7935301Abstract: A method of thermoforming comprises the steps of providing a film, heating the film, and forming the heated film onto a mold. The film comprises a propylene/ethylene copolymer skin layer having a melting point of from about 130° C. to about 150° C. and a interior polyamide layer having a melting point of from about 125° C. to about 230° C.Type: GrantFiled: August 1, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Bobby Ayers, Nathaneal R. Miranda, Cindy T. Price
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Patent number: 7744806Abstract: As a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for making a heat-shrinkable annular film, comprising: (A) extruding an annular extrudate downward from an annular die; (B) quenching the annular extrudate by applying a quenching liquid to the annular extrudate; (C) reheating the extrudate to an orientation temperature of from 130° F. to 210° F., resulting in a reheated annular extrudate; and (D) orienting the reheated annular extrudate while the reheated annular extrudate is in the solid state, the orientation being carried out with a total orientation factor of at least 2, so that the resulting oriented, heat-shrinkable film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent. The extrudate comprises at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of: (i) polyamide 6, (ii) polyamide 66, (iii) polyamide 6/66, and (iv) polyamide 6/12. The semi-crystalline polyamide makes up at least 5 volume percent of the annular extrudate.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2007Date of Patent: June 29, 2010Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Broadus, Richard M. Dayrit, Bryan E. Freeman, Frank M. Hofmeister, Brian P. Rivers, Roger D. Vrooman, Christopher K. Robinson, George D. Bolden, Robert W. Campbell, Nathanael R. Miranda
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Patent number: 7687123Abstract: A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film contains at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 6/66, and polyamide 6/12. The film may have a total semi-crystalline polyamide content of at least 35 volume percent, based on total film volume, and a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 35 percent. The film may have an FTIR Transmission Absorbance A1199/A1170 ratio of up to 1.65. The film may be a retortable film, capable of being used in a process for preparing a retorted packaged product.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2007Date of Patent: March 30, 2010Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Michael E. Broadus, Richard M. Dayrit, Brian P. Rivers, Roger D. Vrooman, Marvin R. Havens, Emmet Austin, Frank M. Hofmeister, Matthew D. Dawe, Nathanael R. Miranda, Christopher K. Robinson, Bryan E. Freeman, Josh E. Johnston
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Publication number: 20080260305Abstract: An easy-open/reclosable bag includes a first wall having an outer and inner surface; a second wall having an outer and inner surface; a bottom portion connecting the first and second walls; a first and second side seal; and a bag mouth; the first wall including a first folded edge portion including a first and second segment, a fold, and a PSA between the first and second segments; the outer surface of the first wall including an easy-open sealant; the outer surface of the second wall including an easy-open or regular sealant; and the inner surface of the first and second walls each including a regular sealant. A method of making an easy-open/reclosable bag, and a package, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 20, 2007Publication date: October 23, 2008Inventors: Gautam P. Shah, Frank M. Hofmeister
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Publication number: 20080179780Abstract: As a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for making a heat-shrinkable annular film, comprising: (A) extruding an annular extrudate downward from an annular die; (B) quenching the annular extrudate by applying a quenching liquid to the annular extrudate; (C) reheating the extrudate to an orientation temperature of from 130° F. to 210° F., resulting in a reheated annular extrudate; and (D) orienting the reheated annular extrudate while the reheated annular extrudate is in the solid state, the orientation being carried out with a total orientation factor of at least 2, so that the resulting oriented, heat-shrinkable film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent. The extrudate comprises at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of: (i) polyamide 6, (ii) polyamide 66, (iii) polyamide 6/66, and (iv) polyamide 6/12. The semi-crystalline polyamide makes up at least 5 volume percent of the annular extrudate.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Michael E. Broadus, Richard M. Dayrit, Bryan E. Freeman, Frank M. Hofmeister, Brian P. Rivers, Roger D. Vrooman, Christopher K. Robinson, George D. Bolden, Robert W. Campbell, Nathanael R. Miranda
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Publication number: 20080182052Abstract: A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film has a first layer that is an outer film layer and that serves as a heat seal layer, and a second layer comprising at least one semi-crystalline polyamide. The first layer contains at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) polyolefin having a density of from 0.88 g/cm3 to 0.917 g/cm3, and (ii) ionomer resin. The second layer contains at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 6/66, and polyamide 6/12, with the semi-crystalline polyamide making up at least 50 weight percent of the second layer. The film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 35 percent. The film has a total semi-crystalline polyamide content of at least 35 volume percent. The multilayer, heat-shrinkable film exhibits a percent haze as measured using ASTM D 1003-00, and a percent transparency as measured using ASTM D 1746-97, in accordance with the following equation: % Transparency?5.33 (% Haze)?31.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Michael E. Broadus, Richard M. Dayrit, Bryan E. Freeman, Frank M. Hofmeister, Brian P. Rivers, Christopher K. Robinson, Matthew D. Dawe, Nathanael R. Miranda
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Publication number: 20080182053Abstract: A multilayer, heat-shrinkable film contains at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of polyamide 6, polyamide 66, polyamide 6/66, and polyamide 6/12. The film may have a total semi-crystalline polyamide content of at least 35 volume percent, based on total film volume, and a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 35 percent. The film may have an FTIR Transmission Absorbance A1199/A1170 ratio of up to 1.65. The film may be a retortable film, capable of being used in a process for preparing a retorted packaged product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2007Publication date: July 31, 2008Inventors: Michael E. Broadus, Richard M. Dayrit, Brian P. Rivers, Roger D. Vrooman, Marvin R. Havens, Emmet Austin, Frank M. Hofmeister, Matthew D. Dawe, Nathanael R. Miranda, Christopher K. Robinson, Bryan B. Freeman, Josh E. Johnston
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Patent number: 6984442Abstract: A multilayer film includes a first layer comprising an amorphous polymer that exhibits a glass transition temperature, and a second layer forming an exterior layer of the multilayer film and comprising a sealant material capable of forming a heat-seal, the sealant material comprising a polymer that exhibits a melting point. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous polymer is greater than the melting point of the sealant material by at least about 45 degrees centigrade.Type: GrantFiled: July 19, 2002Date of Patent: January 10, 2006Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Herve M. Brebion, Frank M. Hofmeister, Ram K. Ramesh, Paul J. Satterwhite
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Patent number: 6858313Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2002Date of Patent: February 22, 2005Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Carlo E. Musco, Paul J. Satterwhite, G. Vince Sharps, Frank M. Hofmeister, Thomas D. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20040013862Abstract: A multilayer film includes a first layer comprising an amorphous polymer that exhibits a glass transition temperature, and a second layer forming an exterior layer of the multilayer film and comprising a sealant material capable of forming a heat-seal, the sealant material comprising a polymer that exhibits a melting point. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous polymer is greater than the melting point of the sealant material by at least about 45 degrees centigrade.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 19, 2002Publication date: January 22, 2004Inventors: Herve M. Brebion, Frank M. Hofmeister, Ram K. Ramesh, Paul J. Satterwhite
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Publication number: 20030148123Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 2, 2002Publication date: August 7, 2003Inventors: Carlo E. Musco, Paul J. Satterwhite, G. Vince Sharps, Frank M. Hofmeister, Thomas D. Kennedy
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Patent number: 6500559Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: May 4, 1998Date of Patent: December 31, 2002Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Thomas D. Kennedy, Carlo E. Musco, Paul J. Satterwhite, G. Vince Sharps
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Patent number: 6379812Abstract: A multilayer film, comprising, in the following order: a. a first layer consisting essentially of amorphous polyamide; b. a second layer adhered to a surface of the first layer; and c. a third layer adhered to a surface of the second layer, the third layer comprising at least one member selected from ethylene/vinyl alcohol copolymer, polyamide MXD6, polyamide MXD6/MXDI, polyvinylidene chloride, and polyacrylonitrile.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2000Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.Inventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Paul J. Satterwhite, Thomas D. Kennedy
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Publication number: 20010010846Abstract: A film includes a core layer having an amorphous polyamide; two intermediate layers, disposed on opposite surfaces of the core layer, including a semicrystalline polyamide; two adhesive layers, each disposed on a surface of the respective intermediate layer, including a polymeric adhesive; and two outer layers, each disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including an ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer; and a second outer layer, disposed on a surface of a respective adhesive layer, including amorphous polyamide, semicrystalline polyamide, ethylene/alpha olefin copolymer, propylene homopolymer, or propylene/alpha olefin copolymer. The film can alternatively have a core layer including a polymeric adhesive, and two intermediate layers each having an amorphous polyamide. A method of packaging a product using these films, and a package, are also disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 4, 1998Publication date: August 2, 2001Inventors: FRANK M. HOFMEISTER, THOMAS D. KENNEDY, CARLO E. MUSCO, PAUL J. SATTERWHITE, G. VINCE SHARPE
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Patent number: 5994467Abstract: A polycarbonate blend composition with a good balance of high impact resistance, moldability, and controllable gloss with reduced tendencies of pearlescence or delamination in molded articles is prepared by admixing with polycarbonate a substantially linear ethylene polymer or linear ethylene polymer, an olefinic epoxide-containing copolymer, and a polyester.Type: GrantFiled: November 26, 1997Date of Patent: November 30, 1999Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Hani Farah, Frank M. Hofmeister, Samuel A. Ogoe, Nancy J. Schrock, Leo R. Novak
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Patent number: 5786424Abstract: A blend of polycarbonate and a homogeneously branched, linear ethylene polymer, which blend has a desirable balance of impact resistance and toughness properties.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 1997Date of Patent: July 28, 1998Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Morgan M. Hughes, Hani Farah, Steve R. Ellebracht
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Patent number: 5712333Abstract: A blend of polycarbonate and a homogeneously branched, linear ethylene polymer, which blend has a desirable balance of impact resistance and toughness properties.Type: GrantFiled: August 12, 1996Date of Patent: January 27, 1998Assignee: The Dow Chemical CompanyInventors: Frank M. Hofmeister, Hani Farah, Morgan M. Hughes, Steve R. Ellebracht