Abstract: The invention provides coated substrates comprising a substrate and a barrier coating on at least one surface of the substrate. The barrier coating comprises (i) vermiculite, (ii) polymer capable of forming a film, (iii) chemical stabilizing agent selected from materials that contain cationic functionality selected from lithium, alkyl C2-C6 ammonium, allyl ammonium, heterocylclic ammonium, morpholonium, ammonium and amino C3-C6 alkyl carboxylic acids; lithium cations in combination with anions selected from carboxylic, phosphoric, phosphonic, sulfonic and fatty acids, lithium chelating agents, and lithium salts, ammonia, C3-C6 amine, heterocyclic amines, lithium hydroxide, morpholine, and morpholine oleate; and (iv) cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings, methods and mixtures for making such coated substrates and articles.

Abstract: The invention concerns barrier films comprising: (i) a substrate comprising at least first and second coatings on the substrate; (ii) the first coating comprising an inorganic oxide, metal oxide or metallic coating; and (iii) the second coating capable of adhering to the substrates, wherein the second coating is polymeric; wherein the degradation of oxygen transmission rate is reduced when compared to a barrier film without the second coating when the barrier film is subjected to Gelbo-type flexing as described in ASTM F392.

Abstract: The invention provides coated substrates comprising a substrate; and a coating on at least one surface of the substrate comprising vermiculite, polymer capable of forming a film, dispersion agent for the vermiculite in the polymer, said dispersion agent bearing a negative charge, and cross-linking agent. The invention also provides articles coated with such coatings and methods for making the coated substrates and articles.

Abstract: Preservative compositions using GRAS (generally recognized as safe) ingredients are incorporated into a commercially viable three-stage preservation process for mushrooms. The process includes contacting the mushrooms with a high pH solution for microbial reduction; a neutralizing step to return the pH of the mushrooms to their about physiological pH; and an anti-browning step that incorporates suitable antioxidants and ancillary compounds to maintain the color of the finished product. Specifically disclosed is a method for preserving fresh mushrooms comprising the steps of exposing the mushrooms to a aqueous anti-microbial solution with a pH of 10.5-11.5; treating the mushrooms with a pH neutralizing buffer consisting of an organic acid and a salt of an organic acid and then subjecting the mushrooms to a combination of an anti-browning agent, a source of calcium and a chelating agent.

Abstract: An apparatus for administering treatments to pre-packed boxes of produce, comprising: a main frame defining a space sized and configured to receive a plurality of vertically stacked, pre-packed boxes of produce, each box having at least one pair of through hand holes located in opposing ends thereof, a first injector frame moveably mounted to the main frame opposite one of the two opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes and a second injector frame moveably mounted to the main frame opposite the other of the opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes; a plurality of spray injectors in fluid communication with a solution holding tank and with means to pump solutions from said holding tank to said spray injectors, the spray injectors being adjustably mounted on the injector frames, with a spray injector positioned in alignment with each hand hole exposed on each of the two opposing sides of the vertically stacked boxes; means to move the injector frames between a first position in which the spray inje

Abstract: A method for inhibiting the deterioration of processed fresh broccoli during shipment, comprising the steps of processing the broccoli for fresh consumption and exposing the processed broccoli to a solution of sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and L-cysteine hydrochloride, and water in which the sodium citrate, ascorbic acid, sodium acid pyrophosphate, and L-cysteine hydrochloride have been diluted to a combined weight percentage concentration of from about 1.00 to about 1.

Abstract: Thermoplastic blends of polyurethane polymers, chlorinated polyethylene polymer, optionally polyethylene resins and antimony trioxide, and a flame retardant selected from 1,2,3,4,7,8,9,10,13,13,14,14-dodecachloro-1,4,4a,6a,7,10,10a,12a-octahydro -1,4:7,10-dimethanodibenzocyclooctane, 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,10,10,11,11-dodecachloro-1,4,4a,4b,5,8,8a,9a-octahydro-1,4 :5,8-dimethanodibenzofuran, 6-(1',4',5',6',7',7'-hexachloronorborn-5'-en-2'-yl)-1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachlo ro-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a,-octahydro-1,4:5,8-dimethanonaphthalene, and 6-(1',4',5',6',7',7'-hexachloronorborn-5'-en-2'-yl)-1,2,3,4,10,10-hexachlo ro-1,4,4a,5,6,7,8,8a-octahydro-1,4-methanonaphthalene, are flame resistant and also essentially retain the good physical properties of a polyurethane-chlorinated polyethylene polymer blend not containing a flame retardant.