Abstract: A multilayer film is disclosed having improved heat sealing characteristics, comprising a first outer layer containing a heat sealable thermoplastic polymer having substantial freedom from cross-linking bonds, and a second layer containing a cross-linked ethylene polymer. In one embodiment the multilayer film is suitable for use in packaging primal and subprimal meat cuts, said film comprising a first outer layer containing a heat sealable thermoplastic polymer; a core layer comprising an oxygen barrier film; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene polymer having siloxane cross-linking bonds. In another embodiment the multilayer film contains a second core layer containing an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer, which is located between the barrier core layer and the second outer layer.

Abstract: A cooked meat product is prepared using a tube of multilayer film comprising at least three layers including an inner layer with an inner surface, the latter comprising EVA with starch particles dispersed across the inner surface and integral therewith, the starch particle-containing EVA layer being irradiated. Uncooked meat is stuffed in the tube and during cooking the meat outer surface adheres to the tube inner surface.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved storage stability characteristics.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of a first ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film including a polyvinylidene chloride vinylchloride copolymer containing between about 70 weight percent and about 90 weight percent vinylidene chloride, and a second outer layer of a second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 2 megarads and 3 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties and heat-sealing characteristics and is not significantly discolored by the irradiation.

Abstract: A coextruded, heat shrinkable, thermoplastic multilayer film for packaging fresh red meat cuts and processed meats. The film comprises a first layer comprising very low density polyethylene, a first core layer of vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second layer comprising very low density polyethylene. In another embodiment the first layer is a second core layer confined between said first core layer and a first outer layer comprising a heat sealable thermoplastic polymer or copolymer. In a further embodiment the second layer is a second core layer confined between said first core layer and a second outer layer comprising a thermoplastic polymer or copolymer.

Abstract: Heat-shrinkable films suitable for packaging food articles such as frozen poultry, primal meat cuts, and processed meat products. In one embodiment, the film may be a biaxially stretched monolayer film of a very low density polyethylene copolymer. In another embodiment, the film may be a biaxially stretched multilayer film comprising a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film such as a polyvinylidene chloride copolymer or an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer, and a second outer layer comprising a blend of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer and a very low density polyethylene copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by coextrusion of the layers. The films for fabricated into bags useful for the aforementioned purposes. The bags have improved toughness.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and subprimal meat cuts. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a first core layer of an oxygen barrier material, a second core layer of a polyurethane, and a second outer layer of a linear low density polyethylene. The multilayer film is preferably made by coextrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is preferably irradiated to a dosage level of between 3 megarads and 8 megarads, and is then heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film contains a barrier layer comprising a blend of vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer and vinylidene chloride-vinyl chloride copolymer having between about 2.9 and about 13.5 weight percent methyl acrylate, and between about 2.9 and about 11.6 weight percent vinyl chloride in the blend. The multilayer film preferably has the copolymer blend as a core layer with first and second outer layers preferably comprising ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The film may be extruded without processing difficulties and is preferably irradiated, but the barrier layer does not show significant discoloration with irradiation.

Abstract: A meat product package comprising an enclosing multilayer film having an inner layer and an insitu aqueous medium-cooked meat product in adhering relation to the inner layer inner surface, the latter comprising EVA with starch particles dispersed across the inner surface and integral therewith, the starch particle-containing EVA layer being irradiated.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of a first ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film as previously described comprising a polyvinylidene chloride vinyl chloride copolymer containing between about 70 weight percent and about 90 weight percent vinylidene chloride, and a second outer layer of a second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 2 megarads and 3 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved toughness properties and heat-sealing characteristics, and is not significantly discolored by the irradiation.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable, multilayer film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats. The multilayer film has a first outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer of a barrier film comprising vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer layer of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer. The multilayer film is preferably made by co-extrusion of the layers, and then it is biaxially stretched. After biaxial stretching, the multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between 1 megarad and 5 megarads and heat-sealed in the form of a bag. The bag has improved storage stability characteristics.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging frozen poultry. The film composition comprises a resin mixture of between about 75 and about 95 weight percent of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of from at least about 1.7 to about 5.0 weight percent, and having a melt index of from at least about 0.15 to about 0.35 decigram per minute; and between about 5 and about 25 weight percent of a polyethylene material selected from the group consisting of: (a) high density polyethylene having a melt index of between about 0.15 and about 0.70 decigram per minute, and a density of between about 0.94 and about 0.96 grams per cubic centimeter, and (b) low pressure-low density polyethylene having a melt index of between about 0.3 and about 3.0 decigrams per minute, and a density of between about 0.915 and about 0.925 gram per cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film suitable for use in fabricating bags for packaging frozen poultry. The film composition comprises a resin mixture of between about 80 and about 95 weight percent of an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a vinyl acetate content of from at least about 1.7 to about 4.5 weight percent, and having a melt index of from at least about 0.15 to about 0.35 decigram per minute; and between about 5 and about 20 weight percent of a polyethylene material selected from the group consisting of: (a) high density polyethylene having a melt index of between about 0.15 and about 0.70 decigram per minute, and a density of between about 0.94 and about 0.96 grams per cubic centimeter, and (b) low pressure low density polyethylene having a melt index of between about 0.3 and about 3.0 decigrams per minute, and a density of between about 0.915 and about 0.925 gram per cubic centimeter.