Patents by Inventor Michael L. Becraft

Michael L. Becraft 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).

  • Publication number: 20220004832
    Abstract: A computing device can facilitate disposal of packaging material. The packaging material can have a product packaged therein. The packaging material includes an identification tag that includes an identifier. A remote computing device reads the identifier from the packaging material and sends a communication that includes the identifier to the computing device. The computing device identifies a location associated with the remote computing device. The computing device determines location-based disposal information for the packaging material that is based at least in part on the location associated with the remote computing device. The computing device send an indication of the location-based disposal information for the packaging material to the remote computing device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2019
    Publication date: January 6, 2022
    Inventors: Edward L. Doheny, II, Jason Brummett, Gregory E. McDonald, David Orr, Michael L. Becraft, Christopher Scott, Andreas C. Schmidt, Ronald L. Cotterman
  • Patent number: 9163141
    Abstract: A blend comprises at least 50 wt. % polylactic acid and at least 5 wt. % of polymer selected from one or more of: (i) ethylene/unsaturated ester copolymer having an unsaturated ester comonomer content of at least about 30% based on the weight of the ethylene/unsaturated ester copolymer; (ii) modified ethylene/unsaturated ester copolymer; (iii) polyetheramide block copolymer; (iv) propylene/ethylene copolymer comprising at least about 12% and at most about 16% ethylene monomer content based on the weight of the propylene/ethylene copolymer; and (v) styrenic block copolymer. An article such as a tray, film, or sheet may comprise the blend.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Paul A. Hughes, Slawomir Opuszko
  • Patent number: 8568808
    Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent has a formula selected from formulas I through VII described herein. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition. A packaging film, such as a food packaging film, may comprise the dispersed-particle composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall, Jeremy Bartels
  • Patent number: 8357414
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging for products (such as fresh red meat) that are enclosed between a support member and a lid (i.e., a film). More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging comprising an elevation unit that raises the profile of the packaged product to contact the lid at any desired time, such as at the time of retail display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2013
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael L. Becraft
  • Publication number: 20120328754
    Abstract: An impact-modified polypropylene composite is made by mixing from 65 to 97 weight parts polypropylene having a glass transition temperature of greater than ?25° C., from 3 to 35 weight parts propylene-based elastomer having a density of from 0.860 g/cc to 0.875 g/cc, a melting point of from 130° C. to 170° C., a glass transition temperature of from ?35° C. to ?25° C., and a melt flow rate of from 3.0 to 15.0 g/10 minutes, and from 0.1 to 20 weight parts of exfoliated silicate platelets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 21, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: John R. Campanelli, Michael L. Becraft
  • Patent number: 8206796
    Abstract: An article comprises a first polylactic acid layer and a second layer directly adjacent the first layer. The second layer comprises any of ethylene/unsaturated ester copolymer, ethylene/alkyl (meth)acrylate/glycidyl (meth)acrylate copolymer, and styrenic block copolymer. The article may be a shrink sleeve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Slawomir Opusko, Paul A. Hughes, Michael L. Becraft, Larry B. McAllister
  • Publication number: 20120052165
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging for products (such as fresh red meat) that are enclosed between a support member and a lid (i.e., a film). More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging comprising an elevation unit that raises the profile of the packaged product to contact the lid at any desired time, such as at the time of retail display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2010
    Publication date: March 1, 2012
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventor: Michael L. Becraft
  • Publication number: 20110311688
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging for products (such as fresh red meat) that are enclosed between a support member and a film in such a manner that the film can be peelably removed from the support member. More specifically, the presently disclosed subject matter relates to packaging wherein the support member is collapsible to allow the product to contact the film at any desired time, such as the time of retail display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2010
    Publication date: December 22, 2011
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Joseph E. Owensby, Blake E. Coates, Donald Keith Moore, JR., Amy T. Hunter
  • Publication number: 20100040653
    Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent has a formula selected from formulas I through VII described herein. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2005
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall, Jeremy Bartels
  • Publication number: 20090297568
    Abstract: An intercalated layered silicate comprises a layered silicate and an intercalating agent sorbed between the silicate layers of the layered silicate. The amount of intercalating agent is effective to provide an average interlayer spacing between the silicate layers of at least about 20 ?. The intercalating agent comprises one or more of fatty acid esters of sorbitan, ethoxylated fatty esters of sorbitan, fatty acid esters of glycerol, fatty acid esters of polyglycerol, fatty acid amide waxes, variants of amide waxes, and variants of amides. The intercalated layered silicate may be exfoliated by mixing it with a matrix medium and adding sufficient energy to form a dispersed-particle composition. A packaging film, such as a food packaging film, may comprise the dispersed-particle composition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 3, 2009
    Inventors: Michael D. Grah, Michael L. Becraft, Drew V. Speer, Gary W. Beall
  • Publication number: 20040058107
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and an amorphous silica. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The amorphous silica reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and an amorphous silica; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2003
    Publication date: March 25, 2004
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 6686006
    Abstract: An article of manufacture includes an oxygen scavenger and an amorphous silica. The article can be in the form of e.g. a film or sealing compound. A package can be made from the article for containing an oxygen-sensitive article such as food. The amorphous silica reduces migration of odor causing by-products of the oxygen scavenging process. A method of making an article of manufacture having reduced migration of by-products of an oxygen scavenging reaction includes providing an article including an oxygen scavenger and an amorphous silica; and exposing the article to actinic radiation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 1997
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Cyrovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Nathanael R. Miranda, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 6259107
    Abstract: An apparatus includes providing an article having an oxidizable organic compound and an organoleptic compound; advancing the article toward a means for treating the article, the means for treating the article including a treating medium, and a means for applying the treating medium to the article; and applying the treating medium to a surface of the article so as to lower the amount of the organoleptic compound in the article.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2001
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Martin J. Ecoff, R. Karina Sylvia, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5911910
    Abstract: A method includes the steps of providing an article comprising an oxidizable organic compound; passing the article through a chamber; exposing the article, while in the chamber, to a source of actinic radiation at a wavelength, intensity and residence time sufficient to provide the article with a dose of actinic radiation of at least 100 mJ/cm.sup.2 ; and exposing the article, while in the chamber, to a source of heat sufficient to raise the temperature inside the chamber to at least 55.degree. F. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, R. Karina Sylvia, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5904960
    Abstract: A method includes providing an article having an oxidizable organic compound and an organoleptic compound; advancing the article toward a means for treating the article, the means for treating the article including a treating medium, and a means for applying the treating medium to the article; and applying the treating medium to a surface of the article so as to lower the amount of the organoleptic compound in the article. An apparatus is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1999
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Martin J. Ecoff, R. Karina Sylvia, Jeffrey A. Thomas
  • Patent number: 5416185
    Abstract: A method for producing polycarbonates by the interfacial reaction of phosgene bisphenol in a two phase reaction medium of an aqueous hydroxide and an organic solvent is disclosed. In the reaction, the amount of water in the reaction medium is controlled such that high ionic strength conditions resulting from high salt concentrations are reached at the end of phosgenation and the pH of the medium is controlled to a range between 8 and 10 whereby excess phosgene usage is less than about 15% of theoretical conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 16, 1995
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, David L. Ramsey
  • Patent number: 5139079
    Abstract: The present invention provides for improved performance of a dynamic mechanical analyzer which measures mechanical and rheological properties of a material by reducing thermal lag in the material by modifying the radiative oven thereof to include a convective transfer device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 1990
    Date of Patent: August 18, 1992
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael L. Becraft, Don S. Mathew