Patents by Inventor Rachel McDowell

Rachel McDowell 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).

  • Patent number: 9452592
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier layer that comprises an oxygen scavenging composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C) having oxygen barrier properties that can be further enhanced by exposing the composition to a source of ionizing radiation e.g., electron beam radiation. Irradiation improves the oxygen scavenging abilities of the oxygen scavenging composition so that oxygen can be intercepted and scavenged as it passes through the film. The resulting irradiated multilayer film has improved active barrier properties in comparison to the same film prior to irradiation. As result, the multilayer film of the present invention can be used in packaging applications to help maintain a low oxygen atmosphere in the interior of a package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2016
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Louise Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer
  • Publication number: 20140314920
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier multilayer core comprising at least one of 1) an active oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two passive oxygen barrier layers, or 2) a passive oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two active oxygen barrier layers. In one embodiment, the active barrier layer comprises a composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C). In some embodiments the active barrier layer may also include a compatibilizer (D). The passive oxygen barrier layers help to maintain the oxygen barrier properties of the multilayer film after the oxygen absorbing capacity of the active barrier layer has been exhausted. As a result, the useful shelf life of the film can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2014
    Publication date: October 23, 2014
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Louise Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer
  • Patent number: 8815360
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier multilayer core comprising at least one of 1) an active oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two passive oxygen barrier layers, or 2) a passive oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two active oxygen barrier layers. In one embodiment, the active barrier layer comprises a composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C). In some embodiments the active barrier layer may also include a compatibilizer (D). The passive oxygen barrier layers help to maintain the oxygen barrier properties of the multilayer film after the oxygen absorbing capacity of the active barrier layer has been exhausted. As a result, the useful shelf life of the film can be extended.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 26, 2014
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Louise Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer
  • Publication number: 20090061062
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier and at least one layer containing an iron-based oxygen scavenging composition. In one embodiment, the active barrier layer comprises a composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C). In some embodiments the active barrier layer may also include a compatibilizer (D). The layer containing the iron-based oxygen scavenging composition helps to maintain the oxygen barrier properties of the active barrier layer, and under both retort and non-retort conditions. As a result, the useful shelf life of the multilayer film can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Louise Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer
  • Publication number: 20090061061
    Abstract: The present invention provides a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier multilayer core comprising at least one of 1) an active oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two passive oxygen barrier layers, or 2) a passive oxygen barrier layer is sandwiched between two active oxygen barrier layers. In one embodiment, the active barrier layer comprises a composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C). In some embodiments the active barrier layer may also include a compatibilizer (D). The passive oxygen barrier layers help to maintain the oxygen barrier properties of the multilayer film after the oxygen absorbing capacity of the active barrier layer has been exhausted. As a result, the useful shelf life of the film can be extended.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Louise Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer
  • Publication number: 20090061057
    Abstract: The present invention is directed to a multilayer film having an active oxygen barrier layer that comprises an oxygen scavenging composition that is a blend of a thermoplastic resin (A) having carbon-carbon double bonds substantially in its main chain, a transition metal salt (B), and an oxygen barrier polymer (C) having oxygen barrier properties that can be further enhanced by exposing the composition to a source of ionizing radiation e.g., electron beam radiation. Irradiation improves the oxygen scavenging abilities of the oxygen scavenging composition so that oxygen can be intercepted and scavenged as it passes through the film. The resulting irradiated multilayer film has improved active barrier properties in comparison to the same film prior to irradiation. As result, the multilayer film of the present invention can be used in packaging applications to help maintain a low oxygen atmosphere in the interior of a package.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 28, 2007
    Publication date: March 5, 2009
    Inventors: Scott Beckwith, Frank Bryan Edwards, Janet Rivett, Cynthia Ebner, Thomas Kennedy, Rachel McDowell, Drew V. Speer