Patents by Inventor Rick Merical

Rick Merical 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: 20140348702
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter relates generally to a system and method of generating at least one disinfecting gas within a package through a photochemical reaction. More particularly, the presently disclosed subject matter is directed to a system and method for controlled release of a generated gas from a polymeric film or lamination through selection of a suitable combination of lighting conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Joshua D. Wofford, Patrick Wayne Thompson, Rick Merical, Russell F. Darley, Nicholas James Berendt, Jerry Christopher Richardson, Anton L. Timmons, Garry William Crossdale, Kenneth J. Roach
  • Patent number: 8871424
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a polyolefin, a photochromatic pigment, and an additive. It has been surprisingly discovered that a polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment and an additive offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging polyolefin films.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Russell Darley, Patrick R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20140037973
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a non-polyolefin component (such as polyamide, polyester, and/or polystyrene) and a photochromatic pigment. It has been discovered that a non-polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging non-polyolefin films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Russell Darley, Patrick R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130272630
    Abstract: A packaging receptacle, made from a flexible film, has a first side sealed to a second side, a top edge and an open top, an interior chamber, and a tear initiator. A product is placed in the internal chamber within the packaging receptacle, and the receptacle sealed closed. The flexible film has a linear tear property and an imbalanced internal stress so that the film exhibits a linear tear property in combination with the torn edges curling outwardly and away from the interior chamber within the packaging article. The packaging receptacle is particularly suited for the packaging of medical products to be sterilized while in the package. Also disclosed is a manually-openable packaged product, a process for preparing and transferring a product, and a process of opening a packaged product made from a packaging receptacle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2012
    Publication date: October 17, 2013
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Patrick Roy Thomas, Rick Merical, Russell Darley, Jennifer Blocher
  • Publication number: 20130189617
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed generally to a polymeric film that comprises at least one laser imageable marking layer. The marking layer comprises a polyolefin, a photochromatic pigment, and an additive. It has been surprisingly discovered that a polyolefin film comprising a marking layer formulated with a photochromatic pigment and an additive offers a substantial advantage over prior art methods of laser imaging polyolefin films.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: Cryovac, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Russell Darley, Patrick R. Thomas
  • Publication number: 20130035653
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is directed to an ostomy pouch comprising at least one absorbent material housed within the interior of the pouch. Specifically, the absorbent materials are contained within a sachet that includes at least one of the following: a frangible seal, a porous film, or a fluid-permeable film. In use, as fluid enters the interior of the ostomy pouch and contacts the sachet, the porous film and/or the frangible seal weakens to allow fluid to enter the sachet and contact the absorbent material housed within. Alternatively or in addition, in embodiments wherein the sachet includes a fluid-permeable film, fluid directly enters the interior of the sachet. As a result, the absorbent material expands and ruptures the frangible seal and/or the sachet, thereby releasing the absorbent material into the interior of the pouch for full absorption of the fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2011
    Publication date: February 7, 2013
    Applicant: CRYOVAC, INC.
    Inventors: Charles Kannankeril, Rick Merical
  • Patent number: 8110260
    Abstract: A container for a moisture-sensitive product. The container has an openable container body defining an interior volume for holding the product. More specifically, a rigid container defining an interior volume for holding a moisture-sensitive product, and comprising at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being coextruded layers, the inner layer comprising a polymeric material and a desiccant material, the outer layer comprising a moisture-barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Kenneth C. Wurtzel, Lee Murray
  • Patent number: 8003179
    Abstract: Film structures, packages, films and methods of making the same are provided wherein the film structures have a desiccant material incorporated into at least one layer of the film structures and further wherein the film structures can comprise a material for making a peelable seal when the film structures are heat sealed to other film structures. The film structures are utilized for a package to hold a product that may be sensitive to the presence of moisture. The product may preferably be pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical products, or devices such as absorbable sutures or medical stents, although any moisture-sensitive product is contemplated by the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2011
    Assignee: Alcan Packaging Flexible France
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Lee Murray, James Sikorsky
  • Patent number: 7871558
    Abstract: A container for a moisture-sensitive product. The container has an openable container body defining an interior volume for holding the product. More specifically, a rigid container defining an interior volume for holding a moisture-sensitive product, and comprising at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being coextruded layers, the inner layer comprising a polymeric material and a desiccant material, the outer layer comprising a moisture-barrier material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2011
    Assignee: Alcan Global Pharmaceutical Packaging, Inc.
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Kenneth Charles Wurtzel, Lee Murray
  • Publication number: 20080185301
    Abstract: A container for a moisture-sensitive product. The container has an openable container body defining an interior volume for holding the product. More specifically, a rigid container defining an interior volume for holding a moisture-sensitive product, and comprising at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being coextruded layers, the inner layer comprising a polymeric material and a desiccant material, the outer layer comprising a moisture-barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 2, 2007
    Publication date: August 7, 2008
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Kenneth C. Wurtzel, Lee Murray
  • Publication number: 20080012172
    Abstract: A container for a moisture-sensitive product. The container has an openable container body defining an interior volume for holding the product. More specifically, a rigid container defining an interior volume for holding a moisture-sensitive product, and comprising at least an inner layer and an outer layer, the inner and outer layers being coextruded layers, the inner layer comprising a polymeric material and a desiccant material, the outer layer comprising a moisture-barrier material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2007
    Publication date: January 17, 2008
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Kenneth Wurtzel, Lee Murray
  • Publication number: 20070160789
    Abstract: Film structures, packages, films and methods of making the same are provided wherein the film structures have a desiccant material incorporated into at least one layer of the film structures and further wherein the film structures can comprise a material for making a peelable seal when the film structures are heat sealed to other film structures. The film structures are utilized for a package to hold a product that may be sensitive to the presence of moisture. The product may preferably be pharmaceutical products, nutraceutical products, or devices such as absorbable sutures or medical stents, although any moisture-sensitive product is contemplated by the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2006
    Publication date: July 12, 2007
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Lee Murray, James Sikorsky
  • Publication number: 20060269708
    Abstract: Film structures, packages, films and methods of making the same are provided wherein the film structures have a desiccant material incorporated into a layer of the film structures and further wherein the film structures can comprise a material for making a peelable seal when the film structures are heat sealed to other film structures. The film structures are utilized for a package to hold a product that may be sensitive to the presence of moisture. The product may preferably be pharmaceutical or nutraceutical products, although any moisture-sensitive product is contemplated by the present invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 11, 2006
    Publication date: November 30, 2006
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Keith Wilbourn, Lee Murray
  • Publication number: 20030235664
    Abstract: Film structures, packages and methods of making the same are provided wherein the film structures have a desiccant material incorporated into a sealant layer of the films structures. More specifically, the film structure further includes a barrier material incorporated as an internal film layer within the film structure. The film structure is utilized for a package to hold a product that may be sensitive to the presence of moisture. The product may preferably be diagnostic test strips useful in the medical or pharmaceutical field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: December 25, 2003
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Roger Kaas
  • Publication number: 20030215589
    Abstract: The present invention relates to flexible film structures which can be affixed to flexible air duct and methods of making the film. More specifically, the present invention relates to film structures having at least one layer comprising an antimicrobial agent inorporated in a polymer resin or resin blend. The film structures of the present invention can be single layer polymer films comprising a layer of antimicrobial agent incorporated in a polymer resin or a multiple layer film wherein at least one layer comprises antimicrobial agent incorporated in a polymer resin. The film structures of the present invention can be affixed to the wiremold core of a flexible air duct to retard, reduce, inhibit, or eliminate microbial growth which can occur in the duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2002
    Publication date: November 20, 2003
    Inventors: Rick Merical, Chad Mueller