Abstract: A coextruded multilayer film includes a core layer including an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; two intermediate layers each including a polyamide; a first outer layer comprising an amorphous cyclic olefin copolymer; a second outer layer comprising an amorphous cyclic olefin copolymer or an olefinic copolymer; and two tie layers each adhering an intermediate layer to a respective outer layer. An aseptic package includes a sterilized food product, and a sterilized pouch in which the sterilized food product is disposed, the sterilized pouch including the coextruded multilayer film of the invention. A method of making an aseptic package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A coextruded multilayer film includes a core layer including an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer; two intermediate layers each including a blend of an amorphous polyamide having a glass transition temperature of at least 80° C., and a semicrystalline polyamide; two outer layers each including an olefinic polymer; and two tie layers each adhering an intermediate layer to a respective outer layer; wherein the film exhibits an elongation at yield (ASTM D 882) of less than 15% in each of the longitudinal and transverse directions, and a free shrink (ASTM D 2732) at 200° F. of less than 8% in each of the longitudinal and transverse directions. An aseptic package includes a sterilized food product, and a sterilized pouch in which the sterilized food product is disposed, the sterilized pouch including the coextruded multilayer film of the invention. A method of making an aseptic package is also disclosed.

Abstract: A tubular lay-flat film includes outer polymeric layers, at least one intermediate layer including a polyamide, and self-welded polymeric layers in contact with one another; wherein in various embodiments (a) the outer polymeric layers each include a blend of an olefinic polymer and a polydimethylsiloxane; (b) the at least one intermediate layer including a polyamide includes a blend of polyamide and ionomer resin; and (c) the self-welded polymeric layers each include a blend of an anhydride grafted ethylene copolymer having a density of from 0.916 to 0.935 grams/cubic centimeter, and a single site catalyzed ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from 0.85 to 0.915 grams/cubic centimeter.

Abstract: A polymeric film includes at least one layer, the at least one layer including a polyvinylidene chloride layered silicate nanocomposite composition, the composition including 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a polyvinylidene chloride layered silicate nanocomposite; from 0.1 to 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a stabilizer; and from 0.1 to 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a polymeric processing aid. Alternatively, a polymeric film includes at least one layer, the at least one layer including a polyvinylidene chloride layered silicate nanocomposite composition, the composition including 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a polyvinylidene chloride layered silicate nanocomposite; and from 0.1 to 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a soap of a fatty acid. A blister pack can be made from either film.

Abstract: A retortable multilayer packaging film has a crosslinked first outer layer which serves as a heat seal layer/product-contact layer. The first outer layer comprises a blend of (i) a homogeneous propylene-based polymer and (ii) a homogeneous ethylene/C4-20 alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from about 0.86 g/cc to about 0.91 g/cc. The film also has a crosslinked second outer layer that serves as a heat seal/skin layer, and which comprises a blend of a homogeneous propylene-based polymer and a homogeneous ethylene/C4-20 alpha-olefin copolymer.

Abstract: A retortable multilayer packaging film has a crosslinked first outer layer which serves as a seal layer and product-contact layer, and a crosslinked O2-barrier layer. The O2-barrier layer comprises a blend of (i) from 50 to 95 weight percent, based on blend weight, of an amorphous polyamide with a glass transition temperature of from about 80° C. to about 200° C., and (ii) a semi-crystalline polyamide. The semi-crystalline polyamide comprises at least one member selected from the group consisting of: (a) from 5 to 50 percent, based on blend weight, of PA-MXD,6/MXD,I; and (b) from 5 to 15 percent, based on blend weight, of a nucleated or non-nucleated polyamide having a viscosity number of 150 milliliters per gram to 185 milliliters per gram as measured in accordance with ISO Test Method 307.

Abstract: A process of preparing a retorted packaged product, comprises: (A) placing a product in a packaging article comprising a multilayer packaging film heat sealed to itself, (B) sealing the article closed so that the product is surrounded by the multilayer packaging film; and (C) heating the packaged product to a temperature of at least 212° F. for a period of at least 1 hour. The multilayer packaging film comprises: (i) a crosslinked first outer layer which serves as an outer layer and product-contact layer; (ii) a crosslinked second outer layer which serves as an outer skin layer; (iii) an O2-baarrier layer between the first outer layer and the second outer layer; (iv) a first high-temperature-abuse layer between the first outer layer and the second outer layer, the high-temperature-abuse layer comprising a polymer having a Tg of from 50° C. to 125° C.

Abstract: A retortable multilayer packaging film comprises a crosslinked heat seal layer and a crosslinked grease-resistant layer. The crosslinked heat seal layer is an outer film layer comprising a C2-3/C3-20 alpha-olefin copolymer. The crosslinked grease-resistant layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of (i) a crystalline anhydride-grafted C2-3/C6-20 alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from 0.93 g/cc to 0.97 g/cc, (ii) a crystalline C2-3/butene copolymer having a density of at least 0.92 g/cc, (iii) ionomer resin, and (iv) ethylene/unsaturated acid copolymer.

Abstract: A retortable multilayer packaging film comprises a crosslinked first layer which serves as an outer heat seal/product contact layer, and a crosslinked second layer which serves as an outer heat seal/skin layer. The crosslinked first outer heat seal/product contact layer comprises a blend of a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer and a heterogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer and/r a propylene/ethylene copolymer having a melting point of from about 110° C. to about 150° C. and having up to 4.9 weight percent ethylene mer. The crosslinked outer heat seal/skin layer comprises a blend of: an isotactic propylene-based polymer, and a homogeneous ethylene/C4-8 alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of from about 0.86 g/cc to about 0.91 g/cc.

Abstract: An ultraviolet light absorbing composition comprises first and second benzotriazoles having different UV absorption characteristics. The weight ratio of the first benzotriazole to the second benzotriazole is at least about 0.05:1 and at most about 20:1.

Abstract: The invention provides an absorbent pad for a case-ready package that has a controlled rate of wicking. The packaging comprises a support member, a food product that exudes liquids positioned on the support member, an absorbent pad between the food product and the support member, and a lid member enclosing the package. The absorbent pad is composed of an upper layer, an intermediate absorbent layer, and a lower layer. The upper and lower layers extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent layer and are attached directly to one another. Preferably, the upper and lower layers are composed of nonwoven materials that are coated with a hydrophilic composition. Typically the upper layer will be a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded web and the lower layer will be a spunbonded web. The hydrophilic coating wicks liquid exuded by the food product into the absorbent layer, and therefore prevents the accumulation of liquids within the support member.

Abstract: A multilayer film comprises first, second, and third layers. The second layer is directly adhered to the first and third layers. The first layer comprises at least about 40 wt % of one or more modified polyamides. The second layer comprises at least about 40 wt % of one or more unmodified polyamides. The third layer comprises at least about 40 wt % of one or more selected tie polymers. The film may comprise one or more UV light absorbers. The film has good intra-film bond strength.

Abstract: The invention provides an absorbent pad for a case-ready package that has a controlled rate of wicking. The packaging comprises a support member, a food product that exudes liquids positioned on the support member, an absorbent pad between the food product and the support member, and a lid member enclosing the package. The absorbent pad is composed of an upper layer, an intermediate absorbent layer, and a lower layer. The upper and lower layers extend beyond the periphery of the absorbent layer and are attached directly to one another. Preferably, the upper and lower layers are composed of nonwoven materials that are coated with a hydrophilic composition. Typically the upper layer will be a spunbonded/meltblown/spunbonded web and the lower layer will be a spunbonded web. The hydrophilic coating wicks liquid exuded by the food product into the absorbent layer, and therefore prevents the accumulation of liquids within the support member.

Abstract: A thermoplastic film having at least one external film layer that includes vinylidene chloride polymer. The external film layer also includes an amount of non-polar polymer effective to reduce the adherence to the external film layer of a cooked protein-containing food that is cooked while contacting the external film layer. The film is useful for cook-in and retort packaging of protein-containing food.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a heat-shrinkable, thermoplastic film or bag which contains at least one homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin copolymer having a density of at least 0.90 g/cc. Oriented films made in accordance with the present invention exhibit improved optics and improved impact resistance. A homogeneous ethylene alpha-olefin may be present in a monolayer film either alone or in a blend or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film in accordance with the present invention.

Abstract: A polymeric film comprises at least one layer, the at least one layer comprising a vinylidene chloride composition, the composition comprising 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a vinylidene chloride copolymer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a stabilizer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a lubricant; and between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a hydrophilic clay. Alternatively, a polymeric film includes at least one layer, the at least one layer including a vinylidene chloride composition, the composition including 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a vinylidene chloride copolymer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a soap of a fatty acid; and between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a hydrophilic clay. A blister pack can be made from either film.

Abstract: A polymeric film comprises at least one layer, the at least one layer comprising a vinylidene chloride composition, the composition comprising 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a vinylidene chloride copolymer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a stabilizer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a lubricant; and between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a hydrophilic clay. Alternatively, a polymeric film includes at least one layer, the at least one layer including a vinylidene chloride composition, the composition including 100 parts, by weight of the composition, of a vinylidene chloride copolymer; between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a soap of a fatty acid; and between 0.1 and 10 parts, by weight of the composition, of a hydrophilic clay. A blister pack can be made from either film.

Abstract: A case-ready package has a support member, a lid, and an absorbent pad capable of withstanding sudden evacuation without rupture. The absorbent pad has upper and lower webs enveloping an absorbent layer, with the upper and lower webs adhered to one another around the periphery of the pad. The lower web is a permeable web comprising fiber. The fiber is preferably hydrophobic, and preferably has a hydrophilic composition thereon. The invention also pertains to a packaging process and packaged product using the absorbent pad.

Abstract: A heat-shrinkable film containing a homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer has a high impact strength and a high free shrink. The film can be a monolayer film or multilayer film, with the homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer present alone or in a blend, and in one or more film layers. The film is especially suited for use in heat-shrinkable bags, which can be used for the packaging of various products, especially meat.

Abstract: A composition includes greater than 50% by weight such as between 51% and 99% by weight, of a first PVdC copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of between 80,000 and 125,000, and less than 50% by weight, such as between 1% and 49%, by weight of a second PVdC copolymer having a weight average molecular weight of between 126,000 and 180,000, the weight percent of each of the first and second polymers based on the combined weight of the first and second polymers. A film includes at least one layer having the above composition. A film can have at least one layer including a blend of a first vinylidene chloride polymer and a second vinylidene chloride polymer, the film having a free shrink ratio of between 0.6 and 2.2 at a shrink temperature of 180° F., or a free shrink ratio of between 0.8 and 1.4 at a shrink temperature of 200° F. Methods of making the film of the invention are also disclosed.