George D Wofford

US Patent:

RE37699, May 14, 2002

Filed:

Jul 19, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/357531

Inventors:

John G. Bradfute - Greenville SC
Blaine Clemons Childress - Inman SC
Marvin Havens - Greer SC
Cedric Michael Lulham - Gray Court SC
Ronald D. Moffitt - Duncan SC
Martindale Nelson - Greer SC
Lawrence R. Norpoth - Simpsonville SC
William Peyton Roberts - Simpsonville SC
Gloria Garcia Toney - Greer SC
George Dean Wofford - Duncan SC

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B65B 5300

US Classification:

428 349, 428 352, 428 354, 428 366, 428 367, 4284744, 4284763, 428349, 428516, 428518, 428520

Abstract:

Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc. , comprise one or more layers of a thermoplastic, homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, as well as many others. The homogeneous alpha-olefin-vinyl aromatic copolymer may be present in a mono-layer film, either alone or in a blend, or may be included in one or more layers of a multilayer film. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto. Finally, also included is an RF-sealable film comprising such copolymers.

US Patent:

6406763, Jun 18, 2002

Filed:

Dec 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/472082

Inventors:

John R. Wolf - Taylors SC
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC
Blaine C. Childress - Inman SC

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B29D 2200

US Classification:

428 349, 428 354, 428 366, 428 367, 428213, 428214, 428215, 428216, 428336, 4284744, 428514, 428515, 428516, 428520, 426112, 426113, 426127, 426392, 426407, 426412

Abstract:

A multilayer, heat-shrinkable food packaging film useful for forming a post packaging pasteurization bag. The film includes at least three layers: 1) a first outer layer formed from a resin composition having a Vicat softening point of at least 100Â C. , 2) a second outer layer having one or more thermoplastic gloss materials of polyester, ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer having a melt index of greater than 1 g/10 minutes, styrene/butadiene block copolymer, and ethylene/styrene random copolymer, and 3) one or more inner layers between the first and second outer layers. At least one of the inner layers includes an ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer. The film has a total free shrink of at least 40% at 85Â C. If the second outer layer includes polyester, then each of the inner layers of the multilayer film is devoid of a weight amount of polyamide or polyester greater than the weight amount of polyester in the second outer layer. The second outer layer may include sufficient thermoplastic gloss material to impart a gloss of greater than 60%.

US Patent:

6514583, Feb 4, 2003

Filed:

Sep 17, 1997

Appl. No.:

08/932946

Inventors:

Kelly R. Ahlgren - Greenville SC
Robert Babrowicz - Spartanburg SC
Solomon Bekele - Taylors SC
Blaine C. Childress - Inman SC
Marvin R. Havens - Greer SC
Vincent W. Herran - Greenville SC
Ronald D. Moffitt - Duncan SC
Gautam P. Shah - Simpsonville SC
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B32B 2732

US Classification:

428 349, 428 352, 428 354, 428332, 428337, 428500, 428515, 428520, 428516, 525 74, 525240, 525221, 525222, 5263481

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.

US Patent:

6520332, Feb 18, 2003

Filed:

Nov 10, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/437411

Inventors:

Charles Rice Barmore - Moore SC
Kenneth Paul Chrisman - Monroe CT
Stephen Floyd Compton - Spartanburg SC
Steve B. Garland - Greenville SC
Alan S. Weinberg - Taylors SC
George Dean Wofford - Duncan SC

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B65D 8105

US Classification:

206522, 53398, 206497, 206499, 206523, 206589

Abstract:

A packaging cushion is disclosed for supporting and protecting objects during shipment. The cushion has upper and lower surfaces and one or more compartments for supporting the objects in positions so that the objects are higher than the lower surfaces of the cushions. The cushions may include upper and lower nodes which increase the separation distance between the objects when the cushions are stacked one on top of another. The cushions may be held in a stack by an outer box, or by wrapping the stack of cushions in a protective film, eliminating the need for an outer box.

US Patent:

6610392, Aug 26, 2003

Filed:

Mar 4, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/034836

Inventors:

Ram K. Ramesh - Greenville SC
John R. Wolf - Greenville SC
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B32B 2708

US Classification:

428213, 428220, 4284231, 4284237, 4284242, 4284248, 428480, 428483, 428500, 428515, 428523, 428910

Abstract:

A heat-shrinkable multilayer film comprises (A) a first layer, which is an outer layer, and which comprises polyolefin; (B) a second layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polystyrene, and polyurethane; (C) a third layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of amorphous polyester and polyester having a melting point of from about 130Â C. to about 260Â C. ; (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fourth layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. The first layer preferably serves as a seal layer in a heat-shrinkable bag. The third layer provides enhanced impact strength, optics, grease-resistance, and free-shrink of the film, and renders the tape more easily orientable. The high melting polyester, polyamide, and/or polyurethane of the fourth layer permits at least two bags, having product therein, to be stacked on top of one another and sealed simultaneously, without sticking to one another, thereby doubling the output of a vacuum chamber machine. A bag and a process of making a packaged product are also disclosed.

US Patent:

6884480, Apr 26, 2005

Filed:

Sep 11, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/951228

Inventors:

John G. Bradfute - Greenville SC, US
Blaine C. Childress - Inman SC, US
Marvin R. Havens - Greer SC, US
C. Michael Lulham - Gray Court SC, US
Ronald D. Moffitt - Duncan SC, US
Martindale Nelson - Greer SC, US
Lawrence R. Norpoth - Greer SC, US
William P. Roberts - Spartanburg SC, US
Gloria G. Toney - Greer SC, US
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC, US

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B65B053/00

US Classification:

428 349, 428349

Abstract:

Film and sheet materials, and articles made therefrom, such as bags, pouches, trays, etc. , comprise one or more layers of homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer, preferably an ethylene/styrene copolymer. The alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer has properties which can provide a desired performance characteristics such as impact resistance, printability, RF sealability, free shrink, optics, high permeability, etc. The homogeneous alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymer 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. Also included is a multilayer thermoformable article comprising a web having a film of such alpha-olefin/vinyl aromatic copolymers thereto.

US Patent:

7200977, Apr 10, 2007

Filed:

Jul 23, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/041129

Inventors:

Ram K. Ramesh - Cedar Rapids IA, US
John R. Wolf - Phillipsburg NJ, US
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC, US

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B65B 31/02
B65B 7/02

US Classification:

53434, 53443, 53469, 53477

Abstract:

A heat-shrinkable multilayer film comprises (A) a first layer, which is an outer layer, and which comprises polyolefin; (B) a second layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polystyrene, and polyurethane; (C) a third layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of amorphous polyester and polyester having a melting point of from about 130 C. to about 260 C. ; (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fourth layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyester, polyamide and polyurethane. The first layer preferably serves as a seal layer in a heat-shrinkable bag. The third layer provides enhanced impact strength, optics, grease-resistance, and free-shrink of the film, and renders the tape more easily orientable. The high melting polyester, polyamide, and/or polyurethane of the fourth layer permits at least two bags, having product therein, to be stacked on top of one another and sealed simultaneously, without sticking to one another, thereby doubling the output of a vacuum chamber machine. A bag and a process of making a packaged product are also disclosed.

US Patent:

7207157, Apr 24, 2007

Filed:

Apr 27, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/843990

Inventors:

John R. Wolf - Greenville SC, US
Ram K. Ramesh - Greenville SC, US
George D. Wofford - Duncan SC, US

Assignee:

Cryovac, Inc. - Duncan SC

International Classification:

B65B 7/02

US Classification:

53469, 156289, 1563084, 1563096, 428 349, 428 352, 428 357

Abstract:

A heat-shrinkable multilayer film comprises (A) a first layer, which is an outer layer, and which comprises polyolefin; (B) a second layer comprising at least one member selected from the group consisting of polyolefin, polystyrene, and polyurethane, wherein the second layer has a thickness of from about 10 to 50 percent, based on a total film thickness; (C) a third layer comprising a polyamide having a melting point of 160 C. and below; and (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fourth layer comprising polyester. The first layer preferably serves as a seal layer in a heat-shrinkable bag. The third layer provides enhanced orientability of the tape from which the film is formed, thereby providing improved total free shrink and lower shrink temperature. The third layer also provides greater optical clarity and permits the presence of a thicker polyamide layer, thereby increasing impact strength and improving the O-barrier of the film. The high melting polyester of the fourth layer permits at least two bags, having product therein, to be stacked on top of one another and sealed simultaneously, without sticking to one another, thereby doubling the output of a vacuum chamber machine.