The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 29, 2010
Filed:
Jan. 29, 2007
Michael E. Broadus, Mauldin, SC (US);
Richard M. Dayrit, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Bryan E. Freeman, Enoree, SC (US);
Frank M. Hofmeister, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Brian P. Rivers, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Roger D. Vrooman, Greer, SC (US);
Christopher K. Robinson, Moore, SC (US);
George D. Bolden, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Robert W. Campbell, Duncan, SC (US);
Nathanael R. Miranda, Spartanburg, SC (US);
Michael E. Broadus, Mauldin, SC (US);
Richard M. Dayrit, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Bryan E. Freeman, Enoree, SC (US);
Frank M. Hofmeister, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Brian P. Rivers, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Roger D. Vrooman, Greer, SC (US);
Christopher K. Robinson, Moore, SC (US);
George D. Bolden, Simpsonville, SC (US);
Robert W. Campbell, Duncan, SC (US);
Nathanael R. Miranda, Spartanburg, SC (US);
Cryovac, Inc., Duncan, SC (US);
Abstract
As a first aspect, the present invention is directed to a process for making a heat-shrinkable annular film, comprising: (A) extruding an annular extrudate downward from an annular die; (B) quenching the annular extrudate by applying a quenching liquid to the annular extrudate; (C) reheating the extrudate to an orientation temperature of from 130° F. to 210° F., resulting in a reheated annular extrudate; and (D) orienting the reheated annular extrudate while the reheated annular extrudate is in the solid state, the orientation being carried out with a total orientation factor of at least 2, so that the resulting oriented, heat-shrinkable film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least 10 percent. The extrudate comprises at least one semi-crystalline polyamide selected from the group consisting of: (i) polyamide 6, (ii) polyamide 66, (iii) polyamide 6/66, and (iv) polyamide 6/12. The semi-crystalline polyamide makes up at least 5 volume percent of the annular extrudate. At least 50% of the quenching liquid cascades down the annular extrudate for a distance of at least 2 inches. The quenching liquid makes initial contact with the annular extrudate within 0.1 to 8 inches of the annular die.