A method comprises transferring a plurality of pouches, the pouches containing a product having a temperature of between 100.degree. F. and 212.degree. F., to a tumbler chiller having refrigerated water as the cooling medium; tumbling and cooling the pouches until the temperature of the product drops to between 50.degree. F. and 70.degree. F.; transferring the cooled pouches to a cooling bath using a liquid cooling medium having a temperature lower than 32.degree. F.; and moving the pouches thro...

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.degree. C. to about 260.degree. C.; (D) a fourth layer, which is an outer layer, the fo...

A package, which allows for butchering and packaging of fresh red meat at a centralized facility is provided which includes an impermeable tray supporting the product, a first film sealed to the tray for enclosing the product, a channel defined within the first film for exchanging gases into and out of the package, and a second impermeable film enclosing the first film, such that removal of the impermeable film provides for the exchange of gases into and out of the package. The channel for excha...

A multilayer film has a first layer and a second layer. The first layer comprises an additive, a binder, and a crosslinking agent. The additive is a flavor, fragrance, colorant, antimicrobial agent, antioxidant, chelating agent, and/or odor absorbent. The binder is a polysaccharide and/or a protein. The crosslinking agent comprises a compound with at least two carbonyl groups. The second layer comprises a non-water-soluble thermoplastic polymer comprising at least one member selected from the gr...

An oxygen scavenger composition includes an organic oxygen scavenger, a transition metal catalyst, and a blend of at least two photoinitiators selected from 1,3,5-tris(4-benzoylphenyl)benzene, thioxanthone derivative, acyl phenylphosphineoxide derivative, and diphenyl sulfide derivative. A film includes at least one layer including an organic oxygen scavenger, a transition metal catalyst, and a blend of at least two photoinitiators selected from 1,3,5-tris(4-benzoylphenyl)benzene, thioxanthone d...

The invention is a handheld device that is adapted for wireless communication with an electronic monitoring device, and includes a control unit and dedicated operating system configured to analyze data retrieved from a data logger and determine if the electronic monitoring device has been exposed to an environmental condition exceeding a predetermined threshold. In some embodiments, the handheld device may be configured to generate a sensory output if the data indicates that the predetermined th...

A method of increasing the gas transmission rate of a packaging film comprises providing a packaging film that comprises at least about 0.001 weight % of single-walled carbon nanotube material based on the weight of the film. The packaging film is exposed to an amount of radiation energy effective to increase the oxygen transmission rate of the packaging film by at least about 100 cc (STP)/m2. day (1 atm, 0% RH, 23.degree. C.).

An apparatus for packaging products having different shape and dimensions, such as for example food products of different size, into pre-formed bags of appropriate size, such as for example heat-shrinkable bags of thermoplastic material, comprises a conveyor for carrying in sequence a plurality of products to be packaged from a product loading portion to a product packaging bracket end portion thereof, means for detecting the dimensions of each product to be packaged while it moves from said pro...

A multilayer film includes a first layer comprising an amorphous polymer that exhibits a glass transition temperature, and a second layer forming an exterior layer of the multilayer film and comprising a sealant material capable of forming a heat-seal, the sealant material comprising a polymer that exhibits a melting point. The glass transition temperature of the amorphous polymer is greater than the melting point of the sealant material by at least about 45 degrees centigrade.

A receptacle (110, 112) suitable for food packaging which comprises a bottom or base portion (111, 121) defining a storage compartment or zone and a flange (113,123) circumferentially extending all around the receptacle contour providing an area for the closing lid to be sealed, said receptacle being made of a multi-layer thermoplastic structure comprising at least i) an upper liquid absorbent layer (1) that is devised to be either in direct contact with the food product to be packaged in the re...