Raymond M Clarke

US Patent:

6376032, Apr 23, 2002

Filed:

Dec 5, 1996

Appl. No.:

08/759602

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA
Ray F. Stewart - Redwood City CA
Valentine Y. Yoon - Santa Barbara CA
Donald A. Schultz - San Mateo CA
Bradley McClary - Elkton MD

Assignee:

Landec Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

B32B 1710

US Classification:

428 347, 428 352, 428 357, 4283159, 428331, 428520, 428522, 426118, 426418, 426419, 264204

Abstract:

Novel gas-permeable membranes which are particularly useful in the packaging of fresh cut fruit and vegetables, and other respiring biological materials. The membranes have an O permeability of at least 775,000 ml/m. atm. 24 hrs, a P ratio of at least 1. 3, and a ratio of CO permeability to O permeability (R) of at least 1. 5, and are made by forming thin polymeric coatings on microporous polymeric films. Preferred coating polymers are side chain crystalline polymers. Preferred microporous films contain inorganic fillers, particularly such films based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyetheylene or polypropylene. FIG. illustrates how O permeability an R ratio vary for different coating polymers and microporous films.

US Patent:

6548132, Apr 15, 2003

Filed:

Jul 23, 1998

Appl. No.:

09/121082

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA
Donald A. Schultz - San Mateo CA

Assignee:

Landec Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

B32B 2700

US Classification:

428 347, 428 352, 428 357, 4283159, 428447, 428451, 426118

Abstract:

Novel gas-permeable membranes which are particularly useful in the packaging of fresh cut fruit and vegetables, and other respiring biological materials. The membranes comprise a microporous film or other gas-permeable substrate and, coated on the substrate, a layer of a block copolymer having a heat of fusion of at least 5 J/g and containing polysiloxane polymeric blocks and crystalline polymeric blocks having a melting point of -5 to 40Â C.

US Patent:

7169451, Jan 30, 2007

Filed:

Oct 12, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/976987

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US
Ray F. Stewart - Redwood City CA, US
Valentine Y. Yoon - Santa Barbara CA, US
Donald A. Schultz - San Mateo CA, US
Bradley McClary - Elkton CA, US

Assignee:

Landec Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

B32B 1/08

US Classification:

428 352, 428 347, 428137, 4283159, 428447, 428500, 426106, 426118

Abstract:

Novel gas-permeable membranes which are particularly useful in the packaging of fresh cut fruit and vegetables, and other respiring biological materials. The membranes have an Opermeability of at least 775,000 ml/m. atm. 24 hrs, a Pratio of at least 1. 3, and a ratio of COpermeability to Opermeability (R) of at least 1. 5, and are made by forming thin polymeric coatings on microporous polymeric films. Preferred coating polymers are side chain crystalline polymers. Preferred microporous films contain inorganic fillers, particularly such films based on ultrahigh molecular weight polyethylene or polypropylene. FIG. illustrates how Opermeability and R ratio vary for different coating polymers and microporous films.

US Patent:

7329452, Feb 12, 2008

Filed:

Dec 19, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/742548

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US
Charles B. Derringer - Morgan Hill CA, US

Assignee:

Apio, Inc. - Guadalupe CA

International Classification:

C08J 9/36
B65D 81/24

US Classification:

428137, 428 357, 428138

Abstract:

Gas-permeable membranes comprising a microporous film and a coating on the microporous film, the coating being obtained by coating the microporous film with a liquid coating composition comprising a polymer and hollow polymeric particles dispersed in the composition, and then solidifying the coating. The gas-permeable membrane has a reduced ratio of carbon dioxide permeability to oxygen permeability.

US Patent:

7601374, Oct 13, 2009

Filed:

Nov 20, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/989682

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Landec Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

A23B 7/148
B65D 81/20

US Classification:

426124, 426106, 426415, 426419

Abstract:

Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

US Patent:

8092848, Jan 10, 2012

Filed:

Sep 3, 2009

Appl. No.:

12/553852

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US

Assignee:

Landec Corporation - Menlo Park CA

International Classification:

B65D 81/20

US Classification:

426118, 426415, 426419, 426316, 426124, 426395

Abstract:

Packaging of respiring biological materials, particularly bananas and other fruits, in sealed containers. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. Using appropriate containers and appropriate controlled atmospheres around the container, the respiring materials can be stored and/or ripened under controlled conditions. Bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the containers in which they have been transported. The ripe bananas are less dehydrated and remain in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

US Patent:

8110232, Feb 7, 2012

Filed:

May 15, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/858190

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US

International Classification:

A23B 7/148

US Classification:

426106, 426118, 426112, 426418

Abstract:

Packaging of bananas in containers having designed permeabilities to oxygen, carbon dioxide, and ethylene. The containers preferably include a gas-permeable membrane comprising (1) a microporous film, and (2) a polymeric coating on the microporous film. The containers enable storage and/or ripening of bananas under controlled conditions. Using the new containers, bananas can be ripened while they are being transported, or in conventional ripening rooms without opening the bags in which they have been transported. In addition, bananas can be preserved in a satisfactory ripened state for longer periods of time.

US Patent:

20070259082, Nov 8, 2007

Filed:

Dec 13, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/597515

Inventors:

Raymond Clarke - Los Altos CA, US
Nicholas Tompkins - Arroyo Grande CA, US

International Classification:

A23B 7/00
A47J 47/00
A47J 47/02
B01D 53/22

US Classification:

426392000, 220001500, 096004000, 099485000, 09964600C

Abstract:

Atmosphere control members (ACMs) are used in various ways. In one aspect, at least one of the atmospheres in contact with the ACM is cause to flow over the surface of the ACM. In another aspect, the ACM is an internal ACM which does not form part of the exterior surface of a container. In another aspect, the ACM forms part of a reusable module. In another aspect, a plurality of sealed containers, each including an ACM, are stored in an outer container also including an ACM. FIGS. -illustrate a shipping container () comprising an internal ACM () having one surface which is exposed to the packaging atmosphere within the shipping container and an opposite surface which is part of a closed chamber () to which gases can be supplied in a controlled fashion.