Patent ID: 6183826
Filing Date: 2001-02-06
Classification: A22C,Y10T

Abstract:
A cellulosic food casing comprising an elongated cellulosic thin walled tube having a moisture content of less than 100 wt. % based upon the weight of bone dry cellulose (BDC), said tube having first and second longitudinal portions, and a colorant or opacifier which is longitudinally and continuously dispersed in at least said first portion throughout said tube wall to provide said portion with optical values which are different from said other portion, said portions having a surface area ratio of said first portion to said second portion of at least about 1:1 or greater, and wherein said first and second portions have Hunter L, a, b values and opacity values which values meet at least one of the following conditions:I) an average opacity value of said first portion that is at least about 0.5 greater than the average opacity value of said second portion;ii) a difference in average opacity between said first portion and said second portion which is less than 10, and a difference between said first and second portions in their respective averages of either said L values or said a values or said b values of at least about 5; oriii) a difference of at least about 10 or greater in average opacity between said first portion and said second portion, and the sum of the absolute values of a and b of the first portion following extraction of said casing with water and methanol is at least 10.