Patent ID: 6200510
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: A22C,Y10T

Abstract:
A method of forming a cellulose food casing having a smoke permeable indicia applied to the outer surface of the casing comprising:a) continuously extruding and regenerating a seamless tube composed of a cellulose solution to form a hydrated gel tube comprising a regenerated cellulose having a moisture content of at least 160% based on the weight of dry cellulose;b) partially drying in a drier the hydrated gel tube to a moisture content of less than to 60% based on the weight of dry cellulose;c) applying a film-forming heat curable pigmented or soluble dye ink composition including film forming reactive products to the partially dried tube by non contact ink jet printing means that direct the ink composition against an outer surface of the partially dried tube from across an air space and applying the ink composition to said outer surface in a dot matrix pattern;d) further drying in the drier the partially dried tube to a moisture content of less than 15% by weight of the dry cellulose to produce a tubular cellulose film suitable for use as a sausage casing;e) said further drying causing the curing of the film forming reactive products such that each dot of the dot matrix pattern is a cross linked film that is cross linked to the cellulose comprising the tube outer surface and each dot of the matrix containing the pigment or dye composition, the dots of the dot matrix being of a size and distribution sufficient to provide visible indicia on the casing while permitting a uniform permeation of smoke through the casing in the area covered by the dot matrix pattern; and thereafterf) moisturizing the tubular cellulose film to a moisture content of about greater than 10% to 25% based on the weight of dry cellulose.