Patent ID: 6630214
Filing Date: 2003-10-07
Classification: A22C,Y10T

Abstract:
A seamless non derivatized cellulose tubular film suitable for use as a food casing made by the method of:controlling the drying and moisturizing of an extruded and regenerated seamless tube of non derivatized cellulose gel having a given extruded diameter, said drying and moisturizing comprising: a) drying the extruded tube of cellulose gel while holding it at a first inflated diameter that is greater than the given extruded diameter to provide a dried film having a moisture content lower than the desired moisture content; and b) moisturizing the dried film while holding it at a second inflated diameter less than the first inflated diameter to provide said tubular film with the desired moisture content; wherein said tubular film is a rewet shrinkage in the width direction not greater than 7.5% and the tubular film, when rewet having an extensibility ratio not greater than 1.07, wherein the extensibility ratio is determined by dividing the diameter of the rewet casing when inflated to under a pressure of 250 mm of Hg by the diameter when inflated under a pressure of 200 mm of Hg; and wherein said tubular film has a diameter at least 1.55 times the diameter of said extruded seamless tube.