Patent ID: 7044845

Claim:
A tubular casing that is capable of receiving a product therein in an outstretched state, said casing comprising: a pleated accordion shaped envelope section; a front end section on the opposite end from said pleated accordion shaped envelope section, said front end section being tucked back at a central portion thereof across the longitudinal direction of the casing, said front end section being stretched and crimped lengthwise with respect to the length of the casing; wherein the middle section and the front end section are tied off, and the casing has a fluid moisture content of 18 to 35 wt.-% based on the total weight of the moistened casing, wherein the moisture content is imparted to said casing by a fluid comprising water and one or more additives, at least one of which comprises a fungicide to prevent mold formation during storage and/or transport of the casing.