Packaging film, package and process for aseptic packaging

1. A multilayer film laminate adapted for aseptic packaging applications, said film comprising:

(a) an inner polymeric surface sealant layer comprising an olefin polymer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C.;

(b) an intermediate oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized film selected from metallized biaxially oriented polyester terephthalate and metallized biaxially oriented nylon; and

(c) an outer polymeric surface layer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C. and polyester homopolymers or copolymers having a silicone exterior coating; wherein said multilayer film laminate has a total thickness of less than 4.0 mil.

2. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene-ethylene copolymers and mixtures thereof.

3. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer comprises an ethylene-α-olefin copolymer.

4. The multilayer film laminate of claim 3 , wherein said ethylene-α-olefin copolymer comprises a copolymer of ethylene and at least one C 3 to C 10 α-olefin.

5. The multilayer film laminate of claim 4 , wherein said at least one C 3 to C 10 α-olefin is selected from hexene-1 and octene-1.

6. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer has a melting point greater than 120° C.

7. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer has a density greater than 0.910 g/cc.

8. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer has a density greater than 0.910 g/cc.

9. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said olefin polymer comprises a propylene-ethylene copolymer having an ethylene content of less than 10% by weight.

10. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said outer layer is selected from the group consisting of ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene-ethylene copolymers, polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers, and polyester homopolymers and copolymers having a silicone exterior coating.

11. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said outer layer comprises a biaxially oriented polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer film.

12. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said outer layer comprises a cast polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer film.

13. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said outer layer includes a layer of ink printed on at least one surface thereof.

14. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said film laminate further includes at least one first intermediate layer between said inner sealant layer and said oxygen barrier layer.

15. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said film laminate further includes at least one second intermediate layer between said outer layer and said oxygen barrier layer.

16. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 , wherein said inner sealant layer comprises an exterior surface layer of a multilayer coextruded film.

17. The multilayer film laminate of claim 16 , wherein said multilayer coextruded film includes five layers including an interior surface layer comprising low density polyethylene, a first tie layer, an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer, a second tie layer and an exterior surface layer, wherein said first polymeric adhesive tie layer bonds said interior surface layer to a first surface of said ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer and said second polymeric adhesive tie layer bonds a second surface of said ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer to the exterior surface layer of said multilayer coextruded film.

18. The multilayer film laminate of claim 1 having an Elmendorf tear strength of 300 grams force or less in at least the transverse direction.

19. A multilayer film laminate adapted for aseptic packaging applications, said film comprising:

(a) an inner polymeric surface sealant layer comprising a olefin polymer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C. selected from the group consisting of ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene-ethylene copolymers and mixtures thereof;

(b) an intermediate oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized film selected from metallized biaxially oriented polyester terephthalate and metallized biaxially oriented nylon; and

(c) an outer polymeric surface layer comprising a biaxially oriented polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer film a polymeric layer selected from the group consisting of ethylene-α-olefin copolymers, low density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, polypropylene-ethylene copolymers, polypropylene homopolymers and copolymers, and polyester homopolymers and copolymers having a silicone exterior coating, said outer layer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C.; wherein said multilayer film laminate has a total thickness of less than 4.0 mil.

20. An aseptic package for food items formed from a packaging film folded into a cylinder and sealed longitudinally, said packaging film including:

(i) an inner surface sealant layer comprising a olefin polymer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C.;

(ii) an intermediate oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized film selected from metallized biaxially oriented polyester terephthalate and metallized biaxially oriented nylon; and

(iii) an outer surface layer comprising a polymeric layer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers and polyester homopolymers or copolymers having a silicone exterior coating, said outer layer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C.; wherein said multilayer film laminate has a total thickness of less than 4.0 mil.

21. A multilayer film laminate adapted for aseptic packaging applications, said film comprising:

(a) an inner polymeric surface sealant layer comprising an olefin polymer having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C.;

(b) an intermediate oxygen barrier layer comprising a metallized film selected from metallized biaxially oriented polyester terephthalate and metallized biaxially oriented nylon; and

(c) an outer polymeric surface layer selected from the group consisting of olefin polymers having a Vicat Softening Point greater than 90° C. and polyester homopolymers or copolymers having a hydrogen peroxide resistant exterior coating; wherein said multilayer film laminate has a total thickness of less than 4.0 mil.