IP Library Granted Patent US 6,863,964
Granted Patent B2
US 6,863,964 · App. 10/267,454 · Granted Mar 8, 2005

Metallized multilayer film

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 6,863,964
App. No.
10/267,454
Granted
Mar 8, 2005
Kind
B2
Abstract

A metallized, multilayer film suitable for packaging applications is provided which comprises a first skin layer comprising a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, medium density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and amorphous polyamide, a metallized layer adjacent to the first skin layer, and a core layer comprising high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with an intermolecular stereoregularity greater than 93%. Additionally, low density polyethylene, EMA, EVA, or EAA may be extrusion laminated to the metallized side of the metallized, multilayer film at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of the vacuum deposited aluminum layer. A method for making the film is also provided.

Claims (67)

1. A metallized multilayer film comprising:

(a) a core layer comprising high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with a xylene soluble level of 1.5% or less wherein said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer is a product of Ziegler-Natta catalysis;

(b) a first skin layer adjacent to said core layer wherein said skin layer comprises a thermoplastic selected from the group consisting of high density polyethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, medium density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene, ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene texpolynier, propylene-butylene copolymer, and amorphous polyamide; and

(c) a metallized layer adjacent to said first skin layer.

2. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 , wherein the shrinkage of said film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction is greater than 5%.

3. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 , wherein said metallized layer is from about 1.5 to about 3.0 optical density.

4. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 , wherein said first skin layer is from about 0.5 micron to about 2.0 micron in thickness.

5. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 , wherein said core layer is from about 10 micron to about 48 micron in thickness.

6. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 wherein the total thickness of the film is from about 12 microni to about 50 microns.

7. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 wherein said metallized layer comprises aluminum.

8. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 7 , further comprising a tie layer interposed between said first skin layer and said core layer.

9. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 8 , wherein said tie layer comprises at least one of a maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene homopolymer and a maleic anhydride-modified polypropylene copolymer.

10. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 1 , further comprising a second skin layer adjacent to said core layer and on a side of said core layer opposite said first skin layer, said second skin layer comprising a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene impact copolymer.

11. the metallized multilayer film according to claim 10 , wherein said second skin layer is from about 0.5 micron to about 8.0 micron in thickness.

12. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 4 , wherein said first skin layer exposed to a treatment selected from the group consisting of flame treatment, corona treatment and plasma treatment prior to metallization.

13. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 11 , wherein said second skin layer is exposed to a treatment selected from the group consisting of corona treatment, flame treatment and plasma treatment.

14. The metallized multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein said core layer includes greater than or equal to 50 wt % of said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer.

15. The metallized multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein said core layer includes greater than or equal to 65 wt % high crystallinity of said polypropylene homopolymer.

16. The metallized multilayer film of claim 1 , wherein said core layer further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of:

i) an opacifying agent selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, carbon black, aluminum, TiO 2 , and talc, said opacifying agent being present in said core layer in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, based on the total weight of the core layer;

ii) a cavitating agent selected from the group consisting of polybutene terephthalatc, nylon, solid glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, metal beads, metal spheres, ceramic spheres, and CaCO 3 , said cavitating agent being present in said core layer in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the core layer, said cavitating agent having a mean particle size in the range of from 0.1 micron to 10 microns; and

iii) a hydrocarbon resin, said resin being one of petroleum resin, terpene resin, styrene resin, cyclopentadiene resin, saturated alicyclic resin, or combinations thereof, said resin having a number average molecular weight <5000, and a softening point ranging from about 60° C. to about 180° C., said resin being present in said core layer at <10 weight percent.

17. A metallized multilayer film comprising:

1) a first component comprising:

(a) a core layer comprising a high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with a xylene soluble level of 1.5% or less wherein said high crystallinity polypropylene homoplymer is a product of Ziegler-Natta catalysis;

(b) a first skin layer adjacent to said core layer wherein said skin layer comprises high density polyethylene;

(c) a vacuum deposited aluminum layer adjacent to said first skin layer; and

2) a second component comprising a polymer selected from at least one of low density polyethylene, EVA, EMA and EAA that is extrusion laminated to said aluminum layer of said first component at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of said vacuum deposited aluminum layer.

18. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 17 , wherein the shrinkage of said film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction is greater than 5%.

19. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 17 , wherein said web tension is up to 1 pound per linear inch on said metallized multilayer film during said extrusion lamination.

20. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 17 , further comprising a second skin layer adjacent to said core layer and on a side of said core layer opposite said first skin layer, said second skin layer comprising a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of at least one of ethylene propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene impact copolymer.

21. The metallized multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein said core layer includes greater than or equal to 50 wt % of said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer.

22. The metallized multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein said core layer includes greater than or equal to 65 wt % of said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer.

23. The metallized multilayer film of claim 17 , wherein said core layer further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of:

i) an opacifying agent selected from the group consisting of iron oxide, carbon black, aluminum, TiO 2 , and talc, said opacifying agent being present in said core layer in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 15 wt %, based on the total weight of the core layer;

ii) a cavitating agent selected from the group consisting of polybutene terephthalatc, nylon, solid glass spheres, hollow glass spheres, metal beads, metal spheres, ceramic spheres, and CaCO 3 , said cavitating agent being present in said core layer in an amount ranging from about 1 wt % to about 20 wt %, based on the total weight of the core layer, said cavitating agent having a mean particle size in the range of from 0.1 micron to 10 microns; and

iii) a hydrocarbon resin, said resin being one of petroleum resin, terpene resin, styrene resin, cyclopentadiene resin, saturated alicyclic resin, or combinations thereof, said resin has a number average molecular weight <5000, said resin has a softening point in the range of from about 60° C. to about 180° C., said resin being present in said core layer at <10 weight percent.

24. A metallized multilayer film comprising:

1) a first component comprising:

(a) a core layer comprising a high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with a xylene soluble level of 1.5% wherein said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer is a product of Ziegler-Natta catalysis;

(b) a first skin layer adjacent to said core layer wherein said skin layer comprises a thermoplastic selected from a group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, and amorphous polyamide;

(c) a tie layer positioned between said core layer and said first skin layer comprising maleic anhydride modified polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer;

d) a vacuum deposited aluminum layer adjacent to said first tie layer, and

2) a second component comprising a polymer selected from at least one of low density polyethylene, EVA, EMA and EAA that is extrusion laminated to said aluminum layer of said first component at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of said vacuum deposited aluminum layer.

25. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 24 , wherein the shrinkage of said film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction is greater than 5%.

26. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 24 , wherein said web-tension is up to 1 pound per linear inch on said metallized multilayer film during extrusion lamination.

27. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 24 , further comprising a second skin layer adjacent to amid core layer and on a side of said core layer opposite said first skin layer, said second skin layer comprising a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene impact copolymer.

28. The metallized multilayer film of claim 24 , wherein said core layer further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of:

i) an opacifying agent selected from at least one of TiO 2 and talc, said opacifying agent being present in said core layer in the range of from 2-4 weight percent, based on the total weight of the core layer;

ii) a material selected from at least one of polybutene terephthalate and CaCo 3 , said material having a mean particle size in the range of from 0.1-10 μm, said material being present in said core layer in the range of from 2-10 weight %, based on the total weight of the core layer; and

iii) a hydrocarbon resin, said resin being selected from at least one of petroleum resin, terpene resin, styrene resin, cyclopentadiene resin and saturated alicyclic resin, said resin having a number average molecular weight <5000, and a softening point in the range of from 60° C.-180° C., said resin being present in said core layer at <6 weight percent.

29. A metallized multilayer film comprising:

(a) a yore layer comprising a high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with an a xylene soluble level of 1.5% or less wherein said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer is a product of Ziegler-Natta catalysis;

(b) a first skin layer adjacent to said core layer wherein said skin layer comprises a thermoplastic selected from a group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, and amorphous polyamide;

(c) a tie layer adjacent to said first skin layer comprising maleic anhydride modified polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer;

(d) a vacuum deposited aluminum layer adjacent to said first tie layer; and

(e) a second skin layer adjacent to said core layer and on a side of said core layer opposite said first skin layer, said second skin layer comprising a polyolefin selected from the group consisting of ethylene-propylene random copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer, propylene-butylene copolymer, and ethylene-propylene impact copolymer.

30. The metallized multilayer film according to claim 29 , wherein the shrinkage of said film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction is pester than 5%.

31. The metallized multilayer film of claim 29 , wherein said core layer includes greater than or equal to 50 wt % of said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer.

32. The metallized multilayer film of claim 29 , wherein said core layer includes greater then or equal to 65 wt % of said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer.

33. The metallized multilayer film of claim 29 , wherein said core layer further comprises an additive selected from the group consisting of:

i) an opacifying agent selected from one of TiO 2 , and talc, or combinations thereof; said opacifying agent present in said core layer in the range of from 2-4 weight percent, based on the total weight of the core layer;

ii) a material selected from one of polybutene terephthalate, CaCO 3 or combinations thereof, said material having a mean particle size in the range of from 0.1-10 μm, said material being present in said core layer in the range of from 2-10 weight %, based on the total weight of the core layer; and

iii) a hydrocarbon resin, said resin being selected from at least one of petroleum resin, terpene resin, styrene resin, cyclopentadiene resin and saturated alicyclic resin, said resin having a number average molecular weight <5000, and a softening point ranging from about 60° C. to about 180° C., said resin being present in said core layer at <6 weight percent.

34. A method of making a metallized biaxially oriented multilayer film comprising the steps of: (a) coextruding a multilayer melt of thermoplastic polymers including a core layer comprising a high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer with a xylene soluble level of 1.5% or less wherein said high crystallinity polypropylene homopolymer is a product of Ziegler-Natta catalysis through a die; (b) cooling said multilayer melt to form a multilayer sheet; (c) stretching said multilayer sheet in the machine direction (MD) over a series of heated rollers traveling at a differential speed to form an MD oriented multilayer film; (d) stretching said MD oriented multilayer film in a heated tinter frame to form a biaxially oriented multilayer film; (e) surface treating at least one of said first skin layer and said second skin layer of said biaxially oriented multilayer film with a treatment selected from the group consisting of corona treatment, flame treatment and plasma treatment; and (f) metallizing said first akin layer in a vacuum metallizer with aluminum to form a metallized biaxially oriented multilayer film.

35. The method according to claim 34 , wherein the shrinkage of said film in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction is greater than 5%.

36. The method of claim 34 , which further comprises an additional step of extrusion laminating at least one of low density polyethylene, EMA, EVA, and EAA to the metallized side of said film at a web tension sufficient to prevent metal crazing of the vacuum metallized aluminum layer.

Assignments (7)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 5, 2021
From: JINDAL FILMS AMERICAS LLC
To: JINDAL INNOVATION CENTER SRL
Reel/Frame 057699/0318 →
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jun 17, 2021
From: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
To: JINDAL FILMS AMERICAS LLC
Reel/Frame 056616/0092 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 4, 2018
From: JINDAL FILMS AMERICAS LLC
To: BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., AS AGENT
Reel/Frame 047570/0731 →
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 12, 2014
From: FILMS AMERICAS, LLC
To: JINDAL FILMS AMERICAS LLC
Reel/Frame 032201/0131 →
PURCHASE OF FILMS AMERICAS, LLC Recorded Jan 16, 2014
From: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
To: JPF USA LLC
Reel/Frame 032071/0836 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 3, 2014
From: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
To: FILMS AMERICAS, LLC
Reel/Frame 031885/0578 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 9, 2002
From: MIGLIORINI, ROBERT A.; PELLINGRA, SALVATORE J.; SHEPPARD, KAREN A.
To: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 013407/0297 →