Multi-layered films with visually-distinct regions and methods of making the same

1. A multi-layered incrementally-stretched film with visually-distinct stretched regions, comprising:

a first film layer of linear low-density polyethylene and a voiding agent;

a second film layer of linear low-density polyethylene intermittently bonded to the first layer;

a plurality of un-stretched regions formed in the first and second film layers, the un-stretched regions having a first average thickness;

a plurality of stretched regions intermittently dispersed about the plurality of un-stretched regions, the stretched regions having a second average thickness that is smaller than the first average thickness;

wherein:

the stretched regions are more opaque than the un-stretched regions, and

the multi-layered incrementally-stretched film is non-porous.

2. The multi-layered film as recited in claim 1 , wherein:

the first film layer comprises between about 65 and about 99 percent by weight of linear low-density polyethylene, and between about 1 and about 35 percent by weight of the voiding agent; and

the second film layer is devoid of voiding agents.

3. The multi-layered film as recited in claim 2 , further comprising:

a third film layer;

wherein:

the first film layer is positioned between the second film layer and the third film layer, and

the third film layer is devoid of voiding agents.

4. The multi-layered film as recited in claim 2 , wherein the voiding agent comprises calcium carbonate.

5. The multi-layered film as recited in claim 2 , wherein:

the stretched regions of the first film layer are more opaque than the un-stretched regions of the first film layer; and

the stretched regions of the second film layer are less opaque than the un-stretched regions of the second film layer.

6. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second film layers are co-extruded.

7. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first and second film layers are discontinuously laminated.

8. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 1 , wherein one or more of the stretched regions in the first or second film layers are non-porous.

9. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 1 , wherein the stretched regions comprise one or more of:

stripes extending along the multi-layered thermoplastic film in a direction transverse to a direction in which the multi-layered thermoplastic film was extruded;

stripes extending along the multi-layered thermoplastic film in a direction in which the multi-layered thermoplastic film was extruded; or

discontinuous strainable networks extending in a direction transverse to direction in which the multi-layered thermoplastic film was extruded.

10. A multi-layered thermoplastic film, comprising:

a plurality of film layers intermittently bonded to each other, wherein at least one film layer of the plurality of film layers is formed from linear low-density polyethylene and a voiding agent;

a plurality of un-stretched regions formed in the plurality of film layers; and

a plurality of stretched regions intermittently dispersed about the un-stretched regions;

wherein the stretched regions of the at least one film layer are more opaque than the un-stretched regions of the at least one film layer, and the multi-layered thermoplastic film is nonporous.

11. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein at least a second layer of the plurality of film layers is devoid of voiding agents.

12. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the at least one film layer includes between about 65 and about 99 percent by weight of linear low-density polyethylene, and between about 1 and about 35 percent by weight of the voiding agent.

13. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 12 , wherein the voiding agent comprises calcium carbonate.

14. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the stretched regions of the at least one film layer are non-porous.

15. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the stretched regions comprise one or more of:

stripes extending along the plurality of film layers in a direction transverse to a direction in which the plurality of film layers were extruded;

stripes extending along the plurality of film layers in a direction in which the plurality of film layers were extruded; or

discontinuous strainable networks extending in a direction transverse to direction in which the plurality of film layers were extruded.

16. The multi-layered thermoplastic film as recited in claim 1 , wherein the stretched regions in the first layer are porous.

17. The thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the stretched regions in at least one film layer are porous.

18. The thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein a color of the stretched regions differs from a color of the un-stretched regions.

19. The thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein an average thickness of the stretched regions is less than an average thickness of the un-stretched regions.

20. The thermoplastic film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the stretched regions comprise one or more of:

stripes extending along the thermoplastic film in a direction transverse to a direction in which the thermoplastic film was extruded;

stripes extending along the thermoplastic film in a direction in which the thermoplastic film was extruded; or

discontinuous strainable networks extending in a direction transverse to direction in which the thermoplastic film was extruded.