Drawtape with increased elongation and drawtape bag using same
Drawtape includes a film of a polymeric blend of a minor polymer component of linear low density polyethylene and a major polymer component of medium density polyethylene and/or high density polyethylene. The drawtape of the disclosed subject matter is capable of a strong seal with a commercial polymeric bag, and provides a high elongation prior to tape failure or seal failure. Drawtape bag and method of making the drawtape are also provided.
1. A drawtape comprising:
a film of a polymeric blend including:
between about 25 wt % and about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene; and
a major polymer component selected from medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or combinations thereof.
2. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the film comprises about 25 wt % linear low density polyethylene.
3. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene has a melt index of between about 0.25 and about 3.0 grams per 10 minutes per ASTM D1238 (2010).
4. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene has a melt index of between about 0.50 and about 1.0 grams per 10 minutes per ASTM D1238 (2010).
5. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene has a melt index of between about 0.80 and about 0.90 grams per 10 minutes per ASTM D1238 (2010).
6. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene has a base density of between about 0.910 and 0.925 grams per cubic centimeter per ASTM D792 (2008).
7. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene has a base density of between about 0.916 and 0.920 grams per cubic centimeter per ASTM D792 (2008).
8. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene includes an alpha olefin comonomer.
9. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene includes a comonomer having from 4 to 8 carbon atoms.
10. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the linear low density polyethylene includes a comonomer selected from propylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, and 1-octene.
11. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the major polymer has a melt index of between about 0.050 and about 0.50 grams per 10 minutes per ASTM D1238 (2010).
12. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the major polymer has a melt index of between about 0.10 and about 0.20 grams per 10 minutes per ASTM D1238 (2010).
13. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the major polymer has a base density of between about 0.926 and about 0.959 grams per cubic centimeter per ASTM D792 (2008).
14. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the major polymer has a base density of between about 0.939 and about 0.940 grams per cubic centimeter per ASTM D792 (2008).
15. The drawtape of claim 1 , further comprising an additive selected from a colorant, a slip additive, an antiblock agent, a processing aid, or combinations thereof.
16. The drawtape of claim 1 , wherein the drawtape is a single layer.
17. A drawtape bag comprising:
first and second thermoplastic body panels joined along a pair of opposing sides and a bottom bridging the opposing sides, the joined first and second body panels defining a mouth disposed opposite the bottom; and
a drawtape disposed proximate the mouth of the bag, the drawtape comprising
a film of a polymeric blend including:
a) between about 25 wt % and about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene; and
b) a major polymer component selected from medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or combinations thereof.
18. The drawtape bag of claim 17 , where the drawtape has a load carrying capacity of at least about 10 lbs in a tensile direction in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
19. The drawtape bag of claim 18 , where the drawtape has a load carrying capacity of less than or equal to about 17 lbs in a tensile direction in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
20. The drawtape bag of claim 18 , where the drawtape has a load carrying capacity of at least about 14 lbs in a tensile direction in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
21. The drawtape bag of claim 20 , where the drawtape has a load carrying capacity of less than or equal to about 17 lbs in a tensile direction in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
22. The drawtape bag of claim 17 , wherein the drawtape has an elongation at break of at least about 425% in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
23. The drawtape bag of claim 22 , wherein the drawtape has an elongation at break of about 460% in an ASTM D882 (2010) test.
24. The drawtape bag of claim 17 , wherein the drawtape is secured to at least one of the first and second panels.
25. The drawtape bag of claim 24 , wherein the drawtape is secured by a thermal bond.
26. The drawtape bag of claim 25 , wherein the drawtape is capable of at least about 120% elongation without failure of the drawtape or the thermal bond in a Tape Pull Test.
27. The drawtape bag of claim 26 , wherein the drawtape is capable of about 138% elongation without failure of the drawtape or the thermal bond in a Tape Pull Test.
28. A method of making a drawtape comprising:
providing a polymeric blend comprising
a) between about 25 wt % and about 30 wt % linear low density polyethylene; and
b) a major polymer component selected from medium density polyethylene, high density polyethylene, or combinations thereof;
forming the polymeric blend into a film; and
shaping the film into a drawtape.
29. The method of claim 28 , further comprising dry blending the linear low density polyethylene with the major polymer component.
30. The method of claim 28 , wherein the film is highly oriented in the machine direction when forming the polymeric blend into a film.
31. The method of claim 28 , wherein said forming includes film blowing.