IP Library Granted Patent US 9,346,246
Granted Patent B2
US 9,346,246 · App. 13/821,092 · Granted May 24, 2016

Multi-layer films having improved sealing properties

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,346,246
App. No.
13/821,092
Granted
May 24, 2016
Kind
B2
Abstract

Multi-layer laminated structures are disclosed. Such structures include a multi-layer polymeric film having a Layer A that includes at least one polymer and a polymeric sealant layer adjacent to Layer A. The sealant layer has a surface roughness, Ra>5.0 and a Peak Count Value, Pc>50.0. The multi-layer laminated structures also include a substrate in surface contact with the multi-layer polymeric film, typically opposite the sealant layer. Such structures have a top seal and/or side seal of the polymeric sealant layer to itself has a seal strength of >5.00×10 2 grams/inch at 177° C. The multi-layer films may be transparent, contain a cavitating agent, or are pigmented to form an opaque film. Also, the multi-layer film may be metallized or coated with a barrier coating.

Claims (29)

1. A mufti-layer laminated structure, comprising:

(a) a mufti-layer polymeric film, comprising:

i) a core layer comprising polypropylene and having a first surface and a second surface;

ii) a sealant layer comprising an incompatible blend adjacent the first surface of the core layer, the sealant layer having a surface roughness, Ra>5.0 and a Peak Count Value, Pc>50.0, the incompatible blend comprising ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer with at least polyethylene and having a 45° surface gloss of ≦75% (ASTM-D-523);

iii) a first tie layer consisting of a soft polymer having a flexural modulus of ≦about 60 kpsi (413 MPa) and having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface of the first tie layer adjacent the first surface of the core layer; and

(b) a substrate in surface contact with the multi-layer polymeric film, wherein a top seal and/or side seal of the polymeric sealant layer to itself has a seal strength of greater than about 20.0×10 2 grams/inch at 177° C.

2. The multi-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the first tie layer comprises a soft polymer.

3. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer further comprises from about 1.00×10 3 ppm to about 1.00×10 4 ppm of an anti-blocking agent comprising particles having a mean largest dimension ranging from about 1.0 to about 10.0 μm.

4. The mufti-layer film of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer comprises a blend of from about 25 wt % to about 50 wt % polyethylene and from about 75 wt % to about 50 wt % ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer.

5. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the core layer comprises a high crystallinity polypropylene having an isotacticity expressed in mmmm pentads of at least 97%, as measured by 13C-NMR.

6. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer has a thickness ranging from about 0.5 μm to about 5 μm.

7. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer has a surface roughness of >15.0 and a Peak Count value of >150.0.

8. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , further comprising a metallizable layer having a first side and a second side, the first side of the metallizable layer being adjacent the second side of the core layer, and a metal layer adjacent the second side of the metallizable layer.

9. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the mufti-layer polymeric film or the substrate includes an adhesive layer to form the surface contact between the multi-layer polymeric film and the substrate.

10. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the film is formed as a package, bag, or pouch.

11. The mufti-layer laminated structure of claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer has a thickness ranging from about 1.0 μm to about 3.0 μm.

12. A method of preparing a mufti-layer laminated structure capable of providing a top seal and/or side seal formed by sealing a sealant layer to itself and having a seal strength of greater than about 20.0×10 2 grams per inch at 177° C., the method comprising:

(a) a mufti-layer polymeric film comprising:

i) a core layer comprising polypropylene and having a first surface and a second surface;

ii) a matte sealant layer adjacent the first surface of the core layer, the sealant layer having a surface roughness, Ra>5.0 and a Peak Count Value, Pc>50.0, the sealant layer comprising an incompatible blend of an ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer with at least polyethylene and having a 45° surface gloss of 75% (ASTM-D-523);

iii) a first tie layer consisting of a soft polymer having a flexural modulus of ≦about 60 kpsi (413 MPa) and having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface of the first tie layer adjacent the first surface of the core layer; and

(b) laminating a substrate to the mufti-layer film.

13. A method of using a mufti-layer film, comprising the steps of:

(a) enclosing a product or article within at least a portion of a co-extruded film, wherein the co-extruded film comprises:

i) a core layer comprising polypropylene and having a first surface and a second surface;

ii) a matte sealant layer adjacent the first surface of the core layer, the sealant layer having a surface roughness, Ra>5.0 and a Peak Count Value, Pc>50.0, the sealant layer comprising an incompatible blend of an ethylene-propylene-butylene terpolymer with at least polyethylene, the sealant layer having a 45° surface gloss of 75%;

iii) a first tie layer consisting of a soft polymer having a flexural modulus of ≦about 60 kpsi (413 MPa) and having a first surface and a second surface, the second surface of the first tie layer adjacent the first surface of the core layer; and

(b) engaging a first portion of the sealant layer with a second portion of the sealant layer at a seal layer region; and

(c) applying pressure and heat at the seal layer region to cause the first portion to engage with the second portion to create at least a top seal and/or side seal having a seal strength of greater than about 20.0×10 2 grams per inch at 177° C.

Assignments (6)
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 032200/0106 →
PURCHASE OF FILMS AMERICAS, LLC Recorded Jan 16, 2014
From: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
To: JPF USA LLC
Reel/Frame 032058/0201 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 2, 2014
From: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
To: FILMS AMERICAS, LLC
Reel/Frame 031879/0237 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 12, 2013
From: BENDER, ERIC W.; CRETEKOS, GEORGE F.
To: EXXONMOBIL OIL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 030202/0083 →