RECYCLABLE FILM AND PACKAGING
A recyclable film contains a base film and a sealant. The base film has at least one layer containing a polar polymer and at least one layer containing a polar polymer compatibilizer. Additionally the base film has been oriented and annealed such that it exhibits free shrink of less than 10% in both the machine direction and the transverse direction when, exposed to heat of 90° C. This film has advantages over prior recyclable films in efficient film manufacturing, high quality package production and superior package performance.
1 . A recyclable film comprising:
a) a base film comprising:
i) a first polar layer comprising a polar polymer, and
ii) a compatibilizer layer comprising a polar polymer compatibilizer,
b) a sealant, and
c) printed indicia located between the base film and the sealant, wherein the base film is oriented and annealed such that the base film has a free shrink value of less than 10% in both the machine direction and the transverse direction when tested according to ASTM D2732 using bath temperature of 90° C.
2 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 wherein the polar polymer is a polyamide or an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer.
3 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 wherein the first polar layer is an outer layer of the base film.
4 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 wherein the first polar layer is an outer layer of the recyclable film.
5 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 wherein the base film has a free shrink value of less than 5% in both the machine direction and the transverse direction when tested according to ASTM D2732 using bath temperature of 90° C.
6 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 wherein the sealant is a film that has free shrink of less than 1% in the machine direction and a free shrink of less than 1% in the transverse direction when tested according to ASTM D2732 using bath temperature of 90° C.
7 . A recyclable film comprising:
a) a base film comprising:
i) a first polar layer comprising a first polar polymer,
ii) a second polar layer comprising a second polar polymer, and
iii) a compatibilizer layer located between the first polar layer and the second polar layer, the compatibilizer layer comprising a polar polymer compatibilizer; and
b) a sealant
8 . A recyclable film according to claim 7 further comprising printed indicia between the base film and the sealant.
9 . A recyclable film according to claim 7 wherein the base film is oriented and annealed such that the base film has a free shrink value of less than 10% in both the machine direction and the transverse direction tested according to ASTM D2732 using bath temperature of 90° C.
10 . A recyclable film according to claim 7 wherein the base film has been oriented such that the machine direction elongation at break of the base film is less than 100%.
11 . A recyclable film comprising a base film, the base film comprising:
a) a first outer layer comprising a polyamide;
b) a compatibilizer layer comprising,
i) a polyethylene, polyethylene copolymer or blends thereof, and
ii) a compatibilizer comprising a low molecular weight anhydride or carboxylic acid functionalized polyethylene;
c) a first tie layer located between the first outer layer and the compatibilizer layer;
d) a second outer layer comprising a polyamide; and
e) a second tie layer located between the compatibilizer layer and the second outer layer.
12 . A recyclable film according to claim 11 wherein the polyethylene in the compatibilizing layer is a LLDPE.
13 . A recyclable film according to claim 11 further comprising a sealant.
14 . A recyclable film according to claim 11 wherein the base film is oriented and annealed such that the base film has a free shrink value of less than 10% in both the machine direction and the transverse direction when tested according to ASTM D2732 using bath temperature of 90° C.
15 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 , further comprising a barrier material between the base film and the sealant.
16 . A recyclable film according to claim 1 , further comprising a second sealant, such that the base film is located between the sealants.
17 . A package comprising a recyclable film according to claim 1 and optionally additional packaging components.
18 . A package according to claim 17 wherein the recyclable film is heat sealed to either itself or the additional packaging components and the heat seal strength is between 200 g/in and 2,500 g/in when tested according to ASTM F88.
19 . A package according to claim 17 wherein the recyclable film is configured to be separated from the other packaging components that may be present.
20 . A package according to claim 17 wherein the package is configured to be opened for complete product removal.