IP Library Granted Patent US 12,679,075
Granted Patent B2
US 12,679,075 · App. 17/914,708 · Granted Jul 14, 2026

Laminated film materials and processes for manufacturing thereof and uses thereof

Inventors: Toby R. Thomas (Pleasant Prairie, WI); William P. Belias (Pittsford, NY)
Assignee: OPTIFRESH, LLC
B32B27/08B32B7/12B32B27/306B32B27/32B32B2250/05B32B2250/24B32B2307/724B32B2307/726B32B2439/46B32B2439/70
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,679,075
App. No.
17/914,708
Filed
Sep 26, 2022
Granted
Jul 14, 2026
Kind
B2
Art Unit
1782
USPC
428/35.4
Abstract

Provided herein are laminated films with active agents, such as volatile anti-microbial agents, suitable for use as food packaging materials. Also provided herein are bags made from such laminated films, as well as methods of manufacturing such laminated films.

Claims (77)

1 . A laminated film, comprising:

a barrier film comprising barrier resin encased within a transmission resin;

a transmission film comprising the transmission resin; and

a liquid active comprising volatile compound in liquid form,

wherein the barrier film and the transmission film are thermoplastic weldable,

wherein an interface is formed by the barrier film and the transmission film, and

wherein the liquid active is spread at the interface wetting both the barrier film and transmission film; and at least partially holding the barrier film and the transmission film together at the interface by cohesion.

2 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the barrier resin comprises:

(i) polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or a combination thereof; or

(ii) polyamide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or any combination thereof, or any combination thereof.

3 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the barrier film further comprises adhesive resin positioned between the barrier resin and transmission resin.

4 . The film of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive resin comprises polymer having a high surface energy in relation to the transmission resin.

5 . The film of claim 3 , wherein the adhesive resin comprises:

(i) maleic anhydride polymer; or

(ii) ethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride or anhydride modified polyethylene, or a combination thereof; or

(iii) ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA), ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA), or ethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (AMP), or any combination thereof, or any combination thereof.

6 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the transmission resin comprises thermoplastic resin.

7 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the transmission resin comprises polyolefin.

8 . The film of claim 7 , wherein the polyolefin allows diffusion of the liquid active.

9 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the transmission resin comprises:

(i) polyethylene; or

(ii) low density polyethylene (LDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or any combination thereof.

10 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the liquid active comprises at least one antimicrobial agent.

11 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the liquid comprises:

(i) flavonoid, thiosulfinate, glucosinolate, phenol, organic acid, or saponin, or any combination thereof, or

(ii) terpene, aliphatic alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, acid, or isoflavonoid, or any combination thereof; or

(iii) ethyl pyruvate, ethanol, thymol, eugenol, D-limonene, carvacrol, vanillin, allicin, cinnamic aldehyde, or allyl isothiocyanate, or any combination thereof.

12 . The film of claim 1 , wherein the liquid active matches surface energy with the resin at the interface.

13 . A laminated film bag, comprising:

a first exterior barrier film and a second exterior barrier film, each independently comprising a barrier resin encased within a transmission resin;

a first interior transmission film and a second interior transmission film, each independently comprising the transmission resin; and

a liquid active comprising a volatile compound,

wherein the barrier films and the transmission films are thermoplastic weldable,

wherein an interface is formed by the first exterior barrier film and the first interior transmission film, and an interface is formed by the second exterior barrier film and the second interior transmission film,

wherein the liquid active is spread at each interface wetting both the barrier film and transmission film, and at least partially holding the barrier film and the transmission film together at each interface by cohesion,

wherein sides and bottom of the bag are heat sealed through all the transmission films and barrier films, and

wherein top of the bag has a temporary seal.

14 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the top of the bag has a zipper seal.

15 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the barrier resin comprises:

(i) polyvinyl alcohol (PVOH), polyvinylidene chloride (PVDC), or ethylene vinyl alcohol (EVOH), or a combination thereof; or

(ii) polyamide or polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or any combination thereof, or any combination thereof.

16 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein at least one of the first and second barrier film further comprises adhesive resin positioned between the barrier resin and transmission resin.

17 . The bag of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive resin comprises polymer having a high surface energy in relation to the transmission resin.

18 . The bag of claim 16 , wherein the adhesive resin comprises:

(i) maleic anhydride polymer; or

(ii) ethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride or anhydride modified polyethylene, or a combination thereof, or

(iii) ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene-methyl acrylate (EMA), ethylene-acrylic acid (EAA), or ethylene-grafted-maleic anhydride (AMP), or any combination thereof,

or any combination thereof.

19 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the transmission resin comprises thermoplastic resin.

20 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the transmission resin comprises polyolefin.

21 . The bag of claim 20 , wherein the polyolefin allows diffusion of the liquid active.

22 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the transmission resin comprises:

(i) polyethylene; or

(ii) low density polyethylene (LDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), or any combination thereof.

23 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the liquid active comprises at least one antimicrobial agent.

24 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the liquid active comprises:

(i) flavonoid, thiosulfinate, glucosinolate, phenol, organic acid, or saponin, or any combination thereof, or

(ii) terpene, aliphatic alcohol, aldehyde, ketone, acid, or isoflavonoid, or any combination thereof, or

(iii) ethyl pyruvate, ethanol, thymol, eugenol, D-limonene, carvacrol, vanillin, allicin, cinnamic aldehyde, or allyl isothiocyanate, or any combination thereof.

25 . The bag of claim 13 , wherein the liquid active, when present at an interface, matches surface energy with the transmission resin at the interface.

26 . The laminated film bag according to claim 13 for use as food product packaging.

27 . A wicket of bags, comprising:

A plurality of the laminated film bags of claim 13 ,

wherein the bags are stacked one on top of another, and are attached together to form a bundle.

28 . A laminated film bag containing food product, comprising:

A first exterior barrier film and a second exterior barrier film, each independently comprising a barrier resin encased within a transmission resin;

A first interior transmission film and a second interior transmission film, each independently comprising the transmission resin; and

A liquid active comprising volatile compound,

wherein sides and bottom of the bag are heat sealed through all of the transmission films and barrier films,

wherein the food product is positioned in space between the first and second interior transmission films,

wherein the space creates a low vapor concentration partial pressure that draws the liquid active into the space containing the food product,

wherein the barrier film and the transmission film are thermoplastic weldable,

wherein an interface is formed by the first exterior barrier film and the first interior transmission film, and an interface is formed by the second exterior barrier film and the second interior transmission film,

wherein the liquid active is spread at each interface wetting both the barrier film and transmission film and at least partially holding the barrier film and the transmission film together at each interface by cohesion, and

wherein the liquid active is in vapor form when present in the space containing the food product.

29 . The bag of claim 28 , wherein the food product is perishable.

30 . The bag of claim 28 , wherein the food product is a loaf of bread.

Assignments (3)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2025
From: SOFRESH INC.
To: THOMAS, TOBY R.
Reel/Frame 070975/0770 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 29, 2025
From: THOMAS, TOBY R.
To: OPTIFRESH, LLC
Reel/Frame 070975/0986 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 14, 2023
From: THOMAS, TOBY R.; BELIAS, WILLIAM P.
To: SOFRESH, INC.
Reel/Frame 063946/0292 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63006323 · Apr 7, 2020
Related Publication 20230347630A1 · Nov 2, 2023
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