RECYCLABLE HEAT SHRINK FILM FOR RECYCLABLE CONTAINER
A recyclable shrink label includes a heat shrink film having a first surface and a second surface opposite of the first surface; and a light blocking layer disposed adjacent the first surface and comprising a light blocking component, the light blocking layer being constructed for the recyclable shrink label to block at least 80% of incident light having wavelengths in a range of 200 nm to 900 nm. The recyclable shrink label may further include an indicia layer. The recyclable shrink label may further include a high opacity layer. The recyclable shrink label may be applied to a container, e.g., a recyclable container. Articles including the recyclable shrink label may be recycled in a process where both the container and the label are recognized as a resin and may be directed into a corresponding recycling stream. In some cases, both the container and the label include PET.
1 . A recyclable shrink label comprising:
a heat shrink film comprising polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and having a first surface and a second surface opposite of the first surface, the heat shrink film having a thickness from 15 μm to 100 μm; and
a light blocking layer disposed adjacent the first surface and comprising a light blocking component, the light blocking layer being constructed for the recyclable shrink label to block at least 80% of incident light having wavelengths in a range of 200 nm to 900 nm, wherein the light blocking component comprises a particulate having a particle size of 0.1 μm to 100 μm, wherein the particulate comprises at least one of metal, metal oxide, a reflective pigment, carbon black, mica, and combinations thereof.
2 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 further comprising an indicia layer, optionally wherein the indicia layer is disposed on the first surface.
3 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 further comprising a high opacity layer comprising a pigment selected from titanium dioxide (TiO 2 ), precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), aluminum silicate, aluminum oxide (alumina), mica-based pigments coated with thin layer(s) of white pigment, or a combination thereof.
4 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 3 , wherein the recyclable shrink label comprises an indicia layer and wherein the high opacity layer is disposed between the indicia layer and the light blocking layer.
5 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein when heated to 100° C., the heat shrink film contracts or shrinks by about 1% to about 90%, optionally wherein the heat shrink film contracts of shrinks by about 1% to 90% in a transverse direction.
6 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein when heated to 100° C., the entire recyclable shrink label contracts or shrinks by about 1% to about 90%, optionally wherein the entire recyclable shrink label contracts of shrinks by about 1% to 90% in a transverse direction.
7 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein the particulate of the light blocking component comprises metal, metal oxide, or a combination thereof.
8 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein the particulate of the light blocking component comprises zinc, aluminum, copper, silver, titanium dioxide, or a combination or alloy of two or more thereof.
9 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein the light blocking layer is present in an amount of 0.5 ppr to 25 ppr.
10 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein the light blocking layer comprises from 0.1 ppr to 10 ppr of the light blocking component.
11 . The recyclable shrink label of claim 1 , wherein the polyethylene terephthalate is glycol-modified.
12 . An article comprising:
a container comprising an external surface; and
the recyclable shrink label of claim 1 on the container.