BR112013010496B1 - biodegradable packaging - Google Patents

Abstract

degradable sachets for developing markets. Degradable sachets useful for containing a consumer product such as shampoo, conditioner, soap, toothpaste, bar soap and detergent are disclosed in the present invention. the sachets of the present invention have a moisture vapor transmission rate (mvtr) of less than about 10 hramas per square meter per day (g / m ^ 2 ^ / day) at 37 ° C and 90% relative unit (rh) , and may disintegrate into pieces small enough to pass through a 1 mm sieve within two years after the first continuous exposure to water and the microorganism.

Description

BIODEGRADABLE LAGE.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION [001] The invention relates to biodegradable sachets (that is, small bags), useful for containing a consumer product, such as shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion, shaving lotion, liquid soap, soap in bars, toothpaste and detergent. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [002] Polymers, such as polyethylene, have long been used as sachets (ie, small bags) for packaging products that have a short use cycle (for example, less than about 12 months) ). Sachets are usually composed of multiple layers that include different types of materials, to provide the desired functionality, such as sealing, barrier and printing. In food packaging, for example, a sachet is often used as a protective agent for food packaging, and is quickly discarded after consumption of its contents. Sachets are also used to house a variety of consumer products, which have a short use cycle, such as hair care products, beauty treatments, oral care, health care, personal cleaning and household cleaning. . These sachets often contain just enough product for a single use, and are often discarded as waste after that single use.

[003] In the most developed parts of the world, discarded sachets typically end up in a solid waste stream, which is incinerated or landfilled. In regions without modern infrastructure for solid waste, used sachets are commonly discarded as waste in the soil and surface water. Although efforts have been made to recycle

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2/37 of the sachets, the nature of the different polymers that make up the sachet layers, the presence of metals, the way the sachets are produced, and the way they are converted into products limit the number of possible recycling applications. For example, repeated processing even of pure polymers results in material degradation and, consequently, unsatisfactory mechanical properties. In addition, the different grades of chemically similar plastics that are mixed during the recycling process can cause processing problems that make the recovered material inferior or unusable.

[004] Some plastic manufacturers have introduced additives, such as oxy-biodegradable additives and organic materials, in traditional polymers (eg polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, polyvinyl chloride) to promote the biodegradation of polymers both in aerobic environments (eg, composting, soil) as well as in anaerobic environments (for example, landfills, sewage systems).

[005] Oxy-biodegradable additives are often composed of a polymer at a concentration of about 1% to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the polymer, and consist of transition metals that, theoretically, promote oxidation and chain splitting in plastics, when exposed to heat, air, light or a mixture of them. The shortened polymer chains can, theoretically, be consumed by microorganisms found in the disposal environment, and used as a food source. However, fragmentation is not a sign of biodegradation, and there is no data to show how long these plastic fragments will persist on the ground or in marine environments. Additionally, the data has shown that moisture slows down the fragmentation process by months, or longer periods. From a practical perspective, a plastic bag that is discarded in the desert is likely to fragment into

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3/37 a few months, but the fragments will persist for years or longer periods. If the same bag is discarded in a cold, dark and damp forest, it is unlikely to even break for months or years.

[006] When organic materials, some non-limiting examples of which include cellulose, starch, vinyl ethylene acetate and polyvinyl alcohol, are used as additives in traditional plastics, some portion of the additive itself will undergo biodegradation and generate carbon dioxide and methane. No data shows that the remaining 95% by weight to 99% by weight of the traditional plastic will also undergo biodegradation. The Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) recommends that a supplier demonstrate that 90% of the entire film or plastic packaging, not just the additive, converts to carbon dioxide under aerobic conditions, and to carbon dioxide and methane under anaerobic conditions.

[007] Sachets composed of biodegradable polymers seem to offer a solution to the problems described above, being more effective or practical than recycling and / or the use of additives based on oxy-biodegradable and organic materials. For use in the present invention, the term biodegradable polymers refers to those that are capable of undergoing natural decomposition into carbon dioxide, methane, water, inorganic compounds, biomass, or a mixture of them, the predominant mechanism being the enzymatic action of microorganisms that can be measured by standardized tests, at a specified time, reflecting the relevant disposal conditions. In the presence of oxygen (aerobic biodegradation), these metabolic processes produce carbon dioxide, water, biomass and minerals. Under anaerobic conditions (anaerobic biodegradation), methane can also be produced.

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4/37 [008] The attributes that make a polymer biodegradable, however, can also prevent it from being used for the purpose for which it is intended. Often, biodegradable polymers are sensitive to moisture (that is, they can absorb significant amounts of water, expand, lose strength or thickness, or dissolve when exposed to aqueous media), thermally sensitive (ie, have a melting or glass transition temperature below about 65 ° C, or a Vicat softening point less than about 45 ° C), mechanically limited (ie a product formed from the polymer is too rigid, too soft, an unsatisfactory degree of tensile strength or resistance to breakage, or has insufficient elongation properties), and / or is difficult to process in films by conventional melting processes (for example, molding film extrusion, film extrusion blown). The properties such as tensile strength, tension modulus, resistance to rupture and thermal softening point determine, in large part, whether a film can pass through conversion lines properly.

[009] Biodegradable metallized cellulose films (for example, NatureFlex ™, available from Innovia LLC) have been used to form 30.5 cm (12 ”) x 5.1 cm (2”) sachets that are capable of contain dry products in dry environments. However, these sachets have limited success when filled with liquid consumer products. For example, when these sachets were filled with water and left to stand overnight, visible cracks in the metallized film were observed, and the sachets failed within 24 hours, as evidenced by droplets visibly leaking through the film.

[0010] Also known are degradable sachets suitable for containing a single portion of dry products, such as sugar.

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These sachets are composed of paper that is coated by extrusion with a grade of MATER-BI ™ thermoplastic starch film produced by Novamont.

[0011] Films composed of a layer of biodegradable polymer are described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2009/0286090, hereby incorporated by reference. However, these films require high barrier properties in order to obtain their desired performance characteristics. To obtain these high barrier properties, it is necessary to incorporate non-degradable materials (for example, polyvinylidene chloride; polyvinyl alcohol; polyvinyl acetate; polyolefins such as polyethylene and polypropylene; polyamides; extruded extruded ethylene vinyl acetate; acrylic acid extruded grade ethylene, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymers (EVOHs) and combinations thereof, such as polyamide / EVOH / polyamide coextrusion to the biodegradable polymer layer. As such, these films are only partially biodegradable.

[0012] A fully degradable film that is a multilayer laminate is described in US patent application publication No. 2008/0038560, incorporated herein, by reference. However, laminates themselves are undesirable, since the laminating process is expensive.

[0013] Japanese patent application 2005/111783, incorporated herein by reference, presents packaging with a resin composition based on polylactic acid and lactic acid group, on which aluminum has been deposited by means of steam . These films, however, only degrade under industrial composting conditions and do not undergo biodegradation in an open environment.

[0014] Polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs) have also been of general interest for use in the formation of biodegradable films. For example, US patent No. 5,498,692, incorporated herein by way of reference 870190090286, of 9/11/2019, p. 10/51

6/37, presents a biodegradable film composed of a polyhydroxy alkanoate copolymer that has at least two random repeat monomer units. This film can be used to form, for example, supermarket bags, food storage bags, sandwich bags, resealable Ziploc® bags and garbage bags. PHA films or other biodegradable films can also be used to create a sachet, although a sachet comprising only PHA will not meet the barrier requirements for most consumer items.

[0015] Although PHAs are biodegradable, their actual use as a plastic material has been hampered by their thermal instability. PHAs tend to have low melt strengths and can also suffer from a long solidification time, so they tend to be difficult to process by melting. In addition, PHAs tend to undergo thermal degradation at very high temperatures (that is, the temperatures that can be encountered during melt processing). In addition, PHAs have poor gas and moisture barrier properties, and are not suitable for use as packaging materials, as described in US patent application publication No. 2009/0286090, incorporated herein by reference.

[0016] None of the single-use sachets that are currently in use and are composed of a single layer of biodegradable polymers (ie without laminate) that can withstand the manufacturing process, have a long service life, meets barrier requirements and biodegrades within a relatively short period of time in an open environment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] In one aspect, the invention relates to a package that includes a biodegradable sealant coated with a bar material

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7/37 reira, on which paint is deposited (see figure 1a). Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer. The sealant is present in a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm, preferably about 25 pm to about 75 pm, more preferably about 30 pm to about 50 pm. The barrier material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a nanoclay and mixtures thereof, being present at a thickness of about 200 A at about 50 pm, preferably from about 200 A to about 9 pm. The barrier material has a surface energy that is at least about 38 dynes / cm, preferably at least about 42 dynes / cm. Alternatively, the surface has an energy of less than about 38 dynes / cm, but can be treated to result in the desired surface energy, using techniques known to the person skilled in the art, such as corona treatment. The ink is present in a thickness of about 0.5 pm to about 20 pm, preferably about 1 pm to about 10 pm, more preferably about 2.5 pm to about 3.5 pm. When present, the lacquer has a thickness of up to about 25 pm, preferably up to about 5 pm.

[0018] In another aspect, the invention relates to a packaging that includes a layer composed of a biodegradable sealant and a barrier material selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyolefin, a filler and a mixture thereof. The paint is deposited on the layer, and optionally coated with a lacquer (see figure 2a). The layer has a thickness of about 25 pm to about 100 pm, preferably from about 30 pm to about 60 pm, and a surface energy of less than about 38 dynes / cm, but can be treated to result in desired surface energy, using techniques known to the person skilled in the art. The paint is present in a thickness of about 0.5 pm to about 20 pm, preferably about 1 pm to about 10 pm, with

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8/37 more preferably about 2.5 pm to about 3.5 pm. When present, the lacquer has a thickness of up to about 25 pm, preferably up to about 5 pm. Optionally, the layer is coated with a barrier material prior to ink deposition. When present, the barrier material is present in a thickness of about 200 Å to about 50 pm, preferably from about 200 Å to about 9 pm.

[0019] In yet another aspect, the invention relates to an article that includes a first packaging, which is composed of a biodegradable sealant on which the ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer. The first package is enclosed within a second package (see figure 3a). Optionally, a plurality of first packages are enclosed within the second package (see figure 3b).

[0020] The biodegradable sealant of the first package is present in a thickness of about 25 pm to about 100 pm, preferably from about 30 pm to about 60 pm, and has a surface energy as previously described. The ink is present in a thickness of about 0.5 pm to about 20 pm, preferably about 1 pm to about 10 pm, more preferably about 2.5 pm to about 3.5 pm. Optionally, the first package is coated with a barrier material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a nanoclay and mixtures thereof, which is present in a thickness of about 200 Â at about 50 pm. Such barrier material has a surface energy that is at least about 38 dynes / cm, preferably at least about 42 dynes / cm. Alternatively, the surface has an energy less than about 38 dynes / cm, but can be treated to result in the desired surface energy, using techniques known to the person skilled in the art.

[0021] The second package is composed of a seal substrate

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9/37 from the group consisting of polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefin, aluminum, metallized polyolefin, metallized polyethylene terephthalate and a mixture thereof, and has a thickness of about 12 pm to about 200 pm. Optionally, the substrate includes a barrier material coating the substrate in a thickness of about 200 µm to about 50 pm, preferably from about 200 µm to about 9 pm. In addition or alternatively, the substrate optionally also includes a biodegradable sealant. Alternatively, the second package is composed of a biodegradable sealant that has a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm, and which is coated with a barrier material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a nano-clay, and a mixture thereof, which is present in a thickness of about 200 µm to about 50 pm. As another alternative, the second package is composed of a layer that has a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm. This layer includes a biodegradable sealant and a barrier material consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyolefin, a filler and a mixture thereof in an amount of about 1% by volume, to about 40% by volume, with based on the total volume of the layer.

[0022] The packages and articles of the invention have a shelf life of at least about one year, preferably at least about two years, more preferably at least about three years. After the packaging of the first two aspects of the present invention and the first packaging of the third aspect of the invention have been used, for example by a consumer, they are discarded in an open environment (that is, not under industrial composting conditions), where they are exposed to microorganisms that degrade the sealant. After the first and continuous exposure to water and microorganisms that degrade the sealant, these packages disintegrate into pieces small enough to pass through a sieve.

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10/37 of a millimeter within two years, preferably in about eighteen months, more preferably in about a year.

[0023] The packages of the first two aspects of the present invention and the second package of the third aspect of the present invention have an MVTR less than about 10 grams per square meter per day (g / m ² / day), preferably less than about 5 g / m ² / day, more preferably less than about 2 g / m ² / day, more preferably even less than about 1 g / m ² / day, and even more preferably less than about 0.6 g / m ² / day, for example less than about 0.4 g / m ² / day, or less than about 0.2 g / m ² / day, at about 37 ° C and about 90% relative humidity (RH).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0024] Although the specification ends with claims that specifically point out and claim differently the subject that is considered in the present invention, it is believed that the present invention will be more fully understood with the description below, together with the attached drawings. Some of the figures may have been simplified by omitting selected elements, in order to show other elements more clearly. These omissions of elements in some figures are not necessarily indicative of the presence or absence of certain elements in any of the exemplary modalities, except as may be explicitly outlined in the corresponding written description. None of the drawings are necessarily drawn to scale.

[0025] Figure 1a represents a suitable structure for a sachet package that includes a biodegradable sealant coated with a barrier material, on which ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer.

[0026] Figure 1b represents an adequate structure for a

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11/37 sachet packaging that includes polyhydroxyalkanoate as the sealant coated with metallized paper, on which ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer.

[0027] Figure 2a represents a suitable structure for a sachet package that includes a layer composed of a biodegradable sealant and a barrier material. The ink is deposited on the layer, and optionally coated with a lacquer.

[0028] Figure 2b represents a suitable structure for a sachet package that includes a layer composed of a biodegradable sealant and a barrier material. The biodegradable sealant is coated with a barrier material, on which the paint is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer.

[0029] Figure 3a represents an article that includes a suitable structure for a sachet package, which is composed of a biodegradable sealant on which ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer. The structure is enclosed within a second larger package.

[0030] Figure 3b represents an article that includes a plurality of structures suitable for sachet packaging, which are composed of a biodegradable sealant on which ink is deposited. The plurality of structures is enclosed within a second larger package.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0031] It has now been discovered that biodegradable sachets that support the manufacturing process can be produced, have a long service life and that, when discarded in the open, disintegrate within a short period of time in pieces small enough to pass through a 1 mm sieve, after the first and continuous exposure to water and microorganisms that degrade the sealant. The sachets of the present invention advantageously do not

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12/37 require industrial composting conditions for degradation. In addition, they are composed of a single layer substrate with a coating, and do not require expensive and multiple lamination steps for different layers of materials. The relatively long service life of the sachets of the present invention allows them to be stored or transported over a long period of time without a decrease in the physical and chemical integrity of the sachets, even when they contain liquid products intended for the consumer. The relatively rapid biodegradation of sachets results in a significant decrease in the amount of environmental waste. The films used to produce the sachets of the present invention can advantageously be used to form other articles, such as garbage bags, diaper components, incontinence products, feminine hygiene articles, food packaging, tubes, refill packs and bags vertical. In addition, the films used to produce the sachets of the present invention are less dependent on petroleum based raw materials than the traditionally used polyolefin films. Thus, the sachets of the present invention may have a reduced carbon footprint, compared to traditional sachets.

[0032] The sachets of the present invention are composed of degradable films that can include both a sealant and a barrier material. The sealant of the present invention offers volume, heat seal and barrier protection properties. The barrier material works to reduce the moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) into or out of the package, while still allowing biodegradation. The barrier material can also serve to limit the diffusion of any diffusive species through the wall of the package. Some non-limiting examples of diffusive species include O2, CO2, aroma and perfume. Surpreen

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13/37 dentically, the specific combination of the sealant with the barrier material of the present invention works to provide a suitably long life to the sachet, to protect the contents of the sachet from the external environment, and to impart a vapor transmission rate of relatively low humidity to the sachet, while still allowing the sachet to disintegrate after the first and continuous exposure to water and microorganisms that degrade the sealant in less than two years, preferably in less than about eighteen months and, more preferably, less than about a year.

[0033] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a packaging represented by figure 1a. In this respect, the package includes a biodegradable sealant coated with a barrier material, on which ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer.

[0034] In this aspect of the invention, the sealant can be any biodegradable polymer. In some embodiments, the sealant is selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), PHA coated paper, PHA coated vacuum metallized paper, vacuum metallized PHA, polyvinyl alcohol, aliphatic aromatic polyesters (for example, ECOFLEX®, available together BASF), thermoplastic starch films (for example, MATER-BI ™ available from Novamont, or PLANTIC® films available from Plantic), polybutylene succinate and copolymers thereof (for example, BIONOLLE®, available from Showa Highpolymer Co.), film based on starch and mixtures thereof. Some non-limiting examples of paper may include art paper (ie coated paper), Kraft paper, calendered paper, rice paper, squared paper and cardboard. The addition of paper to the sealant adds volume and rigidity to the sealant, and can also optimize the printing surface. In some preferential modalities 870190090286, from 9/11/2019, p. 18/51

14/37, the sealant is selected from the group consisting of PHA, paper coated with PHA and mixtures thereof. For example, the sealant is

PHA.

[0035] PHA can be obtained in the form of copolymers which are marketed as grades of film for extrusion and blowing by Shenzhen Ecomann Biotechnology Co., Meridian, Inc., which produces poly (beta-hydroxy alkanoate), poly (3- hydroxy butyrate-co-3-hydroxy valerate (NODAX ™), or Metabolix, which produces MIREL ™. Some non-limiting examples of PHA copolymers include those described in US patent No. 5,498,692. Other PHA copolymers can be synthesized by methods known to the person skilled in the art, such as from microorganisms, by polymerization by opening betalactone rings, by dehydration-polycondensation of alkanoic hydroxy acid, and by de-alcoholisation-polycondensation of alkanoic hydroxy acid alkyl ether, as described in Volova, Polyhydroxyalkanoates - Plastic Materials of the 21 ^st Century: Production, Properties, and Application, Nova Science Publishers, Inc., (2004), hereby incorporated by reference.

[0036] The sealant in this aspect of the invention is present in a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm, preferably from about 25 pm to about 75 pm, more preferably from about 30 pm to about 50 pm. For example, when the package contains a liquid, the sealant is present in a thickness of about 30 pm to about 50 pm; and when the package contains a powder, the sealant is present in a thickness of about 25 pm to about 40 pm. The thickness of the sealant, barrier material, substrate and / or layer in any aspect of the present invention can be determined by any method known to the person skilled in the art, such as using conventional gauges. A thinner sealant results in a packaging with a rate of biodegradation

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15/37 faster, but with a higher moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR), decreased structural integrity, and shorter service life. A thicker sealant results in a packaging with a lower MVTR and increased structural integrity, but with a slower rate of biodegradation. Optionally, the sealant includes a filler in an amount from about 1% by volume to about 30% by volume, based on the total volume of the sealant. Some non-load limiting examples include graphene, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate, nano clay and waxes.

[0037] The polarity of PHA and paper typically results in a good bond, and does not need to be improved. In some embodiments, however, when the sealant is PHA or PHA-coated vacuum-coated paper, homo and anhydride or acid modified ethylene and propylene copolymers can optionally be used as extrudable adhesive layers, as described in the patent application US No. 2009/0191371, which is hereby incorporated by reference, to optimize the connection between the PHA and the paper layers. The exact compositions of the adhesive layers are determined according to the specific compositions of the contiguous layers to be joined in a multilayer structure. Those skilled in the polymer technique can select the appropriate adhesive layer based on the other materials used in the structure. Adhesive layer compositions such as hot-melt adhesives, solvent-based adhesives, and water-based adhesives are suitable.

[0038] PHA can also be laminated on paper or foil, as described in US patent application No. 2009/0191371. Lamination involves placing a melted curtain of an adhesive composition between the substrate and the PHA film in motion at high speeds (typically from about 30.5 to about 304.8 meters per minute (from about 100 to about 1,000 feet by

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16/37 minutes), preferably from about 91.4 to about 243.8 meters per minute (from about 300 to about 800 feet per minute) as they come into contact with a cold (cooled) cylinder. The melted curtain is formed by extruding the adhesive composition through a flat die. Solution-based adhesive compositions can also be used to adhere film or to the substrate.

[0039] Some non-limiting examples of the adhesive may include acrylic, polyvinyl acetate and other adhesive bonding layers, suitable for polar materials. In some embodiments, the adhesive is a renewable adhesive, such as BioTAK®, from Berkshire Labels.

[0040] The exact composition and thickness of the barrier material in the first aspect of the invention are determined by the intended use of the packaging, as well as the sensitivity of the product intended for the consumer contained within the packaging to the gain or loss of a certain material. For example, if the package contains a shampoo, a critical amount of water loss from the shampoo would severely affect its performance. Based on the projected time that the packaging is expected to remain on the market, a desired shelf life or expiration date is defined. With the knowledge of the acceptable amount of water loss, the length of time spent in commerce, and the size of the package, an acceptable flow of water is then defined. The composition of the barrier material and the thickness of the barrier are then chosen based on the specific performance criteria and the characteristics of each product intended for the consumer that is enclosed inside the packaging.

[0041] In this aspect of the invention, the barrier material is selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a nano-clay and a mixture thereof. In some embodiments, when the barrier material is a metal or metal oxide, it is selected from the group consisting of aluminum, an aluminum oxide,

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17/37 a silicon oxide, diamond-like carbon (Diamond Like Carbon, or DLC), and mixtures thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the metal is vacuum metallized aluminum. In some embodiments, when the barrier material is a nano-clay, the nano-clay is selected from the group consisting of montmorillonites, vermiculite platelets and mixtures thereof. The barrier material has a surface energy that is at least about 38 dynes / cm, preferably at least about 42 dynes / cm, or the barrier material can be treated to result in the desired surface energy, with the use of techniques known to the person skilled in the art, such as corona treatment. The surface energy of the barrier material can be determined by any method known to the person skilled in the art. If the surface energy is less than about 38 dynes / cm, the barrier material will not accept printing inks on its surface. The barrier material is present in a thickness of about 200 Å to about 50 pm, preferably from about 200 Å to about 9 pm.

[0042] In one embodiment of this aspect of the invention, the degradable sealant is PHA, and the barrier material is metallized paper, as shown in figure 1b.

[0043] In a second aspect, the invention relates to a packaging represented by figure 2a. In this respect, the package includes a layer composed of a biodegradable sealant and a barrier material selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyolefin, a filler and a mixture thereof. The ink is deposited on the layer, and optionally coated with a lacquer. In some embodiments, the layer is optionally coated with a barrier material, as shown in figure 2b.

[0044] In this aspect of the invention, the sealant can be any biodegradable polymer. In some modalities of this aspect of

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18/37 invention, the sealant is as described in the first aspect of the invention.

The barrier material of the layer of this aspect of the invention is selected from the group consisting of polyglycolic acid (PGA), polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene, polypropylene) and mixtures thereof. For use in the present invention, the term polyolefin refers to a virgin petroleum-based polyolefin, a post-consumer recycled polyolefin, a recycled polyolefin of industrial origin, a polyolefin derived from a renewable resource (ie produced by a natural process) at a speed comparable to their consumption speed, such as by plants, animals, fish, bacteria, fungi and forest products), or a mixture of them. In some embodiments of this aspect of the invention, the barrier material is a filler selected from the group consisting of nano-clay, graphene, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate, wax and mixtures thereof. Some non-limiting examples of nano-clay include montmorillonites, vermiculite platelets and mixtures thereof. In some preferred embodiments, the barrier material is selected from the group consisting of nano-clay or graphene oxide.

[0046] The barrier material is present in an amount of about 1% by volume, to about 40% by volume, preferably from about 5% by volume to about 40% by volume, more preferably about 5% by volume, to about 20% by volume, based on the total volume of the layer. A greater amount of barrier material results in increased structural integrity and decreased MVTR, but may have a slower rate of degradation.

[0047] The layer has a thickness of about 25 pm to about 100 pm, preferably from about 30 pm to about 60 pm. For example, when the package contains a liquid, the layer is present in a thickness of about 40 pm to about 60 pm.

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19/37

When the package contains a powder, the layer is present in a thickness of about 25 μm to about 50 μm. A thinner layer results in a package that has a faster rate of biodegradation, but a higher MVTR, decreased structural integrity and a shorter shelf life. A thicker layer results in a package that has a lower MVTR and increased structural integrity, but with a slower rate of biodegradation. The layer has a surface that has an energy of at least about 38 dynes / cm, preferably at least about 42 dynes / cm, or that can be treated to result in the desired surface energy, using techniques known to the versed in the technique, as a corona treatment. If the surface energy is less than about 38 dynes / cm, the layer will not accept printing inks on its surface. Exemplary embodiments of the layer composition include PHA / PGA, PHA / nano-clay, PHA / graphene, PHA / graphene oxide and PHA / polyolefin.

[0048] The layer in this aspect of the invention can optionally be coated with a barrier material, as shown in figure 2b, the composition and thickness of which is as previously described in the first aspect of the invention.

[0049] In a third aspect, the invention relates to an article represented by figure 3a. In this regard, the article includes a first packaging that is composed of a biodegradable sealant on which ink is deposited. Optionally, the paint is coated with a lacquer. The first package is enclosed within a second larger package.

[0050] The composition and thickness of the sealant of the first package are as previously described in the first aspect of the invention. The second package is composed of a substrate that has a thickness of about 12 μm to about 200 μm. Some

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20/37 non-limiting examples of the substrate of the second package include polyethylene terephthalate, polyolefins (for example, high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene), metallized polyolefin (for example, metallized high density polyethylene , metallized low density polyethylene, metallized polypropylene, biaxially oriented polypropylene), metallized polyethylene terephthalate and aluminum. The thickness of the substrate depends on its composition and the desired barrier properties. The person skilled in the art can easily determine the required substrate thickness, based on conventional industry information. Optionally, the substrate includes a barrier material coating the substrate in a thickness of about 200 Å to about 50 pm, preferably from about 200 Å to about 9 pm, as previously described in the first aspect of the invention. Additionally or alternatively, the substrate optionally further includes a biodegradable sealant, as previously described in the first aspect of the invention.

[0051] Alternatively, the second package is composed of a biodegradable sealant that has a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm, and which is coated with a barrier material that has a thickness of about 200 Â to about 50 pm, as previously described in the first aspect of the invention. As another alternative, the second package is composed of a layer that has a thickness of about 12 pm to about 100 pm. This layer includes a biodegradable sealant and barrier material in an amount from about 1% by volume to about 40% by volume, based on the total volume of the layer, as previously described in the second aspect of the invention.

[0052] Optionally, a plurality of first packages are contained within a single second package, according to

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21/37 shown to me in figure 3b. For example, a roll of small sachets are enclosed within a larger barrier pouch, which provides a barrier to the entire roll of small sachets. In this way, barrier requirements can be advantageously removed from numerous smaller sachets, as they are already supplied in a single larger package.

[0053] In all aspects of the present invention, the ink that is deposited can be solvent-based or water-based. In some embodiments, the paint is highly resistant to abrasives. For example, highly abrasive-resistant paint may include coatings cured by ultraviolet (UV) radiation or by electron beams (EB). In some embodiments, the paint is derived from an oil source. In some modalities, the paint is derived from a renewable resource, such as soy, a plant, or a mixture of them. Some non-limiting examples of paints include ECO-SURE! ™, available from Gans Ink & Supply Co., and VUTEk® and BioVu ™ solvent-based paints, available from EFI, which are completely derived from renewable resources ( for example, corn). The ink is present in a thickness of about 0.5 pm to about 20 pm, preferably about 1 pm to about 10 pm, more preferably about 2.5 pm to about 3.5 pm.

[0054] In all aspects of the present invention, the optional lacquer works in order to protect the paint layer against its physical-chemical environment. In some embodiments, the lacquer is selected from the group consisting of resin, additive and solvent / water. In some preferred embodiments, the lacquer is nitrocellulose based lacquer. The lacquer is formulated to optimize durability and provide a glossy or matte finish. The lacquer is present in a thickness of up to about 25 pm, preferably up to about 5 pm. The amount of lacquer present affects the rate of degradation for the entire emPetition 870190090286, of 9/11/2019, pg. 26/51

22/37, not the rate of degradation of the lacquer itself. In this way, a thinner layer of lacquer results in a faster biodegradation rate for the entire package.

[0055] In some embodiments, the packaging and biodegradable articles of the invention are substantially free of oxy-biodegradable additives (i.e., less than about 1% by weight, based on the total weight of the package or article). As previously described in the present invention, oxy-biodegradable additives consist of transition metals that theoretically promote oxidation and chain cleavage in plastics, when exposed to heat, air, light or a mixture thereof. Although theoretically shortened polymer chains can be consumed by microorganisms found in the disposal environment, being used as a food source, there is no data to indicate how long these plastic fragments will persist in soils or in marine environments, or whether the biodegradation of these fragments actually occurs.

[0056] In some embodiments, the packaging and biodegradable articles of the invention contain a product intended for the consumer, such as a liquid or a powder. For use in the present invention, a product intended for the consumer refers to materials that are used for hair treatment, beauty treatment, oral treatment, health care, personal cleaning and household cleaning, for example. Some non-limiting examples of consumer products include shampoo, conditioner, mousse, face soap, hand soap, body soap, liquid soap, bar soap, humectant, skin lotion, shaving lotion, toothpaste, mouthwash, hair gel, hand sanitizer, laundry detergent, dishwashing detergent, dishwasher detergent, cosmetics, and over-the-counter drug. The packaging and articles of the invention are resistant 870190090286, of 9/11/2019, p. 27/51

23/37 for the product intended for the consumer. For use in the present invention, resistant refers to the ability of packaging and articles to maintain their mechanical properties and the illustrations on their surfaces, as designed, without degradation arising from the interaction between consumer and product and the diffusion of the product intended for the consumer through the packaging material.

Description

Useful life [0057] The packages and articles of the invention have a useful life of at least about one year, preferably at least about two years, more preferably at least about three years. For use in the present invention, the term service life refers to a period of time during which the packaging or article of the present invention maintains the intended properties of the original design, without deteriorating or becoming unsuitable for use. During the life of the packaging or article of the present invention, the physical and chemical integrity of the packaging and article is maintained throughout storage, transportation and use by the consumer. The packages and articles of the present invention maintain the useful lives described above when empty or filled with a consumer product, such as a liquid or powder.

[0058] The useful life of the package or article of the present invention can be tested by placing the package or article in a room with constant temperature and humidity, to accelerate aging. The data obtained in these studies can be used to predict stability over longer periods and chemical effects under non-accelerated conditions, such as transport conditions. These data can be used to determine the useful life with an 80% confidence margin, using Arrhenius calculations or other acceptable analysis techniques. For example, the speed of aging

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24/37 cement can be accelerated twice for every ten degrees Celsius increase in temperature. A package or article placed in a room with 50% relative humidity (RH) and 55 ° C for two months is equivalent to a package or article at 50% RH and 25 ° C for 16 months. After the accelerated aging process, the packaging or article is tested for weight loss and leaks, and the illustrations are inspected for fading, bleeding and the like. The relevant mechanical properties are also tested. If the packaging or article is the same as a packaging or control article, which has not been exposed to temperature and humidity, then the packaging or article is considered stable. If the packaging or article has reduced physical properties or appearance beyond a level acceptable to the consumer, then the packaging or article is considered a failure. Biodegradation [0059] After using the packaging or the article of the present invention, for example by a consumer, it is discarded in an open environment (that is, not under industrial composting conditions). After the first and continuous exposure to water and microorganisms that degrade the sealant, the packages of the first two aspects of the present invention, and the first package of the third aspect of the invention disintegrate into pieces small enough to pass through a 1mm sieve. , preferably through a 0.75 mm sieve, more preferably through a 0.5 mm sieve, for example through a 0.25 mm sieve, within two years, preferably less than about eighteen months, more preferably less than about a year. For use in the present invention, the term microorganism is defined as an organism that is too small to be seen with the naked eye, such as bacteria, fungi, archaea and protists. For example, if the

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25/37 packaging or article of the present invention is composed of PHA, then it can be depolymerized by enzymes derived from microbes.

[0060] Microorganisms secrete PHA-specific depolymerases, which extracellularly hydrolyze the polymer, resulting in water-soluble products. Some non-limiting examples of bacteria on which PHA degradation is reported include bacteria from the genera Bacillus, Pseudomonas (eg, Pseudomonas lemoignei), and Streptomyces. Other bacteria that degrade PHA can be found in Table 1, page 454, of Jendrossek et al., Appl. Microbiol. Biotechnol. 46: 451-463 (1996), which is incorporated herein by reference. PHA-degrading bacteria are present in virtually all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. Some non-limiting examples of fungi that degrade PHA include Ascomycetes, Basidiomycetes, Beuteromycetes, Mastigiomycetes, Myxomycetes and Zygomycetes, as described in the aforementioned article by Jendrossek et al.

[0061] During disintegration, the carbon compounds in the packaging and articles of the present invention undergo mineralization, while the inorganic material is dispersed. For use in the present invention, the term mineralization means the conversion of carbon compounds to carbon dioxide, methane or a mixture thereof. Mineralization can be determined by measuring the amount of organic carbon in the packaging or article that is converted to carbon dioxide, methane or a mixture thereof. For use in the present invention, the term dispersed refers to the breaking of inorganic material into small pieces, capable of passing through a sieve of specific size (for example, 1 mm).

Photo-additives

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26/37 [0062] In addition, certain additives can be added to control the degradability of the polymers, in order to obtain the degradability specified in the present invention. For example, numerous additives are known to control the degradation of polymers with or without activation by some external stimulus (for example, exposure to light) as presented in US 2010/0222454 A1, US 2004/0010051 A1, US2009 / 0286060 A1 and in references contained therein. Additionally, in Photodegradation, Photooxidation, and photostabilization of Polymers, by Ranby and Rabek, photodegrading materials are described.

[0063] Without adhering to the theory, an example of these additives (photoacid or photobase generators) controls the local pH in response to exposure to certain wavelengths of light, which results in the hydrolysis of a polyester. Once these polymers are hydrolyzed to a lower molecular weight, they are actually biodegraded by microorganisms.

Moisture vapor transmission rate [0064] The packages and articles of the present invention have a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) that minimizes the transfer of moisture through the package or article, either to the external environment or for a consumer product contained in the packaging. MVTR is the steady state rate at which water vapor permeates through a film, under specified conditions of temperature and relative humidity, and can be determined using the ASTM F1249 method. When the product intended for the consumer is a liquid, the MVTR of the packaging or article prevents the loss of moisture from the liquid to the external environment. When the product intended for the consumer is a powder, the MVTR of the packaging or article prevents the absorption of moisture into the powder from the external environment.

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27/37 [0065] A package or article of the present invention has an MVTR less than about 10 grams per square meter per day (g / m ² / day), preferably less than about 5 g / m ² / day , more preferably less than about 2 g / m ² / day, more preferably even less than about 1 g / m ² / day, more preferably even less than about 0.6 g / m ² / day, for example less than about 0.4 g / m ² / day or less than about 0.2 g / m ² / day, at about 37 ° C and about 90% relative humidity (RH). In some embodiments, when the package or article of the present invention contains a powder, the MVTR is less than about 10 g / m ² / day, preferably less than about 5 g / m ² / day, more preferably less than about 2 g / m ² / day, for example less than about 1 g / m ² / day, at about 37 ° C and about 90% RH. In some embodiments, when the package or article of the present invention contains a liquid, the MVTR is less than about 2 g / m ² / day, preferably less than about 1 g / m ² / day, more preferably less than about 0.6 g / m ² / day, for example less than about 0.4 g / m ² / day or less than about 0.2 g / m ² / day at about 37 ° C and about 90% RH. The MVTR of the packages and articles of the invention can be controlled by adjusting the composition and thickness of the sealant and barrier material of the package or article. For example, the MVTR decreases as the thickness of the sealant increases and, in particular, as the barrier material increases.

[0066] The packages and articles of the invention do not have any unpleasant odors, and can also be characterized by at least one of the following devices: tension module, kinetic friction coefficient, heat sealing start temperature, sealing resistance hot and break resistance. For use in the present invention, the term unpleasant odor refers to a perceptible odor that may be in any way unpleasant to a consumer.

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28/37

Stress module [0067] The stress module is the stress divided by the strain in the linear region of the stress-strain curve. In some embodiments, the tension module of the packages and articles of the invention can be determined by the ASTM D882 method, using a film with 15.0 or 25.4 mm wide, a gap between clamps of about 50 mm, and a traction speed of about 300 m / min. In some embodiments, the packages and articles of the present invention have a tension modulus between about 140 MPa and about 4,140 MPa. If the tension module of the packaging or article of the present invention is too low, then a distortion in printing will be seen by the consumer, due to the packaging process.

Kinetic friction coefficient [0068] The kinetic friction coefficient is a dimensionless scalar value, which describes the ratio between the frictional force between two bodies moving relative to each other, and the force that presses them against each other. The coefficient of kinetic friction can be determined by the ASTM D1894 method. In some embodiments, the packages and articles of the present invention have a coefficient of kinetic friction of no more than about 0.75, preferably no more than about 0.5, between the outer surfaces of the package or article, and from about 0.20 to about 0.75, preferably from about 0.2 to about 0.5, between the inner surfaces of the package. If the coefficient of kinetic friction is too high, then the film is too sticky for use in forming a sachet.

Heat sealing start temperature [0069] The heat sealing start temperature is the minimum temperature for sealing, in which the sealing resistance of a seal reaches a value of 4 N. The temperature of the start of sealing a

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Hot 29/37 can be determined by the ASTM F88 method, using a film with 15.0 or 25.4 mm wide, a residence time of about 0.5 seconds, a pressure of about 250 kPa (2 , 5 bar), and a traction speed of about 200 mm / min. In some embodiments, the packages and articles of the present invention exhibit a heat sealing start temperature of no more than about 120 ° C, preferably no more than 110 ° C. If the start temperature of the heat seal is too high, it will slow down the packaging cycle time.

Heat seal strength [0070] The heat seal strength is the peak force at which a 2.54 cm (one inch) wide seal can be separated. The heat seal resistance can be measured by the ASTM F88 method, using strips cut with 15 or 25.4 mm, a pressure of about 250 kPa (2.5 bar), a residence time of about 0, 5 seconds, a traction speed of 200 mm / min, and a temperature of around 180 ° C. In some embodiments, the packages and articles of the present invention exhibit a heat seal resistance of at least about 2,000 N / m, preferably at least about 3,000 N / m, more preferably at least about 4,000 N / m m. If the heat seal resistance is too low, the contents may leak from the packaging.

Tear resistance [0071] Tear resistance is the ability of the package or article to resist tearing. The breaking strength can be measured by the ASTM D1922 method on the film material, and this correlates with a consumer's ability to easily open a package. In some embodiments, the packages and articles of the present invention must exhibit a breaking strength of no more than about 1,000 mN. If the breaking strength is high

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30/37 too much, so the packaging may be too difficult for a consumer to open.

Photostability [0072] Photostability is the ability of the packaging or article of the present invention to maintain the intended properties of the original design, without deteriorating or becoming unsuitable for use when exposed to light (for example, 320-800 nm ). Exposure to light includes near UV and visible radiation, to mimic the conditions of manufacture, packaging, distribution, retail display and home storage. Light sources (close to UV and visible) can be tested together, using a single lamp source for lengths close to UV and visible (for example, xenon arc, metal halide and artificial daylight fluorescent type ) or separately, using separate lamp sources for lengths close to UV (for example, UVA type fluorescent) and visible (for example, cold white fluorescent) tested simultaneously or sequentially. The minimum exposure limits include 200 Watt hours / square meter of radiation close to UV, and 1.2 million lux hours of visible radiation.

Manufacturing method [0073] The films used to produce the packages and articles of the present invention can be processed using conventional procedures for the production of multilayer films in equipment for the production of conventional coextruded film. See, for example, US Patent Nos. 5,391,423 and 5,939,467, each of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. In general, polymers can be processed into films using methods for extruding molded or blown film. See, for example, Griff, Plastics Extrusion Technology, 2nd Edition, Van Nostrand Reinhold, 1976, which is incorporated herein by reference. O

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31/37 molded film is extruded through a linear opening die. In general, the flat blanket is cooled on a large roll of polished metal in motion. The film detaches from this first roll, passes over one or more auxiliary cooling rollers, through a set of rubber coated traction or drag rollers and then to a winder.

[0074] In blown film extrusion, the melt is extruded upwards, through a fine annular matrix opening, a process called tubular film extrusion. Air is injected through the center of the matrix to inflate the tube, which causes it to expand. The result is a moving bubble, which is kept at a constant size by controlling the internal air pressure. The film tube is cooled by blowing air through one or more cooling rings surrounding the tube. The tube is then flattened, passing through a pair of traction rollers, and proceeds to a winder.

[0075] Both the molded film and the blown film process can be used to produce single layer or multilayer film structures. The production of single layer films from a single thermoplastic material or a blend of thermoplastic components requires only a single extruder and a single pipe matrix. If a specific film requires a blend (for example, sealant / barrier material, sealant / filler), the pellets of the components can first be dry blended and then blended in the extruder by feeding that layer. Alternatively, if insufficient mixing occurs in the extruder, the pellets can first be mixed dry and then mixed in a molten state in a pre-composition extruder, followed by repellisation before the film extrusion.

[0076] Coextrusion processes are used for the production of multilayer films. These processes require more than one extrusion

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32/37 ra and either a coextrusion feed block, or a matrix system with multiple pipes, or a combination of the two, to obtain the multilayer film structure. The principle of coextrusion by feed block is described in US Patents No. 4,152,387 and 4,197,069, each of which is incorporated herein by way of reference. Multiple extruders are connected to the feed block, which employs mobile flow dividers to proportionally change the geometry of each individual flow channel in direct relation to the volume of polymer passing through the flow channels. The flow channels are designed so that, at their point of confluence, materials flow together with the same flow and pressure, eliminating interfacial tension and flow instabilities. After the materials are joined in the feed block, they flow into a single pipe matrix in the form of a composite structure. The viscosities and melting temperatures of the materials cannot be very different from each other, as otherwise the flow instabilities can result in unsatisfactory control by the matrix in the thickness distribution of the layers in the multilayer film, as described in US patent no. 5,498.6 92.

[0077] An alternative to coextrusion by feed block consists of a matrix with multiple pipes or a propeller blade matrix, as presented in the aforementioned US patents No. 4,152,387, 4,197,069 and 4,533.30, incorporated herein as of reference. While in the feed block system the melted material flows are collected outside the die body, before entering the die, in a matrix with multiple pipes or a propeller blade matrix each molten material flow has its own pipe in the matrix, where the polymers spread independently in their respective pipes. The melt streams are combined near the die outlet, with each melt stream

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33/37 with the total width of the matrix. The movable paddles offer the ability to adjust the output of each flow channel in direct proportion to the volume of material flowing through this channel, allowing the melting masses to flow together at the same linear flow rate, the same pressure and the desired width. As the flow properties and melting temperatures of processed materials can vary widely, the use of a propeller blade matrix has several advantages. The matrix lends itself to thermal insulation characteristics, so that materials with large differences in melting temperatures, for example up to 80 ° C, can be processed together.

[0078] Each pipe in a propeller blade matrix can be designed and adapted to a specific polymer. This allows materials with very different melt viscosities to be coextruded into multilayer films. In addition, the propeller blade matrix also offers the ability to adjust the width of individual pipes, so that an inner layer can be completely surrounded by water-insoluble materials, without leaving exposed edges susceptible to water. The aforementioned patents also describe the combined use of feed block systems and blade arrays to produce more complex multilayer structures.

[0079] The films that are produced by the aforementioned processes can be converted into the packaging and articles of the present invention using a seal-fill formation process. A traditional process typically involves three successive steps in which the packaging or article is formed from the film structure, is filled and then sealed or closed, as described in US patent No. 6,293,402, which is incorporated herein, as a reference. In the methods of heat sealing, there is a temperature range above which the seal would be burned. Petition 870190090286, of 9/11/2019, p. 38/51

34/37 do, and below which the seal would not be strong enough.

[0080] The seals are obtained by any sealing methods known to the person skilled in the art. The sealing may comprise the application of a continuously heated element to the film, followed by removal of the element after sealing. The heating element may be a hot rod that includes jaws, or heated wheels that rotate. Different types of sealing include continuous longitudinal welds and overlap seals.

Single line process [0081] A well-known single line sealing process, using a vertical forming and filling machine, is described in US Patent No. 4,521,437, incorporated herein by reference. In this process, a flat blanket of synthetic thermoplastic film is rolled out from a roll and formed in a continuous tube by sealing the longitudinal edges on the film, together, to form an overlapping seal (that is, a continuous longitudinal weld) . The resulting tube is pulled vertically down to a filling station and flattened across a pipe cross section, the position of this cross section being in a sealing device below the filling station. A transverse hot seal is made by the sealing device on the flattened portion of the tube, thus forming an air-tight seal transversely to the tube. After forming the transverse weld, a predetermined volume of material to be packed, for example flowable material, enters the tube at the filling station, and fills it upwards from the aforementioned transverse weld. The tube is then dropped for a predetermined distance under the influence of the weight of the material contained in the tube and the film advance mechanism on the machine. The jaws of the sealing device are closed, flattening the tube in a second cross section, which is above

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35/37 of the air / material interface in the tube. The sealing device seals and cuts the tube transversely in said second cross section. The portion of the tube filled with material is now in the form of a cushion-shaped sache. Thus, the sealing device sealed the top of the filled sachet, sealed the bottom of the next sachet to be formed, and separated the filled sachet from the next sachet to be formed, all in one operation.

Multi-line processing [0082] The packages of the present invention can also be processed using a multi-line sachet packaging machine, such as the QuadroPack VEGA PACK 300S. A high-speed, multi-line sachet processing machine is also described in US Patent No. 6,966,166, incorporated herein by reference. The machine used in this process includes two rollers for dispensing blades of film of equal size, a plurality of sealing devices suitable for this type of film and media, such as the pumping station described below, for inserting content (for example, liquid or viscous materials, and other substances) in film packaging. A plurality of packages can be produced using one or more reciprocating mobile carriages, which move with the film flow through the machine, with the carriages supporting each of the sealing and cross-cutting stations. The sealing devices are applied to all but one edge, forming a pocket with a cavity and an opening. The desired contents of the package are inserted into the cavity through the opening. The opening is then sealed and separated from the film.

[0083] A pair of film rolls is arranged on the film roll station. Alternatively, a cutter can be placed in the middle of a single choke cylinder to divide the width of the film into

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36/37 two equal parts. The film sheets are advanced through the apparatus through the station with traction wheels, and used to form the front and rear panels of the package. The film of each roll is guided so that the two film strips are in close proximity and in parallel relationship with each other, when they are advanced through the machine.

[0084] The sealing and cutting devices include: longitudinal sealing bars to seal the vertical sides of the package, a unidirectional roll to hold the film in position and prevent it from sliding back, a vertical cutter to cut a rupture crack in the packaging in the vertical direction, and transversal sealing bars to seal the packages in the horizontal direction.

[0085] The pumping station comprises a plurality of filling dispensers in communication with a storage structure containing the product intended for the consumer to be placed in the packaging. These dispensers are able to extract a predetermined amount of product intended for the consumer from a reservoir, and deposit it in the cavities of the film packages formed by the machine. In the preferred mode, the pumping station and the dispensers can be driven by one or more motion-controlled servomotors, in communication with the cam system. The amount of product intended for the consumer can be changed by changing the dispensers (with different dispensers having a greater or lesser capacity), changing the course of the pumping cycle, changing the timing of the pumping cycle, and the like. Therefore, different quantities of products intended for the consumer can be dispensed, depending on the size and capacity of the packages to be formed by the machine.

[0086] A preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of 870190090286, of 9/11/2019, p. 41/51

37/37 te in a layer of PHA sealant with vacuum metallization barrier layer, which is adhesive laminated to a reverse outer layer printed with PHA.

[0087] The dimensions and values presented in the present invention should not be understood as being strictly limited to the exact numerical values mentioned. Instead, unless otherwise specified, each of these dimensions is intended to mean both the mentioned value and a range of functionally equivalent values around that value. For example, a dimension shown as 40 mm is intended to mean about 40 mm.

[0088] All documents cited in the detailed description of the invention are, in their relevant part, incorporated herein by reference and the citation of any document should not be interpreted as admitting that it represents prior art with respect to the present invention. If there is a conflict between any meaning or definition of a term mentioned in this document and the meaning or definition of the same term in a document incorporated by reference, the meaning or definition attributed to the term mentioned in this document will take precedence.

[0089] Although particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it should be apparent to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the character and scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (10)

1. Packaging that is disintegrated within two years after the first and continuous exposure to water and microorganisms that degrade the sealant although it has a shelf life of at least one year, when containing a liquid product, characterized by the fact that it comprises: (a) a biodegradable sealant having a thickness from 12 pm to 100 pm; (b) a barrier material selected from the group consisting of a metal, a metal oxide, a nano-clay and a mixture thereof coating the sealant, the barrier material having a thickness of 200 A at 50 pm, and a surface that it has an energy of at least 38 dynes per centimeter (dyne / cm), or that is treatable to have an energy of at least 38 dyne / cm; and, (c) ink deposited on the barrier material, and having a thickness of 1 pm to 20 pm; the packaging has a moisture vapor transmission rate (MVTR) of less than 10 grams per square meter per day (g / m ² / day) at 37 ° C, and 90% relative humidity (RH), determined for the use of ASTM F1249. 2. Packaging, according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that the sealant additionally comprises a filler in an amount of 1%, by volume, to 30%, by volume, based on the total volume of the sealant. 3 Packaging, according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by the fact that the biodegradable sealant is selected from the group consisting of polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), PHA-coated paper, PHA-coated vacuum metallized, vacuum-metallized PHA, alcohol polyvinyl, aromatic aliphatic polyester, thermoplastic starch, polybutylene succinate, polybutane succinate copolymersPetition 870190090286, from 9/11/2019, pg. 43/51 2/2 tylene, starch-based film, and mixtures thereof. 4. Packaging, according to claim 2, characterized by the fact that the cargo is selected from the group consisting of nano-clay, graphene, graphene oxide, calcium carbonate, wax and mixtures thereof. 5. Packaging according to claim 1, characterized by the fact that it additionally comprises a lacquer coating on the paint, with a thickness of up to 25 pm. 6. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized by the fact that it has a useful life of at least about two years. 7. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by the fact that it disintegrates into pieces small enough to pass through a 1 mm sieve, within 18 months after the first and continuous exposure to water and to microorganisms that degrade the sealant. 8. Packaging according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by the fact that it contains a product intended for the consumer, being resistant to said product intended for the consumer. 9. Packaging, according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the product intended for the consumer is a liquid, the packaging having an MVTR of less than 2 g / m ² / day, determined by the use of ASTM F1249. 10. Packaging, according to claim 8, characterized by the fact that the product intended for the consumer is a powder, the packaging having an MVTR of less than about 5 g / m ² / day, determined by the use of ASTM F1249 .