CA2010927C - Multi-layer heat sealable polypropylene films - Google Patents
Multi-layer heat sealable polypropylene films Download PDFInfo
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- CA2010927C CA2010927C CA002010927A CA2010927A CA2010927C CA 2010927 C CA2010927 C CA 2010927C CA 002010927 A CA002010927 A CA 002010927A CA 2010927 A CA2010927 A CA 2010927A CA 2010927 C CA2010927 C CA 2010927C
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- layer
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- heat sealable
- ethylene
- outer layer
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- -1 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 41
- 239000004743 Polypropylene Substances 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 229920001155 polypropylene Polymers 0.000 title claims abstract description 36
- 239000010410 layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 97
- 239000000654 additive Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 30
- 230000000996 additive effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 27
- 229920000642 polymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 26
- 239000012792 core layer Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 21
- 239000011347 resin Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 229920005989 resin Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 18
- 238000004806 packaging method and process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 10
- 229920005629 polypropylene homopolymer Polymers 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000001464 adherent effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- VXNZUUAINFGPBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-Butene Chemical compound CCC=C VXNZUUAINFGPBY-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 23
- UAUDZVJPLUQNMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N Erucasaeureamid Natural products CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O UAUDZVJPLUQNMU-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- UAUDZVJPLUQNMU-KTKRTIGZSA-N erucamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O UAUDZVJPLUQNMU-KTKRTIGZSA-N 0.000 claims description 19
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 claims description 18
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 17
- VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Silicium dioxide Chemical compound O=[Si]=O VYPSYNLAJGMNEJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 16
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 claims description 15
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 claims description 15
- VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethene Chemical compound C=C VGGSQFUCUMXWEO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 12
- 239000005977 Ethylene Substances 0.000 claims description 12
- 229920001577 copolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 12
- OEPOKWHJYJXUGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(3-phenylmethoxyphenyl)-1,3-thiazole-4-carbaldehyde Chemical compound O=CC1=CSC(C=2C=C(OCC=3C=CC=CC=3)C=CC=2)=N1 OEPOKWHJYJXUGD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 10
- 229920001897 terpolymer Polymers 0.000 claims description 10
- QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N propylene Natural products CC=C QQONPFPTGQHPMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 9
- 125000004805 propylene group Chemical group [H]C([H])([H])C([H])([*:1])C([H])([H])[*:2] 0.000 claims description 9
- VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1-monostearoylglycerol Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(O)CO VBICKXHEKHSIBG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000011248 coating agent Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 238000000576 coating method Methods 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000004200 microcrystalline wax Substances 0.000 claims description 8
- 235000019808 microcrystalline wax Nutrition 0.000 claims description 8
- 239000000377 silicon dioxide Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 229920006397 acrylic thermoplastic Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- YQEMORVAKMFKLG-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycerine monostearate Natural products CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OC(CO)CO YQEMORVAKMFKLG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- SVUQHVRAGMNPLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N glycerol monostearate Natural products CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(=O)OCC(O)CO SVUQHVRAGMNPLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 4
- 229920003229 poly(methyl methacrylate) Polymers 0.000 claims description 4
- 150000003673 urethanes Chemical class 0.000 claims description 4
- NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N acrylic acid group Chemical group C(C=C)(=O)O NIXOWILDQLNWCW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 claims description 3
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920001328 Polyvinylidene chloride Polymers 0.000 description 8
- 238000003475 lamination Methods 0.000 description 8
- 239000005033 polyvinylidene chloride Substances 0.000 description 8
- 229920001519 homopolymer Polymers 0.000 description 5
- 150000001408 amides Chemical class 0.000 description 4
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000001993 wax Substances 0.000 description 4
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 3
- 125000004432 carbon atom Chemical group C* 0.000 description 3
- 239000003795 chemical substances by application Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 3
- ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N tert-butyl prop-2-enoate Chemical compound CC(C)(C)OC(=O)C=C ISXSCDLOGDJUNJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 3
- JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl acrylate Chemical compound CCOC(=O)C=C JIGUQPWFLRLWPJ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- BAPJBEWLBFYGME-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl acrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C=C BAPJBEWLBFYGME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Styrene Chemical compound C=CC1=CC=CC=C1 PPBRXRYQALVLMV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000002253 acid Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000007513 acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- 239000002981 blocking agent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 150000001735 carboxylic acids Chemical class 0.000 description 2
- ILRSCQWREDREME-UHFFFAOYSA-N dodecanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O ILRSCQWREDREME-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N ethene;prop-1-ene Chemical group C=C.CC=C HQQADJVZYDDRJT-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000007789 gas Substances 0.000 description 2
- HSEMFIZWXHQJAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N hexadecanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O HSEMFIZWXHQJAE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 229910010272 inorganic material Inorganic materials 0.000 description 2
- 239000011147 inorganic material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- LYRFLYHAGKPMFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N octadecanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O LYRFLYHAGKPMFH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FATBGEAMYMYZAF-KTKRTIGZSA-N oleamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCC(N)=O FATBGEAMYMYZAF-KTKRTIGZSA-N 0.000 description 2
- FATBGEAMYMYZAF-UHFFFAOYSA-N oleicacidamide-heptaglycolether Natural products CCCCCCCCC=CCCCCCCCC(N)=O FATBGEAMYMYZAF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N pent‐4‐en‐2‐one Natural products CC(=O)CC=C PNJWIWWMYCMZRO-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 238000012545 processing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 239000000126 substance Substances 0.000 description 2
- NHUOWASJBBPFMB-PDBXOOCHSA-N (9Z,12Z,15Z)-octadecatrienamide Chemical compound CC\C=C/C\C=C/C\C=C/CCCCCCCC(N)=O NHUOWASJBBPFMB-PDBXOOCHSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OXDXXMDEEFOVHR-CLFAGFIQSA-N (z)-n-[2-[[(z)-octadec-9-enoyl]amino]ethyl]octadec-9-enamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCC(=O)NCCNC(=O)CCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCC OXDXXMDEEFOVHR-CLFAGFIQSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LDVVTQMJQSCDMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl formate Chemical compound OCC(CO)OC=O LDVVTQMJQSCDMK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- SMZOUWXMTYCWNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 2-(2-methoxy-5-methylphenyl)ethanamine Chemical compound COC1=CC=C(C)C=C1CCN SMZOUWXMTYCWNB-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N Acrylonitrile Chemical compound C=CC#N NLHHRLWOUZZQLW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N Carbon Chemical compound [C] OKTJSMMVPCPJKN-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LZZYPRNAOMGNLH-UHFFFAOYSA-M Cetrimonium bromide Chemical compound [Br-].CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC[N+](C)(C)C LZZYPRNAOMGNLH-UHFFFAOYSA-M 0.000 description 1
- 101100130497 Drosophila melanogaster Mical gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- SFIHQZFZMWZOJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Linolsaeure-amid Natural products CCCCCC=CCC=CCCCCCCCC(N)=O SFIHQZFZMWZOJV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000004594 Masterbatch (MB) Substances 0.000 description 1
- CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methacrylic acid Chemical compound CC(=C)C(O)=O CERQOIWHTDAKMF-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N Methyl methacrylate Chemical compound COC(=O)C(C)=C VVQNEPGJFQJSBK-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 101100345589 Mus musculus Mical1 gene Proteins 0.000 description 1
- 235000021355 Stearic acid Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N Vinyl chloride Chemical compound ClC=C BZHJMEDXRYGGRV-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000004026 adhesive bonding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000002411 adverse Effects 0.000 description 1
- 125000005907 alkyl ester group Chemical group 0.000 description 1
- 239000002216 antistatic agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 150000001491 aromatic compounds Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N atomic oxygen Chemical compound [O] QVGXLLKOCUKJST-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- IAQRGUVFOMOMEM-UHFFFAOYSA-N butene Natural products CC=CC IAQRGUVFOMOMEM-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N butyl acrylate Chemical compound CCCCOC(=O)C=C CQEYYJKEWSMYFG-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000011247 coating layer Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001143 conditioned effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005520 cutting process Methods 0.000 description 1
- TUTWLYPCGCUWQI-UHFFFAOYSA-N decanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCC(N)=O TUTWLYPCGCUWQI-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000007812 deficiency Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000011161 development Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000945 filler Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007429 general method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- OOCSVLHOTKHEFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N icosanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O OOCSVLHOTKHEFZ-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 238000010030 laminating Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000004816 latex Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920000126 latex Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229940116335 lauramide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- SFIHQZFZMWZOJV-HZJYTTRNSA-N linoleamide Chemical compound CCCCC\C=C/C\C=C/CCCCCCCC(N)=O SFIHQZFZMWZOJV-HZJYTTRNSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 229920001684 low density polyethylene Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000000155 melt Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000002844 melting Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008018 melting Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052914 metal silicate Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 125000005395 methacrylic acid group Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- QEALYLRSRQDCRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N myristamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCC(N)=O QEALYLRSRQDCRA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 150000002825 nitriles Chemical class 0.000 description 1
- GHLZUHZBBNDWHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N nonanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCCC(N)=O GHLZUHZBBNDWHW-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 239000002736 nonionic surfactant Substances 0.000 description 1
- 231100000252 nontoxic Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003000 nontoxic effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N octadecanoic acid Chemical compound CCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCCC(O)=O QIQXTHQIDYTFRH-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- OQCDKBAXFALNLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N octadecanoic acid Natural products CCCCCCCC(C)CCCCCCCCC(O)=O OQCDKBAXFALNLD-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- LTHCSWBWNVGEFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N octanamide Chemical compound CCCCCCCC(N)=O LTHCSWBWNVGEFE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- WWZKQHOCKIZLMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N octanoic acid Chemical compound CCCCCCCC(O)=O WWZKQHOCKIZLMA-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000009965 odorless effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-N oleic acid group Chemical group C(CCCCCCC\C=C/CCCCCCCC)(=O)O ZQPPMHVWECSIRJ-KTKRTIGZSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000003287 optical effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000005026 oriented polypropylene Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001590 oxidative effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229910052760 oxygen Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 239000001301 oxygen Substances 0.000 description 1
- 239000005022 packaging material Substances 0.000 description 1
- IPCSVZSSVZVIGE-UHFFFAOYSA-N palmitic acid group Chemical group C(CCCCCCCCCCCCCCC)(=O)O IPCSVZSSVZVIGE-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000036314 physical performance Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920005606 polypropylene copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012462 polypropylene substrate Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920001296 polysiloxane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920005604 random copolymer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000012748 slip agent Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229940037312 stearamide Drugs 0.000 description 1
- 239000008117 stearic acid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000012360 testing method Methods 0.000 description 1
Landscapes
- Laminated Bodies (AREA)
Abstract
A heat-sealable multi-layer film structure charactised by consisting essentially of:
(i) an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B), and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, (ii) said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, and (iii) said outer layer (c) being formed from a polymer composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives;
wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
(i) an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B), and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, (ii) said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, and (iii) said outer layer (c) being formed from a polymer composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives;
wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
Description
z~so~z~
MULTI-LAYER HEAT-SEALABLE POLYPROPYLENE FILMS
This invention relates to multi-layer, heat-sealable polypropylene films which possess good slip properties and good adhesion to water based adhesives such as water based acrylics, urethanes and vinylidene chloride polymer (PVDC).
Polypropylene films possess a number of desirable characteristics including excellent optical properties such as transparency and brilliance, satisfactory mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Young's modulus, and substantial 1o non-toxic and odorless properties. Accordingly, polypropylene films are widely used as packaging materials, especially for foods. One drawback of polypropylene films, however, is that they possess poor heat sealability. To remedy this, it is widely known to laminate a low-temperature heat-sealable resin 15 to one or both sides of the polypropylene film by coating, laminating or co-extruding. Such heat-sealable resins include, for example, middle and low density polyethylenes, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and terpolymers of ethylene, butene and propylene.
2o Another drawback of unmodified polypropylene films is that they exhibit relatively poor slip characteristics, i.e., they exhibit high film to film coefficients of friction which makes it difficult to utilize them in automatic packaging equipment.
The poor slip behavior of a film will interfere with its use in 25 automatic processing equipment since the film must pass freely through the fabricating machine (e. g., heat sealer, bag maker, bag loader or filler, bag opener, overwrap package) for it to operate properly and reproducibly. In order to overcome the slip problems in heat-sealable films, it is common to 3o incorporate one or more of several conventional slip additives, e.g., oleamide, stearic acid, erucamide and the like, in the heat-sealable film.
Although crystalline polypropylene films exhibit relatively low vapor permeability, it is often desired to further increase their gas and vapor barrier properties, especially for applications in which the films are being used to package products such as food items which are sensitive to, or attacked by, oxygen or moisture. It is well-recognized in the art that an effective means for increasing the gas and vapor barrier properties of oriented polypropylene films is to coat such films with polymers of vinylidene chloride.
It is important, when coating polypropylene films with such vinylidene chloride polymer compositions, to ensure that the adhesion of the coating layer to the polypropylene substrate is adequate. For example, in many packaging applications, it is necessary for the coated film to be heat sealed either to itself or to other films to form a tightly closed package. If the coating adhesion to the base film is inadequate, the packages are liable to prematurely open when subjected to stress.
It has been the common understanding in the art that, to 2o attain adequate adhesion between polypropylene film surfaces and water based adhesives, the film surfaces must be subjected to well known pretreatment operations such as, for example, treatment by corona discharge, flame or oxidizing chemicals.
Other widely practiced means for improving the adhesion of the water based adhesives are the coating of the polypropylene film surface with specific primers or the co-lamination of the polypropylene film with an adhesion promotion film. Both coating or colamination methods, however, entail additional processing steps which increase the manufacturing costs of the 3o films.
Even with pretreatment of the polypropylene film, such as by corona discharge, the adhesion of the water based adhesives to the polypropylene film surface will often not be satisfactory when the polypropylene film contains slip F-5135-L - 3 _ 2o109rC~,'~
additives such as erucamide. Such slip additives tend to bloom or migrate to the surface of the polypropylene film where they act to greatly increase the variability of the bonds between the film and the water based adhesives.
There is therefore a need for a polypropylene film which can run well in packaging machines and which can also form good bonds with water based adhesives. Therefore, a film which exhibits the combined properties of low coefficient of friction and good adhesion to water based adhesives and which can be made in a single manufacturing step is greatly desired.
Multi-layer, heat-sealable polypropylene films have now been found which exhibit low coefficients of friction and good adhesion to water based adhesives including acrylics, urethanes and PVDC, and which can be made in a single manufacturing step. Such film structures consist essentially of an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B) and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the z0 outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives, said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives, and said outer layer (C) being formed from a polymer 3o composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives, wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
F-5135-L _ 4 _ By virtue of the presence of slip additive in heat seal layer (A), and the migration of slip additive from layer (B) to the surface of layer (A), outer layer (A) possesses a low coefficient of friction which allows for excellent machinability of the films of this invention. Since the slip additive is one which is incompatible with polypropylene, it does not substantially migrate to the surface of outer layer (C) and thus does not interfere with good film-water-based adhesive bonding.
1o This invention therefore relates to such films and to such films to which a water-based adhesive coating has been applied.
The isotactic polypropylene homopolymer of the core layer (B) and outer layer (C) is preferably a polypropylene having a density of from 0.88 to 0.94 g/cc (880 to 940 kg/m2) and a 15 melt flow index of from 1 to 10 g/10 mins. (1.67 x 10 6 to 16.7 x 10 6 kg/s) at 230'C/2.16 Kp/cm2 (0.0745 N/m2) pressure (as measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238).
The heat sealable resin in outer layer (A) can be any of the heat sealable copolymers, blends of homopolymers and blends 20 of copolymers) and homopolymer(s) heretofore employed for this purpose. Illustrative of heat sealable copolymers which can be used in the heat sealable layer are ethylene-propylene copolymers containing from about 1.5 to about 10, and preferably from about 3 to about 5, weight percent ethylene, 25 copolymers of propylene and butene-1 containing from about 5 to about 40 weight percent butene-1, and ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymers containing from about 1 to about 10, and preferably from about 2 to about 6, weight percent ethylene, from about 80 to 97, and preferably from 3~ about 88 to about 95, weight percent propylene, and from about 1 to about 20, and preferably from about 2 to about 15, weight percent butene-1, wherein the total of the weight percent does not exceed 100 weight percent.
Both core layer (B) and outer heat-sealable layer (A) are formed from polymer compositions containing slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene. The percentage of the slip additive in the multi-layer structure should be such as to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of the film structure. While the amount of slip additive is best defined by the result to be accomplished, it is preferred that this additive be included in the overall film structure in an amount of about 0.02% to about 0.20% by weight 1o and even more preferred in amounts between about 0.025 and about 0.10% by weight. In the preferred embodiment, the amount of slip additive in the polymer composition from which core layer (B) is made is less than the amount of slip additive in the polymer composition from which layer (A) is made. More preferably, the composition from which core layer (B) is made contains about 400 to 800 ppm slip additive, and the polymer composition from which outer heat-sealable layer (A) is made contains about 1000 to 2000 ppm slip additive; in both cases the slip additive is 2o preferably erucamide.
Slip additive in core layer (B) exudes from that layer through the outer heat-sealable layer (A) to the film's surface by "blooming" as is understood by those of skill in the art.
In this manner, the additive present in core layer (B) becomes available at the surface of layer (A) so as to beneficially affect the coefficient of friction and anti-stick characteristics of the film structure. The slip additive preferentially blooms to the (A) layer and therefore is not present on the outer homopolymer surface of the (C) layer and 3o does not adversely affect lamination bonds.
Generally, it is desired that the outer surface of outer layer (A) exhibit a coefficient of friction (ASTM D 1894) of less than about 0.45, preferably less than about 0.35 at room temperature.
Slip additives which may be used in making the films of this invention are those which are incompatible with polypropylene, i.e., those which bloom to the surface from the core and skin layers. Such additives are known to those skilled in the art. Non-ionic surfactants, such as the amides and carboxylic acids, are particularly of interest. Amides which are preferred are the amides' of ca~box4y,,~;ic a.~jy~: having at least five carbon atoms, for exampl,eh, mehenamide, linolenamide, arachidamide, ricoinolamide, palmitamide, 1o myristamide, linoleamide, lauramide, capramide, pelargonamide, caprylamide, oleamide, stearamide, N,N'-ethylene bisoleamide, and the most preferred slip additive, erucamide. Carboxylic acids which are useful include those having at least four carbon atoms, for example, butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, ~5 lauric, lauroleic, myristic, myristoleic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, palmltoleic, mar aric stearic, oleic, linoleic 9 ~ , limolen~c, ricinoleic, 2,3-dihydroxystearic, 12-hydroxystearic, behenie, el~ostearic, arachidic, 2-ecosenoic,
MULTI-LAYER HEAT-SEALABLE POLYPROPYLENE FILMS
This invention relates to multi-layer, heat-sealable polypropylene films which possess good slip properties and good adhesion to water based adhesives such as water based acrylics, urethanes and vinylidene chloride polymer (PVDC).
Polypropylene films possess a number of desirable characteristics including excellent optical properties such as transparency and brilliance, satisfactory mechanical properties such as tensile strength and Young's modulus, and substantial 1o non-toxic and odorless properties. Accordingly, polypropylene films are widely used as packaging materials, especially for foods. One drawback of polypropylene films, however, is that they possess poor heat sealability. To remedy this, it is widely known to laminate a low-temperature heat-sealable resin 15 to one or both sides of the polypropylene film by coating, laminating or co-extruding. Such heat-sealable resins include, for example, middle and low density polyethylenes, ethylene-propylene copolymer, and terpolymers of ethylene, butene and propylene.
2o Another drawback of unmodified polypropylene films is that they exhibit relatively poor slip characteristics, i.e., they exhibit high film to film coefficients of friction which makes it difficult to utilize them in automatic packaging equipment.
The poor slip behavior of a film will interfere with its use in 25 automatic processing equipment since the film must pass freely through the fabricating machine (e. g., heat sealer, bag maker, bag loader or filler, bag opener, overwrap package) for it to operate properly and reproducibly. In order to overcome the slip problems in heat-sealable films, it is common to 3o incorporate one or more of several conventional slip additives, e.g., oleamide, stearic acid, erucamide and the like, in the heat-sealable film.
Although crystalline polypropylene films exhibit relatively low vapor permeability, it is often desired to further increase their gas and vapor barrier properties, especially for applications in which the films are being used to package products such as food items which are sensitive to, or attacked by, oxygen or moisture. It is well-recognized in the art that an effective means for increasing the gas and vapor barrier properties of oriented polypropylene films is to coat such films with polymers of vinylidene chloride.
It is important, when coating polypropylene films with such vinylidene chloride polymer compositions, to ensure that the adhesion of the coating layer to the polypropylene substrate is adequate. For example, in many packaging applications, it is necessary for the coated film to be heat sealed either to itself or to other films to form a tightly closed package. If the coating adhesion to the base film is inadequate, the packages are liable to prematurely open when subjected to stress.
It has been the common understanding in the art that, to 2o attain adequate adhesion between polypropylene film surfaces and water based adhesives, the film surfaces must be subjected to well known pretreatment operations such as, for example, treatment by corona discharge, flame or oxidizing chemicals.
Other widely practiced means for improving the adhesion of the water based adhesives are the coating of the polypropylene film surface with specific primers or the co-lamination of the polypropylene film with an adhesion promotion film. Both coating or colamination methods, however, entail additional processing steps which increase the manufacturing costs of the 3o films.
Even with pretreatment of the polypropylene film, such as by corona discharge, the adhesion of the water based adhesives to the polypropylene film surface will often not be satisfactory when the polypropylene film contains slip F-5135-L - 3 _ 2o109rC~,'~
additives such as erucamide. Such slip additives tend to bloom or migrate to the surface of the polypropylene film where they act to greatly increase the variability of the bonds between the film and the water based adhesives.
There is therefore a need for a polypropylene film which can run well in packaging machines and which can also form good bonds with water based adhesives. Therefore, a film which exhibits the combined properties of low coefficient of friction and good adhesion to water based adhesives and which can be made in a single manufacturing step is greatly desired.
Multi-layer, heat-sealable polypropylene films have now been found which exhibit low coefficients of friction and good adhesion to water based adhesives including acrylics, urethanes and PVDC, and which can be made in a single manufacturing step. Such film structures consist essentially of an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B) and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the z0 outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives, said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives, and said outer layer (C) being formed from a polymer 3o composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives, wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
F-5135-L _ 4 _ By virtue of the presence of slip additive in heat seal layer (A), and the migration of slip additive from layer (B) to the surface of layer (A), outer layer (A) possesses a low coefficient of friction which allows for excellent machinability of the films of this invention. Since the slip additive is one which is incompatible with polypropylene, it does not substantially migrate to the surface of outer layer (C) and thus does not interfere with good film-water-based adhesive bonding.
1o This invention therefore relates to such films and to such films to which a water-based adhesive coating has been applied.
The isotactic polypropylene homopolymer of the core layer (B) and outer layer (C) is preferably a polypropylene having a density of from 0.88 to 0.94 g/cc (880 to 940 kg/m2) and a 15 melt flow index of from 1 to 10 g/10 mins. (1.67 x 10 6 to 16.7 x 10 6 kg/s) at 230'C/2.16 Kp/cm2 (0.0745 N/m2) pressure (as measured in accordance with ASTM D 1238).
The heat sealable resin in outer layer (A) can be any of the heat sealable copolymers, blends of homopolymers and blends 20 of copolymers) and homopolymer(s) heretofore employed for this purpose. Illustrative of heat sealable copolymers which can be used in the heat sealable layer are ethylene-propylene copolymers containing from about 1.5 to about 10, and preferably from about 3 to about 5, weight percent ethylene, 25 copolymers of propylene and butene-1 containing from about 5 to about 40 weight percent butene-1, and ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymers containing from about 1 to about 10, and preferably from about 2 to about 6, weight percent ethylene, from about 80 to 97, and preferably from 3~ about 88 to about 95, weight percent propylene, and from about 1 to about 20, and preferably from about 2 to about 15, weight percent butene-1, wherein the total of the weight percent does not exceed 100 weight percent.
Both core layer (B) and outer heat-sealable layer (A) are formed from polymer compositions containing slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene. The percentage of the slip additive in the multi-layer structure should be such as to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of the film structure. While the amount of slip additive is best defined by the result to be accomplished, it is preferred that this additive be included in the overall film structure in an amount of about 0.02% to about 0.20% by weight 1o and even more preferred in amounts between about 0.025 and about 0.10% by weight. In the preferred embodiment, the amount of slip additive in the polymer composition from which core layer (B) is made is less than the amount of slip additive in the polymer composition from which layer (A) is made. More preferably, the composition from which core layer (B) is made contains about 400 to 800 ppm slip additive, and the polymer composition from which outer heat-sealable layer (A) is made contains about 1000 to 2000 ppm slip additive; in both cases the slip additive is 2o preferably erucamide.
Slip additive in core layer (B) exudes from that layer through the outer heat-sealable layer (A) to the film's surface by "blooming" as is understood by those of skill in the art.
In this manner, the additive present in core layer (B) becomes available at the surface of layer (A) so as to beneficially affect the coefficient of friction and anti-stick characteristics of the film structure. The slip additive preferentially blooms to the (A) layer and therefore is not present on the outer homopolymer surface of the (C) layer and 3o does not adversely affect lamination bonds.
Generally, it is desired that the outer surface of outer layer (A) exhibit a coefficient of friction (ASTM D 1894) of less than about 0.45, preferably less than about 0.35 at room temperature.
Slip additives which may be used in making the films of this invention are those which are incompatible with polypropylene, i.e., those which bloom to the surface from the core and skin layers. Such additives are known to those skilled in the art. Non-ionic surfactants, such as the amides and carboxylic acids, are particularly of interest. Amides which are preferred are the amides' of ca~box4y,,~;ic a.~jy~: having at least five carbon atoms, for exampl,eh, mehenamide, linolenamide, arachidamide, ricoinolamide, palmitamide, 1o myristamide, linoleamide, lauramide, capramide, pelargonamide, caprylamide, oleamide, stearamide, N,N'-ethylene bisoleamide, and the most preferred slip additive, erucamide. Carboxylic acids which are useful include those having at least four carbon atoms, for example, butyric, caproic, caprylic, capric, ~5 lauric, lauroleic, myristic, myristoleic, pentadecanoic, palmitic, palmltoleic, mar aric stearic, oleic, linoleic 9 ~ , limolen~c, ricinoleic, 2,3-dihydroxystearic, 12-hydroxystearic, behenie, el~ostearic, arachidic, 2-ecosenoic,
2-4-eicosadienoic, 2-docosenoic, 2-tetracosenoic, 20 2,4,6-tetracosatrienoic and the like.
The slip additive is preferably dry blended together with the polypropylene resin of layer (B) or the heat-sealable resin of layer (A) and then melt mixed. Alternatively, the additive can be incorporated into a minor portion of the resin as a 25 master batch to form a high concentration mix of the additive and the resin. This may then be diluted to the appropriate proportion by the addition of more resin.
Outer layer (C) preferably contains an effective amount of one or more anti-block agents; heat-sealable layer (A) also 3o preferably contains such agents. The anti-blocking agent preferred for inclusion in these outer layers may be any particulate inorganic material having a mean particle size ranging from about 0.5 to 5 microns. One comr~ercially available silica"(Kaopolite 1152;' available from Kaopolite, * Trademark s _~~~ 0~2~
Inc.) has a mean particle size of 0.8 microns and another ~~(Sipernat 4~;* available from DeGussa Chemical Company) has a mean particle size of 4.0 microns. Either material, or mixtures thereof, can be employed. Metal silicates, silica glasses, clays and numerous other finely comminuted inorganic materials may also be used. The anti-blocking agent is preferably present in from about 0.05 to 0.5 wt.%, preferably about 0.1 to 0.3 wt.%, of the layers (A) and/or (C).
Microcrystalline wax is preferably incorporated into the outer heat sealable layer (A) as its inclusion permits the use of much lower amounts of slip additive than would otherwise be required and thus results in films with superior appearance and physical performance. This is so because slip additives such as the amides contribute to a hazy appearance of films. Useful waxes may be any of the known microcrystalline waxes. It is preferred, however, that synthetic n-paraffinic waxes be used.
Preferably, the wax has a melting point between about 85°C and about 165°C. The wax is preferably added in amounts between about 5% to about 15% by weight of the heat seal layer, and 2o most preferably at about 10% by weight of that layer.
A further, preferred, additive for inclusion in the heat sealable layer (A) is glycerol monostearate or other monoglyceride which may preferably be included in amounts between about 0.05 and 0.3% by weight of the layer and most preferably at about 0.1% by weight.
The multi-layer films of this invention can be prepared employing commercially available systems for coextruding resins. The polymer compositions (a), (b) and (c) are preferably coextruded with one another. The polymers can be
The slip additive is preferably dry blended together with the polypropylene resin of layer (B) or the heat-sealable resin of layer (A) and then melt mixed. Alternatively, the additive can be incorporated into a minor portion of the resin as a 25 master batch to form a high concentration mix of the additive and the resin. This may then be diluted to the appropriate proportion by the addition of more resin.
Outer layer (C) preferably contains an effective amount of one or more anti-block agents; heat-sealable layer (A) also 3o preferably contains such agents. The anti-blocking agent preferred for inclusion in these outer layers may be any particulate inorganic material having a mean particle size ranging from about 0.5 to 5 microns. One comr~ercially available silica"(Kaopolite 1152;' available from Kaopolite, * Trademark s _~~~ 0~2~
Inc.) has a mean particle size of 0.8 microns and another ~~(Sipernat 4~;* available from DeGussa Chemical Company) has a mean particle size of 4.0 microns. Either material, or mixtures thereof, can be employed. Metal silicates, silica glasses, clays and numerous other finely comminuted inorganic materials may also be used. The anti-blocking agent is preferably present in from about 0.05 to 0.5 wt.%, preferably about 0.1 to 0.3 wt.%, of the layers (A) and/or (C).
Microcrystalline wax is preferably incorporated into the outer heat sealable layer (A) as its inclusion permits the use of much lower amounts of slip additive than would otherwise be required and thus results in films with superior appearance and physical performance. This is so because slip additives such as the amides contribute to a hazy appearance of films. Useful waxes may be any of the known microcrystalline waxes. It is preferred, however, that synthetic n-paraffinic waxes be used.
Preferably, the wax has a melting point between about 85°C and about 165°C. The wax is preferably added in amounts between about 5% to about 15% by weight of the heat seal layer, and 2o most preferably at about 10% by weight of that layer.
A further, preferred, additive for inclusion in the heat sealable layer (A) is glycerol monostearate or other monoglyceride which may preferably be included in amounts between about 0.05 and 0.3% by weight of the layer and most preferably at about 0.1% by weight.
The multi-layer films of this invention can be prepared employing commercially available systems for coextruding resins. The polymer compositions (a), (b) and (c) are preferably coextruded with one another. The polymers can be
3~ brought to the molten state and coextruded from a conventional extruder through a flat sheet die, the melt streams being combined in an adapter prior to being extruded from the die.
After leaving the die orifice, the multi-layer film structure is chilled and the quenched sheet is then preferably reheated and stretched, e.g., 4 to 6 times in the machine direction at * Trademark 2c~ l o ~I Z't F-5135-L - g -approximately 250°F (121°C) and subsequently, for example, 8 to times in the transverse direction at approximately 320°F
(160°C). The outer surface of layer (C) is then preferably treated by flame or corona to a surface activity of at least 36 dynes/cm (36 mN/m), preferably to approximately 40 dynes/cm (40mN/m). The edges of the film can be trimmed and the film wound onto a core. It is preferred that the thus-formed structure be conditioned or equilibrated by holding the same for a period of about one to three days at 100-125°F (37-52°C) 1o to promote migration of slip additive for coefficient of friction development.
The films described above are advantageous because they possess low coefficients of friction, enabling their use in automatic packaging equipment, and because they are also capable of forming good bonds with water based adhesives on the flame- or corona-treated surface of outer layer (C), i.e., in the ranges of about 80-150g (0.08 - 0.15 kg) (measured using an " Instron~~tester, bonds pulled along machine direction).
The composition of the water based adhesive is not critical 2o to the practice of the invention. Commercially available acrylics, urethanes and vinylidene chloride latexes may be employed. Commercially available vinylidene chloride latexes generally have a vinylidene chloride content of at least 50%
and preferably from about 75% to about 92% may be employed.
The other ethylenically unsaturated comonomers may include alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated acids, such as acrylic and methacrylic acids; alkyl esters containing 1 - 18 carbon atoms of said acids, such as methylmethacrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, etc. In addition, alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacryionitrile can be employed. In addition, monovinyl aromatic compounds such as styrene , or vinyl chloride, may be employed.
* Trademark r~ ~ p~21 Specific vinylidene chloride polymer latexes contemplated comprise: 82% by weight vinylidene chloride, 14%
by weight ethyl acrylate and 4% by weight acrylic acid.
Alternatively, a polymer latex comprising about 80% by weight vinylidene chloride, about l7fo by weight methyl acrylate and about 3% by weight methacrylic acid can likewise be employed.
The best mode for carrying out the instant invention presently contemplated by the inventors is a film of the following structure:
to (A) an outer heat-sealable layer of 90% propylene/
ethylene/butene-1 terpolymer and 10% microcrystalline wax;
about 1600 pp * erucamide; about 1000 ppm glycerol monostearate "(Myverol 1806'; available from Eastman Ch *mical) and about 3100 ppm silica anti-block particles '(Syloid;' available from W.R.
Grace Corp.);
(B) a core layer of isotactic polypropylene containing 400-800 ppm erucamide;
(C) An outer layer of isotactic polypropylene containing about 2400 ppm silica anti-block particles with mean 2p particle size about 0.8 microns (Sipernat 44)*and about 3000 ppm silica anti-block particles with mean particle size about
After leaving the die orifice, the multi-layer film structure is chilled and the quenched sheet is then preferably reheated and stretched, e.g., 4 to 6 times in the machine direction at * Trademark 2c~ l o ~I Z't F-5135-L - g -approximately 250°F (121°C) and subsequently, for example, 8 to times in the transverse direction at approximately 320°F
(160°C). The outer surface of layer (C) is then preferably treated by flame or corona to a surface activity of at least 36 dynes/cm (36 mN/m), preferably to approximately 40 dynes/cm (40mN/m). The edges of the film can be trimmed and the film wound onto a core. It is preferred that the thus-formed structure be conditioned or equilibrated by holding the same for a period of about one to three days at 100-125°F (37-52°C) 1o to promote migration of slip additive for coefficient of friction development.
The films described above are advantageous because they possess low coefficients of friction, enabling their use in automatic packaging equipment, and because they are also capable of forming good bonds with water based adhesives on the flame- or corona-treated surface of outer layer (C), i.e., in the ranges of about 80-150g (0.08 - 0.15 kg) (measured using an " Instron~~tester, bonds pulled along machine direction).
The composition of the water based adhesive is not critical 2o to the practice of the invention. Commercially available acrylics, urethanes and vinylidene chloride latexes may be employed. Commercially available vinylidene chloride latexes generally have a vinylidene chloride content of at least 50%
and preferably from about 75% to about 92% may be employed.
The other ethylenically unsaturated comonomers may include alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated acids, such as acrylic and methacrylic acids; alkyl esters containing 1 - 18 carbon atoms of said acids, such as methylmethacrylate, ethyl acrylate, butyl acrylate, etc. In addition, alpha, beta ethylenically unsaturated nitriles such as acrylonitrile and methacryionitrile can be employed. In addition, monovinyl aromatic compounds such as styrene , or vinyl chloride, may be employed.
* Trademark r~ ~ p~21 Specific vinylidene chloride polymer latexes contemplated comprise: 82% by weight vinylidene chloride, 14%
by weight ethyl acrylate and 4% by weight acrylic acid.
Alternatively, a polymer latex comprising about 80% by weight vinylidene chloride, about l7fo by weight methyl acrylate and about 3% by weight methacrylic acid can likewise be employed.
The best mode for carrying out the instant invention presently contemplated by the inventors is a film of the following structure:
to (A) an outer heat-sealable layer of 90% propylene/
ethylene/butene-1 terpolymer and 10% microcrystalline wax;
about 1600 pp * erucamide; about 1000 ppm glycerol monostearate "(Myverol 1806'; available from Eastman Ch *mical) and about 3100 ppm silica anti-block particles '(Syloid;' available from W.R.
Grace Corp.);
(B) a core layer of isotactic polypropylene containing 400-800 ppm erucamide;
(C) An outer layer of isotactic polypropylene containing about 2400 ppm silica anti-block particles with mean 2p particle size about 0.8 microns (Sipernat 44)*and about 3000 ppm silica anti-block particles with mean particle size about
4.0 microns 'tKaopolite 1152)°,*the outer surface of which layer is corona treated to about 40 dynes/cm (40 mN/m).
This invention is further illustrated by the following examples.
Example 1 Three films were made using the following procedure:
The manufacturing process consisted of coextruding the outer layers (A) and (C) with the isotactic polypropylene core layer (B). The core resins were~Fina~~~670C, which contains erucamide, and a standard isotactic non-erucamide polypropylene, for example"Fina"828 (Fina resins are available * Trademark (each instance) 20 ~ o ~' 2~
from Fina Oil & Chemicals Co., Dallas, TX). The (A) layer was melted and coextruded with the core and (C) layer. The (C) layer was isotactic polypropylene containing 2400 ppm'~ipernat"*
44 and 3000 ppm~~Kaopolite~1152 antiblock particles. The (A) layer was extruded in the same manner, and was 90%~~Chisso~*
terpolymer (propylene/ethylene/butene-1, available from Chisso Co.) and 10% microcrystalline wax, as well as a total of 1600 ppm erucamide, 1000 pprt~~Myverol"1806 antistatic agent and 3100 ppm ~~yloid~~a.ntiblock particles.
1o The three layer extrudate was quenched, reheated and stretched 4-6 times in the machine direction at approximately 250°F (121°C). Subsequently, the MD stretched sheet was stretched 8-10 times in the transverse direction at approximately 320°F (160°C). The (C) layer was treated by flame or corona to approximately 40 d/cm (40 mN/m) and was wound into mill roll form. The film was then stored at 100-125°F (37-52°C) for 1-3 days to promote the migration of erucamide.
Film 1-A - This film was a two-layer film having a 2o heat-sealable layer of 3.5% random ethylene propylene conventional copolymer and a layer of isotactic polypropylene which has no erucamide or other slip additives. The film was corona treated on the homopolymer side and coated with PVDC
"(Morton' 2015) .
Film 1-B - This film was a three-layer structure with an outer layer (i) containing 50% propylene/ethylene/butene-1 terpolymer, 40% of 3.5% random ethylene/propylene conventional copolymer, and 10% microcrystalline wax plus antiblocking and slip agents; a core layer (ii) of conventional isotactic 3o polypropylene with 400-700 ppm erucamide; and an outer heat-seal layer (iii) of 90% propylene/ethylene/-butene-1 terpolymer, 10% microcrystalline wax plus slip and antiblocking agents. * The layer (i) was corona treated and coated with PVDC
~~Grace 8600) .
* Trademark (each instance) 2~~~9~~
Film 1-C - This film was the same as Film 1-B except that the outer layer (i) was 100% isotactic polypropylene plus 3000 pm Kaopolite 1152 and 2400 ppm Sipernat 44 antiblock particles. The homopolymer layer was corona treated and coated with PVDC (Grace 8600).
Saran lamination bond strengths of the laminates were tested by cutting one inch strips of the laminates and testing in an Instron tensile tester. Alternatively, a Sutter tester could be used for determing lamination bonds. Properties of to Films 1-A, 1-B and 1-C are presented in Table 1.
Film Lamination COFa Saran Lamination Bonds 1-A 0.7-1.0 100-400 grams/in (kg/m) (0.028-0.039) (3.9-15.8) 1-B 0.25-0.45 10-150 grams/in (kg/m) (0.0098-0.018) (0.39-5.9) 1-C 0.25-0.35 80-150 grams/in (kg/m) (0.0098-0.014) (3.2-5.9) a Film is laminated to itself The data presented in Table 1 indicate that the films 1-A and 1-B are unacceptable. Film 1-A exhibited acceptable saran bond strengths, but its COF was too high for packaging machine performance. Film 1-B exhibited acceptable COF, but its PVDC bond strengths were too inconsistent. The film of this invention, Film 1-C, exchibited both acceptable 3o high barrier saran bond strength and acceptable COF. All films exhibited satisfactory wettability and adhesion.
Example 2 Additional films were manufactured using the general method described in Example 1 to illustrate deficiencies of films not having the structure of the claimed films.
20~Q9~~
F-5135-L _ 12 _ Film 2-A - This film was a three-layer film comprising a core of isotactic polypropylene with no additives and two outer layers of typical random copolymer or terpoiymer heat-sealable layer. Silicone fluid was added to the outer layers for lubricity.
Film 2-B - This film was an ABA structure with the core (B) layer containing 2000 ppm erucamide, and the (A) layers being conventional 3.5~ random ethylene/propylene copolymers 1o Properties of these films are presented in Table 2.
Film Lamination COFa Saran Lamination Bonds 2-A (g/in) 0.30-0.40 0-25 (kg/m) (0.012-0.016) (0.98) 2-B (g/in) 0.20-0.50 20-100 (kg/m) (0.0079-0.020) (0.79-3.9) a Film is laminated to itself The data in Table 2 indicate that Film 2-A exhibited Zo good coefficient of friction but very poor PVDC bonds. Film 2-B exhibits good coefficient of friction but its PVDC bonds are too inconsistent. These examples highlight the need to minimize the amount of erucamide in the outer (C) layer and the need to have a sufficient concentration in the other surface for acceptable packaging machine performance.
This invention is further illustrated by the following examples.
Example 1 Three films were made using the following procedure:
The manufacturing process consisted of coextruding the outer layers (A) and (C) with the isotactic polypropylene core layer (B). The core resins were~Fina~~~670C, which contains erucamide, and a standard isotactic non-erucamide polypropylene, for example"Fina"828 (Fina resins are available * Trademark (each instance) 20 ~ o ~' 2~
from Fina Oil & Chemicals Co., Dallas, TX). The (A) layer was melted and coextruded with the core and (C) layer. The (C) layer was isotactic polypropylene containing 2400 ppm'~ipernat"*
44 and 3000 ppm~~Kaopolite~1152 antiblock particles. The (A) layer was extruded in the same manner, and was 90%~~Chisso~*
terpolymer (propylene/ethylene/butene-1, available from Chisso Co.) and 10% microcrystalline wax, as well as a total of 1600 ppm erucamide, 1000 pprt~~Myverol"1806 antistatic agent and 3100 ppm ~~yloid~~a.ntiblock particles.
1o The three layer extrudate was quenched, reheated and stretched 4-6 times in the machine direction at approximately 250°F (121°C). Subsequently, the MD stretched sheet was stretched 8-10 times in the transverse direction at approximately 320°F (160°C). The (C) layer was treated by flame or corona to approximately 40 d/cm (40 mN/m) and was wound into mill roll form. The film was then stored at 100-125°F (37-52°C) for 1-3 days to promote the migration of erucamide.
Film 1-A - This film was a two-layer film having a 2o heat-sealable layer of 3.5% random ethylene propylene conventional copolymer and a layer of isotactic polypropylene which has no erucamide or other slip additives. The film was corona treated on the homopolymer side and coated with PVDC
"(Morton' 2015) .
Film 1-B - This film was a three-layer structure with an outer layer (i) containing 50% propylene/ethylene/butene-1 terpolymer, 40% of 3.5% random ethylene/propylene conventional copolymer, and 10% microcrystalline wax plus antiblocking and slip agents; a core layer (ii) of conventional isotactic 3o polypropylene with 400-700 ppm erucamide; and an outer heat-seal layer (iii) of 90% propylene/ethylene/-butene-1 terpolymer, 10% microcrystalline wax plus slip and antiblocking agents. * The layer (i) was corona treated and coated with PVDC
~~Grace 8600) .
* Trademark (each instance) 2~~~9~~
Film 1-C - This film was the same as Film 1-B except that the outer layer (i) was 100% isotactic polypropylene plus 3000 pm Kaopolite 1152 and 2400 ppm Sipernat 44 antiblock particles. The homopolymer layer was corona treated and coated with PVDC (Grace 8600).
Saran lamination bond strengths of the laminates were tested by cutting one inch strips of the laminates and testing in an Instron tensile tester. Alternatively, a Sutter tester could be used for determing lamination bonds. Properties of to Films 1-A, 1-B and 1-C are presented in Table 1.
Film Lamination COFa Saran Lamination Bonds 1-A 0.7-1.0 100-400 grams/in (kg/m) (0.028-0.039) (3.9-15.8) 1-B 0.25-0.45 10-150 grams/in (kg/m) (0.0098-0.018) (0.39-5.9) 1-C 0.25-0.35 80-150 grams/in (kg/m) (0.0098-0.014) (3.2-5.9) a Film is laminated to itself The data presented in Table 1 indicate that the films 1-A and 1-B are unacceptable. Film 1-A exhibited acceptable saran bond strengths, but its COF was too high for packaging machine performance. Film 1-B exhibited acceptable COF, but its PVDC bond strengths were too inconsistent. The film of this invention, Film 1-C, exchibited both acceptable 3o high barrier saran bond strength and acceptable COF. All films exhibited satisfactory wettability and adhesion.
Example 2 Additional films were manufactured using the general method described in Example 1 to illustrate deficiencies of films not having the structure of the claimed films.
20~Q9~~
F-5135-L _ 12 _ Film 2-A - This film was a three-layer film comprising a core of isotactic polypropylene with no additives and two outer layers of typical random copolymer or terpoiymer heat-sealable layer. Silicone fluid was added to the outer layers for lubricity.
Film 2-B - This film was an ABA structure with the core (B) layer containing 2000 ppm erucamide, and the (A) layers being conventional 3.5~ random ethylene/propylene copolymers 1o Properties of these films are presented in Table 2.
Film Lamination COFa Saran Lamination Bonds 2-A (g/in) 0.30-0.40 0-25 (kg/m) (0.012-0.016) (0.98) 2-B (g/in) 0.20-0.50 20-100 (kg/m) (0.0079-0.020) (0.79-3.9) a Film is laminated to itself The data in Table 2 indicate that Film 2-A exhibited Zo good coefficient of friction but very poor PVDC bonds. Film 2-B exhibits good coefficient of friction but its PVDC bonds are too inconsistent. These examples highlight the need to minimize the amount of erucamide in the outer (C) layer and the need to have a sufficient concentration in the other surface for acceptable packaging machine performance.
Claims (24)
1. A heat-sealable multi-layer film structure consisting essentially of:
(i) an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B), and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, (ii) said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, and (iii) said outer layer (c) being formed from a polymer composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives;
wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
(i) an outer heat sealable layer (A), a core layer (B), and an outer layer (C), the outer heat sealable layer (A) being coextensively adherent to the upper surface of the core layer (B), and the outer layer (C) being coextensively adherent to the lower surface of the core layer (B), said outer layer (A) being formed from a polymer composition (a) consisting essentially of heat sealable resin compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, (ii) said core layer (B) being derived from a polymer composition (b) consisting essentially of an isotactic polypropylene homopolymer compounded with one or more slip additives which are incompatible with polypropylene, and (iii) said outer layer (c) being formed from a polymer composition consisting essentially of isotactic polypropylene homopolymer in the substantial absence of slip additives;
wherein the total amount of slip additive in said film structure is effective to provide the outer surface of outer layer (A) with a coefficient of friction sufficient for high speed heat sealing packaging operations but insufficient to cause substantial hazing of said structure.
2. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable resin is a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and 1-butene.
3. A film according to claim 2, wherein said terpolymer comprises about 80-97 wt.% propylene, about 1-10 wt.% ethylene, and about 1-20 wt.% butene-1, wherein the total of the weight percent does not exceed 100 wt.%.
4. A film according to claim 3, wherein said terpolymer comprises about 88-95 wt.% propylene, about 2-6 wt.% ethylene, and about 2-15 wt.% butene-1, wherein the total of the weight percent does not exceed 100 wt.%.
5. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable resin is an ethylene-propylene copolymer containing about 1.5 to 10 wt.% ethylene.
6. A film according to claim 5, wherein said ethylene-propylene copolymer contains about 3 to 5 wt.% ethylene.
7. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable resin is a propylene-butene-1 copolymer containing about 5 to 40 weight percent butene-1.
8. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable layer (A) further contains between about 5 to 15 wt.%
microcrystalline wax.
microcrystalline wax.
9. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable layer (A) further contains about 0.05 to 0.3 wt.% glycerol monostearate.
10. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat sealable layer (A) further contains about 0.05 to 5 wt.% anti-block particles having a mean particle size in the range of about 0.5 to 5 microns.
11. A film according to claim 1, wherein the amount of slip additive in polymer composition (b) is less than the amount of slip additive in polymer composition (a).
12. A film according to claim 1, wherein the slip additive in compositions (a) and (b) is erucamide.
13. A film according to claim 12, wherein said composition (a) contains about 1000 to 2000 ppm erucamide and said composition (b) contains about 400 to 800 ppm erucamide.
14. A film according to claim 1, wherein said polymer composition (c) further contains about 0.05 to 0.5 wt.% anti-block particles having a mean particle size ranging from about 0.5 to 5 microns.
15. A film according to claim 10 or 14, wherein said anti-block particles are silica particles.
16. A film according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of outer layer (A) exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than 0.45 at room temperature.
17. A film according to claim 16, wherein the outer surface of outer layer (A) exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than 0.35 at room temperature.
18. A film according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface of outer layer (C) has a surface activity of at least about 36 dynes/cm (36 m N/m).
19. A film according to claim 1, wherein said heat-sealable resin is a terpolymer of propylene, ethylene and 1-butene comprising about 88-95 wt.% propylene and about 2-6 wt.%
ethylene; said heat sealable layer (A) further contains between about 5-15 wt.% microcrystalline wax and about 0.05 to 0.3 wt.%
glycerol monostearate; polymer compositions (a) and (c) contain silica anti-block particles having a mean particle size of about 0.5 to 5 microns; and polymer composition (a) contains about 1000 to 2000 ppm erucamide and composition (b) contains about 400 to 800 ppm erucamide.
ethylene; said heat sealable layer (A) further contains between about 5-15 wt.% microcrystalline wax and about 0.05 to 0.3 wt.%
glycerol monostearate; polymer compositions (a) and (c) contain silica anti-block particles having a mean particle size of about 0.5 to 5 microns; and polymer composition (a) contains about 1000 to 2000 ppm erucamide and composition (b) contains about 400 to 800 ppm erucamide.
20. A film according to claim 19, wherein the outer surface of outer layer (C) exhibits a coefficient of friction of less than 0.3 at room temperature.
21. A film according to claim 1 or 19, which further comprising, adjacent to the outer surface of outer layer (C), a coating of water based adhesive.
22. A film according to claim 21, wherein said water based adhesive is selected from acrylics, urethanes and vinylidene chloride polymer.
23. A film according to claim 21, wherein said water based adhesive is vinylidene chloride copolymer.
24. A film according to claim 23, wherein the strength of the bond between said water based adhesive of coating and said outer layer (C) is about 80 to 150 g/in. (3.2 to 5.9 kg/m).
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002010927A CA2010927C (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1990-02-26 | Multi-layer heat sealable polypropylene films |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US07/290,131 US4956232A (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1988-12-27 | Multi-layer heat-sealable polypropylene films |
| CA002010927A CA2010927C (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1990-02-26 | Multi-layer heat sealable polypropylene films |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2010927A1 CA2010927A1 (en) | 1991-08-26 |
| CA2010927C true CA2010927C (en) | 2001-01-16 |
Family
ID=25673978
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002010927A Expired - Fee Related CA2010927C (en) | 1988-12-27 | 1990-02-26 | Multi-layer heat sealable polypropylene films |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA2010927C (en) |
Cited By (1)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014087150A1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-12 | Innovia Films Limited | Method for forming a package |
-
1990
- 1990-02-26 CA CA002010927A patent/CA2010927C/en not_active Expired - Fee Related
Cited By (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO2014087150A1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2014-06-12 | Innovia Films Limited | Method for forming a package |
| KR20150093764A (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2015-08-18 | 인노비아 필름즈 리미티드 | Method for forming a package |
| EA029841B1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2018-05-31 | Инновиа Филмс Лимитед | Method for forming a package |
| KR102148358B1 (en) * | 2012-12-05 | 2020-08-26 | 인노비아 필름즈 리미티드 | Method for forming a package |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| CA2010927A1 (en) | 1991-08-26 |
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