Polymeric films

• US 4,778,697 A
• Filed: 11/29/1985
• Issued: 10/18/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 11/29/1985
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Pechiney Plastic Packaging Incorporated (Rio Tinto Limited)
• Original Assignee: American National Can Company, Baxter Travenol Laboratories Incorporated
• Inventors: Webster, R. Daniel, Genske, Roger P., Czuba, Leonard F., Gehrke, Russell P., Kim, Yong J., Johnson, Richard E. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Buffalow, Edith
• Application Number:
  US06/802,877
• Time in Patent Office: 1,054 Days
• Field of Search: 428/349, 428/516, 428/35, 428/355, 428/347
• US Class Current: 428/35.2
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/08 flexible, e.g. films
• CPC Class Codes: B29C 48/185 comprising six or more components, i.e. each component being counted once for each time it is present, e.g. in a layer
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2270/00 Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/043 HDPE, i.e. high density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2439/40 Closed containers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2439/80 Medical packaging
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2553/00 Packaging equipment or accessories not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/18 characterised by the use of special additives
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2205/02 containing two or more polymers of the same C08L -group
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2205/03 containing three or more polymers in a blend
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/06 Polyethene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/0815 Copolymers of ethene with aliphatic 1-olefins
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/12 Polypropene
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/142 at least partially crystalline copolymers of propene with other olefins
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/16 Elastomeric ethene-propene or ethene-propene-diene copolymers, e.g. EPR and EPDM rubbers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/20 having four to nine carbon atoms
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 23/22 Copolymers of isobutene; Butyl rubber ; Homo- or copolymers of other iso-olefins
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 25/16 Homopolymers or copolymers of alkyl-substituted styrenes
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/02 : Organic macromolecular compounds, natural resins, waxes or and bituminous materials
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/04 : Macromolecular compounds according to groups C08L7/00 - C08L49/00, or C08L55/00 - C08L57/00; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/06 : Homopolymers or copolymers of unsaturated hydrocarbons; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 2666/24 : Graft or block copolymers according to groups C08L51/00, C08L53/00 or C08L55/02; Derivatives thereof
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/00 : Compositions of block copolymers containing at least one sequence of a polymer obtained by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Compositions of derivatives of such polymers
• CPC Class Codes: C08L 53/02 : of vinyl-aromatic monomers and conjugated dienes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 : Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2826 : Synthetic resin or polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2878 : including addition polymer from unsaturated monomer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/2883 : including addition polymer of diene monomer [e.g., SBR, SIS, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31913 : Monoolefin polymer

Abstract

This invention pertains to the use of polymer blends in making multiple layer films. In some layers, the elastomer or ethylene-based copolymer is blended with polypropylene, and in some layers, with polyethylene. Typical films have two to five layers. In multilayer films, at least one layer of a blend of polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene, with elastomer and/or ethylene-based copolymers. Another layer is polypropylene blended with elastomers and/or ethylene-based copolymers. The films may have as few as two layers, one each having polypropylene and polyethylene, preferably high density polyethylene. Additional layers may be added to the two or three layer films taught herein, for variety of purposes.

Claims

1. A multiple layer film comprising:

(a) a first layer, the composition of said first layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene, (ii) a second component, said second component providing elastomeric properties, and being selected from the group consisting of ethylene butene-1 copolymers and ethylene propylene copolymers, and (iii) a third component, the composition of said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties the composition of said third component being different from the composition of said second component; and

(b) a second layer having two surfaces, and being adhered, on one of said surfaces to said first layer, the composition of said second layer being a blend of (i) polyethylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier providing elastomeric properties representative of elastomers.

2. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said first component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 40% to about 70% by weight.

3. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said second component in said first layer consists essentially of an ethylene copolymerized with moieties of a second molecule, said copolymer being about 10 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and about 90 to about 5 mole percent of said moieties of said second molecule, the composition of said second molecule being selected from the group consisting of propylene and butene-1.

4. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component in said first layer consists essentially of an ethylene copolymerized with moieties of a second molecule, said copolymer being about 10 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and about 90 to about 5 mole percent of said moieties of said second molecule, the composition of said second molecule being selected from the group consisting of propylene and butene-1.

5. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said second componentof said first layer is about 85 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and about 15 to about 5 mole percent butene-1.

6. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component of said first layer is about 85 to about 95 mole percent ethylene and about 15 to about 5 mole percent butene-1.

7. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said second component of said first layer is about 50 to about 70 mole percent ethylene and about 50 to about 30 mole percent propylene.

8. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component of said first layer is about 50 to about 70 mole percent ethylene and about 50 to about 30 mole percent propylene.

9. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said second component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight.

10. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight.

11. A multiple layer film as in claim 3 wherein said second component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight.

12. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 10% to about 40% by weight.

13. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

14. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

15. A multiple layer film as in claim 3 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

16. A multiple layer film as in claim 5 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

17. A multiple layer film as in claim 7 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

18. A multiple layer film as in claim 12 wherein said third component in said first layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

19. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

20. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

21. A multiple layer film as in claim 5 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

22. A multiple layer film as in claim 7 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

23. A multiple layer film as in claim 9 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

24. A multiple layer film as in claim 12 wherein said polyethylene in said second layer is present in an amount of about 50% to about 95% by weight.

25. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

26. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

27. A multiple layer film as in claim 5 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

28. A multiple layer film as in claim 7 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

29. A multiple layer film as in claim 9 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

30. A multiple layer film as in claim 19 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

31. A multiple layer film as in claim 24 wherein said second component in said second layer is present in an amount of about 5% to about 35% by weight.

32. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

33. A multiple layer film as in claim 5 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

34. A multiple layer film as in claim 9 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

35. A multiple layer film as in claim 13 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

36. A multiple layer film as in claim 19 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third components being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

37. A multiple layer film as in claim 21 and including, in said blend compsoition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

38. A multiple layer film as in claim 23 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

39. A multiple layer film as in claim 26 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

40. A multiple layer film as in claim 30 and including, in said blend composition of said second layer, about 2% to about 50% by weight of a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the composition of said third component in said second layer being different from the composition of said second component in said second layer.

41. A multiple layer film as in claim 1 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

42. A multiple layer film as in claim 2 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

43. A multiple layer film as in claim 12 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

44. A multiple layer film as in claim 18 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

45. A multiple layer film as in claim 19 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

46. A multiple layer film as in claim 25 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

47. A multiple layer film as in claim 27 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

48. A multiple layer film as in claim 37 and including a third layer adhered on the other said surface of said second layer, the composition of said third layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

49. A multiple layer film as in claim 41 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

50. A multiple layer film as in claim 42 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

51. A multiple layer film as in claim 43 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

52. A multiple layer film as in claim 44 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

53. A multiple layer film as in claim 45 and including in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

54. A multiple layer film as in claim 46 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

55. A multiple layer film as in claim 47 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

56. A multiple layer film as in claim 48 and including, in said blend composition of said third layer, a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, said third component being different from said second component.

57. The invention of claim 41 wherein a fourth layer in adhered to said third layer, the composition of said fourth layer being a blend of (i) polyethylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

58. The invention of claim 57 wherein a fifth layer is adhered to said fourth layer, the composition of said fifth layer being a blend of (i) polypropylene and (ii) a second component, said second component being a modifier having elastomeric properties.

59. The invention of claim 57 wherein said blend of said fourth layer includes a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the compositions of said second and third components being different.

60. The invention of claim 58 wherein said blend of said fifth layer includes a third component, said third component being a modifier having elastomeric properties, the compositions of said second and third components being different.

61. The invention of any one of claims 1-40 wherein said first layer comprises approximately 60% of the total thickness of the combination of the first and second layers, and said second layer comprises approximately 40% of said total thickness.

62. The invention of any one of claims 41-56 wherein said first layer comprises approximately 60% of the total thickness of said three layer film, the second layer comprises approximately 20% of said total thickness and the third layer comprises approximately 20% of said total thickness.

63. The invention of claim 59 or 60 wherein the first layer comprises approximately 60% of the total thickness of the multi-layer film.

64. The invention of any one of claims 1-60 wherein said polyethylene is high density polyethylene.

65. A package made from a multiple layer film of any one of claims 1-60.

66. A flexible container capable of housing a medical product to be maintained and extracted under sterile conditions made from a film of any one of claims 1-60.