Highly flexible multilayer films for various medical applications

• US 5,681,627 A
• Filed: 07/21/1995
• Issued: 10/28/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 07/21/1995
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Cryovac Incorporated (Sealed Air)
• Original Assignee: W R Grace & Company - CONN (WR Grace & Company)
• Inventors: Mueller, Walter B.
• Primary Examiner(s): Dye, Rena
• Application Number:
  US08/505,435
• Time in Patent Office: 830 Days
• Field of Search: 428/35.2, 428/35.4, 428/35.7, 428/36.6, 428/36.7, 428/423.1, 428/424.2, 428/424.8, 428/412, 428/520, 428/516, 428/518, 428/423.3, 428/519, 428/517 , 428/220, 428/36.8, 604/403, 604/408, 604/327, 604/332
• US Class Current: 428/35.2
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2270/00 Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2307/536 Hardness
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 2323/046 LDPE, i.e. low density polyethylene
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/08 of synthetic resin
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/304 comprising vinyl halide (co)polymers, e.g. PVC, PVDC, PVF, PVDF
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/306 comprising vinyl acetate or vinyl alcohol (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/308 comprising acrylic (co)polymers
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/32 comprising polyolefins comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 27/40 comprising polyurethanes
• CPC Class Codes: B32B 7/12 using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1334 Nonself-supporting tubular film or bag [e.g., pouch, envelope, packet, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1341 Contains vapor or gas barrier, polymer derived from vinyl chloride or vinylidene chloride, or polymer containing a vinyl alcohol unit
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/1386 Natural or synthetic rubber or rubber-like compound containing
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31554 Next to second layer of polyamidoester
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31573 Next to addition polymer of ethylenically unsaturated monomer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31587 Hydrocarbon polymer [polyethylene, polybutadiene, etc.]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31913 Monoolefin polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/31917 Next to polyene polymer
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 428/3192 Next to vinyl or vinylidene chloride polymer

Abstract

A multilayer film generally includes a first exterior layer of polyurethane and a second exterior layer which can be formed from polyurethane, a homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene, a blend of homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene and elastomer, high density polyethylene, or mixtures of the foregoing. Such multilayer film is highly flexible and is advantageously used for various medical applications, such as the production of flexible pouches for the packaging and administration of medical solutions, drainage pouches, compression devices, and thermal blankets.

Claims

1. A multilayer film, comprising:

a) a first exterior layer comprising polyurethane;

b) a second exterior layer comprising a blend of homopolymer or copolymer of polypropylene and elastomer; and

c) an interior layer, positioned between said first and second exterior layers, comprising ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer.

2. The multilayer film of claim 1, wherein said polyurethane has a Shore A hardness ranging from about 55 to about 95.

3. The multilayer film of claim 2, wherein said polyurethane has a Shore A hardness ranging from about 80 to about 90.

4. The multilayer film of claim 1, further including an adhesive layer positioned between said interior layer and said first exterior layer.

5. The multilayer film of claim 4, wherein said adhesive layer comprises anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.

6. The multilayer film of claim 5, wherein said anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer has a vinyl acetate content of at least 25 weight percent.

7. The multilayer film of claim 1, further including an adhesive layer positioned between said interior layer and said second exterior layer.

8. The multilayer film of claim 7, wherein said adhesive layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, anhydride-modified ethylene/acrylate copolymer, anhydride-modified ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, anhydride-modified high density polyethylene, and mixtures of the foregoing materials.

9. A pouch for the packaging and administration of medical solutions, said pouch formed from the multilayer film of claim 1.

10. A pouch for the collection of human drainage, said pouch formed from the multilayer film of claim 1.

11. A compression device formed from the multilayer film of claim 1.

12. A thermal blanket formed from the multilayer film of claim 1.

20. The multilayer film of claim 10, wherein said adhesive layer comprises a material selected from the group consisting of anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer, anhydride-modified ethylene/acrylate copolymer, anhydride-modified ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, homogeneous ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer, anhydride-modified high density polyethylene, and mixtures of the foregoing materials.

13. A multilayer film, comprising:

a) a first exterior layer comprising polyurethane;

b) a second exterior layer comprising polyurethane; and

c) an interior layer, positioned between said first and second exterior layers, comprising ethylene/alpha-olefin copolymer.

14. The multilayer film of claim 13, wherein said polyurethane has a Shore A hardness ranging from about 55 to about 95.

15. The multilayer film of claim 14, wherein said polyurethane has a Shore A hardness ranging from about 80 to about 90.

16. The multilayer film of claim 13, further including an adhesive layer positioned between said interior layer and said first exterior layer.

17. The multilayer film of claim 16, wherein said adhesive layer comprises anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer.

18. The multilayer film of claim 17, wherein said anhydride-modified ethylene/vinyl acetate copolymer has a vinyl acetate content of at least 25 weight percent.

19. The multilayer film of claim 13, further including an adhesive layer positioned between said interior layer and said second exterior layer.

21. A thermal blanket formed from the multilayer film of claim 13.