Mono-web high barrier film membrane

Abstract

A mono-web film membrane is provided with high barrier properties, i.e., low oxygen transmission rates and low water vapor transmission rates. One structure that achieves such barrier properties includes a film core, a sealant on one side of the film core, a metallization-receptive coating on the other side of the film core, a metal vacuum deposited on the metallization-receptive coating, a protective coating on the metal, and an ink coating on the protective coating.

1 . A mono-web film membrane comprising: 
 a film core with a first side and a second side, the film core selected from the group consisting of at least one of polyethylene terepthalate, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers of polyethylene terepthalate, polypropylene, and polyethylene;    a sealant on the first side of the film core;    a metallization-receptive coating on the second side of the film core, selected from the group consisting of at least one of an acrylate coating, polyvinyl alcohol, and an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer;    a metal on the metallization-receptive coating;    a protective coating on the metal, consisting of a lacquer or a vacuum acrylate coating; and    an ink coating on the protective coating, the ink comprising conventional ink.    
   
   
       2 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the sealant is selected from the group consisting of at least one of amorphous polyethylene terepthalate, polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers thereof.  
   
   
       3 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the sealant comprises an extrusion coated sealant, a heat sealable coating, or a cold seal coating.  
   
   
       4 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the metal is vacuum deposited.  
   
   
       5 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 4  wherein the vacuum deposited metal is aluminum.  
   
   
       6 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the ink coating is applied to only a portion of the protective coating.  
   
   
       7 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the structure has an oxygen transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 cc/100 in 2 /day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 g/100 in 2 /day.  
   
   
       8 . The mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  wherein the thickness of the film core is less than or equal to about 50 gauge.  
   
   
       9 . A package comprising: 
 a can comprising a rim defining an opening in the can; and    the mono-web film membrane of  claim 1  sealed to the rim of the can.    
   
   
       10 . A high barrier mono-web film structure for use as a membrane for cans, the structure comprising in order: 
 a sealant consisting essentially of amorphous polyethylene terepthalate;    a film core consisting essentially of polyethylene terepthalate at a thickness of less than or equal to about 50 gauge;    a metallization-receptive coating consisting essentially of polyvinyl alcohol;    a metal consisting essentially of a vacuum deposited aluminum on the metallization-receptive coating; and    a protective coating on the metal, consisting essentially of a lacquer;    wherein the structure has an oxygen transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 cc/100 in 2 /day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 g/100 in 2 /day.    
   
   
       11 . The high barrier mono-web film structure of  claim 10  wherein the structure further comprises an ink coating on a portion of the protective coating.  
   
   
       12 . A mono-web film structure for use as a membrane, the structure comprising: 
 a film core with a first side and a second side, the film core selected from the group consisting of at least one of polyethylene terepthalate, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers thereof;    an ink coating on at least a portion of the first side of the film core;    a metallization-receptive coating on the second side of the film core, selected from the group consisting of at least one of an acrylate coating, polyvinyl alcohol, and an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer;    a vacuum deposited metal on the metallization-receptive coating;    a protective coating on the metal, consisting of a lacquer or a vacuum acrylate coating; and    a sealant on the protective coating, comprising an extrusion coated sealant, a heat sealable coating, or a cold seal coating.    
   
   
       13 . The mono-web film structure of  claim 12  wherein the structure has an oxygen transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 cc/100 in 2 /day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.01 g/100 in 2 /day.  
   
   
       14 . The mono-web film structure of  claim 13  wherein the thickness of the film core is less than or equal to about 50 gauge.  
   
   
       15 . A mono-web film structure for use as a membrane, the structure comprising: 
 a film core with a first side and a second side, the film core selected from the group consisting of at least one of polyethylene terepthalate, nylon, polypropylene, polyethylene, and copolymers thereof;    a sealant on the first side of the film core;    an oxide coating on the second side of the film core, the coating selected from the group consisting of at least one of aluminum oxides and silicon oxides;    a protective coating on the oxide coating, consisting of a lacquer or a vacuum acrylate coating; and    an ink coating on at least a portion of the protective coating, comprising conventional ink.    
   
   
       16 . The mono-web film structure of  claim 15  wherein the oxide coating is substantially transparent.  
   
   
       17 . The mono-web film structure of  claim 15  wherein the structure has an oxygen transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.05 cc/100 in 2 /day and a water vapor transmission rate of less than or equal to about 0.05 g/100 in 2 /day.