Thermoplastic structures for the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products

Abstract

The present invention relates to thermoplastic structures wherein the inner sealant layer of said structure comprises a polyethylene having a density from about 0.88 to about 0.96 and wherein the polyethylene is processed at a temperature ranging from about 150° F. to about 500° F. in order to prevent the release of extractable materials. The thermoplastic structures can be used independently to form a flexible packaging film or can be affixed to a second film structure or substrate to form a flexible packaging film. The flexible packaging films can be used for forming containers for the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products.

1 . A thermoplastic structure for use in the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products comprising at least one layer wherein said layer is an inner sealant layer comprising a polymeric material selected from polyethylenes having a density range from about 0.88 to about 0.96 and wherein said polyethylenes are extruded during processing at temperatures ranging from about 150° to about 500° F.  
   
   
       2 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  wherein the polyethylenes are extruded during processing at temperatures ranging from about 340° to about 470° F.  
   
   
       3 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  wherein the polyethylenes are metallocene catalyzed polyethylenes.  
   
   
       4 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  wherein the polyethylene has a density of about 0.90.  
   
   
       5 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  wherein the polyethylene has a density of about 0.88.  
   
   
       6 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  wherein the polyethylene has a density of about 0.96.  
   
   
       7 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  further comprising an outer layer.  
   
   
       8 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 7  wherein the outer layer comprises a polymeric material selected from the group consisting of linear low density polyethylenes, low density polyethylene, metallocene catalyzed polyethylenes, polypropylenes and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer.  
   
   
       9 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 1  further comprising one or more middle layers wherein the polymeric material for each layer is independently selected from the group consisting of ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer, polypropylenes, polyesters, polyethylenes, metallocene catalyzed polyethylenes, ionomers, acid copolymers, polyamides and PVdC.  
   
   
       10 . A thermoplastic structure for use in the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products comprising: 
 an outer layer comprising linear low density polyethylene;    a middle layer comprising linear low density polyethylene;    a tie layer comprising linear low density polyethylene adhesive;    a middle layer comprising poly(hexamethylene adipamide);    a middle layer comprising ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer;    a tie layer comprising linear low density polyethylene adhesive; and    an inner sealant layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of about 0.90 wherein the polyethylene has a melt temperature of about 350° F.    
   
   
       11 . A thermoplastic structure for use in the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products comprising: 
 an outer layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of about 0.90;    a middle layer comprising linear low density polyethylene; and    an inner sealant layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of about 0.90 wherein the polyethylene has a melt temperature of about 350° F.    
   
   
       12 . A thermoplastic structure for use in the storing and transporting of organoleptic sensitive products comprising: 
 an outer layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of 0.90;    a middle layer comprising orientated polypropylene; and    an inner sealant layer comprising a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene having a density of about 0.90 wherein the polyethylene has a melt temperature of about 350° F.    
   
   
       13 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 10  wherein the outer layer is adhesive laminated to a mono-layer film structure comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate).  
   
   
       14 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 11  wherein the outer layer is adhesive laminated to a mono-layer film structure comprising poly(ethylene terephthalate).  
   
   
       15 . The thermoplastic structure according to  claim 12  wherein the outer layer is adhesive laminated to a film structure comprising a blend of poly(ethylene terephthalate) and PVdC.  
   
   
       16 . A container for storing and transporting organoleptic sensitive products wherein said container is made from the structure of  claim 1 .  
   
   
       17 . (canceled)  
   
   
       18 . (canceled)  
   
   
       19 . (canceled)  
   
   
       20 . (canceled)