Partially metallized film having barrier properties

Abstract

A partially metallized packaging film and method of making is disclosed. In one aspect, at least one portion of a vaporized metal stream is shielded from contacting a sheet of packaging film during the metallization process. The shield is a rigid plate and can be shaped to provide a sharp transition from transparent film to opaque film, or it can provide a gradual transition from transparent film to opaque film. The partially metallized packaging film can be used with a form, fill and seal machine or other packaging machine to create a food package with a product viewing window. In one aspect, the barrier web comprises a bio-based film.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A food package made from a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
 product viewing window comprising a section of transparent packaging film and defined by at least one translucent film strip or at least one opaque film strip, and at least one product package graphic.   
     
     
         2 . The food package of  claim 1  wherein said translucent film strip comprises an outer edge, an inner edge, and a width generally running between said outer and inner edges, and a degree of transmittance that varies across its width. 
     
     
         3 . The food package of  claim 1  wherein said degree of transmittance varies linearly across its width. 
     
     
         4 . The food package of  claim 1  wherein said product viewing window is further defined by two translucent film strips on opposite sides of said product viewing window, and two package graphics on opposite sides of said product viewing window. 
     
     
         5 . The food package of  claim 1  further comprising at least one metallized target shape on said section of transparent packaging film. 
     
     
         6 . A method of making a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
 providing a vaporized metal stream and a sheet of packaging film;   moving said sheet of packaging film through said vaporized metal stream;   during said moving, shielding at least one portion of said vaporized metal stream from contacting said packaging film.   
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 6  further wherein said shielding further comprises disposing a shield between said vaporized metal stream and said sheet of packaging film without allowing said shield to contact said packaging film. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said shielding further comprises intermittently allowing at least one portion of said vaporized metal stream to contact said sheet in at least one product logo shape. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7  wherein said disposing said shield further comprises disposing a rigid plate. 
     
     
         10 . An apparatus for creating a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
 a vaporized metal sprayer that produces a vaporized metal stream;
 a shield disposed within the vaporized metal stream such that any packaging film sheet used with the apparatus will have at least one portion of the vaporized metal stream shielded from contacting it. 
   
     
     
         11 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said shield is disposed such that it does not touch any packaging film sheet used with the apparatus. 
     
     
         12 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said shield further comprises a rigid plate. 
     
     
         13 . The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said shield further comprises a length, a major width, and a minor width. 
     
     
         14 . The apparatus of  claim 10  wherein said shield is disposed generally co-planar with any packaging film sheet used with the apparatus. 
     
     
         15 . The apparatus of  claim 13  wherein said shield further comprises a transition from said major width to said minor width comprising at least one of, a linear transition, a concave transition, a convex transition, a stepped transition and a saw tooth transition.