Foamed Film Packaging

Abstract

A package includes at least one layer of foamed thin film having gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells. The foamed thin film includes a bio-based content of between about 10% and about 100%, a caliper of between about 10 and 250 microns, and a density reduction of between about a 5% to 50%, as compared to a non-foamed thin film of substantially the same caliper that does not comprise gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A package comprising at least one layer of foamed thin film having gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells, wherein the layer of foamed thin film comprises:
 i. a bio-based content of between about 10% and about 100%;   ii. a caliper of between about 10 and 250 microns; and   iii. a density reduction of between about a 5% to 50%, as compared to a non-foamed thin film of substantially the same caliper that does not comprise gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package further comprises an opening feature selected from the group consisting of: a line of weakness and a die cut that defines a dispensing opening, formed in the layer of foamed thin film. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the layer of foamed thin film comprises a bio-based content of between about 50% and about 100%. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the bio-based content comprises between about 5% and about 96% of bio-identical materials. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the bio-based content comprises between about 5% and about 50% of bio-new materials. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the bio-based content is sourced from a renewable resource. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises synthetic polymers derived from a renewable resource via an indirect route with an intermediate compound comprising sugar or vegetable starch. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises polymers derived directly from renewable resources and the polymers are selected from a group consisting of: cellulose, starch, poly(lactic acid), and polyhydroxyalkanoates. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 2 , wherein the opening feature comprises a line of weakness. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 1  wherein the package comprises a foamed thin film co-extrusion that includes at least one foamed thin film layer. 
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 10 , wherein the foamed thin film co-extrusion comprises a top layer, a core layer, and a lower layer, wherein the core layer is a foamed thin film layer. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package comprises a foamed thin film laminate that includes at least one foamed thin film layer. 
     
     
         13 . The package of  claim 12 , wherein the foamed thin film laminate comprises a top layer, a core layer, and a lower layer, wherein the core layer is a foamed thin film layer. 
     
     
         14 . A package comprising at least one layer of foamed thin film having gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells, wherein the layer of foamed thin film comprises:
 i. a bio-based content of between about 10% and about 100%;   ii. a caliper of between about 10 and 250 microns;   iii. a whitening additive; and   iv. a density reduction of between about a 5% to 50%, as compared to a non-foamed thin film of substantially the same caliper that does not comprise gaseous bubbles, void volumes, or cells;   wherein the whitening additive is selected to produce a foamed thin film having an opacity value of between about 35-99%.   
     
     
         15 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the package further comprises an opening feature selected from the group consisting of: a line of weakness and a die cut that defines a dispensing opening, formed in the layer of foamed thin film. 
     
     
         16 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the layer of foamed thin film comprises a bio-based content of between about 50% and about 100/%. 
     
     
         17 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the bio-based content comprises between about 5% and about 96% of bio-identical materials. 
     
     
         18 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the bio-based content comprises between about 5% and about 50% of bio-new materials. 
     
     
         19 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the bio-based content is sourced from a renewable resource. 
     
     
         20 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the package comprises synthetic polymers derived from a renewable resource via an indirect route with an intermediate compound comprising sugar or vegetable starch. 
     
     
         21 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the package comprises polymers derived directly from renewable resources and the polymers are selected from a group consisting of: cellulose, starch, poly(lactic acid), and polyhydroxyalkanoates. 
     
     
         22 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the whitening agent comprises titanium dioxide. 
     
     
         23 . The package of  claim 15 , wherein the opening feature comprises a line of weakness. 
     
     
         24 . The package of  claim 14 , wherein the package comprises a foamed thin film co-extrusion that includes at least one foamed thin film layer.