Metallized laminated structures for food packaging

Abstract

The present invention relates to improved metallized laminated structures for making rigid food containers and more particularly to metallized laminated structures for making rigid food containers having a lustrous metallic appearance formed from a laminate comprising a first substrate of thermoformable thermoplastic material; a first metallized layer of vapor deposited tin bonded to the substrate of transparent thermoplastic material; a second metallized layer of vapor deposited aluminum bonded to the first metallized layer of tin; a second substrate of thermoformable thermoplastic material; and a recessed cavity having a food contact surface.

1 . A thermoformed metallized food container formed from a laminate comprising:
 a first substrate of thermoformable transparent thermoplastic material;   a first metallized layer of vapor deposited tin bonded to the first substrate;   a second metallized layer of vapor deposited aluminum bonded to the first metallized layer of tin;   a second substrate of thermoformable thermoplastic material; and a recessed cavity having a food contact surface.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first metallized layer of tin is substantially continuous across the surface of the first substrate. 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second metallized layer of aluminum is non-continuous across the surface of the first metallized layer of tin. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate of thermoplastic material is transparent. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second substrate of thermoplastic material is black or opaque. 
     
     
         6 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate of thermoplastic material is polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         7 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate of thermoplastic material is polyethylene. 
     
     
         8 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second substrate of thermoplastic material comprises amorphous polyethylene terephthalate or high-impact polystyrene. 
     
     
         9 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the first substrate of thermoplastic material is a first outer surface of the container. 
     
     
         10 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second substrate of thermoplastic material is a second outer surface of the container. 
     
     
         11 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the second substrate of thermoplastic material has a thickness of at least about 336.6 micron (about 13.4 mil). 
     
     
         12 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising a layer of adhesive in direct contact with the second metallized layer of aluminum and the second substrate of thermoplastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the recessed cavity has a draw depth of at least about 0.635 centimeter (about 0.25 inch). 
     
     
         14 . The container of  claim 13 , further comprising a lidding film covering the recessed cavity and sealed to the container. 
     
     
         15 . A thermoformed metallized food container formed from a laminate comprising:
 a first substrate of thermoformable transparent thermoplastic material of oriented polyethylene terephthalate or polyethylene;   a first metallized layer of vapor deposited tin bonded to the first substrate:   a second metallized layer of vapor deposited aluminum bonded to the first metallized layer of tin;   a second substrate of black or opaque thermoformable thermoplastic material of amorphous polyethylene terephthalate or high impact polystyrene;   a layer of adhesive in direct contact with the second metallized layer of aluminum and the second substrate; and   a recessed cavity having a food contact surface.   
     
     
         16 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the first metallized layer of tin is substantially continuous across the surface of the first substrate. 
     
     
         17 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the second metallized layer of aluminum is non-continuous across the surface of the first metallized layer of tin. 
     
     
         18 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the second substrate of thermoplastic material has a thickness of at least about 336.6 micron (about 13.25 mil). 
     
     
         19 . The container of  claim 15 , wherein the recessed cavity has a draw depth of at least about 0.635 centimeter (about 0.25 inch). 
     
     
         20 . The container of  claim 15 , further comprising a lidding film covering the recessed cavity and sealed to the container.