Abstract: A uniaxially heat-shrinkable, biaxially oriented, multilayer film for use as a tobacco pack or carton overwrap having a polypropylene-containing core layer comprising at least 70 wt % of said multilayer film and at least one polyolefin-containing skin layer adjacent said core layer is prepared by biaxially orienting a coextrudate and thereafter orienting said coextrudate by stretching 10 to 45% in the machine direction. The core layer contains isotactic polypropylene and a modifier which reduces the crystallinity of the polypropylene-containing core. Such modifiers can be selected from the group consisting of atactic polypropylene, syndiotactic polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, propylene-butene-1 copolymer, ethylene-propylene-butene terpolymer, polyethylene and linear low density polyethylene. The skin layer can be selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymer, polyethylene, and ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer and contains silicone oil.

Abstract: Polyethylene films having desired water vapor transmission rates (WVTR) and methods of producing the same are provided. The methods include adherently superimposing at least one layer of a WVTR-controlling material to a base layer including a polyethylene and a cavitating agent, and subsequently biaxially orienting the composite polyethylene sheet to yield a film having the desired WVTR. The base layer has a porous microstructure and a WVTR substantially higher than the desired WVTR.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a matte surface film comprising: a base layer comprising a polyolefin; and a matte surface layer comprising a blend of high molecular weight high density polyethylene (HMWHD PE) with at least one incompatible polyolefin. The incompatible polyolefin may be ethylene propylene (EP) copolymers, ethylene butylene propylene (EBP) terpolymers or polypropylene (PP) homopolymers, such as metallocene catalyzed isotactic polypropylene (m-iPP) or metallocene catalyzed syndiotatic polypropylene (m-sPP). The matte surface layer may additionally contain a low molecular weight high density polyethylene or a medium molecular weight high density polyethylene. The film possesses an improved matte appearance and may be used for packaging and label applications.

Abstract: A method for producing an opaque polymeric film comprises: (a) extruding a base layer comprising a polymeric matrix and at least one cavitating agent; (b) coextruding at least one additional layer on at least one side of the base layer; (c) cooling the coextruded multi-layer film; and then (d) orienting the film in at least the machine direction (MD); wherein at least said base layer contains a syndiotactic polystyrene polymer, and wherein said syndiotactic polystyrene polymer is in the form of solid, non-hollow particles during the orienting step (d).

Abstract: A metallized biaxially oriented film has at least one polypropylene layer and a metallized skin layer. This skin layer is formed from a blend of polymers including syndiotactic polypropylene. The polymer which is blended with the syndiotactic polypropylene may be a butylene-propylene copolymer or a graft copolymer of propylene and maleic anhydride. The film may include a separate non-metallized biaxially oriented film laminated to the metallized biaxially oriented film. The metal layer provides a barrier to oxygen and water vapor. The metallized film can be processed through package forming machines without damage to the metal barrier layer.

Abstract: A method for producing an opaque polymeric film comprises: (a) extruding a base layer comprising a polymeric matrix and at least one cavitating agent; (b) coextruding at least one additional layer on at least one side of the base layer; (c) cooling the coextruded multi-layer film; and then (d) orienting the film in at least the machine direction (MD); wherein at least said base layer contains polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and polycarbonate.

Abstract: A laminated multilayer film substrate for use in the production of banknotes having an oriented polypropylene core layer and at least one high density polyethylene layer on each side of the oriented polypropylene layer. The core layer may contain microcavities formed by the addition of a cavitating agent. The outer surfaces of the multilayer film substrate are coated with one or more epoxy layers, filed or unfilled, and one or more antistatic layers. The resultant films exhibit good embossability, dead-fold characteristics and other properties, making them highly suited for the production of bank notes and other security documents.

Abstract: The invention discloses methods of improving blocking resistant properties and reducing the coefficient of friction of a multilayer film comprising providing at least one layer of an ethylene-propylene impact copolymer having from about 3% to about 30% by weight ethylene, wherein said copolymer has no more than two peaks in the melting curve within the range from about 110° C. to about 165° C., and wherein said layer is non-heat sealable, to a multilayer film having a core layer comprising polypropylene, high density polyethylene (HDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), whereby anti-blocking and coefficient of friction characteristics of said film is improved without necessity of adding an antiblock or slip agent.

Abstract: The present invention relates to multilayer laminates having controlled directional tearing in both the machine direction (MD) and the transverse direction (TD). It is desirable to have controlled tearing for use in connection with pouches or other packages having a reclose device. The laminate is made up of a biaxially oriented inner layer containing linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) and having a tensile elongation to break of less than 200% in the MD and less than 150% in the TD, an outer layer having a heat distortion temperature of at least 10° C. higher than the inner layer and a tensile longation to break of less than 200% in the MD and less than 150% in the TD, and an adhesive layer containing an adhesive polymer sandwiched between the inner and outer layers and adhering the two layers to each other.

Abstract: An oriented multi-layer film combination comprising: (a) a core layer of polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer; (b) a metallizable skin layer comprising a member having a wetting tension of at least 36 dynes/cm selected from the group consisting of ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVOH), and polyester, adjacent one surface of said core layer, said layer being metallized to a metal thickness no greater than 5 nm; and (c) adhesion promoting amounts of an adhesive selected from the group consisting of maleic acid anhydride, modified polypropylene homopolymer or copolymer, high density polyethylene, and ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA) copolymer, disposed between (a) and (b).

Abstract: A block-resistant film is described which comprises a core layer of a thermoplastic polymer having a first side and a second side; a functional layer which is printable or sealable or treatable for printing or sealing is on the first side of the core layer, and a block-resistant layer is on the second side of the core layer. The block-resistant layer comprises a thermoplastic polymer and an amount of a polydialkylsiloxane, based upon the entire weight of the block-resistant layer, sufficient to inhibit blocking of the block-resistant layer to the functional layer when they are in contact. The surface of the block-resistant layer is flame treated or corona treated.

Abstract: A laminated multilayer film substrate for use in the production of banknotes having an oriented polypropylene core layer and at least one high density polyethylene layer on each side of the oriented polypropylene layer. The core layer contains microcavities formed by the addition of a cavitating agent. The resultant films exhibit good embossability, dead-fold characteristics and other properties, making them highly suited for the production of bank notes and other security documents.

Abstract: The present invention is a high barrier multilayer film particularly suitable for packaging. The high barrier multilayer film is a film including (a) a core substrate layer having an isotactic polypropylene produced from Ziegler-Natta catalysts, and (b) an adjacent layer on at least one surface of the core substrate layer, wherein the adjacent layer (b) comprises an isotactic polypropylene produced from metallocene catalysts; or the high barrier multilayer film includes (a′) a core substrate layer having an isotactic polypropylene produced from metallocene catalysts, and (b′) an adjacent layer on at east one surface of the core substrate layer, wherein the adjacent layer (b′) comprises an isotactic polypropylene produced from Ziegler-Natta catalysts.

Abstract: An oriented multilayer film comprises: (a) a base layer containing a thermoplastic polymer; (b) at least one tie layer; and (c) at least one outer layer containing a metallocene catalyzed polyethylene chosen for its performance as an adhesion layer and having improved processability. The multilayer films are useful for various end uses including printing, metallization, adhesive lamination, and cold sealing.

Abstract: A heat-sealable multilayer film comprising: (a) an upper heat-sealable layer comprising (I) an ethylene polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer and (ii) a particulate, crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane having a mean particle size of from about 0.5 &mgr;m to about 20.0 &mgr;m, as a combined slip agent and antiblocking agent; (b) an intermediate core layer comprising a propylene polymer; and (c) a lower heat-sealable layer consisting essentially of (I) an ethylene polymer, copolymer, or terpolymer, (ii) a particulate, crosslinked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane having a mean particle size of from about 0.5 &mgr;m to about 20.0 &mgr;m, as a combined slip agent and antiblocking agent; and (iii) from about 0.15 wt% to about 1.5 wt% of a liquid, hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane. The upper heat-sealable sealable layer does not contain a liquid polysiloxane, but may have a coating of liquid polysiloxane transferred from the lower heat-sealable layer.

Abstract: A sealable film comprises: (a) an inner layer comprising an olefin polymer; (b) a sealing layer; and (c) a separable layer positioned between the inner layer and the sealing layer, the separable layer comprising (1) ethylene-propylene block copolymer or (2) a blend of polyethylene and another olefin which is incompatible with the polyethylene, specifically either (i) polypropylene homopolymer or (ii) ethylene-propylene block copolymer. Methods of making the sealable film are described.

Abstract: An improved PVOH-based coating solution for application to a polymeric substrate. The coating solution includes poly(vinyl alcohol), a formaldehyde-containing crosslinking agent and a crosslinking-promoting acid catalyst which lowers the pH of the solution to about 3.5 or less and, preferably, to about 3 or less. The coating solution exhibits improved viscosity stability, particularly with the addition of a second acid catalyst. The coating solution also provides improved crosslinking and oxygen barrier characteristics upon drying.

Abstract: A skin layer of a thermoplastic polymer includes an additive to promote metal adhesion to the surface of this layer. This additive is one or more compounds of the formula, R-X, where R is an aliphatic hydrocarbyl group having an average of from 20 to 200 carbon atoms and X is a polar group, such as —COOH or —CH2OH. The film may be biaxially oriented and include a polypropylene core layer. The film may be metallized with an appropriate metal, such as aluminum. A heat sealable skin layer may be provided on the opposite side of the film from the metallizable skin layer.

Abstract: Readily castable high density polyethylene (HDPE) films, preferably containing broad molecular weight distribution HDPE resin having treated upper skin layers and untreated lower skin layers, preferably coextruded, on each side, wherein a particulate cross-linked hydrocarbyl-substituted polysiloxane is present in the untreated lower skin layer to reduce coefficient of friction and enhance machinability. The treated upper skin layer is derived from a polymer, e.g., ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer, and the lower skin layer is derived from a polymer such as ethylene-propylene-butene-1 terpolymer and LDPE compounded with silicone oil.

Abstract: A multi-layer film includes a base layer comprising a polyolefin and at least one additional layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed syndiotactic polypropylene, wherein the base layer and the at least one additional layer comprising a metallocene-catalyzed syndiotactic polypropylene are not suitable for use as a heat sealable film. The multi-layer films of the present invention have improved metallizable surfaces and the metallized films exhibit excellent gas (e.g., oxygen and water vapor) barrier properties, as well as good pick off, optical properties (optical density, haze, and gloss), and coefficient of friction (COF).