P&G files patent for eco-friendly package invention
The package includes a sealant, a first tie layer coating the sealant, and an outer substrate laminated to the sealant via the first tie layer. The sealant has a thickness of about 1μιη to about 750μιη and a biobased content of at least about 85%, said P&G in the patent.
The first tie layer, coating the sealant, includes an adhesive with a thickness of about 1μιη to about 20μιη, and optionally having a biobased content of at least about 95%, it added.
Matching properties
P&G said the invention is beneficial as the flexible barrier packages have the same look and feel, and similar performance characteristics as the same packages made from virgin, petroleum-based materials but their flexible barrier packages have improved sustainability.
It is also advantageous because any virgin polymer used in the manufacture of the package is derived from a renewable resource, they added.
Scott Kendyl Stanley, Norman Scott Broyles, Andew Julian Wnuk, Jeff Charles Hayes, Emily Charlotte Boswell, Victoria H Romero and Lee Mathew Arent are listed as the inventors.
In food packaging the flexible packaging material is often used as a protective agent for the food.
End use
The packages, produced by lamination, could be used for enclosing food, drink, shampoo, conditioner, skin lotion, shave lotion, soap, toothpaste, and detergent.
The flexible barrier package can further include ink that has a thickness of about 1μηι to about 20μηι, which is deposited on either or both sides of the outer substrate.
The flexible barrier package also can include a lacquer having a thickness of about 1μηι to about 10μηι on the exterior surface of the outer substrate.
As the price of petroleum, natural gas, and/or coal escalates, so does the price of flexible packaging materials and producers of flexible packages have begun to use polymers derived from renewable resources, said the patent.
The flexible barrier packages have a shelf life of at least about one year, preferably at least about two years, before deteriorating or becoming unsuitable for use.
The patent also discusses single-ply and multi-ply (e.g., 2-ply, 3-ply) flexible barrier packages with the same biobased content in terms of sealant laminated to the outer substrate via the tie layer that includes an adhesive.
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