DESC:FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to packaging film. More particularly the present invention relates to sustainable packaging film that has high tensile strength, shows bio degradability / bio compostability property and improved self life. Further the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a sustainable packaging film, wherein the said film may finds use in various applications related to printing, packaging, laminating, etc.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Plastic films are used in a wide variety of applications. These include: packaging, plastic bags, labels, building construction, landscaping, electrical fabrication, photographic film, film stock for movies, video tape, etc. Plastic film is a thin continuous polymeric material. Thicker plastic material is often called a "sheet". Thin plastic membranes are used to separate areas or volumes, to hold items, to act as barriers, or as printable surfaces.
There are various kind of packaging film available in the market such as, Polyethylene film, Polyolefin film (POF), Polypropylene film (PP), Polyvinyl chloride or PVC film, Low-density polyethylene film (LDPE), Thin plastic CPP film,OPP packaging film, MOPP packaging film. Basically these are originating from petrochemical (petro-plastic), therefore they are not sustainable. Further, there are several different types of Flexible Packaging Films available for packaging products. Some of these are Low-density polyethylene, Stretch film, etc.
LDPE is the most common type of plastic film used in packaging. It is soft, pliable and has a higher impact strength than most other types of plastic film. This material can also be used for stretch film and its primary properties lies in its softness and high impact strength.
Low-density polyethylene films may be mixed with other resins to increase toughness, strength, and optics. LDPE is a variant of polyethylene. It is known for its excellent clarity, chemical resistance, and moisture barrier. LDPE film is chosen for packaging because it is easy to process. LDPE packaging films are often heat-sealed, making them ideal for the Food and Beverage industry.
Although the available barrier film used for packaging have various advantages, it also has various limitation. One of the main disadvantages is the cost. Barrier films can be more expensive than other types of packaging materials, which can make them less cost-effective for some applications. Another disadvantage is that barrier films can be difficult to recycle due to non biodegradable nature and hence are not environment friendly.
Therefore there is a need to provide a packaging film that is sustainable for a longer period of time and that exhibits properties such as longer shelf life, improved tensile strength, and is environment friendly in nature, that mean does not take longer time to biodegrade or bio compost, is easily recyclable and affordable at the same time.
OBJECT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention is to provide a packaging film that is sustainable for a longer period of time.
Another object of the present invention to provide a packaging film that exhibits properties such as longer shelf life, improved tensile strength, and is biodegradable or bio compostable in nature.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging film that matches the standards of ISO 17088, that has set specific standards for compostable plastics.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sustainable packaging film that exhibits properties of a bio compostable and water soluble film.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a sustainable packaging film that exhibits characters such as higher water vapour transmission rate and higher oxygen transmission rate.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing the packaging film that is sustainable for a longer period of time.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a packaging film that is easy to manufacture and is affordable to the masses.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Fig. 1, shows schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present invention that discloses a sustained packaging film.
Fig. 2, shows schematic illustration of second embodiment of the present invention that discloses a sustained packaging film.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description illustrates the invention by way of example and not by way of limitation. The description enables one skilled in the art to make and use the present disclosure, and describes several embodiments, adaptations, variations, alternatives, and uses of the present disclosure, including what is presently believed to be the best mode of carrying out the present disclosure.
The present invention relates to sustainable packaging film that has high tensile strength, shows bio-degrability or bio-compostable property and improved self life. Further the present invention discloses a method of manufacturing a sustainable packaging film, wherein the said film finds use in various applications.
The present invention discloses a packaging film that is sustainable for a longer period of time due to its bio degradable/ bio-compostable nature and at the same time it exhibits characteristics of water soluble film.
Usually, bio-compostable films are made from bio-polymers, such as starch or polylactic acid (PLA) and additional additives that help them to break down. Just like biodegradable films, they require certain conditions to decompose. Most bio compostable films are considered compostable at an industrial level. When they do breakdown, they turn into water and CO2. Further on break down they show neutral effect on the environment. This is because the plant-based materials or bio-compostable material used to make the films absorbed CO2 in the first place. They also break down a lot quicker than biodegradable plastics. Bio-compostable films are often considered contaminated due to the additives in the film that help them break down.
Advantages of bio-compostable packaging films is they are easily disposed via industrial compost, wherein only carbon dioxide and water remain after disposal. This means that this packaging is certainly more environmentally friendly than conventional plastic, the remains of the later are detectable everywhere. Further, the bio-compostable films are made of environment friendly materials i.e., no materials are used in the production that are contaminated with harmful substances.
But even with the following advantages of bio-compostable films, they come with there own limitation that is difficulty with disposal. They require special industrial facilities that are needed for rotting, suffer from low output. Unlike home compost, which produces fertilizer, industrial composting facilities usually produce only carbon dioxide and water, as well as a small amount of biomass. There is loss of raw materials that is at the end of the composting process, no products come out that can be used again for the production of new goods. Therefore, the raw materials are lost after one-time use. Additionally, further disadvantage such as poor oxygen barrier property contributes to reduced shelf life of the bio-compostable packaging films.
Water soluble film is a unique type of packaging material that is designed to dissolve entirely in water. Initially, the film is rigid and waterproof, but when it comes into contact with water, it quickly dissolves into a soft gel-like substance that can be easily removed. Water soluble film is a practical packaging solution for products that must be stored in water and released without residue.
One of the main advantage of the water-soluble film is its ability to dissolve quickly in water. This makes it an ideal packaging solution for products that must be stored in water and removed soon. In addition, it is also non-toxic, safe for contact with food, and does not contain any hazardous materials. Moreover, it is also resistant to UV radiation and does not require any special storage conditions. Despite its many advantages, there are also some drawbacks to using water-soluble film. For example, it is more expensive than other packaging materials and can be challenging to handle and store. It is also vulnerable to temperature changes and can become brittle at lower temperatures. Additional further disadvantage such as water vapour transmission rate is very less. WVTR (water vapor transmission rate) is the steady state rate at which water vapor permeates through a film at specified conditions of temperature and relative humidity.
The object of the present invention is to provide a sustained packaging film that may overcome the limitation as disclosed by the bio-compostable film and water soluble film when used individually.
The present invention disclose a packaging film that comprises of a first layer of bio compostable film of specific thickness and a second layer of water soluble film of specific thickness, wherein both the layers are laminated to each other with or without the use any adhesive. More particularly, the present invention discloses a sustainable packaging film that exhibits the quality such as improved water vapor transmission rate of the bio compostable film and higher oxygen transmission rate of water soluble film, thereby eliminating the limitation of the bio-compostable film and water soluble film when used individually. As the packaging film as disclosed in the present invention is sustainable for a longer period of time due to its bio degradable/ bio-compostable nature and at the same time it exhibits characteristics of water soluble film.
Optionally water soluble film of specific thickness may be coated over the bio compostable layer of specific thickness, with or without the use of adhesive.
Bio-compostable film may be selected from Starch-based plastics, Cellulose-based plastics, Other polysaccharide-based plastics, Polylactic acid (PLA), Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate or combination thereof. Water soluble films may be selected from hot-water or cold water soluble films. Water soluble films may be selected from but may not limited to, PET film, PP film, PC film and like. Adhesive such as pressure sensitive adhesive may be used. PSA (pressure sensitive adhesives) or non PSA and may be a formulation of resins, one or more like, Polyvinyl alcohol, polymides derivatives or other polymers, which include acrylics, nylons, UV curable Acrylates, polyurethanes or combination thereof. Adhesive selected are biodegradable and sustainable in nature.
Biocompostable film shows higher value of water vapor transmission rate compared to the conventional polyethylene films.
The sustained packaging film as disclosed in the present invention matches the standards of ISO 17088, that has set specific standards for compostable plastics. All the properties of ISO 17088 such as sustainable and being environment friendly are matched with the sustained packaging film as disclosed in the present invention due to which carbon foot print is reduced.
The present invention disclose a packaging film that comprises of a first layer of bio compostable film of thickness in the range of 10 to 120 micron and a second layer of water soluble film of thickness in the range of 15 to 100 micron, more particularly in the range of 20 to 80 micron, wherein both the layers are laminated to each other with or without the use any adhesive. Optionally, the adhesive layer when applied may have a thickness in the range of 1 to 10 gsm, more particularly the thickness of the adhesive layer may range from 2 to 5 gsm. The bio compostable film layer and water soluble film layer when laminated together have a total thickness in the range of 25 to 250 micron .The present invention discloses a sustained packaging film that address the oxygen barrier property limitation as found in bio compostable film, thereby increasing the self life and more advantageous over the regular plastic. Further the present invention discloses a sustained packaging film that addresses the water vapour transmission rate that is found to be very low in water soluble film. Further the tensile strength of the packaging film is enhanced due to the presence of water soluble film.
Fig. 1, shows schematic illustration of one embodiment of the present invention that discloses a sustained packaging film.
One embodiment of the present invention discloses a sustained packaging film, wherein the method of manufacturing the said sustained packaging film comprises the steps of:
-taking a first layer of bio compostable film of thickness in the range of 10 to 120 micron;
-casting a second layer of water soluble film of thickness in the range of 15 to 100 micron;
wherein the casting of second layer of water soluble film over the first layer of bio compostable film takes place without the aid of an adhesive layer.
Fig. 2, shows schematic illustration of second embodiment of the present invention that discloses a sustained packaging film.
Second embodiment of the present invention discloses a sustained packaging film, wherein the method of manufacturing the said sustained packaging film comprises the steps of:
-taking a first layer of bio compostable film of thickness in the range of 10 to 120 micron;
-coating a layer of adhesive, wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer ranges from 1 to 10 gsm;
-placing a second layer of water soluble film of thickness in the range of 15 to 100 micron;
Wherein the adhesive layer acts as a laminating factor to bind the first layer of bio compostable film to second layer of water soluble film. The advantage provided by both the embodiment as disclosed above is to provide a sustained packaging film that address the oxygen barrier property limitation as found in bio compostable film by laminating or coating a water soluble film to the bio compostable film to increase the oxygen barrier property and likewise to address the water vapour transmission rate, that is found to be very low in water soluble film, the bio compostable film is laminated or coated over the water soluble film to exhibit improved water vapour transmission rate, thereby providing a sustained packaging film as disclosed in the present invention that shows superior quality in terms of improved water vapour transmission rate and increased oxygen barrier property as compared to the respective film when used individually or any other packaging film available in the market.

,CLAIMS:WE CLAIM:
1. A method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film comprises the steps of:
-taking a first layer of bio compostable film of thickness in the range of 10 to 120 micron;
-casting a second layer of water soluble film of thickness in the range of 15 to 100 micron;
Wherein the casting of second layer of water soluble film over the first layer of bio compostable film takes place without the aid of an adhesive layer.
2. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, further comprises the steps of:
-taking a first layer of bio compostable film of thickness in the range of 10 to 120 micron;
-coating a layer of adhesive, wherein the thickness of the adhesive layer ranges from 1 to 10 gsm;
-placing a second layer of water soluble film of thickness in the range of 15 to 100 micron;
Wherein the adhesive layer acts as a laminating factor to bind the first layer of bio compostable film to second layer of water soluble film.
3. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive layer applied may have a thickness in the range of 1 to 10 gsm, more particularly the thickness of the adhesive layer may range from 2 to 5 gsm.
4. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the oxygen barrier property may be increased.
5. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the packaging film exhibit improved water vapour transmission rate.
6. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein bio-compostable film may be selected from Starch-based plastics, Cellulose-based plastics, Other polysaccharide-based plastics, Polylactic acid (PLA), Poly-3-hydroxybutyrate or combination thereof and water soluble films may be selected from hot-water or cold water soluble films.
7. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein Water soluble films may be selected from but may not limited to, PET film, PP film, PC film.
8. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein adhesive may be selected from PSA (pressure sensitive adhesives) or non PSA, formulation of resins, Polyvinyl alcohol, polymides derivatives or other polymers, which include acrylics, nylons, UV curable Acrylates, polyurethanes or combination thereof.
9. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the adhesive selected are biodegradable and sustainable in nature.
10. The method of manufacturing a sustained packaging film as claimed in claim 1, wherein the said packaging film address the oxygen barrier property limitation as found in bio compostable film, thereby increasing the shelf life and further address the water vapour transmission rate, that is found to be very low in water soluble film, thereby enhancing the tensile strength of the packaging film due to the presence of water soluble film.