Specification
FIEI,I) OF INVENTION
'I'hc present invcntion relates to a pouch made of laminate for storing liquid and
a process for preparing the same. 'l'hc flcxiblc pouch have extcndcd shelf life
for the storcd contcnt thcrcin and comprising a sealing jaw for enabling
conveniencc for usc with an easy tear and a spout to drink.
BACKGKOUNI) AN11 PRIOR AK'I' OE' TIIE INVENTION
It is known that thc laminatc flcxiblc pouchcs are available in thc markct for
storing thc various drinkable liquids or food products. IIowevcr, the pouchcs
known in the art for storing the watcr produces offensive odour within one or
two days, due to cxposurc of sunlight having ultraviolet radiation. Various
scientific rescarchcs reveals that such cxposurc of drinking watcr with sunlight
having UV radiation lcads to gcncration of primary amine (such as i.c. primary
amino aminc (PAA)) which dcvclop carcinogenic effect in the drinking watcr.
Research further rcvcals that sunlight contains cornponcnt of ultraviolet rays
such as IJV A and IJV I3 and visible lights followed by Infrared. It is also
known that IJV-L3 is far morc harmful than UV A and in presence of high
temperature and humidity, it may enhance the action of degradation of polymer
by UV exposure. UV-A and 1JV-I3 set up various reactions in laminates,
plastics, coatings, lacquers and adhesives, clcaving crystal chains, brcaking up
covalent bonds, distorting polar bond and rc-orienting Van Der Wall's forces,
as well as setting up reactions bctwccn thc degraded moleculcs, anti- oxidants,
slip additives, anti-block agents and the product components, which lcads to
harmful chcmicals inside thc product storcd therein. Therefore, the products
storcd in such pouchcs arc harmful for consumption.
It has bccn obscrvcd that in thc domestic and international markct, morc
particularly for developing countrics such water pouches do not have any
protcction from dircct sunlight cxposurc. Therefore, such watcr pouchcs
produccs offensive odour in the watcr within one or two days.
In view of the above-said challcngcs and mass requircment of safe and
hygicnic watcr to thc pcoplc of in thc developing countrics, the applicant of the
present invention come out with an improvcd laminate structure for producing
flexible pouches for storing watcr or mineral fortified water or non-oxonatcd
drinking watcr or immunity watcr or othcr drinkable liquid, without affecting
the original content filled therein.
The applicants addrcssing the grave nccd of large mass for getting safc and
packaged drinking or immunity watcr in flexible pouch. IIowevcr, the specific
Go-to-market execution nccd of thc packaging format is undcr trial and
process.
Ilowever, due to failure of thc carlicr laminate to withstand the market
conditions, the applicants of the prcscnt invention develop an improved flexiblc
pouch for liquid such as nutrient fortified drinking / immunity water.
A string of ingrcdicnts for base polymer, adhesives and barrier additives has
been brought into the current commercially competent laminate structure. 'l'his
laminate is manufactured using the best technological procedures for stability,
consistency and conformance to stringent quality and logistic requirements
across the world.
'I'he new laminate structure in thc prcscnt disclosure is a completely turnaround
from the conventional methods and has taken a distinctively new process and
construct of laminated flcxiblc pouches with smart graphics. Thus, the
development of such flcxiblc pouch for nutrient fortified water with extended
shelf life is a long pcnding requirement. In addition to, the present disclosure
provides thc said flcxiblc pouches in multicolour, printable and highly
decorative, with a premium finish.
OBJECTIVES OF 'I'IIE PRKSEK'I' INVENTION
'l'he primary objective of the prcscnt invention is to provide a laminate
structurc for producing flcxiblc pouch for storing liquid such as water or
nutrient fortified watcr or non-o~onatcd drinking water or immunity watcr or
othcr drinkable liquid, without aSfccting the original content filled therein.
Yet another objective of the invcntion is to provide a composition of laminate
structure for producing flcxiblc pouch.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a method for preparation of
laminate structure for flcxiblc pouch.
Yet another objective of the invention is to provide a method for preparation of
multilayer laminate structure for flcxiblc pouch.
Yet another objective of the invcntion is to provide an economic, commcrcially
and viable solution to producing flcxiblc pouch for storing water.
SUMMARY OF 'I'IIE INVEN'SION
'I'he present invention relates to a pouch made of a laminate for storing liquid
wherein, the said laminatc comprising one or more layers of polymeric material
being adhered to each other in prcscncc of adhesive comprising essentially isocyanate
and hydroxyl group, whcrcin the said pouch characterized by improved
barrier properties. 'l'hc laminatc structure for producing flexible pouches having
enhanced printability or graphics. 'l'hc said flexible pouches are used for storing
water or mineral fortified watcr or non-ozonated drinking water or immunity
water or other drinkable liquid, without affecting the original content filled
therein. 'I'he said flexible pouch having extended shelf for the stored content
therein and comprising a sealing jaw for enabling convenience for use with an
easy tear and a spout to drink.
BRIEF DESCIUPI'ION OF FI<:UII'I:.
Anothcr component of thc laminatc is the adhesive material. A solvent
free adhesive wherein, main componcnt is 011-terminated and cross-linker is
NCO-terminated is used for the prcscnt invention. The ratio of O I I group to
NCO group is in thc rangc of 100: 60 to 100: 70. Mixing of both the
components can bc done cithcr by auto mixer or by mechanical mixing (hand
mixing).
Yet another componcnt is I!V Block additives, which are selected from
IJVAB1,OCK 25 103025-K or IJVAJ31,OCK 25 103075-K or combination
thereof.
'l'hc ink uscd herein is' free from volatile and pungent smelling 'l'olucne
and MI:K solvents. 1,ooking at multiple sensitivity of low boiling solvent the
entire water pouch laminatc development was restricted to Multi-purposc
esterlalcohol based gravure laminatc ink.
'l'hc base film of polyester matt film comprising antislip additivcs and
UV additives.
In yet another embodiment of the invention wherein said lamintae having 22 to
40 gm/m21day 70 to 100 ccl m2/day, & OcSR in the range of 70 to 100 ccl
m2lday. 'I'he inertness to IJV exposure of thc pouch is in the range of 10 to 100
M J I ~b~on,d strength of laminate {(d5l mm (1 OOmmlmin speed)) : 130 (min)
Pet to Poly with Pet break.
Yet anothcr aspect of thc invcntion is to provide ink composition and method
for printing by the ink composition on the said flexible pouch.
Yet anothcr embodiment of thc invcntion is to improve printing quality by
modifying ink composition, which is lice from free from Toluene and MI:K
solvent. It is possible to obtain diJTcrcnt colour ink.
Another aspect of the prcscnt invcntion relates to an adhesive used for scaling
of thc flexible pouchcs. One of thc most critical components in the laminatc is
the adhesive as Primary Aromatic Aminc (I'AA) migrates in to water 1 moisture
caused by uncured Iso-cyanatcs in the Solvent Free Adhesives.'l'he specific
grade of adhesive based on technical parameters such as chemistry of the
adhesive, short curing timc, lower I'AA migration post curing were analyzed.
The adhcsive system comprises of' main component 011-terminated and crosslinker
is NCO-tcrminatcd and thcrclbrc. some precautions are needed for
machine trials such as ncvcr mix adhesive before complete machinc and
substrate setting on the machinc is done.
The novel laminate structurc, dcvclopcd for producing flexible pouches having
enhanced printability or graphics. 'l'hc llcxible pouches are used for storing
water or mineral fortified water or non-ozonated drinking water or immunity
water or other drinkable liquid, without affecting the original content filled
thcrcin. 'l'hc flcxiblc pouch have cxtcndcd shelf for the stored content therein
and comprising a sealing jaw 1i)r enabling convenience for use with an easy
tear and a spout to drink.
The present invention provides a multilayer laminate specification dcvelopcd
and offered for product packaging compatibility of non ozonated drinking I
immunity water in flcxiblc pouches. 'l'his is an economic and commercially
viable solution to cater source of' mass hydration at an affordable price and
convenient on the go usage.
The present invention also relates to GV block additives used for producing the
flexible water pouchcs and its charactcristics. A laminate structurc has been
developed that can bc inert to direct [JV exposure up to an extent > 100 MJlm2.
130th simulated laboratory tests and Iicld clualifications were made as per Atlas
protocol. UVA 131,OCK 25 103025-K and IJVA BI,OCK 25 103075-K wcrc
uscd in the laminate. IJVA I3I,O(IK 25 is primarily designed for protecting the
contents inside a transparent packaging tilm from UV or visible light. In the
use for the IJV protection of polyolclins. the let-down ratio is between 2 and
3%. UVARI,OCK 75 has bccn dcvclopcd as a UV barrier, which contains an
efficient IJV absorbing additive for flexible packaging. The use-levcl of
IJVARI,OCK 75 dcpcnds on various factors such as exposure time, climatic
conditions and film thickness. In thc use for the UV protection of polyolefins,
the typical lct down ratio is bctwccn 2 and 5%.
The technical characteristics lor film production such as layer ratio, BIJR (blow
up ratio), llxtrudcr type for homogenization of the polymers were donc based
on dcsign of the Poly recipe.
'I'he trapped solvent tcsting was donc according to ASTM G15 1 -09 standards
by a simple test using Chromatograph ccluipment. Exposed the bluc sample to
IJV radiation at 22 "(1 using 366 nm I;V radiation lamp for 72 hrs and then
tried analyzing thc watcr that was wrapped inside the foldcd laminatc. 'I'hc <;C
plot when cxamincd did not show any traces of any solvent (1;igurc 2).
lkrther, it was critical that the laminatc be exposed to the 340 nm UV radiation
with lamp at 60°C as per AS'I'M test to simulatc this solvent migration.
'I'he above data was generated as:
a) Samplc of watcr from bluc laminatc, which was exposed to UV radiation
b) Sample of plain watcr before tcsting laminate, control 1
c) Sample of plain water after tcsting bluc laminate, control 2 to see if anything
got dcsorbcd in the (iC column
d) Samplc of IJV exposed bluc laminatc by itself tested like AA in a vial at
150°C for 30 min
Simulated and I:ield tcsts wcrc successfully conducted and qualification
demonstrated in indoor laboratories 01' international repute and government
accreditation as well as at thc outdoor field testing under different climatic
conditions (with extended exposure to UV- A and IJV-B light of varied
wavelcngth and energy, elevated temperature of 45 to 60 degree Celsius and
relative humidity higher than 60 94).
Flexible laminated pouchcs exposed to and abused under extreme climatic and
IJV radiation conditions were tcstcd for sensory evaluation by an expert bcnch
of qualified sensory panel. (lonlirmatory acid tcsts were conducted to qualify
for repeatability and reproducibility of quality and logistic requirements of thc
flexible watcr pouch for packaging drinking / immunity water fortificd with
minerals.
* IIcncc, a unique laminate structurc which can seal fortified drinking / immunity
water and resistant to IJV exposure is produced.
'I'hc currcnt commercially approved 12-50 micro basc film has flexiblc
characteristics and offers a matt surface iinish for high definition graphics for
exccllcncc in aesthetic and shelf'-appeal. Rcvcrse printing is possible on this
new laminate structurc by using MI:K and 'l'olucne free ink thereby prcvcnting
imparting of any odour. Aliphatic solvent less adhcsive of reputed and
chemically stable / inert grade liX 7660 or EX 7910 is used in conjunction
with 50p spccial I'olymcr basc film. 'l'hc cntirc string / chain of stabilized and
tested ingrcdicnts wcrc uscd in a total unconventional processing method to
cxtrudc and finally produce a laminated film of unique properties for packaging
fortified mineral drinking / immunity watcr.
l'his packaging format is a ncw structure and stands out unique and unparallcl
for packaging of drinking 1 in~n~unitwya ter fortified with mincrals which
would function as providcr of' hydration of mass at an affordable pricc, casy
reach for lightcr logistic bcncfits and convenience to drink watcr from a pouch
through a sprout without any spillage 1 wastage thus chcrishing valuc for
money for thc common man.
. . I he major fcaturcs of the prcscnt laminate structure are as follows.
Matt Polyester basc film to cut down UV charge penetrating the pouch
and crcating a grccnhousc cnvironmcnt.
'I'olucnc and MI'K f'rcc ink with no residual solvcnt was uscd,
cvcntually reproducing high pixel graphics with bare minimum ink
covcragc (< 0.6 gsm) for surface printing and aesthctic appcal.
Aromatic adhesive compounds were rcplaced with aliphatic compounds
thcrcby rctaining low I'AA profile.
'I'hc thickness of the scalant poly film was tinkered by 25% to ensure
lower migration lcvcls in the much sensory scnsitivc drinking /
immunity watcr.
'l'hc laminatc structure increased dosage of UV additivcs in single layer
against earlier 3 layers thereby saving upon material.
UVA block 25 was supported with addition of UVA block 75 which
was a totally new and non-conventional concept in the regular
lamination process for flcxible packaging.
Change of organic slip additive to inorganic slip in poly to avoid
migration 1 leeching of salts / ions into water.
Conventional barricr compounds like "Smell Free" was totally
withdrawn against carlicr conventional usage in all layers of the
laminatc construct.
Base poly Film for thc flcxible laminate was extruded using only
I,I,I>I'li (non migratory 1 non-slip grade) replacing the regular 1,I)PE
(migratory and convcntional slip base) was avoided for prevention from
migratory additivcs.
Produced flexible pouches having enhanced printability and graphics.
Pouch achieved in an economical, practical, and facile manner.
A pouch made of a laminate 1i)r storing liquid whcrein, the said
laminate comprising onc or morc layers of polymeric matcrial being
adhered to each othcr in prcscncc of adhesive comprising esscntially
iso-nitrilc and hydroxyl group, whcrein the said pouch charactcrizcd by
improvcd barrier propcrlics particularly water vapor transmission ratc
(W.V.'l'.R) in the rangc of22 to 40 gm/m2/day and oxygen transmission
ratc (O.'f.R) in thc rangc 01' 70 to 100 ccl m2/day and shclf life
enhanced by 5-1 5 times thcn commercial pouch.
2. 'I'he pouch as claiincd in claim 1. wherein polymeric matcrial is sclcctcd
from matt polycstcr film and polyolefin film or combination thereof
whcrcin, said lilm comprising additives, stabilizers or colorants.
3. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1 or 2, wherein the matt polyester film is
either both sidc untrcatcd or one side corona treated or one sidc
chcmical trcated.
4. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1, 2 or 3, whcrein thickness of matt
polycstcr film is in thc rangc of 6 to 20 microns, morc preferably in the
rangc of 10 to 15 microns.
5. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1 or 2, wherein polyolcfin film is linear
low density poly cthylcnc (I,I,I)Pl<) or low density poly ethylene
(1,III'l:) or combination thcrcol'.
6. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1 , 2 or 5, wherein thickness of polyolcfin
film is in the rangc of 15 to 80 microns, more preferably in the rangc of
40 to 65 microns.
7. 'l'hc pouch as claimcd in claim I , whcrcin one or more laycrs of
polymcric matcrial arc adhcrcd by adhesive matcrial (7a) and / Or,
extrusion process (7b).
8. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1 or 7, wherein adhcsivc matcrial (7a) is
solvent ficc. And the extrusion process (7b) is of polyethylene or,
pol yolci fin.
9. 'I'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1. 7 or 8, wherein adhesive matcrial is
selected such as main component is hydroxyl terminated group (-011-
group) and cross-linker is iso-nitrile terminated group (NCO- group).
10. 'l'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 9, wherein adhesive material main
componcnt and crosslinkcr is in the ratio of 10: 1 to 10: 8
11. 'l'hc pouch as claimcd in claim 1, wherein combination of IJV A Block
25 additivcs arc used along with (JV A Block 75 and equivalent IJV
stabilizer.
12. 'I'he pouch as claimcd in claim 1 or 11, wherein UV Rlock 25 additivcs
are in the rangc of 20 O/o to 80%.
13. A process for preparing thc laminate as claimed in claim 1 comprises
the steps of:
(i) cxtruding first basc film of matt polyester either both sidc
untreated or one sidc corona treated or one side chemical treated
having thickness in the rangc of of 15 p to 80 p, more preferably
in the rangc of 40 11 to 65p, csscntially having anti slip additivcs
and lJVA25 & CVA75.
(ii) printing with ink composition wherein, said ink composition is
ficc from 'l'olucnc and M1:K solvent;
(iii) curing the basc film t h ~o~bsta incd in step (ii) at temperature in the
rangc of 80°C to i 50Y' Sor a time period of 30 to 60 seconds
(iv) applying adhcsivc on thc surface of the basc film as produced in
step (iii);
(v) cxtruding second polyolclin and adhering the same on the surface
of the first basc film as obtained in step (iv);
(vi) curing film as obtaincd in stcp (v) for at least 8 to 10 days in order
to producc a laminatc.
14. A process for manufac~uringp ouch made of a laminatc as claimcd in 1
comprising the steps of;
(i) cxtruding first basc film of matt polyester either both side
untreated or one side corona treated or one side chemical trcatcd
having thickness in the rangc of 6 p to 20 p, morc preferably in
thc rangc of 40 y to 6.511. csscntially having anti slip additives
and lJVA2.5 & LVA7.5.
(ii) printing with ink composition wherein, said ink composition is
free from 'l'olucnc and M 1iK solvent;
(iii) curing thc basc film thus obtained in step (ii) at tcmpcraturc in
thc rangc of 80°C to 1.50°C for a time period of 30 to 60
seconds;
(iv) applying adhcsivc on the surface of the basc film as produccd in
step (iii);
(v) cxtruding second polyolcfin and adhering the same on thc
surfacc of thc first basc film as obtaincd in step (iv);
(vi) curing film as obtaincd in stcp (v) for at least 8 to 10 days in
order to producc a laminatc;
(vii) slitting of laminatc as obtaincd in stcp (vi);
(viii) scaling edges ofthc laminate as produced in stcp (vii);
(ix) Packaging of water, nutricnt fortified water, or similar drinks,
bcvcragcs ctc.
15. The pouch as claimcd in claim 1, having WVTR in the range of 20 to
35 gm/m2/day & OTR in the rangc of 65 to 95 cc/ m2/day.
16. The pouch as claimcd in claim 1, havi
the range of 10 to 100 MJ/m2.