Patent Publication Number: US-2017362006-A1

Title: Manually Openable Flexible Film Package

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to packaging articles and more particularly, to manually openable packages formed from a first flexible heat shrinkable film and a second flexible non-heat shrink film. The present invention also includes an opening tab on each of the two flexible films which are aligned with each other such that each of the opening tabs has a sufficient surface area facing the other tab but not adhered to it to render each tab manually graspable. A distal portion of the opening tab of the first flexible heat shrinkable film is curled to provide a more convenient means of gripping the opening tab which may then be pulled away from the second flexible non-heat shrinkable film to open the package. 
     Typical flexible thermoplastic packages which provide the desired abuse protection and other desirable features in the finished package are usually designed to have strong heat seals when sealed about a product. These packages after heat sealing are often difficult to open by the consumer or end user. It has been therefore desirable to have a package which provides adequate protection of the product against environmental contaminants, moisture and air, and which includes sufficiently strong heat seals to maintain the integrity of the package through the distribution channels and storage, and at the same time can be easily opened by the consumer without the use of a knife or other cutting implement. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to packages having a thermoformed product receiving cavity for containing the product formed from a first flexible heat shrinkable film and a lidding film covering the thermoformed product receiving cavity formed from a second flexible non-heat shrinkable film. The present invention includes a hermetic seal comprising a perimeter heat seal circumventing the thermoformed product receiving cavity formed by heat sealing a portion of the second flexible non-heat shrinkable film to a portion of the first flexible heat shrinkable film; wherein only one of the films is readily frangible and renders the heat seal manually peelable. The readily frangible film includes either a cohesively peelable layer which separates from itself or an adhesively peelable layer which delaminates from an adjacent layer thereby creating a peelable interface. The present invention also includes an opening tab on each of the two flexible films which are aligned with each other such that each of the tabs has a sufficient surface area facing the other tab but not adhered to it to render each tab readily manually graspable. The opening tabs are conveniently provided by aligning portions of the two films which lie outside the heat seal which joins them to each other and by minimizing or eliminating their exposure to heat and pressure. 
     An important aspect of the present invention is that the opening tab of the first flexible heat shrinkable film includes a distal portion which is curled to improve its graspability. The curled distal portion of the opening tab of the heat-shrinkable film is formed when the film is heat shrunk around the product. Since one of the tabs has a curled portion while the other is substantially relatively flat, the opening tabs may be easily grasped and pulled away from each other. When the opening tabs are pulled in a direction generally perpendicular to the plane of the perimeter heat seal, the readily frangible film will cleanly peel apart from itself and rupture the hermetic seal thereby opening the package. 
     In one preferred embodiment, the package has a shape which includes at least one corner and at least one pair of opening tabs positioned at the corner. In another preferred embodiment, the package includes multiple corners and at least one pair of opening tabs positioned at a corner of the package. In yet another preferred embodiment, the package includes multiple corners and more than one pair of opening tabs positioned at the corners of the package. It is also contemplated that the package may have a shape which is substantially curved and does not include any defined corners, in which case, the opening tabs may extend around a portion or the entire length of the perimeter heat seal. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Further features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description, taken in combination with the appended drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of a package having a triangular shape according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  shows a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of a package having a rectangular shape according to the present invention, 
         FIG. 3  shows a schematic view of another preferred embodiment of a package having a circular shape according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  shows a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of a first flexible heat shrinkable film according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  shows a schematic view of one preferred embodiment of a second flexible non-heat shrinkable film according to the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DEFINITIONS 
     “Peelable” and like terminology is used herein to refer to any substrate interface which are engineered to be readily peelable (or delaminate within a particular film layer or between two film layers) without uncontrolled or random tearing or rupturing the packaging materials which may result in premature destruction of the packaging film and package made therefrom. A peelable interface or peelable layer is one that can be manually peeled apart to open a package without resorting to the use of a knife or other implement to tear or rupture the web. In the present invention, the peelable layer or peelable interface must have seal strengths sufficient to prevent failure of the seal during the normal filling process and further normal handling and transport of the packaged article. The seal strengths must also be low enough to permit manual opening of the seal. Preferably, parameters such as choice of materials and lamination conditions may be used to adjust the seal strength to the desired level for the particular package web and packaging application. A peelable layer or peelable interface according to the present invention has an initial seal strength set to a maximum value of 2,500 gram-force/inch and a propagation seal strength (i.e., tearing force) set to a range from between 60 and 2,500 gram-force/inch. In contrast, a non-peelable layer or non-peelable interface is not adapted to peel apart or delaminate in a controlled manner as described above. Non-peelable layers or non-peelable interfaces have initial seal strengths of at least 2,000 gram-force/inch, typically at least 2,500 gram-force/inch. 
     “Heat Shrinkage” values are obtained by measuring unrestrained shrink of a 10 cm 2  sample immersed in water at 90° C. (or the indicated temperature if different) for two to ten seconds. Four test specimens are cut from a given sample of the film to be tested. Specimens are cut into squares of 10 cm length in the machine direction (M.D.) by 10 cm. length in the transverse (T.D.). Each specimen is completely immersed for 2-10 seconds in a 90° C. (or the indicated temperature if different) water bath. The specimen is then removed from the bath and the distance between the ends of the shrunken specimen is measured for both the M.D. and T.D. directions. The difference in the measured distance for the shrunken specimen and each original 10 cm side is multiplied by ten to obtain percent shrinkage in each direction. The shrinkage of 4 specimens is averaged and the average M.D. and T.D. shrinkage values reported. It should be noted that heat shrinkable films referred to herein are uniaxially or biaxially oriented film. Preferred heat shrinkable films suitable for the present invention have a Heat Shrinkage value of greater than 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% in both machine and transverse directions as measured at 90° C. for 10 minutes. In contrast, preferred non-heat shrinkable films suitable for the present invention have a Heat Shrinkage value of between 0 and 10% in both machine and transverse directions as measured at 90° C. for 10 minutes. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-3 , a manually openable package  10  is generally indicated in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 1  depicts package  10  has having a substantially triangular shape. Package  10  may be conveniently manufactured by first forming a product receiving cavity  20  from a first flexible heat shrinkable film  100 . In a preferred method, film  100  may be placed over a pre-formed mold (not shown) equipped with a gasket (not shown) to help maintain a vacuum that is used to drawn the film into the interior of the mold cavity to shape film  100  into a product receiving cavity. It should be noted that a portion of film  100  extends substantially perpendicular to the cavity which becomes a projected flange  30  of the first flexible heat shrinkable film  100 . The draw depth of the thermoformed product receiving cavity may be any value as desired depending upon the shape of the product to be packaged. Typical draw depths may vary between 0.635 cm and 10.2 cm (0.25 in and 4.0 in). In a preferred method, the forming operation of cavity  20  is performed at a temperature of between 90° C. and 105° C. for a time period of between 0.5 and 1.5 seconds. In a preferred embodiment, the product receiving cavity  20  has a shape which includes at least one corner. It may be advantageous to provide a cavity  20  having at least one corner with a radius of about 90° or less. Those skilled in the art will recognize that the dimensions of the product will essentially define the dimensions of the product cavity. Thus, the final package of the present invention may have any shape, size and/or depth as desired depending on the product packaged therein.  FIGS. 2 and 3  depict package  10  as having a substantially rectangular and circular shape, respectively. 
     Once the product receiving cavity is formed, a desired product  80  may then be placed within the cavity. Typically, the product is a cheese or meat item, but non-food products can be packaged as well. A non-forming lidding film  40  comprising a second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200  (see  FIG. 5 ) is placed over the open mouth (not shown) of the formed cavity  20  and a portion of film  200  is sealed to the projected flange  30  of film  100 . In a preferred embodiment, the sealing of the films creates a hermetic seal  50  comprising a perimeter heat seal  60  which circumvents the thermoformed product receiving cavity  20 . The width of perimeter heat seal  60  may vary depending upon the product packaged, but usually will be at least about 2 mm (about 0.08 in). Typically, the sealing process requires that the sealant layer of both films come into contact with each other under elevated temperature and pressure. In one preferred embodiment, perimeter heat seal  60  is formed at a temperature of 135° C. for 1 second and at a pressure of at least 1 atmosphere. However, those skilled in the art would recognize that sealing times, temperatures and pressures may vary depending upon the materials and thickness of the respective sealant layer of each film. 
     It is important to note that before the heat sealing operation, a portion  35   a  of the projected flange  30  of film  100  and a portion  35   b  of film  200  are aligned with each other outside the perimeter heat seal  60  and have sufficient surface area facing each other or size to be manually graspable. In one preferred embodiment, portions  35   a  and  35   b  are isolated from heat and/or pressure during the heat sealing operation and are not sealed together thereby providing an opening tab  75   a  of film  100  and an opening tab  75   b  of film  200 . In another preferred embodiment, opening tabs  75   a  and  75   b  may be formed by treating portion  35   a  of the projected flange  30   a  of film  100  and/or portion  35   b  of film  200  to render one or both portions non-adherent. This may be accomplished by printing a release lacquer or varnish on one or both portions before heat sealing the films together. Alternatively in another embodiment, opening tabs  76   a  and  75   b  may be formed by inserting a heat resistant material such as for example Teflon tape between portion  35   a  of the projected flange  30  of film  100  and portion  35   b  of film  200  such that the portions do not come into contact with each other during the heat sealing operation. It should also be noted that neither tab  75   a  nor  75   b  needs to be heat set prior to the heat sealing operation. In one preferred embodiment, at least one of the opening tabs has at least one dimension of at least about 2 mm (about 0.08 in). In another preferred embodiment, at least one of the opening tabs has at least one dimension of at least about 6 mm (about 0.236 in). In yet another preferred embodiment, at least one of the opening tabs has at least one dimension of at least twice the width of the perimeter heat seal  60 . 
     Once the heat sealing operation is complete, any excess film surrounding the perimeter of the package may be removed thereby individualizing each package. After each package has been separated, they are then exposed to heat to shrink the heat shrinkable film  100  of the cavity  20  about product  80 . In one preferred embodiment, the first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  is heat shrunk about the product in a shrink tunnel such as a water bath between a temperature of 80° C. and 90° C. for about 1 to 5 seconds. During this shrink operation, heat shrinkable film  100  forms to the shape of the product. In one preferred embodiment, the first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  shrinks in a uniform manner as to provide a wrinkle-free product receiving cavity  20 . Heat shrinkable film  100  will typically exhibit a heat shrinkage value of greater than 10% or 20% or 30% or 40% in both machine and transverse directions as measured at 90° C. for 10 minutes. In one preferred embodiment, film  100  has heat shrinkage value of about 40% in the machine direction and about 44% in the transverse direction at 90° C. In contrast, a non-heat shrinkable film such as film  200  will typically exhibit a heat shrinkage value of less than 30% or 20% or 10% in both machine and transverse directions as measured at 90° C. for 10 minutes. 
     As the result of the heat shrinkage of first flexible film  100 , a curled distal portion  75   a  on the opening tab  35   a  is formed. As depicted in  FIGS. 1-3 , curled distal portion  75   a  may curve up (away) or down (towards) relative to  75   b  of film  200  allowing easier grasping the both opening tabs. In one preferred embodiment, to enhance the curling of distal portion  75   a , it is particularly advantageous to utilize a first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  having a total thickness of between 50.8 and 254 micron (2 and 10 mil), or between 101.6 and 203 micron (4 and 8 mil), and a second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200  having a total thickness of between 25.4 and 76.2 micron (1 and 3 mil) or about 50.8 micron (about 2 mil). 
     Turning now to  FIG. 4 , there is shown a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of first flexible heat shrinkable film  100 . In this example, first film  100  includes an exterior sealant layer  101  comprising a heat sealing material, a second layer  102  positioned adjacent to the exterior sealant layer  101  which comprises a tie or adhesive material, a third layer  103  positioned adjacent to second layer  102  and comprising a polyamide or blend of polyamide, a fourth layer  104  positioned adjacent to the third layer  103  which comprises an oxygen barrier material, and a fifth layer  105  positioned adjacent to the fourth layer  104  and comprising a polyamide or blend of polyamides, a sixth layer  106  positioned adjacent to fifth layer  105  and comprising a tie or adhesive material, and a seventh exterior layer  107  adjacent to sixth layer  104  and comprising an abuse material. While this example of first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  is depicted as having seven layers, it should be understood that first film  100  may be formed having any number of layers depending upon the desired properties of the final film. Thus first film  100  may be constructed from 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 or more layers. 
       FIG. 5  depicts a cross-sectional view of one preferred embodiment of second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200 . In this example, second film  200  includes an exterior sealant layer  201  comprising a heat sealing material, a frangible second layer  202  positioned adjacent to the exterior sealant layer  201  which comprises a blend of at least two different polymers, a third layer  203  positioned adjacent to second layer  202  and comprising a tie or adhesive material, a fourth layer  204  positioned adjacent to the third layer  203  which comprises an oxygen barrier material, a fifth layer  205  positioned adjacent to the fourth layer  204  and comprising a tie or adhesive material, a sixth layer  206  positioned adjacent to fifth layer  205  and comprising a polyolefin, a seventh exterior layer  207  adjacent to sixth layer  204  and comprising a polyolefin, an eighth layer  208  positioned adjacent to seventh layer  207  and comprising a tie or adhesive material, and a ninth exterior layer  209  positioned adjacent to eighth layer  208  and comprising an abuse material. While this example of second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200  is depicted as having nine layers, it should be understood that second film  200  may be formed having any number of layers depending upon the desired properties of the final film. 
     As used herein, the term “sealant” refers to a layer which is heat sealable to itself or to other materials, i.e., be capable of fusion bonding by conventional heating means which generate sufficient heat on at least one film contact surface for conduction to the contiguous film contact surface and formation of a bond interface therebetween without loss of the film integrity. Advantageously, the bond interface must be sufficiently thermally stable to prevent gas or liquid leakage therethrough. Suitable sealant materials include, but are not limited to polyolefins, such as polyethylenes (PE), including low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), very low density polyethylene (VLDPE), and ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE); ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA); ionomers; and blends thereof. 
     The term “adhesive layer,” or “tie layer” refers to a layer or material placed on one or more layers to promote the adhesion of that layer to another surface. Typically, adhesive layers are positioned between two layers of a multilayer film to maintain the two layers in position relative to each other and prevent undesirable delamination. Unless otherwise indicated, an adhesive layer can have any suitable composition that provides a desired level of adhesion with the one or more surfaces in contact with the adhesive layer material. Optionally, an adhesive layer placed between a first layer and a second layer in a multilayer web may comprise components of both the first layer and the second layer to promote simultaneous adhesion of the adhesive layer to both the first layer and the second layer to opposite sides of the adhesive layer. Tie or adhesive layers may be incorporated into a film or laminate by any of the well-known processes for making multilayer structures such as coextrusion, adhesive lamination and the like. Typical tie materials include, but are not limited to anhydride or carboxylic acid modified polyolefins, particularly, maleic anhydride modified polyolefins such as maleic anhydride modified low density polyethylene, maleic anhydride modified linear low density polyethylene, maleic anhydride modified high density polyethylene, maleic anhydride modified ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers and blends thereof. Tie layer materials may further include a blend of an unmodified polyolefin or unmodified ester copolymer or unmodified ethylene acid copolymer and a modified polyolefin or modified ester copolymer or modified ethylene acid copolymer. 
     Frangible or peelable film layers are well known in the art and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,944,409 (Busche et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,875,587 (Lulham et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,503 (Stanley et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,058,632 (Evans et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,252,846 (Romesberg et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,615,926 (Hsu et al.) U.S. Pat. No. 4,666,778 (Hwo); U.S. Pat. No. 4,784,885 (Carespodi); U.S. Pat. No. 4,882,229 (Hwo); U.S. Pat. No. 6,476,137 (Longo); U.S. Pat. No. 5,997,968 (Dries, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,189,519 (Ticknor); U.S. Pat. No. 5,547,752 (Yanidis), U.S. Pat. No. 5,128,414 (Hwo); U.S. Pat. No. 5,023,121 (Pockat, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,937,139 (Penske, et al.); U.S. Pat. No. 4,916,190 (Hwo); and U.S. Pat. No. 4,550,141 (Hoh), the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference thereto. In one preferred embodiment, the frangible layer of second film  200  includes a blend of two different polymer resins. Non-limiting examples of such blends combine polyethylene such as low density polyethylene, linear low density polyethylene or ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer as a major component with a polybutylene-1 as a minor component. The major component of these blends is present in an amount of at least 50%, 60%, 70%, 80% or 90% by weight relative to the total weight of the frangible layer. Typically, these frangible layers provide a relatively weak bond to an adjacent layer whereby the interface between these layers delaminates upon application of force perpendicular to the plane of the interface. 
     Oxygen barrier materials may include, but are not limited to, polyamides, ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH), polyvinylidene chloride (PVdC), metal or metal oxide coated polymer substrates and the like. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, both first and second films,  100  and  200 , include at least one layer comprising an oxygen barrier material. In another preferred embodiment, both first and second films,  100  and  200 , include at least two layers each comprising an oxygen barrier material. In yet another preferred embodiment, both first and second films,  100  and  200 , include at least three layers each comprising an oxygen barrier material. However, it should be noted that the present invention does not necessarily require that one or both of the first and second films,  100  and  200 , include a layer comprising an oxygen barrier material. But, those skilled in the art will recognize that when packaging an oxygen sensitive product which may include many food items, at least one layer of an oxygen barrier material may be required in one or both films of the present invention to provide a barrier against the ingress of oxygen. 
     Abuse materials may include, but are not limited to, polyolefins such as polyethylenes (PE) and polypropylenes (PP); polyamides; polyamide blends; polyesters including aromatic and aliphatic polyesters, such as polyethylene terephthalates (PET), polyethylene isophthalates, polyethylene naphthalates; oriented polyamides and oriented aromatic polyesters. Typically, abuse materials provide additional moisture and/or chemical barrier protection to a film. Those skilled in the art will recognize that abuse materials also provide a sufficiently smooth surface for the printing of indicia or graphics that appear on most packaged food or non-food products. In one preferred embodiment of the present, the abuse layer of at least one of the first or second films,  100  or  200 , includes printed indicia. 
     Working Examples of Film Structures 
     In the following Example 1, the film structure for first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  depicted in  FIG. 4  was produced using a blown film co-extrusion apparatuses, and methods which are well known to those skilled in the art. The blown film co-extrusion film apparatus includes a multi-manifold annular die head for film through which the film composition is forced and formed into a tube. The tube is immediately quenched e.g., via cooled water bath, solid surface and/or air, oriented and then formed into a film which is then be axially slit and unfolded to form a flat film. Film  100  of the invention may be uniaxially oriented or biaxially oriented. In one preferred embodiment, film  100  was oriented following the steps of heating the film and drawing it under conditions effective to extend the film by many times its original length and width in the machine/transverse directions, respectively. The drawn film is then cooled while the drawn film is under tension whereby the heat shrinkable film is produced. It should be noted that the physical properties of the film may vary from those of the polymer blend, depending on the film forming techniques used. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the thickness of individual layers for film  100  may be adjusted based on desired end use performance, resin or copolymer employed, equipment capability and other factors. In at least one preferred embodiment, the first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  has a thickness of at least twice the thickness of the second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200 . 
     In the following Example 2, the film structure for first flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200  depicted in  FIG. 5  was produced by forming a unitary film of layers  201  through  207  using blown film co-extrusion apparatuses, and methods. The unitary film and the remaining layer  208  and  209  were fabricated into a laminate using adhesive lamination apparatus, and method which are also well known to those skilled in the art. 
     Example 1 
     Example 1 is one embodiment of a first flexible heat shrinkable film  100  of the present invention having a layer sequence (in the order as shown below) and layer compositions as described below and as illustrated in  FIG. 5 . Reported below is the layer composition relative to the total weight of the layer.
         Layer  101  (Sealant): 52 wt.-% of a very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)-MXSTEN® CV77526 (Westlake Chemical, Houston, Tex., USA), 43.5 wt-% of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)-ExxonMobil EXACT™ 3139 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex., USA)+4.5 wt.-% of processing aids.   Layer  102 : 40 wt.-% of a very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)-EXACT™ SLP 9523 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex., USA), 30 wt.-% of an anhydride modified linear low density polyethylene-Bynel® CXA 41E710 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA), 24 wt.-% of a very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)-MXSTEN® CV77526 (Westlake Chemical, Houston, Tex., USA)+6 wt.-% of processing aids.   Layer  103 : 85 wt-% of a nylon 6-Ultramid® B36 01 (BASF Polyamides and Intermediates, Freeport, Tex., USA)+15 wt.-% of a nylon 6I/6T-Selar® PA 3426 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA).   Layer  104 : 100 wt.-% of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH)-Soarnol™ AT 4403 (Soares L.L.C., Arlington Heights, Ill., USA).   Layer  105 : 85 wt.-% of a nylon 6-Ultramid® B36 01 (BASF Polyamides and Intermediates, Freeport, Tex., USA)+15 wt-% of a nylon 6I/6T-Selar® PA 3426 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA).   Layer  106 : 40 wt-% of a very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)-EXACT™ SLP 9523 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex., USA), 30 wt.-% of an anhydride modified linear low density polyethylene-Bynel® CXA 41E710 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA), 24 wt.-% of a very low density polyethylene (VLDPE)-MXSTEN® CV77526 (Westlake Chemical, Houston, Tex., USA)+6 wt.-% of processing aids.   Layer  107 : 85 wt.-% of a nylon 6-Ultramid® B36 01 (BASF Polyamides and Intermediates, Freeport, Tex., USA)+15 wt-% of a nylon 6I/6T-Selar® PA 3426 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA).       

     Example 2 is one embodiment of a second flexible non-heat shrinkable film  200  of the present invention having a layer sequence (in the order as shown below) and layer compositions as described below and as illustrated in  FIG. 6 . Reported below is the layer composition relative to the total weight of the layer.
         Layer  201  (Sealant): 95 wt.-% of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)-Petrothene® NA442 (Equistar Chemicals, LP, Houston, Tex., USA)+5 wt.-% of processing aids.   Layer  202  (Frangible): 82 wt.-% of an ethylene vinyl acetate copolymer (EVA)-Petrothene® NA442 (Equistar Chemicals, LP, Houston, Tex., USA)+18 wt.-% of a polybutylene-Polybutene-1 PB 8640M (Equistar Chemicals, LP, Houston, Tex., USA).   Layer  203 : 85.9 wt.-% of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)-DOWLEX™ 2045G (Doe Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA)+14.1 wt.-% of an anhydride modified linear low density polyethylene-Bynel® CXA 41E710 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA).   Layer  204 : 100 wt.-% of an ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH)-Soarnol™ AT 4403 (Soarers L.L.C., Arlington Heights, Ill., USA).   Layer  205 : 85.9 wt.-% of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)-DOWLEX™ 2045G (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA)+14.1 wt.-% of an anhydride modified linear low density polyethylene-Bynel® CXA 41E710 (E.I. du Pont de Nemours and Company, Inc., Wilmington, Del., USA).   Layer  206 : 64.1 wt.-% of an ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE)-ATTANE™ NG 4701G (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA), 34.8 wt.-% of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)-ExxonMobil™ LLDPE 1001.32 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex., USA)+1.1 wt.-% of processing aids.   Layer  207 : 64.1 wt.-% of an ultra-low density polyethylene (ULDPE)-ATTANE™ NG 4701G (The Dow Chemical Company, Midland, Mich., USA), 34.8 wt.-% of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE)-ExxonMobil™LLDPE 1001.32 (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, Tex., USA)+1.1 wt-% of processing aids.   Layer  208 : 100 wt.-% of a lamination adhesive (2-part ethanol based adhesive)-Avadyne® AV5210/CA500-83 (Henkel KGaA, Düsseldorf; DE).   Layer  209 : 100 wt.-% of a 48 gauge thick, corona treated biaxially oriented polyethylene terephthalate film (OPET)-SP65 (SKC, Inc., Covington, Ga., USA)       

     The above description and examples illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention and are not to be interpreted as limiting. Selection of particular embodiments, combinations thereof, modifications, and adaptations of the various embodiments, conditions and parameters normally encountered in the art will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are deemed to be within the spirit and scope of the present invention.