Films and bags with visually distinct regions and methods of making the same

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9731475-B2
Application number	US-201414485463-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Sep 12, 2014
Priority date	Nov 16, 2009
Publication date	Aug 15, 2017
Grant date	Aug 15, 2017

Abstract

One or more implementations of a multi-layer film include a first substantially un-pigmented layer non-continuously bonded to a second pigmented layer. The multi-layer film includes an unexpected appearance differing from the appearance of the pigmented layer. In one or more embodiments, the multi-layer film includes a metallic appearance despite the pigmented layer being devoid of metallic pigment. The multi-layer film also includes areas that are visually distinct from areas of the film with the unexpected appearance. The visually-distinct areas comprise areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented layer non-continuously bonded is in intimate contact with the second pigmented layer. The visually-distinct areas have the appearance of the pigmented layer. One or more implementations also include methods of making multi-layer films and bags with an unexpected appearance and visually-distinct areas.

First claim

We claim:

1. A multi-layer film, comprising:
a first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer comprising a plurality of alternating stretched-thinner webs and thicker ribs, wherein the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent or translucent;
a second pigmented thermoplastic film layer comprising a pigment, the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer having a first color created by the pigment;
a plurality of non-continuous bonds securing the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer to the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
un-bonded areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer and the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer are un-bonded and in which there are no intervening layers between the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer and the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer; and
wherein, when viewed from the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer side:
the un-bonded areas have a second color differing from the first color, wherein the multi-layer film is devoid of a pigment of the second color; and
one or more bonded areas have the first color.

2. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 1 , wherein the one or more bonded areas comprise areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer and the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer are in direct contact.

3. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 2 , wherein the one or more bonded areas comprise areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer and the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer are heat sealed together.

4. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 2 , wherein the un-bonded areas having the second color comprise areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer and the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer are separated by a gap.

5. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 4 , wherein the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent.

6. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 1 , wherein:
the first color is a non-metallic color; and
the second color is a metallic color.

7. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 6 , wherein:
the first color is carbon black;
the second color is a metallic silver; and
the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent.

8. A multi-layer film, comprising:
a first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer, wherein the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent or translucent;
a second pigmented thermoplastic film layer comprising a pigment, the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer having a first color created by the pigment, wherein the second pigmented layer is directly adjacent to the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
a plurality of bonded areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is in intimate contact with the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer; and
a plurality of un-bonded areas in which an air gap separates the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer from the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
wherein the un-bonded areas, when viewed from the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer side of the multi-layer film, have a second color differing from the first color;
wherein the bonded areas, when viewed from the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer side of the multi-layer film, are the first color.

9. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 8 , wherein the bonded areas comprise heat seals.

10. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 8 , wherein the bonded areas comprise pressure bonds.

11. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the pressure bonds comprise embosses.

12. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 10 , wherein the pressure bonds comprise ring rolled bonds.

13. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 8 , wherein the bonded areas comprise lamination bonds.

14. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 8 , wherein:
the first color is a non-metallic color; and
the second color is a metallic color.

15. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 14 , wherein:
the first color is carbon black;
the second color is a metallic silver; and
the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent.

16. A multi-layer film, comprising:
a first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer, wherein the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent or translucent;
a second pigmented thermoplastic film layer comprising a pigment, the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer having a first color created by the pigment, wherein the second pigmented layer is directly adjacent to the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
a plurality of non-continuous bonds securing the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer in intimate contact to the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
a plurality of heat seals securing the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer to the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer;
a plurality of un-bonded areas in which the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer the second pigmented thermoplastic film layer are not bonded to each other;
wherein the un-bonded areas, when viewed from the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer side of the multi-layer film, have a second color differing from the first color;
wherein the heat seals, when viewed from the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer side of the multi-layer film, are the first color.

17. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 16 , wherein the plurality of non-continuous bonds comprises pressure bonds.

18. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 17 , wherein the pressure bonds comprise embosses.

19. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 18 , wherein the pressure bonds comprise ring rolled bonds.

20. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 16 , wherein the plurality of non-continuous bonds comprises lamination bonds.

21. The multi-layer film as recited in claim 16 , wherein:
the first color is carbon black;
the second color is a metallic silver; and
the first substantially un-pigmented thermoplastic film layer is transparent.

Assignees

• Glad Products Co

Inventors

• Wilcoxen Kyle R
• Fish Theodore J
• Maxwell Jason R
• Cisek Kenneth E
• Johnson Michael O

Classifications

• B32B3/30 Primary

  characterised by a layer formed with recesses or projections, e.g. {hollows, grooves, protuberances, ribs (apertured layer B32B3/266; layer with cavities or internal voids B32B3/26)} · CPC title

• B32B27/08

  of synthetic resin · CPC title

• B32B2307/4026

  within the layer by addition of a colorant, e.g. pigments, dyes · CPC title

• B32B38/0012

  Mechanical treatment, e.g. roughening, deforming, stretching · CPC title

• B32B37/0076

  characterised in that the layers are not bonded on the totality of their surfaces · CPC title