An object is to provide a barrier material which not only is high in degree of biomass and small in amount of CO.sub.2 emitted, but also has biodegradability and simultaneously has excellent gas barrier property and water vapor barrier property, and which can be suitably used particularly in packaging applications for foods or the like, such as a packaging material, a bag, a paper container, a cardboard box, and a cup. A solution to be provided is a barrier material having an oxygen permeability of 10 ml/m.sup.2.Math.day.Math.atm or less at a temperature of 23° C. and a relative humidity of 0%, and having a total degree of biomass of 50% or more.

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a packaging film constructed from water-dispersible and/or biodegradable compositions. Particularly, the disclosed film comprises a first layer constructed from one or more water-dispersible materials, such as water-dispersible paper. The film further comprises a second layer constructed from one or more biodegradable materials, such as poly(hydroxyalkanoate). The first and second layers can be constructed to form a packaging material used to enclose a wide variety of products, including liquids and moisture-sensitive solids. Advantageously, the disclosed film (and associated packaging materials) are dissolvable in water and/or biodegrade when exposed to landfill conditions and/or water.

The presently disclosed subject matter is generally directed to a packaging film constructed from water-dispersible and/or biodegradable compositions. Particularly, the disclosed film comprises a first layer constructed from one or more water-dispersible materials, such as water-dispersible paper. The film further comprises a second layer constructed from one or more biodegradable materials, such as poly(hydroxyalkanoate). The first and second layers can be constructed to form a packaging material used to enclose a wide variety of products, including liquids and moisture-sensitive solids. Advantageously, the disclosed film (and associated packaging materials) are dissolvable in water and/or biodegrade when exposed to landfill conditions and/or water.

A cover sheet to be secured to the tray of a container is described. The cover sheet includes a first layer and a second layer. An adhesive layer is provided between the first and second layers. The first layer has a first cut line that extends across a corner of the cover sheet between a first edge and a second edge to define a tab portion of the first layer. The second layer has a second cut line that extends from the first edge to the second edge or a third edge to define a removable strip of the second layer. Removing the removable strip and the adhered tab portion exposes the adhesive layer on a securing portion of the first layer that can be used to secure the cover sheet to the tray.

An epoxy resin composition including an epoxy resin, an epoxy resin curing agent containing an amine-based curing agent, and an unsaturated fatty acid amide having from 14 to 24 carbons, a gas barrier laminate and a retort food packaging material using the epoxy resin composition, an odor-proofing or aroma-retaining packaging material, an odor-proofing or aroma-retaining method of sealing an article containing an odorous component or an aromatic component in the packaging material, a heat-shrinkable label, the production method of the heat-shrinkable label, a heat-shrunken label and a bottle having the heat-shrunken label, and a CO.sub.2 transmission prevention method.

A synthetic barrier material includes a light-cured polymer and graphene nanoplatelets in parallel alignment in the polymer. Disclosed further is a method for manufacturing the synthetic barrier material. The graphene nanoplatelets are dispersed in a photocurable resin and polarically aligned by an electric field. Furthermore, disclosed is a synthetic barrier film manufactured from the aforementioned synthetic barrier material or the aforementioned method.

A synthetic barrier material includes a light-cured polymer and graphene nanoplatelets in parallel alignment in the polymer. Disclosed further is a method for manufacturing the synthetic barrier material. The graphene nanoplatelets are dispersed in a photocurable resin and polarically aligned by an electric field. Furthermore, disclosed is a synthetic barrier film manufactured from the aforementioned synthetic barrier material or the aforementioned method.

Disclosed is a biodegradable, compostable and thermoshrinking film for packaging perishable goods, including a base structure substantially permeable to light radiation and including a first layer 10 μm thick, to directly contact the goods, and consisting of 89% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L, 10% in weight BioGranic™ 3112 and 1% in weight Mater-B® master MEE. A second layer, overlapping the first, has a thickness equal to the one of the first layer and consists of 50% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L and 50% in weight Mater-Bi® DF51A0. A third layer, overlapping the second, has a thickness equal to the one of the first layer and consists of 99% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L and 1% in weight Mater-Bi® master MEE. A barrier layer including aluminum and/or aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide and having a thickness ≤0.1 μm overlaps the third layer.

Disclosed is a biodegradable, compostable and thermoshrinking film for packaging perishable goods, including a base structure substantially permeable to light radiation and including a first layer 10 μm thick, to directly contact the goods, and consisting of 89% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L, 10% in weight BioGranic™ 3112 and 1% in weight Mater-B® master MEE. A second layer, overlapping the first, has a thickness equal to the one of the first layer and consists of 50% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L and 50% in weight Mater-Bi® DF51A0. A third layer, overlapping the second, has a thickness equal to the one of the first layer and consists of 99% in weight Mater-Bi® EF51L and 1% in weight Mater-Bi® master MEE. A barrier layer including aluminum and/or aluminum oxide and/or silicon oxide and having a thickness ≤0.1 μm overlaps the third layer.

The invention relates to the packaging of one or more articles in a packaging sheet material which is moveable from a first condition to a second, expanded, condition to improve the packaging effect of the sheet material. In accordance with the invention the sheet material includes a first portion with apertures which can be moved to an open position to create the second, expanded, condition and at least one, but typically a plurality of spaced apart, second portions which have no apertures, or a different shape and/or pattern of apertures than the apertures of the first portion, so as to form a surface of the said second portion more suitable for the application of a label and/or indications thereon when the sheet material is in the second expanded condition.