Laminated resin film

Abstract

An aseptic pillow packaging bag and a laminated resin film that can be preferably used to produce the packaging bag. The laminated resin film includes a center layer that has a first surface provided with an inner surface layer, and a second surface provided with an outer surface layer. In the laminated resin film, the inner surface layer is a first multilayer film made of linear low density polyethylene, including two or more films selected from C6L-LDPE and/or C8L-LDPE, the center layer is a nylon-based film, or a barrier nylon film, and the outer surface layer is formed by laminating a medium density polyethylene film onto a low density polyethylene film or a medium density polyethylene film with a nylon film interposed therebetween.

Claims

1. A laminated resin film, comprising (a) a center layer having a first surface and a second surface, the center layer comprises at least one nylon film; (b) an inner surface layer, which is a multilayer film made of linear low density polyethylene having a density of less than 0.915 g/cm.sup.3, the inner surface layer being on the first surface of the center layer; and (c) an outer surface layer, which is a multilayer laminate consisting of (i) a first medium density polyethylene film having a density of more than 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 and less than 0.935 g/cm.sup.3, (ii) a second medium density polyethylene film having a density of more than 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 and less than 0.935 g/cm.sup.3, and (iii) a nylon film between the first medium density polyethylene film and the second medium density polyethylene film, the second medium density polyethylene film being on the second surface of the center layer.

2. The laminated resin film of claim 1, wherein a thickness of the inner surface layer is from 50 μm to 90 μm; a thickness of the center layer is from 15 μm to 30 μm, and a thickness of the outer surface layer is from 40 μm to 80 μm.

3. The laminated resin film of claim 1, wherein the center layer consists of a single layer nylon film.

4. The laminated resin film of claim 1, wherein the center layer is a laminate of two nylon films.

5. The laminated resin film of claim 1, wherein a thickest film out of the first medium density polyethylene film, the second medium density polyethylene film and the nylon film of the outer surface layer has a thickness twice or less times than a thinnest film out of the first medium density polyethylene film, the second medium density polyethylene film and the nylon film of the outer surface layer.

6. An aseptic pillow packaging bag formed of the laminated resin film of claim 1.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated resin film of the present invention.

(2) FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laminated resin film of the present invention including an intermediate layer.

(3) FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of an aseptic pillow packaging bag of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X′ of FIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

(5) It is to be understood that that embodiments described below are intended to be representative of the present invention. The present invention is not necessarily limited to the representative embodiments.

(6) With reference to the drawings, the present invention is hereinafter described in detail. FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a laminated resin film of the present invention. The laminated resin film of the present invention includes a center layer 2 that has a first surface provided with an outer surface layer 3, and a second surface provided with an inner surface layer 1. Between the inner surface layer 1 and the center layer 2 and/or between the center layer 2 and the outer surface layer 3, a suitable intermediate layer may be laminated. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the laminated resin film of the present invention further including an intermediate layer 4 between the center layer 2 and the outer surface layer 3.

Inner Surface Layer

(7) When forming an aseptic pillow packaging bag using the resin laminated film of the present invention, the inner surface layer 1 is at the inner side of the bag. The inner surface layer is a first multilayer film made of linear low density polyethylene (which may be referred to as L-LDPE multilayer film), formed by laminating two or more linear low density polyethylene films. The linear low density polyethylene film forming the L-LDPE multilayer film is selected from a film made of linear low density polyethylene containing 1-butene as a monomer component and obtained by high pressure polymerization in the presence of a metallocene catalyst (which may be referred to as C4L-LDPE), a film made of linear low density polyethylene containing 1-hexene as a monomer component and obtained by high pressure polymerization in the presence of a metallocene catalyst (which may be referred to as C6L-LDPE), and a film made of linear low density polyethylene containing 1-octene as a monomer component and obtained by high pressure polymerization in the presence of a metallocene catalyst (which may be referred to as C8L-LDPE).

(8) The L-LDPE multilayer film may include two or more layers, but preferably includes three or more layers (e.g., three to five layers).

(9) The L-LDPE multilayer film may be formed by laminating more than one film of one type, or more preferably two or more types in combination, selected from C4L-LDPE, C6L-LDPE, and C8L-LDPE. It is particularly preferable to combine C6L-LDPE and C8L-LDPE. Examples of specific configurations of the L-LDPE multilayer film include C6L-LDPE/C4L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE/C4L-LDPE/C8L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE/C8L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE/C8L-LDPE, and C6L-LDPE/C8L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE. Among these configurations, C6L-LDPE/C8L-LDPE/C6L-LDPE is the most preferable.

(10) The C6L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE, and C4L-LDPE may either be a non-stretched film or stretched film, but preferably is a stretched film (uniaxially stretched film or a biaxially stretched film). Use of a stretched film can also improve impact resistance.

(11) Examples of methods of forming an L-LDPE multilayer film include co-extrusion, lamination, heat sealing, and the like.

(12) The thickness of the L-LDPE multilayer film is selected from the ranges of, for example, 20 μm or more to 160 μm or less, and preferably 50 μm or more to 90 μm or less. The thickness and the ratio of each of C8L-LDPE, C6L-LDPE, and C4L-LDPE are not particularly limited as long as the thickness of the L-LDPE multilayer film falls within the ranges mentioned above. When the L-LDPE multilayer film is formed of C6L-LDPE, C8L-LDPE, and C6L-LDPE, a preferable ratio of the thickness therebetween is approximately 1:2:1.

(13) The density of the L-LDPE multilayer film is preferably 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 or less.

Center Layer

(14) The center layer 2 is at least one nylon-based film. Alternatively, the center layer 2 is a barrier nylon film including a nylon-based film and a barrier layer that is provided with a nylon-based film on one of or both surfaces thereof. The thickness of the center layer 2 is selected from the range of 15 μm or more to 30 μm or less. For example, when the center layer 2 is formed of a nylon-based film, barrier layer, and nylon-based film, the ratio of the thickness therebetween is approximately 1:1:1, but is not limited thereto.

(15) The nylon-based film may be a single layer film, or a multilayer laminated film. The multilayer laminated film may be formed by laminating the same or different types of nylons.

(16) Examples of the nylon-based film may include films made of 6 nylon, 6,6-nylon, or MXD nylon (metaxylene diamine nylon).

(17) Each barrier layer includes at least one layer selected from an MXD nylon film layer, ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer, polyvinylidene chloride layer, and silica layer. Instead of, or in addition to these layers, an alumina deposition layer may be used.

(18) When the MXD nylon film layer or ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer is used as a barrier layer, the barrier layer and the nylon-based film, for example, are bonded to each other by dry lamination to obtain a barrier nylon film.

(19) When the polyvinylidene chloride layer or silica layer is used as a barrier layer, the barrier layer can be formed by depositing the barrier layer to the nylon-based film, for example.

(20) The barrier layer may be configured to include two or three layers by forming the ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer layer on the nylon-based film, followed by depositing polyvinylidene chloride and/or silica.

(21) The barrier layer may be formed by depositing polyvinylidene chloride and/or silica on the nylon-based film, followed by forming an MXD nylon film.

(22) The nylon-based film may be made of an easily adhesive nylon.

(23) Oxygen transmission rate of the barrier nylon film measured by the Mocon method at room temperature (23±5° C.) is 15 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2/day/atm or less, preferably 5 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2/day/atm or less. When the oxygen transmission rate is more than 15 cm.sup.3/m.sup.2/day/atm, goods held in the aseptic packaging bag may be deteriorated, which is not preferable.

Outer Surface Layer

(24) When forming an aseptic pillow packaging bag using the resin laminated film of the present invention, the outer surface layer 3 forms the outer layer of the bag. The outer surface layer is a second multilayer film formed by laminating a medium density polyethylene film 3a onto a low density polyethylene film or medium density polyethylene film 3c with a nylon film 3b interposed therebetween.

(25) The low density polyethylene film 3c is made of low density polyethylene having a density of less than 0.915 g/cm.sup.3.

(26) For the nylon film 3b, any of well-known or common nylon films can be used. Examples of the nylon which can be used for the nylon film 3b include 6-nylon, 6,6-nylon, and MXD nylon.

(27) Each of the medium density polyethylene films 3a and 3c may be formed of a film made of polyethylene having a density of 0.915 g/cm.sup.3 or more and 0.935 g/cm.sup.3 or less, and an additive such as a slip agent, anti-blocking agent or the like may be appropriately added thereto.

(28) The outer surface layer 3 usually has a thickness in the range of 30 μm or more to 80 μm or less, preferably 40 μm or more to 80 μm or less.

(29) The thicknesses of the low density polyethylene film or medium density polyethylene film 3c, nylon film 3b, and medium density polyethylene film 3a can be appropriately selected within the ranges mentioned above. However, among these films, the thickest film is preferably twice or less times the thicker than the thinnest film. For example, the ratio of the thickness of these films may be set to 1:1:1, 2:1:1, 1:1:2, or 1:2:1 in sequence of lamination.

(30) As the intermediate layer 4 described above, a stretched nylon film can preferably be used. By providing the intermediate layer 4 formed of a stretched nylon film between the outer surface layer 3 and the center layer 1, the impact resistance can be improved. The stretched nylon film usually has a thickness in the range of 10 μm or more to 50 μm or less, and preferably 15 μm or more to 30 μm or less. Commercially available examples of the stretched nylon film that can preferably be used as the intermediate layer 4 include “ONMB-RT” manufactured by UNITIKA Ltd., and “NAP-22” and “NAP-42” manufactured by TOYOBO CO., Ltd.

(31) The inner surface layer 1, center layer 2 and outer surface layer 3 may be laminated by, for example, dry lamination using an appropriate adhesive for interlayer bonding. The same applies to the case where the laminated resin film includes the intermediate layer 4. As described above, the outer surface layer 3 is laminated on the center layer 2 such that the low density polyethylene film or medium density polyethylene film 3c is at the center layer 2 side, and the medium density polyethylene film 3a is the outermost layer of the laminated resin film.

Aseptic Pillow Packaging Bag

(32) By using the laminated resin film described above, an aseptic pillow packaging bag suitable for holding a large amount of flowable goods can be produced. FIG. 3 is a top view of an example of the aseptic pillow packaging bag of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view taken along the line X-X′ of FIG. 3.

(33) As shown in FIG. 4, a pillow packaging bag is formed such that the inner surface layer 1 of the laminated resin film of the present invention is at the inner side of the bag, and the outer surface layer 3 is at the outer side of the bag.

(34) The shape and the formation method of the pillow packaging bag can be appropriately selected from well-known or common shapes and methods, and are not particularly limited. The laminated resin film of the present invention includes the first multilayer film made of linear low density polyethylene as the inner surface layer 1. Accordingly, the pillow packaging bag can be formed by overlapping surfaces of the inner surface layer 1 so as to be in contact with each other, followed by heating and pressing for easy and reliable bonding to each other.

EXAMPLES

(35) In the following, the present invention will be described in more detail by way of examples. However, the present invention should not be limited by the description below.

Production of Laminated Resin Film

Example 1

(36) A laminated resin film A was formed by bonding a first multilayer film (80 μm) made of linear low density polyethylene onto a first surface of a nylon film (25 μm), and bonding a second multilayer film (40 μm) onto a second surface of the nylon film. The second multilayer film in this case was formed by laminating a medium density polyethylene film onto another medium density polyethylene film with a nylon film interposed therebetween. The first and second multilayer films were bonded by dry lamination.

Example 2

(37) A laminated resin film B was formed in the same manner as in Example 1 except that a laminate of two nylon films (15 μm each) was used instead of the nylon film (25 μm) used in Example 1.

Comparative Example

(38) A laminated resin film C was formed by the same manner as in Example 1 except that a different second multilayer film (40 μm) was used instead of the second multilayer film (40 μm) used in Example 1. The second multilayer film in this case was formed by laminating a high density polyethylene film on a linear low density polyethylene film with nylon film interposed therebetween. Further, in the second multilayer film, the linear low density polyethylene film was arranged facing the center layer.

Evaluation of Slipperiness

(39) The coefficient of friction between the outer surface layer of each of the laminated resin films A to C and a metal surface was measured. The coefficient of static friction of each of the laminated resin films A and B was 0.30, and that of the laminated resin film C was 0.40. Moreover, the coefficient of kinetic friction of each of the laminated resin films A and B was 0.30, and that of the laminated resin film C was 0.42. From these results, it was found that the coefficient of friction of each of the laminated resin films A and B (Examples 1 and 2) each having a medium density polyethylene film as the outermost layer was smaller than that of the laminated resin film C (Comparative Example) having a high density polyethylene film as the outermost layer. Thus, it was confirmed that the laminated resin films A and B had improved slipperiness compared to that of the laminated resin film C.

Production of Pillow Packaging Bag

(40) Pillow packaging bags using the laminated resin films A to C were produced using a pillow filling and packaging machine capable of producing pillow packaging bags filled with 5 liters of water. In the cases where the laminated resin films A and B were used, generation of vibration or abnormal noise at the sailor-collar-shaped portion was not confirmed. However, in the case where the laminated resin film C was used, abnormal noise caused by vibration generated at the sailor-collar-shaped portion was observed. From these results, it was confirmed that the laminated resin films A and B (Examples 1 and 2) had better filling machine suitability than that of the laminated resin film C (Comparative Example).

Evaluation of Strength

(41) Pillow packaging bags of the laminated resin films A to C were each filled with 5 liters of water and sealed to form bag samples A to C. These samples were subjected to a drop test and a vibration test.

(42) In the drop test, each pillow packaging bag was dropped from a height of 2 m consecutively for 50 times, and was evaluated for whether tear(s) developed. The test was conducted on 10 bag samples. Tears were not observed in any of the bag samples.

(43) Bag samples were packed in cases, and then a vibration test equivalent to freight transportation for 2,000 km was conducted. The vibration test was conducted pursuant to random vibration testing of JIS Z 0230. Two bag samples were packed per case, being overlapped with each other. Vibration test was conducted on 10 cases. Neither tears nor pinholes were observed in any of the bag samples.

(44) From the results of the drop tests and transportation tests, it was confirmed that the pillow packaging bags produced by using the laminated resin films A and B showed no strength deterioration compared to the pillow packaging bags produced by using the laminated resin film C.

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY

(45) According to the present invention, a large amount of flowable goods can be safely and reliably transported and stored.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

(46) 1 . . . Inner surface layer; 2 . . . Center layer; 3 . . . Outer surface layer; 3a . . . Medium density polyethylene film; 3b . . . Nylon-based film or barrier nylon film; 3c . . . Low density polyethylene film or medium density polyethylene film; 4 . . . Intermediate layer.