Sheet-like composite material having dimensionally stable food or beverage product container with fibrous barrier layer and tensile strength ratio

Abstract

The present invention relates to a sheet-like composite comprising: a. A carrier layer, b. A barrier layer comprising a plurality of fibers, and c. A first inner polymer layer; wherein the partial sheet-like composite material is characterized in that the ratio of the tensile strength of the first composite material in the first composite material direction to the tensile strength of the further composite material in the further composite material direction is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9. The invention also relates to a sheet-like composite material having a barrier layer characterized by a ratio of a first tensile strength to a further tensile strength; relates to a method for producing a sheet-like composite material; to sheet-like composites obtainable by these methods; relates to a roll and a blank; relates to a sheet-like composite material, to a container precursor, to a closed container, to a method comprising obtaining a longitudinal seam, to a method for producing a closed container, and to the use of a sheet-like composite material, to a container precursor, to a roll or to a barrier film.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to a sheet-like composite material comprising a layer sequence comprising the following layers on top of each other in the following order from an outer surface of the sheet-like composite material to an inner surface of the sheet-like composite material:

[0002] a. a carrier layer,

[0003] b. a barrier layer comprising a plurality of fibers, and

[0004] c. a first inner polymer layer;

[0005] wherein a part of the sheet-like composite material consists only of layers of the sheet-like composite material arranged on a side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface; wherein the part of the sheet-like composite material

[0006] - has a first composite material direction in a composite material plane of the part of the sheet-like composite material,

[0007] - has a further composite material direction which is also in the composite material plane of the part of the sheet-like composite material, but perpendicular to the first composite material direction,

[0008] - has a first composite material tensile strength in the first composite material direction, and

[0009] - has a further composite material tensile strength in the further composite material direction;

[0010] wherein the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the further composite material tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9. The present invention also refers to a sheet-like composite material having a barrier layer characterized by the ratio of the first tensile strength to the further tensile strength. Further, the present invention refers to a method for producing a sheet-like composite material, to a sheet-like composite material obtainable by these methods, to a roll and a blank of sheet-like composite material, to a container precursor, to a closed container, to a method comprising obtaining a longitudinal seam, to a method for producing a closed container, and to the use of a sheet-like composite material, a container precursor, a roll or a barrier film.

[0011] For a long time, foodstuffs, both for human consumption and animal feed products, have been stored in cans or in jars closed with a lid. In this case, the shelf life can be extended first by sterilizing the foodstuff and the container, here the jar or the can, separately and very thoroughly in each case, then by placing the foodstuff in the container and closing the container. However, these measures for extending the shelf life of the foodstuff have proven to have a series of disadvantages over a long period of time, such as the need for a further sterilization at a later point in time. Since cans and jars are essentially cylindrical in shape, the disadvantage is that the storage is not possible very compact and space-saving. Furthermore, cans and jars have a considerable inherent weight, which leads to an increased energy consumption in transport. Furthermore, the production of glass, tinplate or aluminum, even if the raw materials used for this purpose are recycled, requires a considerable energy consumption. In the case of jars, an additional aggravating factor is the increased transport costs. Jars are usually prefabricated in a glass factory and then have to be transported to the facility where the foodstuff is distributed using a considerable transport volume. Furthermore, both jars and cans can only be opened with considerable effort or with the aid of a tool, so that the opening takes place in a rather laborious manner. In the case of cans, the sharp edges that occur when opening represent a high risk of injury. In the case of jars, broken glass repeatedly gets into the foodstuff during the filling of the jar or the opening of the filled jar, which in the worst case can lead to injuries when consuming the foodstuff. Furthermore, both cans and jars have to be labeled in order to identify and advertise the foodstuff content. However, jars and cans cannot be printed directly with information and promotional messages. Therefore, in addition to the actual printing, a substrate for this purpose, i.e. paper or a suitable film, and a fixing device, adhesive or sealant are also required.

[0012] Other packaging systems are known from the prior art in order to have only minimal damage to food and beverage products during long-term storage. These packaging systems are containers produced from a sheet-like composite material, often also referred to as a laminate. This sheet-like composite material is often composed of a polyolefin outer layer, a carrier layer, which imparts dimensional stability to the container, usually consisting of hardboard or paper, a layer of adhesion promoter, a barrier layer and a polyolefin inner layer, as disclosed, inter alia, in WO 90 / 09926 A2. Since the carrier layer imparts rigidity and dimensional stability to the containers produced from this laminate, these laminate containers can be seen on the development line of the glass and jar mentioned above. In this regard, the laminate containers mentioned above differ greatly from bags and pouches made from thinner foils without a carrier layer. The dimensionally stable laminate containers already have a number of advantages compared to conventional jars and cans. However, there is also room for improvement in these packaging systems.

[0013] For example, aluminum foil has been used as a barrier layer for decades. This is driven by the excellent barrier properties of aluminum foil, even a few microns thick, particularly against oxygen. However, aluminum is a relatively energy- and resource-intensive material to produce. Furthermore, aluminum foil also makes recycling the laminate after use in existing containers relatively energy-intensive. Recently, these drawbacks have become increasingly relevant. Consequently, various polymers have been tested for their performance as barrier layers. However, none of these polymers has proven suitable for replacing aluminum foil in mainstream standard products. This is due, for example, to the fact that the barrier properties of these polymer layers are inferior to those of aluminum foil, particularly because these properties are further affected by the mechanical processing and humidity of the laminate. Recently, prefabricated barrier films comprising a polymer substrate coated with a thin layer of a barrier material, such as aluminum or aluminum oxide, have gained interest. Such barrier films generally offer good barrier properties and use materials that are more environmentally friendly than aluminum foil. PET foil is commonly used as the substrate for coating, for example, by physical or chemical vapor deposition. As mentioned above, the outer and inner layers of packaging laminates for dimensionally stable food or beverage product containers are often made of polyolefins. This can lead to problems if PET foil is used as part of a barrier layer. It has been shown that the combination of polyolefins and PET is disadvantageous in terms of recycling. Recycled products with a combination of PET and polyolefins cannot be used for extrusion coating without further preparation due to insufficient processing properties. Therefore, these recycled products must be separated into a PET fraction and a polyolefin fraction. This is a rather energy-intensive thermal process and is therefore disadvantageous in terms of eco-friendliness. Even if polyolefin substrates can be used for barrier coatings, neither the polymer substrate nor the coating material is obtained from renewable material sources. In this respect, even laminates with such barrier layers are not very sustainable. In addition, the production of coated films by physical or chemical vapor deposition is technically quite complex.

[0014] So-called barrier papers have long been known in the art but have been displaced from commercial products by the barrier layers discussed above due to their superior barrier properties. Recently, another paper-like material—microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)—has become available. This type of paper-like material can not only be made from renewable resources but is even biodegradable, thus surpassing all the aforementioned barrier types in terms of eco-friendliness. Consequently, paper-like barrier layers can significantly improve the sustainability of packaging laminates. Currently, producing long-shelf-life containers from laminates with paper-like barrier layers using standard methods in the art—the so-called sleeve process, which uses preforms for each container, and the so-called tube process, also known as the roll-fed process and the FFS process (form, fill, and seal)—remains a challenge.

[0015] Generally speaking, one object of the present invention is to at least partially overcome the disadvantages caused by the prior art.

[0016] It is another object of the present invention to provide a packaging laminate which is more flexible in its applicability to produce ecologically friendly and dimensionally stable food or beverage product containers with a long shelf life by standard methods for producing dimensionally stable food or beverage product containers.

[0017] It is another object of the present invention to provide a packaging laminate which is more flexible in its applicability to produce ecologically friendly and dimensionally stable food or beverage product containers with a long shelf life by sleeve and tube methods.

[0018] Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a packaging laminate for producing dimensionally stable food or beverage product containers with a shelf life as long as possible, wherein the barrier layer of the packaging laminate is made as much as possible from renewable materials.

[0019] It is another object of the present invention to provide a dimensionally stable food or beverage product container made from a packaging laminate, wherein the container is mechanically more stable.

[0020] It is another object of the present invention to provide a dimensionally stable food or beverage product container made from a packaging laminate, wherein the container shows good compression stability in the longitudinal direction and in the transverse direction.

[0021] Any embodiment of the present invention contributes towards at least partially achieving at least one, preferably more than one, of the above mentioned objects.

[0022] A first embodiment of the present invention is a sheet-like composite material comprising a layer sequence comprising the following layers on top of each other in the following order from an outer surface of the sheet-like composite material to an inner surface of the sheet-like composite material:

[0023] a. a carrier layer,

[0024] b. a barrier layer comprising a plurality of fibers, and

[0025] c. a first inner polymeric layer;

[0026] wherein a part of the sheet-like composite material consists only of layers of the sheet-like composite material which are arranged on a side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface; wherein the part of the sheet-like composite material

[0027] has a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of the part of the sheet-like composite material,

[0028] has another composite material direction which is also in the composite material plane of the part of the sheet-like composite material, but perpendicular to the first composite material direction,

[0029] - having a first composite tensile strength in the first composite direction, and

[0030] - having another composite material tensile strength in the another composite material direction;

[0031] wherein the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9, preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.8, more preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.7, more preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1.0 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.9, preferably 0.7 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.7, more preferably 0.9 to 1.6, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5, more preferably 1.1 to 1.4, more preferably greater than 1.2 to 1.4, even more preferably 1.2 to less than 1.4.

[0032] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer

[0033] - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and

[0034] - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer;

[0035] Wherein the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7, preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to less than 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.7, more preferably 0.7 to 1.7, more preferably 0.8 to 1.6, more preferably 0.9 to 1.5, more preferably 1.0 to less than 1.4, even more preferably 1.1 to 1.3. This preferred embodiment is the second embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0036] A third embodiment of the present invention is a sheet-like composite material comprising a layer sequence comprising the following layers superimposed on one another in the following order from the outer surface of the sheet-like composite material to the inner surface of the sheet-like composite material:

[0037] a. Carrier layer,

[0038] b. Barrier layer, and

[0039] c. a first inner polymer layer;

[0040] The barrier layer

[0041] - contains multiple fibers,

[0042] - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and

[0043] - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer;

[0044] wherein the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7, preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to less than 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.7, more preferably 0.7 to 1.7, more preferably 0.8 to 1.6, more preferably 0.9 to 1.5, more preferably 1.0 to less than 1.4, even more preferably 1.1 to 1.3.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the partial sheet-like composite material consists only of layers of sheet-like composite material, which are arranged on the side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface; wherein the partial sheet-like composite material

[0046] - having a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of the portion of the sheet-like composite material,

[0047] - having another composite material direction which is also in the composite material plane of the partial sheet-like composite material but perpendicular to the first composite material direction,

[0048] - having a first composite tensile strength in the first composite direction, and

[0049] - having another composite material tensile strength in the another composite material direction;

[0050] wherein the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9, preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.8, more preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.7, more preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1.0 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.9, preferably 0.7 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.7, more preferably 0.9 to 1.6, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5, more preferably 1.1 to 1.4, more preferably greater than 1.2 to 1.4, even more preferably 1.2 to less than 1.4. This preferred embodiment is the fourth embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0051] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first composite tensile strength or the further composite tensile strength or each of the two is at least 0.5 kN / m, preferably at least 0.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 0.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 0.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 0.9 kN / m, more preferably 1.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 1.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.2 kN / m, 9 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 2.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.7 kN / m More preferably, at least 3.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 3.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 4.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.4 kN / m m, more preferably at least 5.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 5.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 6.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 7.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.7 kN / m Preferably at least 8.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.7 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 8.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.1 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.2 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.3 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.4 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.6 kN / m, more preferably at least 9. 7 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.8 kN / m, more preferably at least 9.9 kN / m, more preferably at least 10.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 10.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 11.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 11.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 12.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 12.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 13.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 13.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 14.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 14.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 15.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 15.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 16.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 16.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 17.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 17.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 18.0 kN / m, more preferably at least 18.5 kN / m, more preferably at least 19.0 kN / m, even more preferably at least 19.5 kN / m, most preferably at least 12.0 kN / m. This preferred embodiment is the fifth embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the first, second and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

[0052] Preferably, the first composite material tensile strength or the other composite material tensile strength or each of the two does not exceed 100 kN / m, preferably does not exceed 90 kN / m, more preferably does not exceed 80 kN / m, more preferably does not exceed 70 kN / m, even more preferably does not exceed 60 kN / m, and most preferably does not exceed 50 kN / m. Of the preferred values ​​above, each value is preferred for the first composite material tensile strength and is independent of the value of the first composite material tensile strength; each value is preferred for the other composite material tensile strength, either alone or in combination with any preferred value for the first composite material tensile strength.

[0053] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite, each of the first tensile strength or the further tensile strength or both is at least 10 MPa, preferably at least 11 MPa, more preferably at least 12 MPa, more preferably at least 13 MPa, more preferably at least 14 MPa, more preferably at least 15 MPa, more preferably at least 16 MPa, more preferably at least 17 MPa, more preferably at least 18 MPa, more preferably at least 19 MPa, more preferably at least 20 MPa, more preferably at least 21 MPa, more preferably at least 22 MPa, more preferably at least 23 MPa, more preferably at least 24 MPa, more preferably at least 25 MPa, more preferably at least 26 MPa, preferably at least 27 MPa, more preferably at least 28 MPa, more preferably at least 29 MPa, more preferably at least 30 MPa, more preferably at least 31 MPa, more preferably at least 32 MPa, more preferably at least 33 MPa, more preferably at least 34 MPa, more preferably at least 35 MPa, more preferably at least 36 MPa, more preferably at least 37 MPa, more preferably at least 38 MPa, more preferably at least 39 MPa, more preferably at least 40 MPa, more preferably at least 41 MPa, more preferably at least 42 MPa, more preferably at least 43 MPa, more preferably at least 44 MPa, more preferably at least 45 MPa, more preferably at least 46 MPa, more preferably at least 47 MPa, more preferably at least 48 MPa, even more preferably at least 49 MPa, most preferably at least 50 MPa. This preferred embodiment is a 6thembodiment of the present application, which preferably relies on any of the 2ndto 5thembodiments of the present application.

[0054] Preferably, each of the first tensile strength or the further tensile strength or both is not more than 100 MPa, preferably not more than 90 MPa, more preferably not more than 80 MPa, even more preferably not more than 70 MPa, most preferably not more than 60 MPa. In the above preferred values, each value is preferred for the first tensile strength and is independent of the value of the first tensile strength; each value is preferred for the further tensile strength, either alone or in combination with any of the preferred values for the first tensile strength.

[0055] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, a portion of the sheet-like composite material has a first composite tensile stiffness in a first composite direction and another composite tensile stiffness in another composite direction, wherein the ratio of the first composite tensile stiffness to the other composite tensile stiffness is in the range of 0.5 to less than 1.75, preferably 0.6 to 1.70, more preferably 0.7 to 1.70, more preferably 0.8 to 1.70, more preferably 0.90 to 1.70, more preferably 1.00 to 1.70, more preferably 1.10 to 1.70, more preferably 1.20 to 1.65, more preferably 1.25 to 1.60, more preferably 1.30 to 1.55, even more preferably 1.35 to 1.50. This preferred embodiment is the seventh embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the first, second, and fourth to sixth embodiments of the present invention.

[0056] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has a first Young's modulus in a first barrier layer direction and another Young's modulus in another barrier layer direction, wherein the ratio of the first Young's modulus to the other Young's modulus is in the range of 0.5 to 2.0, preferably 0.6 to 2.0, more preferably 0.6 to 1.9, more preferably 0.7 to 1.9, more preferably greater than 0.7 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.7, even more preferably 0.9 to 1.6, most preferably 1.0 to 1.5. This preferred embodiment is the eighth embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the second to seventh embodiments of the present invention.

[0057] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, a portion of the sheet-like composite material has a first composite tensile stiffness in a first composite direction and another composite tensile stiffness in another composite direction, wherein

[0058] a) the first composite material has a tensile stiffness of 20 kN / m to 600 kN / m, preferably 20 kN / m to 590 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 580 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 570 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 560 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 550 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 540 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 530 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 520 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 510 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 500 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 490 kN / m, More preferably 20 kN / m to 480 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 470 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 460 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 450 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 440 kN / m, more preferably 30 kN / m to 430 kN / m, more preferably 40 kN / m to 420 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 410 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 400 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 390 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 380 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 370 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 390 kN / m kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 360 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 350 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 340 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 330 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 320 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 310 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 300 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 290 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 280 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 270 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 260 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 250 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 240 kN / m , more preferably in the range of 50 kN / m to 230 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 220 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 210 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 200 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 190 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 180 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 170 kN / m, more preferably 60 kN / m to 160 kN / m, more preferably 70 kN / m to 150 kN / m, more preferably 80 kN / m to 140 kN / m, even more preferably 90 kN / m to 130 kN / m, most preferably 100 kN / m to 120 kN / m; or

[0059] b) the other composite material has a tensile stiffness in the range of 10 kN / m to 500 kN / m, preferably 10 kN / m to 490 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 480 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 470 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 460 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 450 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 440 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 430 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 420 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 410 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 400 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 390 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 380 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 370 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 360 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 350 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 340 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 330 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 320 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 310 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 300 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 290 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 280 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 270 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 260 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 250 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 240 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 230 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 220 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 210 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 200 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 190 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 180 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 170 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 160 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 150 kN / m, more preferably 10 kN / m to 140 kN / m, more preferably 20 kN / m to 130 kN / m, more preferably 30 kN / m to 120 kN / m, more preferably 40 kN / m to 110 kN / m, more preferably 50 kN / m to 100 kN / m, even more preferably 60 kN / m to 90 kN / m, most preferably 70 kN / m to 80 kN / m; or

[0060] c) each of a) and b).

[0061] This preferred embodiment is the 9thembodiment of the application, which preferably relies on any one of the 1st, 2ndand 4thto 8thembodiments of the application.

[0062] In the above alternative c), each preferred value of alternative a) is preferably combined with each preferred value of alternative b).

[0063] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has a first Young's modulus in a first barrier layer direction and another Young's modulus in another barrier layer direction, wherein

[0064] a: a first Young's modulus is in the range of 3,000 MPa to 6,000 MPa, preferably 3,200 MPa to 5,800 MPa, more preferably 3,400 MPa to 5,600 MPa, more preferably 3,500 MPa to 5,500 MPa, more preferably 3,600 MPa to 5,400 MPa, more preferably 3,700 MPa to 5,300 MPa, more preferably 3,800 MPa to 5,200 MPa, even more preferably 3,900 MPa to 5,100 MPa, most preferably 4,000 MPa to 5,000 MPa; or

[0065] b: another Young's modulus in the range of 2,000 MPa to 5,000 MPa, preferably 2,100 MPa to 4,900 MPa, more preferably 2,200 MPa to 4,800 MPa, more preferably 2,300 MPa to 4,700 MPa, more preferably 2,400 MPa to 4,600 MPa, more preferably 2,500 MPa to 4,500 MPa, more preferably 2,600 MPa to 4,400 MPa, more preferably 2,700 MPa to 4,300 MPa, more preferably 2,800 MPa to 4,200 MPa, more preferably 2,900 MPa to 4,100 MPa, more preferably 3,000 MPa to 4,000 MPa; or

[0066] c: Each of a: and b:.

[0067] This preferred embodiment is the 10th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 2nd to 9th embodiments of the present invention.

[0068] In the above alternative c:, each preferred value of alternative a: is preferably combined with each preferred value of alternative b:.

[0069] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has

[0070] a] In the range of 10µm to 50µm,

[0071] Preferably a layer thickness in the range of 10µm to 45µm, more preferably 15µm to 45µm, more preferably 15µm to 40µm, most preferably 20µm to 40µm; or

[0072] b] at 10g / m 2 Up to 60g / m 2 、

[0073] Preferably 10g / m 2 Up to 55g / m 2 , more preferably 10g / m 2 Up to 50g / m 2 , more preferably 15g / m 2 Up to 50g / m 2 , more preferably 15g / m 2 Up to 45g / m 2 , even more preferably 20 g / m 2 Up to 45g / m 2 , most preferably 20g / m 2 Up to 40g / m 2 Basis weight within the range; or

[0074] c] Each of a] and b].

[0075] This preferred embodiment is the 11th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0076] In the above alternative c], each preferred value of alternative a] is preferably combined with each preferred value of alternative b].

[0077] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer provides a barrier to the permeation of one substance selected from the group consisting of oxygen, liquid water, water vapor, and aromatic substances, or provides a barrier to the permeation of a combination of at least two of these substances. This preferred embodiment is the 12th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, part of the sheet-like composite material has

[0079] a> not more than 10.0cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), preferably no more than 9.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 9.0cm 3 / (m 2 days), more preferably no more than 8.5 cm 3 / (m 2 days), more preferably no more than 8.0 cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 7.5 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 7.0cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 6.5 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 6.0cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 5.5 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 5.0cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 4.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 4.0cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 3.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 3.0cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 2.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 2.0cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 1.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), even more preferably no more than 1.0 cm 3 / (m 2 ·days), most preferably no more than 0.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day) oxygen transmission rate; or

[0080] b>Not more than 1.5g / (m 2 ·day), preferably not more than 1.4g / (m 2 ·day), more preferably not more than 1.3g / (m 2 day), more preferably not more than 1.2g / (m 2 ·day), more preferably not more than 1.1g / (m 2 ·day), more preferably not more than 1.0g / (m 2day), more preferably not more than 0.9g / (m 2 day), more preferably not more than 0.8g / (m 2 ·day), more preferably not more than 0.7g / (m 2 day), more preferably not more than 0.6g / (m 2 ·day), more preferably not more than 0.5g / (m 2 day), more preferably not more than 0.4g / (m 2 day), more preferably not more than 0.2g / (m 2 ·day), even more preferably not more than 0.2g / (m 2 ·day), most preferably not more than 0.1g / (m 2 ·days) water vapor transmission rate; or

[0081] c>each of a> and b>.

[0082] This preferred embodiment is the 13th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 1st, 2nd and 4th to 12th embodiments of the present invention.

[0083] In the above alternative c>, each preferred value of alternative a> is preferably combined with each preferred value of alternative b>.

[0084] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has

[0085] a) not exceeding 10.0 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), preferably no more than 9.5cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 9.0cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 8.5 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 8.0cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 7.5 cm 3 / (m 2 ·day), more preferably no more than 7.0cm 3 / (m 2 · days), more preferably no more than 6.5 cm 3 / (m 2 days), more preferably no more than 6.0 cm 3 / (m 2• an oxygen transmission rate of not more than 5.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 5.0 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 4.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 4.0 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 3.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 3.0 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 2.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 2.0 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 1.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), even more preferably not more than 1.0 cm 3 / (m 2 • day), most preferably not more than 0.5 cm 3 / (m 2 • day); or

[0086] b) not more than 1.5 g / (m 2 • day), preferably not more than 1.4 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 1.3 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 1.2 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 1.1 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 1.0 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.9 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.8 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.7 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.6 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.5 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.4 g / (m 2 • day), more preferably not more than 0.2 g / (m 2 • day), even more preferably not more than 0.2 g / (m2 ·day), most preferably not more than 0.1g / (m 2 ·days) water vapor transmission rate; or

[0087] c} Each of a} and b}.

[0088] This preferred embodiment is the 14th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0089] In the above alternative c}, each preferred value of alternative a} is preferably combined with each preferred value of alternative b}.

[0090] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer contains less than 50% by weight, preferably less than 40% by weight, more preferably less than 30% by weight, more preferably less than 20% by weight, more preferably less than 10% by weight, more preferably less than 5% by weight, more preferably less than 3% by weight, and even more preferably less than 1% by weight of one option selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum oxide, and silicon oxide, or each combination of at least two thereof, preferably one option selected from the group consisting of the sum of all metals, the sum of all metal oxides, and the sum of all semi-metal oxides, or each combination of at least two thereof, in each case based on the total weight of the barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the 15th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0091] Most preferably, the barrier layer does not contain an option selected from the group consisting of aluminum, aluminum oxide and silicon oxide, or does not contain each combination of at least two options therefrom, preferably does not contain an option selected from the group consisting of metals, metal oxides and semi-metal oxides, or does not contain each combination of at least two options therefrom.

[0092] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer comprises less than 90% by weight, preferably less than 80% by weight, more preferably less than 70% by weight, more preferably less than 60% by weight, more preferably less than 50% by weight, more preferably less than 40% by weight, more preferably less than 30% by weight, more preferably less than 20% by weight, even more preferably less than 10% by weight, most preferably less than 5% by weight of any single polyolefin or any single polycondensate or both, preferably the sum of all polyolefins or the sum of all polycondensates or both, in each case based on the total weight of the barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the 16th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0093] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has a water content in the range of 3.0% to 10.0% by weight, preferably 3.5% to 9.5% by weight, more preferably 4.0% to 9.0% by weight, more preferably 4.5% to 9.0% by weight, more preferably 5.0% to 9.0% by weight, more preferably 5.5% to 8.5% by weight, even more preferably 6.0% to 8.0% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the 17th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0094] If the plurality of fibers are MFC, the moisture content of the barrier layer tends to fall below the aforementioned range. This dry barrier layer exhibits an increased risk of cracking when the sheet composite is folded. This risk is reduced if measures are taken to maintain the moisture content of the barrier layer within the aforementioned range. Thus, a barrier layer moisture content within the aforementioned range allows for more reliable production of containers with a long shelf life from the sheet composite.

[0095] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer comprises a plurality of fibers in a proportion ranging from 50% to 100% by weight, preferably from 50% to less than 100% by weight, more preferably from 60% to 95% by weight, more preferably from 70% to 90% by weight, in each case based on the weight of the total solids content of the barrier layer. This preferred embodiment is the 18th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0096] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the fibers in the plurality of fibers have

[0097] a / an average length in the range of 0.5 µm to 100 µm, preferably 0.6 µm to 90 µm, more preferably 0.7 µm to 80 µm, more preferably 0.8 µm to 70 µm, even more preferably 0.9 µm to 60 µm, most preferably 1.0 µm to 50 µm; or

[0098] b / an average diameter of less than 1 μm, preferably less than 900 nm, more preferably less than 800 nm, more preferably less than 700 nm, more preferably less than 600 nm, more preferably less than 500 nm, more preferably less than 400 nm, more preferably less than 300 nm, even more preferably less than 200 nm, most preferably less than 100 nm; or

[0099] c / an average aspect ratio of at least 10, preferably at least 50, more preferably at least 100, most preferably at least 150; or

[0100] A combination of at least two of d / a / to c / , preferably a combination of all of these.

[0101] This preferred embodiment is the 19th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0102] In the above alternative d / , each preferred value of alternatives a / , b / and c / is preferably combined with each preferred value of the corresponding other alternatives.The average aspect ratio of the fibers means the ratio of the average length of the fibers to the average diameter of the fibers.

[0103] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the barrier layer has a BET value at 1 m 2 / g to 300m 2 / g, preferably 1m 2 / g to 200m 2 / g, more preferably 50m 2 / g to 200m 2 This preferred embodiment is the 20th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0104] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the fibers of the plurality of fibers are plant fibers.This preferred embodiment is the 21st embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0105] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the fibers in the plurality of fibers are one type of fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulose fibers, lignocellulose fibers, and hemicellulose fibers, or a combination of at least two thereof. This preferred embodiment is the 22nd embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0106] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the plurality of fibers form a three-dimensional network or a two-dimensional network. This preferred embodiment is the 23rd embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0107] A three-dimensional fiber network means that the fibers in the plurality of fibers form a three-dimensional skeleton structure of interconnected fibers with cavities between the fibers. A two-dimensional fiber network means that the fibers in the plurality of fibers form a sheet-like network structure of interconnected fibers with cavities between the fibers.

[0108] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the plurality of fibers are microfibrillated cellulose.This preferred embodiment is the 24th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0109] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first inner polymer layer comprises at least one (preferably thermoplastic) polymer in a proportion of at least 70 wt. %, preferably at least 80 wt. %, more preferably at least 90 wt. %, more preferably at least 95 wt. %, more preferably at least 97 wt. %, more preferably at least 98 wt. %, even more preferably at least 99 wt. %, most preferably 100 wt. %, in each case based on the total weight of the first inner polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is the 25th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0110] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the at least one polymer is at least one polyolefin. This preferred embodiment is the 26th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 25th embodiment of the present invention.

[0111] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the at least one polyolefin is polyethylene or polypropylene or a mixture of the two. This preferred embodiment is the 27th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 26th embodiment of the present invention.

[0112] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the polyethylene is LDPE. This preferred embodiment is the 28th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 27th embodiment of the present invention.

[0113] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first inner polymer layer comprises a blend of a first (preferably thermoplastic) polymer and another (preferably thermoplastic) polymer. This preferred embodiment is the 29th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 1st to 24th embodiments of the present invention.

[0114] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first inner polymer layer comprises the blend in a proportion of at least 70 wt. %, preferably at least 80 wt. %, more preferably at least 90 wt. %, more preferably at least 95 wt. %, more preferably at least 97 wt. %, more preferably at least 98 wt. %, even more preferably at least 99 wt. %, most preferably 100 wt. %, in each case based on the total weight of the first inner polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is the 30th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 29th embodiment of the present invention.

[0115] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first polymer is a first polyolefin, or the other polymer is another polyolefin, or both. This preferred embodiment is the 31st embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 29th or 30th embodiment of the present invention.

[0116] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first polyolefin is a first polyethylene, or the other polyolefin is another polyethylene, or both. This preferred embodiment is the 32nd embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 31st embodiment of the present invention.

[0117] Preferably, the first polyethylene is different from the further polyethylene.

[0118] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first polyethylene is LDPE, or the other polyethylene is mPE, or both. This preferred embodiment is the 33rd embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 32nd embodiment of the present invention.

[0119] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first inner polymer layer comprises

[0120] - a first polymer in a proportion within the range from 10% to 50% by weight, preferably from 15% to 45% by weight, more preferably from 20% to 40% by weight, most preferably from 25% to 35% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the blend; or

[0121] - another polymer in a proportion within the range from 50% to 90% by weight, preferably from 55% to 85% by weight, more preferably from 60% to 80% by weight, most preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the blend; or

[0122] -Both of these.

[0123] This preferred embodiment is the 34th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 29th to 33rd embodiments of the present invention.

[0124] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the first inner polymer layer comprises

[0125] - a first polymer in a proportion within the range from 50% to 90% by weight, preferably from 55% to 85% by weight, more preferably from 60% to 80% by weight, most preferably from 65% to 75% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the blend; or

[0126] - a further polymer in a proportion within the range from 10% to 50% by weight, preferably from 15% to 45% by weight, more preferably from 20% to 40% by weight, most preferably from 25% to 35% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the blend; or

[0127] -Both of these.

[0128] This preferred embodiment is the 35th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 29th to 33rd embodiments of the present invention.

[0129] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the layer sequence comprises a further inner polymer layer between the barrier layer and the first inner polymer layer.This preferred embodiment is the 36th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0130] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the further inner polymer layer comprises at least one (preferably thermoplastic) polymer in a proportion of at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 97% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, even more preferably at least 99% by weight, most preferably 100% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the further inner polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is the 37th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 36th embodiment of the present invention.

[0131] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, at least one polymer in the further inner polymer layer is at least one polyolefin. This preferred embodiment is the 38th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 37th embodiment of the present invention.

[0132] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the at least one polyolefin in the other inner polymer layer is polyethylene or polypropylene or a mixture of the two. This preferred embodiment is the 39th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 38th embodiment of the present invention.

[0133] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the polyethylene in the further inner polymer layer is LDPE. This preferred embodiment is the 40th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 39th embodiment of the present invention.

[0134] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the layer sequence comprises a first adhesion promoter layer between the carrier layer and the barrier layer, or a further adhesion promoter layer between the barrier layer and the first inner polymer layer, preferably a further adhesion promoter layer between the barrier layer and the further inner polymer layer, or a first adhesion promoter layer and a further adhesion promoter layer. This preferred embodiment is the 41st embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0135] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the layer sequence comprises an outer polymer layer superimposed on the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface. This preferred embodiment is the 42nd embodiment of the invention, which preferably depends on any of the previous embodiments of the invention.

[0136] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the outer polymer layer comprises at least one (preferably thermoplastic) polymer in a proportion of at least 70% by weight, preferably at least 80% by weight, more preferably at least 90% by weight, more preferably at least 95% by weight, more preferably at least 97% by weight, more preferably at least 98% by weight, even more preferably at least 99% by weight, most preferably 100% by weight, in each case based on the total weight of the outer polymer layer. This preferred embodiment is the 43rd embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 42nd embodiment of the present invention.

[0137] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the at least one polymer in the outer polymer layer is at least one polyolefin. This preferred embodiment is the 44th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 43rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0138] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the at least one polyolefin in the outer polymer layer is polyethylene or polypropylene or a mixture of the two. This preferred embodiment is the 45th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 44th embodiment of the present invention.

[0139] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the polyethylene in the outer polymer layer is LDPE or HDPE or a mixture of the two. This preferred embodiment is the 46th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 45th embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the sheet-like composite material comprises a color application superimposed on the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface. This preferred embodiment is the 47th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0141] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the carrier layer comprises, preferably consists of, a material selected from the group consisting of cardboard, paperboard, and paper, or comprises, preferably consists of, a combination of at least two of these materials. This preferred embodiment is the 48th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0142] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, the sheet-like composite material comprises a plurality of groups of indentations in the carrier layer, wherein for each of these groups of indentations, a (preferably closed) container can be obtained from a region of the sheet-like composite material by folding the region along the indentations in the group of indentations and joining the surface areas of the region to one another. This preferred embodiment is the 49th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any of the preceding embodiments of the present invention.

[0143] In a preferred embodiment of the sheet-like composite material, at least one, preferably each, arrangement of the plurality of creasing line groups comprises at least one transverse creasing line, the at least one transverse creasing line extending perpendicularly to the height direction of the container, from which a container can be obtained by folding a region of the sheet-like composite material along the creasing lines of the respective creasing line group and joining surface areas of the region to one another;

[0144] The at least one transverse indentation line is at an angle within the following range:

[0145] -80° to 100°, preferably 85° to 95°, more preferably 87° to 93°, or

[0146] --10° to +10°, preferably -5° to +5°, more preferably -3° to +3°

[0147] Extending to the length of the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 50th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 49th embodiment of the present invention.

[0148] The fifty-first embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a sheet-like composite material (100), the method (300) comprising the following method steps:

[0149] A. Provide

[0150] a sheet-like composite material precursor comprising a carrier layer, and

[0151] - a barrier layer comprising a plurality of fibers;

[0152] B. laminating a barrier layer to the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer that faces the inner surface of the sheet-like composite, and then superimposing a first inner polymeric layer to the barrier layer on the side of the barrier layer that faces the inner surface of the sheet-like composite;

[0153] wherein the partial sheet-like composite material consists only of layers of the sheet-like composite material, which layers are arranged on the side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface; wherein the partial sheet-like composite material

[0154] - having a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of the portion of the sheet-like composite material,

[0155] - having another composite material direction which is also in the composite material plane of the partial sheet-like composite material but perpendicular to the first composite material direction,

[0156] - having a first composite tensile strength in the first composite direction, and

[0157] - having another composite material tensile strength in the another composite material direction;

[0158] wherein the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9, preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.8, more preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.7, more preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1.0 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.9, preferably 0.7 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.7, more preferably 0.9 to 1.6, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5, more preferably 1.1 to 1.4, more preferably greater than 1.2 to 1.4, even more preferably 1.2 to less than 1.4. Preferably, laminating the barrier layer to the carrier layer is performed before laminating the first inner polymeric layer to the barrier layer. The sheet-like composite material is preferably a sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The carrier layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the carrier layer is a carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The barrier layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the barrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the barrier layer is a barrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The first inner polymer layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the first inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the first inner polymer layer is the first inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0159] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in step A. of the method, the barrier layer has a first tensile strength in a first barrier layer direction and another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the first barrier layer direction; wherein the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7, preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to less than 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.7, more preferably 0.7 to 1.7, more preferably 0.8 to 1.6, more preferably 0.9 to 1.5, more preferably 1.0 to less than 1.4, even more preferably 1.1 to 1.3. This preferred embodiment is the 52nd embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 51st embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] The fifty-third embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a sheet-like composite material, the method (300) comprising the following method steps:

[0161] A. Provide

[0162] a sheet-like composite material precursor comprising a carrier layer, and

[0163] - barrier layer;

[0164] B. laminating a barrier layer to the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer that faces the inner surface of the sheet-like composite, and then superimposing a first inner polymeric layer to the barrier layer on the side of the barrier layer that faces the inner surface of the sheet-like composite;

[0165] wherein in method step A., the barrier layer

[0166] - contains multiple fibers,

[0167] - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and

[0168] - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer;

[0169] wherein the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7, preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to less than 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.7, more preferably 0.7 to 1.7, more preferably 0.8 to 1.6, more preferably 0.9 to 1.5, more preferably 1.0 to less than 1.4, even more preferably 1.1 to 1.3. Preferably, lamination of the barrier layer to the carrier layer is performed before lamination of the first inner polymer layer to the barrier layer. The sheet-like composite material is preferably a sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The carrier layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the carrier layer is a carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the barrier layer has one or more characteristics of the barrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the barrier layer is a barrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the first inner polymer layer has one or more characteristics of the first inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the first inner polymer layer is the first inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0170] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the partial sheet-like composite material consists only of layers of sheet-like composite material, which are arranged on the side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface; wherein the partial sheet-like composite material

[0171] - having a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of the portion of the sheet-like composite material,

[0172] - having another composite material direction which is also in the composite material plane of the partial sheet-like composite material but perpendicular to the first composite material direction,

[0173] - having a first composite tensile strength in the first composite direction, and

[0174] - having another composite material tensile strength in the another composite material direction;

[0175] wherein the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.9, preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.8, more preferably greater than 0.5 to 1.7, more preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, more preferably 1.0 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.9, preferably 0.7 to 1.8, more preferably 0.8 to 1.7, more preferably 0.9 to 1.6, more preferably 1.0 to 1.5, more preferably 1.1 to 1.4, more preferably greater than 1.2 to 1.4, even more preferably 1.2 to less than 1.4. This preferred embodiment is the 54th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 53rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0176] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step A. further comprises providing a first inner polymer layer composition, wherein method step B. comprises melt-extruding the first inner polymer layer composition. This preferred embodiment is the 55th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 54th embodiments of the present invention.

[0177] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step A. further comprises providing a first adhesion promoter composition, wherein in method step B., the barrier layer is laminated to the carrier layer using the first adhesion promoter composition as a laminating agent, thereby obtaining a first adhesion promoter layer from the first adhesion promoter composition. This preferred embodiment is the 56th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 55th embodiments of the present invention.

[0178] The first adhesion promoter layer preferably has one or more features of the first adhesion promoter layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the first adhesion promoter layer is the first adhesion promoter layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0179] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step B., a further inner polymer layer is superimposed on the barrier layer on the side of the barrier layer facing the inner surface in the sheet-like composite material, and then the first inner polymer layer is superimposed on the other inner polymer layer on the side of the other inner polymer layer facing the inner surface in the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 57th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 56th embodiments of the present invention.

[0180] The further inner polymer layer preferably has one or more features of the further inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the further inner polymer layer is a further inner polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0181] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step A. further comprises providing another inner polymer layer composition, wherein laminating the other inner polymer layer to the barrier layer comprises melt extruding the other inner polymer layer composition. This preferred embodiment is the 58th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 57th embodiment of the present invention.

[0182] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step B. comprises coextruding at least the first inner polymer layer composition and the further inner polymer layer composition. This preferred embodiment is the 59th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 58th embodiment of the present invention.

[0183] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step B., a further adhesion promoter layer is superimposed on the barrier layer on the side of the barrier layer facing the inner surface in the sheet-like composite material, and then the first inner polymer layer is superimposed on the further adhesion promoter layer on the side of the further adhesion promoter layer facing the inner surface in the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 60th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 59th embodiments of the present invention.

[0184] Preferably, the further inner polymer layer is also superimposed on the further adhesion promoter layer on the side of the further adhesion promoter layer that faces the inner surface in the sheet-like composite material. The further adhesion promoter layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the further adhesion promoter layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the composite material. Preferably, the further adhesion promoter layer is the further adhesion promoter layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the composite material.

[0185] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step A. further comprises providing another adhesion promoter composition, wherein superimposing the another adhesion promoter layer onto the barrier layer comprises melt extruding the another adhesion promoter composition. This preferred embodiment is the 61st embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 60th embodiment of the present invention.

[0186] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step C. comprises at least coextruding another adhesion promoter composition, a first inner polymer layer composition and another inner polymer layer composition. This preferred embodiment is the 62nd embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 61st embodiment of the present invention.

[0187] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method further comprises superposing an outer polymer layer onto the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface of the sheet-like composite material in the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 63rd embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 62nd embodiments of the present invention.

[0188] The outer polymer layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the outer polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the outer polymer layer is the outer polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The outer surface of the sheet-like composite material is opposite the inner surface. Lamination of the outer polymer layer to the carrier layer is preferably performed before method step B.

[0189] In a preferred embodiment of the method, method step A. further comprises providing an outer polymer layer composition, wherein superimposing the outer polymer layer onto the carrier layer comprises melt extruding the outer polymer layer composition. This preferred embodiment is the 64th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 63rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0190] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method includes the additional step of applying a color to the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer that faces the outer surface of the sheet-like composite material in the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 65th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 64th embodiments of the present invention.

[0191] In a preferred embodiment, this step is performed after method step B., preferably before the plurality of indentation lines are generated in the carrier layer. In another preferred embodiment, this step is performed before method step B., preferably before the outer polymer layer is superimposed on the carrier layer, or alternatively, preferably before the plurality of indentation lines are generated in the carrier layer. Preferably, the color is applied by a printing process. The color application preferably has one or more characteristics of the color application of the composite material or the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the color application is the color application of the composite material or the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0192] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method further comprises the step of producing a plurality of groups of creasing lines in the carrier layer, wherein for each of these groups of creasing lines, a (preferably closed) container can be obtained from a region of the sheet-like composite material by folding the region along the creasing lines in the group of creasing lines and joining the surface areas of the region to each other. This preferred embodiment is the 66th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 65th embodiments of the present invention.

[0193] In a preferred embodiment, this step is carried out after method step B., preferably after the color is applied to the carrier layer. In another preferred embodiment, this step is carried out before method step B., preferably before the outer polymer layer is applied to the carrier layer, and additionally or alternatively, preferably after the color is applied to the carrier layer.

[0194] In a preferred embodiment of the method, at least one, preferably each, arrangement of the plurality of creasing line groups comprises at least one transverse creasing line extending perpendicularly to the height direction of the container, from which a container can be obtained by folding a region of the sheet-like composite material along the creasing lines of the respective creasing line group and joining the surface areas of the region to one another;

[0195] The at least one transverse indentation line is at an angle within the following range:

[0196] -80° to 100°, preferably 85° to 95°, more preferably 87° to 93°, or

[0197] --10° to +10°, preferably -5° to +5°, more preferably -3° to +3°

[0198] Extending to the length of the sheet-like composite material. This preferred embodiment is the 67th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 66th embodiment of the present invention.

[0199] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the method comprises any of the following additional method steps C.

[0200] i. Rolling up the sheet composite material into a roll, or

[0201] ii. separating at least a portion of the sheet-like composite material into a plurality of blanks, wherein each blank is used to produce a single (preferably closed) container.

[0202] This preferred embodiment is the 68th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably depends on any one of the 51st to 67th embodiments of the present invention.

[0203] Preferably, the sheet-like composite material is rolled up in the length direction of the sheet-like composite material.Preferably, in alternative ii., separation is achieved by die-cutting.

[0204] In a preferred embodiment of the method, each blank comprises only one creasing line group out of the plurality of creasing line groups.This preferred embodiment is the 69th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 68th embodiment of the present invention.

[0205] The 70th embodiment of the present invention is a sheet-like composite material obtainable by the method according to any one of the 51st to 67th embodiments of the present invention.

[0206] A seventy-first embodiment of the invention is a roll or blank, which is in each case obtainable by a method according to the sixty-eighth or sixty-ninth embodiment of the invention.

[0207] A 72nd embodiment of the present invention is a roll including the sheet-like composite material according to any one of the 1st to 50th embodiments and the 70th embodiment of the present invention in a rolled-up state.

[0208] Preferably, the sheet-like composite material is rolled up in the length direction of the sheet-like composite material.

[0209] The 73rd embodiment of the present invention is a blank of a sheet-like composite material according to any one of the 1st to 50th embodiments and the 70th embodiment of the present invention, wherein the blank comprises only one set of indentation lines in the carrier layer, wherein a single (preferably closed) container can be obtained from the blank by folding the blank along the indentation lines in the set of indentation lines and joining the surface areas of the blank to each other.

[0210] Preferred blanks are used to produce individual (preferably closed) containers.

[0211] The 74th embodiment of the present invention is a container precursor comprising a blank according to the 71st or 73rd embodiment of the present invention, wherein the blank comprises a first longitudinal edge and another longitudinal edge, wherein the first longitudinal edge is joined to the other longitudinal edge to form a longitudinal seam of the container precursor.

[0212] Preferably, the container precursor has a sleeve-like shape. Here, the container precursor preferably constitutes a sleeve that is open at a first end and at another end opposite to the first end.

[0213] In a preferred embodiment of the container precursor, the blank comprises at least two folds, preferably at least 3 folds, more preferably at least 4 folds. This preferred embodiment is the 75th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 74th embodiment of the present invention.

[0214] The aforementioned fold is preferably a longitudinal fold.

[0215] The 76th embodiment of the present invention is a closed container comprising a sheet-like region of the sheet-like composite material according to any one of the 1st to 50th embodiments and the 70th embodiment of the present invention, or a blank according to the 71st or 73rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0216] In a preferred embodiment of the closed container, the sheet-like region or blank comprises a first longitudinal edge and a further longitudinal edge, wherein the first longitudinal edge is joined to the further longitudinal edge to form a longitudinal seam of the closed container. This preferred embodiment is the 77th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 76th embodiment of the present invention.

[0217] In a preferred embodiment of the closed container, the sheet region or blank comprises at least two folds, preferably at least 3 folds, more preferably at least 4 folds. This preferred embodiment is the 78th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 76th or 77th embodiment of the present invention.

[0218] The aforementioned fold is preferably a longitudinal fold.

[0219] In a preferred embodiment of the closed container, the closed container contains a food or beverage product. This preferred embodiment is the 79th embodiment of the present invention, which preferably relies on any one of the 76th to 78th embodiments of the present invention.

[0220] The 80th embodiment of the present invention is a method comprising the following steps:

[0221] A) providing a blank according to the 71st or 73rd embodiment of the present invention, wherein the blank comprises a first longitudinal edge and another longitudinal edge;

[0222] B) folding the blank; and

[0223] C) Bringing the first longitudinal edge into contact with the other longitudinal edge and joining the two to obtain a longitudinal seam.

[0224] The method is preferably used for producing a container precursor from a blank. Preferably, in method step C), the container precursor is obtained from the blank.

[0225] The 81st embodiment of the present invention is a container precursor obtainable by the method according to the 80th embodiment.

[0226] An 82nd embodiment of the present invention is a method for producing a closed container, comprising the following method steps:

[0227] A] Provide

[0228] i] a container precursor according to the 74th or 75th embodiment of the present invention, or

[0229] ii] The volume according to the 71st or 72nd embodiment of the present invention;

[0230] B] bringing the interior surface into contact with a food or beverage product;

[0231] C] A closed container is formed by the following operations

[0232] i] forming a closed container from the container precursor by folding the blank and joining surface areas of the blank to one another, or

[0233] ii] Folding a region of the sheet-like composite material and joining surface areas of the region to one another, forming a closed container from the region.

[0234] Preferably, the method comprises a combination of method steps A]i] and C]i]. In this case, the method is preferably used to produce closed containers by the so-called sleeve method. Alternatively, it is preferred that the method comprises a combination of method steps A]ii] and C]ii]. In this case, the method is preferably used to produce closed containers by the so-called tube method (also known as the roll-fed method or the form-fill-seal method).

[0235] In a preferred embodiment of the method, prior to method step B], a first longitudinal edge of the sheet composite material is brought into contact with another longitudinal edge of the sheet composite material in at least one section of the sheet composite material and joined to form a longitudinal seam and to form at least that section of the sheet composite material into a tubular shape. This preferred embodiment is the 83rd embodiment of the present invention and is preferably dependent on the 82nd embodiment of the present invention. This preferably applies if the method includes alternative A] ii].

[0236] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step B] the tubular shape is filled with a food or beverage product. This preferred embodiment is the 84th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 83rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0237] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step C], a tubular section is closed at a first end and at another end opposite the first end, thereby obtaining a closed section, which is then separated to form a closed container. This preferred embodiment is the 85th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 83rd or 84th embodiment of the present invention.

[0238] In a preferred embodiment of the method, the base region or the top region of the closed container is formed before method step B] by folding the blank and joining the surface regions of the blank together to close it. This preferred embodiment is the 86th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 82nd embodiment of the present invention. This preferably applies if the method includes alternative A]i].

[0239] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step B], the container precursor is filled with a food or beverage product. This preferred embodiment is the 87th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 82nd or 86th embodiment of the present invention. This preferably applies if the method includes alternative A]i].

[0240] In a preferred embodiment of the method, in method step C], the top or base region of the closed container is formed by folding the blank and joining the surface regions of the blank together to close it. This preferred embodiment is the 88th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 82nd, 86th or 87th embodiment of the present invention. This preferably applies if the method includes alternative A]i].

[0241] The 89th embodiment of the present invention is a closed container obtainable by the method according to any one of the 82nd to 88th embodiments of the present invention.

[0242] The 90th embodiment of the present invention is a use of the sheet-like composite material according to any one of the 1st to 50th embodiments and the 70th embodiment of the present invention for producing a container for a food or beverage product, preferably by a so-called sleeve method or by a so-called tube method (also known as a roll-feed method or a form-fill-seal method).

[0243] The 91st embodiment of the present invention is a use of the container precursor according to the 74th, 75th and 81st embodiments of the present invention for producing a container for a food or beverage product, preferably by feeding the container precursor into a filling machine.

[0244] The 92nd embodiment of the present invention is the use of the roll according to the 71st or 72nd embodiment of the present invention for producing containers for food or beverage products, which is preferably achieved by feeding the sheet-like composite material directly into a filling machine in the form of a roll.

[0245] The 93rd embodiment of the present invention is a use of a barrier film for producing a packaging laminate, wherein the barrier film

[0246] - contains multiple fibers,

[0247] - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and

[0248] - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer;

[0249] wherein the ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is in the range of greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7, preferably 0.6 to 1.6, more preferably 0.7 to 1.5, more preferably 0.8 to 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to less than 1.4, more preferably 0.9 to 1.3, more preferably greater than 0.9 to 1.2, even more preferably 1 to 1.2, and most preferably 1 to 1.1. Alternatively, it is preferred that the ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the other composite material tensile strength is in the range of 0.6 to 1.7, more preferably 0.7 to 1.7, more preferably 0.8 to 1.6, more preferably 0.9 to 1.5, more preferably 1.0 to less than 1.4, even more preferably 1.1 to 1.3.

[0250] The barrier film preferably has one or more characteristics of the barrier layer of the composite material sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the barrier film is the barrier layer of the composite material sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The packaging laminate preferably has one or more characteristics of the composite material sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the packaging laminate is the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0251] In a preferred embodiment of this use, the packaging laminate comprises a layer sequence which comprises, from the outer surface of the packaging laminate to the inner surface of the packaging laminate, the following layers superimposed on one another in the following order:

[0252] a. Carrier layer,

[0253] b. a barrier film as a barrier layer, and

[0254] c. First inner polymer layer.

[0255] This preferred embodiment is the 94th embodiment of the present invention, which is preferably dependent on the 93rd embodiment of the present invention.

[0256] The carrier layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the carrier layer is a carrier layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. The first internal polymer layer preferably has one or more characteristics of the first internal polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the first internal polymer layer is the first internal polymer layer of the sheet-like composite material according to any embodiment of the present invention.

[0257] Features described as preferred in one class of the invention (eg, with respect to the sheet-like composite material) are similarly preferred in an embodiment according to other classes of the invention (such as the method and use).

[0258] Sheet composite

[0259] All laminates that are conceivable in the context of the present invention and that appear to be suitable for producing dimensionally stable food containers in the context of the present invention by those skilled in the art, particularly sheet-like laminates or planar laminates, will be considered to be sheet-like composites. Sheet-like composites for the manufacture of food or beverage product containers are also referred to as laminates. Such sheet-like composites have a series of layers superimposed on each other in a sheet-like or planar manner. Sheet-like composites are generally composed of a polymer layer, a carrier layer, an optional polymer layer and / or an optional adhesion promoter layer, a barrier layer, and at least one other polymer layer, wherein the carrier layer is generally made of cardboard or paper and imparts dimensional stability to the container. Basically, "sheet-like composite" is used as a general term in this article to include semi-infinite coils and blanks of such coils. Blanks are preferably designed to produce single containers. Sheet-like composites can be flat or three-dimensional objects. The latter is particularly the case where the sheet-like composite has been folded or rolled up.

[0260] Partial sheet composite

[0261] A partial sheet-shaped composite is an auxiliary conceptual construct used herein for further characterizing a sheet-shaped composite. A partial sheet-shaped composite consists of all layers of a sheet-shaped composite which are arranged on one side of the inner-facing surface of the carrier layer. Thus, a partial sheet-shaped composite comprises in particular the barrier layer and the first inner polymer layer. If the respective layers are present in the sheet-shaped composite, the partial sheet-shaped composite also comprises the first adhesion promoter layer, the further adhesion promoter layer and the further inner polymer layer. The layer which forms the inner surface in the sheet-shaped composite is preferably the first inner polymer layer. In order to verify the characteristics of the partial sheet-shaped composite, all layers of the sheet-shaped composite which are located on one side of the outer-facing surface of the carrier layer, as well as the carrier layer itself, can be separated from the partial sheet-shaped composite, as described below in the test methods section. The composite plane of the partial sheet-shaped composite is preferably the plane in which the partial sheet-shaped composite extends in sheet-shaped manner. Since the sheet-shaped composite as well as the partial sheet-shaped composite can be curved or bent into an arc, the composite plane can also be curved or bent into an arc. In any case, the first composite direction and the further composite direction are located in the composite plane. Preferably, the first composite direction is the machine direction (MD) in which the barrier layer is produced, wherein the further composite direction is the transverse direction (CD) in which the barrier layer is produced. Alternatively, it is preferred that the further composite direction is the machine direction (MD) in which the barrier layer is produced, wherein the first composite direction is the transverse direction (CD) in which the barrier layer is produced.

[0262] Layer of sheet composite

[0263] The layers of the layer sequence have been joined to each other (preferably over their entire surfaces) in planar fashion. Two layers are joined to each other when the adhesion between them exceeds the van der Waals forces. Preferably, the layers which are joined to each other are one or a combination of at least two of the group consisting of joined to each other by coating, laminated together, sealed together, glued together and extruded together. The layers which are joined to each other by coating are preferably joined to each other by melt coating. Preferred melt coating is melt extrusion coating.

[0264] Unless otherwise indicated, in the layer sequence, the layers can occur one after the other indirectly (i.e. with one or at least two intermediate layers) or directly (i.e. without intermediate layers). This is especially the case with the wording in the form of one layer being superimposed on another layer. The wording in the form of a layer sequence comprising the enumerated layers means that at least the layers specified are present in the sequence specified. This form of wording does not necessarily mean that the layers occur directly one after the other. The wording in the form of two layers being adjacent to each other means that the two layers occur directly one after the other, thus without intermediate layers. However, this form of wording does not specify whether the two layers have been joined to each other. Rather, the two layers can be in contact with each other. However, preferably, the two layers are joined to each other (preferably in planar fashion).

[0265] Carrier layer

[0266] The carrier layer used can be any material that appears suitable for the purpose to a person skilled in the art and that has sufficient strength and rigidity to impart a degree of stability to the container made of the sheet-like composite material, such that the container substantially retains its shape in the filled state (dimensional stability). This is a particularly essential feature of the carrier layer, as the present invention relates to the technical field of dimensionally stable containers for food or beverage products. Such dimensionally stable containers are to be distinguished in principle from bags and sachets, which are typically made from thinner films.

[0267] For the carrier layer, as for many plastics, preferred are plant-based fiber materials, in particular pulp, preferably lime-treated, bleached and / or unbleached pulp, with paper, paperboard and cardboard being particularly preferred. Therefore, preferred carrier layers comprise a plurality of fibers. The basis weight of the carrier layer is preferably in the range of 120 g / m². 2 Up to 450g / m 2 range, more preferably 130g / m 2 Up to 400g / m 2 range, most preferably 150g / m 2 Up to 380g / m 2 within the range.

[0268] Preferred cardboards generally have a single-layer or multi-layer structure and may be coated on one or both sides with one or more covering layers. Furthermore, preferred cardboards have a residual moisture content of less than 20% by weight, preferably 2% to 15% by weight, and particularly preferably 4% to 10% by weight, based on the total weight of the cardboard. Particularly preferred cardboards have a multi-layer structure. Furthermore, the cardboards preferably have at least one, but particularly preferably at least two, covering layers, which are referred to by those skilled in the art as "coatings" or "paper coatings," on the surface facing the outer surface. Furthermore, preferred cardboards have a water content of 100 J / m 2 Up to 360J / m 2 , preferably 120 J / m 2 Up to 350J / m 2 And particularly preferably 135 J / m 2 Up to 310J / m 2 The Scott-Bond value is in the range of 1.5 to 2.5 (according to Tappi 569). The above range makes it possible to provide a composite material from which a container can be easily folded with high sealing properties and low tolerances.

[0269] Preferably, the carrier layer comprises at least two, more preferably at least three, and particularly preferably exactly three or five sublayers, each comprising a fiber-containing material, wherein the sublayers are superimposed and bonded to one another. The fiber-containing materials of the individual sublayers may differ at least in part from one another or may be identical. Another particularly preferred carrier layer preferably comprises the following sequence of superimposed and interconnected sublayers, extending from the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface to the side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface: a first sublayer comprising a fiber material, a second sublayer comprising a fiber material, and a third sublayer comprising a fiber material. The fiber materials of the first through third sublayers may be the same or different. In each case, the fiber materials comprise a plurality of fibers. Furthermore, preferred carrier layers, in addition to the aforementioned layer sequence, further comprise at least one cover layer as a further sublayer. Preferably, the layer sequence of the first through third sublayers is superimposed on the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface, with at least one cover layer as a further sublayer. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the layer sequence of the first through third sublayers is superimposed on the side of the carrier layer facing the inner surface, with at least one cover layer as a further sublayer. Preferably, the average fiber length of the plurality of fibers of the fibrous material of the first sublayer is smaller than the average fiber length of the plurality of fibers of the fibrous material of the third sublayer, preferably 0.1 mm to 3 mm smaller, more preferably 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm smaller, most preferably 1 mm to 2.0 mm smaller.

[0270] The terms "board", "cardboard" and "paper" are used herein according to the definitions in standard DIN 6735:2010. Furthermore, cardboard is preferably a material having a combination of paper properties and cardboard properties. In addition, cardboard preferably has a strength of 150 g / m 2 Up to 600g / m 2 Basis weight within the range.

[0271] Cover layer

[0272] A preferred covering layer is a "paper coating." In papermaking, a "paper coating" (also called a "coating") is a covering layer comprising inorganic solid particles, preferably pigments and additives. The "paper coating" is preferably applied to the surface of the layer comprising paper or cardboard as a liquid phase, preferably as a suspension or dispersion. A preferred dispersion is an aqueous dispersion. A preferred suspension is an aqueous suspension. Another preferred liquid phase comprises inorganic solid particles, preferably pigments, a binder, and additives. Preferred pigments are selected from the group consisting of calcium carbonate, kaolin, talc, silicates, plastic pigments, and titanium dioxide. Preferred kaolin is calcined kaolin. Preferred calcium carbonate is one selected from the group consisting of marble, chalk, and precipitated calcium carbonate (PCC), or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferred silicates are layered silicates. Preferred plastic pigments are spherical, preferably hollow spherical. Preferred binders are one selected from the group consisting of styrene-butadiene, acrylates, acrylonitrile, starch, and polyvinyl alcohol, or a combination of at least two thereof, with acrylates being preferred. Preferred starches are selected from the group consisting of cationically modified starches, anionically modified starches, and fragmented starches, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferred additives are selected from the group consisting of rheology modifiers, light-shielding dyes, optical brighteners, carriers, flocculants, strippers, and surface energy modifiers, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferred strippers are paint color strippers, preferably silicones or fatty acids, or both. Preferred surface energy modifiers are surfactants.

[0273] Barrier layer

[0274] The barrier layer preferably has a sufficient barrier effect against one substance selected from the group consisting of oxygen, liquid water, water vapor, and aromatic substances, or has a sufficient barrier effect against a combination of at least two of these substances. Therefore, the barrier layer is preferably one selected from the group consisting of an oxygen barrier layer, a water vapor barrier layer, and an aromatic substance barrier layer, or a combination of at least two thereof. The oxygen barrier layer has a barrier effect against oxygen transmission. The water vapor barrier layer has a barrier effect against water vapor transmission. The aromatic substance barrier layer has a barrier effect against aromatic substance transmission.

[0275] The barrier layer comprises a plurality of fibers. Preferably, fibers from the plurality of fibers are present throughout the entire thickness of the barrier layer. Additionally or alternatively, preferably, the barrier layer does not include metallization. More preferably, the barrier layer does not include a barrier coating. Even more preferably, the barrier layer does not include a coating that does not include fibers from the plurality of fibers. Further preferably, the barrier layer does not include any coating. Preferably, the barrier layer is composed of a single material. Here, the preferred material is MFC material.

[0276] The barrier layer is preferably a prefabricated barrier film, which is preferably already laminated to a carrier layer, preferably using the first adhesion promoter or the intermediate polymer layer or both as laminating agents. The barrier layer is preferably adjacent to another adhesion promoter layer, another inner polymer layer or the first inner polymer layer.

[0277] The barrier layer plane is the plane in which the barrier layer extends in a sheet-like manner. Since a sheet-like composite material having a barrier layer can be bent or curved, the barrier layer plane can also be bent or curved. In any case, the first barrier layer direction and the further barrier layer direction lie in the barrier layer plane. Preferably, the first barrier layer direction is the machine direction (MD) of the barrier layer, wherein the further barrier layer direction is the cross direction (CD) of the barrier layer. Alternatively, preferably, the further barrier layer direction is the machine direction (MD) of the barrier layer, wherein the first barrier layer direction is the cross direction (CD) of the barrier layer. Preferably, the first tensile strength of the barrier layer is the maximum tensile strength of the barrier layer, or the further tensile strength of the barrier layer is the minimum tensile strength of the barrier layer, or both, in each case relative to the stretching direction. Alternatively, preferably, the first tensile strength of the barrier layer is the minimum tensile strength of the barrier layer, or the further tensile strength of the barrier layer is the maximum tensile strength of the barrier layer, or both, in each case relative to the stretching direction. Preferably, the machine direction of the production barrier layer is the direction of primary orientation of fibers in the plurality of fibers of the barrier layer.The cross direction of the production barrier layer is in the same plane of the barrier layer as the MD, but perpendicular to the MD.

[0278] In the context of the present invention, the fibers of the plurality of fibers of the barrier layer can be any fibers that appear suitable to a person skilled in the art, in particular all fibers known in the art for use in paper, cardboard, or paperboard production. A fiber is a linear, elongated structure with a length to diameter or thickness ratio of at least 3:1. Preferred fibers are plant fibers. Plant fiber is a general term for fibers of plant origin. In plants, plant fibers are present in the form of vascular bundles in stems or stalks, in bark (e.g., in the form of bast), and in seed buds. The subdivision into seed fibers, bast fibers, and hard fibers is defined in DIN 60001-1:2001-05 Textile fibers - Part 1: "Natural fibers and letter codes", Beuth Verlag, Berlin 2001, p. 2, or in DIN EN ISO 6938:2015-01 "Textiles - Natural fibers - Generic names and definitions", Beuth Verlag, Berlin 2015, p. 4, as seed fibers, bast fibers, leaf fibers, and fruit fibers, which thus achieves a classification of hard fibers. Preferred fibers in the context of the present invention include chemical pulp or mechanical pulp or both; the fibers preferably consist of these.

[0279] Particularly preferred fibers of the barrier layer are microfibrillated cellulose (MFC). Preferably, the barrier layer comprises paper or MFC or both. Preferred barrier layers are barrier paper layers or MFC films, with MFC films being particularly preferred.

[0280] Microfibrillated cellulose (MFC)

[0281] For the plurality of fibers of the barrier layer, any MFC that appears suitable to a person skilled in the art in the art in the context of the present invention is considered. MFC has different acronyms, such as cellulose microfibrils, fibrillated cellulose, nanofibrillated cellulose, fibril aggregates, nanoscale cellulose fibrils, cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose nanofibrils, cellulose microfibrils, cellulose fibrils, microfibrillar cellulose, microfibril aggregates, and cellulose microfibril aggregates. Fibrils are microscopically small fibers.

[0282] MFC means the following material: it contains one selected from the group consisting of partially or entirely fibrillated cellulose fibers, partially or entirely fibrillated lignocellulose fibers and partially or entirely fibrillated hemicellulose fibers, or a combination of at least two of them, wherein these fibers aggregate to form a three-dimensional network or a two-dimensional network. The non-aggregated fibrils of this network or structure are called elementary fibrils. The aggregates of elementary fibrils are called microfibrils. The average diameter of the elementary fibrils is in the order of nm, preferably less than 100 nm, and the average length is in the order of μm, preferably at least 1 μm. With respect to MFC, the average diameter of the fibers and the average length of the fibers herein refer to the elementary fibers of MFC.

[0283] The barrier layer preferably contains MFC in a proportion ranging from 50% to 100% by weight, preferably from 50% to less than 100% by weight, more preferably from 60% to 95% by weight, and even more preferably from 70% to 90% by weight, in each case based on the weight of the total solids content of the barrier layer. In addition to MFC, the barrier layer may also contain one or more additives. Preferred additives are selected from the group consisting of fillers (such as clay), binders (such as PVOH or PVAC), dispersants, softeners, and plasticizers, or a combination of at least two thereof. Plasticizers are additives that increase the plasticity of the barrier layer. Preferred plasticizers are selected from the group consisting of sugar alcohols (such as sorbitol), polyols (such as glycerol), polyethers (such as polyethylene glycol (PEG)), and cellulose derivatives (such as carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC)), or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, the barrier layer contains the plasticizer in a proportion of less than 10% by weight, preferably less than 5% by weight, and more preferably less than 0.1% by weight, in each case based on the weight of the total solids content of the barrier layer. Additionally, the barrier layer may comprise a variety of non-MFC fibers, such as cellulosic or lignocellulosic fines and oversized fibers, particularly fibers that have not been effectively fibrillated.

[0284] MFC is obtained by the fibrillation process of the following items: one selected from the group consisting of free cellulose fibers, lignocellulose fibers and hemicellulose fibers, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferably, mechanical shearing is used for the fibrillation process. The fibers are separated into a three-dimensional network of microfibers or a two-dimensional network of microfibers, each having a large surface area. The diameter of the fibrils obtained by the fibrillation process is much smaller than that of the original fibers. The fibrillation process comprises fibrillating the fibers longitudinally to obtain a three-dimensional network or a two-dimensional network having a surface area much higher than that of conventional cellulose fibers or powdered cellulose.

[0285] The fibers used in the fibrillation process are preferably lignocellulosic fibers. Preferred lignocellulosic fibers are hardwood fibers or softwood fibers or both. MFC can also be obtained from microbial sources, agricultural fibers (such as wheat straw pulp, bamboo, sugarcane bagasse) or other non-wood fiber sources. MFC is preferably obtained from pulp, including pulp from virgin fiber, wherein the pulp is preferably one selected from the group consisting of mechanical pulp, chemical pulp and thermomechanical pulp, or a combination of at least two thereof. MFC can also be obtained from waste paper or recycled paper.

[0286] Chemical pulp

[0287] Chemical pulp generally refers to the fibrous material formed during the chemical digestion of plant fibers, which usually consists mainly of cellulose.

[0288] Mechanical pulp

[0289] Mechanical pulp refers to the material typically used to produce a specific type of paper. Mechanical pulp is derived from wood and, unlike chemical pulp, typically contains a relatively high proportion of lignin. Mechanical pulp can be distinguished from chemical pulp by staining it red with a hydrochloric acid solution of phloroglucinol. Wurster Blue and Wurster Red (named after Casimir Wurster), as well as aniline sulfate, are also commonly used for this purpose. When paper (wood pulp paper) is produced from mechanical pulp, the high lignin content of the mechanical pulp may cause yellowing. The wood from which mechanical pulp is derived is typically composed primarily of lignocellulose. Lignocellulose consists of cellulose molecules aggregated to form fibers. The lignin matrix permeates the cellulose, creating a composite material that is resistant to compression and tearing. During the production of mechanical pulp, the wood is shredded by various methods. Mechanical pulp is produced by mechanical, thermal, or chemical methods of digesting the wood. According to these modes of production, a distinction is made between mechanical pulp MP, which is produced solely by a mechanical process for digesting wood, and thermomechanical pulp (TMP), which is produced by a wood digestion process comprising a mechanical step and a thermal step and optionally also a chemical step. The aforementioned wood digestion process comprising a mechanical step and a thermal step and optionally also a chemical step is also referred to as a refining process. A preferred thermomechanical pulp is chemithermomechanical pulp (CTMP). Mechanical processes for digesting wood include in particular grinding processes, such as wood grinding and pressure grinding. Preferred mechanical pulp MP is ground wood or pressure-ground wood or both. Alternatively or additionally, it is preferred that the mechanical pulp has been produced from softwood or hardwood or both. Softwood, in contrast to hardwood, refers to lighter wood, for example with an oven-dried density of less than 0.55 g / cm 3The term softwood should not be used in conjunction with the term "cork", which primarily refers to the wood's origin and only indirectly to its properties, as there are also relatively hard coniferous woods.

[0290] Polymer layer

[0291] Hereinafter, the term "polymer layer" refers in particular to a first inner polymer layer, a further inner polymer layer, an outer polymer layer, and an intermediate polymer layer. "Inner" in "first inner polymer layer" and "further inner polymer layer" means that the corresponding layer is superimposed on the barrier layer on the side of the barrier layer facing the inner surface, i.e., superimposed on the inner side of the barrier layer. "External" in "external polymer layer" means that the outer polymer layer is superimposed on the carrier layer on the side of the carrier layer facing the outer surface, i.e., superimposed on the outer side of the carrier layer. "Intermediate" in "intermediate polymer layer" means that the intermediate polymer layer is arranged between the carrier layer and the barrier layer.

[0292] These polymer layers are each based on a polymer or polymer blend, that is, these polymer layers comprise a majority of the polymer or polymer blend. Preferred polymers are thermoplastic polymers, more preferably polyolefins. These polymer layers are preferably incorporated into or applied to the sheet-like composite material during an extrusion process, preferably by melt extrusion coating. Each polymer layer may also comprise additional components in addition to the polymer or polymer blend. The additional components of these polymer layers are preferably components that do not adversely affect the behavior of the polymer melt when applied as a layer. Additional components may, for example, be inorganic compounds, such as metal salts, or additional plastics, such as additional thermoplastics.

[0293] In general, suitable polymers for the polymer layer are those that are easy to process due to their good extrusion properties. Among them, polymers obtained by chain polymerization are suitable, in particular polyolefins, of which cyclic olefin copolymers (COC), polycyclic olefin copolymers (POC), in particular polyethylene and polypropylene, are particularly preferred, and polyethylene is particularly preferred. Among these polyethylenes, HDPE (high-density polyethylene), MDPE (medium-density polyethylene), LDPE (low-density polyethylene), LLDPE (linear low-density polyethylene) and VLDPE (very low-density polyethylene) and blends of at least two of them are preferred. Suitable polymers preferably have a melt flow rate (MFR) in the range of 1 g / 10 min to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in the range of 2 g / 10 min to 20 g / 10 min, and particularly preferably in the range of 2.5 g / 10 min to 15 g / 10 min. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that the suitable polymer layer has a melt flow rate (MFR) of 0.890 g / cm 3to 0.980g / cm 3 range, preferably 0.895 g / cm 3 to 0.975g / cm 3 range and more preferably 0.900 g / cm 3 to 0.970g / cm 3 The polymer layers preferably have at least one melting temperature in the range of 80 to 155°C, preferably in the range of 90 to 145°C, more preferably in the range of 95 to 135°C.

[0294] Polyolefin

[0295] In the context of the present invention, preferred polyolefins are polyethylene (PE) or polypropylene (PP) or both. Preferred polyethylene is one selected from the group consisting of LDPE, LLDPE and HDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. Another preferred polyolefin is an m-polyolefin (polyolefin produced with the aid of a metallocene catalyst). Suitable polyethylenes have a melt flow rate (MFI - Melt Flow Index = MFR - Melt Flow Rate) in the range of 1 g / 10 min to 25 g / 10 min, preferably in the range of 2 g / 10 min to 20 g / 10 min and particularly preferably in the range of 2.5 g / 10 min to 15 g / 10 min, and / or a melt flow rate of 0.910 g / cm 3 to 0.935g / cm 3 , preferably at 0.912g / cm 3 to 0.932g / cm 3 range and more preferably 0.915 g / cm 3 to 0.930g / cm 3 Density within the range.

[0296] m polymer

[0297] m-polymer is a polymer produced with the aid of a metallocene catalyst. Metallocenes are organometallic compounds in which a central metal atom is located between two organic ligands, such as cyclopentadienyl ligands. Preferred m-polymer is an m-polyolefin, preferably an m-polyethylene (mPE) or an m-polypropylene or both. Preferred m-polyethylene is one selected from the group consisting of m- LDPE, m-LLDPE and m-HDPE, or a combination of at least two thereof. Preferred m-polyolefin is characterized at least by a first melting temperature and a second melting temperature. Preferably, in addition to the first melting temperature and the second melting temperature, the m-polyolefin is characterized by a third melting temperature. Preferred first melting temperature is in the range of 84 to 108 °C, preferably in the range of 89 to 103 °C, more preferably in the range of 94 to 98 °C. Preferred second melting temperature is in the range of 100 to 124 °C, preferably in the range of 105 to 119 °C, more preferably in the range of 110 to 114 °C.

[0298] Intermediate polymer layer

[0299] Preferably, the layer sequence of the sheet-like composite material of the present application comprises an intermediate polymer layer arranged between the carrier layer and the barrier layer. The intermediate polymer layer preferably comprises at least one (preferably thermoplastic) polymer in a proportion of at least 70 wt.-%, preferably at least 80 wt.-%, more preferably at least 90 wt.-%, more preferably at least 95 wt.-%, more preferably at least 97 wt.-%, more preferably at least 98 wt.-%, even more preferably at least 99 wt.-%, most preferably 100 wt.-%, in each case based on the total weight of the intermediate polymer layer. The at least one polymer in the intermediate polymer layer is preferably at least one polyolefin. The at least one polyolefin in the intermediate polymer layer is preferably polyethylene or polypropylene or a mixture of both. Preferably, the polyethylene in the intermediate polymer layer is LDPE. In a preferred embodiment of the method for producing the sheet-like composite material, the method step A. further comprises providing an intermediate polymer layer composition, wherein in the method step B. the barrier layer is laminated to the carrier layer with the intermediate polymer layer composition as laminating agent, whereby the intermediate polymer layer is obtained from the intermediate polymer layer composition. The method step A. of the method for producing the sheet-like composite material preferably further comprises providing an intermediate polymer layer composition, wherein laminating the barrier layer to the carrier layer comprises melt extruding the intermediate polymer layer composition.

[0300] Color application

[0301] Preferably, the color application is a printed layer or a decorative layer, or both. Additionally or alternatively, it is preferred that the color application is disposed between the outer polymer layer and the carrier layer, or superimposed on the outer polymer layer on the side of the outer polymer layer facing away from the carrier layer. In the latter case, the color application is preferably not superimposed by any layer of the sheet-like composite material on the side of the color application facing away from the carrier layer. Preferably, the color application is adjacent to the outer polymer layer or the carrier layer, or both. Preferably, the color application comprises at least one colorant, more preferably at least two colorants, more preferably at least three colorants, more preferably at least four colorants, even more preferably at least five colorants, and most preferably at least six colorants.

[0302] Colorant

[0303] Useful colorants include solid colorants and liquid colorants known to those skilled in the art and suitable for use in the present invention. According to DIN 55943:2001-10, colorant is a general term for all coloring substances, in particular dyes and pigments. Preferred colorants are pigments. Preferred pigments are organic pigments. Pigments worthy of note in connection with the present invention are in particular the pigments mentioned in DIN 55943:2001-10 and in "Industrial Organic Pigments, 3rd Edition" (Willy Herbst, Klaus Hunger Copyright ® 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN: 3-527-30576-9). Pigments are colorants that are preferably insoluble in the application medium. Dyes are colorants that are preferably soluble in the application medium.

[0304] Adhesion promoter polymer / adhesion promoter layer

[0305] Hereinafter, the term "adhesion promoter layer" refers particularly to the first adhesion promoter layer and the further adhesion promoter layer, but also to each additional adhesion promoter layer in the sheet-like composite material according to the present invention. An adhesion promoter layer is a layer in the sheet-like composite material that contains a sufficient amount of at least one adhesion promoter polymer such that it improves the adhesion between adjacent layers. Therefore, the adhesion promoter layer is preferably a polymer layer. The adhesion promoter layer can be positioned between any two non-adjacent layers in the sheet-like composite material. Suitable adhesion promoter polymers in the adhesion promoter layer are all polymers that, through functionalization with suitable functional groups, are suitable for forming strong bonds with the surfaces of the corresponding adjacent layers by forming ionic or covalent bonds. Preferred adhesion promoter polymers are functionalized polyolefins. Preferred functionalized polyolefins are acrylic copolymers obtained by copolymerizing ethylene with acrylic acid (such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, crotonic acid, acrylic esters, acrylic ester derivatives) or a double-bonded carboxylic anhydride (such as maleic anhydride), or at least two thereof. Among them, polyethylene-maleic anhydride graft polymer (EMAH), ethylene-acrylic acid copolymer (EAA) or ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymer (EMAA) are preferred, such as those sold under the trade name Bynel ® and Nucrel 0609HSA ® Sold by DuPont, or under the trade name Escor 6000 ExCo ® Sold by ExxonMobile Chemicals. A particularly preferred adhesion promoter polymer is an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer. The alkyl group is preferably a methyl, ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, or amyl group. Further preferably, the adhesion promoter layer may comprise a blend of two or more different ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymers. Also preferably, the ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer may have two or more different alkyl groups in the acrylate functional groups, for example, an ethylene-alkyl acrylate copolymer in which both methyl acrylate units and ethyl acrylate units are present in the same copolymer.

[0306] According to the present invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between the carrier layer, polymer layer, or barrier layer and the corresponding next layer is at least 0.5 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm, and particularly preferably at least 0.8 N / 15 mm. In one embodiment according to the present invention, it is preferred that the adhesion between the polymer layer and the carrier layer is at least 0.3 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 0.5 N / 15 mm, and particularly preferably at least 0.7 N / 15 mm. Furthermore, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and the polymer layer is at least 0.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 1.0 N / 15 mm, and particularly preferably at least 1.4 N / 15 mm. In the case where the barrier layer follows the polymer layer indirectly via an adhesion promoter layer, it is preferred that the adhesion between the barrier layer and the adhesion promoter layer is at least 1.8 N / 15 mm, preferably at least 2.2 N / 15 mm, and particularly preferably at least 2.8 N / 15 mm. In one embodiment, the adhesion between the individual layers is so strong that the adhesion test leads to tearing of the carrier layer, in particular in the case of cardboard as the carrier layer, so-called tearing of the cardboard fibers.

[0307] Outer surface

[0308] The outer surface of the sheet-like composite material is the surface of the sheet-like composite material that is intended to come into contact with the container environment in a container to be produced from the sheet-like composite material. This does not preclude the outer surface of the composite material in various regions from being folded over and joined to itself (e.g., sealed to itself) in various regions of the container.

[0309] Inner surface

[0310] The inner surface of the sheet-like composite is the surface of the sheet-like composite that is intended to come into contact with the container contents, preferably a food or beverage product, in a container to be produced from the sheet-like composite.

[0311] Indent line

[0312] In the context of the present invention, grooves or indentations are linear material modifications intended to facilitate folding of a sheet-like composite material or its blank along these indentations. Specifically, the indentations are intended to allow folding along these indentations to be produced as precisely as possible. Thus, a closed container can be formed from the sheet-like composite material or its blank (each having a corresponding set of indentations) by folding along these indentations. The sheet-like composite material may include only one or multiple such sets of indentations, each of which is arranged and configured to form a corresponding container. Preferably, all sets of indentations in the sheet-like composite material are identical.

[0313] The sheet-like composite material preferably has a depression along the indentation line on one side, preferably the outer surface side, which depression is preferably in the form of a material displacement. The sheet-like composite material preferably has a protrusion along the indentation line on the opposite side, preferably the inner surface side.

[0314] In addition to the folding mentioned above, the production of this container also includes joining the surface areas of the sheet composite material that are in contact by folding. The grooving tool is used to introduce indentation lines into the sheet composite material, a process called grooving. In the context of the present invention, the grooving tool can be any tool suitable for grooving a sheet composite material or a carrier layer. For grooving, the grooving tool preferably includes a linear elevation having a linear depression shape. By bringing the sheet composite material or the carrier layer into contact with the linear elevation, a linear depression can be introduced into the sheet composite material or the carrier layer. Therefore, the grooving tool can also be called a pressing tool. As a counterpart to the male tool mentioned above, the grooving tool can also include a female tool. The female tool includes a linear depression, which can also be called a groove shape. The linear depression preferably has the linear elevation shape of the male tool in the direction of its linear extension, and is further configured to at least partially receive the material of the sheet composite material or the carrier layer displaced by the male tool during grooving.

[0315] Extrusion / extruder

[0316] In the context of the present application, every extruder known to the person skilled in the art and appearing suitable for the purposes of the present application is considered to be within the scope of consideration. An extruder is a device for shaping a substance, preferably a polymeric substance, by forcing the substance through a shaping aperture. A preferred extruder is a screw extruder. Melt extrusion coating is the application of a melt formed blob by forcing the blob through a shaping aperture of an extruder onto a substrate, thereby obtaining a planar layer of the blob superimposed on the substrate. In case the polymeric composition is a blob, the blob is preferably molten for extrusion coating. During extrusion, the polymer is usually heated to a temperature of 210 °C to 350 °C, which is measured at the molten polymer film below the extruder die exit. The extrusion can be carried out with the aid of commercially available extrusion tools known to the person skilled in the art, such as extruders, extruder screws, feeding blocks, etc. At the end of the extruder there is preferably an aperture through which the polymer melt is extruded. The aperture can have any shape which allows the polymer melt to be extruded. For example, the aperture can be angular, oval or circular. Preferably, the aperture has the shape of a funnel trough. After the melt layer has been applied to the substrate by means of the above-mentioned method, the melt layer is allowed to cool for the purpose of heat setting, which cooling is preferably effected via quenching in contact with a surface which is kept at a temperature in the range of 5 °C to 50 °C, more preferably in the range of 10 °C to 30 °C. Subsequently, at least the flanks are separated from the surface. The separation can be carried out in any manner familiar to the person skilled in the art and appearing suitable in order to separate the flanks quickly, as accurately and cleanly as possible. Preferably, the separation is carried out with the aid of a knife, in particular a spatula, a laser beam or a water jet, or a combination of two or more of these means, wherein the use of a knife, in particular a spatula, is particularly preferred.

[0317] Lamination

[0318] The prefabricated films or layers, such as preferably the carrier layer and the barrier layer, can be joined to one another by lamination. In this case, the prefabricated layers or films are joined with the aid of one or more suitable laminating agents. A preferred laminating agent comprises, preferably consists of, a polymeric composition from which a polymeric layer, preferably a first adhesion promoter layer or an intermediate polymeric layer, is obtainable. In a preferred embodiment of the present application, the layer sequence comprises an intermediate polymeric layer between the carrier layer and the barrier layer. Preferably, method step A. of the method for producing a sheet-like composite material further comprises providing an intermediate polymeric layer composition, wherein in method step B. the barrier layer is laminated to the carrier layer with the intermediate polymeric layer composition as laminating agent, thereby obtaining an intermediate polymeric layer from the intermediate polymeric layer composition.

[0319] Joining

[0320] Any joining method which appears suitable to the person skilled in the art for use in accordance with the application and by which a sufficiently strong connection can be achieved can be considered in the context of the present application. A preferred joining method is a material-to-material joining method. Material-to-material joints are understood herein as joints between joining partners which are produced by inter- or intra-material attraction forces. Such joints must be distinguished from form-fit joints and friction-fit joints, which are produced, inter alia, by geometry or friction forces. A preferred material-to-material joining method can be one selected from the group consisting of sealing, welding, gluing and extrusion, or a combination of at least two thereof. In the case of sealing and welding, the joint is produced with the aid of a liquid and its solidification. In the case of gluing, chemical bonds are formed between the surfaces of the two objects to be joined, which chemical bonds produce the joint. In the case of sealing, welding or gluing, it is generally advantageous to press the surfaces to be joined together. Preferably, the two layers are pressed together by pressing a respective first surface of a first layer of the two layers onto a second surface of a second layer of the two layers facing the first surface over at least 20%, preferably at least 30%, more preferably at least 40%, more preferably at least 50%, more preferably at least 60%, more preferably at least 70%, still more preferably at least 80%, still more preferably at least 90%, most preferably at least 95% of the first surface. A particularly preferred joining is sealing or welding. A preferred sealing or welding comprises the steps of contacting, heating and pressing, wherein these steps are preferably carried out in this order. Another order, in particular heating, contacting and pressing, is also conceivable.

[0321] Food or beverage product

[0322] In the context of the present application, the sheet-like composite material and the container precursor are preferably designed for the production of a food or beverage product container. Furthermore, the closed container according to the present application is preferably a food or beverage product container. Food and beverage products include all kinds of food and beverages known to the person skilled in the art for consumption by humans, but also animal feed. Preferred food and beverage products are liquids above 5°C, such as dairy products, soups, sauces, non-carbonated beverages.

[0323] Container precursor

[0324] A container precursor is a preparatory stage for a container, which is produced during the production of a (preferably closed) container. In this case, the container precursor comprises a sheet-like composite material, which is preferably a blank. Preferably, the container precursor consists of this blank. The preferred container precursor is cut to size and designed to produce a single (preferably closed) container. The preferred container precursor, which is cut to size and designed to produce a single container, is also referred to as a sleeve. Here, the sleeve comprises a folded sheet-like composite material, preferably folded along at least two longitudinal folds, more preferably along four longitudinal folds. These longitudinal folds are preferably, but not necessarily, arranged and configured to form the longitudinal edges of the (preferably closed) container, which is formed at least partially by the container precursor. In addition, the sleeve comprises a longitudinal seam along which a first longitudinal edge of the blank is joined to another longitudinal edge. Here, the sleeve is open in the top region and the base region. The preferred container precursor is formed in one piece.

[0325] Container

[0326] The container according to the present invention can have many different forms, but a substantially cubic structure is preferred. Furthermore, the entire area of ​​the container can be formed from a sheet-like composite material, or it can have a two-part or multi-part construction. With respect to a multi-part construction, it is conceivable that, in addition to the sheet-like composite material, other materials, such as plastic, are used, particularly in the top or base areas of the container. However, in this context, it is preferred that the container be formed from a sheet-like composite material to the extent of at least 50% of its area, particularly preferably at least 70%, and even more preferably at least 90%. In a preferred configuration, the container according to the present invention has at least one edge, preferably the number of container edges ranges from 4 to 22, particularly preferably from 7 to 12. In the context of the present invention, an edge is understood to mean an area that arises during the folding of the sheet-like composite material. Examples of an edge include the longitudinal contact area between two wall areas of the container, also referred to herein as a longitudinal edge. In a container, the container wall is preferably the container area framed by an edge. Preferably, the interior of the container according to the present invention contains food or beverage products. Preferably, the closed container does not include any lid or base that is not integrally formed with the sheet-like composite material, or both. The preferred closed container holds a food or beverage product. The preferred closed container is a food or beverage product container, or a dimensionally stable container, or both.

[0327] Edge

[0328] In this document, an edge or fold is defined as a linear region of a sheet composite material that is formed by folding the sheet composite material and where two (preferably flat) regions of the sheet composite material abut each other. These edges are to be distinguished from cut edges. In this document, a cut edge is a linear region of a sheet composite material that defines the dimensions of the sheet composite material in the lateral direction. The term "cut edge" in this document does not necessarily mean that the sheet composite material has actually been cut. The region of the sheet composite material that extends along the cut edge and forms the area near the cut edge is referred to in this document as an edge.

[0329] Longitudinal and transverse

[0330] With respect to the folds, edges, and seams of a sheet-like composite material in roll form (i.e., rolled-up state) or web form, the term "longitudinal" means the lengthwise direction of the sheet-like composite material. With respect to the folds and edges of a blank or sheet-like region of a sheet-like composite material, the term "longitudinal" means the heightwise direction of a container to be made from the blank or sheet-like region. In each case, a first longitudinal edge is opposite another longitudinal edge in the transverse direction of the sheet-like composite material, blank, or sheet-like region. With respect to the folds, seams, and edges of a container precursor, the term "longitudinal" means the heightwise direction of a container to be made from the container precursor. With respect to the seams and edges of a container, the term "longitudinal" means the heightwise direction of the container. With respect to the creasing lines of a creasing line set, the term "longitudinal" means the heightwise direction of a container that can be obtained by folding along the creasing lines of the creasing line set and joining the surface regions to one another. In each case, "transverse" means in the same plane as the "longitudinal" direction, but perpendicular to the "longitudinal" direction.

[0331] Method step

[0332] The method steps of the method according to the present invention are performed in the order of their symbols. In principle, method steps with symbols that appear immediately after each other can be performed one after the other, simultaneously, or with temporal overlap. If multiple operations are performed in the same method step, these operations can be performed in any order, simultaneously, or with temporal overlap, unless otherwise specified.

[0333] Test method

[0334] The following test methods are used in the context of the present invention. Unless stated otherwise, the measurements are carried out at an ambient temperature of 23° C., an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm) and a relative air humidity of 50%.

[0335] Preparation of partial sheet composite

[0336] Test specimens are cut from the sheet-like composite using a lever safety cutter. For this purpose, the un-folded and un-slotted area of the sheet-like composite is used. The width of the strip is 15 mm, the length of the strip is 230 mm. The respective test strip within the carrier layer is carefully pulled apart, thereby manually separating the test strip, and the remaining cardboard fibers in the part of the sheet-like composite thus separated are carefully removed with a brush moistened with water. For the test, the test specimen thus prepared can be further cut to the desired dimensions.

[0337] Separation of individual layers

[0338] If the individual polymer layers of the laminate are to be examined separately in this context, the polymer layer to be examined is first separated from the laminate as described below. Three specimens of the sheet-like composite are cut to size. For this purpose, the un-folded and un-slotted area of the sheet-like composite is used, unless indicated otherwise. These specimens have a size of 4 cm x 4 cm, unless indicated otherwise. If other dimensions of the layer to be examined are necessary for the examination to be carried out, a specimen of sufficient size is cut from the laminate. From each of the aforementioned specimens, the layer to be examined is separated. Specifically, in order to release the joint between the layers, which is located on the side of the barrier layer facing the outer surface of the sheet-like composite, such as the joint between the outer polymer layer and the carrier layer, the specimens are introduced into an acetic acid bath (30% acetic acid solution: 30% by weight CH3COOH, the remainder up to 100% by weight with H2O) and heated to 60°C for 30 minutes. This causes the individual layers to separate from one another. If necessary, the layers can also be carefully pulled apart by hand. If the desired layer cannot be separated easily enough, as an alternative, new specimens having the dimensions described above are used and treated in an ethanol bath (99% ethanol) as described above. If residues of the carrier layer, in particular in the case of a cardboard layer as carrier layer, are present on the layer to be examined, these residues are carefully removed with a brush. In any case, from each of the three pieces of film of the layer to be examined which have been prepared as described above, a sample of sufficient size to support the examination to be carried out is cut (area 4 cm x 4 cm, unless indicated otherwise). These samples are then stored at 23°C for 4 hours, thus drying. Subsequently, the three samples can be examined. The result of the examination is the arithmetic mean of the results of the three samples, unless indicated otherwise. 2 ). These samples are then stored at 23°C for 4 hours, thus drying. Subsequently, the three samples can be examined. The result of the examination is the arithmetic mean of the results of the three samples, unless indicated otherwise.

[0339] Tensile strength of partial sheet composite

[0340] The materials to be tested were conditioned for 24 hours under standard climatic conditions (23°C, 50% relative humidity). The tests were also conducted under standard climatic conditions. Tensile strength was determined by tensile testing using a universal tensile testing machine, Tira test 28025 (Tira GmbH; Eisfelder Straße 23 / 25; 96528 Schalkau, Germany; load cell: 1 kN), in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05. For this purpose, ten specimens measuring 15 mm x 180 mm were prepared from the sheet-like composite material to be tested. In each case, five specimens were measured in the first composite direction, and five in the other composite direction. For each measurement, the specimen was clamped in the tensile testing machine (clamping length: 40 mm) in the direction of the layer to be tested. The testing speed was V1 = 100 mm / min. A force-elongation diagram was obtained for each specimen. If the graph shows a local maximum in force during the elongation of the sample before the sample further elongates and ultimately breaks, the tensile strength value for that sample is the force at that local maximum divided by the width of the sample (15 mm). If the force-elongation graph for a sample does not show a local maximum in force before the sample tears, that is, if the force increases monotonically until the sample breaks, the tensile strength value for that sample is the maximum force at that local maximum divided by the width of the sample (15 mm). Therefore, the tensile strength in each case is the maximum tensile force per unit width that the portion of the sheet-like composite material withstands before breaking, according to Section 3.1 of DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05. Therefore, the tensile strength of the portion of the sheet-like composite material is reported in kN / m. For each test direction, the arithmetic mean is calculated from the values ​​obtained for five samples. The tensile strength in the first and second ply directions is the arithmetic mean of these values.

[0341] Tensile strength of barrier layer

[0342] If the barrier layer is present as part of a laminate, the barrier layer to be tested is first separated from the other layers of the laminate. The separated barrier layer is conditioned for 24 hours under standard climatic conditions (23°C, 50% relative humidity). This test is also conducted under standard climatic conditions. Tensile strength is determined by tensile testing using a universal tensile testing machine, Tira test 28025 (Tira GmbH; Eisfelder Straße 23 / 25; 96528 Schalkau, Germany; load cell: 1 kN), in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05. To this end, ten specimens measuring 15 mm x 180 mm are prepared from the barrier layer to be tested. In each case, five specimens are measured in the first barrier layer direction, and another five specimens are measured in the other barrier layer direction. For each measurement, the specimen is clamped in the tensile testing machine (clamp length: 40 mm) in the direction of the layer to be tested. The testing speed is: V1 = 100 mm / min. For each direction, an arithmetic mean is calculated from the values ​​obtained for five samples. The tensile strength in the first barrier layer direction and the other barrier layer direction is these arithmetic means. Unlike Section 3.1 of DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05, the tensile strength of the barrier layer is reported as the maximum tensile force per unit surface area of ​​the specimen cross section (length x width) to which the respective barrier layer is subjected before rupture. Therefore, the tensile strength of the barrier layer is reported in MPa.

[0343] Young's modulus of barrier layer

[0344] The separated barrier layers were conditioned for 24 hours under standard climatic conditions (23°C, 50% relative humidity). The test was also conducted under standard climatic conditions. Young's modulus was determined using a universal tensile testing machine, Tira test 28025 (Tira GmbH; Eisfelder Straße 23 / 25; 96528 Schalkau, Germany; load cell: 1 kN), in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05. For this purpose, ten specimens measuring 15 mm x 180 mm were prepared from the barrier layer to be tested. In each case, five specimens were measured in the first barrier layer direction, and another five in the other barrier layer direction. For each measurement, the specimen was clamped in the tensile testing machine (clamping length: 40 mm) in the direction of the layer to be tested. The test speed was V1 = 100 mm / min. For each direction, the arithmetic mean was calculated from the values ​​obtained for the five specimens. The Young's modulus in the direction of the first barrier layer and in the direction of the further barrier layer is the arithmetic mean of these values. The Young's modulus is a parameter defined as the modulus of elasticity in section 3.8 of DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05.

[0345] Tensile stiffness of partial sheet composite

[0346] Part of the sheet composite was conditioned for 24 hours under standard climatic conditions (23°C, 50% relative humidity). This test was also conducted under standard climatic conditions. For this test, the Young's modulus was determined using a universal tensile testing machine, Tira test 28025 (Tira GmbH; Eisfelder Straße 23 / 25; 96528 Schalkau, Germany; load cell: 1 kN), in accordance with DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05. To this end, 10 specimens measuring 15 mm x 180 mm were prepared from the portion of the sheet composite to be tested. Prior to the tensile test, the thickness of each specimen was determined as described in the test method below. In each case, five specimens were measured in the first composite direction, and another five in the other composite direction. For each measurement, the specimen was clamped in the tensile testing machine (clamping length: 40 mm) in the direction to be tested. The test speed was V1 = 100 mm / min. Each Young's modulus measured in this manner was multiplied by the thickness of the corresponding specimen. The result is five tensile stiffness values ​​for each direction. For each direction, an arithmetic mean is calculated from these five tensile stiffness values. The tensile stiffness in the first composite material direction and the other composite material direction is these arithmetic means. Young's modulus is a parameter defined as the modulus of elasticity in Section 3.8 of DIN EN ISO 1924-2:2009-05.

[0347] Layer thickness and thickness of partial sheet composite

[0348] The sheet-like composite material sample or part of the sheet-like composite material sample (in each case with a 0.5 cm 2 The thickness of the layers and of portions of the sheet composites was determined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Cross-sections through the layer structure of the sheet composites or portions of the sheet composites were prepared manually using a blade (Leica Microtome Blades 819). The cross-sections were sputtered with gold (Cressington 108auto, obtained from Cressington Scientific Instruments Ltd., Watford, UK) and then placed under high vacuum (pressure <7.0·10 -5The lower side of the sample Pa) was analyzed by SEM (Quanta 450, FEI Deutschland GmbH, Frankfurt). The layer thickness of the individual layers or the thickness of the partial sheetlike composite material was determined with the "xT Microscope Control" software (version 6.2.11.3381, FEI Company, Frankfurt, Germany), respectively. The layer thickness is reported as the average layer thickness. Thus, three samples were measured as described above and the arithmetic mean value was obtained from the three results.

[0349] Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of sheet material

[0350] The oxygen transmission rate of sheetlike materials such as barrier layers, partial sheetlike composite materials and sheetlike composite materials was determined according to standard ASTM D3985-05 (2010). Unless otherwise indicated, the samples were taken from unslit and unfolded regions of the material to be tested. Furthermore, the samples were tested with the side facing the outer surface of the laminate facing the test gas. The area of the samples was 50 cm 2 . The measurement was carried out at an ambient temperature of 23 °C, an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm) and a relative air humidity of 50 %. The test instrument was an Ox-Tran 2 / 22 from Mocon (Neuwied, Germany). The measurement was carried out without compressed air compensation. For the measurement, samples at ambient temperature were used. In addition, the measurement was carried out with 0 % oxygen on the sample side facing the inner surface of the laminate and with 100 % oxygen on the opposite side, i.e. on the sample side facing the outer surface of the laminate. Further settings and factors influencing the measurement, in particular the remaining settings and factors listed under point 16 of standard ASTM D3985-05 (2010), were defined by the instrument used and its correct use and maintenance scheme according to the manufacturer's manual.

[0351] Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of container

[0352] For determining the oxygen transmission rate of the container, a hole was opened in the side panel of the filled closed container. The hole had the dimensions of 10 mm x 40 mm. The container was emptied through this hole. Then, a metal plate with tubes as gas inlet and gas outlet was placed on the hole of the container such that the hole was completely covered by the plate. The gas inlet and the gas outlet extended through the hole into the interior of the container. In order to obtain a gas-tight connection between the plate and the container, an epoxy resin, Devcon 5 Minute Epoxy® produced by the company ITW Engineered Polymers, was used as sealing compound. The resulting setup was left to cure for 24 hours at room temperature. ® Figure 16 ​. Furthermore, the container was connected to an Ox-tran 2 / 21 measuring device (Mocon, Neuwied, Germany) via tubing. The device was operated using the accompanying software. OTR measurements were performed using the Ox-tran 2 / 21 device (Mocon, Neuwied, Germany) and the corresponding software. Measurements were performed according to ASTM D3985 (2010), DIN 53380-3 (1998-07), ASTM F-2622, ISO 14663-2 Annex C, or ISO 15105-2 (2003-02). The measurements were conducted at 23°C and 50% relative humidity for 24 hours. Five containers of identical construction and production were prepared and studied as described above, and the arithmetic mean was calculated and expressed as ml of O2 volume / (package-year).

[0353] Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of sheet material

[0354] The water vapor transmission rate of sheet materials (such as barrier layers, portions of sheet composites, and sheet composites) is determined according to ASTM F1249-13. Unless otherwise specified, samples are taken from an ungrooved and unfolded area of ​​the material to be tested. In addition, the samples are tested with the side of the laminate facing the inner surface (the side facing the container contents) facing the elevated humidity. The measurement area of ​​the sample is 50 cm 2 . The measurements are carried out at an ambient temperature of 23° C., an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm) and a relative air humidity of 50% on the side of the sample facing the outer surface in the laminate and 0% on the opposite side of the sample (i.e. the side of the sample facing the inner surface in the laminate). The testing instrument is a Permatran - W model 3 / 33 from Mocon (Neuwied, Germany). For the measurements, samples at ambient temperature are used. Further settings and factors that influence the measurements (in particular the remaining settings and factors listed under point 12 of standard ASTM F1249-13) are defined by the instrument used and its correct use and maintenance according to the manufacturer's manual.

[0355] Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of container

[0356] To determine the oxygen transmission rate of a container, a hole is opened in the side panel of a filled, closed container. The hole measures 10 mm x 40 mm. The container is evacuated through the hole and allowed to dry. After the interior of the container has dried, a metal plate with tubing serving as a gas inlet and outlet is placed over the hole in the container, completely covering the hole with the plate. The gas inlet and outlet extend through the hole into the container interior. To achieve a gas-tight connection between the plate and the container, an epoxy resin, Devcon 5 Minute, manufactured by ITW Engineered Polymers, is used. ® Epoxy resin acts as a sealing compound. The resulting setting Figure 16 . In addition, the container is connected via a tube to a Permatran - W measuring device, model 3 / 33, from Mocon (Neuwied, Germany). The device is operated according to the software provided with the device. The WVTR is determined in accordance with ASTM F1249-13. The measuring surface of the sample corresponds to the sample surface that faces the inner surface in the laminate. The measurement is carried out at an ambient temperature of 23°C, an ambient air pressure of 100 kPa (0.986 atm) and an ambient (outside the container) relative humidity of 50%. At the start of the measurement, the relative humidity in the container is 0%. The tester is a Permatran - W model 3 / 33 from Mocon (Neuwied, Germany). For the measurement, a sample with ambient temperature is used. Further settings and influencing factors for the measurement (in particular, the other factors listed under point 12 of ASTM F1249-13) are predetermined by the measuring instrument used and its correct use and maintenance according to the manufacturer's manual. The WVTR values ​​obtained are converted into cm of the container wall (inside). 2 Several years.

[0357] Liquid tightness

[0358] Use derive from Shell Chemicals and contain the crystal oil 60 of methylene blue as the test reagent of test container liquid tightness.In order to determine whether a certain container type (shape, structure and production method) is liquid-tight, 250 identical containers of this container type were tested. Each of these 250 containers is cut along its perimeter, to obtain the first opening cup-shaped container part that comprises the sealed container base and the second opening cup-shaped container part that comprises the sealed container top. The first container part with the container base and the second container part with the container top are first emptied separately, then filled with a certain amount of test reagent that is enough to cover the corresponding cup-shaped container part bottom fully. Then these parts of container are stored 24 hours. After the storage time, the outside of each container part is inspected with the naked eye, to observe whether the test reagent produces the blue discoloration that prompts leakage there. If in this test, in the 500 container parts of these 250 identical containers, be no more than 1 and show this discoloration, then think that these containers are liquid-tight.

[0359] MFR value

[0360] MFR values ​​(mass-based melt flow rate in g / 10 min) were measured according to DIN EN ISO 1133-1:2012-03 (measured at 190°C using a 2.16 kg container unless otherwise specified). Method A, defined in this standard, was used, i.e., standardized extrusion tools were used. Samples were conditioned according to DIN EN ISO 1872-1. Sample mass and the time interval for cutting the extrudate were selected according to Table 4 on page 16 of DIN EN ISO 1133-1:2012-03. Mass was determined with an accuracy of 0.1 g, as noted under Index c below Table 4.

[0361] Density

[0362] Density was measured according to DIN EN ISO 1183-1:2012-04. Method B (Section 5.2 of the standard) was used, i.e., a pycnometer was used. The sample to be studied was conditioned according to DIN EN ISO 1872-1:199-10. Distilled water was used as the immersion liquid. The test temperature was 23°C. No buoyancy correction was applied.

[0363] Scott Bond value

[0364] The Scott Bond value is determined according to Tappi 569.

[0365] Melting temperature

[0366] Prepare samples for differential scanning calorimetry (DSC):

[0367] For one layer of the laminate, the material to be studied is separated from the other layers of the laminate as described above. A Kern 770 precision balance from Kern & Sohn GmbH (Balingen, Germany) is used to weigh at least 1.0 mg of sample. To this end, an empty DSC pan is placed on the balance and tared. The sample is then weighed. Subsequently, the DSC pan is closed with a lid on a press. The lid should have small holes so that the pan does not deform during the DSC measurement. The sample and crucible must not deform during the DSC measurement. During sample preparation, care must be taken not to touch the sample and crucible with bare hands.

[0368] Differential Scanning Calorimetry (DSC):

[0369] Melting temperatures were determined according to DIN EN ISO 11357-3:2011(E). As incorporated herein by reference, differential scanning calorimetry was performed according to DIN EN ISO 11357-1 (here, version 11357-1:2010-03). The following details apply, except for those specified in or deviating from the standard. The calorimeter used was a DSC 8000 from PerkinElmer Inc. In this DSC method, heat flow is measured as a function of temperature. Therefore, the graph of this measurement shows heat flow (dQ / dt) on the ordinate axis as a function of temperature (T) on the abscissa axis. The direction of heat absorption is always upward, as indicated in Note 2 to Section 3.1 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03. Heat flow differential calorimetry was performed according to Section 4.2 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03. In this case, the reference crucible is always empty, and the reference position is always used for the temperature according to Section 3.10 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03. However, a reference crucible must always be used. The purge gas used (Sections 5.5 and 9.1.2 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03) is nitrogen. Before each measurement, the DSC instrument is calibrated according to Sections 8.2 to 8.4 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03 using the calibration materials (Sections 3.2 and 5.4 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03) and indium and zinc (according to Annex C of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03). Thermal calibration was performed using indium as the calibration material, as recommended in 8.4.2 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03. The crucible was introduced into the calorimeter via an autosampler. Sample details (name, weight, measurement method, position on the autosampler, storage location) were entered via an editor. Measurements were performed in dynamic mode (3.9.5 of DIN EN ISO 11357-1:2010-03). In this case, the sample was preconditioned by first heating from 35°C to 160°C at 20°C / min and then holding this temperature for 1 minute. Thereafter, the sample was cooled to 35°C at 2°C / min. The measurement was then performed at a heating rate of 20°C / min to 160°C.

[0370] Evaluate:

[0371] To evaluate this measurement, only the second heating curve described above is used. This curve can be selected in the menu under "Curves" at "Heat Flow". The selected curve is in blue, the rest of the data is in red and can be removed via "Remove Curve". Then, the melting temperature can be determined from this data by selecting "Peak Area" in the menu "Calculate". The peak is marked and then automatically evaluated. The number of melting temperatures of a sample is exactly as many as the endothermic peaks of its second heating curve. If the sample has more than one peak, i.e. more than one melting temperature, in any case mentioned herein, the one of these peaks at the lowest temperature is meant to be the single melting temperature.

[0372] Residual moisture content of cardboard and moisture content of barrier layer

[0373] The residual moisture content of the cardboard, as well as the moisture content of the barrier layer, is measured according to the ISO 287:2009 standard.

[0374] Adhesion

[0375] The adhesion of two adjacent layers is determined by fixing them in a 90° peel test instrument (e.g. "German rotating wheel fixture" of Instron) on a rotatable roller that rotates at 40 mm / min during the measurement. The samples have been previously cut into strips of 15 mm width. On one side of the sample, the thin layers are separated from each other, the separated ends being clamped in a stretching device pointing vertically upwards. The measuring instrument for determining the stretching force is attached to this stretching device. When the roller is rotated, the force required to separate the thin layers from each other is measured. This force corresponds to the adhesion of the layers to each other and is reported in N / 15 mm. The separation of the layers can be achieved, for example, mechanically or by means of a controlled pretreatment, for example by immersing the sample in 30% acetic acid at 60°C for 3 minutes.

[0376] Colorant detection

[0377] The detection of organic colorants can be carried out according to the methods described in "Industrial Organic Pigments, Third Edition" (Willy Herbst, Klaus Hunger Copyright © 2004 WILEY-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim ISBN: 3-527-30576-9. Example

[0378] The present invention is described in more detail below through examples and drawings, wherein these examples and drawings do not imply any limitation of the present invention.In addition, unless otherwise specified, the drawings are not drawn to scale.

[0379] Laminate construction

[0380] For the Examples (according to the invention) and the Comparative Examples (not according to the invention), laminates were prepared with the layer configurations and layer sequences specified in Tables 1 and 2 below. The difference between the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples lies essentially in the choice of barrier layer. Other differences concern only the layers directly adjacent to the barrier layer. In both cases, these layers were selected to achieve optimal adhesion of the carrier layer to the barrier layer. This prevents any differences in adhesion from affecting the container's sealability.

[0381]

[0382] Table 1: Layer structure for example laminates

[0383]

[0384] Table 2: Layer structure for comparative example laminate

[0385] Laminate production

[0386] The laminates of the examples and comparative examples were prepared using an extrusion coating system from Davis Standard. In order to apply the individual layers by melt extrusion coating, the polymers are melted in an extruder. The resulting melt is transferred to a nozzle via a feed block and then extrusion coated onto the substrate. The extrusion temperature here is in the range of about 280°C to 330°C. The carrier layer and the barrier layer are each provided in the form of a web. The outer polymer layer is applied directly to the carrier layer by melt extrusion coating. The barrier layer is laminated together with the intermediate polymer layer and, where applicable, a first adhesion promoter layer as a laminating agent to the carrier layer which has been pre-coated with the outer polymer layer. Subsequently, another adhesion promoter layer, another inner polymer layer and the first inner polymer layer are coextrusion coated onto the barrier layer. By the aforementioned method, as shown in FIG. Figure 6 The laminates of the examples and comparative examples were obtained in the form of the webs shown. In each case, the machine direction (MD) of the respective barrier layer was in the length direction of the sheet-like composite web.

[0387] Container production

[0388] Figure 12 Closed containers of the type shown were made from the laminates prepared as described above.For each of the Examples and Comparative Examples, closed containers were prepared using the sleeve method as well as the tube method.

[0389] Sleeve method:

[0390] By slotting multiple Figure 5 The groups of creasing lines shown in FIG are introduced into the web. Here, these are arranged as Figure 9 The slotted web is divided into a plurality of blanks for individual containers by die cutting. The blanks have Figure 10 By folding along the four longitudinal indentation lines of each blank and hot air sealing the overlapping folded surfaces (the first longitudinal edge and the other longitudinal edge), the blank is obtained. Figure 11 Container precursors in the form of sleeves are shown. These sleeves are intended for production in a CFA 712 standard filling machine from SIG Combibloc (Linnich, Germany) Figure 12 The closed container is in the shape of a cube. Figure 14 The method is implemented wherein the water is used in a food or beverage product.

[0391] Management method:

[0392] By slotting multiple Figure 5 The groups of creasing lines shown in FIG are introduced into the web. Here, these are arranged as Figure 7 The slotted web is rolled up to form the Figure 8 The roll shown. Load the roll into the Tetra Pak ® In the A3 / Speed ​​filling machine, it is produced from sheet composite materials Figure 12 The closed container is in the shape of a cube. Figure 15 The method is implemented wherein the water is used in a food or beverage product.

[0393] Evaluation

[0394] The tensile strength of the barrier layers used in the Examples and Comparative Examples was measured in the MD (machine direction of the respective barrier layer) and CD (cross direction of the respective barrier layer) before processing the barrier layers to produce laminates. Additionally, as described above in the Test Methods section, partial sheet composites were prepared from the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples. The tensile strength of the partial sheet composites was also measured in the MD and CD of the respective barrier layers. The ratio of the tensile strength in the MD to the tensile strength in the CD for each case is given in Table 3 below.

[0395]

[0396] Table 3: Tensile strength ratio in MD and CD

[0397] The difference between the laminate structures of the Examples and Comparative Examples lies essentially in their barrier layers. While these barrier layers are generally similar in that they are made from MFC and are therefore particularly environmentally friendly, they differ in the degree of isotropy of their tensile strength. As a result, the ratio of the tensile strength in the MD to the tensile strength in the CD for the partial laminates of the Examples is closer to 1 than for the partial laminates of the Comparative Examples. This has a significant impact on the flexibility of the laminates, and therefore their suitability for use in sleeve and tube processes. To demonstrate this, closed containers produced from the laminates of the Examples and Comparative Examples using the sleeve and tube processes were investigated for their tightness to liquids, oxygen, and water vapor. This was accomplished using the "Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of Containers," "Liquid Tightness," and "Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of Containers" test methods described above in the Test Methods section. It was found that, in these tests, the container of the Comparative Example, produced using the sleeve process, exhibited lower tightness than the container of the Comparative Example produced using the tube process. The containers of the Examples differ in this respect. Here, the container produced by the sleeve method exhibited similar sealing properties to oxygen, liquids, and water vapor as the container produced by the tube method. This shows that the laminate of this embodiment is suitable for producing containers with a long shelf life using both the sleeve method and the tube method. In this regard, the laminate of the comparative example is more suitable for the tube method than the sleeve method. Therefore, the laminate of the embodiment is more flexible in terms of suitability for producing eco-friendly food or beverage product containers with a long shelf life using both the sleeve method and the tube method.

[0398] Unless otherwise indicated in the description or in the corresponding drawings, the drawings are shown schematically and are not drawn to scale:

[0399] Figure 1 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of a sheet-like composite material of the present invention;

[0400] Figure 2 A schematic partial cross-sectional view of another sheet-like composite material of the present invention;

[0401] Figure 3 Flowchart of the method for producing a sheet-like composite material according to the present invention;

[0402] Figure 4a ) Microscope image of a 180° fold in a sheet-like composite material not according to the present invention;

[0403] Figure 4b ) Figure 4a ) details of the microscope image;

[0404] Figure 4c ) Figure 4b ) details of the microscope image;

[0405] Figure 5 Schematic diagram of an indentation line set for producing closed containers;

[0406] Figure 6 a schematic partial top view of a web of sheet-like composite material;

[0407] Figure 7 Schematic partial top view of a sheet-like composite material used in a tube process for producing closed containers;

[0408] Figure 8 a schematic diagram of a roll according to the present invention;

[0409] Figure 9 Schematic partial top view of a sheet-like composite material used in the sleeve process for producing closed containers;

[0410] Figure 10 a schematic diagram of a blank according to the present invention;

[0411] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a container precursor of the present invention;

[0412] Figure 12 A schematic diagram of a closed container of the present invention;

[0413] Figure 13 Flowchart of a method for producing a container precursor according to the present invention;

[0414] Figure 14 Flowchart of the method for producing a closed container according to the present invention;

[0415] Figure 15 A flow chart of another method for producing a closed container according to the present invention; and

[0416] Figure 16 Schematic partial view of a closed container prepared for the above-mentioned test methods "Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of a Container" or "Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of a Container."

[0417] Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of a sheet-like composite material 100 of the present invention is shown. This figure provides a cross-sectional view. Sheet-like composite material 100 comprises a layer sequence comprising, from outer surface 101 of sheet-like composite material 100 to inner surface 102 of sheet-like composite material 100, a carrier layer 103, a barrier layer 104, and a first inner polymer layer 105 superimposed on one another in the aforementioned order. Barrier layer 104 comprises a plurality of fibers.

[0418] As described above in the test methods section, a partial sheet composite material can be obtained from sheet composite material 100. The partial sheet composite material consists solely of a layer of sheet composite material 100, disposed on the side of carrier layer 103 facing inner surface 102. The partial sheet composite material has a first composite direction within the composite plane of the partial sheet composite material and another composite direction also within the composite plane of the partial sheet composite material but perpendicular to the first composite direction. The first composite tensile strength of the partial sheet composite material refers to the tensile test result in the first composite direction, while the other composite tensile strength of the partial sheet composite material refers to the tensile test result in the other composite direction. The ratio of the first composite tensile strength to the other composite tensile strength is approximately 1.1. Furthermore, barrier layer 104 has a first tensile strength in the first barrier layer direction and another tensile strength in the other barrier layer direction perpendicular to the first barrier layer direction. The ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is also approximately 1.1.

[0419] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of another sheet-like composite material 100 according to the present invention is shown. The figure provides a cross-sectional view. Sheet-like composite material 100 comprises a layer sequence consisting of the following layers superimposed on one another in the order described above, from the outer surface 101 of sheet-like composite material 100 to the inner surface 102 of sheet-like composite material 100: an LDPE outer polymer layer 201, a cardboard carrier layer 103, a first adhesion promoter layer 202, a barrier layer 104, another adhesion promoter layer 203, another LDPE inner polymer layer 204, and a first inner polymer layer 105. First inner polymer layer 105 is composed of a blend of 30% by weight mLLDPE and 70% by weight LDPE, based on the weight of first inner polymer layer 105. Barrier layer 104 is an MFC film.

[0420] As described above in the test methods section, a partial sheet-like composite material can be obtained from sheet-like composite material 100. The partial sheet-like composite material is composed of first adhesion promoter layer 202, barrier layer 104, another adhesion promoter layer 203, another inner polymer layer 204, and first inner polymer layer 105. The partial sheet-like composite material has a first composite direction in the composite plane of the partial sheet-like composite material and another composite direction also in the composite plane of the partial sheet-like composite material but perpendicular to the first composite direction. The first composite tensile strength of the partial sheet-like composite material refers to the tensile test result in the first composite direction, while the other composite tensile strength of the partial sheet-like composite material refers to the tensile test result in the other composite direction. The ratio of the first composite tensile strength to the other composite tensile strength is 1.3. Furthermore, barrier layer 104 has a first tensile strength in the first barrier layer direction and another tensile strength in the other barrier layer direction perpendicular to the first barrier layer direction. The ratio of the first tensile strength to the other tensile strength is 1.2.

[0421] Figure 3 A flow chart showing a method 300 according to the present invention for producing Figure 2 The sheet-like composite material 100 in the method 300 includes method step A.301, which provides a sheet-like composite material precursor, an MFC membrane, a first adhesion promoter composition, another adhesion promoter composition, a first inner polymer layer composition, and another inner polymer layer composition. The sheet-like composite material precursor includes an outer polymer layer 201 and a carrier layer 103. The first adhesion promoter composition and the another adhesion promoter composition are particles of the respective adhesion promoter polymers. The first inner polymer layer composition is a mixture of 30% by weight of first inner polymer layer mPE particles and 70% by weight of first inner polymer layer LDPE particles. The another inner polymer layer composition is LDPE particles. In method step B.302, the barrier layer 104 is laminated to the carrier layer 103 using the first adhesion promoter composition as a laminating agent, thereby obtaining the first adhesion promoter layer 202 from the first adhesion promoter composition. Here, the first adhesion promoter composition is melted in an extruder, and then the first adhesion promoter layer is introduced by melt extrusion coating between the carrier layer 103 and the barrier layer 104. Further in step B.302, but after the lamination operation, another adhesion promoter composition, another inner polymer layer composition and the first inner polymer layer composition are melt extrusion coated onto the barrier layer 104 by coextrusion, thereby obtaining another adhesion promoter layer 203, another inner polymer layer 204 and the first inner polymer layer 105.

[0422] Figure 4a) shows a microscope image of a 180° fold in a sheet-like composite material not according to the invention. Figure 4b )and Figure 4c ) shows Figure 4a ) in which the microscope image details Figure 4c ) Figure 4b ) in a higher magnification. The sheet-like composite material comprises a layer sequence consisting of the following layers superimposed on one another in the aforementioned order, from the outer surface 101 of the sheet-like composite material to the inner surface 102 of the sheet-like composite material: an LDPE outer polymer layer 201, a cardboard carrier layer 103, a first adhesion promoter layer 202, a barrier layer 104, and a mLLDPE / LDPE blend first inner polymer layer 105. At this 180° fold, the inner surface 102 is stretched and the outer surface 101 is compressed, thereby forming a sheet-like composite material. Figure 4a )and Figure 4b ). Therefore, the layer of the sheet composite material that is relatively close to the inner surface 102 is significantly stretched at this 180° fold. Since the carrier layer 103 will give dimensional stability to the container made of the sheet composite material, this layer is relatively thick, as can be seen from Figure 4a ). Consequently, the layers that stretch significantly at the 180° fold are all layers on the side of the carrier layer 103 facing the inner surface 102. These layers are part of the sheet composite, namely, in this case, the first adhesion promoter layer 202, the barrier layer 104, and the first inner polymer layer 105. Therefore, if the tensile strength of these layers in the direction of stretch at the 180° fold is insufficient, one or more of these layers will tear when the sheet composite is folded. Here, the barrier layer 104 is an MFC film. The MFC film does not have sufficient tensile strength in the direction of stretch at the 180° fold. When the sheet composite is folded, tears 401 appear in the MFC film. Such tears compromise the sealability of containers made from the sheet composite, thereby compromising the shelf life of the container.

[0423] Figure 5A schematic diagram illustrates the arrangement of crease lines 500 for producing a closed container 1200. Closed container 12000 can be obtained from a blank 1000 of sheet-like composite material 100 or a region of sheet-like composite material 100 in web form, wherein the region includes a set of crease lines 500. Preparing closed container 1200 involves folding the blank 1000 or region along the crease lines and joining the surface areas of the blank 1000 or region to one another. The set of crease lines 500 consists of: longitudinal crease lines 502, i.e., crease lines extending along the height of closed container 1200 before folding; transverse crease lines 501, i.e., crease lines perpendicular to longitudinal crease lines 502; and diagonal crease lines 503. When producing closed container 1200, blank 1000 or region of sheet-like composite material 100 is folded 180° along a portion of the crease lines. In the figure, these crease lines are depicted by dashed lines. It can be seen that the sum of the lengths of all transverse indentation lines 504 for 180° folding is significantly greater than the sum of the lengths of all longitudinal indentation lines 505 for 180° folding. The blank 1000 or region of the sheet-like composite material 100 is folded along each of the transverse indentation lines 504 for 180° folding and the longitudinal indentation lines 505 for 180° folding so that the inner surface 102 of the sheet-like composite material 100 is on the outside of the fold. This means that the inner surface 102 of the sheet-like composite material 100 is stretched at each of the transverse indentation lines 504 for 180° folding and the longitudinal indentation lines 505 for 180° folding. Figure 4a )to Figure 4c ), if the tensile strength of the corresponding layers in the direction of stretching is not high enough, these 180° folds run the risk of tearing the layers on the inside of the carrier layer 103, in particular the barrier layer 104. Since the transverse indentations 504 of the indentation line set 500 for 180° folding are much longer in total than the longitudinal indentations 505 for 180° folding, the resistance of the layers on the inside of the carrier layer 103, in particular the barrier layer 104, to tearing due to folding along the transverse indentations 504 for 180° folding is crucial for the sealing and, therefore, the shelf life of the closed container 1200.

[0424] Figure 6 A schematic partial top view of a web of sheet-like composite material 100 is shown. Sheet-like composite material 100 has a first longitudinal edge 603 and another longitudinal edge 604 opposite to the first longitudinal edge 603 in the transverse direction of sheet-like composite material 100. If sheet-like composite material 100 is Figure 1 or Figure 2The sheet-like composite material 100 includes a barrier layer 104 comprising a plurality of fibers. The machine direction (MD) 601 of the barrier layer 104 is the direction of primary orientation of the fibers in the plurality of fibers of the barrier layer 104. For practical reasons of production, the MD 601 of the barrier layer 104 will always be in the length direction of the web of the barrier layer 104, while the cross direction (CD) 602 of the barrier layer 104 will be in the width direction of the web. Figure 6 As shown, the MD 601 of the barrier layer 104 will also be the length direction of the web of the sheet-form composite material 100 , while the CD 602 ​​will be the width direction of the web of the sheet-form composite material 100 .

[0425] Figure 7 A schematic partial top view of a sheet-like composite material used in a tube process for producing a closed container 1200 is shown. The sheet-like composite material 100 comprises Figure 2 The layer structure shown is in the form of a web. The MD 601 of the barrier layer 104 is in the length direction of the web, while the CD 602 ​​of the barrier layer 104 is in the width direction of the web. In addition, the sheet composite material 100 includes multiple Figure 5 In the tube process, the transverse indentation lines 501 are usually oriented along the width of the web, that is, perpendicular to the length of the web. Figure 7 The content shown.

[0426] Figure 8 A schematic diagram of a roll 800 according to the present invention is shown. The roll 800 comprises a Figure 2 A sheet-like composite material 100 .

[0427] Figure 9 The invention shows the method used in the sleeve method for producing a closed container 1200. Figure 2 Schematic partial top view of a sheet-like composite material 100. The sheet-like composite material 100 is in web form and includes a plurality of Figure 5 In the sleeve process, the transverse indentation lines 501 are usually oriented along the length of the web, that is, perpendicular to the width of the web. Figure 9 The MD 601 of the barrier layer 104 is in the length direction of the web, while the CD 602 ​​of the barrier layer 104 is in the width direction of the web.

[0428] Figure 10 A schematic diagram of a blank 1000 according to the present invention is shown. The blank 1000 has been Figure 9The blank 1000 is obtained by cutting the sheet-like composite material 100 into a size for producing a single closed container 1200. Therefore, the blank 1000 includes only one set of creasing lines 500. In addition, the blank 1000 has a first longitudinal edge 603 and another longitudinal edge 604 opposite to the first longitudinal edge 603 in the transverse direction of the sheet-like composite material 100.

[0429] Figure 11 A schematic diagram of a container precursor 1100 of the present invention is shown. The container precursor 1100 has been Figure 10 The blank 1000 in FIG. 1 is obtained by folding along the longitudinal indentation line 502, thereby creating a longitudinal fold 1101, and then bringing a first longitudinal edge 603 into contact with another longitudinal edge 604 and sealing both to form a longitudinal seam 1102. The container precursor 1100 is in the form of a sleeve, hence the name "sleeve method." The sleeve is open in the top region 1103 and the base region 1104.

[0430] Figure 12 Schematic diagram of a closed container 1200 of the present invention is shown. The closed container 1200 contains a food or beverage product 1201. The closed container 1200 can be made of Figure 8 Volume 800 of the tube method and by Figure 11 The container precursor 1100 in FIG. 1 is obtained by a sleeve process. The closed container 1200 comprises exactly four longitudinal edges 1202, which are obtained by folding along the longitudinal indentation lines 502. The base region 1204 and the top region 1203 of the closed container 1200 have been obtained by further folding along the indentation lines and sealing the surface regions to each other.

[0431] Figure 13 The production according to the present invention is shown Figure 11 Flowchart of method 1300 for preparing a container precursor 1100. Method 1300 includes providing Figure 10 In method step A) 1301 , the blank 1000 is folded along the longitudinal fold 502 . In method step C) 1303 , the first longitudinal edge 603 is pressed and sealed to the other longitudinal edge 604 , so that the longitudinal seam 1102 is obtained.

[0432] Figure 14 The production according to the present invention is shown Figure 12 Flowchart of a sleeve method 1400 for closing a container 1200 in FIG. The method 1400 includes providing Figure 11Method step A] i] 1401 of preparing a container precursor 1100 in a container blank. Container precursor 1100 is loaded into a filling machine, where a base region 1204 of a closed container 1200 is formed from the base region 1104 of container precursor 1100. Base region 1204 is then closed by folding blank 1000 and joining surface regions of blank 1000 to one another via hot air sealing. This results in a beaker that is open at top region 1103. The beaker is sterilized with hydrogen peroxide. In method step B] 1402, the beaker is filled with a food or beverage product 1201 via open top region 1103. In method step C] i] 1403, top region 1203 of closed container 1200 is formed from the top region 1102 of container precursor 1100 and then closed by folding blank 1000 and joining surface regions of blank 1000 to one another via ultrasonic sealing.

[0433] Figure 15 The production according to the present invention is shown Figure 12 Flowchart of a method 1400 for closing a container 1200 in a tube. The method 1400 includes providing Figure 8 Method step A] ii] 1501 of preparing a roll 800 from a container. Roll 800 is loaded into a filling machine, where sheet composite material 100 is continuously unwound from roll 800. In the unwound section of sheet composite material 100, a first longitudinal edge 603 of sheet composite material 100 contacts and seals to another longitudinal edge 604 of sheet composite material 100, thereby forming a longitudinal seam 1102. In this process, this section of sheet composite material 100 is formed into a tubular shape, hence the name "tube method". In method step B] 1402, the tubular shape is filled with a food or beverage product 1201. In method step C] ii] 1502, a section of the tubular shape is ultrasonically sealed at a first end and an opposite end, thereby forming a closed section. This closed section is separated by cutting, and then formed into closed container 1200 by shaping the base region 1204 and the top region 1203 of closed container 1200. This involves folding the closed section of sheet-like composite material 100 and joining surface areas of the closed section to one another.

[0434] Figure 16 A schematic partial view of a closed container prepared for the aforementioned test methods "Oxygen Transmission Rate (OTR) of a Container" or "Water Vapor Transmission Rate (WVTR) of a Container" is shown. A metal plate 1601 with a gas inlet 1603 and a gas outlet 1604 can be seen. Metal plate 1601 is glued to the container in an airtight manner via a sealing compound 1602. To measure the OTR or WVTR of the container, the corresponding measuring device is connected to gas inlet 1603 and gas outlet 1604.

[0435] List of reference signs

[0436]

[0437]

Claims

1. A sheet-like composite material (100), comprising a layer sequence, the layer sequence comprising the following layers superimposed on one another in the following order from an outer surface (101) of the sheet-like composite material (100) to an inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100): a. carrier layer (103), b. a barrier layer (104) comprising a plurality of fibers, and c. a first inner polymer layer (105); wherein the partial sheet-like composite material consists only of the layer of the sheet-like composite material (100), the layer being arranged on the side of the carrier layer (103) facing the inner surface (102); wherein the part of the sheet-like composite material - having a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of said partial sheet-like composite material, - has another composite material direction which is also in said composite material plane of said partial sheet-like composite material, but perpendicular to said first composite material direction, - having a first composite tensile strength in said first composite direction, and - having another composite material tensile strength in said another composite material direction; It is characterized in that A ratio of the first composite material tensile strength to the another composite material tensile strength is in a range of greater than 0.5 to 1.

9.

2. A sheet-like composite material (100), comprising a layer sequence, the layer sequence comprising the following layers superimposed on one another in the following order from the outer surface (101) of the sheet-like composite material (100) to the inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100): a. carrier layer (103), b. a barrier layer (104), and c. a first inner polymer layer (105); wherein the barrier layer (104) - contains multiple fibers, - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer; It is characterized by: A ratio of the first tensile strength to the another tensile strength is in a range from greater than 0.5 to less than 1.

7.

3. The sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the barrier layer (104) has a water content in the range of 3.0 wt. % to 10.0 wt. %, based on the total weight of the barrier layer (104).

4. The sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the fibers of the plurality of fibers are one type of fiber selected from the group consisting of cellulosic fibers, lignocellulosic fibers and hemicellulosic fibers, or a combination of at least two thereof.

5. The sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the plurality of fibers constitute a three-dimensional network or a two-dimensional network.

6. The sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the sheet-like composite material (100) comprises a plurality of scoring line groups (500) in the carrier layer (103), wherein for each of the set (500) of creasing lines, a container can be obtained from a region of the sheet-like composite material (100) by folding the region along a creasing line in the set (500) of creasing lines and joining surface areas of the region to one another, wherein at least one of the plurality of creasing line groups (500) comprises at least one transverse creasing line (501), the at least one transverse creasing line extending perpendicularly to the height direction of the container, and the container can be obtained from an area of ​​the sheet-like composite material (100) by folding the area along the creasing line of the corresponding creasing line group (500) and joining the surface areas of the area to each other; wherein at least one transverse indentation line (501) is at an angle within the following range -80° to 100°, preferably 85° to 95°, more preferably 87° to 93°, or --10° to +10°, preferably -5° to +5°, more preferably -3° to +3° Extending to the length of the sheet-like composite material (100).

7. A method (300) for producing a sheet-like composite material (100), the method (300) comprising the following method steps: A. Provide - a sheet-like composite material precursor comprising a carrier layer (103), and - a barrier layer (104) comprising a plurality of fibers; B. laminating the barrier layer (104) to the carrier layer (103) on the side of the carrier layer (103) that faces the inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100), and then superimposing a first inner polymer layer (105) to the barrier layer (104) on the side of the barrier layer (104) that faces the inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100); wherein the partial sheet-like composite material consists only of the layer of the sheet-like composite material (100), and the layer is arranged on the side of the carrier layer (103) facing the inner surface (101); wherein the part of the sheet-like composite material - having a first composite material direction in the composite material plane of said partial sheet-like composite material, - has another composite material direction which is also in said composite material plane of said partial sheet-like composite material, but perpendicular to said first composite material direction, - having a first composite tensile strength in said first composite direction, and - having another composite material tensile strength in said another composite material direction; The ratio of the tensile strength of the first composite material to the tensile strength of the other composite material is in the range of greater than 0.5 to 1.

9.

8. A method (300) for producing a sheet-like composite material (100), the method (300) comprising the following method steps: A. Provide - a sheet-like composite material precursor comprising a carrier layer (103), and - a barrier layer (104); B. laminating the barrier layer (104) to the carrier layer (103) on the side of the carrier layer (103) that faces the inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100), and then superimposing a first inner polymer layer (105) to the barrier layer (104) on the side of the barrier layer (104) that faces the inner surface (102) of the sheet-like composite material (100); Wherein in the method step A. (301), the barrier layer (104) - contains multiple fibers, - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer; The ratio of the first tensile strength to the another tensile strength is in a range from greater than 0.5 to less than 1.

7.

9. The method (300) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the method (300) comprises any of the following additional method steps C. (303) i. rolling the sheet-like composite material (100) into a roll (800), or ii. Separating at least a portion of the sheet-like composite material (100) into a plurality of blanks (1000), wherein each of the blanks (1000) is used to produce a single container.

10. A roll (800) or a blank (1000), in each case obtainable by the method (300) according to claim 9.

11. A roll (800) comprising a sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6; or a sheet-like composite material (100) obtainable by a method (300) according to claim 7 or 8, in each case in a rolled-up state.

12. A blank (1000) of a sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or a blank (1000) of a sheet-like composite material (100) obtainable by a method (300) according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the blank (1000) comprises only one set of indentation lines (500) in the carrier layer (103), Wherein a single container can be obtained from the blank (1000) by folding the blank (1000) along the creasing lines of the set (500) of creasing lines and joining surface areas of the blank (1000) to each other.

13. A container precursor (1100) comprising a blank (1000) according to claim 10 or 12, wherein the blank (1000) comprises a first longitudinal edge (603) and a further longitudinal edge (604), The first longitudinal edge (603) is joined to the other longitudinal edge (604), thereby forming a longitudinal seam (1102) of the container precursor (1100).

14. A closed container (1200) comprising a sheet-like region of a sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, or a sheet-like region of a sheet-like composite material (100) obtainable by a method (300) according to claim 7 or 8, or a blank (1000) according to claim 10 or 12.

15. A method (1300), comprising the following method steps: A) providing a blank (1000) according to claim 10 or 12, wherein the blank (1000) comprises a first longitudinal edge (603) and another longitudinal edge (604); B) folding the blank (1000); and C) Bringing the first longitudinal edge (603) into contact with the further longitudinal edge (604) and joining the two to obtain a longitudinal seam (1102).

16. A method (1400) for producing a closed container (1200), the method (1400) comprising the following method steps: A] Provide i] a container precursor (1100) according to claim 13, or a container precursor (1100) obtainable by a method (1300) according to claim 15, or ii] A roll (800) according to claim 10 or 11; B] contacting the inner surface (102) with a food or beverage product (1201); C] A closed container (1200) is formed by the following operations i] forming the closed container from the container precursor (1100) by folding the blank (1000) and joining surface areas of the blank (1000) to one another, or ii] Folding a region of the sheet-like composite material (100) and joining surface areas of the region to each other, forming the closed container from the region.

17. Use of a sheet-like composite material (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 6 or obtainable by a method (300) according to claim 7 or 8, in each case for producing a container for a food or beverage product.

18. Use of a container precursor (1100) according to claim 13 or a container precursor (1100) obtainable by the method (1300) according to claim 15, in each case for producing a container for a food or beverage product.

19. Use of a roll (800) according to claim 10 or 11 for producing containers for food or beverage products.

20. Use of a barrier film for producing a packaging laminate, wherein the barrier film - contains multiple fibers, - has a first tensile strength in the first barrier direction, and - having another tensile strength in another barrier layer direction perpendicular to the direction of the first barrier layer; The ratio of the first tensile strength to the another tensile strength is in a range from greater than 0.5 to less than 1.7.

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