Metallised film

Abstract

The invention relates to a metallised film (1) comprising a substrate film (2) and a metallic layer (3) located on the substrate film (2), wherein the substrate film (2) has a first main surface and a second main surface, and the metallic layer (3) is applied in a metallisation region (3a) of the substrate film (2) located on the first main surface, wherein the metallisation region (3a) covers at least 90%, in particular 100%, of the first main surface (3a), wherein the metallic layer (3) completely and uniformly covers the entire metallisation region, and wherein the metallic layer (3), at every point on its surface, when viewed in plan view from the side of the first main surface (3a), exhibits the same visual appearance irrespective of viewing angle, characterised in that the metallic layer (3) is made from at least one metal from Group 6, 10, 11, 12 or 14 of the periodic table and / or from two or more of these metals.

Description

[0001] METALLICIZED FOIL

[0002] The invention relates to a metallized foil with a carrier foil and a metallic layer arranged on the carrier foil, wherein the carrier foil has a first main surface and a second main surface and the metallic layer is applied in a metallization area of ​​the carrier foil arranged on the first main surface, wherein the metallization area covers at least 90%, in particular 100%, of the first main surface, wherein the metallic layer covers the entire metallization area completely and uniformly and the metallic layer has the same optical and viewing angle-independent appearance at every point on its surface when viewed from above from the side of the first main surface.

[0003] Foils of the type mentioned above are unembossed foils with a smooth and uniform metallic surface and are used, for example, as labels for bottles and containers. Such a label is known from DE202004020691U1. A disadvantage of the known solution is primarily the use of aluminum as the metallic layer. Typically, the label on reusable bottles or containers is washed off using a sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to allow reuse. However, the solution attacks the aluminum, which can lead to contamination of the solution and the formation of hydrogen. With the conventional solution, frequent changes of the washing solution may therefore be necessary, which also increases production costs. In addition to the difficult disposal of the contaminated solution, the known solutions can also present problems regarding environmental compatibility and sustainability.

[0004] It is therefore an objective of the invention to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages.

[0005] This problem is solved according to the invention with a foil of the type mentioned at the outset in that the metallic layer is made of at least one metal of the 6th, 10th, 11th, 12th or 14th group of the periodic table and / or of two or more of these metals.

[0006] The solution according to the invention allows, firstly, the substitution of aluminium and the associated problems of label removal during the reprocessing of bottles or containers to be solved. Secondly, an improvement in the corrosion resistance of the metallic layer is achieved simultaneously.

[0007] Furthermore, the invention makes it possible, through a suitable choice of metal, to produce foils with a silver impression, such as that produced by using aluminum, without actually using aluminum. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, for example, the metallic layer can be made of Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, or lead, from an alloy containing at least one of these metals and / or tin or a tin alloy and / or silver or a silver alloy. This embodiment of the invention is particularly advantageous for labels, for example.

[0008] According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, the carrier film may be a mono- or bi-axially stretched film.

[0009] It has proven particularly advantageous for the carrier film to contain at least one of the following materials: polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), monoaxially oriented polyethylene (MDOPE), biaxially oriented polyethylene (BDOPE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF). Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene fluoropolymer (EFEP), cellulose or lignin-based plastics,The carrier film comprises or is made from at least one of these materials: polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PB AT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), and / or mixtures and / or copolymers and / or composites of these materials. Preferably, the carrier film has a thickness of 5 m to 250 µm, particularly a thickness between 5 m and 200 µm.

[0010] The metallic layer can have a thickness of 5 - 150 nm, preferably 50 - 150 nm, particularly preferably 80 - 140 nm.

[0011] According to one embodiment of the invention, the metallic layer can be applied directly to the carrier film. Alternatively, however, it can also be provided that at least one further layer, in particular an adhesion promoter layer and / or primer layer and / or a functional layer, is arranged between the metallic layer and the carrier film.

[0012] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one further layer, in particular a protective layer and / or a functional layer, is arranged on the side of the metallic layer opposite the carrier film. According to this embodiment of the invention, a protective layer and / or a functional layer can be provided on the metallic layer, in particular a corrosion protection layer and / or a layer that improves optical properties, such as color or opacity, and / or a layer that improves mechanical properties, such as scratch or abrasion resistance, and / or an electrically insulating or electrically conductive layer, and / or a layer that improves thermal conductivity, and / or a layer that improves barrier properties against gases or liquids, and / or a layer that improves sealability, and / or a layer that improves printability.

[0013] To enable attachment to an object, an adhesive layer can be applied to the second main surface of the carrier film and / or to the metallic layer.

[0014] Furthermore, the carrier film can have a print on its second main surface and / or the metallic layer on its side facing away from the carrier film, in particular at least one image, in particular a symbol and / or logo and / or a code and / or a text and / or at least one alphanumeric character. According to an advantageous embodiment of the invention, it can be provided that the metallic layer on its side facing away from the carrier film and / or the second main surface of the carrier film is printed with a printing varnish layer as a primer for the printing, wherein the printing varnish layer preferably comprises at least a polyester, polyurethane or mixtures thereof or at least an acrylate-containing binder.

[0015] To better understand the invention, it is explained in more detail with reference to the following figures.

[0016] They each show, in a highly simplified, schematic representation:

[0017] Fig. 1 shows a top view of a film according to the invention;

[0018] Fig. 2 shows a first layer structure of a film according to the invention;

[0019] Fig. 3 shows a second layer structure of a film according to the invention;

[0020] Fig. 4 shows a third layer structure of a film according to the invention.

[0021] It should be noted at the outset that in the differently described embodiments, identical parts are provided with the same reference numerals or component designations, and the disclosures contained in the entire description can be applied analogously to identical parts with the same reference numerals or component designations. Furthermore, the orientation designations chosen in the description, such as top, bottom, side, etc., refer to the figure directly described and illustrated, and these orientation designations must be applied analogously to the new position if the orientation changes.

[0022] All references to value ranges in this description are to be understood as encompassing any and all sub-ranges thereof, e.g., the reference 1 to 10 is to be understood as including all sub-ranges, starting from the lower limit 1 and the upper limit 10, i.e., all sub-ranges begin with a lower limit of 1 or greater and end with an upper limit of 10 or less, e.g., 1 to 1.7, or 3.2 to 8.1, or 5.5 to 10.

[0023] The exemplary embodiments are described below across multiple figures. According to Figures 1-4, a metallized film 1 comprises a carrier film 2 and a metallic layer 3 arranged on the carrier film 2. The carrier film 2 has a first main surface 2a and a second main surface 2b. The metallic layer 3 is applied to a metallization area 3a of the carrier film 2 located on the first main surface 2a. The metallization area 3a covers at least 90%, preferably 100%, of the first main surface 3a. The metallic layer 3 covers the entire metallization area completely and uniformly. Furthermore, when viewed from above from the side of the first main surface 2a, the metallic layer 3 has the same optical appearance at every point on its surface, regardless of the viewing angle.

[0024] The metallic layer 3 is made of at least one metal from group 6, 10, 11, 12, or 14 of the periodic table. The metallic layer 3 can consist of a single metal or of alloys of several of the aforementioned metals. Preferably, the metallic layer 3 is made of tin or a tin alloy and / or silver or a silver alloy. The metallic layer 3 can be deposited onto the substrate 2, for example, by PVD or CVD processes such as thermal evaporation, sputtering, or electron beam deposition. Alternatively, the metallic layer 3 can also be printed onto the substrate 2.

[0025] Between the metallic layer 3 and the carrier film 2, a further layer, for example an adhesion promoter layer 4, a primer, or a functional layer, can be arranged, as shown in Fig. 2. Alternatively, the metallic layer 3 can also be applied directly to the carrier film 2, as shown in Fig. 3.

[0026] The thickness of the metallic layer 3 can be, for example, about 5–150 nm, preferably 50–150 nm, and particularly preferably 80–140 nm. The carrier film 2 preferably has a thickness of 5 pm–250 pm, particularly between 5 pm and 200 pm.

[0027] The carrier film 2 is a plastic film, and the carrier film 2 can be a mono- or bi-axially stretched film. The carrier film 2 comprises at least one of the following materials: polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), monoaxially oriented polyethylene (MDOPE), biaxially oriented polyethylene (BDOPE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystal polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF),Ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose- or eignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PEA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers and / or composites of these materials, or is made from at least one of these materials.

[0028] An adhesive layer 5 can be applied to one side of the carrier film 2 opposite the metallic layer 3, i.e., on the second main surface 2b. Additionally or alternatively, an adhesive layer 5 can also be arranged on the metallic layer 3.

[0029] Furthermore, the carrier film 2 can have a print 5, for example an image, in particular a symbol and / or logo and / or code and / or text and / or an alphanumeric character, on its second main surface 2b and / or the metallic layer 3 on its side facing away from the carrier film 2. To ensure good printability, the second main surface 2b and / or the metallic layer 3 can additionally be provided with a printing varnish layer 7 as a primer for the printed image 6, as shown in Fig. 4. The printing varnish layer 7 preferably comprises at least a polyester, polyurethane, or mixtures thereof, or at least an acrylate-containing binder. Of course, the printing varnish layer 7 can also be present in the embodiments shown in Figs. 2 and 3. As an alternative to using the printing varnish layer 7, the second main surface 2b and / or the metallic layer 3 can also be printed directly.

[0030] Alternatively or additionally, it may also be provided that the metallic layer 3 has further layers on its side facing away from the carrier film 2, such as a protective layer and / or a functional layer, in particular a corrosion protection layer and / or an optical properties, such as color or opacity, improving layer and / or a mechanical properties, such as scratch or abrasion resistance, improving layer and / or an electrically insulating or electrically conductive layer and / or a thermal conductivity-improving layer and / or a barrier properties against gas or liquids, improving layer and / or a sealing ability-improving layer and / or a printability-improving layer.

[0031] Finally, for the sake of clarity, it should be noted that, for a better understanding of the structure, some elements have been shown not to scale and / or enlarged and / or reduced in size.

[0032] Reference numeral list: Foil, Carrier film, a) First main surface, b) Second main surface, Metallic layer, a) Metallization area, Adhesion promoter layer, Adhesive layer, Printing, Varnish layer

Claims

Patent claims 1. Metallized foil (1) with a carrier foil (2) and a metallic layer (3) arranged on the carrier foil (2), wherein the carrier foil (2) has a first main surface (2a) and a second main surface (2b) and the metallic layer (3) is arranged in a metallization area (3a) of the carrier foil arranged on the first main surface (2a). (2) is applied, wherein the metallization area (3a) covers at least 90%, in particular 100%, of the first main surface (3a), wherein the metallic layer (3) covers the entire metallization area completely and uniformly and the metallic layer (3) has the same optical and viewing angle-independent appearance at every point of its surface when viewed from a top view from the side of the first main surface (3a), characterized in that the metallic layer (3) is made of at least one metal of group 6, 10, 11, 12 or 14 of the periodic table and / or of two or more of these metals.

2. Foil according to claim 1, characterized in that the metallic layer (3) is made of Ni, Zn, Cd, Hg, Pb, Cr or of an alloy containing at least one of these metals and / or of tin or a tin alloy and / or of silver or a silver alloy.

3. Film according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the carrier film (2) is a plastic film.

4. Film according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the carrier film (2) is a mono- or bi-axially stretched film.

5. Film according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the carrier film (2) comprises at least one of the materials from the group consisting of polyimide (PI), polypropylene (PP), monoaxially oriented polypropylene (MOPP), biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), polyethylene (PE), monoaxially oriented polyethylene (MDOPE), biaxially oriented polyethylene (BDOPE), polyphenylene sulfide (PPS), polyetheretherketone (PEEK), polyetherketone (PEK), polyethyleneimide (PEI), polysulfone (PSU), polyaryletherketone (PAEK), polyethylene naphthalate (PEN), liquid crystalline polymers (LCP), polyester, polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), Polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyamide (PA), polycarbonate (PC), cycloolefin copolymers (COC), polyoxymethylene (POM), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE), polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE), polyvinyl fluoride (PVF), polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), ethylene tetrafluoroethylene hexafluoropropylene fluoroterpolymer (EFEP), cellulose or lignin-based plastics, polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHA), thermoplastic starch (TPS), polylactic acid (PLA), polycaprolactone (PCL), polybutylene succinate (PBS), polybutylene adipate terephthalate (PBAT), polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) and / or mixtures and / or copolymers and / or composite materials of these materials, or is made from at least one of these materials.

6. Film according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the carrier film (2) has a thickness of 5 pm - 250 pm, in particular a thickness between 5 pm - 200 pm.

7. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the metallic layer (3) has a layer thickness of 5 - 150 nm, preferably 50 - 150 nm, particularly preferably 80 - 140 nm.

8. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the metallic layer (3) is applied directly to the carrier film (2).

9. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one further layer, in particular an adhesion promoter layer (4) and / or primer layer and / or a functional layer, is arranged between the metallic layer (3) and the carrier film (2).

10. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that at least one further layer, in particular a protective layer and / or a functional layer, is arranged on the side of the metallic layer (3) opposite the carrier film (2), in particular a corrosion protection layer and / or an optical properties-enhancing layer, such as color or opacity, and / or a mechanical properties-enhancing layer, such as scratch or abrasion resistance, and / or an electrically insulating or electrically conductive layer. layer and / or a layer improving thermal conductivity and / or a layer improving barrier properties against gas or liquids and / or a layer improving sealing properties and / or a layer improving printability.

11. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that an adhesive layer (5) is applied to a second main surface (2b) of the carrier foil (2) opposite the metallic layer (3) and / or to the metallic layer (3).

12. Foil according to one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that the carrier foil (2) has a print (6) on its second main surface (2b) and / or the metallic layer (3) has a print on its side facing away from the carrier foil (2), in particular at least one image, in particular a symbol and / or logo and / or code, a text and / or at least one alphanumeric character.

13. Foil according to claim 12, characterized in that the metallic layer (3) on its side facing away from the carrier film (2) and / or the second main surface (2b) of the carrier film (2) is provided with a printing varnish layer (7) as a primer for the printing (6), wherein the printing varnish layer (7) preferably comprises at least a polyester, polyurethane or mixtures thereof or at least an acrylate-containing binder.

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