Biaxially oriented films having improved resistance to snags

Abstract

The disclosure provides axially oriented films, and particularly biaxially oriented films, and various articles (e.g., bags and packages) formed from such films that exhibit improved snag resistance without any delamination. Bags prepared using at least one ply of the biaxially oriented films also perform well by bag drop performance metrics.

Description

Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOBIAXIALLY ORIENTED FILMS HAVINGIMPROVED RESISTANCE TO SNAGSCROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] None.FIELD

[0002] The disclosure relates to a variety of films biaxially oriented in the machine direction and the transverse direction that have improved snag and puncture resistance. The films can incorporate a variety of polymer materials including low and high density polyethylenes, polyethylene and ethylene / a-olefin copolymer based co-extruded, multilayer (CEML) films, barrier and non-barrier films, that may be used in the manufacture of articles useful in packaging, including bags and other varieties of flexible packaging (e.g., for holding, containing, shipping, packaging, and / or storing flowable materials). The described films and flexible packaging containing the films achieve improved performance characteristics. The films unexpectedly confer improved resilience and resistance, particularly against snags and punctures. Use of the films to produce bags that can be used to package flowable liquid products, such as food and beverage products, also surprisingly results in bags that have excellent ambient and cold bag drop performance.BACKGROUND

[0003] Bags used in the packaging flowable liquid products, such as food and beverage products are typically made using bag forming equipment, wherein rolls of film are unwound to form a bag. The bag is labeled with a code followed by punching to form a hole for the spout. The spout is inserted, the bag is sealed on the long sides, and is usually brushed to remove air. It is then cross-sealed at its bottom and at the top of the next bag being made and pulled through the line. The bag is perforated adjacent to the cross-seals and packaged for use on a bag-in-box filling line.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0004] Bags used in the packaging flowable liquid products, such as food and beverage products need to be able to hold up to the physical challenges associated with manufacture, fdling, shipping and storage. The industry requires bags having improved features (e.g.. thinner fdms, impact resistance, improved oxygen barrier, resilience to high and low temperatures and humidity7, recyclability7, etc.) especially when the packaging is designed for flowable / liquid products. In particular, film and bag tears and / or snags remain a persistent challenge in the industry as films and bags are exposed at all stages of manufacturing, filling, shipping, storage and use to physical stresses that cause snags, punctures, and rips that ultimately lead to film / bag failure (e.g., pinholes, tears, cracks and leaks).

[0005] Beverage bags are widely available based on an outer barrier ply of athermal or adhesive laminate comprising a biaxial-oriented nylon 6 core, sandwiched by sealant layers of polyethylene / EVA. The inner ply of these beverage bags ty pically comprises polyethylene. The biaxially-oriented nylon core imparts the bags with a high puncture resistance. Together, the high puncture resistance and the high tear resistance (coming from the polyethylene) yield a bag having high snag resistance (snag resistance generally being understood as relating to the combination of puncture resistance and tear resistance since a snag is often initiated by a puncture followed by tearing that initiates from the puncture.). Due to the presence of the nylon, however, these types of flexible bags are not amenable to recycling, and therefore are not as desireable, sustainable, or environmentally-friendly as materials that can be recycled.

[0006] The present Applicant has introduced bags made of co-extruded, multilayer (CEML) films that do not include any7nylon layers. Examples of these co-extruded, multilayer (CEML) films are described in United States Patent No. 11,603,242, the entirety of which is incorporated by reference herein. Bags made from those CEML films perform well in nearly all aspects of beverage bag performance, but the lack of nylon layers has resulted in films and bags having relatively low snag resistance when compared to the conventional laminate bags.

[0007] Some commercially available films have attempted to improve resistance to snags and punctures by7(1) modifying the particular film materials such as, for example, the amounts and ty pes of slip and antiblock agents that may be applied to the film surface or (2) adding film materials (e.g., heavy plastomers and MDPEs) or structure (e.g., increase thickness) to enhance film toughness and stiffness. Laminated films have also been developed in an attempt to improve the snag and / or puncture resistance of the material, but the laminatedAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO films are ty pically stiff, thick, and require specific materials. More notably, such laminated films are know to be prone to delamination which can lead to film defects and packaging failure.

[0008] While axially oriented polyolefin films, such as machine-direction oriented (MDO) and biaxially oriented (BO) polypropylenes and polyethylenes, have been prepared and provide good stiffness and toughness, such films can exhibit decreased resilience to certain physical stresses (e.g., puncture and tear) in light of the reduced gauge / thickness of the oriented film.

[0009] Accordingly, there is a need in the art to provide films and flexible packaging (e.g., bags) that have excellent toughness and durability, especially with regard to resistance to punctures and snags, and which can satisfy commercial requirements for bag drop performance. As described herein, the inventors have identified materials and methods that can provide films and bags having increased resistance to snags, punctures, tears, and / or breaks, without the typical stiffness and thickness that is required of laminated materials. Further, the films and bags can be readily recycled, and the materials used in the manufacture of the films and bags described herein can be sourced from post-consumer recycled materials.SUMMARY

[0010] The disclosure generally provides for a variety of biaxially oriented polymer films that provide improved snag resistance. In particular, the disclosure relates to co-extruded, multilayer (CEML) films, including barrier and non-barrier films, that are prepared by known methods as well as articles (e.g.. flexible packaging, bags) comprising one or more layers (e.g. at least an outer ply of a multi-ply bag) of the biaxially oriented polymer films, in various combinations; and packaged products comprising the films and / or bags. Some embodiments of the methods and materials described herein provide for films, packaging, and packaged products that exhibit improved snag resistance while also being recyclable. The biaxially oriented polymer films of embodiments of the present disclosure have improved snag resistance in both machine and transverse directions, which render them less prone to failure when being formed into flexible packaging, e.g. bags. Moreover, the flexible packaging, e.g. bags, that comprise one or more layers of the biaxially oriented polymer films of embodiments of the present disclosure may, due to having improved snag resistance inAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO both machine and transverse directions, be less prone to failure during filling, shipping, and distribution.

[0011] In some aspects, the disclosure relates to a biaxially oriented CEML film that exhibits improved snag resistance. In embodiments, the biaxially oriented CEML film may comprise at least three layers: (i) an inner sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.920 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 50% by weight or thickness of the total inner sealant layer, wherein the inner sealant layer has a total density in the range of 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3; (ii) a core barrier layer comprising ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EV OH) comprising about 0. 1% to about 12% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film (e.g. about 5% by total weight or thickness), wherein the EV OH comprises at least 27 mol% ethylene in the EV OH copolymer; and (iii) an outer sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefm copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.920 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 50% by weight or thickness of the total outer sealant layer, wherein the outer sealant layer has a total density in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3.

[0012] In some embodiments, the biaxially oriented film may comprise a draw ratio of at least 2:1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction. In some embodiments, for example, the biaxially oriented film may comprise a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 10: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, alternatively a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 8: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, , alternatively a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 7: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, alternatively a draw ratio between 2:1 and 6: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, alternatively a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 5: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, alternatively a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 4: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction.

[0013] In embodiments of these aspects, the biaxially oriented films may comprise an improved snag resistance of at least 50%, measured in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, relative to the same film composition that is not axially oriented in either of the machine direction and the transverse direction. In further embodiments, the biaxially oriented films may comprise an improved snag resistance of at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90%, or at least 100%, measured in each of the machine direction and theAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO transverse direction, relative to the same film composition that is not axially oriented in either of the machine direction and the transverse direction. In embodiments of these aspects, the snag resistance of the oriented film and the comparative film can be measured using the techniques described herein.

[0014] In some further embodiments, the disclosure provides bags that comprise at least an inner and an outer ply. In some preferred embodiments, the outer ply comprises an oriented film in accordance with the disclosure, and the inner ply optionally comprises an oriented or a non-oriented film. In such embodiments, bags comprising at least two plies can exhibit increased snag resistance, as well as acceptable bag drop performance.

[0015] In yet some further embodiments, the oriented film comprises a co-extruded multilayer polymeric film comprising at least three layers: (i) an inner sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the total inner sealant layer, optionally comprising an amount of adhesive tie resin; (ii) a core layer that comprises one of: (a) a barrier layer comprising ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EV OH) from about 27-55% ethylene in the EV OH copolymer, and wherein the EV OH layer comprises either: from about 0.1% to about 12% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric fdm, or from about 0. 1% to about 10% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, or from about 0.1% to about 5% by total weight or thickness of the coextruded multi-layer polymeric film, or (b) a non-barrier core layer comprising (1) a polymer or a polymer blend comprising (1) 0-100% by weight, about 30-70% by weight, or about 30- 50% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.910 to 0.920 g / cm3and melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 dg / min, (2) 0-100% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / hexene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.918 to 0.930 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 dg / min, or about 70-30% by weight, or 50-70% by weight said copolymer; and (iii) an outer sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the total outer sealant layer, and optionally comprising an amount of adhesive tie resin.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0016] In some further embodiments, the non-barrier core layer can comprise a polymer blend comprising 35-45% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.914 to 0.918 g / cm3. and a melt index of about 0.9 to 1 .1 dg / min; and 55-65% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / hexene-1 copolymer having a density7of about 0.918 to 0.920 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.9 to 1.1 dg / min.

[0017] In some further embodiments, the biaxially oriented film comprises a co-extruded multi-layer polymeric barrier film comprising at least three layers: (i) an inner sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the total inner sealant layer, and comprises an amount of adhesive tie resin; (ii) a core barrier layer comprising ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EV OH) from about 27-55 mol% ethylene in the EV OH copolymer, and wherein the EV OH layer comprises either: from about 0.1% to about 12% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, or from 0.1% to about 10% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, or from about 0. 1% to about 5% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film; and (iii) an outer sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the total outer sealant layer, and comprises an amount of adhesive tie resin.

[0018] In some further embodiments, the biaxially oriented film comprises a co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film comprising five layers: (i) an inner sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer or interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the total inner sealant layer; (ii) a first and a second interposed layer comprising a copolymer or an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density7in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the first interposed layer, and an optional adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the first and the second interposed layer to at least one other layers in the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, wherein the first and the second interposed layer has a total density7in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3; (iii) a core layer that comprises one of: (a) barrierAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO layer comprising ethylene- vinyl alcohol (EV OH) from about 27-32% ethylene or from about 38-55% ethylene in the EV OH copolymer, and wherein the EV OH layer comprises either: from about 0. 1% to about 12% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, or from about 0. 1 % to about 10% by total weight or thickness of the coextruded multi-layer polymeric film, or from about 0. 1% to about 5% by total weight or thickness of the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film, or (b) a core layer comprising a polymer or a polymer blend of about 0-100% by weight or preferably of about 30-70% by weight of or more preferably 30-50% by weight of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.910 to 0.920 g / cc and melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 g / 10 min. and 0-100% by weight of a low density' hexene poyethylene having a density’ of about 0.918 to 0.930 g / cc and a melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 g / 10 min or preferably of 70-30% by yveight of or more preferably 50-70% by weight of the linear loyv density hexene polyethylene.

[0019] In embodiments of this aspect, the first and second interposed layers are positioned on either side of the core layer, and in embodiments wherein the core layer comprises EVOH, further comprise a tie-layer resin that can bond to the EVOH core.

[0020] In further embodiments, the oriented films can comprise a co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film in accordance with the above five layer embodiments, but comprises seven layers, wherein the further two layers comprise an additional pair of interposed layers, wherein all the interposed layers comprise a copolymer or an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.924 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 40-50% by weight or thickness of the first interposed layer, wherein all the interposed layers have a total density in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3, and comprise an optional adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the first and the second inner interposed layer to at least one layer in the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film.

[0021] In further embodiments, the oriented films can comprise a co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film in accordance with the above five layer embodiments, but comprises nine layers, wherein the further four layers comprise an additional core layer in accordance with the above embodiments, and three separate tie layers comprising an adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion between the interposed layers that contact the two coreAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO barrier, wherein the barrier layers are separated by one of the tie layers, and each barrier layer adjacent to one of the two other tie layers, and located between the first and the second outer interposed layers.

[0022] Some additional embodiments comprising a nine layer oriented film can comprise a single core layer in accordance with the above embodiments around five layer films, and further comprising two additional tie layers that comprise an adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the first and the second inner interposed layer to at least one core layer in the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film. In another additional nine layer embodiment, the oriented film can comprise a single interposed layer in accordance with the above embodiments around five layer films, and further comprising four separate tie layers comprising an adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the sealant and interposed layer to core layer in the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film; and two core layers, wherein each core layer is adjacent to two of the four separate tie layers and is separated by the inner interposed layer.

[0023] In some further embodiments relating to the three-, five-, seven-, and nine-layer films, the core layer(s) comprises a barrier EV OH layer, wherein the total amount of EV OH in all barrier layers) comprise about 0.1% to about 12% total weight or thickness of the multilayer polymeric oriented film.

[0024] In embodiments, the co-extruded multi-layer oriented film comprises at least one layer that comprises ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer as described herein.

[0025] In embodiments of any of the above aspects, the co-extruded multi-layer oriented film may comprise inner and outer sealant layers having a total density in the range of 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3. In such embodiments, the sealant layers may comprise an amount of linear low density polyethylene, ultra low density polyethylene, very low density polyethylene, and / or plastomer. In some embodiments at least one of the inner and / or outer sealant layer and / or interposed layers comprises an interpolymer.

[0026] In embodiments of any of the above aspects, one or more of the interposed layers may include or comprise an adhesive material such as an optional tie resin. In such embodiments, the tie resin / adhesive may be included and co-extruded with the interposed layer interpolymer, or the tie resin / adhesive may be included as a distinct layer. In theseAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO embodiments the tie resin / adhesive material may form part of a layer that is about 5-7% thickness relative to the thickness of the entire oriented film. In some embodiments tie-layer resins comprise anhydride-modified polyolefins that generally function to bond (i.e.. adhere) dissimilar polymers together (e.g., multilayer, coextruded structures), providing good adhesion between different polymer ty pes (e.g., EV OH and polyolefins). Tie resins or adhesive resins are generally known in the art and may be designed materials that specifically adhere polar resins (e.g., ethylene vinyl alcohol ("EVOH") or polyamide ("PA")) to nonpolar resins (e.g., polyethylene (“PE’’), polypropylene “PP”)) in a co-extrusion process.Some suitable tie resins in accordance with the disclosure are provided by Dow Chemical and can comprise maleic anhydride grafted poly olefin (“MAH-PE”), wherein the maleic anhydride moiety is “grafted” onto the backbone of the polyethylene chain at various intervals / concentrations. The grafted chemical group (e.g.. maleic anhydride) alters the chemical properties of the underlying polymer backbone that allows, for example, the backbone portion (e.g., PE portion of MAH-PE) to retain affinity7for other PE or non-polar polymers, while increasing affinity for polar polymers (e.g., EVOH) through the maleic anhydride group. In some particular embodiments, the tie resin can comprise a resin such as Plexar (e g., Plexar 3236, Lyondell Basell) or Bynel (e.g., Bynel E418, Dupont).

[0027] In embodiments, the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric oriented film may comprise a structure wherein a first interposed layer is sandwiched between the inner sealant layer and the core barrier layer, and a second interposed layer is sandwiched between the outer sealant layer and the core barrier layer.

[0028] In some embodiments, the co-extruded multi-layer polymeric barrier oriented film may comprise a inner sealant layer and / or an outer sealant layer comprises an adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the sealant layers to the core barrier layer.

[0029] In some embodiments, the ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer (or copolymer) in at least one of the inner sealant layer, the outer sealant layer, the first interposed layer, or the second interposed layer comprises a polymer fraction of linear low density polyethylene and a second copolymer fraction of an ethylene / octene-1 copolymer, an ethylene / hexene-1 copolymer, or an ethylene / butene-1 copolymer.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0030] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the interpolymer has a melt index of 0.80-1.0 dg / min. In yet further embodiments, the ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer comprises at least one metallocene linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) having a density of 0.912 g / cm3. In some embodiments, one or more of the interposed layers comprises or consists of a metallocene polyethylene such as a linear low density polyethylene (mLLDPE) and a density of 0.912 g / cm3.

[0031] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects relating to oriented barrier films, the percent thickness of the barrier EV OH layer relative to the entire film may fall within a range of about 2.5% to about 10.0% , alternatively about 2.5% to about 9%, alternatively about 2.5% to about 8%, alternatively about 2.5% to about 7%, alternatively 2.5% to about 6%, alternatively about 2.5% to about 5%, and including any individual values and ranges falling within those recited ranges. In yet some further embodiments, the barrier layer may comprise two or more separate EVOH layers within the film structure, and generally falling within the parameters disclosed herein (e.g., percent thickness, mol% ethylene).

[0032] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the mole percent of ethylene in said EVOH copolymer is selected from a number that is about 27 mol%, about 29 mol%, or about 32 mol%, or about 34 mol%, or about 36 mol%, or about 38 mol%, or about 42 mol%, or about 44 mol%, or about 47 mol%, or about 49 mol%. In yet further embodiments, the mole percent of ethylene in said EVOH copolymer is selected from 27. 28. 29. 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, and 55 mol%. In some embodiments the EVOH can comprise a grade that comprises rubber-toughened EVOH (e g., Flex EVOH).

[0033] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer (or copolymer) in at least one of the inner sealant layer, the outer sealant layer, the first interposed layer, or the second interposed layer has a melt index in the range of 0.2 to 2.0 dg / min.

[0034] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer (or copolymer) in at least one of the inner sealant layer, the outer sealant layer, the first interposed layer, or the second interposed layer has a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in the range of 1.15 to 2.5.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0035] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, the ethylene / a-olefm interpolymer (or copolymer) in at least one of the inner sealant layer, the outer sealant layer, the first interposed layer, or the second interposed layer has a molecular weight distribution, expressed as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw / Mn) in the range of 2.0 - 4.0.

[0036] In embodiments of some of the above aspects comprising an interposed layer, the first interposed layer is sandwiched between the inner sealant layer and the core barrier layer, and the second interposed layer is sandwiched between the outer sealant layer and the core barrier layer.

[0037] In some embodiments of any of the above aspects, any one or more of the sealant layers, core layers, and interposed layers, individually, may comprise from one and up to and including 45 layers of material.

[0038] In another aspect, the disclosure provides flexible packaging comprising the biaxially oriented film in accordance with any of the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure. In some embodiments, the flexible packaging comprises at least two ply layers, with at least one of ply layers comprising the biaxially oriented film in accordance with any of the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure. In further embodiments, the outer ply layer comprises the biaxially oriented film in accordance with any of the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure.

[0039] In an aspect, the disclosure provides a bag for packaging flowable materials comprising a recyclable barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film and a non-barrier coextruded multi-layer polymeric film, wherein the barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film comprises any of the barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric films that are disclosed herein (e.g., 3-, 5-, 7-, or 9- (or more) layer films in accordance with any of the aspects and embodiments described herein).

[0040] In an aspect, the disclosure provides a bag for packaging flowable materials comprising a biaxially oriented film in accordance with any of the above aspects and embodiments. In some embodiments the bag comprises a biaxially oriented recyclable barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film as an outer ply and recyclable non-barrier coextruded multi-layer polymeric film as an inner ply, wherein the biaxially oriented barrier co-Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO extruded multi-layer polymeric film comprises any of the 3-, 5-, 7-, or 9- (or more) layer films.

[0041] Additional aspects and embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the following description and illustrative examples.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Figs. 1 A-1D illustrate a series of general schematic depictions of multi-layer nonbarrier films in accordance with several example aspects and embodiments described herein. Fig. 1A depicts an example embodiment of a three-layer non-barrier film. Fig. IB depicts a five-layer non-barrier film. Fig. 1C depicts a seven-layer non-barrier film. Fig. ID depicts a seven-layer non-barrier film, wherein four of the seven layers comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer.

[0043] Figs. 2A-2D illustrate a series of general schematic depictions of multi-layer barrier films in accordance with several example aspects and embodiments described herein. Fig. 2A depicts an example embodiment of a three-layer barrier film, wherein the interior layer comprises the barrier layer. Fig. 2B depicts a five-layer barrier film, wherein the interior layer comprises the barrier layer. Fig. 2C depicts a seven-layer barrier film, wherein the interior layer comprises the barrier layer. Fig. 2D depicts a seven-layer barrier film, wherein five of the seven layers-including the interior barrier layer-comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer.

[0044] Figs. 3 A-3D illustrate a series of general schematic depictions of a two-ply film structure that includes the multi-layer barrier and non-barrier films in accordance with several example aspects and embodiments described herein. Fig. 3A depicts an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the three-layer non-barrier and barrier films depicted in Figs. 1A and 2A, respectively, wherein the ‘'outer” ply comprises the barrier layer, and the “inner’ ply comprises the non-barrier layer. In each of the embodiments depicted in Figs. 3A-3D, the outer and inner plies are not joined together except at the edges (seals) to form the bags. Within the majority of the surface area between the plies, the plies may be considered “free floating” with respect to each other. Fig. 3B depicts an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the five-layer non-barrier and barrier films depicted in Figs. IB and 2B, respectively, wherein the “outer"’ ply comprises the barrierAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO layer, and the “inner’ ply comprises the non-barrier layer. Fig. 3C depicts an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the five-layer non-barrier and sevenlayer barrier films depicted in Figs. IB and 2C, respectively, wherein the “outer” ply comprises the barrier layer, and the “inner” ply comprises the non-barrier layer. Fig. 3D depicts an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the seven layer non- barrier and barrier films depicted in Figs. ID and 2D, respectively, wherein five of the seven layers (including the internal barrier layer) of the “outer” barrier ply, and four of the seven layers of the “inner” non-barrier layer comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer.

[0045] Figs. 4A-4B illustrate embodiments of flexible bags produced from oriented films according to embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0046] Fig. 5 depicts an embodiment of the snag test sled assembly as disclosed herein.

[0047] Fig. 6 depicts an interior view of the snag test sled assembly.

[0048] Fig. 7 depicts adjustable sled assembly components, including a levelling mechanism and snag tip adjustment (height and angle adjustment).

[0049] Fig. 8A depicts the snag tip used in testing the snag resistance of various films

[0050] Fig. 8B depicts a view of the snag tip adjusted at 45 degrees with respect to the plane of the film to be tested.

[0051] Fig. 9 depicts a magnified view of an example result from of a snag test run, illustrating a tip drag line and snag failure.

[0052] Fig. 10 depicts an embodiment of the snag test sled assembly the assembly surface having a flat KCOF plane and attached pulley, which is attached to the base plate of the Instron, having a jam nut to secure and level the planar surface.

[0053] Fig. 11 depicts a hook assembly connected to the load cell and secured with a clevis pin.

[0054] Fig. 12 depicts a Teflon-covered 40 Shore A pad mounted to a stainless-steel plate (1 / 8 inch (3. 175 mm) thickness) onto the KCOF test plane, with the back of the plate secured with binder clips.

[0055] Fig. 13 depicts the tow-line attachment to the hook assembly and sled.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0056] Fig. 14 depicts a plot of the outputs (force as a function of displacement) of a series of test runs, with data identifying failures indicated by the circle and arrow.

[0057] Fig. 15 depicts test article fdm secured at its front edge with a clamp to the test surface, leaving the fdm loose on the other 3 sides.

[0058] Fig. 16 depicts the snag test prior to a run, with the tow line attached to the sled and any slack in the tow line removed.

[0059] Fig. 17 depicts results of 4x parallel snag test runs.

[0060] Fig. 18 depicts weighing the applied weight of the sled alone (left) and with an added 60g weight plate (right).DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0061] Before continuing with the further details regarding the disclosure, it is to be understood that this disclosure is not limited to specific materials (including polymers, copolymers, interpolymers, additives, and the like), process steps or equipment relating to orientation technology, structures and arrangements (including number of individual layers in a film, number of plies of film, orders of layers and plies of films, and the like), and intended or envisions applications and uses explicitly described herein. As such, details around various aspects and embodiments may vary while still falling within the scope of the description provided herein.

[0062] The percentages recited in the disclosure typically refer to either percent weight or percent thickness of the total weight or total thickness of the composition, and are typically denoted when recited. While the differences in density of components (polymers, copolymers, with or without additives) may result in a difference between a percentage expressed by weight relative to a percentage expressed by thickness, the two percentage numbers are typically very close to each other. All ratios expressed in this patent application are on a weight-to-weight basis unless expressed otherwise.

[0063] Ranges are used as shorthand only to avoid listing and describing each and every value within the range. Any appropriate value within the range can be selected as the upper value, the lower value, or the end-point of the range.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0064] The singular form of a word includes its plural, and vice versa, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, references “a,” “an,’" and “the"’ generally include the plurals of the respective terms they qualify. For example, reference to "a method7’ includes its plural “methods.” Similarly, the terms “comprise,” “comprises,” and “comprising,” whether used as a transitional phrase in the claims or otherwise, should be interpreted inclusively rather than exclusively. Likewise, the terms “include,” “including,” “has,” “having,” and “or” should be construed to be inclusive, unless such a construction is clearly prohibited from the context. Similarly, the term “examples,” particularly when followed by a listing of terms, is intended to be merely exemplary, illustrative, and non-limiting and thus should not be deemed to be exclusive or comprehensive.

[0065] Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms, terms of art, and acronyms used in the disclosure have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art in the relevant technology field(s) in which the term is used. Although any compositions, methods, articles of manufacture, or other means or materials similar or equivalent to those described in the disclosure can be used in the practice of the various aspects and embodiments herein, specific compositions, methods, articles of manufacture, or other means or materials are described only for purposes of illustration and clarity.

[0066] All patents, patent applications, publications, technical and / or scholarly articles, and other references cited or referred to herein are incorporated in their entirety by reference to the extent allowed by law. The discussion of those references is intended merely to summarize the assertions made in these references. No admission is made that any such patents, patent applications, publications or references, or any portion thereof, are relevant, material, or prior art to the disclosure or the scope of claims.

[0067] As used herein, the term “flowable material” encompasses any liquid materials which are flowable under gravity or may be pumped and does not include gaseous materials, powders, or other solid materials. Flowable materials include liquids (for example, syrup, mixes, alcohol, milk, water, fruit juice, oil, etc.), semi-solid and liquid emulsions (for example, ice cream, ice cream mix, soft margarine, whipping cream, doughs, etc ). The aspects and embodiments described herein find particular use for flowable foods and beverages, including those that may be packaged at ambient or at refrigerated temperatures.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0068] As used herein "density" is determined by ASTM D 792 and “melt-index” by ASTM D 1238. The “melting point” of a polymer is measured as the peak melting point when performing differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) as described in ASTM Procedure D3417-83 (rev. 88).

[0069] “Polymer”, as used herein, refers to any polymeric compound prepared by a polymerization of monomers, whether the monomers are the same or different chemical entity7. Thus, the generic term polymer embraces the terms plastomers, homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer as well as interpolymer. In some more specific embodiments, the term polyethylene includes homopolymers of ethylene and copolymers of ethylene and one or more C3-8 a-olefins as described below.

[0070] “Interpolymer” has a similar meaning as polymer, but is prepared by the polymerization of at least two different types of monomers. Thus, the generic term “interpolymer” includes “copolymer” (which usually refers to a polymer prepared from two different monomers) as well as the term “terpolymer” (which usually refers to a polymer prepared from three different types of monomers). It also encompasses polymers made by polymerizing four or more types of monomers.

[0071] As used herein, “ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer” generally refers to polymers comprising ethylene and an a-olefm having three or more carbon atoms. Such interpolymers typically comprise ethylene as the majority mole fraction of the whole polymer, i.e., ethylene comprises at least about 50 mole percent of the whole polymer (or at least about 60 mole percent, at least about 70 mole percent, or at least about 80 mole percent), with the substantial remainder of mole percent of the whole polymer comprising at least one other comonomer that is an a-olefm having 3 or more carbon atoms. In some embodiments the interpolymer comprises ethylene / octene interpolymers having an ethylene content greater than about 75 mole percent of the whole polymer and an octene content of from about 5 to about 25 mole percent (about 10 to about 20, or about 15 to about 20 mole percent) of the whole polymer. In some embodiments the interpolymer comprises ethylene / butene interpolymers having an ethylene content greater than about 60 mole percent of the whole polymer and a butene content of from about 10 to about 40 mole percent (about 20 to about 35, or about 25 to about 30 mole percent) of the whole polymer. In some embodiments the interpolymer comprises ethylene / propylene interpolymers having an ethylene content greater than about 40 moleAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO percent of the whole polymer and a propylene content of from about 15 to about 60 mole percent (about 25 to about 50, or about 35 to about 45 mole percent) of the whole polymer. In some embodiments, the ethylene / a-olefin interpolymers can be blended with one or more polymers (i.e., other interpolymers, PEs, and / or tie resins).

[0072] Throughout the description the terms “interpolymer” and “copolymer” are used. As described above, the term “interpolymer” is typically more specific than the term “copolymer” and refers to compositions that include a combination of one or more (e.g., first and second) ethylene / a-olefin copolymer fractions, as referenced and described throughout the disclosure, and are typically referred to as an “ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer”.Exemplary non-limiting interpolymers are described in U.S. Pat. No. 9,1 15,275. Interpolymers in accordance with the aspects and embodiments disclosed herein can exhibit separate (i.e., two) peaks on elution profile via crystallization elution fractionation (CEF) procedure, wherein each peak may comprise at least 25 weight percent of the total area of the elution profile, wherein the separation of the two peak positions are in the range of from about 20-40 °C, (e.g., a higher elution temperature peak can be at about 90 °C or more, and a lower elution temperature peak can be in a range of from about 50-80 °C). In some embodiments an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer composition can comprise a polymer fraction of a LLDPE (linear low density polyethylene) and a second copolymer fraction of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer, wherein and the interpolymer has a density’ of about 0.910- 0.915 g / cm3(e.g., 0.910, 0.911, 0.912, 0.913, 0.914, or 0.915 g / cm3) and a melt index of about 0.85 g / 10 min.Axial Orientation - Machine Direction Orientation (MDQ) & Biaxial Orientation (BO)

[0073] Methods that are generally known and used in the art can be used to manufacture films using a directional orientation process (i.e., machine direction, or a combination of machine direction and transverse direction (biaxial orientation)). For example, orientation of the polymer films can be achieved by stretching the polymer film at a temperature above the glass transition temperature (Tg) of its constituent polymer(s). As discussed below, orientation may be along one axis if the polymer film is stretched in only one direction, or may be biaxial if the polymer film is stretched in two (perpendicular) directions in the plane of the film. A biaxially oriented film can be stretched in each direction uniformly or non- uniformly (balanced or unbalanced), where a non-uniformly oriented film has a higher degreeAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO of orientation in a selected direction. In line with common convention, orientation in the longitudinal direction (LD) is the direction in which the film passes through the machine (also known as the machine direction or MD). and the transverse direction (TD) is perpendicular to MD. As such, the polymer films in accordance with the disclosure are oriented either uniaxially in the MD, or biaxially in both the MD and TD. In some preferred embodiments, the polymer films are biaxially oriented in the MD and TD.

[0074] Orientation of the polymer film may be achieved by any suitable technique as known in the art or otherwise discussed herein. For example, a flat polymer film may be oriented by simultaneous or sequential stretching in each of two mutually perpendicular directions by means of a tenter, or by a combination of draw rolls and a tenter. In a bubble process a polymer film is extruded in the form of a composite tube which is subsequently quenched, reheated, and then expanded by internal gas pressure to be oriented in the TD, and withdrawn, at a rate greater than that at which it is extruded, to stretch and orient it in the MD

[0075] Typically, in such methods, the film is first formed (e.g., by extrusion, blown film, co-extrusion, etc ), and is subsequently either stretched in the machine direction in-line or off-line at a ratio of between about 2X and about 10X or more, and in some preferred embodiments, betw een 3X and 5X. Following processing, the film can be heat-set to a degree to reduce or prevent shrinkage of the oriented film during re-heating when the seals of an article (e.g., flexible bag) are created. The final thickness of an axially oriented film (e.g., MDO or BO film) will be dictated by the maximum thickness of the initial feedstock (non-stretched) film. Typically, the feedstock and the final oriented film are designed and processed in order to provide the final film at or near a thickness range that is desired for end use (e.g., article manufacture) and optionally, at a typical thickness for non-oriented films in such uses. In some embodiments, the oriented films allow for the use of thinner films relative to non-oriented films, without any sacrifice in overall performance characteristics of the final article. Designing such films based on final film thickness, degree of orientation is w ell within the capability of one of skill in the art (e.g., a final 3X MD-oriented film of 1.8 mils (45.7 pm), would include a 5.4 mils (137 pm) feedstock film).

[0076] Thus, a feedstock film, once produced, is further processed and axially oriented on commercially available equipment (e.g., MDO on a commercially available MDO unit),Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO which can incorporate single or dual draw (stretch twice in a single pass through the MDO unit). Typically, feedstock fdms can be preheated, drawn, and annealed at a temperature that allows for annealing. While axially oriented films in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure possess an increase in snag resistance, in some further embodiments the oriented films can also exhibit an improvement in oxygen barrier (OTR) as a result of the orientation, even at extreme relative humidity values, relative to non-oriented films that are otherwise identical in composition and structure. In yet some further embodiments the oriented films can exhibit an improvement in flex crack resistance (FCR) and / or puncture resistance, relative to non-oriented films that are otherwise identical in composition and structure.

[0077] In some embodiments, a film can be produced as a biaxially oriented film using sequential stretching methods that find current use in the production of many biaxially oriented film and sheet products. A typical sequential stretching method can comprise two series of stretching, including: a machine direction orienter (MDO) to stretch the film in the machine direction over a series of rollers, effectively increasing the length and decreasing the thickness of the w eb; and a transverse direction orienter (TDO) that stretches the film on the axis that is perpendicular to the MDO stretching (i.e., in the transverse (cross) direction on a tenter), which increases the width of the web and further decreasing its thickness. These steps can be performed in series (in-line one after the other) or at the same time, following the initial extrusion and casting of the web. Biaxial orientation (BO) through sequential stretching is commonly used to produce materials such as BOPS, BOPP, BOPET, BOPLA, and BOPTFE, and can be adapted in methods for generating the BO films disclosed herein. A two-step sequential method can allow for added flexibility in processing conditions (e.g. MD and TD stretch ratios, temperatures, etc.) and potentially an overall higher production rate. However, sequential stretching necessarily stresses the polymer material more than once, which may limit its application to fewer types of polymers, and the direct contact with machine rolls can reduce the optical quality of the resulting film.

[0078] In some embodiments an alternative method can be suitable for biaxially orienting plastic films and sheets, which comprises a simultaneous stretching method. Such methods combine each stretching step (i.e., MDO and TDO) into a single-step stretching process using, for example, specialized tenter equipment. In such embodiments, the web can be heldAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO in tenter clips and suspended while being stretched in both the machine and transverse directions. This can allow for biaxially oriented films having improved optical and mechanical properties for certain films and specialty polymers that are not amenable to sequential orientation processing.

[0079] In some embodiments a bubble process, such as a triple bubble process, can be suitable for biaxially orienting certain plastic films and sheets in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction simultaneously. The triple bubble process is a multistage blown film process that consists of three film bubbles, and which is used for the production of biaxially oriented films by simultaneous biorientation and subsequent annealing. The first, primary bubble produces a thick film that is then quenched to solidify it. The film is then reheated, but maintained in solid (not molten) state and air is blown through it to form the second bubble, in which the film is stretched and oriented. In the third bubble, the film is reinflated and annealed to remove some of the orientation, but to stabilize the film against heat shrinkage. In some embodiments, biaxial orientation by the triple bubble process may be preferred because it produces films having both biaxial orientation and high stability, e.g. which do not undergo undesirable shrinking during a bag forming process. In some embodiments, for example, the biaxially oriented film can be stabilized such that the film will not undergo any significant shrinkage at temperatures up to about 150-170 °F.

[0080] The disclosure provides for certain materials that are in conventional use (e.g., oriented polypropylenes or polyesters that are typically used as substrates / print webs) to be replaced with oriented polyethylenes (PEs). Such embodiments comprise oriented PEs that provide for multilayer films based on mono-materials which can simplify the manufacture (e.g., all blown film manufacturing methods) as well as improve the potential for recycling such films.

[0081] As discussed herein, films produced in accordance with the orientation processes of the disclosure exhibit increased resistance to snags and / or punctures, whether during processing (e.g., manufacturing of multilayer films and / or bags) or use (e.g., during bag fill, package wrapping, shipment / transport, storage, etc.). In some further embodiments, the films can further comprise additional physical characteristics that are derived from the orientation processes described herein (i.e., either machine direction orientation (MDO) and / or biaxially orientation (BO)) and expand or improve upon the potential range of usages and applications.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOSuch additional characteristics can include, for example, enhanced resistance, better optics, improvements in rigidity, resilience, strength, wear, lifespan. While any one or more of these additional characteristics can result, the oriented films of the disclosure do not lose snag resistance and typically retain good elasticity and / or adhesion between various layers. In some embodiments, the oriented films provide higher resilience and can withstand increased weights and temperatures without breakage; have excellent printability (easy, high quality); have excellent optical properties (e.g., higher transparency, glossiness, and / or other optical properties); and have improved bag converting performance (i. e. , easier to handle and cut).

[0082] In yet other embodiments the oriented snag-resistant films in accordance with the disclosure can provide one or more characteristics comprising high film stiffness; high transverse direction tear strength, optionally combined with easier tear strength in the machine direction; high transparency and gloss; improved thermal resistance; and improved printability. As a result of one or more of these improved characteristics (e.g., increased stiffness), the oriented films in accordance with the disclosure allow thinner films to be used while maintaining and having the threshold requirements for certain applications. As such, cost savings are realized as a result of a reduced demand in the amount of raw materials as well as savings associated with downstream supply chain costs, such as transport, storage, and logistics.Co-Extruded Films

[0083] In a general aspect, the disclosure relates to oriented co-extruded (i) non-barrier films and (ii) barrier films that may be used individually or combined in any number of ways and combinations to form multi-layer and multi -ply structures that find use in a wide variety of applications.Materials and Film Structures for Oriented Non-Barrier and Barrier Films

[0084] In some aspects, the disclosure provides co-extruded multi-layer (CEML) oriented films usable for bags for packaging liquid flowable materials including, for example, products related to foods and beverages. In example embodiments of this aspect, the disclosure provides a CEML film that can be lower in gauge (thickness) but exhibits improved snag resistance while also maintaining good toughness and seal strength, including under variable temperature conditions (e.g., ambient, heated, and refrigerated conditions).Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0085] Thus, aspects and embodiments of the disclosure provide for a flexible bag or a bagin-box packaging that comprises (i) a barrier coextruded multilayer fdm as described herein, and (ii) anon-barrier coextruded multilayer film, either or both of which are oriented as described herein, and wherein the barrier and non-barrier films can be combined and edge- sealed as separate plies in the flexible bag or bag-in-box structure.Non-Barrier Films and Core Layer

[0086] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a non-barrier CEML (NB-CEML) oriented film that excludes (i.e., does not comprise, contain, or consist ol) a material that provides a barrier layer (e.g., non-barrier embodiments do not include EV OH in any of its layers). In some embodiments, the oriented NB-CEML may comprise copolymers (e.g., interpolymers) and film structures as described in published US Patent Application Publication No. 2018 / 0370201 (“Bag-in-Box Film for Packaging Refrigerated Liquids”) published December 27, 2018, and which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety7.

[0087] The non-barrier, co-extruded, multi-layer (NB-CEML) film may comprise a core layer that is adjacent to the inner and outer sealant layers or interposed layers, and generally positioned in the interior of the film's layer structure. In embodiments wherein the NB- CEML comprises an interposed layer in the multilayer film, the core layer is adjacent to the interposed layer(s) on either of its sides. In embodiments, the core layer may comprise a polymer or a polymer blend of: 0-100% by weight, about 30-70% by weight, or about 30-50% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.910 to 0.920 g / cm3and melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 dg / min. In embodiments, the core layer may further comprise 0-100% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) such as a linear low-density7ethylene / hexene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.918 to 0.930 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.8 to 1.2 dg / min or about 70-30% by weight, or 50-70% by weight said copolymer.

[0088] In yet further embodiments, the core-layer comprises a polymer blend of: 35-45% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / octene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.914 to 0.918 g / cm3, and a melt index of about 0.9 to 1. 1 dg / min; and 55-65% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE) of ethylene / hexene-1 copolymer having a density of about 0.918 to 0.920 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.9 to 1.1 dg / min.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0089] Depending on the product and the conditions under which the product is stored, shipped and used, the NB-CEML core layer can comprise up to 100% by weight of an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer in accordance with those described throughout the disclosure. The percentage of the copolymer can vary from 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90% and any amount between, depending on the properties desired or required for the NB-CEML film. In embodiments, the core layer may be a single layer but can also comprise a multi-layer construction, each layer having the same or similar polymer blend within the above ranges. The thickness of the NB-CEML core layer can comprise about 30-50% of the total thickness of the multilayer NB-CEML film.

[0090] In embodiments, the outer sealant layer and the inner sealant layer may each comprise about 5-40% of the thickness of the NB-CEML film. In some embodiments comprising one or more interposed layers, each interposed layer may comprise about 5-20% of the thickness of the NB-CEML film. In some embodiments relating to a NB-CEML film that comprises a core layer, the core layer can comprise about 20-60% of the thickness of the NB-CEML film.

[0091] Further, in some embodiments the NB-CEML film can be machine-direction oriented or bi-directionally oriented as described herein. Thus, flexible bags can be made in various combinations of oriented B-CEML and non-oriented NB-CEML films; non-oriented B-CEML and oriented NB-CEML films; or both the barrier and non-barrier films oriented. The degree of orientation can be different for the B-CEML and NB-CEML films.

[0092] Figs. 1A-D provide general schematic depictions of multi-layer non-barrier films (100) in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure. As shown in Fig. I A, coextruded non-barrier films in accordance with the disclosure typically comprise a plural ity of layers, which may be the same or different. A core layer (110) and sealing layers (120) any of which may be the same or different polymer or copolymer material may be coextruded to form a non-barrier film (100). In some example embodiments, a non-barrier film may not include a core layer (i.e., only include two layers). Fig. IB illustrates an example embodiment of a five-layer non-barrier film (100) having a core layer (110), outer and inner sealant layers (120), and outer and inner interposed layers (130). Fig. 1C depicts an example embodiment in accordance with the disclosure of a seven-layer non-barrier film (100), having a core layer (110), outer and inner sealant layers (120), first outer and inner interposed layers (130), and second outer and third inner interposed layers (140). Fig. ID depicts a seven layerAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO non-barrier film (100) that is similar to the example embodiment illustrated in Fig. 1C, and includes similar core layer (110) and second outer and inner interposed layers (140), but further illustrates an example embodiment wherein the outer and inner sealant layers (1201). and the first outer and inner interposed layers (1301) comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer.Barrier Films and Core Layer

[0093] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides a barrier CEML (B-CEML) oriented film that comprises a core barrier layer comprising EV OH. In some further embodiments, the disclosure provides a barrier CEML (B-CEML) film that comprises a core barrier layer comprising two or more separate EV OH layers.

[0094] Generally, the embodiments relating to the non-barrier (NB-CEML) and barrier (B- CEML) film structures may comprise similar or the same components, materials, thickness and structure, with the exception of the presence of the barrier (EVOH) core layer(s) in the barrier film (B-CEML). In embodiments, the barrier film comprises an outer surface layer that is different from either the inner surface layer of the barrier film and / or the surface layer(s) of the non-barrier film, and in some preferred embodiments comprises a polyethylene. Accordingly, in example embodiments either or both of the barrier and non- barrier films can comprise a co-extruded structure that may be symmetrical or asymmetrical. In some embodiments, the film structures can comprise an outer sealant layer, one or more interposed layers, a core-layer, one or more interposed layers, and an inner sealant-layer, wherein the inner and outer sealant layers may be the same or different material.

[0095] In some embodiments relating to the oriented B-CEML. the film may comprise one or more interposed layers between other interposed layers or an inner and / or an outer sealant layer, and the core barrier layer, or interposed layers between two or more core barrier EVOH layers. That is, in some embodiments, the oriented B-CEML comprises a first, or a first and a second, or a first, second, and a third (etc.) inner and / or outer interposed layer positioned between the core barrier layer or layers, and the sealant layers. In embodiments comprising more than one interposed layer, at least one side of an interposed layer will abut / be adjacent to another interposed layer, or to a second core barrier layer (i.e., a second EVOH layer).Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0096] In example embodiments, the co-extruded, multi-layer films may comprise from 1 to about 45 or 50 individual polymer film layers. Stated another way, either the oriented B-CEML film, the NB-CEML film, or both may comprise one or more polymer layers that are formed from multiple single layers of the same polymer and may be selected from: 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, and 50. In some embodiments, the films may comprise a number of layers from a range defined by any two numbers given above, which includes the end-points of the range.

[0097] In some embodiments, a B-CEML may comprise from about five to about nine layers. In some of these embodiments, each of the sealant layers can comprise from about 5-30% of the total thickness of the film, each of the one or more interposed layers, including any tie layer if present, can comprise from about 5-40% of the total thickness of the film, and wherein a non-barrier core layer can comprise from about 20-60% of the total thickness of the film, and wherein a barrier EV OH core layer can comprise from about 2-10% of the total thickness of the film.

[0098] Some further embodiments provide a B-CEML that can further comprise a layer comprising an adhesive (e.g., tie resin) that contacts one or both sides of the one or more core barrier EV OH layer(s).

[0099] In some embodiments, a B-CEML comprises a seven-layer coextruded film or a nine-layer coextruded film as generally disclosed herein. In some embodiments that relate to a seven-layer coextruded barrier film, the inner and outer sealant layers each can comprise about 5-30% (e.g., 10-25%, etc.) of the thickness of the film, the one or more interposed layers, including any thickness associated with one or more tie resin layer(s), can each comprise about 5-40% (e.g., 10-30%, etc.) of the thickness of the film, and wherein the barrier EV OH core layer(s) can, in total, comprise about 2-10% of the thickness of the film.

[0100] In some embodiments that relate to a nine-layer coextruded barrier film, the inner and outer sealant layers can each comprise about 10-25% of the thickness of the film, the one or more interposed layers, including any thickness associated with one or more tie resin layer, can each comprise about 5-20% (e.g., 10-20%, etc.) of the thickness of the film, and the barrier EV OH core layer(s) can, in total, comprise about 2-10% of the thickness of the film.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0101] Figs. 2A-D provide general schematic depictions of multi-layer barrier fdms (200) in accordance with several example aspects and embodiments described herein. While the example illustrations and structures in Figs. 2A-2D are similar to those described in Figs. 1 A-l D, the multi-layer barrier films and non-barrier films are not required to be similarly structured or symmetrical, as discussed in more detail herein. Further, the barrier films (200) illustrated in Figs. 2A-2D and Figs. 3A-3D, and in accordance with the disclosure, comprise a core barrier layer (210), (2101) of ethylene vinyl alcohol (EV OH). Fig. 2A provides an example embodiment of a three-layer barrier film (200), having inner and outer sealing layers (220) which may be the same or different material, and a core barrier layer (210) that comprises the EV OH barrier material that may be coextruded to form the barrier film (200). Such embodiments suitably include an adhesive between the core barrier layer and the sealing layers, or the sealing layer may comprise an amount of a tie material to assist in binding between the layers.

[0102] Fig. 2B illustrates an example embodiment of a five-layer barrier film (200) having a core layer (210), outer and inner sealant layers (220), and first inner and outer interposed layers (230). Any of the outer sealant and inner sealant layers (220), and the interposed layers (230) may be constructed from the same polymer or copolymer material or may be constructed from different polymer or copolymer materials. Accordingly, in some example embodiments the polymer or copolymer used in the outer and inner sealant layers (220) may be different and may have a different thickness. In similar example embodiments the polymer or copolymer used in the inner and outer interposed layers (230) may be different and may have a different thickness. In some further example embodiments, the polymer or copolymer used in all the outer and inner sealant layers (220) and the inner and outer interposed layers (230) may be the same material and have about the same thickness.

[0103] Fig. 2C illustrates an example embodiment of a seven-layer barrier film (200) having a core layer (210), outer and inner sealant layers (220), first outer and inner interposed layers (230) and second outer and inner interposed layers (240). Any of the outer and inner sealant layers (220), the first and second interposed layers (230), (240) may be constructed from the same polymer or copolymer material or may be constructed from different polymer or copolymer materials. Accordingly, in some example embodiments the polymer or copolymer used in either the sealant layers (220) may be different and may have a different thickness. InAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO similar example embodiments the polymer or copolymer used in the first and second interposed layers (230), (240) may be different and may have a different thickness. In some further example embodiments, the polymer or copolymer used in all the outer and inner sealant layers (220) and first and second interposed layers (230), (240) may be the same material and have about the same thickness.

[0104] Fig. 2D illustrates an example embodiment of a seven layer barrier film (200) having a general structure similar to the embodiment described in Fig. 2C, wherein five of the seven layers, including the interior core barrier layer (2101), the outer and inner sealant layers (2201). and the first outer and inner interposed layers (2301) comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer.

[0105] While not necessarily to scale, as illustrated in any of Figs. 2A-2D or Figs. 3A-3D and as described in the various aspects and embodiments herein, of the disclosure provides for films comprising a core barrier layer of EVOH that constitutes 10% or less, optionally 5% or less, of the total film (by weight or thickness).Example NB-CEML and B-CEML Film Structures

[0106] Some exemplary7oriented film structures in accordance with these aspects and embodiments are summarized in Tables 1 and 2a-2c, with some illustrative barrier layer films described in Tables 2a-2c.Table 1. Barrier & Non-Barrier ply layer thicknesses in seven- and nine-layer barrier films (% of each ply layer thickness)Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 2a. Barrier outer ply layer thicknesses (seven-layer embodiments, as % of total film thickness)Table 2b. Barrier outer ply layer thicknesses (nine-layer embodiments, as % of total film thickness)Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 2c. Exemplary' barrier outer ply (seven-layers, as % of total film thickness and representative % of components of particular layer(s))

[0107] The total thickness of the oriented (or non-oriented) NB-CEML film, in some embodiments, is about 1-5 mils (25.4-127 pm), or about 1.5-4.0 mils (38.1-102 pm), or about 1.8-3.8 mils (45.7-96.5 pm) in total film thickness. In some embodiments relating to flexible bags, the total thickness of the oriented (or non-oriented) NB-CEML film comprises greater than 50% of the combined thickness of the NB-CEML and oriented B-CEML films that may be used in a flexible bag. In some example embodiments the thickness of the oriented or non-oriented NB-CEML ply of a flexible bag that comprises an oriented B-CEML ply and a NB-CEML ply can be 50, 51, 52, 53, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 62, 63, 64, 65, 66, 67, 68, 69, 70, 71, 72, 73, 74, or about 75% or more of the combined thickness of the barrier and non-barrier plies. In some embodiments of the flexible bags disclosed herein, a bag that comprises a NB-CEML layer that constitutes greater than 50% of the total thickness of the films that form the bag can provide for good self-evacuation / emptying of the flowable contents without the need for any additional evacuation device.

[0108] While a number of laminate films are know n and have been made from a variety of polymers (e.g., polyolefins) and polymer blends, such as those described in U.S. PatentsAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO4,503,102; 4,521,437; 5,206,075; 5,364,486; 5,508,051; 5,721,025; 5,879,768; 5,942,579; 5,972,443; 6.117,465; 6,256,966; 6,406,765; 6,416,833; and 6,767,599, in the aspects and embodiments described herein, a film may comprise one or more film layers that comprise ethylene / a-olefin (EAO) copolymers. Thus, the disclosure provides films wherein one or more EAO copolymer or EAO copolymer blends can be used to form the inner and outer sealant layers, the interposed layers, and the non-barrier core layer. The EAO copolymers are selected based on one or more functional or physical characteristics that can provide for improved impact resistance and bag drop performance, particularly under cold conditions, relative to conventional bags formed with multilayer films that do not include the ethylene / a- olefin copolymers as described herein.Ethylene-a-Olefin Interpolymer (EAO Interpolymer)

[0109] The disclosure provides an EAO copolymer and / or interpolymer that may be used within the scope of the various aspects and embodiments described herein, and may comprise, for example, ethylene-C4 to ClO-a-olefm interpolymer (copolymer). In some embodiments, the ethylene-C4 to C 10-a-olefin interpolymer (EAO copolymer) has a melt index of from 0.2 to 2.0 dg / min, 0.4 to 1.5 dg / min, or about 0.5 to 1.0 dg / min (g / 10 min); a density7of from 0.890 to about 0.930 g / cm3(e.g., including particular values and narrower ranges falling within that range such as, for example, 0.912 g / cm3-0.925 g / cm3; 0.910 g / cm3. 0.911 g / cm3, 0.912 g / cm3, 0.913 g / cm3, 0.914 g / cm3, 0.915 g / cm3, 0.916 g / cm3, 0.917 g / cm3, 0.918 g / cm3, etc.) and may be a single interpolymer or a blend of two or more interpolymers, an interpolymer and one or more copolymers, or an interpolymer and several different individual polymer grades. As used herein, an “interpolymer” can encompass interpoly mers blended with other polymers, copolymers, terpolymers, and the like.

[0110] In some embodiments an EAO interpolymer may comprise a zero shear viscosity ratio (ZSVR) in the range of from about 1.15 to 2.5 (e.g.. including particular values and narrower ranges falling within that range). In some embodiments an EAO interpolymer may comprise a molecular weight distribution, expressed as the ratio of the weight average molecular weight to number average molecular weight (Mw / Mn), in the range of 2.0 to 4.0 (e.g., including particular values and narrower ranges falling within that range).[OHl] The EAO interpolymer may be selected from low-density polyethylenes (LDPEs), conventional Ziegler Natta catalyzed linear low-density polyethylenes (LLDPEs) andAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO metallocene-derived LDPEs, LLDPEs, and VLDPEs (rnLDPE, mLLDPE, mVLDPE). According to some conventional industry descriptions, linear low-density polyethylenes in the density range 0.915-0.930 g / cm3may be referred to as LLDPEs, and those in the density range of 0.900-0.915 g / cm3may be referred to as ultra-low-density polyethylenes (ULDPEs) or very7low-density polyethylenes (VLDPEs).

[0112] Suitable polymers, including interpolymers, that may be used in forming various layers of the oriented B-CEML and oriented NB-CEML and having the performance characteristics disclosed herein are commercially available and sold under various tradenames and trademarks including, for example ExxonMobil Chemical (e.g., polyethylenes and performance PE polymers (EXCEEDTM XP, EXCEEDTM, ENABLETM, EXXONMOBILTM LDPEs, NEXXSTARTM LDPE, EXXONMOBILTM LLDPEs, EXXONMOBILTM NTX LLDPE)) and Dow Chemical (e.g., polyethylenes (AFFINITYTM, AGILITYTM, ASPUNTM, DOWTM LDPEs, DOWLEXTM, ELITETM, INNATETM, XUS 59999.38)) as well as other commercial sources. The particular interpolymer(s) and / or polymer(s) may be selected based on particular performance characteristics as described herein (e.g., density, melt index, zero shear viscosity, molecular weight distribution, etc.). In some particular embodiments the fdms comprise at least one interpolymer selected from the group of commercially available resins sold under the Dow INNATETM, Exxon EXCEEDTM, or Exxon EXCEEDTM XP brands (e.g., DOW INNATETM ST70 Precision Packaging Resin, DOW INNATETM ST50 Precision Packaging Resin, DOW INNATETM XUS 59910.03, and DOW INNATETM TH60 Precision Packaging Resin (Dow Chemical Company, Midland MI); EXCEED™ XP 6026 Series, EXCEED™ XP 6056ML, EXCEED™ XP 8318ML, EXCEED™ XP 8358 Series, EXCEED™ XP 8656MK, EXCEED™ XP 8656ML, EXCEED™ XP 8784 Series, EXCEED™ 1012HJ, EXCEED™ 1012MA, EXCEED™ 1012MJ, EXCEED™ 1012MK, EXCEED™ 1015 Series, EXCEED™ 1018 Series, EXCEED™ 1018MA, EXCEED™ 1023MJ, EXCEED™ 1327MA, EXCEED™ 1518MA, EXCEED™ 1518MM, and EXCEED™ 2012 Series (ExxonMobil Chemical Company, Houston, TX). In some embodiments, the oriented films comprise an ethylene / a-olefm interpolymer composition as disclosed in US Pat. No. 9,115,275 which is incorporated by reference herein. Improved results are described in the illustrative examples disclosed below, and in accordance with the example aspects and embodiments provided throughout the disclosure. Some non-limitingAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO examples of the above resins are listed in Table 2d below to provide some additional details regarding some of the physical characteristics of those non-limiting resins.Table 2d: Characteristics of several non-limiting resins.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOFilm Structure and CompositionOriented Barrier Films

[0113] The barrier, co-extruded. multi-layer (B-CEML) oriented film comprises at least one core-layer that is adjacent to the first at least one interposed layer on one side and the second at least one interposed layer on the opposite side. At a minimum, at least one layer of the core-layer comprises EVOH, such that the overall thickness of all layers comprising EVOH is less than about 12%, or about 10% or less, of the total thickness of the B-CEML, or about 5% or less of the combined B-CEML and NB-CEML. In some embodiments, the thickness of the barrier core layer can comprise about 0.1-10% or about 0.1-5% of the total thickness of the barrier multilayer film. If an interposed layer is not used in the multilayer film, the core layer is adjacent to the sealant layers on either of its sides.

[0114] In embodiments, the core layer comprises a single layer but, in alternative embodiments, it can also comprise a multi-layer construction, each layer having the same or similar EVOH polymer blend as described herein. In some embodiments, the multi-layerAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO core barrier EV OH layers may be adjacent to each other, or they may be separated by one or more interposed layer or layers. The thickness of the barrier core layer can comprise about 0. 1-10% of the total thickness of the barrier multilayer film. In some embodiments, the thickness of the barrier core layer can comprise no more than about 5% of the total thickness of the barrier multilayer film. In some additional embodiments, the thickness of the barrier core layer can comprise about 0.1-5% of the total thickness of the combined non-barrier and barrier multilayer films (e.g., EV OH comprises 5.0% or less of the combined barrier and nonbarrier plies of a flexible bag in accordance with the disclosure). Thus, the core barrier layer comprises EVOH such that, in some embodiments, the combined thickness of one or more core barrier layers comprising EVOH is less than 5% (i.e., not more than 5%) thickness of the B-CEML film and / or the combined two-ply NB-CEML and B-CEML film.

[0115] In embodiments, the ethylene molar percent in the EVOH copolymer is from about 27 mol% and up to about 55 mol%. In one embodiment, the ethylene molar percent in the EVOH copolymer is in the range of 27 mol% to 32 mol%. In one embodiment, the ethylene molar percent in the EVOH copolymer is in the range of 32 mol% to 55 mol%. Thus, embodiments in accordance with the disclosure provide for an ethylene molar percent in the EVOH copolymer selected from the following set of numbers: 27 mol%, 28 mol%, 29 mol%, 30 mol%, 31 mol%, 32 mol%, 33 mol%, 34 mol%, 35 mol%, 36 mol%, 37 mol%, 38 mol%,39 mol%, 40 mol%, 41 mol%, 42 mol%, 43 mol%, 44 mol%, 45 mol%, 46 mol%, 47 mol%,48 mol%, 49 mol%, 50 mol%, 51 mol%, 52 mol%, 53 mol%, 54 mol%, and / or 55 mol%.

[0116] In one embodiment, the barrier ply of the oriented film disclosed herein comprises a co-extruded, multi-layer (CEML) film structure comprising an outer-sealant layer, a barrier core layer, and an inner sealant layer. In embodiments, the multi-layer film comprising a layer within the barrier core layer comprises EVOH that contains 27-32 mol% or 32-38 mol%, or 38-44 mol%, or 44-55 mol% ethylene, with a maximum thickness of EVOH at about 10% of total multi-layer film thickness, alternatively at about 5% of total multi-layer film thickness.

[0117] In one embodiment, EVOH can be a single core-layer in a symmetrical or nonsymmetrical structure, or multiple layers or micro-layers in a multi-layer structure. In multi-layer embodiments, the total combined thickness of the EVOH layers may be equal to or less than about 10% of the total film thickness, alternatively equal to or less than about 5%Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO of the total film thickness. Multiple layering and multiple micro-layer technology is available to those of skill in art and are incorporated by reference herein (see, for example, US 5,094,793, US 2010 / 0215879, US 2014 / 0044906. US 2018 / 0215121. US 2017 / 0197348. US 2014 / 0044906, US 2012 / 0077005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety).

[0118] In embodiments, the EV OH has 27-32 mol% ethylene content (for example, EVALCA EVAL™ E grade). In other embodiments, other low-, mid-, and / or high-oxygen barrier EVOH grades can be included, such as the 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38. 39, 40, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49, 50. 51. 52. 53. 54. or 55 mol% ethylene varieties.The Outer and Inner Sealant Layers (OSL, ISL)

[0119] As discussed herein, the term "sealant layer’" in the singular or plural refers to the outermost layer in a film structure, regardless of the number of layers in the film. The terms “inner” and “outer” typically refer to layer orientation with regard to the film when manufactured as part of a flexible bag and / or package wrap, wherein the “outer” layer is oriented farthest from the product facing surface of the bag / film, and the “inner” layer is the bag / film surface that is oriented nearest / proximate to the product. In example embodiments the disclosure provides multi-layer oriented films (e.g., B-CEML and NB-CEML) that comprise at least one outer sealant layer and at least one inner sealant layer. The outer sealant layer of a film is identified and oriented toward the external side of the film (i.e., most distant from the interior / product-contacting side of the film), while the inner sealant layer, while also an external layer of the multi-layer film, is closest to the interior side of the packaging (i.e., contacts the product or is facing, or adjacent to, the product). The thicknesses of the outer and inner sealant layer may be the same, but in some embodiments the inner and outer sealant layers can have different thicknesses. In embodiments, the outer or inner sealant layers can comprise more than one layer of film, for example, 2, 3, 4 or more (e.g., up to about 50) layers of film.

[0120] In embodiments, the inner and outer sealant layers (i.e., sealant layers of the barrier film and / or the sealant layers of the non-barrier film) can comprise about 10-100% by weight of a copolymer, an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer or interpolymer, or combinations thereof, in accordance with those described throughout the disclosure, and can contain up to 100% byAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO weight of a polymer of ultralow density polyethylene (ULDPE) or linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). In some embodiments the sealant layer(s) can comprise an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer, i.e., an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer in accordance with the example aspects and embodiments of the disclosure, where the a-olefin chain may be from 4 or more carbons (e.g., butene- 1) or 6 or more carbons (e.g., hexene- 1) or 8 or more carbons (e.g., octene-1), or combinations thereof, having a density in the range of about 0.910 to 0.914 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.7 to 1.0 dg / min. In some embodiments, the sealant layers may comprise an amount (e.g., about 5-50%) of a linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), and / or an ethylene / a-olefin interpolymer, which in some specific embodiments comprises an ethylene / hexene-lor an ethylene / octene-1 copolymer, or combinations thereof, having a density in the range of about 0.894 to about 0.925 g / cm3, or about 0.910 to 0.925 g / cm3, or about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3, and a melt index of about 0.7 to 1.0 dg / min.

[0121] In some embodiments, the copolymer comprising the sealant layers can comprise about 75-90% by weight of an ultralow-density polyethylene (ULDPE), having a density in the range of about 0.910 to about 0.918 g / cm3, or about 0.911 to 0.913 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.8 to 0.9 dg / min; and 10-25% by weight of a linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), which may comprise an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer (e.g., ethylene / octene-1 and / or ethylene / hexene-1). having a density in the range of about 0.918 to 0.922 g / cm3and a melt index of about 0.8 to 0.9 dg / min. In some embodiments, the sealant layers copolymer can comprise a density of from about 0.910 to about 0.925 g / cm3(e.g., 0.917 g / cm3, 0.915 g / cm3, 0.912 g / cnf', etc.) and a melt-index of about 0.7 to 1.0 dg / min, (e.g., 0.9, 0.8, etc. dg / min). In embodiments, the density range can also be defined by any two values, in g / cm3, that follow, including the end-points: 0.910, 0.911, 0.912, 0.913, 0.914, 0.915, 0.916, and 0.917 g / cm3.

[0122] In some example embodiments, the thickness of each of the sealant layers is from about 10% to about 25% of the total thickness of the CEML oriented films. Stated another way, each of the inner and the outer sealant layers can have a thickness (or weight), expressed as percentage of total thickness (or weight) of the CEML film, of 10%. 11%. 12%. 13%. 14%, 15%, 16%, 17%, 18%, 19%, 20%, 21%, 22%, 23%, 24%, and 25%.

[0123] In some embodiments, the thickness of the sealant layers is within a range defined by any two numbers given above, including the endpoints. The thickness of the sealant layersAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO can also be intermediate percentages between the percentages cited, supra, for example, from about 11.1%. 11.2%, 11.3%, 11.4%, and the like (for example, between 11% and 12% cited above).Interposed Layer

[0124] In accordance with the example embodiments described herein, the oriented fdms comprise one or more interposed layers that may comprise the same or similar polymeric materials in the same or similar ratios as the sealant layers described above, and can further comprise additional polymeric constituents and additives, for example, variations of density and melt index in the above ranges, the polymeric constituents can have different ratios, and adhesives and tie materials may be added to aid in film formation.

[0125] In accordance with the example aspects and embodiments described herein, the oriented films may comprise a plurality of interposed layers (e.g.. second, third, fourth, fifth, etc. inner and outer interposed layers). Typically, any layer that is not disclosed or described as a core layer or a sealant layer is characterized as an “interposed layer” and in embodiments that comprise more than one interposed layer, the interposed layers adjacent to the sealant layers are identified as the “first” inner / outer interposed layer, and subsequent interposed layers identified as second, third, fourth, as they become closer to the interior core of the film.

[0126] While either the barrier or non-barrier co-extruded multi-layer (B / NB-CEML) oriented films disclosed herein may comprise an interposed layer adjacent to a sealant layer and adjacent to the core layer or core layers, the term is intended to be used in accordance with this disclosure to refer to polymer or copolymer layers that are positioned between a sealant layer and the core layer, or between two or more core layers in a B-CEML and NB- CEML film (i.e., some core layers in NB-CEML do not include a barrier layer such as EV OH, for example). Thus, in some embodiments, either or both of a NB-CEML or B- CEML may comprise first interposed layer(s) and / or second interposed layer(s) such that, for example, the multi-layer film can have one or more interposed layers positioned between the sealant layers and the core / core barrier layer, and / or two or more core / core barrier layers. In some embodiments, as described for the sealant and core layers, the interposed layers may comprise multiple individual layers (e.g., up to about 45 or 50 layers) that together form the first (or second or more) interposed layers. As described herein, some embodiments of an interposed layer can comprise a tie layer or resin which, in various embodiments may beAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO provided as a separate layer of “pure” tie layer or resin material, or can be incorporated and / or co-extruded into a copolymer that comprises an interposed layer. In such embodiments the layer(s) comprising tie layer or resin material are adjacent to the EV OH layer(s) in a B-CEML fdm, and adhere or bond to the EV OH.

[0127] In some embodiments one or more interposed layers may comprise a copolymer, an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer, an interpolymer, or combinations thereof, in accordance with those described throughout the disclosure. In some embodiments, the copolymer can comprise an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer, or combinations thereof, (the a-olefin based on a carbon chain length of 4 or 6 or 8 or more) having a density (or density when combined) of from about 0.910 to about 0.925 g / cm3(e.g., 0.917 g / cm3, 0.915 g / cm3, 0.912 g / cm3, etc.) and a melt-index of about 0.2-2.0 dg / min, or about 0.5-1.0 dg / min, or about 0.7 to 1.0 dg / min, (e.g., 0.9, 0.8, etc. dg / min). In embodiments, the density' range can also be defined by any two numbers referred to below, in g / cm3including the end-points: 0.910, 0.911, 0.912. 0.913, 0.914, 0.915, 0.916, and 0.917 g / cm3. Similarly, the melt-index range can be defined by any two numbers described above, in dg / min, including the end-points, and in some particular embodiments may be 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, and 1.0 dg / min. In some embodiments, the total thickness of each interposed layer may range from about 4% of the total film to about 40% of the total film thickness. In some further embodiments, one or more interposed layers comprises a rnLLDPE copolymer and has a density of about 0.912 g / cm3.

[0128] In some embodiments, one or more interposed layers may comprise an amount of an agent, such as a tie material (e.g., tie resin or adhesive), that facilitates binding and adhesion of the interposed layer to the core barrier EV OH layer, and optionally, to other interposed layers and / or sealant layers. Any known tie resins and adhesives may be used in the interposed layer including, for example, polyethylene copolymers of polar and nonpolar repeat units, with or without functional reactive groups. Modifiers may be added to further improve certain physical properties such as peel strength of such binders, adhesives, and tie resins. Some non-limiting examples of tie resins include non-reactive tie resins, such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ethylene methyl acrylate (EMA), acid modified olefin copolymers (e.g., ethylene acrylic acid (EAA) and ethylene methacrylic acid (EMAA)) and reactive tie resins such as anhydride modified polyethylene (i.e., ethylene-grafted maleic anhydride, (AMP)).Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0129] In some embodiments, such as where the oriented film is formed in a bubble process such as the triple bubble process described herein, one or more interposed layers may comprise an amount of a bubble stabilizing component. In some embodiments, the bubble stabilizing component may comprise or consist of an ionomer, such as for example those sold under the Surlyn™ brand name by Dow Chemicals. In other embodiments, the bubble stabilizing component may comprise or consist of ethylene-vinyl acetate (EVA), acid copolymer resins (and more specifically branched copolymers of ethylene and methacrylic or acrylic acids) sold under the Nucrel™ brand name by Dow Chemicals, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the bubble stabilizing component may comprise or consist of any combination of ionomers, EVA, and acid copolymer resins such as those described above.

[0130] In embodiments of the films and bags disclosed herein, at least one layer of the barrier and / or non-barrier films comprises an interpolymer in accordance with the embodiments and aspects disclosed herein.Oriented Films

[0131] A variety of multilayer films can be formed in accordance with the disclosure. As discussed above, certain combinations of resins may provide films having certain desirable properties, in addition to the snag resistance improvement provided by the film orientation. The multilayer films can have particularly desirable snag resistance properties when oriented biaxially in both the machine and transverse directions to provide a biaxially oriented film in accordance with the disclosure. In some preferred embodiments, the disclosure provides films that are oriented biaxially in both the machine and transverse directions to provide a biaxially oriented film having the performance characteristics in accordance with the disclosure.Triple-bubble process

[0132] In some embodiments a bubble process, such as a triple bubble process, can be suitable for biaxially orienting certain plastic films and sheets in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction simultaneously. The triple bubble process is a multistage blown film process that consists of three film bubbles, and which is used for the production of biaxially oriented films by simultaneous biorientation and subsequentAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO annealing. The first, primary bubble produces a thick film that is then quenched to solidify it. The film is then reheated, but maintained in solid (not molten) state and air is blown through it to form the second bubble, in which the film is stretched and oriented. In the third bubble, the film is reinflated and annealed to remove some of the orientation, but to stabilize the film against heat shrinkage. In some embodiments, biaxial orientation by the triple bubble process may be preferred because it produces films having both biaxial orientation and high stability, e.g. which do not undergo undesirable shrinking during a bag forming process. In some embodiments, for example, the biaxially oriented film can be stabilized such that the film will not undergo any significant shrinkage at temperatures up to about 150-170 °F.

[0133] In order to provide stability to the film during formation of the second bubble, a bubble-stabilizing agent may be included as one or more interposed layers of the CEML film. The bubble-stabilizing agent may be configured to improve the cohesion of the layers of the CEML film so that it can handle the stress of forming a bubble in the solid state. In some embodiments, the bubble-stabilizing agent may comprise an ionomer or ionic resin, which improves cohesion of the layers through the promotion of ionic bonding.Articles and Uses

[0134] Referring to some aspects and embodiments discussed above, the disclosure provides articles that are formed from any of the oriented films described herein. Examples of such articles can include flexible packages, bags, bag-in-box, pouches, stand-up pouches, and other varieties of pre-made packages or pouches. Such articles can be formed using generally- known state of the art techniques.

[0135] The oriented films of the disclosure, after axial orientation processing, can comprise a range of thickness, from a relatively thin gauge (e.g., 25-35 micron) to thicker gauges (e.g., 100-250 micron), all having good optics, stiffness, and sealability making them useful in an array of various applications. For example, in some embodiments the oriented films are suitable for use as pouches, bags, and flexible packaging that can be made with equipment that is commonly used for form / fill / seal processing.

[0136] In use, the orientation of the films in the machine and transverse directions can provide a combination of physical features beyond increased snag resistance (e.g., stiffness, toughness, and optics) that may be improved or advantageous over conventional blown filmsAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO that are non-oriented. In some embodiments, the oriented films can comprise a higher stiffness and clarity and do not require lamination. In some embodiments the oriented films in accordance with the disclosure can comprise adequate stiffness that makes them suitable for use as a self-supported structure such as, for example, a stand-up pouch formed entirely from polyolefin or polyolefin copolymers (e.g., polyethylene or copolymers thereof).

[0137] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides flexible liquid-packaging bags comprising one, or two or more plies, wherein the bag comprises at least one ply comprising an axially oriented film (e.g., an oriented barrier or non-barrier film (e.g.. B-CEML and / or NB-CEML film)) in accordance with the aspects and embodiments described above. In such embodiments a barrier-ply can comprise EVOH at 5% or less total thickness of the ply or of the combined plies providing for it to be readily recyclable. In accordance with such embodiments, the films comprising the flexible bag exclude (i.e., does not comprise or consist of) nylon, polyester or any additional barrier material (e.g., additional EVOH or metal) beyond the EVOH present in a B-CEML.

[0138] In embodiments, the outer ply of the bag may comprise or consist of a biaxially oriented B-CEML film structure in accordance with the disclosure, and the inner ply of the bag may comprise or consist of a non-barrier film containing no EVOH. The non-barrier film can be axially or biaxially oriented, or the non-barrier film may be non-oriented. In some further embodiments, the non-barrier inner ply of the bag is as thick or thicker than the met- barrier outer ply in a ratio ranging from about 1 . 1 : 1 to about 3: 1 and inclusive of any ratio within that range (e.g., 3.8 mil (96.5 pm), 1.8 mil (25.4 pm)). In such embodiments, the thickness of the inner ply may result in better self-evacuation efficiency of the contents in the flexible bag.

[0139] In one embodiment, the EVOH-containing barrier-ply or plies can form the outer ply or plies of a flexible bag (e.g. outer and middle ply of multi-ply bags), and the non-barrier ply can form the inner ply of the bag. Alternatively, the barrier ply can be placed as the inside ply of the bag. The outer ply of the bag may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure, the inner ply of the bag may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure, or both plies may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0140] In embodiments, the outer ply of the bag may comprise or consist of a biaxially oriented B-CEML film structure in accordance with the disclosure, and the inner ply of theAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO bag may comprise or consist of a B-CEML film structure, which may also be oriented or which may be non-oriented. The use of barrier plies as both the outer ply of the bag and the inner ply of the bag may provide an increased barrier to oxygen, which may be necessary for the storage of certain oxygen-sensitive products, such as for example wine. In some embodiments, the outer ply of the bag may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure, the inner ply of the bag may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure, or both plies may be biaxially oriented in accordance with the present disclosure.

[0141] Figs. 3A-3D illustrate a series of example embodiments in accordance with the disclosure of two-ply film structures that can include the multi-layer barrier and non-barrier films described in the various aspects and embodiments herein. Fig. 3A shows an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the three-layer non-barrier (100) and barrier (200) films depicted in Figs. 1A and 2A. respectively, wherein the "outer' ply comprises the barrier layer (200), and the “inner” ply comprises the non-barrier layer (100). The ply layers in all the depicted embodiments of Figs. 3A-3D are physically joined only at the edges (represented by (310)), and can, thus, include a gap or separation between the two plies (300) at locations other than at the sealed edges (310). Fig. 3B shows an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the five-layer non-barrier (100) and barrier (200) films depicted in Figs. IB and 2B, respectively, wherein the “outer” ply comprises the barrier layer (200), and the “inner” ply comprises the non-barrier layer (100). Fig. 3C shows an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the five-layer non-barrier (100) and seven-layer barrier (200) films depicted in Figs. 1C and 2D, respectively, wherein the “outer” ply comprises the barrier layer (200), and the “inner” ply comprises the non-barrier layer (100). Fig. 3D shows an example embodiment of a two-ply film structure that includes the seven layer non-barrier (100) and barrier (200) films depicted in Figs. ID and 2D, respectively, wherein five of the seven layers of the “outer” barrier layer (200), and four of the seven layers of the “inner” non-barrier layer (100) comprise a plurality of individual stacked layers of the same material to form the entire layer. As discussed herein, the different plies do not need to have the same or similar number of layers or layer structures in order to fall within the scope of the disclosure.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0142] In embodiments, the bag size can range from 0.5 US gallons (1.89 liters) to 10 US gallons (37.9 liters) or from 0.5 US gallons (1.89 liters) to about 6 US gallons (22.7 liters), such as about 1, 2. 3, 4, 5. or 6 gallons (3.79, 7.57, 11.4, 15.1, 18.9, or 22.7 liters). These bags may, in some embodiments, be particularly suited for bag-in-box products. In some embodiments the bag size can also be extended to bulk bags in the 10-45 gallons (37.9-170 liters), 45-400 gallons (170-1514 liters), or 55-400 gallons (208-1514 liters) size range (i.e., the bags may span a large range of sizes from about 0.5 US gallons (1.89 liters) to about 400 US gallons (1514 liters)). In some embodiments, the bags may comprise a plurality of plies (i.e., there can be more than two plies in the bag). Such embodiments, for example, may comprise a combination of two barrier plies and one non-barrier ply, or one barrier ply and two non-barrier plies in various structural arrangements. In accordance with the above aspects and embodiments, the thickness of the EVOH-containing met-barrier-ply in such bags, can vary from 1 mil to 10 mil, and may, in some particular embodiments be about 1.5,1.6, 1.7, 1.8, 1.9, 2.0, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.4, 2.5, 2.6, 2.7, 2.8, 2.9, 3.0, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6,3.7, 3.8, 3.9, 4.0, 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.5, 4.6, 4.7, 4.8, 4.9, or 5.0 mils, (where 1 mil is equal to about 0.0254 mm). In embodiments, the thickness of the non-barrier-ply can have about the same thicknesses as described above for the met-barrier ply (e g., ranging between thicknesses of 1.5 mil to 5.0 mil (38.1 pm to 127 pm), 2.5 mil to 5.0 mil (63.5 pm to 127 pm), 1.5 mil and 4.0 mil (38.1 pm to 102 pm), and similar ranges within the general range above). In yet further embodiments, the thickness of the non-barrier ply is greater than the thicknesses as described above for the met-barrier ply, as described above.

[0143] In some embodiments, the flexible bag is used for packaging liquids that benefit from thermal retention such as, for example, hot beverages including coffee, tea, or the like and / or hot foods including soups, sauces, gravies, hot cereals and the like. In some embodiments the bag can be used for packing concentrated soft drink syrup (e.g. a beverage bag). In some embodiments, the flexible bag is used for packaging edible oil. In some embodiments, the flexible bag is used for packaging liquid dairy-based products (ambient or refrigerated conditions). In some preferred embodiments, the flexible bag is used for packaging food items that are particularly susceptible to oxidation arising from exposure to environmental oxy gen. In such preferred embodiments, the flexible bag is used for packaging wine, and typically comprises a size from about 0.5 to about 3 gallons (about 1.89 to about 11.4 liters), or from about 0.5 to about 5 liters (about 1 .89 to about 18.9 lieters). In some embodiments,Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO the flexible bag is used for packaging non-food, industrial fluids or chemicals. In some embodiments, the flexible bag contains pigmented layers to provide color (white, blue, black, etc.). In some embodiments, the bags are used for non-food, e.g. industrial purposes to package detergents, liquid soaps, curable mixtures, etc.

[0144] In embodiments, the bags comprise a maximum amount of EV OH in the complete bag structure to be no more than 12%, or no more than 10%, or no more than 5% total thickness, or weight of a film structure. In embodiments comprising a barrier and non-barrier ply structure, the total amount (percent thickness or weight) of EV OH in the entire ply structure is reduced as non-barrier film plies contain no EV OH. In some embodiments relating to bag structures, no nylon, metal, or PET is included.

[0145] In use, the flexible bag is filled with a flowable material to be dispensed, and the bag may be packed in a relatively rigid container, e.g., a corrugated cardboard box, for distribution (e.g., a “bag-in-box”). Typically, at the point of use, the spout or fitment on the flexible bag is adapted to mate with a dispensing tap or service line connector is fitted thereto to control and direct the dispensing of the contents of the bag. Because the walls of the bag are thin and very flexible, the bags that find common use may collapse as the contents are removed. A problem that occurs in the state of the art, and which the flexible bags in accordance with the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure address, is that when the liquid contents of the bag are dispensed, it is possible that one of the flexible bag walls may be drawn close to the spout, even when a substantial proportion of the contents remain in the bag. The bag wall may come to cover the inner end of the spout, thus blocking it and shutting off flow of contents. Because of the pressure of the remaining liquid in the bag on the wall, it is difficult and troublesome to dislodge the wall from the spout and remove the blockage. This has typically been addressed in the art by incorporating one or more evacuation aids that are designed and adapted to maintain flow by preventing blockage by bag collapse. In some embodiments, the larger capacity bags generally described herein are suitable for use in combination with additional support materials such as, for example, wooden, metal, plastic, or corrugated bins, totes, drums, and the like.

[0146] In some embodiments, the flexible bags in accordance with the disclosure can maintain flow and output of the bag contents without the need for dispensing aids that are known in the art such as evacuation channels, tubes, forms, dip strips or reinforced / embossedAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO films that can help to ensure complete evacuation of bag contents. Unexpectedly, the inner and outer plies of the bags disclosed herein, while exhibiting improved toughness, are structured to provide adequate rigidity to the bag geometry and allows for the complete selfevacuation of its flowable contents. That is, it has been unexpectedly observed that the flowable contents within the flexible bags of the disclosure reach and flow to and through the spout even as the bag is completely or substantially completely drained of its contents, without the need for any additional evacuation aid(s).

[0147] Thus, the flexible bags are convenient because they can be manufactured to be relatively flat in the unfilled condition, and, accordingly, are convenient to store and to ship to a location where they are to be filled (the bag geometry is not distorted by the incorporation of an evacuation aid). Furthermore, the bags in accordance with the example embodiments of the disclosure do not require any insertion of a device into the bag after it is formed which reduces the manufacturing burden.

[0148] Furthermore, the bags in accordance ith example embodiments of the disclosure are well adapted for use with service line connectors that are provided with quick-disconnect fittings and valves. Such quick-disconnect fittings and valves may use a valve element that slides within the fitment or spout, projecting into the bag when actuated by the insertion of a sen-ice line connector and being withdrawn within the fitment to cut off the flow of contents when the connector is withdrawn. In such applications, the bags of the disclosure avoid any possible interference between the slider of such a valve and an evacuation channel or structure that would be attached to the spout or to its periphery.

[0149] In use, the bags in accordance with example embodiments of the disclosure are able to achieve self-evacuation of the flowable materials / contents to levels that are in line with industry- demands (i. e. , evacuation of 95% or more of the contents (95%, 96%, 97%, 98%, 99%. 99.5%. 99.6%, 99.7%, 99.8%, or 99.9%)) without the need for evacuation aid devices. This observed level of emptying w ithout the need or aid of an incorporated evacuation structure is unexpected and provides a substantial advantage to the flexible bags described herein relative to the current state of the art. In use, the observed excellent degree of contents evacuation is achievable in a variety of flexible bag, or bag-in-box, orientations such as, for example, with the dispensing spout bottom-facing as well as side-facing arrangements.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOAdditives

[0150] In some embodiments, the films may comprise standard additives generally known and used in the art including, for example, antioxidants, stabilizers, anti-block agents, and slip additives. Optionally, any one or more of the sealant layers, or the interposed layers may comprise one or more additives that may facilitate the processing of a film in a bag making process, such as, for example, polymer processing aid concentrate, and / or slip / anti-block concentrates. Any of such additives that are generally known and find use in the art can be used, including additives of the types that follow.Slip Agents

[0151] Any slip agent known in the art may be included in the film layers, ty pically in a range from about 200 to 2000 ppm or 0.5-2.5% by weight of the particular layer. In some embodiments a slip agent may be added in less that about 200 ppm (even to none, i.e., 0 ppm) if anti-blocking agent is added in amounts that provide some function that would be provided by addition of one or more slip agent(s). Non-limiting examples of a slip agent is erucamide or other fatty acid amides, such as, oleamide. The slip agent may lower the coefficient friction of the film and allow the film to slide readily over various surfaces.Anli-Blocking Agents

[0152] Any film anti-blocking agent known in the art may be added to the film lay ers, typically in the range of about 1000-5000 ppm or 0.5-2.5% by weight of a sealant or interposed layer. However, in some embodiments the amount of anti-blocking agent(s) can be increased to about 25,000-50,000 ppm without having any negative impact on the properties and performance characteristics of the film. For example, typical anti -blocking agents, such as, diatomaceous earth, synthetic silica, calcium carbonate, or talc can be added to the inner and outer sealant layers of the film. The anti-blocking material may help reduce the coefficient of friction betw een the film and the metallic surfaces over which the film is drawn during the bag making process.Processing Aids

[0153] Any processing aid known in the art, such as the non-limiting example of a siloxane- based processing aid, may be added to outer and inner sealing layers of the film.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0154] The films disclosed herein may be used in the manufacture of a variety of articles, include a flexible-bag containing a flowable material, said flexible bag being made from the previously described multi-layer film in tubular form and having transversely heat sealed ends.

[0155] In some embodiments the disclosure provides a process for making pouches filled with a flowable material, using a conventional bag making process described herein. Pouches can be made using a vertical form, fill and seal (“VFFS’’) apparatus, in which each pouch is made from a flat web of film by forming a tubular film therefrom with a longitudinal seal and subsequently flattening the tubular film at a first position and transversely heat sealing said tubular film at the flattened position, filling the tubular film with a predetermined quantity of flowable material above said first position, flattening the tubular film above the predetermined quantity of flow-able material at a second position and transversely heat sealing said tubular film at the second position, the improvement comprising making the pouches from a flat web of a film made from a multilayer film described previously. The VFFS processes and its modifications are described in U.S. Patents No. US 5,538,590, US 9,327,856 and US 9,440,757 and are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety.

[0156] Although melt-index ranges are described in the various aspects and embodiments, it is understood that the polymers have melt indices typical of film-grade polymers can be used. The multi-layer films of the present invention have the ability to form a lap seal as well as a fin seal. They also substantially reduce the curl in the laminate.

[0157] Methods of manufacturing films are generally known in the art and can be used in accordance with the films and bags generally described herein. For example, one process comprises a blown film process, wherein the film, after manufacture, is slit longitudinally into appropriate widths. The method of manufacture of a multilayer film can incorporate a blown film co-extrusion process, although other methods of manufacture of the film may be used (see, e.g., disclosure above relating to processes for double-wound films and closed bubble films). Other methods of film manufacturing may also be used in accordance with the aspects and embodiments described herein including, for example, water-quenching or super-water-quenching blown film technology (e.g. Aquafrost, Aquarex, etc.), co-extrusion coated film technology, and cast film technology, among others.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOFlexible Bags & Plies in Bulk-Bag

[0158] As discussed herein, the disclosure provides for bags that incorporate the oriented films as described herein. In embodiments, the bags comprise at least two plies, each of which may comprise a biaxially oriented film. In some further embodiments, the bags comprise at least an outer ply that comprises a biaxially oriented film.

[0159] In some embodiments, the disclosure provides bags that incorporate a barrier layer of EV OH in a polyolefin oriented film, resulting in bags that have improved snag resistance as well as sufficient flex-crack resistance, sufficient toughness, and sufficient barrier properties to aid in the extension of the shelf-life of certain flowable materials, but are recyclable, because they do not contain any non-recyclable materials (e.g., metal, nylon or PET). In particular embodiments, the flexible packaging constructed from the films disclosed herein may have a broad range in size, from small pouches (e.g., 0. 1-2.5 L (0.0264-0.660 gallons)), small bags (for example, 1-6 gallons (3.79-22.7 liters)) or bulk (for example, 50-400 gallons (189-1514 liters)) bags comprising the oriented NB-CEML and / or B-CEML films are used to package liquids including, for example, coffee, tea, wine, beer, dairy products, milkshakes, confectionaries, chili, soups, vegetable and fruit juices, sauces, and purees.

[0160] In embodiments, the flexible bags do not have any liner, providing liner-less bags that may be single-ply or multi-ply bags, but without a liner. In embodiments a thermally laminated polymeric film structure is made comprising B-CEML type films disclosed herein.

[0161] The bags that may be produced from the B-CEML / NB-CEML films may be pre-made and then filled with food, through a fitment. They are often sterilized and may be, for example, irradiated in a batch process, employing standard radiation conditions known in the art. The film may also be sterilized rather than the bags. Sterilization can be achieved in a variety of known ways such as by exposure of the film or bag to hydrogen peroxide solution. The films used to make pouches may be similarly treated prior to package formation.Bag Production

[0162] In an aspect, bags may be produced by a method comprising the steps of providing one or more films as described herein including a barrier CEML film, securing a spout to inner and outer plies of the film structure through a hole provided therein, sealing the plies together transversely across the width of the film structure, to form a top seal of one bag andAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO a bottom seal of the bag and a top seal of an adjacent bag, then sealing the plies together parallel to the length of the bag line are applied at either side of the polymeric fdms, and trapped air being removed prior to completely sealing the bag, and separating the bags immediately or just prior to use. The seals may be formed using impulse sealing bars with cooling. Typical bag-making processes are described generally in U.S. Pat. No. 8,211,533, which is incorporated by reference herein. In some embodiments the process for making bags that are Tillable with flowable material, may comprise using a bag line, wherein each bag is made from a flat web of film that may comprise the following steps:(I) Unwinding film from two rolls top and two rolls bottom.(II) Ink jet code labeling each bag.(III) Punching spout hole in each bag.(IV) Inserting spout into bag.(V) Brush bag to remove entrapped air.(VI) Cross seals formed on bottom of one bag and top of next bag.(VII) Long seals formed.(VIII) Bags pulled through line with servo drive.(IX) Perforations formed between adjacent cross seals.(X) Bags pushed to end of line via conveyor belt.(XI) Bags packed into boxes.The above steps are typical for a bag making machine. It should be noted that the order of the steps can be changed depending on the bag-making machine.

[0163] The examples that follow will help to provide further illustration and clarity to the disclosure and the aspects and embodiments described above.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOEXAMPLESExample 1: Sample films

[0164] Sample biaxially oriented B-CEML films were prepared using the triple bubble process described herein. Three sample films were prepared: NFX4034, NFX4035-1, and NFX4035-2. Each of these films was prepared using convention methods and then biaxially oriented to have a machine direction draw ratio of 2.9: 1 and a transverse direction draw ratio of 2.25:1. In order to provide bubble stability and processability (e g. to prevent the bubble from breaking during orientation), Surlyn™-a commercially available ionomeric resin-was included in the biaxially oriented films. However, it is contemplated that biaxially oriented films that do not include an ionomer or other component to stabilize a bubble can be prepared, e.g. using orientation methods other than the triple bubble process. The composition and relative thickness of each layer of the NFX4034, NFX4035-1, and NFX- 4035-2 films are shown below in Tables 3a-3c.Table 3a. Example NFX4034 filmAtorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 3b. Example NFX4035-1 filmTable 3c. Example NFX4035-2 film

[0165] Each of these biaxially oriented B-CEML films was compared against the following:(1) a non-oriented B-CEML film identified as FE701, made in accordance with the disclosure of US Patent No. 11.603,242, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference; and(2) a modified version of the FE701 film that includes a split nylon-6 layer in an atempt to enhance snag resistance, identified as FEN930F.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0166] An overview of the three sample biaxially oriented B-CEML films and the two comparison films is provided in Table 4.Table 4. Overview of the three sample biaxially oriented B-CEML films and two comparison films

[0167] In some tests, the biaxially oriented film samples are also compared against a conventional 3.8 mil (96.5 pm) 189UL thermal laminate containing a biaxial nylon core and / or an MDO oriented B-CEML film having a 29 mol% EV OH core and have a draw ratio of 3: 1 in the machine direction only, identified as FE906.

[0168] Properties of two of the biaxially-oriented films were measured and compared against the non-oriented FE701 film. The measured properties are listed below in Table 5. Though one of skill in the art would have expected that the biaxial orientation would have made the biaxially oriented NFX4034 and NFX4035-2 films stiffer, that was not the case. Rather, as shown below, the Young’s modulus of the biaxially oriented film samples was quite similar to that of the non-oriented sample. The biaxially oriented samples had significantly lower tear resistance compared to the non-oriented sample but significantly higher punctureAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO resistance. The biaxially oriented films also performed significantly better than the nonoriented film in Dart Drop performance.Table 5. Measured properties of one non-oriented film and two biaxially-oriented filmsExample 2: Snag Resistance Test

[0169] The testing procedure described below was developed to assess film snag resistance and is generally adapted from ASTM DI 894, a testing standard for determining friction (static and kinetic coefficients) of plastic films and sheeting. The developed test method provides both a qualitative and quantitative estimation and determination of the resistance that films have to snag-type failures. The test method includes an assembly comprising a movable sled equipped with an angled tip positioned to contact the film as the sled is moved transversely across the test article film. The sled can have a variable load applied (i.e.,Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO weights) and, during testing, is moved parallel along the plane surface of the test film article. See, e.g., Figs. 5-8. In the testing described herein, the sled was pulled along the plane surface of the test film article at a speed of 12 inches (30.5 cm) per minute.

[0170] As depicted in Figs. 5-8, the sled is designed so that the snagging tip can be positioned to snag the film at a pre-determined angle (e.g. at 45° as shown in Figure 8B) and weight can be added substantially directly above the tip, e.g. on a weight post as shown in Figure 5. The snag tip illustrated herein (see Figures 8 A and 8B) is a 0.5 mm diameter tungsten carbide conical tip from Taber Industries (Part no.: 133559). This tip was determined to be more durable than the thinner tip which may be visible in some of the other photographs and should thus be used to ensure repeatability of the test. The test surface used is an X-ACTO® self-healing cutting mat (X7761) 12 inches by 18 inches (30.5 cm by 45.7 cm), cut to a suitable size for the testing. This test surface was determined to be more durable than the 40 Shore A Pad (Saint Gobain Bonding Tape) covered in Teflon tape shown in some of the other photographs and thus the X-ACTO® self-healing cutting mat (X7761) should thus be used to ensure repeatability of the test. As shown, the sled uses 240 g of counterweight over the back wheels for purposes of stability, and the wheels are 35 mm outside diameter radial bearings (see, e.g., Fig. 5). though these may be varied so long as the wheels allow the sled to roll freely along the test surface and the counter-weight is sufficient to ensure stability of the sled when being rolled along the test surface.

[0171] The testing was performed at ambient room conditions, i.e. a temperature of about 22 °C (72-73 °F) and a relative humidity between about 40% and 60%, optionally a relative humidity of about 50%. Small variations in temperature and humidity are not expected to have a significant effect on the results of the testing for the films described herein given the hydrophobic nature of the film materials. Films containing hydrophilic materials, e.g. nylon, however, are subject to produce different results if relative humidity is significantly altered.

[0172] The films are evaluated for the number of snag failures as a function of sled load, with results expressed in terms of the load (i.e. weight of the sled) that results in a 50% failure (F50) of test article films. To account for variances in thicknesses of different films being tested, the results can also be expressed as F50 (i.e. weight of the sled that results in a 50% failure of test article films) per mil thickness of the film.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0173] The standard method technique utilizes the Bruceton staircase method, wherein the sled weight is increased by a uniform increment depending upon the result (fail or not fail) observed for the specimen after a defined sled travel distance (e.g. six inches (15.2 cm)). In other words, if the sled travels the initial six-inch (15.2-cm) test distance without puncturing the film, additional weight will be added to the sled and the sled will be pulled across the film for another six-inch (15.2-cm) test distance. This process will be repeated until failure, at which time the total applied weight of the sled is recorded.

[0174] To determine the weight being applied to the test film by the sled and tip assembly itself, i.e. before any additional weight(s) are added, the tip is mounted into the sled at the desired testing angle, here 45°, and the sled is placed with the tip pressing down on a scale, e.g. as shown in Fig. 18. In the testing described herein, the sled and tip assembly produced an initial applied weight of 60 grams. This was used as the starting w eight for the testing, with additional weights being added to increase the total applied weight until puncture occurred (e.g. addition of a 15-gram w eight to the w eight post would be calculated as 85 grams of total applied weight).

[0175] The test method shown and described herein can be used for films whose snagging resistances require masses of up to about 800 g to puncture them.

[0176] In setting up an example embodiment for test articles, the assembly comprises a 50 N load cell. The assembly surface comprises a flat KCOF plane, with an attached pulley, which is attached to the base plate of the Instron, making sure to tighten the jam nut so the plane is level and secured in place (Fig. 10). The hook assembly is connected to the load cell and secured with a clevis pin. (Fig. 11). The test surface is placed on and mounted to a stainless- steel plate (1 / 8 inch (0.318 cm) thickness) onto the KCOF test plane. The back of the plate is secured, e.g. with binder clips. (Fig. 12). A tow-line is attached to the hook assembly and sled. (Fig. 13)

[0177] The test is performed at 12 inch / min. (30.5 cm / min.) crosshead speed for a length of 6 inches (15.2 cm) or to snag failure. Under conditions used in this embodiment, the test method is set to automatically trigger a snag failure at 580 gf, but any exponential increase in force representative of the film being punctured may also be used. Fig. 14 depicts a plot of the outputs (force as a function of displacement) of a series of test runs, with data identify ing failures indicated by the circle and arrow. Tested samples can also be observed and evaluatedAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO(e.g., under a microscope if needed) to view the drag patterns and snag failure points. FIG. 9 depicts a magnified view of an example of a test result with a tip drag line and snag failure.

[0178] Film test article samples may be prepared in various ways. As show n in the example embodiments herein film samples were cut to a dimension of about 6 inches by 10 inches (15.2 cm by 25.4 cm) with the 10-inch (25.4-cm) length being in the test direction, (machine / transverse directions, MD / TD), which allowed for sixteen separate test runs per film sample. Alternatively, a number of film samples can be cut to allow for sixteen test runs (e.g., sixteen specimens), depending on film sample size. As depicted in these examples, the same film sample can be used for multiple specimens when there is sufficient gap between specimens. (See, e.g.. Fig. 17 with 4x parallel runs). The test specimens should be examined to ensure they are free of pinholes, wrinkles, folds, or other obvious imperfections or defects prior to testing.

[0179] The testing procedure begins by placing an amount of weight on the sled that is near the expected F50 value (which value may take several trial runs to estimate). The front edge of the film is clamped, e.g. with a binder clip, to the test surface, leaving the film loose on the other three sides. (Fig. 15). Information regarding the film type, tip angle, test surface, film direction, etc. is entered and recorded, into the measurement software (e.g., Bluehill software) and noted in a Bruceton Excel spreadsheet.

[0180] The tow line is attached to the sled and any slack in the tow line is removed. The sled is carefully placed on the film surface to begin the test. (FIG. 16) If the film passes (i.e., no snag results within a six-inch (15.2-cm) travel distance of the sled) additional weight (e.g., 15 g) is added to the sled for the next specimen / test run. If the film fails and snags, weight is removed (e.g., 15 g) from the sled for the next specimen / test run. The results are recorded in both the Instron software and the Bruceton spreadsheet. For subsequent test specimens, and as needed, the film sample is adjusted so that the sled does not drag across an area of the film that has been previously tested. Once no further testable area remains on a given test sample film, it is replaced with a new piece of test sample film.

[0181] The test method is repeated for at least sixteen test specimens for each film sample. The snag tip and Teflon test surface are monitored for damage / wear (i.e., under microscope inspection) and can be replaced as needed.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0182] The biaxially oriented B-CEML film samples from Example 1 were testing using the system and procedures described above. Throughout the testing, the snag core pin used was the 0.5 mm diameter tungsten carbide conical tip from Taber Industries (Part no. : 133559) shown in Figure 8A and the tip angle was set at 45 degrees, as shown in Figure 8B. An X-ACTO® self-healing cutting mat (X7761) cut to 6 inches by 18 inches (15.2 cm by 45.7 cm) was used as the test surface. The results of the snag resistance testing, and more particularly the F50 in each of the machine direction and the tranverse direction for each of the tested films are shown in Table 6. For illustrative purposes, the F50 / mil thickness of each film was also calculated so that the films could be more accurately compared and the results provided in Table 7.Table 6. Results of results of the snag resistance testing of sample films.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 7. F50 / mil thickness of each film tested in Table 6.

[0183] These results demonstrate that the biaxially aligned B-CEML fdms have significantly and surprisingly better snag resistance than the non-oriented but otherwise equivalent B-CEML film, especially since they are significantly thinner. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to biaxially oriented B-CEML films and bags that include those films, e.g. as an outer ply of a two-ply construction, that have improved snag resistance relative to the same B-CEML film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction.

[0184] For instance, a biaxially oriented film in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may show an improvement in snag resistance, measured in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, of at least 20%, alternatively at least 30%, alternatively at least 40%, alternatively at least 50%, alternatively at least 60%, alternatively at least 70%. alternatively at least 80%, alternatively at least 90%, alternatively at least 100% over the same film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction. The percent improvement may be determined through a comparison of the F50 / mil values of each film, tested as set forth herein using films of generally the same thickness (within about a mil of one another).

[0185] Moreover, as shown in Table 7, biaxially oriented films in accordance with embodiments of the present invention may have a F50 per mil thickness of the film of at leastAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO80 g / mil in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 85 g / mil in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 90 g / mil in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 95 g / mil in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 100 in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 105 in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 110 in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 115 in each of the machine and transverse directions, alternatively at least 120 in each of the machine and transverse directions,.

[0186] The improvement in snag resistance is surprising because the biaxially oriented films have relatively poor tear resistance (e.g. having an Elmendorf Propagated Tear Resistance, tested in accordance with ASTM DI 922, between about 50 g and about 100 g in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, compared to the non-oriented FE701 film, which showed an Elmendorf Propagated Tear Resistance greater than 500 in the machine direction and greater than 1000 in the transverse direction). As noted above, the snag resistance of a film is generally believed to relate to the combination of puncture resistance and tear resistance since a snag is often generated by an initial puncture and then subsequent tearing that initiates from that puncture.

[0187] It is important that a film has high snag resistance in both the machine direction and the transverse direction as both are needed in order to produce a robust bag that withstands the various stresses that are placed upon it during filling and distribution.Example 3: Flex-Crack Resistance

[0188] The Gelbo Flex test was used to determine the Hex-crack resistance of films used for preparing flexible bags of the present invention and for the comparative or benchmark or control samples. The test is described below. A surprisingly improved flex-crack resistance performance was observed with the film in accordance with the aspects and embodiments of the disclosure relative to comparative embodiment films. The comparative films are alternatively also called “control” or “reference’" films or embodiments.

[0189] This test determines the resistance of flexible packaging materials and films to pinhole failures resulting from flexing. However, it does not measure any abrasionAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO characteristic relating to flex failure. The colored-turpentine portion of the test measures the failures characterized by phy sical holes completely through the structure.

[0190] The Gelbo Flex tester is set up to test in accordance with ASTM F-392. This apparatus consists essentially of a 3.5-inch (90-mm) diameter stationary mandrel and a 3.5-inch diameter movable mandrel, spaced at a distance of 7 inches (180 mm) apart, from face-to-face, when at the start position — that is, maximum distance — of the stroke. The film-sample sides are taped around the circular mandrels so that it forms a hollow cylinder between them. The motion of the moving mandrel is controlled by a grooved shaft, to which the moving mandrel is attached. The shaft gives a twisting motion of 440 degrees, and at the same time moves itself toward the stationary mandrel crushing the film such that the mandrels facing each other end up only one inch apart, at their minimum distance. The motion of the machine is reciprocal with the forward and return strokes completing a full cycle. The machine operates at 45 cycles per minute.

[0191] In this tester, specimens of flexible materials are flexed at standard atmospheric conditions (23°C and 50% relative humidity), unless otherwise specified. The number of flexing cycles can be varied depending on the flex-crack resistance of the film structure being tested. The flexing action produced by this machine consists of a twisting motion, thus repeatedly twisting and crushing the film. Flex-crack failure is determined by measuring pinholes formed in the film. The pinholes are determined by painting one side of the tested film sample (300 cm2in area) with colored turpentine and allowing it to stain through the holes onto a white backing paper or blotter. Pinhole formation is the standard criterion presented for measuring failure, but other tests such as gas-transmission rates can be used in place of, or in addition to, the pinhole test. The results reported are the average of four repeats.

[0192] Provided below are Gelbo Flex data that were produced at a much higher number of flex cycles than suggested in the ASTM method — 10,000 vs. the normal 2,700 cycles for the co-extruded films. Higher number of cycles, that is 10,000 cycles, was used to test differences between the samples because this provides a better correlation for what happens in the field. The results of the Gelbo Flex testing of the films prepared in Example 1 are shown in Table 8.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 8. Results of the Gelbo Flex testing of the films prepared in Example 1

[0193] These results demonstrate that the biaxially oriented B-CEML films of Example 1 have significantly and surprisingly better flex crack resistance than the non-oriented but otherw ise equivalent B-CEML film. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure relate to biaxially oriented B-CEML films and bags that include those films, e.g. as an outer ply of a two-ply construction, that have not only improved snag resistance relative to the same B-CEML film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction, but also improved stress crack resistance relative to the same B-CEML film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction.

[0194] The improvement in stress crack resistance is surprising because biaxial orientation of the film improves both flex crack resistance and snag resistance at the same time in a manner that is not achieved by the inclusion of nylon, as the nylon-containing samples had the worst flex crack resistance of all the tested samples. As such, embodiments of the present disclosure are able to provide a combination of snag resistance and flex crack resistance that is unmatched by either the laminate films or the non-oriented B-CEML films that are used to make bags for flow-able foods.Example 4: Oxygen Transmission

[0195] The oxygen transmission rate (OTR) test determined the oxygen transmission rate through the barrier films used for preparing flexible bags of the present invention. The test is described below.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO

[0196] A suitably sized sample of film was cut on the cutting mat using the MOCON template for the Mocon Oxtran machine. The cut sample film was then positioned into the Mocon Oxtran and clamped into position as per the specific machine requirements. The machine was set up to the ASTM D3985 standard. The parameter settings are based on industry standard tests. The test temperature was set to 23°C and 60% RH. The sample was tested until the graph showed a plateau, and test times varied from 8 hours to 70 hours depending on the graph curve. All results were captured in units of cm3 / 100 in2-day. The results of the oxygen transmission testing are shown in Table 9.Table 9

[0197] These results demonstrate that biaxial orientation surprisingly reduces oxygen transmission relative to the same B-CEML film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction.Example 5: Bags comprising a biaxially oriented film

[0198] The films are used to prepare bags for testing (e.g. 5-gallon bags (18.9-liter bags)). Two-ply bags are made where edges of the bag are heat-sealed together, for example, using common techniques (e.g., thermic sealing, e.g., using a Maverick bag line, or impulse sealing and the like). The general dimensions of a 5-gallon (18.9-liter) bag may be about 18.75-inch (47.6-cm) outside width and 24.75-inch (62.9-cm) outside length. An opening with a spout and cap can be formed in the bag.

[0199] Each bag consists of an inner ply that is a non-oriented NB-CEML film according to the present disclosure and an outer ply that is one of the B-CEML films from Example 1. Specifically, the inner ply of each bag is a 3.8 mil (96.5 pm) non-oriented LLDPE non-barrier CEML five-layer film, which has inner and outer layers of 0.912-0.916 g / cm3density mLLDPE octene or hexene copolymer resin, a core layer of 0.912-0.914 g / cm3densityAttorney Docket No. P46289-WO mLLDPE octene or hexene copolymer resin, and interposed layers of 0.912-0.916 g / cm3density mLLDPE.Example 6: Bruceton Stair-Drop Test

[0200] The Ambient Bruceton Stair-Drop test (a version of ASTM D 5276 A 2.4.2) is performed to evaluate bag strength / resilience. Typically, the test includes a set of bags (e.g.. a set of 30 bags), each of which is filled with water. Depending on intended use of the bag, the test can be conducted by maintaining a constant or consistent bag temperature between tests (e.g., at about 4°C, ambient, about 40°C). In the present testing, 5-gallon (18.9-liter) bags were prepared and filled with water that was maintained at 60°F (about 15.5 °C). The total weight of each bag was about 40.8 pounds (about 18.5 kg).

[0201] A first bag is positioned with the longitudinal axis of the bag coincident with an imaginary horizontal line, the bottom surface of the bag at a suitable initial drop height (e.g..8 feet (2.44 m)) and the vertical seal facing upwards. In this orientation, the bag is dropped onto a stainless steel sheet, and then inspected visually and tactilely for damage or leaks. If the first bag survives the drop test, intact, without leaking water, then a new bag is selected and dropped from a height of an additional 1 foot (0.305 m), e.g.. 9 feet (2.74 m). Alternatively, if the first bag develops a leak, a new bag is selected and dropped from a height, which may lower (e.g., 7 feet (2.13 m)). The testing continues, using a new bag for every' drop, until at least five passes and five failures occur in the height range where both passes and failures occur. The 50% failure height-F50-is then calculated using the statistical method of ASTM 1 D 5628.

[0202] Certain of the drop tests provided below were performed as follows: the flexible bags are filled to approximately 40.8 lbs (18.5 kg) total weight. The bags are dropped flat with the fitment facing up. The temperature of the water in the bags is recorded. For each test, 30 bags are dropped. The F-50 value is the median bag-drop height, in feet. The water temperature in the filled 5-gallon (18.9-liter) bags during Bruceton drops is about 60°F (15.5°C). The results of the Bruceton bag drop testing is shown in Table 10.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 10

[0203] These results demonstrate that the bags having a biaxially-oriented outer ply performed well in ambient bag drop testing, having an F50 that was only slightly reduced from the bags having a non-oriented FE701 film and still well within a commercially acceptable range. All of the bags having a biaxially-oriented outer ply met the standard of having an F0, i.e. height at which all bags pass, of at least 4 feet. In comparison, machinedirection (only) oriented bags that were tested performed poorly and did not meet the minimum 4 ft. (1.22 m) F0 standard.

[0204] Bags having a biaxially-oriented outer ply in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may, when subjected to the Bruceton bag drop test, have an F0 of at least 4.0 ft. (1.22 m), alternatively at least 5.0 ft. (1.52 m), alternatively at least 6.0 ft. (1.83 m). Similarly bags having a biaxially-oriented outer ply in accordance with embodiments of the present disclosure may, when subjected to the Bruceton bag drop test, have an F50 of at least 5.0 ft. (1.52 m), alternatively at least 6.0 ft. (1.83 m), alternatively at least 7.0 ft. (2.13 m).Example 7: Cold Drop Test

[0205] Five-gallon (18.9-liter) bags made in the same manner described above utilizing each of the NFX4034 and NFX4035-2 as an outer ply and FP501 LLDPE non-barrier film (3.8 mils (96.5 pm)) as an inner ply were also tested for cold drop performance. In that testing, each bag was filled with water at 40 °F (about 4.4 °C) and then stored for sixteen hours.Each bag was then dropped three times from a height of 30 inches (76.2 cm): one drop was flat with the fitment facing up, one drop on the bottom seal, and one drop on the side seal. The results are shown in Table 11.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOTable 11

[0206] These results demonstrate that the bags having a biaxially-oriented outer ply performed well in cold drop testing, as well as the ambient bag drop testing described above.

[0207] The strong performance of bags that incorporate a biaxially-oriented outer ply in bag drop testing — both ambient and cold — is surprising given that the biaxially-oriented films have low elongation, i.e. are stiffer, and are thinner, which one would expect to mean that the bag cannot stretch to absorb the impact of expanding fluid against the walls of the bag and the seals, that there is less film to absorb the impact, and poor tear resistance, which one would expect could lead to more rips and failures during high-impact drops.

[0208] Accordingly, embodiments of the present disclosure describe recyclable predominantly polyethylene-based films, e.g. B-CEML films comprising up to 10% EV OH, that are biaxially oriented and upon having been biaxially oriented have been found to provide any one or more (e.g. any combination) of the following surprising improvements: improved snag resistance, improved flex crack resistance, improved puncture resistance, and relatively unchanged stiffness, compared to the same film but without any orientation. Embodiments of the present disclosure are also directed to recyclable flexible bags in which at least one ply, e.g. an outer ply, of the bag is an oriented predominantly polyethylene-based film, e.g. B-CEML films comprising up to 10% EV OH, that is biaxially oriented. In addition to having any one or more of the improvements described above, e.g. snag resistance alone or combined with any of the other listed improvements, the bags have good bag drop performance, e.g. have an F0 that meets or exceeds the minimum ambient Bruceton 5-gallon (18.9-liter) Bag Drop value of 4.0 feet (1.22 m) and / or have an F50 value in the ambientAttorney Docket No. P46289-WOBruceton 5 gallon Bag Drop test of greater than 5.0 ft. (1.52 m), alternatively greater than 5.5 ft. (1.68 m), alternatively greater than 6 ft. (1.83 m), alternatively greater than 6.5 ft. (1.98 m). alternatively at least 7.0 ft. (2. 13 m).

Claims

Attorney Docket No. P46289-WOCLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. A biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film comprising(i) an inner sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefm copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.920 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 50% by weight or thickness of the total inner sealant layer, wherein the inner sealant layer has a total density7in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3;(ii) a core layer; and(iii) an outer sealant layer comprising an ethylene / a-olefm copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.920 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 50% by weight or thickness of the total outer sealant layer, wherein the outer sealant layer has a total density in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3; wherein the fdm is biaxially oriented and exhibits an F50 of at least 80 g / mil in each of a machine direction and a transverse direction when subjected to snag resistance testing in which the fdm is placed on an X-Acto Self Healing Cutting Mat (X7761) test surface and a weight sled having a 0.5 mm diameter tungsten carbide conical tip set at a a 45 degree angle is pulled across a surface of the fdm at a rate of twelve inches per minute for a distance of six inches or until failure.

2. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer fdm of claim 1, wherein the F50 of the fdm is at least 90 g / mil in each of the machine direction and transverse direction; optionally at least 100 g / mil, optionally at least 110 g / mil, optionally at least 120 g / mil.

3. The biaxially onented coextruded multilayer fdm of any preceding claim, wherein the fdm is oriented with a draw ratio of at least 2: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction.

4. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer fdm of claim 3, wherein the fdm is oriented with a draw ratio of at least 2.5: 1 in the machine direction, the transverse direction, or both.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO5. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of claim 3, wherein the film is oriented with a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 10: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, optionally a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 8: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, optionally a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 7: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, optionally a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 6: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, optionally a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 5: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction, optionally a draw ratio between 2: 1 and 4: 1 in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction.

6. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the film exhibits improved snag resistance relative to the same coextruded multilayer film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction.

7. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of claim 6, wherein the snag resistance of the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film measured in the machine direction is at least 50% greater than that of the same coextruded multilayer film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction, optionally at least 60% greater, optionally at least 70% greater, optionally at least 80% greater, optionally at least 90% greater, optionally at least 100% greater.

8. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any one of claims 6 and 7, wherein the snag resistance of the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film measured in the transverse direction is at least 50% greater than that of the same coextruded multilayer film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction, optionally at least 60% greater, optionally at least 70% greater, optionally at least 80% greater, optionally at least 90% greater, optionally at least 100% greater.

9. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the ratio of snag resistance measured in the machine direction to snag resistance measured in the transverse direction is between about 1.1 and about 1.9.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO10. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the core layer comprises one or more barrier layers comprising ethylene- vinyl alcohol (EV OH) copolymer, the one or more barrier layers comprising about 0. 1% to about 12% by total weight or thickness of the multilayer film, wherein the EV OH comprises at least 27 mol % ethylene in the EV OH copolymer.

11. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of claim 10, wherein the EV OH comprises between 27 mol % and 32 mol % ethylene.

12. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any one of claims 1-9. wherein the core layer comprises one or more barrier layers comprising ethylene-vinyl alcohol (EVOH) copolymer, the one or more barrier layers comprising about 0. 1% to about 10% by total weight or thickness of the multilayer film, wherein the EVOH comprises at least 38 mol % ethylene in the EV OH copolymer.

13. The biaxially onented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, further comprising at least a first and a second interposed layer.

14. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of claim 13, wherein each of the first and second interposed layer comprises an ethylene / a-olefin copolymer fraction having a density in the range of 0.894 to 0.920 g / cm3in an amount of at least about 50% by weight or thickness of the interposed layer and an adhesive or tie resin in an amount effective to improve adhesion of the interposed layer to at least one other layer in the co-extruded multi-layer poly meric film, and each of the first and second interposed layers has a total density in the range of from about 0.910 to 0.924 g / cm3.

15. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, further comprising first and second interposed layers of an ionomer, ethylene-vinyl acetate, a branched copolymer of ethylene and methacrylic or acrylic acids, or a combination thereof.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO16. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film satisfies the Association of Plastics Recyclers Critical Guidance (APR-C) standard for recyclability.

17. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film is free or substantially free of nylon.

18. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film is made using a triple bubble process.

19. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the energy at break when subjected to a pointed puncture resistance test in accordance withAS TM Fl 306 is greater than the same coextruded multilayer film that is not axially oriented in either the machine direction or the transverse direction.

20. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the energy at break when subjected to a pointed puncture resistance test in accordance with ASTM Fl 306 is at least 0.7 Ib-in (0.0791 N-m) for a 50 micron thick film, optionally at least 0.8 1b-in (0.0904 N-m).

21. The biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer film of any preceding claim, wherein the film has less than 5 pinholes in each of the machine direction and the transverse direction when subjected to Gelbo Flex Crack Resistance testing in accordance with ASTM F-392 1 over 10,000 cycles.

22. A recyclable bag comprising the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer barrier film of any of the preceding claims.

23. A recyclable bag comprising at least two ply layers of film including an outer ply layer of film and an inner ply layer of film, wherein the outer ply layer of film comprises the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer barrier film of any of claims 1-21.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO24. The recyclable bag of claim 23, wherein the inner ply layer of film is a non-barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film.

25. The recyclable bag of claim 24, wherein the thickness of each of the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer barrier film and the non-barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film is from about 1 mil (25.4 pm) to about 5 mils (127 pm).

26. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 24-25, wherein a ratio between a thickness of the non-barrier co-extruded multi-layer polymeric film and a thickness of the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer barrier film is between 1.1 : 1 and 3: 1.

27. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-26, wherein when subjected to an Ambient Bruceton Stair-Drop test (ASTM D 5276 A 2.4.2), the bag has an F0 of at least 4.0 ft. (1.22 m), alternatively at least 5.0 ft. (1.52 m), alternatively at least 6.0 ft. (1.83 m).

28. The recyclable bag of claim 27, wherein when subjected to the Ambient Bruceton Stair- Drop test (ASTM D 5276 A 2.4.2), the bag has an F50 greater than 5.0 ft. (1.52 m), alternatively greater than 5.5 ft. (1 .68 m), alternatively greater than 6 ft. ( 1 .83 m), alternatively greater than 6.5 ft. (1.98 m), alternatively at least 7.0 ft. (2.13 m).

29. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-28, wherein the bag comprises a first wall and a second wall, the first and second walls being sealed along perimeter edges to define an interior volume for containing a flowable material, and a dispensing spout or fitment sealed to one of the first and second walls.

30. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-29, wherein the bag has a volume from about 0.5 to about 6 gallons (about 1.89 to about 22.7 liters).

31. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-29, wherein the bag has a volume from about 55 to about 400 US gallons (about 208 to about 1514 liters).

32. The recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-31, further comprising a flowable material within the interior of the bag.Attorney Docket No. P46289-WO33. A bag-in-box container comprising the recyclable bag of any one of claims 22-32.

34. A food packaging comprising the biaxially oriented coextruded multilayer fdm of any of claims 1-21 or the bag of any one of claims 22-32.

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