# US 10,479,577 B2 · Printed multilayer polymeric films and methods of manufacture and use thereof > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,479,577 B2 - Document ID: US10479577B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/548,314 - Filed: 2016-02-11 - Published: 2018-01-18 - Granted: 2019-11-19 - Earliest claimed: 2015-02-23 - Assignees: Printpack Illinois, Inc. - Applicants: Printpack Illinois, Inc. - Inventors: Rajesh Suryanarayanan; Jeffrey Boekeloo - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10479577B2 ## CPC - B32B 15/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/10: of paper or cardboard - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B32B 27/34: comprising polyamides - B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters - B32B 29/00: Layered products comprising {a layer of} paper or cardboard - B41M 1/30: on organic plastics, horn or similar materials {(recording sheets having a coating to improve ink, dye or pigment receptivity B41M5/50; marking or recording on plastic by irradiation with electromagnetic beams, e.g. laser, B41M5/267)} - B41M 3/008: {Sequential or multiple printing, e.g. on previously printed background; Mirror printing; Recto-verso printing; using a combination of different printing techniques; Printing of patterns visible in reflection and by transparency; by superposing printed artifacts} - B65B 9/15: the preformed tubular webs being stored on filling nozzles - B65B 61/025: {for applying, e.g. printing, code or date marks on material prior to packaging} - B65D 65/42: Applications of coated or impregnated materials - B65D 75/06: in sheets or blanks initially folded to form tubes - C08J 7/042: {with two or more layers, where at least one layer of a composition contains a polymer binder} - C09D 11/50: Sympathetic, colour changing or similar inks - B32B 2255/10: on synthetic resin layer or on natural or synthetic rubber layer - B32B 2255/205: Metallic coating - B32B 2270/00: Resin or rubber layer containing a blend of at least two different polymers - B32B 2307/31: Heat sealable - B32B 2307/546: Flexural strength; Flexion stiffness - B32B 2307/732: Dimensional properties - B32B 2307/75: Printability - B32B 2439/00: Containers; Receptacles - B32B 2553/00: Packaging equipment or accessories not otherwise provided for - B65D 75/12: with the ends of the tube closed by flattening and heat-sealing - C08J 2300/00: Characterised by the use of unspecified polymers - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B41M: PRINTING, DUPLICATING, MARKING, OR COPYING PROCESSES; COLOUR PRINTING, (correction of typographical errors B41J; processes for applying transfer pictures or the like B44C1/16; fluid media for correction of typographical errors by coating C09D10/00; printing textiles D06P) - B65B: MACHINES, APPARATUS OR DEVICES FOR, OR METHODS OF, PACKAGING ARTICLES OR MATERIALS; UNPACKING (bundling and pressing devices for cigars A24C1/44; devices for tensioning and securing binders adapted to be supported by the article or articles to be bound B25B25/00; applying closure members to bottles, jars or similar containers B67B1/00-B67B6/00; concurrent cleaning, filling and closing of bottles B67C7/00; emptying bottles, jars, cans, casks, barrels or similar containers B67C9/00) - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES - C08J: WORKING-UP; GENERAL PROCESSES OF COMPOUNDING; AFTER-TREATMENT NOT COVERED BY SUBCLASSES C08B, C08C, C08F, C08G or C08H (working, e.g. shaping, of plastics B29) - C09D: COATING COMPOSITIONS, e.g. PAINTS, VARNISHES OR LACQUERS; FILLING PASTES; CHEMICAL PAINT OR INK REMOVERS; INKS; CORRECTING FLUIDS; WOODSTAINS; PASTES OR SOLIDS FOR COLOURING OR PRINTING; USE OF MATERIALS THEREFOR (cosmetics A61K; processes for applying liquids or other fluent materials to surfaces, in general, B05D; staining wood B27K5/02; glazes or vitreous enamels C03C; natural resins, French polish, drying-oils, driers, turpentine, per se, C09F; polishing compositions other than French polish, ski waxes C09G; adhesives or use of materials as adhesives C09J; materials for sealing or packing joints or covers C09K3/10; materials for stopping leaks C09K3/12; processes for the electrolytic or electrophoretic production of coatings C25D) ## Abstract Printed multilayer polymeric films are provided that include a flexible polymeric film layer, one or more non-photochromic layers each including a solvent-based ink composition having one or more non-photochromic inks that are at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation, and one or more photochromic layers each including a water-based ink composition having one or more photochromic inks that undergo a color change upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation. Also provided are methods for making the printed multilayer polymeric films. Packages for containing a product therein that include the printed multilayer polymeric films are also provided. Methods for making the packages and methods for packaging a product that employ the printed multilayer polymeric films are also provided. Rolls of film for forming the packages that include the printed multilayer polymeric films are also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A printed multilayer polymeric film, comprising: a flexible polymeric film layer, wherein the flexible polymeric film layer is the outermost layer of the printed multilayer polymeric film; one or more non-photochromic layers each comprising a non-aqueous, solvent-based ink composition having one or more non-photochromic inks that are at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation; one or more photochromic layers each comprising a water-based ink composition having one or more photochromic inks that undergo a color change upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation; a resin layer; and a base substrate, wherein the resin layer is located between the base substrate and at least one of the one or more photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are between the flexible polymeric film layer and the base substrate, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more non-photochromic layers are located between the flexible polymeric film layer and at least a portion of the one or more photochromic layers. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1, wherein the one or more photochromic layers are located on one or more portions of the one or more non-photochromic layers. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1, wherein the resin layer and the at least one of the one or more photochromic layers have a print bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1, wherein the resin layer and the base substrate have a back bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A package for containing a product therein, said package comprising: a flexible container formed from the printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1, wherein the flexible container has a front side and a back side sealed together along at least one longitudinal seam and two lateral end seams. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The package of claim 5, wherein the printed multilayer polymeric film further comprises a resin layer and a base substrate, wherein the resin layer is located between the base substrate and at least one of the one or more photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are between the flexible polymeric film layer and the base substrate. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The package of claim 6, wherein the resin layer and the printed multilayer polymeric film have a print bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 8 (depends on 6) The package of claim 6, wherein the resin layer and the base substrate have a back bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) A method for packaging a product, said method comprising: providing the printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1; folding the flexible material sheet into a tubular form; forming a longitudinal sealed seam by joining opposite longitudinal edges of the tubularly formed flexible material sheet; forming a first traverse end sealed seam; introducing a product into the tubularly formed flexible material sheet; and forming a second traverse end sealed seam to enclose the product therein. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, wherein the printed multilayer polymeric film further comprises a resin layer and a base substrate, wherein the resin layer is located between the base substrate and at least one of the one or more photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are between the flexible polymeric film layer and the base substrate. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) A roll of flexible film for forming a package for containing a product therein, said roll of flexible film comprising the multilayer polymeric film of claim 1. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The roll of flexible film of claim 11, wherein the multilayer polymeric film further comprises a resin layer and a base substrate, wherein the resin layer is located between the base substrate and at least one of the one or more photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are between the flexible polymeric film layer and the base substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 1, wherein the resin layer is an extruded resin layer, wherein the one or more non-photochromic layers are each applied on one or more portions of the flexible polymeric film layer, wherein the one or more photochromic layers are each applied on one or more portions of the flexible polymeric film layer, and wherein the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are located between the extruded resin layer and the flexible polymeric film layer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 13, further comprising another one or more non-photochromic layers that each comprise a water-based ink composition having one or more non-photochromic inks, wherein the another one or more non-photochromic layers are located between the extruded resin layer and the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 13, wherein the resin layer and the at least one of the one or more photochromic layers have a print bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 16 (depends on 13) The printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 13, wherein the resin layer and the base substrate have a back bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) A package for containing a product therein, said package comprising: a flexible container formed from the printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 13, wherein the flexible container has a front side and a back side sealed together along at least one longitudinal seam and two lateral end seams. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The package of claim 17, wherein the extruded resin layer and the printed multilayer polymeric film have a print bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The package of claim 17, wherein the extruded resin layer and the base substrate have a back bond strength from about 10 grams/inch to about 50 grams/inch there between. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) A roll of flexible film for forming a package for containing a product therein, said roll of flexible film comprising the multilayer polymeric film of claim 13. ### Claim 21 A method for fabricating a printed multilayer polymeric film, comprising: applying one or more non-photochromic layers on a flexible polymeric film layer, the one or more non-photochromic layers each comprising a non-aqueous, solvent-based ink composition having one or more non-photochromic inks that are at least partially transparent to ultraviolet radiation; overlaying one or more photochromic layers on at least a portion of the one or more non-photochromic layers, the one or more photochromic layers each comprising a water-based ink composition having one or more photochromic inks that undergo a color change upon exposure to ultraviolet radiation; extruding a resin layer between a base substrate and at least one of the one or more photochromic layers, wherein the one or more photochromic layers are between the flexible polymeric film layer and the base substrate, and wherein at least a portion of the one or more non-photochromic layers are located between the flexible polymeric film and at least a portion of the one or more photochromic layers, and the flexible polymeric film layer is the outermost layer of the printed multilayer polymeric film. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the one or more photochromic layers are overlaid onto one or more portions of the one or more non-photochromic layers. ### Claim 23 (depends on 21) The method for fabricating a printed multilayer polymeric film of claim 21, further comprising: extruding a resin layer between a base substrate and the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers, wherein the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers are located between the extruded resin layer and the flexible polymeric film layer. ### Claim 24 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, wherein the step of overlaying the one or more photochromic layers on at least another portion of the flexible polymeric film layer occurs subsequent to the step of applying one or more non-photochromic layers on at least a portion of a flexible polymeric film layer. ### Claim 25 (depends on 23) The method of claim 23, further comprising applying another one or more non-photochromic layers on the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic ink layers, each of the another one or more non-photochromic layers comprise a water-based ink composition having one or more non-photochromic inks, wherein the other one or more non-photochromic layers are located between the extruded resin layer and the one or more non-photochromic layers and the one or more photochromic layers.