Partially metallized film having barrier properties
AssigneeFrito-Lay North America, Inc.
InventorsEdward Anthony Bezek, Anthony Robert Knoerzer, Steven Kenneth Tucker
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Abstract
A partially metallized packaging film and method of making is disclosed. In one aspect, at least one portion of a vaporized metal stream is shielded from contacting a sheet of packaging film during the metallization process. The shield is a rigid plate and can be shaped to provide a sharp transition from transparent film to opaque film, or it can provide a gradual transition from transparent film to opaque film. The partially metallized packaging film can be used with a form, fill and seal machine or other packaging machine to create a food package with a product viewing window. In one aspect, the barrier web comprises a bio-based film.
Claims25
A partially metallized packaging film sheet comprising:
- a width running generally laterally between two outer edges;
- at least one opaque film strip;
- and
- at least one transparent film strip or at least one translucent film strip.
A food package made from a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
- a product viewing window comprising a section of transparent packaging film and defined by at least one translucent film strip or at least one opaque film strip, and at least one product package graphic.
A method of making a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
- providing a vaporized metal stream and a sheet of packaging film;
- moving said sheet of packaging film through said vaporized metal stream;
- during said moving, shielding at least one portion of said vaporized metal stream from contacting said packaging film.
An apparatus for creating a partially metallized packaging film comprising:
- a vaporized metal sprayer that produces a vaporized metal stream;
- a shield disposed within the vaporized metal stream such that any packaging film sheet used with the apparatus will have at least one portion of the vaporized metal stream shielded from contacting it.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.