Multilayered film

A multilayered film for use in making an in-mold label, comprising:

• a core layer having a first surface and a second surface;
• a first skin layer overlying the first surface of the core layer;
• and
• a second skin layer overlying the second surface of the core layer;
• the core layer comprising a polymeric material and particulate solids dispersed in the polymeric material, the polymeric material being of a high density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyester, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, a polyester copolymer, a polyamide, a polycarbonate or a mixture of two or more thereof;
• the first skin layer and the second skin layer independently comprising a thermoplastic copolymer or terpolymer derived from ethylene or propylene and a functional monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, acrylic acid, alkyl acrylic acid, vinyl acetate and combinations of two or more thereof;
• the film being formed by co-extruding the core layer, first skin layer and second skin layer to form the multilayered film, hot-stretching the film at a temperature above the expected service temperature of the label to provide the film with a machine direction orientation, and annealing the film at a temperature above the expected service temperature of the label;
• the density of the film being reduced by about 5% to about 25% during hot-stretching;
• the film having a machine direction Gurley stiffness value in the range of about 30 to about 120 after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrinkage of less than about 2% after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrink tension at 200° F. (93.3° C.) of less than about 100 psi after hot-stretching and annealing.

A multilayered film for use as an in-mold label, comprising:

• a core layer having a first surface and a second surface;
• a first skin layer overlying the first surface of the core layer;
• a first tie layer positioned between the first surface of the core layer and the first skin layer;
• a second skin layer overlying the second surface of the core layer;
• a second tie layer positioned between the second surface of the core layer and the second skin layer;
• the core layer comprising a polymeric material and particulate solids dispersed in the polymeric material, the polymeric material being a high density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyester, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, a polyester copolymer, a polyamide, a polycarbonate or a mixture of two or more thereof;
• the first skin layer and the second skin layer independently comprising a thermoplastic copolymer or terpolymer derived from ethylene or propylene and a functional monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, acrylic acid, alkyl acrylic acid, vinyl acetate and combinations of two or more thereof;
• the film being formed by co-extruding the core layer, first skin layer, second skin layer and the tie layers to form the multilayered film, hot-stretching the film at a temperature equal to or above the expected service temperature of the label to provide the film with a machine direction orientation, and annealing the film at a temperature above the expected service temperature of the label;
• the density of the film being reduced by about 5% to about 25% during hot-stretching;
• the film having a machine direction Gurley stiffness value in the range of about 30 to about 120 after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrinkage of less than about 2% after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrink tension at 200° F. (93.3° C.) of less than about 100 psi after hot-stretching and annealing.

A multilayered film for use as an in-mold label, comprising:

• a core layer having a first surface and a second surface;
• a first skin layer overlying the first surface of the core layer;
• a first opacifying layer positioned between the first surface of the core layer and the first skin layer;
• a first tie layer positioned between the first opacifying layer and the first skin layer;
• a second skin layer overlying the second surface of the core layer;
• a second opacifying layer positioned between to the second surface of the core layer and the second skin layer;
• a second tie layer positioned between the second opacifying layer and the second skin layer;
• the core layer comprising a polymeric material and particulate solids dispersed in the polymeric material, the polymeric material being a high density polyethylene, a polypropylene, a polystyrene, a polyester, a copolymer of ethylene and propylene, a polyester copolymer, a polyamide, a polycarbonate or a mixture of two or more thereof;
• the first skin layer and the second skin layer independently comprising a thermoplastic copolymer or terpolymer derived from ethylene or propylene and a functional monomer selected from the group consisting of alkyl acrylate, acrylic acid, alkyl acrylic acid, vinyl acetate and combinations of two or more thereof;
• the film being formed by co-extruding the core layer, first skin layer, second skin layer, first and second opacifying layers, and first and second tie layers to form the multilayered film, hot-stretching the film at a temperature above the expected service temperature of the label to provide the film with a machine direction orientation, and annealing the film at a temperature above the expected service temperature of the label;
• the density of the film being reduced by about 5% to about 25% during hot-stretching;
• the film having a machine direction Gurley stiffness value in the range of about 30 to about 120 after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrinkage of less than about 2% after hot-stretching and annealing;
• the film having a machine direction shrink tension at 200° F. (93.3° C.) of less than about 100 psi after hot-stretching and annealing.