# US 7,608,312 B1 · Printed antifog film

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- Number: US 7,608,312 B1
- Document ID: US7608312B1
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B1
- Application number: 09/657,679
- Filed: 2000-09-08
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 2000-09-08
- Assignees: Cryovac, Inc.
- Inventors: Marc A. Edlein; Milton Bowen; Ram K. Ramesh
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7608312B1

## CPC

- B41M 5/52: Macromolecular coatings
- B41M 7/0045: {using protective coatings or film forming compositions cured by mechanical wave energy, e.g. ultrasonics, cured by electromagnetic radiation or waves, e.g. ultraviolet radiation, electron beams, or cured by magnetic or electric fields, e.g. electric discharge, plasma}
- B41M 7/02: Dusting {, e.g. with an anti-offset powder for obtaining raised printing such as by thermogravure (B41M7/0027, B41M7/0036, B41M7/0045, B41M7/0054, B41M7/0072, B41M7/0081, B41M7/009 take precedence); Varnishing (devices for treating the surfaces of sheets, webs, or other articles in connection with printing B41F23/00, B41L23/00)}
- Y10T 428/1352: Polymer or resin containing [i.e., natural or synthetic]
- Y10T 428/249994: Composite having a component wherein a constituent is liquid or is contained within preformed walls [e.g., impregnant-filled, previously void containing component, etc.]
- 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)
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## Abstract

A printed antifog packaging film incorporates a cured reactive ink system or a cured reactive varnish system. The reactive ink system includes a radiation-cured ink or a cured thermoset ink. The reactive varnish system includes a radiation-cured varnish or a cured thermoset varnish. The cured reactive ink or varnish reduces the tendency of the antifog film to form a ghost condensate image of the printed image after the film has been unwound from a roll form and subjected to conditions that form moisture condensation on the film.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A packaging film comprising:
an antifog film; and
a printed image on the antifog film, the image comprising an electron-beam cured ink.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the printed image comprises an amount of the cured ink effective to reduce the tendency of the antifog film to form a ghost condensate image of the printed image after the film has been rolled and unrolled.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein:
the antifog film has first and second sides, at least a portion of the first side of the film having an antifogging characteristic; and
the printed image is on at least a portion of the second side of the film, the printed image comprising an effective amount of the cured ink to reduce ghosting after the film has been rolled and unrolled.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the printed image has an outer surface opposite the antifog film and the outer surface comprises at least a portion of the cured ink.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein:
the antifog film has first and second sides and comprises a coating of antifog agent on at least a portion of the first side of the film; and
the printed image is on at least a portion of the second side of the film.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the antifog film comprises an antifog agent dispersed in at least a portion of the film.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the antifog film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least about 5%.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the cured ink is selected from the group consisting of a cured one-component reactive ink and a cured multi-component reactive ink.

### Claim 9 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 where the cured ink comprises a cured two-component reactive ink.

### Claim 10 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the printed image further comprises a solvent-based ink.

### Claim 11 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the antifog film has an average thickness of less than about 3 mils.

### Claim 12 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the cured ink has an average gloss of at least about 40% measured in accordance with ASTM D 2457 (60° angle).

### Claim 13 (depends on 1)

A method of packaging a moisture-containing food product comprising at least partially enclosing the moisture-containing food product within the film of claim 1.

### Claim 14 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the film has a roll form.

### Claim 15 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the printed image is formed at least in part by applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink and subsequently curing the ink to form the cured ink.

### Claim 16 (depends on 15)

A method of forming the film of claim 15 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink; and
subsequently curing the curable ink to form the cured ink.

### Claim 17 (depends on 1)

The film of claim 1 wherein the printed image is formed at least in part by applying an electron-beam curable ink to the antifog film and subsequently exposing the ink to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the ink.

### Claim 18 (depends on 17)

The film of claim 17 wherein:
the electron-beam curable ink comprises one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
the radiation exposure comprises electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 100 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 19 (depends on 18)

The film of claim 18 wherein the radiation exposure comprises electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 50 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 20 (depends on 19)

A method of forming the film of claim 19 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink comprising one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable ink to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 50 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 21 (depends on 18)

A method of forming the film of claim 18 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink comprising one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable ink to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 100 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 22 (depends on 17)

The film of claim 17 wherein the electron-beam curable ink includes less than 20% monofunctional monomer based on the weight of the electron-beam curable ink.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

A method of forming the film of claim 22 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film a electron-beam curable ink comprising less than 20% monofunctional monomer based on the weight of the electron-beam curable ink; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable ink to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable ink.

### Claim 24 (depends on 17)

The film of claim 17 wherein the electron-beam curable ink includes less than 20% reactant diluent based on the weight of the electron-beam curable ink.

### Claim 25 (depends on 24)

A method of forming the film of claim 24 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink comprising less than 20% reactant diluent based on the weight of the electron-beam curable ink; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable ink to an effective amount of electron beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable ink.

### Claim 26 (depends on 17)

A method of forming the film of claim 17 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying to the antifog film an electron-beam curable ink; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable ink to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable ink.

### Claim 27 (depends on 1)

A packaged food product comprising:
a tray having a food storage side;
a food product resting on the food storage side of the tray; and
the film of claim 1 covering at least the food storage side of the tray.

### Claim 28

A packaging film comprising:
an antifog film;
a printed image on at least one side of the antifog film; and
an overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image, the overprint varnish comprising an electron-beam cured varnish.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the amount of the cured overprint varnish is effective to reduce the tendency of the antifog film to form a ghost condensate image of the printed image after the film has been rolled and unrolled.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein:
the antifog film has first and second sides, at least a portion of the first side of the film having an antifogging characteristic;
the printed image is on at least a portion of the second side of the film; and
the overprint varnish comprises an effective amount of cured varnish to reduce ghosting.

### Claim 31 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the film comprises an antifog agent dispersed in at least a portion of the film.

### Claim 32 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the film comprises an antifog coating applied to the first side of the film.

### Claim 33 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the antifog film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least about 5%.

### Claim 34 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the cured varnish is selected from the group consisting of a cured one-component reactive varnish and a cured multi-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 35 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 where the cured varnish comprises a cured two-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 36 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the printed image comprises a cured ink selected from the group consisting of radiation-cured inks and thermoset inks.

### Claim 37 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the antifog film has an average thickness of less than about 3 mils.

### Claim 38 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the cured varnish has an average gloss of at least about 40% measured in accordance with ASTM D 2457 (60° angle).

### Claim 39 (depends on 28)

A packaged food product comprising:
a tray having a food storage side;
a food product resting on the food storage side of the tray; and
the film of claim 28 covering at least the food storage side of the tray.

### Claim 40 (depends on 28)

A method of packaging a moisture-containing food product comprising at least partially enclosing the moisture-containing food product within the film of claim 28.

### Claim 41 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the film has a roll form.

### Claim 42 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the printed image comprises a solvent-based ink.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein:
the antifog film has first and second sides, at least a portion of the first side of the film having an antifogging characteristic;
the printed image is on at least a portion of the second side of the film; and
the electron-beam radiation cured overprint varnish comprises an effective amount of cured varnish to reduce ghosting.

### Claim 44 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the film comprises an antifog agent dispersed in at least a portion of the film.

### Claim 45 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the film comprises an antifog coating on the side of the film opposite the side bearing the printed image.

### Claim 46 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least about 5%.

### Claim 47 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the cured varnish comprises a cured one-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 48 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the cured varnish comprises a cured multi-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 49 (depends on 42)

The film of claim 42 wherein the cured varnish comprises a cured two-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 50 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the cured varnish is formed at least in part by applying to the printed image an electron-beam curable varnish and subsequently curing the varnish to form the cured varnish.

### Claim 51 (depends on 50)

A method of forming the film of claim 50 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying a electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image; and
subsequently curing the electron-beam curable varnish to form the cured varnish.

### Claim 52 (depends on 28)

The film of claim 28 wherein the cured varnish is formed at least in part by applying to the printed image an electron-beam curable varnish and subsequently exposing the varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the varnish.

### Claim 53 (depends on 52)

The film of claim 52 wherein:
the electron-beam curable varnish comprises one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
the radiation exposure comprises electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 100 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 54 (depends on 53)

The film of claim 53 wherein the radiation exposure comprises electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 50 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 55 (depends on 54)

A method of forming the film of claim 54 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying an electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image, wherein the electron-beam curable varnish comprises one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 50 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 56 (depends on 53)

A method of forming the film of claim 53 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying an electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image, wherein the electron-beam curable varnish comprises one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 100 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 57 (depends on 52)

The film of claim 52 wherein the electron-beam curable varnish includes less than 20% monofunctional monomer based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 58 (depends on 57)

A method of forming the film of claim 57 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying an electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image, wherein the electron-beam curable varnish comprises less than 20% monofunctional monomer based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to an effective amount of electron beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 59 (depends on 52)

The film of claim 52 wherein the electron-beam curable varnish includes less than 20% reactant diluent based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 60 (depends on 59)

A method of forming the film of claim 59 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying an electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image, wherein the electron-beam curable varnish comprises less than 20% reactant diluent based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 61 (depends on 51)

A method of forming the film of claim 51 comprising:
providing the antifog film;
applying the printed image on at least one side of the antifog film;
applying a electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image; and
subsequently exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 62

A packaging film comprising:
an antifog film; and
a printed image on at least one side of the antifog film; and
an electron-beam curable overprint varnish on at least a substantial portion of the printed image.

### Claim 63 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the film comprises an antifog agent dispersed in at least a portion of the film.

### Claim 64 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the film comprises an antifog coating on the side of the film opposite the side bearing the printed image.

### Claim 65 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least about 5%.

### Claim 66 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the varnish comprises a curable one-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 67 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the varnish comprises a curable multi-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 68 (depends on 62)

The film of claim 62 wherein the varnish comprises a curable two-component reactive varnish.

### Claim 69

A method of reducing the tendency of ghosting in an antifog film, the method comprising:
printing an image on a side of an antifog film to form a print side of the film and an opposing side of the film;
applying an electron-beam curable overprint varnish over a substantial portion of the printed image;
subsequently curing the varnish by exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to electron-beam radiation;
subsequently winding the antifog film to form a roll;
subsequently unwinding at least a portion of the antifog film from the roll and exposing the portion of the film to conditions that form a moisture condensate on the opposing side of the film.

### Claim 70 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein the curing comprises exposing the varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the varnish by a free radical mechanism.

### Claim 71 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein:
the overprint varnish comprises an electron-beam curable varnish comprising one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
the curing comprises exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 100 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 72 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein:
the overprint varnish comprises an electron-beam curable overprint varnish comprising one or more reactants having reactive sites; and
the curing comprises exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to electron-beam radiation having an energy of less than about 50 keV in an amount sufficient to polymerize or cross-link at least about 80% of the reactive sites.

### Claim 73 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein:
the overprint varnish comprises an electron-beam curable varnish comprising less than 20% monofunctional monomer based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish; and
the curing comprises exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 74 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein:
the overprint varnish comprises an electron-beam curable varnish comprising less than 20% reactant diluent based on the weight of the electron-beam curable varnish; and
the curing comprises exposing the electron-beam curable varnish to an effective amount of electron-beam radiation to cure the electron-beam curable varnish.

### Claim 75 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein the antifog film comprises an antifog agent dispersed in at least a portion of the antifog film.

### Claim 76 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein the antifog film comprises an antifog coating on the side of the film opposite the side bearing the printed image.

### Claim 77 (depends on 69)

The method of claim 69 wherein antifog film has a total free shrink at 185° F. of at least about 5%.