REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Applications 61/695,654 and 61/695,679 both filed on August 31, 2012.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Laminates are useful in food packaging. For example, see International Publications WO 2013/043635 and WO2013/043652. For laminates that comprise a polyurethane (PU) adhesive, the adhesive must be near completely or completely cured before the laminated can be used. This is particularly important if the isocyanate is an aromatic isocyanate because any unreacted isocyanates can react with moisture to form primary aromatic amines (PAA), which can compromise the food, if such comes in contact with the food. Two component polyurethane adhesives are typically formulated to provide an excess of isocyanate. Crosslinking through reaction of the isocyanate with ambient moisture is part of the curing process. This process may be slow, especially in a dry environment. If an excess of OH-terminated component is added, the adhesive will not have the required cohesive strength and the laminates may be defective. In addition, the mixed adhesive must not build viscosity too fast or it will be difficult to apply in formation of the laminate.

[0003] Once the adhesive has been applied, and the laminate is made, preferably the curing reaction proceeds as quickly as possible. However, the curing reaction must be slow enough to allow a sufficient working time or "pot life", but fast enough to complete the curing in a reasonable time. There is a need for film configurations that can accommodate both a reasonable pot life and a reasonably fast cure time, and these needs are met by the following invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] The invention provides A multilayer film comprising at least two layers A and B:

A. a film layer A formed from a composition A comprising at least the following: an ethylene-based polymer and one of the following (1 or 2):

1) at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine, alkoxylated amide, amine-containing compound, and/or hydroxy-containing compound; and a cure catalyst; or 2) a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine; and

B. a film layer B formed from a composition B comprising at least one isocyanate; and wherein film layer A is in contact with film layer B.

[0005] In one embodiment the invention is an article comprising a multilayer film as . described above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figure 1 is a schematic of a three-layer film structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Overview

[0007] It has been discovered that the time necessary to effect a full cure of a PU adhesive used to join an ethylene-based polymer layer to another layer (e.g., another plastic film or metal foil or a non-film or foil substrate) can be reduced, if catalysts and a compound with active hydrogen groups (hydrogen connected to either oxygen, nitrogen or sulfur is an active hydrogen group) are incorporated into the ethylene-based polymer layer to promote isocyanate/isocyanate (NCO/NCO) reaction and isocyanate/hydroxyl (NCO/OH) reaction in the PU adhesive. These reactions increase the curing speed of the PU adhesive. The catalysts include a wide variety of Lewis acids and bases (for example, carboxylate salts, tertiary amines, zinc- and/or tin- containing compounds, etc.). Typical compounds with active hydrogens include polyols and alkoxylated amines and amides. The presence of these compounds in the ethylene based polymer not only provides reactive sites to crosslink the polyurethane adhesive, but also enhances the interaction of the catalyst and adhesive.

[0008] Two-part or two-component polyurethane (PU) adhesives are often used to laminate a polyolefin layer to a substrate layer, e.g., metal foil, another plastic film, paper, etc., for use in various applications, e.g., in food packaging. Typical two-part PU adhesives contain an NCO- terminated component and an OH-terminated component. The NCO-terminated component is typically added in excess of the OH-terminated component to ensure complete curing, typically by contact with moisture under ambient conditions (e.g., 23°C and atmospheric pressure).

[0009] In contrast, a one-part or one-component PU adhesive can also be used in the practice of this invention. One-part PU adhesives are NCO terminated prepolymers which cure solely through crosslinking with ambient moisture. One part PU adhesives may also contain silane functional groups which also crosslink with moisture.

[0010] Catalysts may be placed in the films to promote both NCO/NCO, NCO/OH and NCO/water reactions. Some catalysts may be effective alone while others can be used in combination with one another. The catalyst and compound with active hydrogens can be used to promote the cure of both one and two component PU adhesives.

Embodiments

[0011] As discussed above, the invention provides a multilayer film comprising at least two layers A and B:

A. a film layer A formed from a composition A comprising at least the following: an ethylene-based polymer and one of the following (1 or 2):

1) at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine, alkoxylated amide, amine-containing compound, and/or hydroxy-containing compound; and a cure catalyst; or

2) a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine; and

B. a film layer B formed from a composition B comprising at least one isocyanate; and wherein film layer A is in contact with film layer B.

[0012] In one embodiment the invention is a multilayer film according to any one or more embodiments described herein, and wherein the film consisting essentially of Layer A and Layer B.

[0013] In one embodiment, the film layer A is formed from a composition A comprising at least the following: an ethylene-based polymer and one of the following (1 or 2):

1) at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine, and/or alkoxylated amide; and a cure catalyst; or

2) a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxy! group and a tertiary amine.

[0014] In one embodiment, the at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine (further ethoxylated amine), alkoxylated amide (further ethoxylated amide), amine-containing compound, or hydroxy-containing compound, each, independently, has a number average molecular weight (Mn) from 60 to 5,000 g/mol, further from 90 to 4,000 g/mole, or a molecular weight from 50 to 1000 g/mole, further from 90 to 800 g/mole. [0015] In one embodiment, the at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine (further ethoxylated amine), alkoxylated amide (further ethoxylated amide), amine-containing compound, or hydroxy-containing compound, each, independently, has a number average molecular weight (Mn) from 60 to 5,000 g/mol, further from 90 to 4,000 g/mole.

[0016] In one embodiment, the at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine (further ethoxylated amine), alkoxylated amide (further ethoxylated amide), amine-containing compound, or hydroxy-containing compound, each, independently, has a molecular weight from 50 to 1000 g/mole, further from 90 to 800 g/mole; and (iii) a cure catalyst.

[0017] In one embodiment, the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene-based polymer and the at least one polyol, and a cure catalyst; or

wherein the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene- based polymer, and a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine.

[0018] In one embodiment, the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene-based polymer and the at least one polyol, and a cure catalyst.

[0019] In one embodiment, the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene-based polymer and the cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine.

[0020] In one embodiment, the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene-based polymer and the cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt.

[0021] In one embodiment, the Film Layer A is formed from composition A which comprises an ethylene-based polymer and the cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine.

[0022] In one embodiment composition A comprises (i) an ethylene-based polymer, (ii) at least one polyol, ethoxylated amine or ethoxylated amide, each, individually, with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 60 grams per mole (g/mol) to 5,000 g/mol, further from 90 to 4,000 g/mole, or with a molecular weight from 50 to 1000 g/mole, further 90 to 800 g/mole; and (iii) a cure catalyst. [0023] In one embodiment composition A consists essentially of (i) an ethylene-based polymer, (ii) at least one polyol, ethoxylated amine or ethoxylated amide, each, individually, with a number average molecular weight (Mn) of 60 grams per mole (g/mol) to 5,000 g/mol, further from 90 to 4,000 g/mole, or with a molecular weight from 50 to 1000 g/mole, further 90 to 800 g/mole; and (iii) a cure catalyst.

[0024] In one embodiment, composition A comprising the ethylene-based polymer, and a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt.

[0025] In one embodiment, composition A comprising the ethylene-based polymer and a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine.

[0026] In one embodiment composition B comprises at least one isocyanate.

[0027] In one embodiment the multilayer film further comprises one or more additional layers formed from a composition other than composition A, e.g., composition A without one or both of a compound with active hydrogens and a cure catalyst for the PU adhesive.

[0028] In one embodiment the ethylene-based polymer of composition A is HDPE, LDPE, LLDPE, homogeneously branched linear ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers, homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers, or a combination of two or more of these ethylene-based polymers.

[0029] In one embodiment the ethylene-based polymer of composition A has a density from 0.87 to 0.96 g/cc, or from 0.89 to 0.95 g/cc, or from 0.90 to 0.94 g/cc, or from 0.90 to 0.93 g/cc; and a melt index (I ₂ ) from 0.1 to 10, or from 0.2 to 5, or from 0.5 to 2 g/10 min. In a further embodiment the ethylene-based polymer of composition A is an ethylene/a-olefin interpolymer, and in yet a further embodiment it is an ethylene/a-olefin copolymer.

[0030] In one embodiment the ethylene-based polymer of composition A is a

homogeneously branched linear or substantially linear ethylene/a-olefin ("EAO") interpolymer.

[0031] In one embodiment the ethylene-based polymer of composition A is a

homogeneously branched substantially linear efhylene/a-olefin ("EAO") interpolymer. In a further embodiment the EAO interpolymer has a processing rheology ratio ("PRR") from 4 to 70.

[0032] In one embodiment the polyol of composition A has a weight average molecular weights (Mw) from 200 to 4,000 g/mole, preferably from 500 to 3,000 g/mole.

[0033] In one embodiment the polyol of composition A is a poly ether diol or polyester diol. In one embodiment the polyol of composition A is a sorbitan ester of Formula 2 below:

wherein R ¹ is the remaining portion of a fatty acid such as oleate, sesquioleate, isostearate, stearate, laurate or other fatty acid, R ² is H or a poly-ethoxylated product (e.g., polysorbate), and n is an integer of 0-50.

[0034] In one embodiment the polyol of composition A is one or more of ATMER 100, ATMER 163 and ATMER 1010.

[0035] In one embodiment the polyol of composition A is one or more of ATMER 100 and ATMER 1010.

[0036] In one embodiment composition A comprises one or more of an alkoxylated amine or alkoxylated amide, e.g., an ethoxylated amine or an ethoxylated amide.

[0037] In one embodiment the amount of polyol, alkoxylated amine and/or alkoxylated amide in composition A is from 100 parts per million (ppm) to 10,000 ppm, preferably from 500 to 5,000 ppm, based on the weight of composition A.

[0038] In one embodiment the cure catalyst of composition A comprises a Lewis base, such as triethylene diamine, tetramethyl guanidine, triethylamine, N-ethylmorpholine, 1,2,4-trimethyl piperazine, dimethylaminoethyl piperazine, a metal oxide or hydroxide or an alkali metal salt of a carboxylic acid.

[0039] In one embodiment the cure catalyst of composition A comprises a Lewis acid such as various compounds of metals, such as Bi, Pb, Sn, Ti, Fe, Sb, U, Cd, Co, Th, Al, Hg, Zn, Ni, V, Ce, etc., plus pyrones, lactams and acids. In a preferred embodiment the cure catalyst is a tin- based compound and in a more preferred embodiment the cure catalyst is butylstannoic acid and/or butyltin tris-2-ethylhexoate. In another preferred embodiment the cure catalyst is zinc ricinoleate. [0040] In one embodiment the cure catalyst of compostion A has a molecular weight in the range of 40 to 1200 grams/mole.

[0041] In one embodiment the cure catalyst of compostion A has a molecular weight in the range of 40 to 800 grams/mole.

[0042] In one embodiment the amount of cure catalyst in composition A is from 10 parts per million (ppm) to 10,000 ppm, preferably from 500 to 5,000 ppm, based on the weight of composition A.

[0043] In one embodiment the cure catalyst may comprise two or more embodiments as described herein.

[0044] In one embodiment the multilayer film comprises at least three layers.

[0045] In one embodiment the multilayer film comprises at least five layers.

[0046] In one embodiment the multilayer film comprises a layer C formed from composition

C. In one embodiment composition C comprises polyethylene terephthalate and/or a metal foil.

[0047] In one embodiment the isocyanate of composition B is at least one of an aromatic, aliphatic, and cycloaliphatic diisocyanates.

[0048] In one embodiment the isocyanate of composition B is a methylenebis(phenyl isocyanate) including the 4,4'-isomer, the 2,4'-isomer, and mixtures thereof, and

[0049] methylenebis(cyclohexyl isocyanate), inclusive of its various isomers.

[0050] In one embodiment the invention is an article comprising a multilayer film

comprising at least two layers A and B:

A. a film layer A formed from a composition A comprising at least the following: an ethylene-based polymer and one of the following (1 or 2):

1) at least one polyol, alkoxylated amine, alkoxylated amide, amine-containing compound, and/or hydroxy-containing compound; and a cure catalyst; or

2) a cure catalyst comprising at least one hydroxy group and at least one organic metal salt, or comprising at least one hydroxyl group and a tertiary amine; and

B. a film layer B formed from a composition B comprising at least one isocyanate; and wherein film layer A is in contact with film layer B.

[0051] In one embodiment film layer B is formed from a one component PU adhesive.

[0052] In one embodiment the articles of the previous embodiments are in the form of a food container. [0053] In one embodiment the articles of the previous embodiments are pouches for the holding and/or storage of food.

[0054] The invention provides an article comprising the multilayer film of any of the previous embodiments. In a further embodiment, the article comprises a perishable material.

[0055] In one embodiment, the layer A is adjacent to the perishable material.

[0056] In one embodiment, the layer A is adjacent to another layer, which is adjacent to the perishable material.

[0057] In one embodiment, the perishable material is selected from food products or pharmaceutical products.

[0058] An inventive article may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

[0059] A multilayer film may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein. Composition A may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein. Composition B may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein. Layer A may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein. Layer B may comprise a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

Ethylene-Based Polymers

[0060] Examples of suitable ethylene-based polymers include high density polyethylene (HDPE), low density polyethylene (LDPE), linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE), homogeneously branched linear ethylene/a-olefm interpolymers or homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers, and combinations thereof.

[0061] The ethylene/a-olefm interpolymers typically have comonomer(s) incorporation in the final polymer greater than 2 weight percent, more typically greater than 3 weight percent, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers. The amount of comonomer(s) incorporation can be greater than 15 weight percent, and can even be greater than 20 or 25 weight percent, based on the total weight of polymerizable monomers.

[0062] Comonomers include, but are not limited to, propylene, isobutylene, 1-butene, 1-pentene, 1-hexene, 3 -methyl- 1-pentene, 4-methyl-l-pentene, and 1-octene, non-conjugated dienes, polyenes, butadienes, isoprenes, pentadienes, hexadienes (for example, 1 ,4-hexadiene), octadienes, styrene, halo-substituted styrene, alkyl-substituted styrene, tetrafluoroethylenes, vinylbenzocyclobutene, naphthenics, cycloalkenes (for example, cyclopentene, cyclohexene, cyclooctene), and mixtures thereof. Typically and preferably, the ethylene is copolymerized with one C ₃ -C ₂₀ a-olefin. Preferred comonomers include propene, 1-butene, 1 -pentene, 1- hexene, 1-heptene and 1-octene, and more preferably include propene, 1-butene, 1-hexene and 1 - octene.

[0063] Illustrative interpolymers include ethylene/propylene (EP) copolymers,

ethylene/butene (EB) copolymers, ethylene/hexene (EH) copolymers, ethylene/octene (EO) copolymers, ethyl ene/a-olefin/diene (EAODM) interpolymers, such as ethylene/propylene/diene (EPDM) interpolymers and ethylene/propylene/octene terpolymers. Preferred copolymers include EP, EB, EH and EO polymers.

[0064] In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer has a melt index ("I ₂ ") from 0.01 g/10 min to 30 g/10 min, more typically from 0.1 g/10 min to 20 g/10 min, and even more typically from 0.1 g/10 min to 15 g/10 min.

[0065] In one embodiment, the ethylene-based polymer is a heterogeneously branched linear ethylene/a-olefin ("EAO") interpolymer, and further a heterogeneously branched linear ethylene/a-olefin ("EAO") copolymer.

[0066] Ethylene-based polymers include the homogeneously branched substantially linear ethylene/a-olefin ("EAO") interpolymers which contain long chain branching, as compared to linear (short chain branches or no branches) ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers. The "long-chain branching" ("LCB") means a chain length that exceeds that of a short chain that results from incorporation of the a-olefin into the backbone of an ethylene/a-olefin polymer. In another embodiment, the ethylene/a-olefin interpolymers are prepared from at least one catalyst that can form long chain branches within the interpolymer backbone.

[0067] LCB polymers are disclosed in USP 5,272,236, in which the degree of LCB is from 0.01 LCB/1000 carbon atoms to 3 LCB/1000 carbon atoms, and in which the catalyst is a constrained geometry catalyst. According to P. Doerpinghaus and D. Baird, in The Journal of Rheology, 47(3), pp 717-736 May/June 2003, "Separating the Effects of Sparse Long-Chain Branching on Rheology from Those Due to Molecular Weight in Polyethylenes," free radical processes, such as those used to prepare low density polyethylene (LDPE), produce polymers having extremely high levels of LCB. For example, the resin NA952 in Table I of Doerpinghaus and Baird is a LDPE prepared by a free radical process, and, according to Table II, contains 3.9 LCB/1000 carbon atoms. Ethylene/a-olefins (ethylene-octene copolymers), available from The Dow Chemical Company (Midland, Mich., USA), that are considered to have average levels of LCB, include resins AFFINITY PL1880 and AFFINITY PL1840 and contain 0.018 and 0.057 LCB/1000 carbon atoms, respectively.

[0068] There are various methods that can be used to define the degree of LCB in a molecule such as Processing Rheology ratio ("PRR"), which uses interpolymer viscosities to calculate estimated levels of LCB in a polymer.

[0069] Interpolymer viscosity is conveniently measured in poise (dyne-second/square centimeter (d-sec/cm ² )) at shear rates within a range of 0.1-100 radian per second (rad/sec) and at 190°C under a nitrogen atmosphere, using a dynamic mechanical spectrometer (such as a RJVIS- 800 or ARES from Rheometrics), under a dynamic sweep made from 0.1 to 100 rad/sec. The viscosities at 0.1 rad/sec and 100 rad/sec may be represented, respectively, as V ₀ .i and Vioo, with a ratio of the two referred to as RR and expressed as V _0. i/V i ₀₀ .

[0070] In one embodiment, the ethylene/a-olefin interpolymer has a PRR from 4 to 70, preferably from 8 to 70, more preferably from 12 to 60, even more preferably from 15 to 55, and most preferably from 18 to 50. The PRR value is calculated by the formula:

PRR = RR + [3.82-interpolymer Mooney viscosity(MLi ₊₄ at 125°C)] x 0.3 (Eq. 1); PRR determination is described in USP 6,680,361.

[0071] In another embodiment of the invention, especially for applications requiring improved melt strength of the polyolefin, the ethylene/a olefin interpolymers have a melt strength (MS) of 5 cN or greater, typically 6 cN or greater, and more typically 7 cN or greater. Melt strength as here used is a maximum tensile force in cN measured on a molten filament of a polymer melt, extruded from a capillary rheometer die at a constant shear rate of 33 reciprocal seconds (sec ^"1 ), while the filament is being stretched by a pair of nip rollers that are accelerating the filament at a rate of 0.24 centimeters per second (cm/sec), from an initial speed of 1 cm/sec. The molten filament is preferably generated by heating 10 grams (g) of a polymer that is packed into a barrel of an Instron capillary rheometer, equilibrating the polymer at 190°C. for five minutes (min), and then extruding the polymer at a piston speed of 2.54 cm/min, through a capillary die with a diameter of 0.21 cm and a length of 4.19 cm. The tensile force is preferably measured with a Goettfert Rheotens melt tensile tester that is located so that the nip rollers are 10 cm directly below a point at which the filament exits the capillary die. [0072] An ethylene-based polymer may contain a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

[0073] An ethylene/a-olefm interpolymer may contain a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

[0074] An ethylene/a-olefm copolymer may contain a combination of two or more embodiments as described herein.

Polyol, Ethoxylated Amine and Ethoxylated Amide

[0075] Composition A comprises a polyol, alkoxylated amine and/or alkoxylated amide. For purposes of this disclosure, "polyol" includes not only compounds containing two or more hydroxyl groups (OH), e.g., diols, triols, etc., but also compounds containing a single OH group, e.g., simple alcohols. The polyols of composition A are represented by Formula 1 : R-(OH)n in which n is equal to or greater than (>) 1 and R is an organic group that may contain nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and/or silicon and has a Mn of 60 to 5,000 g/mol.

[0076] The polyols that can be used in composition A include those conventionally employed in the art for the preparation of polyurethanes. These polyols preferably have weight average molecular weights (Mn) of 60 to 4,000 g/mole, further from 90 to 4,000 g/mole. It is not unusual, and, in some cases, it can be advantageous, to employ more than one polyol.

Exemplary of the polyols are polyether polyols, polyester polyols, hydroxy-terminated polycarbonates, hydroxy-terminated polybutadienes, hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene- acrylonitrile copolymers, hydroxy-terminated copolymers of dialkyl siloxane and alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures, in which any of the above polyols are employed as major component (greater than 50 percent w/w) with amine-terminated polyethers and amino-terminated polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers. Additional examples of the polyols include the natural oil polyols.

[0077] Suitable polyether polyols include polyoxyethylene glycols, polyoxypropylene glycols, which, optionally, have been capped with ethylene oxide residues; random and block copolymers of ethylene oxide and propylene oxide; polytetramethylene glycol; random and block copolymers of tetrahydrofuran and ethylene oxide and/or propylene oxide; and products derived from any of the reactions with di-functional carboxylic acids or esters derived from said acids, in which latter case, ester interchange occurs, and the esterifying radicals are replaced by polyether glycol radicals. The preferred polyether polyols are random and block copolymers of ethylene and propylene oxide of functionality about 2 to 6 and polytetramethylene glycol polymers of functionality about 2.0.

[0078] Suitable polyester polyols include those prepared by polymerizing ε-caprolactone using an initiator such as ethylene glycol, ethanolamine; and those prepared by esterification of polycarboxylic acids such as phthalic, terephthalic, succinic, glutaric, adipic azelaic, acids, with polyhydric alcohols, such as ethylene glycol, butanediol, and cyclohexanedimethanol.

[0079] Suitable amine-terminated polyethers are the aliphatic primary diamines structurally derived from polyoxypropylene glycols. Polyether diamines of this type are available under the trademark JEFFAMINE available from Basell.

[0080] Suitable hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene copolymers include the compounds available under the trade name Poly BD Liquid Resins from Arco Chemical Company.

Hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene copolymers are also available from Sartomer. Illustrative of the hydroxy- and amine-terminated butadiene/acrylonitrile copolymers are the materials available under the trade name HYCAR hydroxyl-terminated (HT) Liquid Polymers and amine- terminated (AT) Liquid Polymers, respectively. Preferred diols are the polyether and polyester diols set forth previously.

[0081] Preferably, the polyols are esters of Formulae 2A-2E in which R ¹ is the remaining portion of a fatty acid such as oleate, sesquioleate, isostearate, stearate, laurate or other fatty acid, R ² is H or a poly-ethoxylated product (e.g., polysorbate), and n is an integer of 0-50. Formulae 2 A and 2C are sorbitan esters.

Formula 2A Formula 2B

[0082] Sorbitan Laurate (for example, ATMER 100) shown below is especially preferred.

Formula 2C

GLYCEROL GLYCEROL ESTER

[0084] The alkoxylated amines of composition A are the reaction product of an alkylene oxide, e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, etc., and an amine, e.g., a fatty amine. Preferred alkoxylated amines are ethoxylate amines with a Mn from 60 to 5,000 g/mol, and are of Formula 3, in which R is a C ₂ -C ₁ oo alkyl group, further CH ₃ (CH ₂ ) _n , in which n is 2-50, and R can contain nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and/or silicon. ATMER™ 163 is an ethoxylate amine.

[0085]

Formula 3

H

Ethoxylated amine where R is CH ₃ (CH ₂ ) _n where n is 2-50 [0086] The alkoxylated amides of composition A are the reaction product of an alkylene oxide, e.g., ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, etc., and an amide, e.g., a fatty amide. Preferred alkoxylated amides are ethoxylate amides with a Mn from 60 to 5,000 g/mol and are of Formula 4 in which R is a C ₂ -Ci ₀₀ alkyl group, further CH ₃ (CH ₂ ) _n in which n is 2-50, and R can contain nitrogen, phosphorus, sulfur and/or silicon.

Formula 4

Ethoxylated amide

Cure Catalysts

[0087] A wide variety of catalysts are effective in promoting the reactions of isocyanates with active hydrogen compounds such as alcohols or water. Catalysts may be either Lewis bases, such as tertiary amines, or Lewis acids, such as ligand-complexed metals. Bases include triethylene diamine, tetramethyl guanidine, triethylamine, N-ethylmorpholine, 1 ,2,4-trimethyl piperazine, dimethylaminoethyl piperazine, metal oxides or hydroxides, and mild bases such as alkali metal carboxylates, etc. Acids include various compounds of metals such as Bi, Pb, Sn, Ti, Fe, Sb, U, Cd, Co, Th, Al, Hg, Zn, Ni, V, Ce, etc.) plus pyrones, lactams and organic or inorganic acids can be used as catalysts in the practice of this invention. Also sodium, lithium and potassium salts of carboxylic acids are effective. See J. Saunders; K. C. Frisch

Polyur ethanes: Chemistry and Technology, Part I, 129-217, Interscience, New York, 1962, and E. N. Doyle, The Development and Use of Polyurethane Products, Mc Graw-Hill, New York 1971, 64-70. Preferred catalysts include organic compounds such as the metal carboxylates in which the metal is Sn, Zn, K, Na or bases such as a tertiary amine. More preferred catalysts include tin compounds such as butylstannoic acid, butyltin tris-2-ethylhexoate, zinc ricinoleate and ATMER 163.

Formula 5

zinc ricinoleate

Additives

[0088] In one embodiment composition A comprises at least one additive. Suitable additives include, but are not limited to, fillers, antioxidants, UV stabilizers, foaming agents, flame retardants, colorants or pigments, anti-blocking agents, slip-agents, and combinations thereof.

[0089] Antioxidants include, but are not limited to, hindered phenols; bisphenols; and thiobisphenols; substituted hydroquinones; tris(alkylphenyl)phosphites; dialkylthio- dipropionates; phenylnaphthylamines; substituted diphenylamines; dialkyl, alkyl aryl, and diaryl substituted p-phenylene diamines; monomeric and polymeric dihydroquinolines; 2-(4-hydroxy- 3,5-t-butylaniline)-4,6-bis(octylthio)-l,3,5-triazine; hexahydro-l,3,5-tris-P-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4- hydroxyphenyl)propionyl-s-triazine; 2,4,6-tris(n-l ,4-dimethylpentyl-phenylene-diamino)-l ,3,5- triazine; and tris-(3,5-di-t-butyl-4-hydroxybenzyl)isocyanurate.

Polyurethane Adhesive

[0090] Composition B comprises at least one isocyanate.

[0091] In a further embodiment, Composition B comprises a polyurethane adhesive. The polyurethane (PU) component has no limitation in respect of its formulation. In one embodiment the PU component is thermoplastic, i.e., it becomes pliable or moldable above a specific temperature, and returns to a solid state upon cooling. These polyurethanes typically have a high molecular weight and their chains associate through intermolecular forces. In a preferred embodiment, the PU component is a thermoset, i.e., its chains are held together by irreversible chemical bonds that breakdown upon melting and do not re-form upon cooling. Thermoset polyurethanes are made in the same manner as thermoplastic polyurethanes except that the average functionality of the isocyanate and active hydrogen containing components is typically is excess of two.

[0092] The preferred polyurethane adhesive is a polymer prepared from a mixture comprising an organic diisocyanate and at least one polymeric polyol Diisocyanates suitable for use in preparing the polyurethanes according to this invention include aromatic, aliphatic, and cycloaliphatic diisocyanates and combinations of two or more of these compounds. Preferred diisocyanates include, but are not limited to, 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane, p-phenylene diisocyanate, 1 ,3-bis(isocyanatomethyl)-cyclohexane, 1 ,4-diisocyanato-cyclohexane,

hexamethylene diisocyanate, 1,5-naphthalene diisocyanate, 3,3'-dimethyl-4,4'-biphenyl diisocyanate, 4,4'-diisocyanato-dicyclohexylmethane, and 2,4-toluene diisocyanate. More preferred are 4,4'-diisocyanato-dicyclohexylmethane and 4,4'-diisocyanato-diphenylmethane. A preferred is 4,4'-diisocyanatodiphenylmethane.

[0093] The polymeric polyols which can be used include those conventionally employed in the art for the preparation polyurethanes. These polyols preferably have molecular weights (number average) falling in the range from 200 to 10,000 g/mole, preferably from 400 to 4,000 g/mole, and, more preferably from 500 to 3,000 g/mole. It is not unusual, and, in some cases, it can be advantageous, to employ more than one polyol. The polyols may have multiple hydroxyl groups per molecule. Preferably, the polyols will have an OH functionality of 2-3. Exemplary of the polyols are polyether diols, polyester diols, hydroxy-terminated polycarbonates, hydroxy- terminated polybutadienes, hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers, hydroxy-terminated copolymers of dialkyl siloxane and alkylene oxides, such as ethylene oxide, propylene oxide, and mixtures, in which any of the above polyols are employed as major component (greater than 50 percent w/w) with amine-terminated polyethers and amino- terminated polybutadiene-acrylonitrile copolymers. Additional examples of the polyols include the natural oil polyols such as castor oil.

[0094] Suitable polyether polyols, polyester polyols, amine-terminated polyethers, polycarbonates, silicon-containing polyethers, and hydroxy-terminated polybutadiene

copolymers are similar to polyols described above for composition A.

[0095] Low molecular weight polyols may be used to a limited extent. Illustrative of such diols are ethylene glycol, 1,3 -propanediol, 1 ,4-butanediol, 1,5-pentanediol, 1,6-hexanediol, neopentyl glycol; 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol; hydroquinonebis-(hydroxyethyl)ether; cyclohexylenediols (1,4-, 1,3-, and 1 ,2-isomers), isopropylidenebis(cyclohexanols); diethylene glycol, dipropylene glycol, glycerol, trimethylolpropane, pentaerithyritol, ethanolamine, N- methyl-diethanolamine; and mixtures of any of the above

[0096] The polyurethane used in the practice of the illustrative embodiments is preferably prepared by reacting a polyol with an excess of isocyanate to make an NCO terminated prepolymer. Typical polyurethane prepolymers used in adhesives have a number average molecular weight (Mn) from 200 to 10,000 g/mol, and more preferably from 500 to 2000 g/mol.

[0097] The adhesive components may be dissolved in solvent or they may be solvent free adhesive systems. Preferred polyurethane adhesives are MOR-FREE 272 (a one-part PU adhesive) and MOR-FREE 698 A and co-reactant MOR-FREE C-79 (100:50) (a two-part solventless PU adhesive and ADCOTE 536A/B (a two-component, solvent-based adhesive (all available from The Dow Chemical Company).

[0098] If desired, the polyurethanes can have incorporated in them, at any appropriate stage of preparation, additives such as pigments, fillers, lubricants, stabilizers, antioxidants, coloring agents, fire retardants, catalysts or adhesion promoters which are commonly used in conjunction with polyurethane elastomers.

Multilayer Film

[0099] Figure 1 is a schematic of three-layer structure 10 which comprises film layer A (1 1) joined to substrate layer C (13) by adhesive layer B (12). Film layer A is made from a composition A comprising an ethylene-based polymer, a compound with active hydrogen groups (e.g., a polyol, ethoxylated amine and/or ethoxylated amide), and a cure catalyst, e.g., a Lewis acid or base. Adhesive layer B comprises a PU adhesive that contains at least one isocyanate group. Substrate layer C comprises anything to which the PU adhesive will adhere, e.g., a plastic film, metal foil, paper, etc.

Definitions

[00100] Unless stated to the contrary, implicit from the context, or customary in the art, all parts and percentages are by weight. For purposes of United States patent practice, the contents of any referenced patent, patent application or publication are incorporated by reference in their entirety (or its equivalent U.S. version is so incorporated by reference) especially with respect to the disclosure of synthetic techniques, definitions (to the extent not inconsistent with any definitions specifically provided in this disclosure), and general knowledge in the art. [0001] "Composition", "formulation" and like terms means a mixture or blend of two or more components. In the context of a mix or blend of materials from which a film layer is fabricated, the composition includes all the components of the mix, e.g., polymers additives, fillers, etc.

[00101] "Polymer" and like terms mean a compound prepared by polymerizing monomers, whether of the same or a different type. The generic term polymer thus embraces the term homopolymer (employed to refer to polymers prepared from only one type of monomer, with the understanding that trace amounts of impurities can be incorporated into the polymer structure), and the term interpolymer as defined below.

[00102] "Interpolymer" and like terms mean a polymer prepared by the polymerization of at least two different types of monomers. The generic term interpolymer thus includes copolymers (employed to refer to polymers prepared from two different types of monomers), and polymers prepared from more than two different types of monomers.

[00103] "Ethylene-based polymer" and like terms mean a polymer that comprises, in polymerized form, a majority amount of ethylene monomer (based on the weight of the polymer), and optionally may comprise one or more comonomers.

[00104] "Ethylene/a-olefin interpolymer" and like terms mean an interpolymer that comprises, in polymerized form, a majority amount of ethylene monomer (based on the weight of the interpolymer), and at least one a-olefin.

[00105] "Ethylene/a-olefin copolymer" and like terms mean a copolymer that comprises, in polymerized form, a majority amount of ethylene monomer (based on the weight of the copolymer), and an a-olefin, as the only two monomer types.

[00106] "Isocyanate-containing compound" and like terms mean an organic compound or polymer containing at least one isocyanate group.

[00107] "Amine-containing compound" and like terms mean an organic compound or polymer containing at least one amine group.

[00108] "Hydroxy-containing compound" and like terms mean an organic compound or polymer containing at least one hydroxy group.

[00109] "Hydroxyl-functionalized ethylene-based polymer" and like terms mean a polymer formed from an ethylene-based polymer and one or more other compounds in which at least one compound contains at least one hydroxyl group. [00110] "Comprising," "including," "having," and their derivatives, are not intended to exclude the presence of any additional component, step or procedure, whether or not the same is specifically disclosed. In order to avoid any doubt, all compositions claimed through use of the term "comprising" may include any additional additive, adjuvant or compound, whether polymeric or otherwise, unless stated to the contrary. In contrast, the term, "consisting essentially of excludes from the scope of any succeeding recitation any other component, step or procedure, excepting those that are not essential to operability. The term "consisting of excludes any component, step or procedure not specifically delineated or listed.

Test Methods

Density

[00111] Polymer density is measured in accordance with ASTM D-792.

Melt Index

[00112] Melt index (I ₂ ) of an ethylene-based polymer is measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238, condition 190°C/2.16 kg. Melt index (I ₅ ) of an ethylene-based polymer is measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238, condition 190°C/5.0 kg. Melt index (I _]0 ) of an ethylene-based polymer is measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238, condition 190°C/10.0 kg. High load melt index (I ₂₁ ) of an ethylene-based polymer is measured in accordance with ASTM D-1238, condition 190°C/21.0 kg.

[00113] The following examples illustrate, but do not, either explicitly or implicitly, limit the present invention.

EXPERIMENTAL

I. Materials

[00114] The following resins and films were used in the examples.

Pre-laminated film made from a polyethylene terephthalate (PET, 12 micron (μηι) thick) laminated to soft lamination grade AMCOR aluminum foil (9 μηι thick) with ADCOTE

550/Coreactant F (The Dow Chemical Company). This laminated structure was obtained from AMP AC Company, Cary, IL.

[00115] DOWLEX 5056NG Polyethylene Resin is a linear low density PE with a density of 0.919 g/cc and an I ₂ of 1.1 g/lOmin available from The Dow Chemical Company. [00116] Polyurethane adhesive : (PU2 A) MOR-FREE 698 A (isocyanate terminated component) and (PU2B) MOR-FREE C79 (hydroxyl terminated component) each available from The Dow Chemical Company).

[00117] FASCAT 9102 catalyst is butyltin tris-2-ethylhexoate available from Arkema.

[00118] Zinc ricinoleate (660 grams/mole) is available from Akor Company.

[00119] ATMER 163 is a synthetic ethoxylated amine available from Croda Polymer Additives. See also M.V. Gonzalez-Rodriquez et al., Application of Liquid Chromatography in Polymer Non-ionic Antistatic Additive Analysis, J. Sep. Sci., 2010, 33, 3595-3603.

[00120] ATMER 100 is sorbitan laurate available from Croda Polymer Additives.

[00121] ATMER 1010 is a glycerol ester available from Croda Polymer Additives. See also U.S. Patent 5,663,002.

[00122] Zinc Octoate (zinc 2-ethylhexanoate) is a cure catalyst of Formula 6 available from Shepherd Chemical, Co.

Formula 6

zinc octoate

II. Pre-Laminate (PE-Film) - Representative Procedure

[00123] Composition A for the PE film (single layer film) was made by dry blending

DOWLEX 5056NG and an additive master batch (containing polyols or catalysts) under certain blend ratios.

[00124] The additive master batches were prepared by melt-blending on a twin-screw extruder at a speed of about 200 RPM with a melt temperature of about 220°C (430°F). The extruded strand was water-cooled and chopped into pellets. Five percent of catalyst or 5% polyol in DOWLEX 5056NG were made separately.

[00125] The PE films from composition A were fabricated by using a Colin cast film line. The films were cast at a melt temperature in the range of 200-220°C. The film thickness was 50 micrometers. III. Preparation of Laminate - Representative Procedure (Example 1)

[00126] Adhesives were diluted with ethyl acetate to about 40% solids. A wire wound rod was used to apply the adhesive to the foil side of a sheet (approximately 20 x 30 cm) of "PET/A1 pre-made laminate". A strip of paper about 5 cm wide and 20 cm long was laid across the center of the sheet to provide an unlaminated strip area to separate the films for the peel testing. The polyethylene films were corona treated and then laminated to the adhesive coated aluminum foil by pressing with a steel nip roll at about 180°F (82°C). Sheets of the laminates were placed between two steel plates and stored in a sealed vacuum oven containing anhydrous calcium sulfate desiccant and flushed with dry nitrogen. At intervals specified in the tables, 15 millimeter (mm) strips were cut and T-peel adhesion was tested on Thwing Albert tester at 4 inches (10 cm)/min.

Table 1

Laminate Configuration for Example 1

[00127] The isocyanate terminated prepolymer portion of a two component solventless liquid adhesive, MOR-FREE 698A (PU2A) was tested as a single component (not mixed with a polyol co-reactant) to test the interaction of the film layer A with an adhesive (layer B) having a high initial content of isocyanate. The adhesive was diluted with ethyl acetate to about 40% solids. A wire wound rod was used to apply the adhesive to the aluminum foil side of a sheet (approximately 20 x 30 cm) of the pre-laminate film described in Table 1. A strip of paper about 5 cm wide and 20 cm long was laid across the center of the sheet to provide an unlaminated area to separate the films for the peel testing. The adhesive was applied at a coat weight of about 2.0 g/m ² . The polyethylene film (Composition A above) was corona treated then laminated to the adhesive coated aluminum foil by pressing with a steel nip roll at about 180°F (82°C). The sheets were placed between two steel plates and stored in a sealed vacuum oven containing anhydrous calcium sulfate desiccant and flushed with dry nitrogen. At intervals specified in the tables below, three 15 mm wide strips were cut and T-peel adhesion was tested using ASTM D1876 (ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, USA) with a Thwing Albert tester at a separation speed of 10 cm/min. The PET/Al pre-laminate was held in the upper (fixed) jaw and the experimental films held in the lower (moving) jaw. The test measures the force required to peel the polyolefm layer (Composition A) from the aluminum foil of the pre-laminate. The force increases as the liquid adhesive cures. When the adhesive is cured and develops sufficient cohesive strength, the polyolefm film does not peel or separate from the foil, but the force applied causes the polyolefm film to stretch or break. T-peel bond data in the following tables are the average of the three samples.

Bond Testing for Example 1

Table 2

Mode of Failure (MOF) Abbreviations

Table 3

T-peel Bond (N/15 mm) Development with Time

*MOF = Mode of Failure The MOF for hours 2-24 was cohesive failure

[00128] Samples 1-3 (Table 3) are inventive examples. Comparative sample A is without a polyol. Comparative sample B is without a cure catalyst. The control sample is without a polyol or a cure catalyst. The results show that ATMER 163 accelerated the bond development compared with the control film (no additives). Within two days the adhesive held the laminate together so that the PE stretched (Sample 1). After a longer time (7d) the level of the polyol in the film (0.75%) caused the adhesive to soften so that the 7d bonds failed cohesively. The additive was effective in accelerating and completing the adhesive cure but a lower level is preferred to maintain longer term adhesion. Comparative Example B showed that a similar level of polyol alone (no tertiary amine catalyst) gave poor adhesion to the polyolefin layer. Samples 2 and 3 show that the hydroxyl functional zinc salt (zinc ricinoleate) was effective in accelerating bond development and the higher level (Sample 3) gave good bonds (PE stretch) within 2 days. The control film had low bonds and cohesive failure at this time. Comparative sample A (zinc octoate) shows that a zinc salt without hydroxyl functionality interfered with adhesion to the PE film (adhesive cures on the aluminum but fails to adhere to the PE).

V. Two-Layer PE Film: - Example 2

[00129] A two layer polyethylene film was made where one layer contained catalyst or a mix of catalyst and ATMER 100, and the other layer did not have the additives. The purpose was to have the additives concentrated on the side of the film that comes in contact with the adhesive. This could make more an effective use of the additives.

[00130] The PE films in this example have two layer structure with the outer layer comprising 33.3 volume percent (vol%) of the sealant layer, while the inner layer is pure DOWLEX 2045G Polyethylene Resin. The outer layer was made by dry blending DOWLEX 2045G Polyethylene Resin and additive master batch (containing polyols or catalysts) under certain blend ratio. The additive master batches were prepared by using the same method as Example 1 , except

DOWLEX 2045G Polyethylene Resin was used instead of DOWLEX 5056NG Polyethylene Resin. The additives used were FASCAT 9102 (butyltin tris (2-ethylhexoate) and ATMER 100.

[00131] The two layer PE films were fabricated by using a Colin blown film line. The films were fabricated at temperature around 190°C-210 °C with a blow up ratio (BUR) of 2.5. The film thickness was 50 μη . The surface layer or exterior layer of the blown film tube is formed from the additive master batch, the internal layer of the blown film tube is made from neat DOWLEX Polyethylene Resin 2045 G, and it represents a support layer. VI. XPS Data on Two-Layer Film

[00132] XPS analysis was conducted on a Kratos HSI XPS spectrometer. Insulating samples are referenced to C Is at 285.0 eV. The spectral data was processed using a XPS program for Kratos.

Table 4

XPS Test Results for Two-Layer Film

[00133] XPS results (Table 4) showed a higher Sn concentration on the exterior surface of film containing combination of ATMER 100 and FASCAT 9102, indicating the synergistic effect of ATMER 100 and FASCAT 9102 on tin migration for the faster catalyzing the PU curing reaction.

VII. Laminate Preparation for Example 2

[00134] The two components of a polyurethane adhesive, MOR-FREE 698A and co-reactant MOR-FREE C-79 were combined in the recommended mix ratio of 100/50 parts by weight. The adhesive mixture (at ambient temperature) was fed onto the roll coater of a Polytype pilot laminator (metered rolls set at 40°C to 50°C). The outer layer (with additives) of the polyolefin film (Composition A) was corona treated "in line" and the adhesive applied to this layer at a coverage of 1.6-2.2 grams/square meter (g/m ² ). This layer was mated to the second web (Al side of pre-laminate), nipped and wound on the finish roll of the pilot laminator. The laminate structure is shown in Table 5. The laminates were stored at ambient temperature and humidity. Samples were cut from the films at various times and the T-peel test was run as described in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 6. Table5

Example 2 Laminate Configuration

VIII. Adhesion Results for Example 2 (Same Test Method as Example 1)

[00135] Table 6 shows that the lower level of polyol does not dramatically reduce adhesion, as had been seen at higher polyol levels (Example 1). The tin catalyst was effective in accelerating bond development. Surprisingly, the combination of catalyst and polyol additive was the most effective.

Table 6

Bond Strength for PE (DOWLEX 2045G)

IX. Pouch Preparation and PAA Level Measurement for Example 2

[00136] The level of primary aromatic amines (PAAs), for example MDA (methylene diphenyl diamine) and TDA (toluene diamine/methylphenylene diamine), in a food simulant was analyzed by diazotization of the PAAs, so that the concentration of PAAs could be determined colorimetrically. The aromatic amines existing in the test solution were diazotized in a chloride solution, and subsequently coupled with N-(l-naphthyl)-ethylene diamine dihydrochloride, giving a violet solution. An enrichment of the color was done with a fixed phase extraction column. The amount of the PAAs is determined photometrically, at a wavelength of 550 nm. The concentration of PAAs was noted as "aniline hydrochloride equivalents," and reported as "micrograms of aniline hydrochloride per 100 ml (or 50 ml) of food-simulant per an area of 4 dm ² of interior surface of pouch (sealant layer)."

[00137] Laminates were prepared as described above. Each pouch was formed by cutting a strip of about 28 cm x 16.3 cm from the middle section (width) of the laminate. Each strip was folded to form a 14 cm x 16.3 cm surface area, and the edge of the folded laminate was heat sealed about 1 cm along each open longitudinal edge of the folded strip was heat sealed, to form a pouch of 14 cm x 14.3 cm excluding the heat sealed edges. The film structure of a pouch wall, from interior layer to exterior layer, was as follows: Interior multi-layered film structure (PE- Film /PU Adhesive/Exterior pre-laminate (Al-Adhesive-PET)). The equipment used for heat sealing the edges was a Sencorp 12ASL/1. Sealing conditions for PE-based laminates were 2.8 bar at 160°C.

[00138] Four pouches (two blanks and two test pouches), each with an inner surface area of about 14.0 cm x l4.3 cm were used for each inventive film in this study. Each pouch was formed after two days from the time of formation of the respective laminate. Two test pouches for each day and two blank pouches per day were prepared from each laminate. Prior to forming a pouch, the laminate was stored at room temperature under ambient atmosphere. Each pouch was filled with 100 ml of 3% aqueous acetic acid (i.e., the food simulant). These pouches were stored at 70°C in an air circulation oven for two hours. After cooling the test solution (contents of the pouch) to room temperature, 100 ml of test solution was mixed with 12.5 ml of hydrochloric acid solution (IN) and 2.5 ml of sodium nitrite solution (0.5 g per 100 ml of solution), and the contents were allowed to react for ten minutes. Ammonium sulfamate (5 ml; 2.5 g per 100 ml of aq. solution) was added and allowed to react for ten minutes. A coupling reagent (5 ml; 1 g of N-(l-naphtyl)-ethylenediamine dihydrochloride per 100 g of aq. solution) was added and allowed to react for 120 minutes. After each addition, the resulting mixture was stirred with a glass rod. For the "blank pouches 100 ml of the test solution was mixed with the derivation reagents as discussed above, except for the sodium nitrite. The solution was concentrated by elution through an ODS solid phase extraction column (ODS reverse phase, CI 8 end capped), and the extinction was measured at 550 nm, using an EVOLUTION 300

Spectrophotometer (from Thermo-Fisher Company). The column was conditioned using, first, 12 ml of methanol, then 12 ml elution solvent, and then 12 ml aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (0.1 N). Each derivative sample was added to the column using a glass beaker that was previously rinsed twice with 3 ml of aqueous hydrochloric acid solution (0.1 N). The column was subject to a vacuum (about 127 mm Hg) pull, to remove all rinse, for one minute. Then 5 ml of elution solvent was added to the column, and this step was repeated until 10 ml of eluent was collected. The extinction (absorption) of the eluent was measured in a 5 cm cuvette at 550 ran. To determine the concentration of P AA, the extinction of the reaction product was measured at 550 nm, in a 5 cm cuvette, against the reagent blank solution and a series of standards with known concentrations of aniline hydrochloride, which were processed in parallel.

[00139] Table 7 shows the results of the PAA test. Again, the results indicate that FASCAT 9102 was effective in reducing the amount of PAA detected at a given time. But, the

combination of FASCAT 9102 and ATMER 100 was better than either of them alone.

Table 7.

PAA Decay Data for PE (DOWLEX 2045G Two Layer Film

[00140] The present invention is not limited to the embodiments and illustrations contained herein, but include modified forms of those embodiments including portions of the embodiments and combinations of elements of different embodiments as come within the scope of the following claims.