Thermoplastic multi-layer packaging film and bags made therefrom

Abstract

A thermoplastic, multi-layer packaging film is disclosed which comprises at least 5 layers in which one surface layer is a heat sealing layer and one of the internal layers is a barrier layer. The heat sealing surface layer comprises a copolymer of ethylene and an alpha-olefin having 4 to 8 carbon atoms per molecule and said copolymer comprises 90% to 75% ethylene and 10% to 25% alpha-olefin having 4 to 8 carbon molecules and a density of less than 915 kg/m.sup.2. The heat sealing layer may also comprise a blend of the aforementioned copolymer with an ethylene/vinyl-acetate copolymer or an ethylene/butyl-acrylate copolymer. The film can be oriented to be heat shrinkable and can be formed into bags by heat sealing portions of the sealing surfaces together. The heat seals have superior cold strength and minimize seal failure when the bags are loaded with relatively heavy products.