Irradiated multilayer film for primal meat packageing

Claim 2

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said film containing a barrier layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 3

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said barrier layer is a core layer.

Claim 4

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said multilayer film has at least three layers.

Claim 5

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said multilayer film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 6

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said film comprises a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 7

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first outer layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute, and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 8

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer comprising said first outer layer is selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute, and vinyl acetate contents of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Claim 9

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second outer layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute, and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 10

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said barrier layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing at least about 85 weight percent of vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 11

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said barrier layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 12

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said vinylidene chloride copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 13

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second outer layer comprises a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 14

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 12 wherein said blend of said second ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Claim 15

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness from about 1.1 mils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 16

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 17

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 5 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 18

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 19

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 wherein said film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 20

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 1 fabricated in the form of a bag.

Claim 21

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said film having a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 22

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said film having a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 23

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said multilayer film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 24

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 25

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains at least about 85 weight percent of vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 26

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 27

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness of from about 1.1 mils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 28

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 29

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 30

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 31

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 wherein said film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 32

A heat-shrinkable, biaxially stretched multilayer film in accordance with claim 20 fabricated in the form of a bag.

Claim 33

A bag suitable for use in shrink packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said bag comprising a biaxially stretched multilayer film containing a barrier layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 34

A bag suitable for use in shrink packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said bag comprising a biaxially stretched multilayer film containing a barrier layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 35

A bag in accordance with claim 31 wherein said barrier layer is a core layer.

Claim 36

A bag in accordance with claim 31 wherein said multilayer film has at least three layers.

Claim 37

A bag in accordance with claim 31 wherein said multilayer film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 38

A bag in accordance with claim 31 wherein said multilayer film comprises a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 39

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer comprising said first outer layer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 40

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer comprising said first outer layer is selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and vinyl acetate contents of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 41

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing at least about 85 weight percent of vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 42

A bag in accordance with claim 38 wherein said vinylidene chloride copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride copolymer

Claim 43

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 44

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherin said second outer layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 45

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said second outer layer comprises a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 46

A bag in accordance with claim 42 wherein said blend of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Claim 47

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness from about 1.1 mils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 48

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 49

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 50

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 51

A bag in accordance with claim 35 wherein said film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 52

A bag suitable for use in shrink-packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said bag comprising a biaxially stretched multilayer film having a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 53

A bag suitable for use in shrink-packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats, said bag comprising a biaxially stretched multilayer film having a first outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from the group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 54

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains at least about 85 weight percent vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 55

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said multilayer film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 56

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer.

Claim 57

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 58

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness of from about 1.1 mils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 59

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 60

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 61

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 62

A bag in accordance with claim 49 wherein said film has been irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 63

'59. A process for producing a multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats comprising: (a) co-extruding a first outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core film layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; (b) biaxially stretching said multilayer film; and (c) irradiating said multilayer film to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 64

'59. A process for producing a multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats comprising: (a) co-extruding a first outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, a core film layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer, and a second outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer; (b) biaxially stretching said multilayer film; and (c) irradiating said multilayer film to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 65

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said first outer layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute, and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 66

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said first outer film layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 67

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said second outer layer comprises an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer.

Claim 68

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing at least about 85 weight percent of vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 69

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said vinylidene chloride copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 70

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said core layer comprises a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer containing from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 71

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said second outer layer comprises a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 72

A process in accordance with claim 66 wherein said blend of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers.

Claim 73

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness from about 1.1 mils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 74

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 75

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 76

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said multilayer film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 77

A process in accordance with claim 59 wherein said multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 78

A process in accordance with claim 59 including fabricating said multilayer film into the form of a bag.

Claim 79

A process for producing a multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats comprising: (a) co-extruding a first outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core film layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer; (b) biaxially stretching said multilayer film; and (c) irradiating said multilayer film to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 80

A process for producing a multilayer film suitable for packaging primal and sub-primal meat cuts and processed meats comprising: (a) co-extruding a first outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 9 to about 15 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer being selected from group consisting of (a) a single ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers having melt indices and vinyl acetate contents within the afore- mentioned ranges; a core film layer comprising a vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer; and a second outer film layer comprising an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer selected from the group consisting of (a) an ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer having a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 3 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer, and (b) a blend of at least two ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, wherein one of said ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 10 to about 18 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer, and the other ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer has a melt index of from about 0.1 to about 1.0 decigram per minute and a vinyl acetate content of from about 2 to about 10 weight percent, based on the weight of said copolymer; (b) biaxially stretching said multilayer film; and (c) irradiating said multilayer film to a dosage level of between about 1 megarad and about 5 megarads.

Claim 81

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains at least about 85 weight percent vinylidene chloride, based on the weight of said copolymer.

Claim 82

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said vinylidene chloride-methyl acrylate copolymer contains a maximum of 5 weight percent plasticizer, based on the total blend weight of additives and said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 83

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said vinylidene chloride copolymer contains from about 5 to about 15 weight percent of methyl acrylate, based on the weight of said vinylidene chloride copolymer.

Claim 84

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said first outer layer has a thickness from about 1.1 inils to about 1.6 mils.

Claim 85

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said core layer has a thickness of from about 0.25 mil to about 0.45 mil.

Claim 86

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said second outer layer has a thickness of from about 0.4 mil to about 1.0 mil.

Claim 87

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said multilayer film has a total thickness of from about 1.75 mils to about 3.0 mils.

Claim 88

A process in accordance with claim 74 wherein said multilayer film is irradiated to a dosage level of between about 2 megarads and about 3 megarads.

Claim 89

A process in accordance with claim 74 including fabricating said multilayer film into the form of a bag.