Multi-layer sheet structure, method of making same and containers made therefrom

Claim 2

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure having two exterior heat sealable layers, comprising, in order: (a) a first heat sealable layer on one of said exterior surfaces; (b) a first adhesive layer; (c) a layer of metal foil; (d) a second adhesive layer; (e) a layer of polyethylene or ethylene copolymer; (f) a layer of uniaxially oriented polymer selected from the group, consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene copolymer, polyethylene-polypropylene blend, nylon and polyester having an orientation ratio of about 2/1 to about 6/1; and (g) a second heat sealable layer on the second of said exterior surfaces; wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 0.2 to about 4.0 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 3

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 1, wherein the orientation ratio of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 4

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 2, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 5

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 1, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 6

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein said multi-layer sheet structure has a direction of travel during formation and wherein said oriented polymer is oriented parallel to said direction of travel.

Claim 7

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 5, wherein the orientation ratio of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 8

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 6, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 9

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 5, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 10

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure according to claim 1 wherein said multi-layer sheet structure has a direction of travel during formation and wherein said oriented polymer is oriented transverse to said direction of travel.

Claim 11

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 9, wherein the orientation ration of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 12

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 10, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 13

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claim 9, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 14

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claims 1, 2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 3, 7 or 11, wherein said oriented polymer is made of polypropylene.

Claim 15

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claims 1, 2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 3, 7 or 11, wherein said second heat sealable layer is uniaxially oriented.

Claim 16

A paperless multi-layer sheet structure as in claims 1, 2, 6, 10, 4, 8, 12, 3, 7 or 11, wherein said second heat sealable layer is heat sealable to said first heat sealable layer.

Claim 17

A paperless flexible dispensing tube made of a unitary multi-sheet structure having two exterior heat sealable layers, comprising, consecutively, from the inside to the outside: (a) a first heat sealable layer; (b) a first adhesive layer; (c) a layer of metal foil; (d) a second adhesive layer; (e) a layer of plyethylene or ethylene copolymer; (f) a layer of uniaxially oriented polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene copolymer, polyethylene-polypropylene blend, nylon and polyester having an orientation ration of about 2/1 to about 6/1; and (g) a second heat sealable layer on the second one of said exterior surfaces; wherein said uniaxially oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 0.2 to about 4.0 mils from said second exterior surfaces said multi-layer sheet structure being formed into a generally cylindrical shape tube having lap seal between said first and second heat sealable layer.

Claim 18

A paperless flexible dispensing tube made of a unitary multi-sheet structure having two exterior heat sealable layers, comprising, consecutively, from the inside to the outside: (a) a first heat sealable layer; (b) a first adhesive layer; (c) a layer of metal foil; (d) a second adhesive layer; (e) a layer of plyethylene or ethylene copolymer; (f) a layer of uniaxially oriented polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene, ethylene copolymer, polyethylene-polypropylene blend, nylon and polyester having an orientation ration of about 2/1 to about 6/1; and (g) a second heat sealable layer on the second one of said exterior surfaces; wherein said uniaxially oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 0.2 to about 4.0 mils from said second exterior surfaces said multi-layer sheet structure being formed into a generally cylindrical shape tube having lap seal between said first and second heat sealable layer.

Claim 19

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 16, wherein the orientation ratio of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 20

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 17, wherein said oriented polymer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 21

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 16, wherein said oriented polymer layer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 22

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 16 wherein said uniaxially oriented polymer is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the length of said tube.

Claim 23

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 20, wherein the orientation ratio of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 24

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 21, wherein said oriented polymer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 25

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 20, wherein said oriented polymer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 26

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claimed 16 wherein said uniaxially oriented polymer is oriented in a direction substantially parallel to the circumference of said tube.

Claim 27

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 24, wherein the orientation ratio of the oriented polymer is from about 3/1 to about 5/1.

Claim 28

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 25, wherein said oriented polymer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 29

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claim 24, wherein said oriented polymer is disposed from about 1 to about 1.5 mils from said second exterior surface.

Claim 30

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claims 16, 17, 21, 25, 19, 23, 27, 18, 22 or 26, wherein said oriented polymer is polypropylene.

Claim 31

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claims 16, 17, 21, 25, 19, 23, 27, 18, 22 or 26, wherein said second heat sealable layer is uniaxially oriented.

Claim 32

A paperless flexible dispensing tube as in claims 16, 17, 21, 25, 19, 23, 27, 18, 22 or 26, wherein said second heat sealable layer is heat sealable to said first heat sealable layer.

Claim 33

A paperless laminated sheet structure having multiple layers comprising, in order: (a) a first heat sealable layer; (b) a first adhesive layer; (c) a layer of metal foil; (d) a second adhesive layer; (e) a layer of polyethylene or ethylene copolymer; (f) a layer uniaxially oriented high density polyethylene having an orientation ratio of about 3/1 to about 5/1, and (g) a second heat sealable layer.

Claim 34

A paperless laminated sheet structure having multiple layers comprising, in order: (a) a first heat sealable layer; (b) a first adhesive layer; (c) a layer of metal foil; (d) a second adhesive layer; (e) a layer of polyethylene or ethylene copolymer; (f) a layer uniaxially oriented high density polyethylene having an orientation ratio of about 3/1 to about 5/1, and (g) a second heat sealable layer.

Claim 35

A paperless laminated sheet structure as in claim 31 wherein the orientation ratio of said high density polyethylene is from about 4/1 to about 8/1.

Claim 36

A paperless laminated sheet structure as in claim 31 or 32 wherein said first heat sealable layer and said second heat sealable layer is each low density polyethylene.