Heat sealable packaging relies on precise interfacial chemistry at temperatures typically ranging from 120-200°C, where polymer chains must interpenetrate across material boundaries to form cohesive bonds. Industry measurements show that seal strength varies significantly with both temperature and dwell time, with common polyethylene sealants achieving 2-4 N/15mm peel strength at standard processing conditions. This performance envelope narrows considerably when the packaging must accommodate both strong seals and controlled opening forces.

The fundamental challenge lies in balancing the contradictory requirements of robust seal integrity during distribution while maintaining consumer-friendly opening characteristics.

This page brings together solutions from recent research—including multilayer sealant films with polybutene-based resins, branched linear low-density polyethylene intermediate layers, cohesive failure mechanisms, and surface modification techniques. These and other approaches demonstrate how packaging engineers can achieve both high heat sealing strength and controlled opening characteristics across various substrate combinations.

1. Gas Barrier Film with Specific Surface Roughness and Silicon Particle-Enhanced Outer Skin Layer

TOPPAN HOLDINGS INC, 2024

Gas barrier film, laminate, and packaging bag that can prevent flavor deterioration of contents after retort sterilization and have good oxygen barrier properties even after retorting. The film uses a base film with a specific surface roughness. The roughness helps maintain adhesion between the base film and vapor deposition layer after retorting, preventing cracks. The base film also has silicon particles in the outer skin layer to further improve adhesion. The film can be used in retort sterilized packaging like retort pouches, bags-in-boxes, and spouted bags for food, beverages, and pharmaceuticals.

2. Heat-Sealable Paper with Water-Dispersible Resin Binder and Multi-Layer Coating

OJI HOLDINGS CORP, 2024

Heat-sealable paper for packaging applications that combines excellent heat sealing properties with recyclability. The paper features a unique composition of water-dispersible resin binder, lubricant, and pigment, with a preferred content of 30-50% styrene/butadiene copolymer and ethylene-(meth)acrylic acid copolymer. The paper is produced using a specific pulp processing method and can be coated with multiple heat-sealable layers. The paper exhibits improved processability, hot tack, and peel strength, enabling continuous bag making and packaging of contents immediately after bag formation.

3. Hot Melt Pressure Sensitive Adhesive Composition with Non-Thermoplastic Random Polymer, Thermoplastic Block Polymer, and Tackifier

AVERY DENNISON CORP, 2024

Hot melt pressure sensitive adhesives (HMPSA) for label application that exhibit improved processing advantages, desirable adhesion performance characteristics, and are economical. The HMPSA composition comprises a non-thermoplastic random polymer, thermoplastic block polymer, and tackifier, with specific polymer composition and tackifier properties optimized for label applications. The adhesives exhibit excellent adhesion to various substrates, including cardboards and plastics, with high peel strength and tackiness.

US2024093071A1-patent-drawing

4. Multi-Layer Barrier Films with Specific Softening Temperature Gradient for Enhanced Post-Sterilization Adhesion and Oxygen Barrier Properties

TOPPAN INC, 2023

Barrier films, laminates, and packaging bags with improved oxygen barrier properties after heat sterilization and adhesion between layers. The barrier films have a multi-layer structure with specific softening temperatures for the skin and core layers. The outer skin layer has a softening temperature above 120°C and below 170°C. The core layer has a softening temperature above 190°C. The inner skin layer has a softening temperature below 160°C. This configuration improves adhesion and barrier performance after heat sterilization. The laminates and packaging bags using these barrier films have better oxygen barrier and adhesion after sterilization compared to conventional films.

WO2023095915A1-patent-drawing

5. Composite Film with Polyamide Substrate and Primer Coating for Enhanced Adhesion to Heat-Sealable Layer

DUPONT TEIJIN FILMS US LIMITED PARTNERSHIP, 2023

Composite film for packaging food products, particularly ovenable meals, that combines a polyamide substrate with a heat-sealable polymeric layer. The film comprises a polyamide substrate layer, a primer coating layer derived from an acid copolymer resin, an organic crosslinker, and an acid catalyst, and a heat-sealable polymeric layer. The primer coating layer is specifically formulated to enhance adhesion between the polyamide substrate and the heat-sealable polymeric layer, while the heat-sealable polymeric layer provides the necessary seal properties for packaging. The film's unique composition enables clean peelability during opening, while maintaining excellent seal integrity during storage.

6. Gas Barrier Laminated Film with Inorganic Thin Film, Organic Resin, and Surface Treatment Layers

TOYO BOSEKI, 2023

A gas barrier laminated film for packaging materials that combines excellent barrier properties with sufficient adhesive strength. The film comprises a polypropylene base with an inorganic thin film layer, an organic resin layer, and a surface treatment layer. The inorganic thin film layer provides barrier protection, while the organic resin layer enhances gas barrier performance and adhesion. The surface treatment layer ensures uniform coating and processing conditions. The film achieves barrier performance comparable to transparent inorganic vapor deposition films while maintaining recyclability and processing ease.

7. Multilayer Film with Adhesive Layer Between Styrene Block Copolymer and Ethylene-Propylene Copolymer Sealant Layers

BOSTIK SA, 2021

A multilayer film used in resealable packaging applications that provides improved sealing and resealing properties for packaging of perishable foods. The film has a thin adhesive layer sandwiched between two thin sealant layers. The adhesive layer contains a specific composition of polymers. One sealant layer is a styrene block copolymer with an elastomer block. The other sealant layer is a copolymer of ethylene and propylene. This combination of sealant layers and adhesive composition provides better initial and reseal strength compared to conventional films.

8. Barrier Laminate with Vapor-Deposited Polypropylene Film and Surface Resin Layer for Enhanced Gas Barrier and Layer Adhesion

DAINIPPON PRINTING CO LTD, 2021

Barrier laminate for packaging containers that combines enhanced gas barrier properties with improved adhesion between layers. The laminate comprises a base material comprising a polyester film, a vapor-deposited polypropylene film, and a surface resin layer. The vapor-deposited polypropylene film provides a barrier layer while the surface resin layer enhances adhesion between layers. The vapor-deposited polypropylene film is formed through a vapor deposition process, and the surface resin layer is created through a surface modification process. The laminate achieves superior gas barrier performance while maintaining excellent adhesion between layers, enabling recyclability of the packaging container.

9. Cellulose-Based Substrates with Surface-Treated Aqueous Polymer Coating

BASF SE, 2021

Coated substrates and paper cups with improved adhesion and barrier properties. The substrates have a cellulose-based substrate with an aqueous-based polymer coating on a surface. The coating is surface treated using methods like corona treatment. The treated coating improves adhesion and barrier properties. The paper cups have the treated coating on the edges where they bond together.

US10889938B2-patent-drawing

10. Barrier Laminate Film with Transition Region of Transformed Aluminum Hydroxide on Aluminum Oxide Coated Plastic Substrate

DAINIPPON PRINTING CO LTD, 2020

Barrier laminate film with improved adhesion and retort resistance for packaging food, drugs, and pet food. The film has an aluminum oxide coating on a plastic substrate with a transition region containing transformed aluminum hydroxide. The transformation ratio of aluminum hydroxide in this region to the aluminum oxide coating is 5-60%. This narrow transition region improves adhesion between the coating and substrate during retorting by preventing delamination. The aluminum oxide coating has good barrier properties after retorting.

US2020407136A1-patent-drawing

11. Heat-Sealable Laminate with Unstretched Polyolefin Layer and Ethylene-Vinyl Alcohol Copolymer Gas Barrier Layer

DAI NIPPON PRINTING CO LTD, 2020

A heat-sealable laminate, laminated base material, gas barrier intermediate layer laminate, packaging material laminate, and packaging material for improved gas barrier properties. The laminate uses a co-pressed unstretched heat-sealing layer of polyolefin for heat sealing. This is sandwiched between an ethylene-vinyl alcohol copolymer gas barrier layer and an adhesive layer. The co-pressed unstretched heat-sealing layer provides high oxygen and water vapor barrier properties. The laminate can be used as a heat seal layer in laminated packaging materials. The laminated base material has a stretched polyolefin base film with a thinner barrier layer sandwiched between. The packaging material uses this laminated base with a heat-sealable laminate. The laminate can also have an optional vapor deposition

12. Multilayer Sealant Film with Polybutene-Based Resin and Branched Linear Low-Density Polyethylene Intermediate Layer

SUN TOX CO LTD, 2016

Multilayer sealant film for packaging that achieves both high heat sealing strength and easy opening without heat-sealing conditions. The film comprises a laminated layer (A) with polybutene-based resin (A1) and linear low-density polyethylene (A2) as the primary constituents, and a branched linear low-density polyethylene (B1) intermediate layer. The laminated layer (A) is self-sealed during unsealing, while the branched linear low-density polyethylene (B1) intermediate layer exhibits improved peeling resistance compared to conventional linear low-density polyethylene (A2). The laminated layer (A) and branched linear low-density polyethylene (B1) layers form a self-sealing, cohesive structure that enables the film to maintain its integrity during unsealing, while the branched linear low-density polyethylene (B1) layer contributes to improved peeling resistance.

TW201607751A-patent-drawing

Get Full Report

Access our comprehensive collection of 12 documents related to this technology