Multilayered thermoplastic film and sign cutting method using the same

Abstract

This invention relates to a multilayered thermoplastic film, comprising: a thermoplastic core layer having a first side and a second side, the core layer comprising: a polyolefin having a density in the range of about 0.89 to about 0.97 grams per cubic centimeter; a second polymeric material selected from the group consisting of ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, ethylene-methacrylic acid copolymers, ionomers derived from sodium, lithium or zinc and an ethylene/methacrylic acid copolymer, and a combination thereof, the second thermoplastic polymeric material being present at a concentration of about 2% to about 25% by weight based on the weight of the core layer; and a light stabilizer at a concentration of about 1,000 to about 10,000 ppm based on the weight of the core layer; an abrasion and scuff resistant clear first thermoplastic skin layer overlying the first side of the core layer, the first skin layer comprising a light stabilizer at a concentration of about 2,000 to about 20,000 ppm based on the weight of the first skin layer; and a clear second thermoplastic skin layer overlying the second side of the core layer, the second skin layer comprising a light stabilizer at a concentration of about 1,000 to about 10,000 ppm based on the weight of the second skin layer; the composition of the core layer being different than the composition of the skin layers; the core layer and the skin layers being characterized by the absence of PVC. The invention also relates to a sign cutting method using the foregoing multilayered thermoplastic film.

1 . A multilayer thermoplastic film comprising: 
 (a) a first polymer layer having a first side and a second side,    (b) a clear thermoplastic skin layer overlying the second side of the first polymer film layer, said clear skin layer comprising at least one ionomer, and    (c) an intermediate layer positioned between the second side of the polymer layer and the clear skin layer, said intermediate layer comprising at least one pigment and at least one ionomer.    
     
     
         2 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the first polymer layer (a) comprises a polyolefin.  
     
     
         3 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the skin layer (b) consists essentially of at least one ionomer.  
     
     
         4 . The film of  claim 1  the intermediate layer consists essentially of at least one ionomer and pigment.  
     
     
         5 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the multilayer thermoplastic film is prepared by coextrusion.  
     
     
         6 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the film is unoriented.  
     
     
         7 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the ionomers are derived from sodium, lithium or zinc and an ethylene/unsaturated carboxylic acid copolymer.  
     
     
         8 . The film of  claim 1  wherein the polymer of the polymer layer is a polyolefin having a density in the range of from about 0.89 to about 0.97 grams per cubic centimeter.