US Patent 7862869 Tear initiation and directional tear films and packages made therefrom

The present invention provides a flexible multilayer packaging film and packages formed therefrom wherein the films include a first film layer comprising a first biaxially-oriented polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyolefin, a polyamide, and a blend thereof and a surface-roughened portion, a second film layer comprising an adhesive, a third film layer comprising a barrier material, a fourth film layer comprising a second biaxially-oriented polymer selected from the group consisting of a polyester, a polyolefin, a polyamide, and a blend thereof and at least one score-line; wherein the packages comprise a tear-initiation area and a directional tear zone.