U.S. patent application number 11/120953 was filed with the patent office on 2006-11-09 for reclosable packages.
Invention is credited to Josephine A. Forman.
Application Number | 20060251342 11/120953 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 35285297 |
Filed Date | 2006-11-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20060251342 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Forman; Josephine A. |
November 9, 2006 |
Reclosable packages
Abstract
The invention includes a package reclosing strip, and the
combination of a package and the reclosing strip detachably secured
thereto for closing the package after opening and removal of some
of the contents. The package is formed from a web of packaging
material and has a closed body with height, width, opposite ends
defining the package height therebetween, and a package reclosing
strip comprising in one embodiment a film strip extending
longitudinally the height of the package, and a single faced
adhesive coated tape longitudinally co-extensive with and laterally
partially overlying and adhered to the film strip, the adhesive
coated longitudinally extending portion of the tape not adhered to
the film strip being adhered to the package body and detachably
securing the strip thereto. A second embodiment of the reclosing
strip comprises a film substrate and a pressure sensitive adhesive
layer coated onto the full length and a widthwise portion of the
film substrate strip. The reclosing strip is made of less expensive
materials than the package material and that of prior art
structures. Graphics can be printed on the film strip. which is
laterally positionable on the package, and avoids adhesive
contamination because it is not detached from the package.
Inventors: |
Forman; Josephine A.;
(Pennsburg, PA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
GREGORY J. GORE
70 WEST OAKLAND AVENUE, SUITE 316
DOYLESTOWN
PA
18901
US
|
Family ID: |
35285297 |
Appl. No.: |
11/120953 |
Filed: |
May 4, 2005 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
383/62 ; 383/89;
383/90 |
Current CPC
Class: |
Y10T 428/24868 20150115;
C09J 7/20 20180101; C09J 2301/204 20200801; B65D 33/20 20130101;
B65D 33/1691 20130101; B65D 2575/586 20130101; Y10T 428/24752
20150115 |
Class at
Publication: |
383/062 ;
383/089; 383/090 |
International
Class: |
B65D 33/16 20060101
B65D033/16; B65D 33/30 20060101 B65D033/30 |
Claims
1. A composite package reclosing strip comprising in combination,
a) a flexible film strip having running length and width, and b) a
single faced adhesive coated flexible tape longitudinally
co-extensive with and laterally partially overlying and adhered to
said film strip by the adhesive coating, the adhesive coated
longitudinally extending portion of said tape not adhered to said
film strip being usable for securing said film strip to another
surface.
2. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible
film strip is of substantially fixed width.
3. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape is of substantially fixed width.
4. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible
film strip is of substantially fixed width narrower than the width
of said adhesive coated flexible tape.
5. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible
film strip is one of the group of single or multiple layer
bi-axially oriented polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and
polyester.
6. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible
film strip is within the thickness range of between 1.0 mil to 2.5
mils.
7. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said flexible
film strip is bi-axially oriented polypropylene within the
thickness range of 1.0 mil to 2.5 mils.
8. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said substrate is one of the group of bi-axially oriented
polypropylene, mono-axially oriented polypropylene,
polyvinylchloride, and polyester.
9. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said substrate is within the thickness range between 0.8 mil
and 4.0 mils.
10. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said substrate is one of the group of bi-axially oriented
polypropylene, mono-axially oriented polypropylene,
polyvinylchloride, and polyester, within the thickness range
between 0.8 mil and 4.0 mils.
11. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive of the group of
rubber solvent, acrylic solvent, acrylic emulsion, and hot
melt.
12. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive in the thickness
range of 0.5 mil to 2.0 mils in coat weight.
13. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein said adhesive
coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with an adhesive,
and said adhesive is a pressure sensitive adhesive of the group of
rubber solvent, acrylic solvent, acrylic emulsion, and hot melt,
and in the thickness range of 0.5 mil to 2.0 mils in coat
weight.
14. A composite strip as set forth in claim 1 wherein, a) said
flexible film strip comprises 1.7 mils thick bi-axially oriented
polypropylene, and b) said single faced adhesive coated flexible
tape comprises a substrate coated with a pressure sensitive
adhesive, wherein, (1) said substrate is 2.0 mils thick bi-axially
oriented polypropylene, and (2) said pressure sensitive adhesive is
a rubber solvent adhesive.
15. A package reclosing strip comprising in combination, a) a
flexible film substrate strip having running length and width, and
b) a pressure sensitive adhesive layer coated onto the full length
and a widthwise extending portion of said film substrate strip,
said widthwise portion being sufficiently less than the full strip
width to provide a graspable strip dry edge.
16. A package reclosing strip as set forth in claim 15 further
including graphics printed on said film substrate strip.
17. A package reclosing strip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said
substrate is one of the group of single or multiple layer
bi-axially oriented polypropylene, high density polypropylene, and
polyester,
18. A package reclosing strip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said
flexible film substrate strip is within the thickness range of
between 1.0 mil to 2.5 mils.
19. A package reclosing strip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said
pressure sensitive adhesive layer coated onto said film substrate
strip is in the thickness range of 0.5 mil to 2.0 mils in coat
weight.
20. A package reclosing strip as set forth in claim 15 wherein said
substrate is one of the group of bi-axially oriented polypropylene
in the thickness range of 1 to 2.5 mils, high density polypropylene
in the thickness range of 1.5 to 2.5 mils, and polyester within the
thickness range of 1.25 to 2 mils, and said pressure sensitive
adhesive layer coated onto said film substrate strip is in the
thickness range of 0.5 mil to 2.0 mils in coat weight.
21. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip detachably secured to said package for closing the package
after it has been opened and some of the contents removed,
comprising, a) a package formed from a web of flexible packaging
material, comprising a closed package body having height and width,
and having opposite ends with end seals defining the package height
therebetween, and b) a composite package reclosing strip comprising
in combination, (1) a flexible film strip extending fully
longitudinally the height of said package between said package
opposite ends, and (2) a single faced adhesive coated flexible tape
longitudinally co-extensive with and laterally partially overlying
and adhered to said film strip by the adhesive coating, the
adhesive coated longitudinally extending portion of said tape not
adhered to said film strip being detachably adhered to said package
body.
22. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip as set forth in claim 21. wherein said package reclosing
strip is locatable widthwise on said package at a desired
position.
23. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip as set forth in claim 21. wherein said package reclosing
strip is located widthwise on said package at a desired position,
and oriented substantially orthogonally to said package ends.
24. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip as set forth in claim 21. wherein, a) said flexible film
strip comprises 1.7 mils thick bi-axially oriented polypropylene,
and b) said single faced adhesive coated flexible tape comprises a
substrate coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein, (1)
said substrate is 2.0 mils thick bi-axially oriented polypropylene,
and (2) said pressure sensitive adhesive is a rubber solvent
adhesive.
25. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip as set forth in claim 21, wherein said flexible film strip is
of substantially fixed width narrower than the width of said
adhesive coated flexible tape.
26. The combination of a package and a composite package reclosing
strip as set forth in claim 21. wherein, a) said flexible film
strip comprises bi-axially oriented polypropylene in the thickness
range between 1.0 mil and 2.5 mils, and b)) said single faced
adhesive coated flexible tape comprises a substrate coated with a
pressure sensitive adhesive, wherein, (1) said substrate is one of
the group of bi-axially oriented polypropylene, mono-axially
oriented polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and polyester, in the
thickness range between 0.8 and 4 mils, and (2) said pressure
sensitive adhesive is one of the group of a rubber solvent
adhesive, acrylic solvent, acrylic emulsion, and hot melt, having a
coat weight between 0.5 mil and 2.0 mils.
27. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip
detachably secured to said package for closing the package after it
has been opened and some of the contents removed, comprising, a) a
package formed from a web of flexible packaging material,
comprising a closed package body having height and width, and
having opposite ends with end seals defining the package height
therebetween, and b) a package reclosing strip comprising in
combination, (1) a flexible film substrate strip having running
length and width extending fully longitudinally the height of said
package between said package opposite ends, and (2) a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer coated onto the full length and a
widthwise extending portion of said film substrate strip, said
widthwise portion being sufficiently less than the full strip width
to provide a graspable strip dry edge.
28. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip as
set forth in claim 27. wherein said package reclosing strip is
locatable widthwise on said package at a desired position.
29. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip as
set forth in claim 27. wherein said package reclosing strip is
located widthwise on said package at a desired position, and
oriented substantially orthogonally to said package ends.
30. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip as
set forth in claim 27. wherein said flexible film substrate strip
is one of the group of bi-axially oriented polypropylene in the
thickness range between 1 to 2.5 mils, high density polypropylene
in the thickness range of 1.5 to 2.5 mils, and polyester, in the
thickness range between 1.25 and 2 mils.
31. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip as
set forth in claim 27. wherein said pressure sensitive adhesive is
one of the group of a rubber solvent adhesive, acrylic solvent,
acrylic emulsion, and hot melt, having a coat weight between 0.5
mil and 2.0 mils
32. The combination of a package and a package reclosing strip as
set forth in claim 27. wherein said flexible film substrate strip
is one of the group of bi-axially oriented polypropylene in the
thickness range between 1 to 2.5 mils, high density polypropylene
in the thickness range of 1.5 to 2.5 mils, and polyester, in the
thickness range between 1.25 and 2 mils, and wherein said pressure
sensitive adhesive is one of the group of a rubber solvent
adhesive, acrylic solvent, acrylic emulsion, and hot melt, having a
coat weight between 0.5 mil and 2.0 mils.
Description
[0001] This invention relates to reclosable packages, and more
particularly to flexible bag or pouch type packages typically,
although not necessarily, for packaging food products, such as
chips, nuts, raisins, crackers, and the like, in which the package
contents are not consumed with one opening of the package and it is
desired to reclose the package to store the remainder for
subsequent use.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Reclosable packages are becoming a progressively larger part
of the packaged food market because of increasing consumer
preference. It is likely that eventually all packaged consumables
will be marketed in reclosable packages. In the past, there have
been attempts to devise such reclosable packages, but such previous
attempts exhibit major shortcomings. One such previous approach is
disclosed in European Patent EP 1254846 assigned to Amcor
Flexibles. This patent discloses a structure in which a tearstrip
is formed from a marginal edge of the packaging film along the
package longitudinal seal, the tearstrip functioning to hold the
package reclosed as shown in the patent drawings. No more than 20%
of packaging films are suitable for utilizing the disclosed
structure. Moreover, this structure will not work on a two roll
system that fabricates a four-side-seal package as there is no
longitudinal fin or lap seal packaging material from which to form
the tearstrip which, as shown in the patent, must be coextensive
with and attached to the longitudinal package seal. The reclosable
package according to the invention is not so limited.
[0003] Additionally, the Amcor structure uses double faced adhesive
tape or hot melt adhesive in combination with the strip of
packaging film to secure the tearstrip to the package. The double
faced tape utilizes a silicone coated release liner which must be
disposed of during production. This is both expensive and
inconvenient. Additionally, because most of the package films,
particularly those such as double polypropylene laminate used for
packaging food products, have low tear resistance, the reclosure
strip can tear instead of detaching from the package. This requires
that the double faced tape used must have different adhesives on
the two faces, a strong adhesive bonding to the reclosure strip and
a weak adhesive bonding to the package film. This is expensive
tape. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4 of the Amcor drawings, the
double faced tape is widthwise coextensive with the packaging film
tearstrip and results in a package reclosing strip that is very
difficult to separate from the package for use because there is no
dry edge that can be grasped. Hot melt adhesive applied on-line is
messy, has slow start-up, and is problematic and expensive. The
novel reclosure strip and package according to the invention suffer
from none of the foregoing defects.
[0004] The difficulties with the foregoing described structure were
apparently recognized, and a modified structure devised which is
disclosed in Amcor published PCT patent application WO 2004/035389.
While this modified structure utilizes a double faced adhesive tape
that is narrower than the tearstrip to provide a dry edge for
grasping, as in the Amcor European Patent EP 1254846, it still
utilizes a reclosure strip that is obtained by cutting the strip
off of the marginal edge of the packaging material and applying it
to a double faced adhesive coated tape. This has several
disadvantages. First, it retains the same disadvantages with regard
to the double faced tape as the Amcor European Patent EP 1254846,
as previously noted. Equally important, if the packaging
manufacturer must provide the same SKU product in two package
forms, one being a reclosable package and the other not, two
separate packaging films must be inventoried because of the
difference in packaging film width and graphics. This is a
substantial expense to the manufacturer, but is a not uncommon
requirement, because some customers want the reclosable feature and
some do not want to pay for the extra packaging cost. Further,
extensible films are widely used for packaging, and stretching
during tearstrip formation will cause wrinkles and curves. Again,
the novel reclosure strips and packages according to the invention
do not suffer from these defects.
[0005] Another known type of reclosable package utilizes a stick-on
label as a package reclosing device. Such labels have a number of
disadvantages that render them generally unsatisfactory. First, the
labels are generally short relative to the package length, must be
removed before use and reset on the package after the open package
top has been rolled down, and when removed become contaminated with
skin oils and product dust which destroys the adhesive qualities
and allows the package to come open. Second, the labels are
supplied on a release liner, which must be disposed of after the
labels are detached for use. Additionally, label application is
expensive, requiring two label applicators per packaging line to
insure that every package has a label. Moreover, label application
is not positionally precise, which may interfere with visually
desirable graphics on the package. Over all, it is not a very
desirable system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The reclosable package according to the invention utilizes a
novel reclosure strip which, unlike the Amcor structures, is made
of materials independent of and different from the package
material, and unlike the adhesive labels is of full package length.
The reclosure strip according to one embodiment of the invention is
a composite of a flexible single faced pressure sensitive adhesive
tape adhered to a dry-edge-forming flexible film strip. The
reclosure strip according to a second embodiment of the invention
comprises a film substrate, which may have graphics printed thereon
if so desired, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer coated onto
the full length and a widthwise portion of the film substrate
strip. Both embodiments of the package reclosing strips according
to the invention are substantially less expensive than the strips
of packaging film and double faced adhesive coated tape used in the
Amcor structures.
[0007] The snack food industry alone accounts for thousands of
millions of packages per year of pretzels, potato chips, corn
chips, tortilla chips, candy bites, and other products. A large
packager produces on the order of 3000 million packages a year of
these products, and the numerous smaller packagers produce on the
order of 300 million packages a year. Cost analysis discloses that
by using the reclosing strip according to the first embodiment of
the invention as compared to the Amcor structures the cost savings
to the smaller packager per year for 300 million packages is about
9 million dollars, and for the larger packager per year for 3000
million packages is 90 million dollars, and somewhat larger savings
are effected by using the reclosing strip according to the second
embodiment of the invention. These are not insignificant sums and
will increase with an increasing market size.
[0008] The novel reclosure strip of the invention is not formed
from the package material, so, as distinguished from Amcor, the
packaging manufacturer need inventory only a single packaging film,
and can make packages with or without the reclosure strip.
Instructional or other graphics can be printed on the
dry-edge-forming film strip. No expensive double faced tape or
problematic hot melt adhesive system is required. No expensive
production machinery, as required for Amcor and label application,
is needed for production of packages according to the invention,
but only standard packaging machinery and an inexpensive standard
tape unwind and applicator device. The reclosure strip is precisely
laterally positionable anywhere along the running length of the
package and avoids adhesive contamination because in use it is not
detached from the package.
[0009] Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to
provide a novel reclosable package utilizing a novel package
reclosure strip.
[0010] Another object of the invention is to provide a novel
package reclosure strip which in one embodiment comprises the
combination of a film strip furnishing a dry edge for grasping, and
a single faced adhesive coated tape longitudinally co-extensive
with and laterally partially overlying and adhered to the film
strip effective for securing the film strip to the package.
[0011] An additional object of the invention is to provide a novel
package reclosure strip which in a second embodiment comprises a
film substrate and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer coated onto
the full length and a widthwise portion of the film substrate
strip.
[0012] A further object of the invention is to provide a novel
package reclosure strip as aforesaid, with instructional or other
graphics printed on the dry-edge-forming film strip.
[0013] A yet further object of the invention is to provide a novel
package and package reclosure strip as aforesaid that is
substantially less expensive than those previously used for the
same purpose.
[0014] Still another object of the invention is to provide a novel
package and package reclosure strip as aforesaid that requires no
special manufacturing equipment, but utilizes standard packaging
machinery and an inexpensive tape unwind and applicator device.
[0015] The foregoing and other objects of the invention will become
clear from a reading of the following specification in conjunction
with an examination of the appended drawings, wherein:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a cross section through a flexible package showing
a prior art structure of package reclosing strip using layered
pieces of packaging film and double faced tape;
[0017] FIG. 2 is an enlarged showing of the prior art structure
shown in FIG. 1 as would be seen in the phantom circle on FIG.
1;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic showing of a vertical form fill and
seal packaging machine together with the packaging film supply
system and the reclosing tape applicator applying the reclosing
tape to the packaging film;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a flexible package such as
could be made with the apparatus of FIG. 3, with the package
reclosing strip according to the invention shown thereon;
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view through the
package reclosing strip according to the invention as would be seen
when viewed along lines 5-5 on FIG. 4;
[0021] FIG. 6 is a showing similar to that of FIG. 5 except that
the dry edge film strip part of the reclosing strip is shown lifted
outward so that the reclosing strip can be pulled downward as shown
in FIG. 7;
[0022] FIG. 7 is a showing of the package of FIG. 4 which has been
opened to remove some of the packaged product;
[0023] FIG. 8 is a showing of the package of FIGS. 4 and 7 which
has been opened and had product removed, and with the open package
top partly rolled down, but with the partly detached reclosing
strip not yet applied to the rolled down package top to hold it
closed;
[0024] FIG. 9 is similar to FIG. 8 but with the reclosing strip
applied to the rolled down package top to hold it closed;
[0025] FIG. 10 is a top plan view of a second, and preferred, form
of the package reclosing strip according to the invention; and
[0026] FIG. 11 is a cross section through the reclosing strip of
FIG. 10 as would be seen when viewed along lines 11-11 on FIG.
10.
[0027] In the several figures, like elements are designated by like
reference characters.
[0028] Considering first the prior art showings of drawings FIGS. 1
and 2, there is seen a cross section through a typical flexible
package A showing a package reclosing strip consisting of a strip
of packaging film B that has been cut off of the film web from
which the package is formed and a double faced adhesive coated tape
C. This structure has all of the disadvantages previously described
in connection with the prior art described in the BACKGROUND OF THE
INVENTION, and the additional disadvantage, as shown, of the very
narrow accessible dry edge of the packaging film strip B, which
makes it difficult to grasp for peeling off of the package. None of
these disadvantages are present in the package reclosing strips
embodiments according to the invention.
[0029] Turning now to the apparatus shown in FIG. 3, there is seen
a roll 10 of packaging film from which is pulled by the packaging
machine 11 film drives 20 the web of packaging film 12.
Simultaneously pulled from the tape unwinder and applicator supply
roll 13 by the packaging machine 11 is the novel package reclosing
strip 14 according to the invention, which is adhered to the film
web 12 as the film web and reclosing strip pass around roller 15.
The composite film web and reclosing strip enroute to the packaging
machine 11 pass around fixed position rollers 16 and dancer roller
17, which latter, in the known manner, automatically reciprocates
vertically to adjustably provide the proper rate of web feed to the
packaging machine.
[0030] The composite web is pulled over the packaging machine
forming collar 18, wrapped around the product delivery tube 19 in
the normal manner by the web pulling belt drives 20, and provided
with a longitudinal seal 21 by the sealer 22. The finished package
23 exits the packaging machine 11 with the product sealed inside by
the top seal 24 and bottom seal 25 formed by the sealer 26, and
with the reclosing strip 14 adhered to the package and extending
the full length of the package from top to bottom. The package may
be of the type as shown in FIG. 3, or the gusseted type, or a pouch
type, or four sided seal package. The packaging machine 11 could
for example be a Hayssen Vertical Form Fill and Seal machine, and
the tape supply roll 13 could be spooled off of a Sealstrip Model
D560 Tape Dispenser.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows a package 23 such as may be produced by the
packaging machine 11 of FIG. 3, having top and bottom seals 24 and
25, a longitudinal seal 21, and with the package recposing strip 14
adhered to the package and extending from the package top seal to
its bottom seal. As seen in FIGS. 4 through 8, the package
reclosing strip 14 is a composite strip formed from a single faced
adhesive coated tape 27 partially widthwise overlying and adhered
to a separate film strip 28 by the adhesive coating 29 on the tape
27. The single faced adhesive coated tape 27 could be a substrate
from one of the group of bi-axially oriented polypropylene,
mono-axially oriented polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, and
polyester, within the thickness range between 0.8 mil and 4.0 mils,
coated with a pressure sensitive adhesive of the group of rubber
solvent, acrylic solvent, acrylic emulsion, and hot melt in the
thickness range of 0.5 mil to 2.0 mils in coat weight. The film
strip 28 could be single or multiple layer bi-axially oriented
polypropylene or high density polyethylene within the thickness
range of 1.0 mil to 2.5 mils, typically 1.7 mils, or polyester in
the thickness range of 1 to 2 mils.
[0032] As best seen in the enlarged fragmentary detail views of
FIGS. 5 and 6, the film strip 28 is not itself adhered to the
package, but is secured thereon by the single faced tape 27 whose
adhesive layer 29 is adhered to the package. The reclosing strip is
activated by grasping the film strip 28 and lifting or pivoting it
outward as indicated by the arrow 30 in FIG. 5 to an opened
position as shown in FIG. 6. This permits grasping the reclosing
strip 14 and pulling it downward to partially detach it from the
package 23, as shown in FIG. 8, after the package has been opened
and some contents removed, but prior to rolling down the package
top, as shown in FIG. 7. The package top is then rolled down as
shown in FIG. 8, and the detached section of the reclosing strip 14
is laid over and detachably sealed to the rolled down package top
as shown in FIG. 9.
[0033] The next time that it is desired to remove some of the
contents from the package, the reclosing strip is peeled down so
that the package top may be unrolled for dispensing product, and
the same reclosing process is then again performed. In this
embodiment of the invention the film strip 28 could typically be
about one half inch wide, with the single faced adhesive coated
tape 27 being about three quarters of an inch wide with about one
quarter inch widthwise overlap of the tape onto the film strip to
provide a composite reclosing strip 14 of about one inch in
width.
[0034] Considering now FIGS. 10 and 11, there is seen a second, and
preferred, form of novel package reclosing strip 31 consisting of a
film substrate 32, which may have graphics 33 printed thereon as
shown, if so desired, and a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 34.
The substrate 32 could be bi-axially oriented polypropylene in the
thickness range of 1 to 2.5 mils, and the adhesive could typically
be a pressure sensitive rubber solvent type in the thickness range
of 1/2 to 2 mils. Also usable as the substrate are the other films
previously noted for use as the film strip 28, and similarly for
the adhesive coating 29 on the tape 27. The reclosing strip 31 is
less expensive to make than the reclosing strip 14, and can be made
from a web of substrate 40 inches to 60 inches wide with the
graphics printed by a high speed printing press, followed by strip
zone coating with the pressure sensitive adhesive. The web is then
slit into a plurality of finished reclosing strips 31, and level
wound onto spools or rolls 13 for storage and subsequent
dispensing.
[0035] Having now described my invention in connection with
particularly illustrated embodiments thereof, it will be understood
that modifications and variations thereof may now occur from time
to time to those normally skilled in the art without departing from
the essential scope or spirit of the invention, and accordingly it
is intended to claim the invention both broadly and specifically as
indicated in the appended claims.
* * * * *