U.S. patent application number 14/785399 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-10 for recloseable stand-up flexible packages.
The applicant listed for this patent is PRINTPACK ILLINOIS, INC.. Invention is credited to Gary Borges, Rajesh Suryanarayanan.
Application Number | 20160068323 14/785399 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50979864 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160068323 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Suryanarayanan; Rajesh ; et
al. |
March 10, 2016 |
Recloseable Stand-Up Flexible Packages
Abstract
Recloseable, stand-up flexible packages are provided for
containing a product therein. The packages (10) generally include
gusseted top and bottom walls (16, 18) disposed between front and
back panels (12, 14). In embodiments, a line of weakness (25) may
define an opening panel (24) extending across at least a portion of
the gusseted top wall (16) onto a portion of one or both of the
front panel (12) and back panel (14). A resealable flexible sealing
label (26) may be disposed over and extend beyond the opening panel
(24) over a portion of one or both of the front panel (12) and back
panel (14) in an overlapping area. In embodiments, a transverse
peelable seam (15) extends from and is positioned along an edge of
the gusseted top wall (16) and one of the front or back panel (12,
14), the transverse peelable seam (15) being formed from a peelable
and resealable adhesive.
Inventors: |
Suryanarayanan; Rajesh;
(Powder Springs, GA) ; Borges; Gary; (Eagan,
MN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
PRINTPACK ILLINOIS, INC. |
Elgin |
IL |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50979864 |
Appl. No.: |
14/785399 |
Filed: |
April 30, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
April 30, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/036159 |
371 Date: |
October 19, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61819367 |
May 3, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
206/459.5 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5838 20130101;
B65D 75/5855 20130101; B65D 75/008 20130101; B65D 75/12
20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 75/58 20060101
B65D075/58; B65D 75/12 20060101 B65D075/12; B65D 75/00 20060101
B65D075/00 |
Claims
1. A recloseable stand-up flexible package for containing a product
therein, comprising: a package body formed from a flexible film
having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along lateral
edges thereof by two opposing longitudinal seams and a transverse
side seam across either the front panel or back panel; a gusseted
top wall provided between the front panel and back panel between
top portions of the front panel and back panel and a gusseted
bottom wall provided between the front panel and back panel between
bottom portions of the front panel and back panel; a line of
weakness extending across a portion of the package body to define
an opening panel of the package body, the opening panel extending
across at least a portion of the gusseted top wall onto a portion
of the front panel; and a flexible sealing label disposed over and
extending beyond the opening panel over an overlapping area,
wherein the flexible sealing label and opening panel are
permanently adhered to one another such that pulling the flexible
sealing label in a peeling direction separates the opening panel
from the package body at the line of weakness and forms an opening
in at least the gusseted top wall of the package body, the flexible
sealing label further comprising a resealable adhesive extending
beyond the opening panel of the package body for forming a
resealable closure in the overlapping area.
2. The package of claim 1, wherein the transverse side seam
comprises a fin seal or a lap seal.
3. The package of claim 1, further comprising one or more
transverse corner-sealed seams.
4. The package of claim 3, wherein the transverse side seam and
longitudinal seams are heat sealed or cold sealed.
5. The package of claim 3, wherein the longitudinal seams are crimp
sealed.
6. The package of claim 1, wherein the line of weakness is selected
from the group consisting of a die cut, a mechanical score line, a
laser score line, and a perforated line.
7. The package of claim 1, wherein the resealable adhesive is a
cold seal adhesive.
8. The package of claim 1, wherein the resealable adhesive is a
pressure sensitive adhesive.
9. The package of claim 1, wherein the product is a food
product.
10. The package of claim 9, wherein the food product is selected
from the group consisting of confectionary products, cheese and
dairy products, biscuits and crackers, tea, coffee, pet food, and
shelf-stable products.
11. The package of claim 10, wherein the food product is a
shelf-stable product.
12. The package of claim 11, wherein the shelf-stable product is a
snack-food.
13. The package of claim 1, wherein the flexible sealing label
includes a tab for grasping the flexible sealing label.
14. The package of claim 1, further comprising a tamper-evident
means.
15. The package of claim 14, wherein the tamper-evident means is
disposed in the flexible sealing label extending beyond the opening
panel of the package body.
16. The package of claim 15, wherein the tamper-evident means is
disposed in the package body in an area outside the opening panel
of the package body that is in contact with the resealable adhesive
of the flexible sealing label before the package is initially
opened.
17. A recloseable stand-up flexible package for containing a
product therein, comprising: a package body formed from a flexible
film having a front panel and a back panel sealed together along
lateral longitudinal edges thereof by two opposing longitudinal
seams; a gusseted top wall provided between the front panel and
back panel between top portions of the front panel and back panel
and a gusseted bottom wall provided between the front panel and
back panel between bottom portions of the front panel and back
panel; and a transverse peelable seam extending from and positioned
along an edge of the gusseted top wall and one of the front or back
panel, the transverse peelable seem comprising a resealable
adhesive.
18. The package of claim 17, wherein the transverse peelable seam
comprises a fin seal.
19. The package of claim 17, further comprising a first and second
transverse seam positioned between the gusseted bottom wall and the
front and back panels, respectively, and a third transverse seam
positioned between the gusseted top wall and one of the front or
back panel opposite the transverse peelable seam.
20. The package of claim 19, wherein the transverse seams and
longitudinal seams are heat sealed or cold sealed.
21. The package of claim 19, wherein the longitudinal seams are
crimp sealed.
22. The package of claim 17, wherein the resealable adhesive is a
cold seal adhesive.
23. The package of claim 17, wherein the resealable adhesive is a
pressure sensitive adhesive.
24. The package of claim 17, wherein the product is a food
product.
25. The package of claim 24, wherein the food product is selected
from the group consisting of confectionary products, cheese and
dairy products, biscuits and crackers, tea, coffee, pet food, and
shelf-stable products.
26. The package of claim 24, wherein the food product is a
shelf-stable product.
27. The package of claim 26, wherein the shelf-stable product is a
snack-food.
28. The package of claim 17, further comprising a tamper-evident
means.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] The present application relates generally to packages for
containing various products. More particularly, the present
application relates to a stand-up flexible package for containing
food products. Desirably, the stand-up flexible package can be
repeatedly opened and closed.
[0002] A variety of different types of flexible packaging are known
in the art for containing and dispensing products, particularly
food products. Often, consumers may desire stand-up packages that
can be easily and repeatedly opened and closed to obtain access to
the product therein. Although various solutions have been offered
to address these problems, many of these solutions are undesirable
because they can impair a seller's ability to display and stack the
product, impair a consumer's ability to access the product within
the container, or fail to effectively limit propagation of tears
when the package is opened.
[0003] Thus, there exists a need to provide a simple, cost
effective and useful solution for reclosing and resealing a
stand-up flexible package in a manner which will allow for repeated
opening and closing of the package to access the products contained
therein.
SUMMARY OF THE DESCRIPTION
[0004] Embodiments of the present description address the
above-described needs by providing stand-up flexible packages for
containing a product therein, methods for their manufacture, and
use.
[0005] In one aspect, a recloseable stand-up flexible package for
containing a product therein is provided, the package including a
package body formed from a flexible film having a front panel and a
back panel sealed together along lateral edges thereof by two
opposing longitudinal seams and a transverse side seam across
either the front panel or back panel. A gusseted top wall is
provided between the front panel and back panel between top
portions of the front panel and back panel and a gusseted bottom
wall is provided between the front panel and back panel between
bottom portions of the front panel and back panel.
[0006] A line of weakness may extend across a portion of the
package body to define an opening panel in the package body, the
opening panel extending across at least a portion of the gusseted
top wall onto a portion of one or both of the front panel and back
panel. A flexible sealing label may be disposed over and extend
beyond the opening panel over a portion of one or both of the front
panel and back panel in an overlapping area, the flexible sealing
label and opening panel being permanently adhered to one another
such that pulling the flexible sealing label in a peeling direction
exposes an opening in the gusseted top wall of the package body.
The flexible sealing label may further include a resealable
adhesive extending beyond the opening panel of the package body for
forming a resealable closure in the overlapping area.
[0007] In a second aspect, a recloseable stand-up flexible package
for containing a product therein is provided, the package including
a package body formed from a flexible film having a front panel and
a back panel sealed together along lateral edges thereof by two
opposing longitudinal seams. A gusseted top wall is provided
between the front panel and back panel between top portions of the
front panel and back panel and a gusseted bottom wall is provided
between the front panel and back panel between bottom portions of
the front panel and back panel. A transverse peelable seam extends
from and is positioned along an edge of the gusseted top wall and
one of the front or back panel, the transverse peelable seem being
formed from a peelable and resealable adhesive.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a recloseable flexible
package according to an embodiment.
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2E are schematic illustrations of an embodiment of
a recloseable flexible package being opened and closed.
[0010] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a recloseable stand-up
flexible package according to a second embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the opening of
the recloseable stand-up flexible package illustrated in FIG.
3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0012] Embodiments of the present description include stand-up
flexible packages that allow for a portion of the product to be
removed and a remaining portion of the product to be contained in
the packages. Also provided herein are methods for manufacturing
recloseable stand-up flexible packages and methods for using the
recloseable stand-up flexible packages.
A. Stand-Up Flexible Bag with Reseable Label
[0013] In a first aspect, embodiments of the stand-up flexible
package include recloseable flexible packages having a package body
formed from a flexible film with two opposing side walls (i.e., a
"front panel" and a "back panel") sealed together along lateral
transverse edges by means of a transverse seam and along lateral
longitudinal edges by means of two longitudinal side seams, a
gusseted bottom wall between the lower portions of the opposing
side walls, and a gusseted top wall between the upper portions of
the opposing side walls. The transverse seam may be placed at any
position on one of the opposing side walls (i.e., in the upper
portion, a middle portion, or a lower portion of one of the
opposing side walls). The gusseted top and bottom walls may be
sealed to one or more of the opposing side walls along one or more
bottom seams and/or top seams. For example, the package may include
two top seams and two bottom seams, forming a quad-sealed
package.
[0014] A line of weakness may be positioned in the gusseted top
wall and extend across one or both of the top seams into a portion
of one or both of the front and back panels, thereby defining an
opening panel over an opening in the package. In embodiments, the
line of weakness may begin at a first top seam, extend across the
gusseted top wall and across the opposing, second top seam onto a
portion of the front panel. In another embodiment, the line of
weakness may extend across the gusseted top wall and both the first
and second top seams onto the back and front panels, respectively.
The line of weakness may be formed from a die cut, score line, or
perforated line formed in the flexible film. For example, the line
of weakness may be a solid or perforated line formed by a die cut,
mechanical score, or laser score.
[0015] A flexible sealing label may be applied over the line of
weakness and the opening panel, such that the flexible sealing
label can be pulled in a peeling direction to pull the opening
panel back from the package body to expose an opening in the
package body. Flexible sealing labels also are commonly referred to
by those skilled in the art as a recloseable label. Advantageously,
the opening can extend across a substantial portion of the gusseted
top wall in the package body to provide access to and enable ease
of removal of the product therein.
[0016] After the initial opening, the opening panel of the package
body remains adhered to the flexible sealing label. For example, in
embodiments, the opening panel remains partially attached to the
flexible film of the package body at a terminal end of the opening
panel. In such embodiments the line of weakness is an open shape,
such as an open curvilinear (i.e., a semi-circle, semi-ellipse, or
"u") or polygonal (i.e., a partial rectangle, partial square, or
"v") shape that is open at a first end and closed at the opposing
second end. Thus, the opening panel remains attached to the package
body at the first end. In embodiments, the opening panel is
completely separated from the flexible film of the package body and
remains attached to only the flexible sealing label. In such
embodiments the line of weakness is a closed shape, such as an
ellipse (i.e., a circle or oval) or a polygon (i.e., a rectangle or
square), that is closed at both the first and second ends.
[0017] The flexible sealing label may extend beyond the opening
panel over an overlapping region of the package body. For example,
the flexible sealing label may extend beyond all or a portion of
the opening panel onto the gusseted top wall and a portion of one
or both of the front and back panels. The flexible sealing label
also may include a pull tab at one of the terminal ends of the
flexible sealing label extending over the overlapping region.
[0018] A peelable and resealable adhesive may be applied to at
least a portion of the flexible sealing label extending over the
overlapping region. In embodiments, a permanent adhesive also may
be applied to a portion of the flexible sealing label so that it is
suitably attached to the opening panel of the package body. For
example, in embodiments a permanent adhesive may be applied to the
flexible sealing label to attach the flexible sealing label to the
opening panel while a peelable and resealable adhesive may be
applied to all or a portion of the flexible sealing label extending
over the overlapping region. In addition, in embodiments a
permanent adhesive may be applied to a portion of the flexible
sealing label extending over the overlapping region. For example,
in embodiments in which the opening panel is completely separated
from the flexible film of the package body, the flexible sealing
label may have only a peelable and resealable adhesive applied to
all or a portion of the flexible sealing label extending over the
overlapping region so that both the flexible sealing label and
opening panel can be completely removed from the package body
(i.e., forming an open "bowl"). In other embodiments, the flexible
sealing label includes a permanent adhesive over a portion of the
flexible sealing label to secure the flexible sealing label to the
flexible film so that the flexible sealing label functions as a
hinge for the flexible sealing label and opening panel. In either
case, after the package has been opened, the consumer may
advantageously reclose the package using the flexible sealing
label. For example, the flexible sealing label may be pulled back
down over the opening and adhered to the overlapping region in
substantially its original position.
[0019] An exemplary embodiment of a recloseable flexible package is
illustrated in FIG. 1. The package 10 includes a front panel 12, a
back panel 14, and gusseted top and bottom walls 16, 18 at opposing
ends of the package. The front panel 12 and back panel 14 are
sealed together by two longitudinal seals 20, 22 at opposing sides
of the package. In embodiments, the package 10 is formed from a
single polymer film having a transverse seam 15 across either the
front panel 12 (as illustrated) or the back panel 14 (not shown).
In exemplary embodiments, the transverse seam 15 is formed by a fin
seal or a lap seal and may be used to grip the package when opening
the package. The front and back panels 12, 14 and gusseted top and
bottom walls 16, 18 optionally may include one or more top and
bottom transverse seams 13a, 13b, 17a, 17b (i.e., corner-seals)
extending along the junction of the respective panels and walls.
For example, the package 10 may have a top transverse seam 13a
where the front panel 12 meets the gusseted top wall 16 and a
bottom transverse seam 17a where the front panel 12 meets the
gusseted bottom wall 18. Similarly, the package 10 may have a top
transverse seam 13b where the back panel 14 meets the gusseted top
wall 16 and a bottom transverse seam 17b where the front panel 12
meets the gusseted bottom wall 18. Thus, the package 10 may have
any suitable number of top and bottom transverse seams needed to
provide the desired shape and structural support to the package
body. The longitudinal seals 20, 22, and transverse seams 13a, 13b,
15, 17a, 17b may comprise permanent seals formed, for example, by
heat-sealing or cold-sealing the film at the respective panels and
walls.
[0020] An opening panel 24 of the package 10 is defined by a line
of weakness 25 in the package and extends from the gusseted top
wall 16 across the top transverse seam 13a and onto the front panel
12 of the package. In embodiments, the line of weakness 25
terminates at or near the top transverse seam 13b. Alternatively,
the line of weakness may extend across the top transverse seam 13b
onto the back panel 14 where it terminates (not shown). The opening
panel 24 may be covered by a flexible sealing label 26 adhered to
the opening panel 24 with a permanent adhesive. The flexible
sealing label 26 may be adhered to an overlapping region 23 of the
package body 10 with a peelable and resealable adhesive. The
package 10 may be opened by pulling a pull tab 28 of the flexible
sealing label 26 to expose an opening in the package body by
pulling back the opening panel 24 from the main package body at the
line of weakness 25. In embodiments, the package may include one or
more tamper resistant indicators that provide a visual indication
of whether the package has been opened (not shown). A variety of
tamper resistant indicators are known in the art. In addition,
embodiments of the package 10 may have one or both of the
longitudinal seals 20, 22 tacked or secured to the sides of the
package (see e.g., FIG. 2). In addition, the package may include
one or more cut-outs 30 at the intersection of the line of weakness
and any top transverse seams present in the package body. The one
or more cut-outs may be formed by a hole punch or a cut-out in the
flexible film and the flexible sealing label may be free of both
the permanent adhesive and peelable and resealable adhesive in
those areas to enable the opening panel to be opened. In
embodiments, the flexible sealing label includes sites with
"deadened" adhesive or no adhesive positioned substantially over
the cut-outs when the flexible sealing label is applied to the
flexible film by the machine.
[0021] The operation of the recloseable flexible package may be
better understood by reference to the schematic illustrations of an
exemplary package in FIGS. 2A-2E, including: opening the package by
pulling on the pull tab (A); rolling back the flexible sealing
label to open the opening panel and expose the opening and package
contents (B); an opened package (C); reclosing the package by
unrolling and resecuring the flexible sealing label (D); and a
resealed package (E). The opening panel is defined by the die cut
in the film forming the package. For example, in embodiments in
which the die cut is an open shape, the line of weakness may be
shaped to stop propagation of tears in the package during its
opening. For example, the die cut defining the opening panel may be
"J"-shaped at its terminal end (not shown). The pull tab can be
used to pull the flexible sealing label away from the package in
the peeling direction, forming the opening in the package. The
opening panel of the package can then be folded or rolled back of
the package to provide access to the contents through the opening.
After a desired portion of the contents are removed, the package
can be resealed by unfolding or unrolling the opening panel toward
the front panel and securing the flexible sealing label to the
front panel in the overlapping region with the peelable and
resealable adhesive on the flexible sealing label.
[0022] The flexible film forming the package body may be made of
any flexible material suitable for packaging the product concerned.
Where the product is a food product, the material may be
substantially moisture and gas impervious so that when it is fully
sealed, the packaging provides a hermetically sealed container for
the food product. Alternatively, the package may be vented so as to
enable the food product to be stored for longer periods. Examples
of typical materials that can be used include: paper based
materials, one or more polymeric materials, metallized polymeric
materials, and metallic foils. The flexible film also may be a
lamination comprising layers of the same or different materials,
which may include any of the foregoing materials in any suitable
combination. In one embodiment, the material comprises a
multi-layer polymeric film including oriented polypropylene (OPP)
and metallized oriented polypropylene (METOPP) layers or
polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE) layers. When
the material is formed into the package, the appropriate layers can
be positioned as desired on the inside and outside of the package.
In embodiments, the outer layer of material may be printed on or
otherwise marked with information for the consumer.
[0023] The peelable and resealable adhesive disposed on at least a
portion of the flexible sealing label may be any suitable adhesive.
For example, the peelable and resealable adhesive may be a pressure
sensitive adhesive or a cold seal adhesive, and may be applied to
the free edges of the flexible sealing label or to the overlapping
region of the package body, or both. Although the flexible sealing
label is referred to as being resealable, in practice the peelable
seal will not usually be expected to form a hermetic seal when the
package is reclosed. However, when the package is reclosed it will
hold the remaining contents securely in the package and will
provide some protection for the product from the environment.
References to the flexible sealing label being "resealed" or
"resealable" should be construed accordingly. However, where the
package is used to package a food product, it may be desirable that
the package will be fully sealed when the package is formed prior
to the first opening, so that the package initially forms a
hermetically sealed package.
[0024] The flexible sealing label, like the flexible film, may be
formed using any flexible material suitable for use in packaging
the product concerned. For example, in embodiments the flexible
sealing label may be a non-barrier or barrier structure including
one or more layers of paper based materials, one or more polymeric
materials, metallized polymeric materials, and metallic foils.
Non-limiting examples of barrier structures include single layer or
multilayer films of suitable polymers and metallized polymeric
materials, including metallized polyester (PET), metallized
biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP), metallized biaxially
oriented nylon (BON), metallized cast polypropylene, and
combinations thereof In an exemplary embodiment, the flexible
sealing layer may be formed of a multilayer material including
BOPP/adhesive/aluminum foil/adhesive/paper. Non-limiting examples
of barrier structures formed from multilayer flexible materials
that may be clear include BOPP/adhesive/aluminum oxide-coated BOPP,
BOPP/adhesive/aluminum oxide-coated PET, BOPP/adhesive/polyvinyl
alcohol-coated PET or BOPP, polyvinylidine chloride (PVDC)-coated
BOPP or PET, or PVDC-coated BOPP or PET/adhesive/BOPP or PET.
B. Recloseable Stand-Up Flexible Bag
[0025] In a second aspect, embodiments of the stand-up flexible
package include a recloseable flexible package having a package
body formed from a flexible film with two opposing side walls (the
"front panel" and "back panel") sealed together along lateral
longitudinal edges by means of two longitudinal side seams, a
gusseted bottom wall between the lower portions of the opposing
side walls, and a gusseted top wall between the upper portions of
the opposing side walls. The gusseted bottom wall may be sealed to
each of the opposing side walls along bottom seams while the
gusseted top wall is sealed to one of the two side walls along a
top seam. A transverse peelable seal may extend along an edge of
the gusseted top wall opposite the top seam.
[0026] An exemplary embodiment of a stand-up flexible package is
illustrated in FIG. 3. The package 110 includes a front panel 112,
a back panel 114, and gusseted top and bottom walls 116, 118 at
opposing ends of the package. The front panel 112 and back panel
114 are sealed together by two longitudinal seals 120, 122 at
opposing sides of the package. In embodiments, the package 110
includes a transverse peelable seam 115 along an edge 111 of the
gusseted top wall 112 at either the front panel (not shown) or back
panel (illustrated in FIG. 3). The transverse peelable seam 115 may
be formed by a peelable fin seal that extends from the gusseted top
wall 112 by about 0.25 to about 1 inch, by about 0.25 to about 0.75
inches, or about 0.50 inches.
[0027] The package also may include a top transverse seam 113
between the front panel 112 and gusseted top wall 116 opposite the
edge 113 from which the transverse peelable seem 115 extends and
one or two bottom transverse seams 117 between the front and back
panels 112, 114 and gusseted bottom wall 118. The longitudinal
seals 120, 122, and top and bottom transverse seams 113, 117, may
be permanent seals formed, for example, by heat-sealing or
cold-sealing the film at the respective panels and walls.
[0028] The operation of the recloseable flexible package may be
better understood by reference to the schematic illustration in
FIG. 4, which illustrates opening a package by pulling apart the
two layers of polymer film at the transverse peelable seam to open
the package and expose the package contents. Desirably, the package
is configured such that the opening is substantially the same size
as the gusseted top wall in order to provide easy access to the
contents therein. After a desired portion of the contents are
removed, the package can be resealed by pressing the two layers of
polymer film together again at the transverse peelable seam.
[0029] In embodiments, the package may further include pull tabs
extending beyond the transverse peelable seam to facilitate opening
of the package. In other embodiments, the package may include one
or more tamper resistant indicators that provide a visual
indication of whether the package has been opened (not shown). As
noted above, such tamper resistant indicators are known in the art.
For example, in an embodiment the two layers of polymer film beyond
the transverse peelable seam may be configured with a tear notch to
open the sealed area (i.e., using a machine direction tear). In
alternative embodiments, the transverse peelable seam may be
replaced with a zipper to provide the desired recloseable
functionality (not shown). In addition, one or both of the
longitudinal seals may be tacked or secured to the sides of the
package.
[0030] The flexible film forming the package body may be made of
any flexible material suitable for packaging the product concerned.
Where the product is a food product, the material may be
substantially moisture and gas impervious so that when it is fully
sealed, the packaging provides a hermetically sealed container for
the food product. Alternatively, the package may be vented so as to
enable the food product to be stored for longer periods. Examples
of typical materials that can be used include: paper based
materials, one or more polymeric materials, and metallic foils. The
flexible film also may be a lamination comprising layers of the
same or different materials, which may include any of the foregoing
materials in any suitable combination. In one embodiment, the
material comprises a multi-layer polymeric film including oriented
polypropylene (OPP) and metallized oriented polypropylene (METOPP)
layers or polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and polyethylene (PE)
layers. When the material is formed into the package, the
appropriate layers can be positioned as desired on the inside and
outside of the package. In embodiments, the outer layer of material
may be printed on or otherwise marked with information for the
consumer.
[0031] A peelable and resealable adhesive is used to secure the
transverse peelable seam, and may include any suitable adhesive.
For example, the transverse peelable seam may be formed using a
peelable and resealable adhesive such as a pressure sensitive
adhesive or a cold seal adhesive as described above. Although the
transverse peelable seam is referred to as being resealable, in
practice the transverse peelable seam will not usually be expected
to form a hermetic seal when the package is reclosed. However,
where the package is used to package a food product, it is
desirable that the package will be fully sealed when the package is
formed prior to the first opening, so that the package initially
forms a hermetically sealed package. For example, the first opening
of the transverse peelable seam may result in an adhesive failure,
cohesive failure, or delamination of the peelable and resealable
adhesive to enable opening and reclosing of the package as
desired.
C. Manufacturing and Uses
[0032] The recloseable flexible packages can be produced using any
suitable manufacturing method. In embodiments, the packages are
formed by feeding the material through a vertical form film seal
(VFFS) machine using methods known to those skilled in the art. For
example, the packaging produced according to the first aspect may
be formed from a flexible film having a plurality of appropriately
positioned flexible sealing labels applied over a respective
plurality of lines of weakness and opening panels along its length
and provided in a roll. Methods for applying the flexible sealing
labels and forming the lines of weakness and optional cut-outs in
the flexible film are known to those skilled in the art. For
example, a line of weakness may be formed by a mechanical or laser
perforation or scoring of the flexible film in the desired location
after the flexible sealing label has been applied to the flexible
film. Similarly, the hole punch or cut-out in the flexible film may
be formed by a pneumatic punch unit installed on the flexible
sealing label applicator on the unwinding section of the roll, such
that as the roll is mounted on a shaft in the unwind section, a
pneumatic punch unit connected to a photo eye and installed just
after the film unwinds may punch the holes (i.e., oval or circular
shaped) in register or at the desired spot. In another embodiment,
the flexible sealing label includes one or more spots of "deadened"
adhesive that can be positioned directly over the die-cut holes
when the label is applied on the film in the machine.
[0033] The recloseable flexible packages provided herein may be
used for containing a variety of products, particularly food
products. Non-limiting examples of such products include
confectionary products; cheese and dairy products; biscuits and
crackers; tea, ground coffee, and coffee beans; pet food; and shelf
stable products, including dried foods (e.g., rice or beans) and
snack-foods (e.g., nuts and chips). The packages are particularly
suited for use with snack-foods. For example, the package may be
used for containing chips, nuts, and the like. In any case, the
package permits the consumer to open the package and remove only a
portion of the product when desired.
[0034] While the present invention has been described in detail
with respect to specific embodiments thereof, it will be
appreciated that those skilled in the art, upon attaining an
understanding of the foregoing may readily conceive of alterations
to, variations of, and equivalents to those embodiments. For
example, those skilled in the art will appreciate that although
certain embodiments are described relative to a "front panel" and a
"back panel," that the package orientation may be modified as
needed (i.e., such that the "front panel" forms the back side of
the package and the "front panel" forms the front side of the
package). Accordingly, the scope of the present invention should be
assessed as that of the appended claims and any equivalents
thereof.
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