U.S. patent application number 14/891871 was filed with the patent office on 2016-05-05 for resealable package with segmented opening.
The applicant listed for this patent is INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC. Invention is credited to Andy J. CLARK, Louis Peter FENECH, III, Gladys Odette MONCAYO, Carole Anne VOGT.
Application Number | 20160122109 14/891871 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 50943606 |
Filed Date | 2016-05-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160122109 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
CLARK; Andy J. ; et
al. |
May 5, 2016 |
RESEALABLE PACKAGE WITH SEGMENTED OPENING
Abstract
A flexible film package having a resealable opening is provided.
The package is comprised of a flexible film with at least a first
film layer and a second film layer with a resealable adhesive
disposed between portions of the first and second film layer. The
flexible film defines at least a portion of an interior cavity
where contents, such as discrete food articles, can be stored and a
package opening provides access to the discrete food articles.
Further, the package has a segmented opening with a plurality of
opening windows separated by at least one cross tie that extends
from one side of the opening to another side.
Inventors: |
CLARK; Andy J.; (East
Hanover, NJ) ; FENECH, III; Louis Peter; (East
Hanover, NJ) ; MONCAYO; Gladys Odette; (East Hanover,
NJ) ; VOGT; Carole Anne; (East Hanover, NJ) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
INTERCONTINENTAL GREAT BRANDS LLC |
East Hanover |
NJ |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
50943606 |
Appl. No.: |
14/891871 |
Filed: |
May 15, 2014 |
PCT Filed: |
May 15, 2014 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/US2014/038192 |
371 Date: |
November 17, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61824261 |
May 16, 2013 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
220/23.4 ;
220/359.2 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B65D 75/5888 20130101;
B65D 77/206 20130101; B65D 75/5838 20130101; B65D 75/5855 20130101;
B65D 77/2096 20130101; B65D 2577/2091 20130101 |
International
Class: |
B65D 77/20 20060101
B65D077/20; B65D 75/58 20060101 B65D075/58 |
Claims
1. A package comprising: a flexible film having at least first and
second film layers and a resealable adhesive disposed between the
first and second film layers, the flexible film defining a top of
the package; a tray having a bottom, at least one side, and an
upper flange to which the second film layer is adhered to an upper
surface thereof to seal a food product therein; the flexible film
having a plurality of second layer cuts formed into the second film
layer to define a segmented package opening, the plurality of cuts
include at least a first cut and a second cut; the first film layer
having a sealing panel that is releasable from the second film
layer to expose the segmented package opening; at least one cross
tie extending across the segmented package opening from a first
side of the segmented package opening to a second side and the
cross tie comprised of portions of the second film layer defined by
the second layer cuts such that the first end of the cross tie is
integrally formed with the first side of the segmented package
opening and the second end of the cross tie is integrally formed
with the second side of the segmented package opening; and wherein
the first cut of the second layer cuts is disposed adjacent a pull
tab that is lifted to open the package and the second cut of the
second layer cuts is disposed adjacent an end of the sealing panel
opposite the pull tab.
2. (canceled)
3. (canceled)
4. (canceled)
5. (canceled)
6. The package of claim 1, wherein the cross tie has resealable
adhesive disposed between the cross tie and the sealing panel when
the package is in the closed configuration.
7. (canceled)
8. The package of claim 1 wherein the upper flange provides a
reseal surface against which a consumer may push to reseal the
sealing panel to the second film layer.
9. (canceled)
10. (canceled)
11. The package of claim 1, wherein the opening window is disposed
adjacent a portion of discrete food articles such that a single
serving of the of discrete food articles is visible and easily
accessible through one of the opening windows.
12. (canceled)
13. The package of claim 1, wherein the sealing panel comprises a
discrete sealing label that is at least one of: cut from the first
film layer prior to forming package seals, cut from the first film
layer prior to the first film layer being attached to the second
film layer, or cut from the first film layer after the first film
layer is attached to the second film layer.
14. The package of claim 1, further comprising a first layer cut
formed into the first film layer during package manufacturing after
the first film layer and the second film layer are joined
together.
15. (canceled)
16. (canceled)
17. The package of claim 1, further comprising a package integrity
feature providing an indication to the consumer when the package
has been previously opened.
18. (canceled)
19. (canceled)
20. (canceled)
21. (canceled)
22. (canceled)
23. A package comprising: a formed tray with at least a first and a
second compartments adjacent one another, the first compartment
having a first wall forming at least a portion of the first
compartment and an upper end of the first wall with a flange
connected thereto and the second compartment having a second wall
forming at least a portion of the second compartment and having an
upper end of the second wall with a flange connected thereto, the
formed tray having at least one line of weakness disposed in
between the flanges of adjacent compartments; a sealing panel
attached to at least portions of the flanges, the sealing panel
having at least one line of weakness disposed therein, the sealing
panel having a pull tab without adhesive disposed thereon; and a
resealable adhesive disposed between portions of the flanges and
the sealing panel such that the sealing panel is releaseable and
resealable to the flange by grasping the pull tab; wherein one of
the compartments and a portion of the sealing panel may be removed
from a remainder of the package at the tray and panel lines of
weakness.
24. The package of claim 23 wherein the sealing panel has at least
two adhesive-free portions forming at least two pull tabs, wherein
a first pull tab is disposed adjacent a first end of the package
and a second pull tab is formed by the panel line of weakness
disposed across the sealing panel.
25. The package of claim 24 wherein one or both of the panel line
of weakness and the tray line of weakness includes one of an
arcuate portion or a linear line.
26. (canceled)
27. (canceled)
28. The package of claim 1 wherein the first cut is a closed loop
forming a flap that is lifted upward to expose a portion of the
segmented opening and the second cut includes a pair of ends
terminating in a tear-inhibiting feature.
29. The package of claim 1 wherein the resealable adhesive is
disposed throughout the area between the first and second film
layers outside of an area forming the pull tab.
30. The package of claim 1 further comprising a permanent adhesive
pattern applied in between portions of the first and second film
layer.
31. The package of claim 1 wherein the tray further comprises at
least a first compartment and a second compartment adjacent one
another, the first compartment having a first wall forming at least
a portion of the first compartment and an upper end of the first
wall with a first flange connected thereto and the second
compartment having a second wall forming at least a portion of the
second compartment and an upper end of the second wall with a
second flange connected thereto.
Description
RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
Application Ser. No. 61/824,261 filed May 16, 2013, which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] This disclosure relates generally to flexible packaging, and
in particular, to flexible packages with resealable openings.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Flexible film packages are known in the art for storing and
shipping products. These flexible film packages can provide a
lightweight package with a hermetic seal. A partial or substantial
hermetic seal makes such flexible film packages particularly useful
for storing a variety of food products, including, for example,
crackers, chewing gum, chocolate, cookies, cheese sandwiches,
biscuits, candy, meat products, and dried fruits and vegetables.
Further, such flexible film packages may be used for non-food
applications such as medical, pharmaceutical, or industrial
packaging applications. Depending on the product, some of these
flexible film packages also may contain structural supports, such
as a frame or tray, whereas others may only contain the products to
be packaged.
[0004] One type of flexible film package is formed from a single
web of material that is formed or wrapped around a product. These
types of packages can be formed by enveloping or wrapping the
product with the web of material and forming a longitudinal seal,
such as a fin, bottom, or lap seal with two edge portions of the
web of material. A pair of end seals may then be formed in the web
to form the packages. In other embodiments, packages may be brined
from more than a single web of material and with at least one
side-seal. Because these types of packages can provide hermetically
sealed enclosures, they are suitable for packaging food
products.
[0005] Flexible film packages have many advantages over other
containers. For example, flexible film packages may be manufactured
at a substantially lower cost than many entirely rigid containers
and may be substantially lighter in weight, which results in
reduced transportation costs. Further, by being primarily comprised
of flexible film, such packages do not require the same amount of
storage space as primarily rigid containers.
[0006] Though the packages are highly desirable for packing and
shipping, consumers sometimes have difficulty resealing the package
openings, especially if the package has a large opening, if the
film is not tightly wrapped around the contents or other structural
support, or if the structural support or contents is not oriented
to provide a supporting reseal surface under the sealing area.
SUMMARY
[0007] Flexible film packages having a resealable opening are
provided. The package is comprised of a flexible film with at least
a first film layer and a second film layer with a resealable
adhesive disposed between at least portions of the first and second
film layer. The flexible film defines at least a portion of an
interior cavity where contents, such as discrete food articles, can
be. stored and a package opening that provides access to the
discrete food articles. The package opening is a segmented opening
with a plurality of opening windows separated by cross ties that
extend between opposing sides of the opening to improve package
resealability.
[0008] As used herein, a segmented package opening has at least two
adjacent opening windows. These may be separated by a portion of
the second film layer, such as a cross tie. In such a
configuration, a single sealing panel may selectively cover at
least two opening windows that provide the user access to the
interior of the flexible film package. Flexible film packages with
such a configuration exhibit improved resealability. Further, the
cross ties help retain the size of the opening such that it does
not become too wide or bow outward along its sides, especially
during package resealing. If the package has an aligned reinforcing
structure, the resealing feature may be further improved by having
a supporting surface against which a user may press to reseal the
sealing panel with a remainder of the package,
[0009] In addition to improving the resealability of the package,
the segmented opening may help consumers with portion control. More
particularly, the sealing panel and the segmented package opening
allow the contents to be sequentially exposed as the sealing panel
is lifted to sequentially expose the opening windows. As outlined
timber below, a reinforcing; structure within the package may
further assist with sequential exposure or access to the package
contents.
[0010] By one approach, the flexible film has a first pair of edge
portions forming a first end seal, a second pair of edge portions
forming a second end seal, and a third pair of edge portions
forming a longitudinal seal extending from the first end seal to
the second end seal. As used herein, a longitudinal seal may
include a lap seal with edges of the film overlapping one another
or a fin seal with the inner portions of the third pair of edge
portions sealed together. In other approaches, the flexible film
may have a number of side seals. Whether end seals, side seals, or
longitudinal seals, the seals formed in the flexible film package
may have at least a partial, initial hermetic seal to provide at
least a partial barrier against ambient atmosphere. More
particularly, to extend the shelf-life of products contained within
the flexible film package, the seals forming the package may be
hermetic or at least partially or substantially hermetic. To that
end, the package may include seals formed by a variety of processes
such as, for example, a hot seal process, a cold seal process, a
low tack seal process (including employing a low tack adhesive or
fastener), a sonic waves process, and combinations thereof.
[0011] To provide a user or consumer sufficient access to the
articles within the flexible film package a segmented opening is
provided. By one approach, the opening is large enough to provide
access to each of the discrete food articles within the flexible
film package once a sealing panel, which covers the segmented
opening, is released and lifted upward from a remainder of the
flexible film package. The configuration of the opening may depend,
in part, on the configuration of the flexible package and the
articles therein. Thus, an elongated package may have an elongated
opening to thereby allow sufficient access to each of the articles
within the package.
[0012] In one configuration, the discrete food articles are
configured to he accessed and removed individually through the
segmented package opening. By one approach, a second out or series
of cuts formed in the second film layer defines the segmented
package opening. The segmented package opening may have cross ties
extending across the package opening. In one example, the cross tie
is comprised of portions of the second film layer defined by the
series of second cuts. Further, a first end of the cross tie may be
integrally formed with a first side of the segmented package
opening and a second end of the cross tie may be integrally formed
with, a second side of the segmented package opening. By one
approach, resealable adhesive is disposed between the cross tie and
the sealing panel when the flexible film package is in the closed
configuration. In one configuration, the cross tie has a width in
the range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm. In another configuration,
the cross tie has a width in the range of about 2 mm to about 5
mm.
[0013] Further, in one illustrative embodiment, the package has one
cross tie that forms two opening windows through which the discrete
food articles can be accessed and removed from the package. In
another illustrative embodiment, the package has two cross ties
disposed across the segmented opening to form three opening windows
through which the discrete food articles can be accessed and
removed from the package. It is anticipated that numerous cross
ties and associated opening windows may be formed in the
package.
[0014] By one approach, a first cut in the first film layer forms a
sealing panel that is releasable from the second film layer to
expose the segmented package opening. As outlined further below,
the flexible film package may be formed in a variety of manners.
For example, the sealing label may be a discrete label that is
applied to the second film layer. In such a configuration the first
cut of the sealing panel creates a discrete sealing label that is
provided as the sealing panel. In such embodiments, the first and
second film layers forming the flexible film are not coextensive
with one another. In other configurations, the flexible film
package may be comprised of coextensive flexible film layers such
that the sealing panel and segmented package opening are built-into
the package. For example, the first cut may be formed during
manufacturing of the package after the first film layer and the
second film layer are joined together. In yet another approach, the
flexible film package has a first film layer with a length or width
that is shorter than the length or width of the associated second
film layer, and the other of the length of width is substantially
coextensive with the second film layer.
[0015] To permit a user easy access to the contents, such as the
discrete food articles, within the flexible film package, the
sealing panel may have a gripping portion such as a pull tab. Also,
to prevent unauthorized opening of the package, the package may
further include a package integrity feature that provides a
consumer or user an indication when the package has been previously
opened.
[0016] As discussed herein, a resealable adhesive may include any
adhesive or cohesive that provides for resealing or readhering the
first and second film layers together after the package has been
opened. By one approach, the resealable adhesive may be disposed
throughout the area between the first and second film layers. In
other configurations, the resealable adhesive is disposed in only
some areas between the first and second film layers such that the
resealable adhesive may be pulse coated or pattern applied.
Depending on the package formed, the pattern application process
may dispose only resealable adhesive, or it can dispose permanent
adhesive in addition to the resealable adhesive.
[0017] In one approach, the pressure sensitive or resealable
adhesive is neutral and non-reactive with the product being
packaged. For example, the pressure sensitive or resealable
adhesive may include a cold formed adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, a
cold seal adhesive, a natural or synthetic latex adhesive, a low
tack adhesive, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), an acrylic adhesive
(such as a water-based or solvent acrylic adhesive), a styrene
block copolymer adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive, a silicone
rubber adhesive, a natural rubber adhesive, a nitriles adhesive, an
acrylic emulsion adhesive, an acrylic water-based adhesive, and
combinations thereof. Further, the pressure sensitive or resalable
adhesive may be extruded, coextruded, printed, or a combination
thereof.
[0018] As described herein, the cuts may be mechanical or laser
scored cuts formed in a variety of manners or processes.
[0019] By one approach, a laminate for producing flexible film
packages includes a web of flexible film having a web thickness, a
web width and a longitudinal axis, wherein the web has at least
first and second film layers with a resealable adhesive disposed in
between at least portions of the first and second film layers. In
one aspect, the web of flexible film is configured to be formed
into a series of packages or portions of a series of packages where
each package includes a first cut in the first film layer to form a
sealing panel that is releasable from the second film layer to
expose a segmented package opening and a series of series of second
cuts in the second film layer to form the segmented package
opening. Thus, a repeating pattern is disposed in the first and
second film layers of the web. In another aspect, the web of
flexible film is configured to be formed into a series of packages
or portions thereof where each package includes a second film layer
with cuts therein defining a segmented package opening and a
sealing panel disposed over the portion of the second layer having
the cuts formed therein.
[0020] In one illustrative embodiment, the package includes a
package opening tab built into the laminate. By one approach, the
first film layer has a width that is smaller than the width of the
second film layer. By yet another approach, the first and second
film layers have the same widths such that the film layers are
substantially coextensive with one another.
[0021] The flexible film packages may have a variety of
configurations, including, for example, a bag, a pouch, a
rectilinear-shape, a cylindrical-shape similar to a slug package,
and a column-shape, among others. By one approach, the package
configuration and shape are primarily influenced by the products
contained within the package, in part, due to the flexibility of
the flexible film laminate. By yet another approach, the package
configuration is primarily influenced by structure within the
package such as an internal reinforcing structure or structure
forming an external portion of the package.
[0022] In some configurations, such a reinforcing structure may
include a semi-rigid frame or tray, a rigid frame or tray, a
paperboard frame or tray, or any other supporting structure
contained within the package besides the food product or articles.
In one illustrative embodiment, the reinforcing structure includes
an upper flange that provides a reseal surface upon which a
consumer may push to reseal the sealing panel to the second film
layer. In yet another embodiment, the reinforcing structure does
not provide such a reseal surface. Further, in some configurations,
the package configuration and shape will be influence by both the
food product contained within the package and the internal
reinforcing structure.
[0023] The flexible film packages may be produced in a number of
manners. For example, the flexible film packages may be formed
around the food product or may be fully or partially formed and
then filled with the food products. In addition, it is anticipated
that the flexible film packages may be formed in-line just before
the food product is packaged or formed around the food product. In
some applications, it may be desirable to form the flexible film
laminate or even the entire flexible film package off-line well
before the products are packaged.
[0024] In yet another configuration, the flexible film package has
a tray with an upper surface or flange upon which the flexible film
is directly adhered to form the package interior. In one approach,
the flexible film has a series of cuts that form the segmented
package opening and a sealing panel disposed over the segmented
package opening. The segmented package opening also may have cross
ties extending across the opening. It is anticipated that several
such flexible film packages may be formed together and such
packages may have, a line of weakness, such as a perforation line
or score line, usable to separate the packages. In this manner, the
line of weakness permits the trays and the flexible film of
adjacent packages to be easily separated from one another. In
configurations where the flexible film is adhered to an upper
surface of a tray, the first film layer of the flexible film may
include a discrete label, may be coextensive with the second film
layer, or may have a length or width that is shorter than the
length or width of the associate second film layer.
[0025] By another approach, the tray may form separate package
compartments for the food contents. A line of weakness, such as a
perforation line or score line, may extend through the tray, such
that a consumer or user may remove one of the individual
compartments from the remainder of the package. In such a
configuration, the entire sealing panel may remain attached to the
remainder of the package such that the sealing panel may be wrapped
around at least a portion of the remaining compartments. Thus, a
consumer can remove the empty compartments from the remainder of
the package before storing the package.
[0026] In another configuration, the flexible film package may
include a tray with a single layer of film attached to the flange.
In such a configuration, the sealing panel may have at least one
line of weakness disposed therein and multiple pull tabs. Further,
the tray may have at least two compartments with a wall and a
flange attached to the upper end of the wall. The compartments may
be joined at their flanges where a line of weakness in the tray may
be disposed. The panel line of weakness and tray line of weakness
may be disposed adjacent one another and further may he linear or
may include an arcuate portion.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a first exemplary embodiment;
[0028] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the flexible package of FIG.
1 in a partial open configuration;
[0029] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the flexible package of FIG.
2 in a further open configuration;
[0030] FIG. 4 is a top schematic view of a segment of a laminate
configurable to form the package of FIG. 1;
[0031] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of the flexible package of
FIG. 1 taken along line 5-5.
[0032] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a second exemplary embodiment;
[0033] FIG. 7 is a cross section of the flexible package of FIG. 6
taken along line 7-7;
[0034] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative flexible
package in accordance a third exemplary embodiment;
[0035] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the flexible package of FIG.
8 in a partial open configuration;
[0036] FIG. 10 is a top schematic view of a segment of a laminate
configurable to form the package of FIG. 8;
[0037] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment;
[0038] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the flexible package of
FIG. 11 in a partial open configuration;
[0039] FIG. 13 is a top schematic view of a segment of a laminate
configurable to form the package of FIG. 11;
[0040] FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment;
[0041] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the flexible package of
FIG. 14 with additional flexible film packages disposed adjacent
thereto;
[0042] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment;
[0043] FIG. 17 is a perspective view of the flexible package of
FIG. 16 in a partial open configuration;
[0044] FIG. 18 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with an seventh exemplary embodiment;
[0045] FIG. 19 is a perspective view of the flexible package of
FIG. 18 in a further open configuration;
[0046] FIG. 20 is a bottom view of a portion of the flexible film
package of FIG. 19;
[0047] FIG. 21 is perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with an eighth exemplary embodiment;
[0048] FIG. 22 is a perspective view of the package of FIG. 20 in a
further open configuration;
[0049] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of a flexible package in
accordance with a ninth exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0050] Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1,
an illustrative flexible film package 5 is depicted. The flexible
film package 5 is formed from a flexible film laminate 10 (see,
e.g., FIG. 4) and includes a first film layer 12 and a second film
layer 14. A pressure sensitive adhesive or resealable adhesive 16
(see, e.g., FIG. 2) is disposed between portions of the first film
layer 12 and the second film layer 14. In the configuration of
FIGS. 1-4, the resealable adhesive 16 is continuously disposed
between the first and second film layers 12, 14, except for the
portion that becomes the opening feature or pull tab 8.
[0051] The flexible film laminate 10 may be formed into series of
flexible film packages 5 having interior cavities 18 and a set of
package seals. As discussed above, a variety of different package
configurations may be formed. In the illustrative embodiment of
FIG. 1, the package has a cylindrical shape or a slug
configuration. For example, the flexible film package 5 includes a
first pair of edge portions 20 that are formed into a first end
seal 22, a second pair of edge portions 24 that become a second end
seal 26, and a third pair of edge portions 28 that are formed into
a longitudinal seal 30 (FIG. 5). The flexible film laminate is
wrapped around the product or contents (possibly along with a
reinforcing structure) or may be configured to form an interior
cavity to subsequently receive the product. The third edge portions
28 are joined together and sealed together to thereby form a
portion of an interior cavity that is completely sealed once the
end seals 22 and 26 are formed into the flexible film laminate 10.
The interior cavity may hold a food product 6, such as discrete
food articles, or other consumer products. As illustrated in FIGS.
2 and 3, the food products 6 disposed within the flexible film
package 5 are accessible through a segmented package opening 38
that is disposed on the face of the package in between end seals
22, 26.
[0052] A sealing panel 40 is disposed over the segmented package
opening 38. In one configuration, the sealing panel 40 is defined
by a first cut 42 in the first film layer 12. The illustrative
example of package 5 has a discrete label 41 providing the sealing
panel 40, which has been formed by the first cut 42 prior to
application of the discrete label 41 to the second film layer 14.
More particularly, the scaling panel 40 may be a discrete label 41
cut from a portion of the first film layer 12 and this may occur
prior to the creation of the package seals. In one approach, the
discrete label 41 may be provided on a substrate that is removed
prior to or after the application of the discrete label 41 onto the
second film layer 14.
[0053] The segmented package opening 38 includes a plurality of
opening widows 32 with a cross tie 34 disposed therebetween. The
opening windows 32a, 32b, 32c are defined by a second cut 44
disposed in the second film layer 14. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the
second cut 44 may comprise a plurality of distinct cuts 44a, 44b,
44c formed into the second film. layer 14 to create a plurality of
opening windows 32a, 32b, 32c. The second cuts 44 may form flaps 48
in the second film layer 14 that are lifted from the remainder of
the second film layer 14 when the sealing panel 40 is lifted to
expose the opening windows 32 of the segmented package opening
40.
[0054] The segmented package opening 38 has a plurality of flaps
48a, 48b, 48c that are lifted, at least partially, from the second
film layer 14 to expose the opening windows 32a, 32b, 32c. In one
configuration, two of these flaps 48a, 48h are formed from second
cuts 44a, 44b that are closed loops to form discrete panels that
can be completely lifted from the remainder of the second film
layer 14. In FIG. 1, one of the second cuts 44c is not a closed
loop, but instead, has ends that each form a hook, which inhibits
tear propagation and helps keep the sealing panel 40 attached to a
remainder of the package 5. Further, this creates a flap 48c that
cannot be entirely disconnected from the remainder of the second
film layer 14.
[0055] In a second configuration, illustrated in FIG. 6, a package
35 similar to package 5 is shown. Whereas FIG. 1 includes a second
cut 44c that has first and second ends with a hook, the second cut
344c in FIG. 6 has no end and forms a closed loop. Thus, the flap
348c formed by the second cut 344c can easily he disconnected from
the remainder of the second film layer 314. In this configuration,
if a user or consumer anticipates consuming all of the food product
within the package 35, such that the consumer is not interested in
easily resealing the package, the consumer may want to entirely
remove the sealing panel 340 (comprised of the discrete label 341)
from a remainder of the package 35. Thus, in such a configuration
each of the flaps 348a, 348h, 348c, formed by the second cuts 344a,
344b, 344c respectively, may be easily detachable from a remainder
of the second film layer 314 such that the sealing panel 340 is
easily removable from the package 35. FIG. 7 illustrates a cross
section of the package of FIG. 6 with the second layer 314 of the
flexible film wrapped around the food product 36 and the sealing
panel 340 disposed over the flap 348b formed by the second cuts
344b.
[0056] Returning to FIG. 1, the second cuts 44a, 44b, 44c formed in
the second film layer 14 also define the cross ties 34. The cross
ties 34 are narrow portions of the second film layer 14 that
extends across the segmented package opening 38. The cross ties 34
are relatively narrow and do not interfere with a consumer's
ability to remove any of the food product 6 disposed within the
package 5. Nonetheless, the cross ties 34 are substantial enough to
withstand the forces associated with opening and closing the
package 5 and do not tear, snap, or break during normal, regular
opening and reclosing of the package. The cross tie 34 may extend
across the package opening 38 is any direction, including, for
example, the machine or cross-machine direction. In the
illustrative embodiment of FIG. 1, a first width of the cross tie
is determine by the land space of the second film layer 14 in
between the second cuts 44a and 44b and the second width of the
cross tie is determined by the land space of the second film layer
14 in between the second cuts 44b and 44c.
[0057] In one configuration, the cross tie 34 has a width in the
range of about 1 mm to about 20 mm. In another configuration, the
cross tie 34 has a width in the range of about 2 mm to about 5
mm.
[0058] A first end of the cross tie 34 may be integrally formed
with a first side of the segmented package opening 38 and a second
end of the cross tie may be integrally formed with a second side of
the segmented package opening 38. By one approach, the resealable
adhesive 16 is disposed between the cross tie 34 and the sealing
panel 40 when the flexible film package 5 is in the closed
configuration. The cross ties 34 improve the resealability of the
package 5 in a number of manners. First, the cross ties 34 help
keep the sides of the segmented package opening 38 in spaced
relation to one another, for example, by preventing the sides from
bowing outwardly from one another to a large degree. Second, the
resealable adhesive 16 disposed between the cross ties 34 and the
sealing label 40 help reseal the package opening when the package 5
is in the closed configuration.
[0059] To access the contents or food product 6 within the flexible
film package 6, a user or consumer only needs to expose a portion
of the segmented package opening 38. For example, as shown in FIG.
2, in a partial open configuration, a first opening window 32a is
opened. Such a staged opening of the package 5 may be particularly
useful for a consumer who needs a bit of help with portion control.
In one illustrative embodiment, a portion of the discrete food
articles, such as a single serving, is visible and accessible
through each of the opening windows. In this manner, the consumer
has the satisfaction of eating all of the discrete food articles
that can be seen through the opening window. The portion control
feature may be furthered by having a reinforcing structure block
the visibility of the other food product disposed in the remainder
of the flexible film package 5.
[0060] As suggested, one of the opening windows 32 may be disposed
adjacent a portion of the discrete food articles such that a single
serving of the discrete food articles is visible and easily
accessible through one of the opening windows. These separate
opening windows easily indicate to the consumer the amount of the
discrete food articles that corresponds to a single serving size.
In this manner, the package assists consumers with portion control
with regard to the food product.
[0061] To further assist consumers with portion control, the
sealing panel 40 may require a spike or increase in the opening
force when the sealing panel 40 is being lifted beyond each of the
flaps 48. As the sealing panel 40 is lifted from the package, once
the point of separation has reached the flap 48a, the sealing panel
40 generally becomes easier to lift. This occurs because prior to
that position, sealing panel 40 is being separated from a larger
portion of the second film layer 14 (across the width of the
sealing panel 40), which necessitates separating the resealable
adhesive 16 from the second film layer 14 across its entire width.
Upon reaching the location of the flap 48a, the sealing panel 40
becomes easier to lift because the flap 48a remains with the
sealing panel 40, and thus, the area or portion of the sealing
panel 40 being separated from the second film layer 14 (along the
sides of the flap 48a) is smaller. When the sealing panel 40 has
been lifted such that the flap 48a is completely separated from the
second film layer 14, the sealing panel 40 must be separated from
the cross tie 34 formed of the second film layer 14. This
separation requires more force. Thus, at this point, the force
required to further open the package becomes greater due to the
resealable adhesive 16 disposed between the cross tie 34 and the
sealing panel 40. The increased force required to further open the
package 5 may indicate that the consumer is opening another
compartment or opening window and thereby accessing another serving
of the food articles,
[0062] In one illustrative example, the package will have, a number
of opening windows that corresponds to the number of servings
within the package. In such a configuration, the window openings 32
may be equally sized. In other configurations, the window openings
32 may be dissimilarly sized.
[0063] The flexible film package 5 also may include a reinforcing
structure 46. The reinforcing structure 46 may include a semi-rigid
frame or tray, a rigid frame or tray, a paperboard frame or tray,
or any other supporting structure contained within the package
besides the food product or articles. By one approach, the
reinforcing structure 46 may include a surface such as an upper
flange that provides a reseal surface. In one example, the
reinforcing structure 46 includes a bottom 46a, sides 46b, and one
or more reinforcing ribs 46e that extend from one side of the
reinforcing structure 46 to another side of the reinforcing
structure 46. In one configuration, the reinforcing ribs 46c extend
across the flexible film package 5 and are disposed below the cross
ties 34.
[0064] By one approach, the reinforcing ribs 46c extend
sufficiently upward from the bottom 46a such that the reinforcing
rib 46c may block or impede access, including visual access, to the
food articles from the adjacent opening windows 32. In such a
configuration, the reinforcing structure 46 may have separate
compartments into which the food contents 6 are disposed. By one
approach, the reinforcing rib 46e extends from the bottom 46a to
over half way up the height of the package. In another
configuration, the reinforcing rib 46c extends from the bottom 46a
to near or at the top of the flexible film package 5. For example,
if the flexible film package 5 is in the partially open
configuration such that the sealing panel 40 has been pulled upward
to expose only opening window 32a, the user can access and remove
the discrete food articles 6 below the opening window 32a. Further,
in a configuration with raised reinforcing ribs 46c, the consumer
may only see and access the discrete food articles 6 below the
opening window 32a and not those disposed below opening window
32b.
[0065] As suggested above, the sealing panel 40 may have a gripping
portion or a pull tab 8 that a user or consumer can grasp to lift
the sealing panel 40 and open the flexible film package 5. The pull
tab 8 may be formed in a variety of manners. By one approach, the
pull tab 8 is disposed in an area where the resealable adhesive 16
is not applied (see, e.g., FIG. 13). In yet another approach, the
pull tab 8 may be formed by applying a deadening agent to any
resealable adhesive 16 disposed in the area designated as the pull
tab 8. In another configuration, a substrate or covering portion,
such as a cut portion of film, paper, or other material, is used to
cover the resealable adhesive 16 to create a pull tab 8.
[0066] To prevent unauthorized access to the food product within
the flexible film package 5, a package integrity feature may be
incorporated into the package. A number of different package
integrity features may be incorporated therein. For example, as
shown in FIG. 4, the second cut 44a may include a portion that
extends inwardly from an edge of the flap 48a such that a strip 52
of material is formed from the second film layer 14. Thus, during
the package opening, the strip 52 of material is stretched and
eventually snaps or breaks to indicate that the package has been
previously opened. By one approach, each of the opening windows of
the segmented opening has a package integrity feature incorporated
therein.
[0067] In a third embodiment, the flexible film package 15 has a
first film layer that extends the entire length of the package, but
does not extend the entire width of the package. The flexible film
package 15 is similar to the package 5 described above and the
reference characters illustrated in FIGS. 8-10 are similar to those
used to describe the flexible film package 5 with the addition of a
`1` preceding the remainder of the reference numeral. While
flexible film package 5 provided a discrete label 41 as the sealing
panel 40, the flexible film package 15 includes a sealing panel 140
from a continuous layer of film 43 that is disposed along the
entire width of length of the flexible film package 15. In this
manner, the flexible film package 15 will have a first film layer
112 than extends less that the entire width of the second film
layer 114.
[0068] By one approach, the continuous layer of film 43 is disposed
from the first end seal 122 to the second end seal 126. Further,
the first cut 142, which forms the sealing panel 140, is typically
formed after the first film layer 112 and the second film layer 114
are joined together. In one illustrative example, the web of
material, or matrix, outside the sealing panel 140 may be pulled up
from the package 15 after application of the first film layer 112
to the second film layer 114 and formation of the sealing panel
140. Thus, while the embodiment of FIG. 1 has a discrete sealing
panel 40, the flexible film package 15 of FIGS. 8-10 includes a
sealing panel 140 formed from a layer of film continuously disposed
from end to end of the flexible film package 15. In other
configurations, the layer of continuously disposed from may extend
from side to side of the flexible film package. Package 15 has a
segmented package opening 138 similar to that described above.
Further, the second cuts 144a, 144b, 114c form flaps 148a, 148b,
148c that are lifted from the remainder of the second film layer
114 to expose the segmented package opening 138.
[0069] In a fourth embodiment, the flexible film package 115 has
first and second film layers that are coextensive with one another.
The flexible film package 115 is similar to the packages 5, 15
described above and the reference characters illustrated in FIGS.
11-13 are similar to those described above with the addition of an
`11` preceding the remainder of the reference numeral. The
coextensive film layers 1112, 1114 have first and second cuts 1142,
1144 formed therein such that the segmented package opening 1138 is
built-in to the flexible film package 115. For example, the first
and second cuts 1142, 1144 are typically formed after the first and
second film layers 1112, 1114 are joined together. Thus, while the
previous embodiments had a second film layer 14, 114 that was
disposed over a portion of the first film layer 12, 112, the fourth
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 11-13 illustrates a package 115
with coextensive first and second film layers 1112, 1114. Similar
to the packages described above, the package 115 has a segmented
package opening 1138 that is formed by the second cuts 1144 in the
second film layer 1114. Further, the sealing panel 1140 is formed
by a first cut 1142 formed in the first film layer 1112.
[0070] In a fifth embodiment, shown in FIG, 14, the package 25 has
a tray 246 with a flange or an upper surface 237 to which the
flexible film 210 is adhered. The package 25 is similar to those
previously described and similar reference characters are preceded
by a `2`. By one approach, the second film layer 214 is adhered to
the upper surface 237 to seal the food contents 206 within the
package 205. In such a configuration, the second film layer 214 has
second cuts 244a, 244b disposed therein to create flaps 248a, 248b
that can be lifted from the remainder of the second film layer 214
to expose opening windows 32a, 32b through which the food contents
206 can be accessed and removed. To open the package 25, the user
may grasp the pull tab 208 and lift the sealing panel 240 upward
from a remainder of the package.
[0071] The package 25 provides a segmented package opening 238 that
can improve resealability of the package and assist with portion
control, but does not require an overwrap. The opening 238 has a
cross tie 234 formed by the series of second cuts 244a, 244b formed
in the second film layer 214. Additional second layer cuts 244 may
be incorporated into the package as well, depending on the number
of desired opening windows. Further, depending on the desired
configuration, the tray 246 may have reinforcing ribs or other
members that separate the interior 18 of the package 25 into
compartments similar to those discussed above. By one approach, the
reinforcing ribs may be disposed beneath the cross ties 234 to
provide a surface against which the consumer may push the sealing
panel 240 to readhere the sealing panel 240 to a remainder of the
package 25 and reseal the package 25. The second layer cuts 244a,
244b may be formed similarly to the cuts 44 in FIG. 1 or to the
cuts 344 in FIG. 6. If the second layer cuts 244a, 244b are formed
similarly to those illustrated in FIG. 1, the second layer cut 244a
disposed nearest the pull tab forms a closed loop such that a
separable flap (that can be completely separated from the remainder
of the second layer film 214) is lifted upward to expose a portion
of the segmented opening. Further, the second layer cut 244b may
have a pair of terminal ends that provide a tear-inhibiting feature
and may not form a closed loop to prevent the flap 248b from being
completely separated from the remainder of the second film layer
214. Regardless of the number of second layer cuts 244 and
corresponding window openings formed into the second layer 214, the
second layer cut 244b having the tear-inhibiting terminal ends
remains disposed adjacent an end of the sealing panel opposite the
pull tab.
[0072] FIG. 15 illustrates the flexible film package 25 disposed
adjacent similar, unopened flexible film packages 25. The flexible
film packages 25 may have edges that are connected together and may
have a line of weakness (such as a perforation line or score line)
disposed therein to make the flexible film packages 25 easily
separable from one another. Further, each of the packages 25 may
include the segmented package opening 238 that is easily
resealable. Though the embodiments of FIGS. 14 and 15 are
manufactured with packages formed adjacent thereto, the package 25
also may be manufactured as a stand-alone package without adjacent
packages connected thereto.
[0073] In a sixth embodiment, shown in FIGS. 16 and 17, the package
45, like package 25, has a tray 446 with a flange or an upper
surface 437 to which the flexible film 410 is adhered. The package
45 is similar to those previously described with similar reference
characters preceded by a `4`. While the package 25 had a tray with
one primary compartment that may be separated by reinforcing ribs,
the tray 446 has separate compartments 447 that have separate side
walls. In one embodiment, the flexible film 410 has a second film
layer 414 that is adhered to the upper surface 437 of the tray 446
and the second cuts 444 disposed in the second film layer 414
create the opening windows 432 through which the food articles 46
are accessed. To expose the opening windows 432 and access the food
contents 46, a sealing panel 440 is lifted upward from a remainder
of the package 45. The series of second cuts 444 form cross ties
434 in the second film layer 414 that extend across the segmented
package opening 438 and in between the opening windows 432.
[0074] In one illustrative embodiment, the distinct compartments
447 are separable from one another. These compartments 447 may be
separated before or after the contents within the distinct
compartments 447 have been consumed. In one approach, the tray 446
and flexible film 410 include a line of weakness 449, such as a
perforations line or a score line, disposed between the
compartments 447. By one approach, the line of weakness 449 is
disposed in the tray 449 and in the second film layer 12 at the
position of the cross ties 443. In this manner, a consumer can tear
off one compartment of the tray (such as compartment 447a) and the
portion of the second film layer 414 adhered to that portion of the
tray. Further, the entire sealing panel 440 may remain attached to
the remainder of the package 45 such that the sealing panel 440 may
be wrapped around the remaining portions of the tray 446 (such as
compartments 447b, 447c). In this configuration, the consumer does
not have to store the entire tray, but instead, can dispose of the
empty compartments of the tray prior to storing the food package
45.
[0075] In a seventh embodiment, shown in FIGS. 18-20, the package
55 has a tray 556 with a flange or upper surface 537 to which the
flexible film 510 is attached. The package 55 is similar to those
previously described with similar reference characters proceeded by
a `5`. While package 45 had a two-layer film 410, the package 55
has a single layer of film 510. More particularly, there is no
equivalent to the second film layer 414 in package 55. Instead, the
flexible film 510 forms the sealing panel 540 and adheres directly
to the upper surface 537 of the tray 556. In such a configuration,
the second film layer cannot form the cross ties. Instead, the
upper surface 537 of the tray 556 functions as a cross tie 534 that
improves the resealability of the seating panel 540. Further, the
package 55 has a resealable adhesive 516 disposed between the
sealing panel 540 and the cross tie 534 formed by the upper surface
537 of the tray 556, when the sealing panel 540 is in the closed
configuration. Further, without the second film layer, the opening
windows 532 are no longer formed by the series of second cuts in
the second film layer, but instead, are formed by the upper surface
537 of the tray 556.
[0076] In one approach, the tray 556 includes at least two
compartments 547. As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the flexible film
package 55 includes three compartments 547a, 547b, 547c. Each of
the compartments has a wall forming at least a portion of the
compartment and a flange at the upper end of the wall. The
compartments 547 are connected by the flange or upper surfaces 537,
The tray 556 also may include at least one line of weakness 549b
that permits the compartments 547 to be easily separated from one
another, similar to the lines of weakness 449 discussed above.
[0077] The package 55 includes a flexible film 510 forming a
sealing panel 540 over a top surface of the package 55. The scaling
panel 540 covers the opening windows 532 created at the top of the
compartments 547. The resealable adhesive 516 is disposed between
portions of the upper surface 537 of the tray 556 and the sealing
panel 540, The resealable adhesive 516 may not be disposed in the
portions of the sealing panel 540 forming a pull tab 58 and those
portions of the film 510 directly above the contents or the window
openings 532. FIG. 20 illustrates a bottom view of the sealing
panel 540. Sealing panel 540 includes a pattern applied resealable
adhesive 516, though the resealable adhesive 516 also may be
applied to the upper surface 537 of the tray, as opposed to the
sealing panel 540.
[0078] The sealing panel 540 may further include at least one line
of weakness 549a. In one configuration, the panel lines of weakness
549a are disposed adjacent the tray lines of weakness 549b disposed
in the tray. With the lines of weakness 549a, 549b disposed
adjacent one another, a consumer can detach a compartment 547 and a
portion 511 of the sealing panel 540 from a remainder of the
package 55.
[0079] To assist with opening the package 55 once a portion (such
as compartment 547a and a portion 511 of sealing panel 540) has
been removed from the package 55, a second pull tab 58b may be
formed by the line of weakness 549a, In addition, the adhesive 516
may be pattern applied such that no adhesive, is disposed in this
portion of the sealing panel 540. The pull tabs 58a, 58b, 58c may
take a variety of configurations. In one configuration, the pull
tabs 58a, 58h, 58c have an arcuate portion. In another
configuration, the pull tabs 58a, 58b, 58c are linear. In one
example, a first edge of the sealing panel 540 with the pull tab
58a disposed thereon has an arcuate configuration, as well as the
corresponding edge of the tray 547. In another example, however,
one of the first edge of the sealing panel 540 or the corresponding
edge of the tray 547 is linear whereas the other edge has an
arcuate portion. Therefore, in one illustrative configuration, the
pull tab 58a, 58b, 58c have an arcuate portion and the
corresponding edge of the tray 547 is linear.
[0080] Similar to the packages described above, package 55 may
assist consumers with portion control by requiring a spike or
increate in the opening force when the sealing panel 540 is being
lifted beyond the opening window 532. As the sealing panel 540 is
lifted from the package 55, the required opening force is larger
prior to the opening window 532 because the resealable adhesive 516
is disposed across a larger area prior to the opening window 532.
Further, upon reaching the location of the opening window 532, the
sealing panel 540 becomes easier to lift because less resealable
adhesive 516 is adhering the sealing panel 540 to the tray 556
across the package width. Further, when the sealing panel 540 has
been lifted beyond the window 532, the sealing panel 540 must be
separated from cross tie 534, and this separation requires more
force. Thus, at this point, the force required to further open the
package becomes greater due to the resealable adhesive 516 disposed
between the cross tie 534 and the sealing panel 540. The increased
force required to further open the package 55 may indicate to the
consumer that another compartment or opening window is being
accessed and that the consumer is thereby accessing another serving
of the food articles. In another approach, the resealable adhesive
516 near the line of weakness 549 may be stronger that the rest of
the resealable adhesive 516. For example, the resealable adhesive
516 may be disposed or treated in a manner such that the required
opening force required to lift the sealing panel 540 from the
package at the location of the line of weakness 549 is larger.
[0081] Despite the addition of the lines of weakness 449, 549 and
adjacent compartments 447, 547, the packages 45, 55 operate similar
those previously described because the force required to separate
the compartments 447, 547 operates in a different direction that
the force required to opening the package 45, 55 by lifting the
sealing panel 440, 540 from the trays 446, 546.
[0082] In another configuration, the package 65 (FIGS. 21 and 22)
has a segmented opening 638 in a different orientation. The package
65 is similar to those previously described with similar reference
characters proceeded by a `6`. The segmented package opening 638
has a cross tie 634 that extends the length of the package 65 and
may be formed in the machine direction or the cross machine
direction, if desired. The cross tie 634 is formed similarly to
those described above by forming a series of second cuts 644 in the
second film layer 614. Though the cross tie 634 is longer than
those described above, it may still have a width in the range of
about 1 mm to about 20 mm and, in some configurations, between
about 2 mm to about 5 mm.
[0083] Another alternative configuration is illustrated in FIG. 23.
The package 75 is similar to previously described packages, but
with similar reference characters proceeded by a `7`. The segmented
package opening 738 of the package 75 has cross ties 734 that
extend in two directions. By one approach, the cross ties 734
extend in both the machine and cross-machine direction. In this
manner, the sealing panel 740 may have additional portions of the
second film layer 714 to which it can reseal. A package with a
larger or unusually shaped opening may be a particularly good
candidate for cross ties 734 that extend in multiple
directions.
[0084] As used herein, the flexible film laminate may he formed of
a variety of materials and can be disposed as a web of material on
a roll or as individual blanks. For example, the flexible film
laminate may be laminated, extruded, cast, blown, or a combination
thereof By one approach, the flexible film laminate may include
several thin layers of material, such as thin layers of a polymer
material. More specifically, the structure of the flexible film
laminate may include a polyethylene terephthalate (PET) layer,
polyethylene, an oriented polyproplylene (OPP) layer, a polylactic
acid (PIA) layer, a single layer (mono-web) polymer, a sealant
layer (such as ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), ionomer plastic,
matallicine, organoclay, and the like), an ink or print layer,
nylon, a metalized layer, such as a metalized oriented
polypropylene (MET OPP) layer, paper, foil, an adhesive, and/or a
non-woven material, among others. These various layers may he
included in the flexible film laminate and may have a variety of
thicknesses and densities.
[0085] In one illustrative approach, the flexible film laminate may
be a combination of several of the above-mentioned materials or
film structures. For example, one flexible film laminate structure
may include a PET layer, an ink layer, an adhesive layer, and a
bi-axially oriented polypropylene (BOPP) layer. In another example,
the structure may include a BOPP layer, an ink layer, a low-density
polyethylene layer, and a metalized OPP. In yet another
configuration, the structure may include a surface lacquer layer,
an ink layer, and a cavitated OPP. Further, the components of the
flexible film laminate may be joined, for example, by adhesives or
by an extrusion process. Though the flexible film laminate may be
described herein as having a first film layer, a second film layer,
and/or an adhesive layer, the laminate may include additional
layers beyond these three layers, and one of skill in the art would
be able to adopt the teachings herein to accommodate additional
layers of the flexible film laminate.
[0086] As noted above, the pressure sensitive or resealable
adhesive may include a cold formed adhesive, a hot melt adhesive, a
cold seal adhesive, a natural or synthetic latex adhesive, a low
tack adhesive, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), an acrylic adhesive
(such as a water-based or solvent acrylic adhesive), a styrene
block copolymer adhesive, a butyl rubber adhesive, a silicone
rubber adhesive, a natural rubber adhesive, a nitriles adhesive, an
acrylic emulsion adhesive, an acrylic water-based adhesive, and
combinations thereof. In one illustrative embodiment, the pressure
sensitive adhesive may include a magnetic substrate that reseals or
recloses the package. For example, a magnetic material or
magnetizable material may be incorporated into the film web to
assist with reclosing the package. Similar releasable closures are
illustrated in PCT International Application Nos.
PCT/US2011/054119, filed Sep. 30, 2011, PCT/US2011/057982, filed
Oct. 27, 2011, and PCT/US2011/058063, filed Oct. 27, 2011, which
are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
[0087] Those skilled in the art will recognize that a wide variety
of modifications, alterations, and combinations can be made with
respect to the above described embodiments without departing from
the scope of the invention, and that such modifications,
alterations, and combinations are to be viewed as being within the
ambit of the inventive concept.
* * * * *