Abstract: A container lid is formed as a flexible laminate of an upper layer and a lower layer and having a built-in opening feature. A pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness are formed in the laminate, an outer one of the lines of weakness being formed in the upper layer and an inner one of the lines of weakness being formed in the lower layer. The upper and lower layers in an annular region between the lines of weakness are readily peeled apart. The upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a greater peel strength than that required to separate the layers in the annular region.

Abstract: A container having an integrated bottom end closure subassembly. The container includes a top opening and bottom opening. The top opening is initially closed and sealed with a top membrane while the bottom opening is closed by the end closure subassembly. The subassembly includes an end cap and a bottom membrane. The subassembly is configured so that positioning the end cap onto the container to close the bottom opening positions the bottom membrane near the container. The bottom membrane may be sealed to the container. Once the bottom membrane is sealed to the container, the end cap may be removed from the container independently from the bottom membrane. The end cap provides protection to the bottom membrane during shipping and handling and then is used by the consumer to reclose the top opening once the top membrane is removed.

Abstract: A container lid is formed as a flexible laminate of an upper layer and a lower layer and having a built-in opening feature. A pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness are formed in the laminate, an outer one of the lines of weakness being formed in the upper layer and an inner one of the lines of weakness being formed in the lower layer. The upper and lower layers in an annular region between the lines of weakness are readily peeled apart. The upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a greater peel strength than that required to separate the layers in the annular region.

Abstract: A lid for a container having a built-in opening feature comprises a flexible laminate comprising an upper layer and a lower layer, a pair of radially spaced concentric lines of weakness being formed in the laminate, an outer one of the lines of weakness being formed in the upper layer and an inner one of the lines of weakness being formed in the lower layer, wherein the upper and lower layers in an annular region between the lines of weakness are readily peeled apart, and wherein the upper and lower layers outside the annular region are laminated together with an adhesive providing a bond with a greater peel strength than that required to separate the layers in the annular region.

Abstract: A packaging material, a method of making such a material, and a package made from such material, are disclosed. A substrate comprises at least one sheet of plastic material. An energy-curable coating is applied to one side of the substrate, which will be the outside of the eventual package. The energy-curable coating is cured by exposing it to an electron beam or other appropriate energy. A cold-seal cohesive coating is applied to the other side of the substrate. The package is formed by pressing together portions of the inside surface of at least one sheet of the material having the cold-seal cohesive coating on them to form a seal. Preferably, the cold-seal cohesive coating is applied only to those portions of the material that are to form seams in the eventual package.

Abstract: A packaging material, a method of making such a material, and a package made from such material, are disclosed. A substrate comprises at least one sheet of plastic material. An energy-curable coating is applied to one side of the substrate, which will be the outside of the eventual package. The energy-curable coating is cured by exposing it to an electron beam or other appropriate energy. A cold-seal cohesive coating is applied to the other side of the substrate. The package is formed by pressing together portions of the inside surface of at least one sheet of the material having the cold-seal cohesive coating on them to form a seal. Preferably, the cold-seal cohesive coating is applied only to those portions of the material that are to form seams in the eventual package.

Abstract: A laminate for gum packaging is defined. The laminate includes a metal layer, a polymer layer, a paper layer, and an electron beam cured coating. The laminate provides as good or better barrier properties as a conventional laminate for gum packaging. However, the laminate has “reacted-in” slip agents in the electron beam cured coating, thereby avoiding the common problems of slip agent migration. Further, the laminate of the invention is more economical to produce than is the conventional laminate.

Abstract: A sealed composite container for products is provided having a paperboard body ply with a liner ply adhered on the inner surface thereof. One end of the container is rolled outwardly to form a rim and exposing the inner surface of the liner ply, which comprises a heat sealable composition. A lid for the container, also having a layer of heat sealable composition, is placed adjacent to the exposed heat sealable composition of the container liner and heat sealed thereto. The heat seal has both an inner and an outer bead formed on either side of the heat sealed area, wherein the inner bead comprises a larger amount of the heat seal compositions than the outer bead. A method and apparatus for forming the heat seal is also provided.

Abstract: A method of producing and using a preprinted label with pressure sensitive adhesive and an electron beam cured release coating is described. The label is formed from a web on which surface printing and the release coating are provided on one side. The pressure sensitive adhesive is pattern applied to the opposite side of the web. One or more processing additives in the release coating include a functional group which reacts into the electron beam cured network during cross-linking. The reacted-in additives are non-migratory and do not bloom out of the coating or adversely affect the PSA when the web is wound up in a roll.

Abstract: A packaging material, a method of making such a material, and a package made from such material, are disclosed. A substrate comprises at least one sheet of plastic material. An energy-curable coating is applied to one side of the substrate, which will be the outside of the eventual package. The energy-curable coating is cured by exposing it to an electron beam or other appropriate energy. A cold-seal cohesive coating is applied to the other side of the substrate. The package is formed by pressing together portions of the inside surface of at least one sheet of the material having the cold-seal cohesive coating on them to form a seal. Preferably, the cold-seal cohesive coating is applied only to those portions of the material that are to form seams in the eventual package.

Abstract: A packaging material, a method of making such a material, and a package made from such material, are disclosed. A substrate comprises at least one sheet of plastic material. An energy-curable coating is applied to one side of the substrate, which will be the outside of the eventual package. The energy-curable coating is cured by exposing it to an electron beam or other appropriate energy. A cold-seal cohesive coating is applied to the other side of the substrate. The package is formed by pressing together portions of the inside surface of at least one sheet of the material having the cold-seal cohesive coating on them to form a seal. Preferably, the cold-seal cohesive coating is applied only to those portions of the material that are to form seams in the eventual package.

Abstract: A printing process is provided in which a conductive ink is printed over a printed pattern formed by a coating having an additive that lowers surface tension. Printed electrical elements and antennae (including RFID antennae) are formed using this process. The coating with the surface tension lowering additive is printed on a substrate in a predetermined pattern. A conductive ink is then applied over the coating and, because of the difference in surface tension between the coating and the substrate, the ink flows away from the coating. The conductive ink dries between the printed coating pattern and forms the conductive element.

Abstract: A multi-ply composite container for consumer products is provided having a tubular body ply and a film label ply. The tubular body ply is formed of paperboard material, and the film label ply is peelably adhered to the outer surface of the tubular body ply. The film label ply is comprised of a polymeric film having inner and outer layers formed from polymeric materials. The inner layer is permanently bonded to the outer layer such that the layers provide a film label ply having predictable tear characteristics, yet having the necessary strength to prevent premature rupture of the container. An adhesive is applied on at least a portion of the inner layer of the film label ply. The adhesive is for peelably adhering the label ply to the outer surface of the tubular body ply. A plurality of perforations or a laser score may also be included for directed a tear in the film label ply. Graphical matter can be included on at least a portion of the inner or outer layer of the film label ply.

Abstract: A method of printing and the resulting printed product is disclosed which provides a three dimensional raised look and feel without requiring expensive embossing rollers. A surface tension lowering additive is added to ink or clear resin or varnish, and the ink is printed onto a substrate in a pattern of substantially parallel lines, leaving spaces of substrate exposed between the lines of ink or clear resin or varnish. The clear resin or varnish may also be printed on a clear film and ink is then printed on the resin or varnish. The film can then be laminated to a metallized film, foil or other reflective surface. A resin coating is applied over the printed pattern. The resin collects in the areas of exposed substrate due to the differential surface tension. The result is a pattern of raised resin profile ridges oriented along the pattern of ink lines.

Abstract: A printing process is provided in which a conductive ink is printed over a printed pattern formed by a coating having an additive that lowers surface tension. Printed electrical elements and antennae (including RFID antennae) are formed using this process. The coating with the surface tension lowering additive is printed on a substrate in a predetermined pattern. A conductive ink is then applied over the coating and, because of the difference in surface tension between the coating and the substrate, the ink flows away from the coating. The conductive ink dries between the printed coating pattern and forms the conductive element.

Abstract: A bag having a built-in closure tab is defined. The closure tab is formed from the outer layer of the laminate which makes up the bag. When a user of the bag wishes to close the bag, the user folds or rolls the sides of the bag together down the side of the bag having the tab. The tab is partially separated from the rest of the outer layer of the laminate. A pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the interior surface of the tab is used to affix the tab to the rolled down portion of the bag, preventing unwanted opening of the bag. The tab may be affixed and removed from the rolled down portion a number of times, thereby allowing the user to open and reseal the bag as many times as desired.

Abstract: A package having a re-sealable seal is formed from a flexible sheet having its opposite longitudinal edge portions sealed together to form a tubular structure with a permanent longitudinal seal. Two permanent end seals are formed transversely across the tubular structure to seal the product inside the package. A re-sealable seal is formed adjacent one of the permanent seals. The re-sealable seal is formed by a pressure-sensitive adhesive applied to a first region of the inner surface of the sheet proximate the one permanent seal and a heat seal coating applied over the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to cover the pressure-sensitive adhesive. and a heat seal coating applied over a second region of the inner surface of the sheet. The first and second regions of the inner surface are placed in contact with each other and the heat seal coatings thereon are sealed together to initially form the re-sealable seal.

Abstract: A laminate for gum packaging is defined. The laminate includes a metal layer, a polymer layer, a paper layer, and an electron beam cured coating. The laminate provides as good or better barrier properties as a conventional laminate for gum packaging. However, the laminate has “reacted-in” slip agents in the electron beam cured coating, thereby avoiding the common problems of slip agent migration. Further, the laminate of the invention is more economical to produce than is the conventional laminate.

Abstract: A temporary tattoo is releaseably incorporated into a multi-ply re-sealable package capable of holding comestibles. The temporary tattoo is incorporated into the package between the plies and contains a tattoo ink printed either flexo or gravure and, once removed from the resealable package, is moistened and applied to the skin.

Abstract: A bag having a built-in closure tab is defined. The closure tab is formed from the outer layer of the laminate which makes up the bag. When a user of the bag wishes to close the bag, the user folds or rolls the sides of the bag together down the side of the bag having the tab. The tab is partially separated from the rest of the outer layer of the laminate. A pressure sensitive adhesive disposed on the interior surface of the tab is used to affix the tab to the rolled down portion of the bag, preventing unwanted opening of the bag. The tab may be affixed and removed from the rolled down portion a number of times, thereby allowing the user to open and reseal the bag as many times as desired.