Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroluminescent display. The display includes a transparent conductive film layer, a first transparent dielectric layer, a light emitting layer, a second dielectric layer, and a rear conductive layer. The rear conductive layer defines a continuous void, where the void separates the rear conductive layer into a first area to be energized to electroluminate and a second area that is not energized.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroluminescent display. The display includes a front conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, a light emitting layer, a second dielectric layer, and a rear conductive layer. The rear conductive layer defines a continuous void, where the void separates the rear conductive layer into a first area to be energized to electroluminate and a second area that is not energized.

Abstract: A blister package is formed for retaining individual products. The package includes a receptacle substrate having a sealing flange and at least one receiving cell formed to retain product therein. A polymer top layer covers the cell and a portion thereof is sealed to the sealing flange. A score pattern is formed in at least one surface of the top layer and overlapping the cell. The score pattern is defined by a first plurality of score lines formed in a repeating pattern and a second plurality of score lines formed in a repeating pattern. The first and second plurality of rows overlap one another to define a plurality of intersections, with the overall score line pattern having a total linear length of the score lines per cell of at least 5 inches and a total number of score line intersections per cell of at least 10.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an electroluminescent display. The display includes a front conductive layer, a first dielectric layer, a light emitting layer, a second dielectric layer, and a rear conductive layer. The rear conductive layer defines a continuous void, where the void separates the rear conductive layer into a first area to be energized to electroluminate and a second area that is not energized.

Abstract: A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated.

Abstract: A tamper-evident package includes a flexible lid sealed to a flange of a container. A localized region of the flange defines a break tab that can be broken to detach a small portion, such as a corner, of the flange from the rest of the flange, in order to begin peeling back the lid to open the package. The lid is affixed to the detachable portion of the flange in a manner effectively preventing the lid from being detached from it. At least that part of the lid overlying the break tab can be sufficiently transparent that the broken or unbroken condition of the break tab can be seen through the lid from an upper side thereof. The break tab thereby serves to indicate whether the lid has been at least partially peeled back.

Abstract: A tamper-evident package includes a flexible lid sealed to a flange of a container. A localized region of the flange defines a break tab that can be broken to detach a small portion, such as a corner, of the flange from the rest of the flange, in order to begin peeling back the lid to open the package. The lid is affixed to the detachable portion of the flange in a manner effectively preventing the lid from being detached from it. At least that part of the lid overlying the break tab can be sufficiently transparent that the broken or unbroken condition of the break tab can be seen through the lid from an upper side thereof. The break tab thereby serves to indicate whether the lid has been at least partially peeled back.

Abstract: A flexible package is defined by an inner package layer and a surrounding outer package layer. The inner and outer layers define a tubular body and opposing end portions. A first region of weakness is provided within the outer package layer and is spaced from one end of the package. The region of weakness within the outer packaging layer forms an opening mechanism for the outer layer to expose the inner packaging layer. A second region of weakness is provided within the inner package layer and is spaced from the end of the inner package. The second region of weakness positioned offset from the first region of weakness, to permit the two opening mechanism to be separately activated.

Abstract: An easy-open resealable package is formed from a flexible laminate that includes an inner structure adhesively laminated to an outer structure. An opening feature is formed in the laminate and is operable for forming an opening into the package. A region of pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the inner and outer structures proximate the opening feature. One or more lines of weakness in the outer structure form at least one peel strip as an integral portion of the outer structure. The at least one peel strip is positioned such that peeling off the at least one peel strip exposes the pressure-sensitive adhesive, which remains on the inner structure. After opening the package by operating the opening feature, and the user can reclose the package by folding down an end portion of the package and adhering the end portion to the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to substantially close the opening.

Abstract: A laminate material for a flexible packaging is provided having first and second layers. The first layer has a weakened line therethrough that defines a first flap. The second layer is adhered to the first layer and has a second weakened line formed offset from the first weakened line in the first layer and defines a removable panel in the second layer. An adhesive layer is located between the first and second layers. The adhesive layer comprises pressure-sensitive adhesive located inwardly of the weakened line in the first layer and a vacancy located laterally inward of the pressure-sensitive adhesive and adjacent the removable panel. The removable panel remains connected to the second layer when the first flap is peeled back. The removable panel is separately removable from the first flap. The first flap is resealable to the second layer by means of the pressure-sensitive adhesive exposed upon opening the first flap.

Abstract: A flexible package is provided having a side panel with an inner surface that is fixedly sealed to the inner surface of a second side panel. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the sealable material of one side panel and the outer ply or layer of the side panel. A separation line is provided within the sealable material adjacent the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first side panel separates from the pressure-sensitive adhesive upon application of an opening force transverse to the fixed seal. The sealable material from the first panel remains sealed to the sealable material on the opposing surface of the second panel upon release. The release of the sealable material from its associated panel causes exposure of the pressure-sensitive adhesive. The exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive forms a reclosable seal for the ends of the first and second panels.

Abstract: A self-opening blister package is provided having a packaging sleeve or carton and a formed tray. The tray includes one or more receptacle cups, which are dimensioned to receive one or more products, such as gum or the like. A peelable membrane is sealed to the tray flange. A leading edge of the membrane is attached to the sleeve. The membrane peels away from the tray when the tray is removed from the sleeve. The peeling action exposes the product contained in the one or more cups. Once the desired amount of product is extracted, the tray can be pushed back into the sleeve and the membrane rolls back over the tray.

Abstract: A self-opening blister package is provided having a packaging sleeve or carton and a formed tray. The tray includes one or more receptacle cups, which are dimensioned to receive one or more products, such as gum or the like. A peelable membrane is sealed to the tray flange. A leading edge of the membrane is attached to the sleeve. The membrane peels away from the tray when the tray is removed from the sleeve. The peeling action exposes the product contained in the one or more cups. Once the desired amount of product is extracted, the tray can be pushed back into the sleeve and the membrane rolls back over the tray.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible package that includes a packaging material having a sealant web with a first side and a second side. Disposed on the first side of the sealant web is a pattern of an energy-cured coating. The package also includes a heat sealed area, at least a portion of the pattern of energy-cured coating being disposed within the heat sealed area. A method for creating the flexible package is also described.

Abstract: The present invention includes a sheet of flexible packaging material that includes one or more films having an inner side and an outer side. On the outer side of at least one film is a pattern of activation particles, preferably metal flakes or the like. The pattern of particles is energy activated causing the pattern to heat and penetrate or weaken at least a portion of the film, creating a tear line in the wall of a package formed from the sheet. A method for creating a tear line in a sheet of flexible packaging material and the formation of the material into a package with a tear line in the side wall or the like is also defined.

Abstract: A hotmelt-receptive packaging material, a method of making the material and a package made therefrom are described. The hotmelt-receptive packaging material includes a barrier substrate and an energy cured coating applied substantially uniformly to the substrate. The coating includes a polymerized network of oligomers and monomers, and a functional wax slip additive copolymerized with the network. The coating is receptive to hotmelt adhesive. A package can be formed from the material by wrapping it into a tubular structure with overlapping opposed edges and applying hotmelt adhesive to at least one of the opposed edges so that the hotmelt adhesive contacts the coated side of at least one of the edges and adheres the overlapped opposed edges.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate is formed to have a built-in opening and reclose feature by forming the laminate as a two-part structure having an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation with an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting an opening portion (e.g., a flap or the like) of the two structures out of the plane of the laminate. The score line through the outer structure defines a larger opening than the score line through the inner structure, such that a marginal region of the outer structure extends beyond the edge of the opening portion of the inner structure. A pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to re-adhere the marginal region to an underlying surface of the inner structure adjacent the opening through the laminate.

Abstract: A tamper evident packaging material is described. The material is formed from a substrate having a weak skin layer and at least one additional layer. A pressure sensitive adhesive is applied to the weak skin layer. An electron beam cured coating having a non-migratory slip agent is disposed on the surface of the substrate opposite the weak skin layer. The weak skin layer has a lower Z tear strength than the affinity that the pressure sensitive adhesive has for itself and for the weak skin layer, such that at least part of the weak skin layer separates from the at least one additional layer when the pressure sensitive adhesive is sealed against the weak skin layer of a second substrate and the two substrates are subsequently pulled apart.

Abstract: A microwave cooking container includes a bag portion having an open end for access to an interior of the bag and a closure mechanism for sealing the open end having elongated interfitting elements extending adjacent the open end of the bag. The container also includes a valve assembly providing controlled discharge of pressurized fluid from the bag interior when a positive pressure equal to or exceeding a predetermined pressure is created within the bag interior. The valve assembly includes a vent member and a flow limiter. The vent member is located at the open end of the bag adjacent an end of the closure mechanism such that the first end of the internal passage is in fluid communication with the bag interior. The internal passage provides an exit path for discharge of a pressurized fluid from the interior of the bag. The flow limiter may include an end portion of a closure clamp adapted to receive the vent member.

Abstract: A microwave cooking container includes a bag portion having an open end for access to an interior of the bag and a closure mechanism for sealing the open end having elongated interfitting elements extending adjacent the open end of the bag. The container also includes a valve assembly providing controlled discharge of pressurized fluid from the bag interior when a positive pressure equal to or exceeding a predetermined pressure is created within the bag interior. The valve assembly includes a vent member and a flow limiter. The vent member is located at the open end of the bag adjacent an end of the closure mechanism such that the first end of the internal passage is in fluid communication with the bag interior. The internal passage provides an exit path for discharge of a pressurized fluid from the interior of the bag. The flow limiter may include an end portion of a closure clamp adapted to receive the vent member.