Abstract: The present invention relates to a composite container which has a bottom film layer and a top film layer at least partially adhered on its lower surface to the upper surface of the bottom film layer. The top film layer is scored to form at least one resealable flap and at least one pull tab continuous with the resealable flap, wherein the resealable flap is resealably adhered to the bottom film layer and the pull tab is not adhered to the bottom film layer. The bottom film layer comprises at least one cavity opening. A cardboard layer is adhered on its lower surface to the upper surface of the top film layer, wherein the cardboard layer has at least one cavity opening which is substantially aligned with the scoring of the top film layer resealable flap and the cardboard layer is perforated to form at least one pull tab which is substantially aligned with and adhered, on its underside, to the upper surface of the top film layer pull tab.

Abstract: Containers are described that allow a consumer to see inside the container and to more easily access the products. One form of the container includes a base member with a lid defining a window. A flexible laminate with a peelable flap portion is attached to the lid to provide access to the products inside. The flexible laminate includes a first film layer laminated to a second film layer. The first film layer includes a first cut line defining a peelable flap portion and the second film layer includes a second cut line offset from the first cut line that defines an opening into the container. First and second reclose surfaces defined between the cut lines on the corresponding film layers include pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the container to be re-sealed via movement of the peelable flap portion back into engagement with the flexible laminate remaining with the container.

Abstract: A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.

Abstract: A resealable closure for a container in which package integrity is indicated by a structure which connects the closure to a remaining portion of the container which must be broken in order to gain access to the contents of the container for a first time. The package integrity feature, in one form, includes a structure associated with the closure, wherein upon opening the closure for a first time, the structure stretches, increasing a length of the structure until the structure eventually breaks, leaving one or both residual ends of the broken structure rippled or curved upward from the remainder of the container. In one alternative form, the structure is associated with a pull tab of the sealing panel, which comprises the closure, whereby either the structure must be broken first, prior to pulling back the sealing panel, or while pulling back the sealing panel for a first time, the structure breaks, prior to gaining access to the contents therein.

Abstract: A flexible laminate structure for making a package and methods for constructing such flexible laminate structures are described that provide a peelable portion integral to the laminate structure. An inner ink layer may be printed on the peelable portion that includes a promotional offer, such as in the form of a barcode, where the inner ink layer is not visible to a consumer without first peeling the peelable portion off the package due to the presence of one or more blocker ink layers.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like 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. The outer score line includes at least one tear portion that is torn through upon initial opening, thus indicating the package has been at least partially opened.

Abstract: The present invention relates to container laminate and container having a container laminate through which materials may be accessed and/or dispensed. The laminate has multiple layers that are peeled away when opened to reveal one or more openings in a layer that remains adhered to the container after opening.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a flexible packaging comprising a base layer and a film layer at least partially releasably affixed to the base layer via a pressure sensitive adhesive layer. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer comprises at least one adhesive zone and at least one adhesive-free zone extending continuously in a machine direction. The film layer is scored to form at least one pull tab which is disposed within the at least one adhesive-free zone and the base layer is scored to form at least one cavity which is disposed adjacent the at least one adhesive-free zone.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.

Abstract: A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance.

Abstract: A flexible laminate structure for making a package and methods for constructing such flexible laminate structures are described that provide a peelable portion integral to the laminate structure. An inner ink layer may be printed on the peelable portion that includes a promotional offer, such as in the form of a barcode, where the inner ink layer is not visible to a consumer without first peeling the peelable portion off the package due to the presence of one or more blocker ink layers.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that reduce or prevent leakage into or out of the package. In particular, the package includes a base member and a lidding member with a reinforced perimeter portion that blocks channels that may form at the interface between the base member and the lidding member from extending to the edge of the base member, such that, e.g., liquids have no path to the package exterior. The perimeter portion may be a thicker region of a first film of the lidding member (e.g., a polyethylene emulsion), or the perimeter portion may be formed using permanent adhesive. Frangible layers and/or cut lines may be defined in the material of the base member or the lidding member to allow a controlled break to occur when the lidding member is peeled away from the base member to provide access to the package contents.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that reduce or prevent leakage into or out of the package. In particular, the package includes a base member and a lidding member with a reinforced perimeter portion that blocks channels that may form at the interface between the base member and the lidding member from extending to the edge of the base member, such that, e.g., liquids have no path to the package exterior. The perimeter portion may be a thicker region of a first film of the lidding member (e.g., a polyethylene emulsion), or the perimeter portion may be formed using permanent adhesive. Frangible layers and/or cut lines may be defined in the material of the base member or the lidding member to allow a controlled break to occur when the lidding member is peeled away from the base member to provide access to the package contents.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that are designed such that the user can peel back a lidding member of the package to reveal an independently peelable portion covering one of the compartments. The independently peelable portion is a layer of the lidding member that maintains the respective compartment in an unopened (sealed) condition until the user independently peels that layer off to access the items in that compartment. The lidding member can be used to re-seal all of the compartments before and/or after the independently peelable portion is removed. The independently peelable portion may include a visual indication of a sealed condition of the compartment that serves as a tamper evidence feature. In multiple-compartment packages, peeling back the lidding member allows the user to access some of the compartments of the package, while at least one of the compartments remains sealed via the independently peelable portion.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like 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. The outer score line includes at least one tear portion that is torn through upon initial opening, thus indicating the package has been at least partially opened.

Abstract: Improved packages and methods for constructing packages are provided that reduce or prevent leakage into or out of the package. In particular, the package includes a base member and a lidding member with a reinforced perimeter portion that blocks channels that may form at the interface between the base member and the lidding member from extending to the edge of the base member, such that, e.g., liquids have no path to the package exterior. The perimeter portion may be a thicker region of a first film of the lidding member (e.g., a polyethylene emulsion), or the perimeter portion may be formed using permanent adhesive. Frangible layers and/or cut lines may be defined in the material of the base member or the lidding member to allow a controlled break to occur when the lidding member is peeled away from the base member to provide access to the package contents.

Abstract: A flexible laminate structure for making a package and methods for constructing such flexible laminate structures are described that provide a peelable portion integral to the laminate structure. An inner ink layer may be printed on the peelable portion that includes a promotional offer, such as in the form of a barcode, where the inner ink layer is not visible to a consumer without first peeling the peelable portion off the package due to the presence of one or more blocker ink layers.

Abstract: A flexible packaging laminate has built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features by forming the laminate from an outer structure joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure. Score lines are formed in both structures to enable an opening to be formed through the laminate by lifting a flap or the like 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. The outer score line includes at least one tab positioned within a heat seal region of the laminate.

Abstract: A flexible walled package formed from a multiple layer laminate and having an external recloseable pocket for holding a scoop or other item is provided. The pocket has a back panel formed from part of an inner layer and a front panel formed from part of a scored outer layer. Outside the perimeter of the pocket the inner layer and the outer layer are adhered together with permanent adhesive. Inside the pocket perimeter the inner layer and the outer layer may be adhered together with pressure sensitive adhesive to close the pocket.