Cohesive reclosure systems and containers using same

Abstract

This invention relates to resealable closure systems that are useful in containers, such as those used in packaging goods. The reclosure system features cohesive layers which are bonded to each other to provide a resealable closure. The cohesive bond layers are separable to provide opening of the container and access to the interior of the container and / or contents. The cohesive layers have low blocking characteristics. The reclosure systems are useful for flexible packaging, such as polymeric film and cloth packages, and rigid packaging, such as fiberboard, cardboard, paper, and polymeric foam. The reclosure systems may be opened and resealed multiple times. The closure system is resistance to contamination by oils, debris, solvents, and water. The reclosure is cold sealable with finger pressure.

Description

[0001] This application claims the priority to provisional application Ser. No. 60 / 493,090 filed on Aug. 6, 2003, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to reclosure systems for containers. The reclosure system comprises at least one cohesive reclosure that provides for the ability of the containers to be opened and closed multiple times. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Product packaging having reclosure mechanisms are often employed for packaging products in applications where the consumer may wish to remove only a portion of the product and to reclose the package. Particularly with baked goods, which readily dry out if left exposed to the atmosphere, there is a significant interest on the part of the product manufacturers for easily and inexpensively produced packaging that can be repeatedly opened and reclosed. Flexible packaging produced from flexible sheet materials are generally favored f...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0008] This invention relates to cohesive reclosure systems that are useful in containers, such as those used in packaging goods. The reclosure system features cohesive layers that are bonded to each other to provide a resealable closure. The cohesive bond layers are separable to provide opening of the container and access to the interior of the container and/or contents. The cohesive layers have low blocki

Problems solved by technology

However, such mechanisms are disadvantageous because they necessitate additional manufacturing operations and materials, thus increasing manufacturing cost.

The challenge in making a reclosure mechanism that relies on adhesive for resealing is that an adhesive that is suitable for forming the original package seal, e.g., one having sufficient strength and integrity to prevent inadvertent opening of the package and to keep the product fresh during handling and shipment, is generally different from the type of adhesive that is desirable from a resealing point of view.

However, pressure-sensitive adhesives do not provide sufficient closure strength to form reliable original package seals in many applications.

Furthermore, because pressure-sensitive adhesives are inherently tacky and will adhere to almost any surface to which they come in contact, automated handling of sheets or webs having pressure-sensitive adhesives applied thereto is difficult.

For example, the pressure-sensitive adhesive may become adhered to the rollers of an apparatus, a problem known in the industry as “picking.” Additionally, the web may stick to itself when it is wound into a roll and stored prior to being used, a problem known as “blocking.”

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