Sonoco Development Incorporated

Toppan Packaging Americas Holdings, Inc.

Jacob Donald Prue Branyon

Scott William Huffer

Eugene Smith

Donovan Young

Joseph Donald Gagne

Hugo Giorgio

Eugene T Smith

A reclosable package is described that includes inner and outer film layers. Each of the inner and outer film layers includes die cuts that are designed to create a peelable flap portion that, when pulled back by the user, reveals an opening of the package for providing access to the contents of the package. In particular, the inner film layer has an inner die cut that includes a cross-directional cut line. While the cross-directional cut line in conventional packages is a straight line, the package described herein uses a line that has one or more radii of curvature. In this way, the vibrations that may otherwise be generated during the rotary die cutting process are reduced, and more consistent cut depths can be achieved.

Die cut opening for multi-layer flexible package

A reclosable flexible package is described that includes an inner film layer, an outer film layer laminated to the inner film layer, and reclose region defined in a portion of package film layers. The reclose region includes pressure sensitive adhesive disposed between the inner and outer film layers. A number of cut lines are provided in the outer film layer in the reclose region, such that the user, by manipulating the package film layers at the reclose region, can reveal the underlying layer of pressure sensitive adhesive. Once the pressure sensitive adhesive of the reclose region is exposed, the action of the user can serve to adhere the pressure sensitive adhesive to itself and/or other portions of the film, such that the package is cinched in the area of the reclose region and maintains the remnants of the package contents within the reclosed package for later use.

Flexible package with reclose region

A method of manipulating thermoplastic film to create integrated features and particularly relates to an improved method of manufacturing a packaging bag that is reclosable after initial opening. Multiple sections of thermoplastic film are layered on top of themselves to form a multi-layer portion of the thermoplastic film. The multi-layer portion may then be conglomerated into a unitary thicker portion of the film that can then be shaped into a closure strip. In order to form a bag, a second such closure strip may be made. The two closure strips are then aligned and the remaining open portions of the bag are then sealed such that the closure strips form a reclosable opening that may be opened and closed repeatedly.

Method of making a plastic film with integrated zipper closure, and plastic bag having an integrated zipper closure

A one-way valve integrated into a lamination of the kind used as a membrane seal for coffee containers and the like. The valve comprises a top layer, a substrate and a fluid polyol film. The top layer and the substrate are adhered together by an adhesive disposed between the top layer and the substrate. The adhesive defines a boundary of a valve chamber in which the top layer and the substrate are not permanently adhered to each other. The film enhances the adhesiveness of the top layer to the substrate in the area of the valve chamber so that gas inside the container does not escape until the internal pressure reaches a minimum value.

Integrated one-way valve with polyol film

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.

Laminate structure with access openings

In flexible package, a one-way valve may include a substrate forming a portion of the flexible package and having at least one inlet score, a top sheet having at least one outlet score and secured thereto by an adhesive to define a valve chamber in which the substrate and the top sheet are not permanently adhered to each other, and a liquid film within the valve chamber and adhering the top sheet to the substrate within the valve chamber until a pressure differential exists causing gases to pass through the one-way valve. The inlet scores and the outlet scores may be non-linear, or may be linear scores that are not parallel to each other to prevent the scores from collapsing on themselves and preventing gas flow when the package buckles.

One-way valve score design

A flexible package that includes a flexible material in the form of a first panel and a second panel. The first panel includes a first perimeter that is attached to a second perimeter, associated with the second panel, to form an interior cavity, between the first panel and second panel, in which content is stored. The package also includes an adhesive that is attached to a first exterior surface of the first panel or a second exterior surface of the second panel. The adhesive has a first state that prevents the adhesive from bonding with the flexible material that does not permit the package, once opened, to be reclosed. The adhesive may have a second state that can be activated to enable the adhesive to bond with the flexible material that permits the package, once opened, to be reclosed or resealed.

Resealable flexible package and method of using the same

A laminate structure, package, and associated method of manufacturing are described, where the laminate structure includes a first film layer having an uncut laser-distorted region, a second film layer having an inner laser score line laminated to the first film layer, and a third film layer having an outer score line laminated to the second film layer. The inner laser score line is in line with the laser-distorted region, and the outer score line is offset from the inner laser score line and the laser-distorted region. When a consumer peels back the third film layer via the outer score line, the first film layer breaks along the laser-distorted region to form a first film layer cut line continuous with the inner laser score line, allowing the first film layer and the second film layer to be moved together with the third film layer for opening the package.

Growing community of inventors

Hartsville, SC, United States of America

Jacob Donald Prue Branyon