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.

1 . A container comprising a body forming a container and at least two sealing surfaces and a cohesive reclosure adhered to the sealing surfaces, wherein the cohesive reclosure comprises two cohesive layers, wherein the bond strength between the cohesive layers is less than the bond strength between the cohesive layers and the sealing surfaces.  
   
   
       2 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cohesive layers comprise a natural or synthetic rubber.  
   
   
       3 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cohesive layers comprise a styrenic rubber.  
   
   
       4 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is a bag having an internal surface and an external surface.  
   
   
       5 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the cohesive reclosure and sealing surfaces are positioned on the internal surface of the bag.  
   
   
       6 . The container of  claim 4  wherein the sealing surfaces and cohesive reclosure are positioned on the external surface of the bag.  
   
   
       7 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the container is a box having an interior surface and an external surface.  
   
   
       8 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the cohesive reclosure and sealing surfaces are positioned on the internal surface of the box.  
   
   
       9 . The container of  claim 7  wherein the sealing surfaces and cohesive reclosure are positioned on the external surface of the box.  
   
   
       10 . The container of  claim 1  wherein the cohesive reclosure comprises two cohesive layers each having a first and second surface, wherein the first surfaces of the cohesive layers are bonded to each other and the second surfaces of the cohesive layers are each bonded to a carrier layer, and wherein the carrier layers are adhered to the sealing surfaces.  
   
   
       11 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the bond strength between the cohesive layers is less than the bond strength between (a) the cohesive layers and the carrier layers and (b) the carrier layers and the sealing surfaces.  
   
   
       12 . The container of  claim 10  wherein the carrier layer is heat sealable.  
   
   
       13 . The composition of  claim 10  further comprising an adherent layer positioned between each carrier layer and sealing surface.  
   
   
       14 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the bond strength of the cohesive layers is less than the bond strength of (a) the cohesive layers and the carrier layers, (b) the carrier layers and the adherent layers; and (c) the adherent layers and the sealing surfaces.  
   
   
       15 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the adherent layer is a heat sealable layer.  
   
   
       16 . The composition of  claim 13  wherein the adherent layer is an adhesive.  
   
   
       17 . A cohesive reclosure comprising 
 at least one cohesive layer comprising styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer and    at least one cohesive target, wherein the cohesive layer is repeatedly removable and adherable to the cohesive target.    
   
   
       18 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 17  further comprising a carrier layer permanently adhered to the cohesive layer.  
   
   
       19 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 18  further comprising a tie layer between the cohesive layer and the carrier layer.  
   
   
       20 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 17  wherein the cohesive layer comprises a blend of a styrene-isobutylene-styrene block copolymer and a second block copolymer.  
   
   
       21 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 20  wherein the second block copolymer comprises styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene copolymer.  
   
   
       22 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 17  wherein the cohesive target comprises a second cohesive layer.  
   
   
       23 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 22  wherein the second cohesive layer comprises styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer.  
   
   
       24 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 17  wherein the cohesive target comprises a polymeric packaging film.  
   
   
       25 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 24  wherein the packaging film comprises a polyolefin film.  
   
   
       26 . The cohesive reclosure of  claim 18  wherein the cohesive layer and the carrier layer are coextruded films.  
   
   
       27 . A method of making a resealable package comprising: 
 applying a cohesive layer comprising a styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer to a first sealing surface of the package;    providing a cohesive target on a second sealing surface of the package;    wherein the cohesive layer is repeatedly removable and adherable to the cohesive target.    
   
   
       28 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the package comprises a polymeric film.  
   
   
       29 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the cohesive target comprises a second cohesive layer.  
   
   
       30 . The method of  claim 29  wherein the second cohesive layer comprises a styrene-isobutylene-styrene copolymer.  
   
   
       31 . The method of  claim 27  wherein the cohesive layer is extruded onto the first sealing surface of the package.