Constant force peelable seal for container

Abstract

A peelable lid conforms to a container having pointed edges at opposing ends forming an eye or boat configuration. The pointed edges provide starting and stopping points for removal of the lid from the container. The pointed edges minimize the peel front at the start of the removal of the lid and at the end of the container when dislodging the lid completely from the container. The peel front is proportional to the peel force at any given location on the lid, so that the minimized peel front provides a constant peel force during the removal of the lid. The peelable seal may also be formed, by a perforated, scored or otherwise tearable area around the periphery of the lid allowing the peel front to progressively proceed along the periphery of a sealing flange.

1 . A peelable seal for a container and a corresponding lid, said seal comprising: 
 an adhesive along peripheral edges at least one of the container and lid; and means for providing an essentially constant peel front during removal of the lid from the container.    
   
   
       2 . The peelable seal of  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an essentially constant peel front includes the lid and container having one end as an initial peel front, said end having a pointed edge.  
   
   
       3 . The peelable seal of  claim 2 , wherein the pointed edge forms an acute angle.  
   
   
       4 . The peelable seal of  claim 3 , wherein the means for providing an essentially constant peel front includes the lid and container having an opposing end forming an acute angle.  
   
   
       5 . The peelable seal of  claim 1 , wherein the peelable seal is defined by a tearable area on the lid.  
   
   
       6 . The peelable seal of  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an essentially constant peel front includes a tearable area that progresses in a circular direction around the circumference of the lid.  
   
   
       7 . The peelable seal of  claim 6  wherein the tearable area extends and terminates 270° around the circumference of the lid.  
   
   
       8 . The peelable seal of  claim 1 , wherein the means for providing an essentially constant peel front includes a tearable area that progresses around the periphery of the lid.  
   
   
       9 . The peelable seal of  claim 8 , wherein the tearable area extends and terminates approximately ¾ around the periphery of the lid.