Tamper indicator for reclosable packages

Abstract

A reclosable package for storing and dispensing product. The package has a reclosable opening panel that can be selectively moved from a closed position where product contained within the package is retained to an open position where product contained within the package is exposed for dispensing. The package includes a tamper indicator that provides one or more of a visual, tactile, or auditory indication that the opening panel is being opened for the first time or has been previously opened.

1 .- 9 . (canceled) 
   
   
       10 . A reclosable package for consumable products comprising:
 a. a laminated sheet comprising an inner layer and an outer layer wherein the inner layer is oriented toward an inside of the package and the outer layer is oriented toward an outside of the package;   b. a first laser scored line extending at least substantially into the inner layer but not extending into the outer layer;   c. a second laser scored line extending at least substantially into the outer layer but not extending into inner layer, and being laterally offset from the first laser scored line to define an opening panel in the package and a marginal region between the first and second laser scored lines and further defining a surrounding region of the sheet outside of the marginal region; and   d. a tamper indicator that provides an indication that the opening panel is being opened for a first time and includes at least one of a frangible link that breaks when the opening panel is being opened for the first time and a configuration which causes partial delamination of the inner or outer layer when the opening panel is opened for the first time.   
   
   
       11 . The reclosable package of  claim 10  wherein the second laser scored line has a configuration such that at least a portion of the second laser scored line defines the frangible link. 
   
   
       12 . The reclosable package of  claim 11  wherein the configuration of the second laser scored line defines a narrow conduit within the outer layer. 
   
   
       13 . The reclosable package of  claim 10  wherein, the tamper indicator includes at least two frangible links located on opposite lateral sides of the opening panel. 
   
   
       14 . The reclosable package of claim  1  wherein the inner layer is a laminated sheet and the tamper indicator comprises a configuration of the opening panel such that upon first opening of the opening panel a portion of the inner layer is at least partially delaminated. 
   
   
       15 . The reclosable package of  claim 14  wherein the configuration includes laminating adhesive applied to a portion of the marginal region. 
   
   
       16 . (canceled) 
   
   
       17 . The reclosable package of  claim 10  wherein the tamper indicator further comprises a security tape located over at least a portion of the opening panel. 
   
   
       18 . The reclosable package of  claim 17  wherein the security tape includes printing. 
   
   
       19 .- 25 . (canceled) 
   
   
       26 . A package for consumable products comprising:
 a. a laminated sheet comprising an inner layer and an opaque outer layer wherein the inner layer is oriented toward the inside of the package and the opaque outer layer is oriented toward the outside of the package;   b. a first score line extending at least substantially into the inner layer but not extending into the opaque outer layer;   c. a second score line laterally offset from the first score line and extending at least substantially into the opaque outer layer but not extending into the inner layer, the second score line defining an opening panel in the package and further defining a marginal region in the laminated sheet between the first and second score lines and further defining a surrounding region that extends throughout the laminated sheet outside of the marginal region;   d. a releasable adhesive disposed between the inner layer and opaque outer layer in at least a portion of the marginal region;   e. a laminating adhesive disposed between the inner layer and opaque outer layer and extending substantially throughout the surrounding region such that the laminating adhesive is effective to bond the inner layer and opaque outer layer together where it is applied; and,   f. a tamper indicator that provides a visual indication that the opening panel has been previously opened and comprises at least one of a frangible link which is broken when the opening panel is opened for the first time and a configuration which causes partial delamination of the inner or outer layer when the opening panel is opened for the first time.   
   
   
       27 . The package of  claim 26  wherein the frangible link is located within the outer layer. 
   
   
       28 . The package of  claim 27 , wherein the second score line defines a narrow conduit within the outer layer. 
   
   
       29 . The package of  claim 26  wherein a discontinuity in the second line defines the frangible link. 
   
   
       30 . (canceled) 
   
   
       31 . The package of  claim 26  wherein the opaque outer layer comprises a laminate of a opaque first layer and a transparent second layer wherein the transparent second layer is oriented toward the outside of the package and the tamper indicator comprises laminating adhesive applied to a portion of the marginal region between the inner layer and opaque outer layer, wherein the opaque first layer is delaminated from the transparent second layer in the portion of the marginal region where the laminating adhesive has been applied when the opening panel is opened for the first time. 
   
   
       32 . A package for consumable products comprising:
 a. a laminated sheet comprising an inner layer and an outer layer wherein the inner layer is oriented toward the inside of the package and the outer layer is oriented toward the outside of the package;   b. a first score line extending at least substantially into the inner layer but not extending into the outer layer;   c. a second score line extending at least substantially into the outer layer but not extending into inner layer, and being laterally offset from the first score line to define an opening panel in the package and a marginal region between the first and second score lines and further defining a surrounding region of the sheet outside of the marginal region; and   d. a tamper indicator that provides an indication that the opening panel has previously been opened;   wherein the tamper indicator is selected from the group consisting of a frangible link in the outer layer, a configuration which causes partial delamination of the inner or outer layer when the package is opened for the first time, and a security tape applied across the second score line.   
   
   
       33 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator consists of a frangible link in the outer layer. 
   
   
       34 . The package of  claim 33  wherein the tamper indicator consists of at least two frangible links located on opposite lateral sides of the opening panel. 
   
   
       35 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator consists of a configuration which causes partial delamination of the inner or outer layer when the package is opened for the first time. 
   
   
       36 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator consists of a security tape applied across the second score line. 
   
   
       37 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator provides a tactile indication that the package is being opened for the first time. 
   
   
       38 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator provides an auditory indication that the package is being opened for the first time. 
   
   
       39 . The package of  claim 32  wherein the tamper indicator provides a tactile indication that the package is being opened for the first time. 
   
   
       40 . (canceled) 
   
   
       41 . (canceled)