Packaging membrane with built-in opening feature

Abstract

A packaging membrane comprising a laminate of at least first and second layers, having a removable portion formed by substantially coincident first and second score lines, the first score line being formed in the first layer but not breaching the second layer, and the second score line being formed in the second layer but not breaching the first layer. Optionally, a third layer is disposed between the first and second layers, and the third layer is not breached by either score line. In the removable portion, an adhesive-free region is provided within which the first layer is not adhered to the underlying layer(s). An integral tab is defined in the first layer within the adhesive-free region, the tab being formed by a cut line in the first layer. The tab is located entirely inside the first and second score lines and does not project beyond any edge of the membrane.

1 . A membrane for forming at least a portion of a container for products, comprising:
 a laminate comprising at least first and second layers laminated together by an adhesive, the first and second layers being coextensive;   a first score line formed in the first layer, the second layer being unbreached by the first score line;   a second score line formed in the second layer and located substantially coincident with the first score line, the first layer being unbreached by the second score line, the first and second score lines together delineating a removable portion of the laminate that is at least partially removable from a remainder of the laminate for creating an opening through the membrane;   an adhesive-free region located in the removable portion of the laminate and occupying less than an entire area thereof, the first and second layers being unadhered to each other in the adhesive-free region; and   an integral tab formed in the first layer within the adhesive-free region, the tab being formed by a cut line extending through a thickness of the first layer, the tab being located entirely inside of the first and second score lines.   
     
     
         2 . The membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second score lines form a closed loop such that the removable portion is completely removable from the remainder of the laminate. 
     
     
         3 . The membrane of  claim 2 , wherein the membrane is rectangular having a first edge, a second edge perpendicular to the first edge, a third edge perpendicular to the second edge and parallel to the first edge, and a fourth edge perpendicular to the first and third edges and parallel to the second edge, and wherein the removable portion of the laminate is spaced relatively close to the first edge and relatively far from the third edge. 
     
     
         4 . The membrane of  claim 3 , wherein the second and fourth edges are longer than the first and third edges. 
     
     
         5 . The membrane of  claim 4 , wherein the tab is oriented such that a pulling direction, in which the tab is pulled to detach the removable portion from the remainder of the membrane, extends generally perpendicular to the second and fourth edges. 
     
     
         6 . The membrane of  claim 1 , wherein a coating of a release material is disposed between a lower surface of the tab and an upper surface of the second layer underlying the tab to prevent the tab from sticking to the second layer. 
     
     
         7 . A membrane for forming at least a portion of a container for products, comprising:
 a laminate comprising first, second, and third layers laminated together by adhesive, the layers being coextensive, the third layer disposed between the first and second layers;   a first score line formed in the first layer, the second and third layers being unbreached by the first score line;   a second score line formed in the second layer and located substantially coincident with the first score line, the first and third layers being unbreached by the second score line, the first and second score lines together delineating a removable portion of the laminate that is at least partially removable from a remainder of the laminate for creating an opening through the membrane;   an adhesive-free region located in the removable portion of the laminate and occupying less than an entire area of the removable portion, the first and third layers being unadhered to each other in the adhesive-free region; and   an integral tab formed in the first layer within the adhesive-free region.   
     
     
         8 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second layers comprise polymer layers and the third layer comprises a metal foil layer. 
     
     
         9 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the first and second score lines form a closed loop such that the removable portion is completely removable from the remainder of the laminate. 
     
     
         10 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the membrane is rectangular having a first edge, a second edge perpendicular to the first edge, a third edge perpendicular to the second edge and parallel to the first edge, and a fourth edge perpendicular to the first and third edges and parallel to the second edge, and wherein the removable portion of the laminate is spaced relatively close to the first edge and relatively far from the third edge. 
     
     
         11 . The membrane of  claim 10 , wherein the second and fourth edges are longer than the first and third edges. 
     
     
         12 . The membrane of  claim 11 , wherein the tab is oriented such that a pulling direction, in which the tab is pulled to detach the removable portion from the remainder of the membrane, extends generally perpendicular to the second and fourth edges. 
     
     
         13 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein a coating of a release material is disposed between a lower surface of the tab and an upper surface of the second layer underlying the tab to prevent the tab from sticking to the second layer. 
     
     
         14 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the tab is located entirely inside of the first and second score lines. 
     
     
         15 . The membrane of  claim 1 , wherein the membrane comprises a lid, and further comprising a separately formed container defining an opening, the lid being affixed to the container to cover the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The membrane of  claim 8 , wherein the membrane comprises a lid, and further comprising a separately formed container defining an opening, the lid being affixed to the container to cover the opening.