Easy-open resealable package

Abstract

An easy-open resealable package is formed from a flexible laminate that includes an inner structure adhesively laminated to an outer structure. An opening feature is formed in the laminate and is operable for forming an opening into the package. A region of pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed between the inner and outer structures proximate the opening feature. One or more lines of weakness in the outer structure form at least one peel strip as an integral portion of the outer structure. The at least one peel strip is positioned such that peeling off the at least one peel strip exposes the pressure-sensitive adhesive, which remains on the inner structure. After opening the package by operating the opening feature, and the user can reclose the package by folding down an end portion of the package and adhering the end portion to the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to substantially close the opening.

1 . An easy-open, resealable package for products, comprising:
 a flexible laminate forming the package, the laminate comprising an inner structure adhesively laminated to an outer structure, the inner and outer structures being coextensive with each other such that edges of the inner structure substantially coincide with edges of the outer structure;   an opening feature formed in the laminate and operable for forming an opening into an interior of the package;   a region of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed between the inner and outer structures proximate the opening feature; and   one or more lines of weakness formed in the outer structure so as to form at least one peel strip as an integral portion of the outer structure, the at least one peel strip being separable from the remainder of the outer structure along the line(s) of weakness, the at least one peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the at least one peel strip exposes the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive that remains on the inner structure, whereby access into the interior of the package can be had through the opening formed by operating the opening feature, and the package can be resealed by folding down an end portion of the package and adhering the end portion to the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to substantially close the opening.   
     
     
         2 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 1 , wherein the opening feature comprises a score line in the inner structure, and the at least one peel strip is positioned such that peeling off the at least one peel strip exposes the score line for access into the interior of the package. 
     
     
         3 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one peel strip is a single peel strip configured such that peeling off the peel strip exposes both the score line and the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         4 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 3 , wherein the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive is on at least one side of the score line and the package includes an end portion on an opposite side of the score line therefrom, whereby the end portion can be folded down into a position covering the opening formed by the score line and can be held in said position by adhering the end portion to the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive, thereby resealing the package. 
     
     
         5 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 4 , wherein the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive is on both sides of the score line such that the end portion of the package on the opposite side of the score line includes pressure-sensitive adhesive that is placed in contact with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the one side of the score line for resealing the package. 
     
     
         6 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 2 , wherein the at least one peel strip comprises an opening peel strip formed by a first line of weakness in the outer structure and a separate reclose peel strip formed by a separate, second line of weakness in the outer structure, the opening peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the opening peel strip exposes the score line in the inner structure, and the reclose peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the reclose peel strip exposes the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         7 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 6 , wherein each of the opening strip and reclose peel strip includes a tab portion that is free of any adhesive attachment to the inner structure underlying the tab portion, whereby the tabs portion are readily graspable for initiating peeling of the opening and reclose peel strips from the package. 
     
     
         8 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one peel strip includes a tab portion that is free of any adhesive attachment to the inner structure underlying the tab portion, whereby the tab portion is readily graspable for initiating peeling of the at least one peel strip from the package. 
     
     
         9 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 1 , wherein the package includes an end seal at one end of the package, and the opening feature comprises a line of weakness formed in the laminate proximate the end seal such that the end seal can be torn off the package to gain access to the interior of the package, the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive and the at least one peel strip being located on an opposite side of the line of weakness from the end seal 
     
     
         10 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 9 , wherein the line of weakness comprises a laser score line. 
     
     
         11 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 10 , wherein the opening feature further comprises a notch in an edge of the package, intersecting the laser score line, for initiating tearing along the score line. 
     
     
         12 . An easy-open, resealable package, comprising:
 a sealed bag or pouch formed of a flexible laminate, the laminate comprising an inner structure adhesively laminated to an outer structure, the inner and outer structures being coextensive with each other such that edges of the inner structure substantially coincide with edges of the outer structure, an inward-facing surface of the inner structure having a sealant material, the laminate being formed into a bag or pouch having seals formed by opposing portions of the inner structure that are sealed together by the sealant material;   a score line formed in the inner structure adjacent an end portion of the bag or pouch, and operable for forming an opening through the inner structure;   a region of pressure-sensitive adhesive disposed between the inner and outer structures proximate the score line; and   one or more lines of weakness formed in the outer structure so as to form at least one peel strip as an integral portion of the outer structure, the at least one peel strip being separable from the remainder of the outer structure along the line(s) of weakness, the at least one peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the at least one peel strip exposes the score line and the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive, the exposed pressure-sensitive adhesive remaining on the inner structure, whereby access into an interior of the bag or pouch can be had through the opening formed by the score line, and the bag or pouch can be resealed by folding down the end portion and adhering the end portion to the pressure-sensitive adhesive so as to substantially close the opening.   
     
     
         13 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one peel strip is a single peel strip configured such that peeling off the peel strip exposes both the score line and the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         14 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive is on one side of the score line as well as on an opposite side of the score line, the end portion of the bag or pouch being on the opposite side of the score line, such that the end portion includes pressure-sensitive adhesive that is placed in contact with pressure-sensitive adhesive on the one side of the score line for resealing the bag or pouch. 
     
     
         15 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one peel strip comprises an opening peel strip formed by a first line of weakness in the outer structure and a separate reclose peel strip formed by a separate, second line of weakness in the outer structure, the opening peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the opening peel strip exposes the score line in the inner structure, and the reclose peel strip being positioned such that peeling off the reclose peel strip exposes the region of pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         16 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 15 , wherein each of the opening strip and reclose peel strip includes a tab portion that is free of any adhesive attachment to the inner structure underlying the tab portion, whereby the tabs portion are readily graspable for initiating peeling of the opening and reclose peel strips from the bag or pouch. 
     
     
         17 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the at least one peel strip includes a tab portion that is free of any adhesive attachment to the inner structure underlying the tab portion, whereby the tab portion is readily graspable for initiating peeling of the at least one peel strip from the bag or pouch. 
     
     
         18 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the inner structure includes a surface treatment to enhance adhesion to the pressure-sensitive adhesive relative to the outer structure, so as to ensure that the pressure-sensitive adhesive remains adhered to the inner structure and the at least one peel strip peels cleanly off the pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     
     
         19 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 12 , wherein the inner structure comprises a polymer film layer one side of which is laminated to a sealant layer and the other side of which is laminated to the outer structure. 
     
     
         20 . The easy-open, resealable package of  claim 19 , wherein the outer structure comprises a polymer film layer.