Reclosable Packaging

Abstract

A package reclosing strip includes an adhesive layer that extends the full width of a flexible film strip. Formation of a dry edge on the strip, suitable for grasping by the user, is accomplished either by adhering a strip of material such as a dry tape or by the application of a liquid overcoating which chemically deadens the adhesive. The dry edge tape material is preferably made of mono-oriented polypropylene. The film strip is substantially transparent and includes graphics on the underside, beneath the adhesive coating. The graphics show through the film strip, providing visibility of the graphics from the outside.

What is claimed as being new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent of the United States is as follows: 
     
         1 . A composite package-reclosing strip, comprising in combination:
 (a) an adhesively coated flexible film strip having running length and width;   (b) a structurally separate_flexible dry tape longitudinally coextensive with and adhered to a lateral portion of said film strip by the adhesive coating, an adhesive-coated longitudinally extending portion of said film strip not covered by said tape being usable for securing said film strip to said package, said tape providing a dry edge for grasping by the user to pull the secured film strip away from the package and to reattach it to hold the package closed; and   (c) ink printed graphics-coextensive with the width of said film strip, said graphics applied to said film strip and located between said film strip and said adhesive wherein said film strip is transparent and said graphics are viewable from outside of said film strip, said adhesive being coextensive with the length and width of the film strip providing a barrier to protect all of said graphics from frictional wear due to repeated use of the adhesive.   
     
     
         2 . The article as set forth in  claim 1 , further including ink-printed graphics on the full width of said film strip lying between said film strip and said adhesive. 
     
     
         3 . A composite package-reclosing strip, comprising in combination,
 (a) an adhesively coated flexible film strip having running length and width, and   (b) an overcoating of tack-deadening material applied to said film strip longitudinally coextensive with and laterally partially overlying and adhered to said film strip by the adhesive coating, the adhesive coated longitudinally extending portion of said film strip not underlying said overcoating being usable for securing said film strip to said package and said tape providing a dry edge for grasping by the user.   
     
     
         4 . The combination of a package and a composite package-reclosing strip detachably secured to said package for closing the package after it has been opened and some of the contents removed, comprising:
 (a) a package formed from a web of flexible packaging material, comprising a closed package body having height and width, and having opposite ends with end seals defining the package height therebetween, and   (b) a composite package-reclosing strip, comprising in combination:   (1) said film strip extending fully longitudinally the height of said package between said package opposite ends, and   (2) an overcoating of tack-deadening material applied to said film strip longitudinally coextensive with and laterally partially overlying and adhered to said film strip by the adhesive coating, the adhesive-coated longitudinally extending portion of said film strip not underlying said overcoating being usable for securing said film strip to said package.   
     
     
         5 . The article as set forth in  claim 3  or  4  wherein said flexible film strip is of substantially fixed width. 
     
     
         6 . The article as set forth in  claim 3  or  4  wherein said flexible film strip is one of the group of single- or multiple-layer bi-axially oriented polypropylene, high density polyethylene, and polyester. 
     
     
         7 . The article as set forth in  claim 3  or  4  wherein said flexible film strip is within the thickness range of between 1.0 mil to 2.5 mils. 
     
     
         8 . The article as set forth in  claim 3  or  4 , further including ink-printed graphics on the full width of said film strip lying between said film strip and said adhesive. 
     
     
         9 . A composite package reclosing strip, comprising in combination:
 an adhesively coated flexible film strip having a running length and width said adhesive coating being coextensive with said length and width; and   ink printed graphics coextensive with the width of said film strip, said graphics located between said film strip and said adhesive coating, said adhesive providing all the graphics with a protective barrier to limit frictional wear due to repeated attachment and reattachment of the film strip to a package wherein said film strip is transparent and said graphics are viewable from outside of said film strip.   
     
     
         10 . The reclosing strip of  claim 9  wherein said graphics include instructions.