Reclosable packaging using a low-tack adhesive fastener

Abstract

A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener having a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product; the plurality of walls having at least two opposing flexible walls; a package mouth, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity; a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layer disposed on each of an exterior surface of the parallel walls, the LTPSA sized and oriented in positions to oppose one another at a plurality of positions when the package is reclosed to allow progressively decreased size of the interior cavity as product is removed; and wherein a bond strength of the LTPSA to the flexible film substrate is greater than an adhesion between LTPSA areas. The mouth can be formed by a peelable seal or by a defined area of weakness.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener, comprising:
 a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product;   the plurality of walls having at least two opposing flexible walls;   a package mouth, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity; and   a pair of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layers disposed on the same exterior panel surface generally alligned to each other and generally equi-distant to a fold line between the LTPSA layer.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the package mouth is formed by a defined area of weakness. 
     
     
         3 . A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener, comprising:
 a flexible film longitudinally sealed generally along adjacent sides to form a sleeve;   a first sleeve end peelable seal substantially transverse to the longitudinal seal at a first package end;   a second sleeve end seal substantially transverse to the longitudinal seal at a second package end, the area between the first and second seal defining a package interior and fold lines to define a front wall and a rear wall, the seals further forming front and rear package panels; and   a pair of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layers disposed on a same exterior panel surface generally aligned to each other and generally equi-distant to a fold line between the LTPSA layers.   
     
     
         4 . A flexible film package having an adhesive based reclosable fastener, comprising:
 a flexible film substrate forming a plurality of package walls sealed to form an interior cavity for receiving a product;   the plurality of walls having at least first and second opposing flexible walls, wherein the second opposing flexible wall extends beyond the first opposing flexible wall;   a first low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layer disposed on an exterior surface of the first opposing flexible wall;   a second LTPSA layer disposed on an interior surface of the second opposing flexible wall on a portion that extends beyond the first opposing flexible wall,   the LTPSA layers configured to be adjacent to one another when the package is closed along a fold line; and   a package mouth oriented between the first and second LTPSA layers, initially sealed, to permit access to the interior cavity.   
     
     
         5 . A package comprising:
 a flexible film defining an interior contents cavity and having a first pair of opposing edge portions forming a first end seal, a second pair of opposing edge portions forming a second end seal, and a third pair of opposing edge portions forming a longitudinal seal extending from the first end seal to the second end seal;   the flexible film having a first side portion and a second side portion generally opposite the first side portion;   a package mouth, initially sealed by at least one of the end seals, to permit access to the interior cavity;   a pair of low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) layers disposed on the same exterior panel surface generally aligned with each other, transverse to the longitudinal seal, and generally equi-distant to a fold line between the LTPSA layer; and   wherein the bond strength of the LTPSA to the flexible film substrate is greater than the adhesion between LTPSA areas.   
     
     
         6 . A method of forming a flexible package having an adhesive-based reclosable fastener, the method comprising:
 applying a low tack pressure sensitive adhesive (LTPSA) to a flexible film, the pressure sensitive adhesive includes a UV-curable acrylic oligomer, a tack control agent, and optionally an elastomeric material;   curing the applied LTPSA on the flexible film by application of ultraviolet radiation;   supplying the cured flexible film to a form, fill and seal machine; and   forming the flexible film into a flexible package having the LTPSA layer disposed on each of an exterior surface of package parallel walls oriented in positions to oppose one another at a plurality of positions when the package is reclosed to allow progressively decreased size of the interior cavity as product is removed.