Resealable label with hinge for use with dispenser package, and package having same

Abstract

A flexible resealable label to cover a dispensing opening includes a polymeric sheet having flap and base portions. The flap portion has a hinge side and a lifting side. The hinge side is connected to the base portion along a hinge, such that the flap portion can pivot with respect to the base portion about an axis of rotation. In one embodiment, the hinge is defined by a straight line of intermittent cuts, and each cut extends all the way through the sheet thickness, and the line of cuts resides in the hinge axis of rotation. In another embodiment, the flap portion has a hinge side edge defined by a straight line of intermittent cuts. Connecting strips extend from the hinge side edge into the base portion. Each connecting strip terminates at the axis of rotation, and the line of intermittent cuts does not reside in the axis of rotation.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A flexible resealable label adapted to cover a dispensing opening in a package, the label comprising:
 a polymeric sheet having a length extending in a length dimension, a width extending in a width dimension, a thickness, a bottom surface, and a top surface, the polymeric sheet having a flap portion and a base portion, the flap portion and the base portion occupying the same plane when the flap portion is in a closed position;   the base portion and the flap portion adapted to be at least partially adhered to said package;   the flap portion having a hinge side and a lifting side opposite the hinge side in the length dimension, the hinge side being connected to the base portion along a hinge, such that the flap portion can movably pivot with respect to the base portion at the hinge about an axis of rotation to assume an open position, the lifting side including a starting tab;   the hinge defined by a straight line of intermittent cuts that extends in the width dimension, each of said cuts extending all the way through the thickness of the sheet;   wherein the line of intermittent cuts resides in the axis of rotation of the hinge.   
     
     
         2 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the straight line of intermittent cuts includes at least three distinct cut segments. 
     
     
         3 . The label of  claim 2  wherein the straight line of intermittent cuts includes at least five distinct cut segments. 
     
     
         4 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the hinge has a hinge length, and wherein the intermittent cuts define at least 50% of the hinge length. 
     
     
         5 . The label of  claim 4  wherein the intermittent cuts define at least 75% of the hinge length. 
     
     
         6 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the hinge has a hinge length, and wherein the flap portion is connected to the base portion along no more than 25% of the hinge length. 
     
     
         7 . The label of  claim 1  wherein the base portion extends at least partially around the flap portion in the width and length dimensions, so as to frame at least 75% of a periphery of the flap portion, the flap portion being unconnected to the base portion other than along the hinge. 
     
     
         8 . The label of  claim 1  wherein adhesive at least partially covers the bottom surface, the adhesive adapted to releasably adhere the polymeric sheet to a polymeric flexible package. 
     
     
         9 . The label of  claim 1  wherein, when the label is adhered to said package, the flap portion can be resealably peeled away from the package to the open position so as to reveal the dispensing opening while the base portion remains adhered to said package, and wherein the flap portion can assume a fully open position and remain in said fully open position without application of an external force. 
     
     
         10 . A package comprising the label of  claim 1 .