EP3050820A1

EP3050820A1 - A resealable label flap

Info

Publication number: EP3050820A1
Application number: EP16163376.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Daragh Whelan; Luke Harbinson; Stephen Glenton; Steven Knight
Original assignee: Americk Advantage Ltd
Current assignee: Americk Advantage Ltd
Priority date: 2015-09-04
Filing date: 2016-03-31
Publication date: 2016-08-03
Also published as: WO2017036984A1; GB201515720D0; GB2534958A

Abstract

In a resealable label flap, a flap portion (11) serves as a cover for an opening in a package (30) and comprises a base layer (32) extending between two ends (33, 35). An adhesive (31) on a bottom surface of the base layer (32) permits repeated application and separation of the base layer (32) relative to the package. A top layer (38) attached to a portion of a top surface of the base layer (32) extends between the second end (35) and a hinge portion (34) of the base layer (32). A portion of the base layer carrying the top layer can pivot away from the package (30) at the hinge portion (34) into an open position. The top layer then acts as a counter balance to allow the flap portion to remain in the open position.

Description

The present invention relates to an improved resealable label flap configured to cover an opening in a package. This includes, but is not limited to, packages comprising such resealable label flaps and methods of manufacturing such resealable label flaps and/or resealable packages.
Resealable label flaps are used on packages designed to contain many different types of products. In particular, resealable label flaps are typically used to cover an opening in a package containing removable articles. This allows a user to reseal the package after removing one or more articles, thereby preventing any communication between the external ambient conditions and the articles contained in the package.
One common type of package that utilises a resealable label flap contains sheet-like removable articles that have been thoroughly, or partially, wetted with a liquid prior to packaging. For example, the removable articles may be moistened tissues, cloths or wipes, such as baby wipes, facial wipes (e.g. cleansing or make-up remover wipes) or antibacterial or cleaning wipes (e.g. for use on skin or objects).
Generally, the package is constructed from a thin, flexible, liquid-impervious material that has an opening over which the label flap is removable adhered. The label flap is often formed of a flexible or semi-rigid thermoplastic material having a removable adhesive applied to one surface of the label flap. The removable adhesive creates an air- and/or water-tight seal around the package opening. Advantageously, this may prevent the removable articles (e.g. wipes) from drying out during storage, and/or prevent external contamination of the articles. For example, the removable flap when closed may prevent bacteria, viruses, dust, allergens or other foreign bodies entering the package.
However, in the type of packaging described above, the resealable label flap often has to be held open by the user as they remove one or more articles from the package, so as to prevent the flap from closing over the opening of the package. Thus, in practice, it can be very difficult for a user to remove an article from the package using only one hand. This may be particularly problematic and inconvenient for packages containing baby wipes, as often only one hand may be free when changing a baby or child, and/or in packages containing articles such as sterilising or antibacterial wipes, as one hand may be injured, and/or soiled and/or unhygienic and so unsuitable for contact with the flap.
Also, as one or more articles are removed, a top surface of the flexible package may become deformed or misshaped. Consequently, when the user attempts to reseal the label flap to the package, the label flap may not form a seal around the opening. This may allow the articles to dry out during storage, or become contaminated or otherwise unsuitable for use.
A known solution to this problem is to use a resealable flap comprising a slit extending completely through the base layer and the adhesive that secures the base layer to the packaging, as shown in US Patent No 8 182 891 . The slit defines a hinge and, wherein the hinge allows a portion of the flap to be pivoted away from the packaging. This allows the flap to remain in an open position and eliminates any unwanted flexing, or stretching of the base layer.
In a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a resealable label flap comprising a flap portion configured to cover an opening in a package, the flap portion comprising:

a base layer extending between a first end and a second end;
an first adhesive disposed on a bottom surface of the base layer, such that the first adhesive permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package; and
a top layer attached to a portion of a top surface of the base layer, wherein the top layer extends between the second end and up to but not over a hinge portion of the base layer, wherein the hinge portion is disposed between the first end and the second end of the base layer;
wherein, the portion of the base layer to which the top layer is attached is configured to pivot away from the package at the hinge portion in an open position, in which open position the top layer acts as a counterbalance to allow the flap portion to remain in the open position.

The present invention provides a removable label flap having a flap portion that is configured to removably cover the opening in a package, wherein the flap portion is configured to remain in an open position when pivoted. This means that a user does not have to hold the flap portion open to prevent it from closing over the opening of the package. Thus the present invention provides a resealable label flap that can be opened and closed using only one hand.
Moreover, the present invention may be easier to manufacture than other known resealable label flaps that are configured to stay open. For example, the present invention does not require any slits to be made in the flap portion, unlike the known hinged flap that comprises a slit extending completely through the base layer and the adhesive. As such, the production method for the present invention may be more time and so cost efficient.
The present invention does not require any additional hinges or moving parts to pivot the flap portion away from the packaging. This may be advantageous as such parts are prone to breaking or failing over time or jamming due to foreign bodies. To remove the flap portion of the present invention a user simply peels or pulls the base layer away from the packaging at the second end until the base layer is bent, or pivoted, at the hinge portion of the base layer. The top layer then acts as a counterweight or counter-balance to keep the flap portion open until the user pushes the flap closed. The hinge portion of the base layer may be the same as the rest of the base layer.
The top layer may comprise a first end and a second end. The first end of the top layer may be disposed proximate (but not over) the hinge portion of the base layer, wherein the hinge portion is disposed between the first end and the second end of the base layer. For example, the hinge portion may be substantially at the centre of the base layer. The second end of the top layer may be disposed proximate the second end of the base layer.
Optionally, the flap portion may further comprise at least one tab extending from the second end of the base layer. The at least one tab is configured to not be adhered to the package. Advantageously, the at least one tab may provide a surface to be grasped or held by the user, thereby making it easier to peel or pull the base layer of the flap portion away from the package.
In some embodiments, the first adhesive may not be applied to the at least one tab. In other embodiments, the first adhesive disposed on the tab may be rendered ineffective (e.g. non-adhesive), for example due to a coating. Optionally, the at least one tab may be integral to the base layer, or joined to the base layer such that is remains attached when a user applies a substantial force to the at least one tab.
Optionally, the top layer may include a second adhesive configured to attach the top layer to the portion of the top surface of the base layer.
The first adhesive may be a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive, wherein the first adhesive permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to a package.
Optionally, the second adhesive may be a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, other non-removable adhesive.
In some embodiments, the hinge portion of the base layer may comprise one or more hinge flaps formed in the base layer by one or more cut lines. The hinge flaps may be beneficial as they may bias or encourage the flap portion to remain in the open position. Additionally or alternatively, the hinge flaps may be beneficial as they may make is easier for a user to pivot the base layer at the hinge portion.
Optionally, the one or more hinge flaps may be configured to stay attached to the package when the flap portion is pivoted to uncover the opening in the package.
The resealable label flap may further comprise a frame, wherein the frame remains attached to the package as the flap portion is pivoted to uncover the opening in the package. The frame may substantially surround the flap portion.
In some embodiments, the frame may be connected to the package by an adhesive. The adhesive may be the same as the first adhesive, or the second adhesive, thus the adhesive may be removable or permanent.
Optionally, the first end of the base layer may be attached to the frame. Thus, the frame may anchor the pivotable flap portion to the package, such that the entirety of the resealable label flap cannot be removed from the package. The first end of the base layer may be attached to the frame using an adhesive, or one or more connecting means, or the first end may be integral to the frame.
It may be inconvenient for the resealable label flap to be completely removable from the package (e.g. if a user applies too much force when pulling the at least one tab) as the flap portion must then be realigned over the opening of the package to correctly reseal the package. This may be difficult to do using only one hand. Also, the resealable flap may be lost or misplaced if completely removed from the package.
The frame may also reinforce the package body, preventing or reducing any deformation when one or more articles are removed through the opening in the package. This may maintain the seal between the flap portion and the package over a longer period of time (i.e. during repeated use of the package). In some embodiments, the frame may be formed of a more rigid or thicker material than the flap portion, or the base layer of the flap portion.
In some embodiments, the flap portion may be separated from the frame by a cut line extending through the base layer and the first adhesive. Thus, the frame and the base layer of the flap portion may be cut from the same sheet of material.
Optionally, the top layer may be thicker than the base layer. Additionally or alternatively, the top layer may be formed of a heavier or denser material than the base layer. This may improve the function of the top layer as a counter weight.
The base layer and/or the top layer may comprise a composite material. Optionally, the base layer may have a thickness of approximately 50 µm (micrometres). The top layer may have a thickness of more than 90µm, and/or less than 200µm.
In some embodiments, the base layer and/or the top layer may be a thin plastic or thermoplastic film. For example, the base layer and/or the top layer may be at least partially formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or polypropylene.
The base layer and/or the top layer may be formed at least partially of a translucent or transparent material. In other embodiments, the base layer and/or the top layer may be formed at least partially of an opaque material.
In some embodiments, the first adhesive may not be disposed on the portion of the base layer that directly covers the opening of the package. Alternatively, an additional layer configured to cover the opening of the package may be attached to the first adhesive (i.e. on the underside of the base layer). This may be advantageous as the cover portion will prevent the first adhesive from coming into contact with the removable articles contained in the package.
The bottom surface of the base layer can be arranged so as not to adhere to the package over a non-adhesive area covering at least part of the hinge portion. Typically, this can be achieved by not providing the first adhesive over the non-adhesive area, or by deadening the adhesive effect of the first adhesive. As such, this may provide an easy opening function; as the non-adhesive area is not attached to the package the remaining label flap can more easily be operated into the stay open position by the consumer.
In some embodiments, the base layer and/or the top layer may comprise two or more layers of material. The two or more layers may be adhered by an adhesive, or otherwise joined together. Optionally, each of the two of more layers may comprise two or more different materials.
In a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a resealable package comprising: a package body having an internal cavity sized to contain a plurality of removable articles; an opening through the package body to permit access to the removable articles; and a resealable label flap according to any embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, wherein the label flap is positioned on the package such that the flap portion is configured to removably cover the opening in the package.
The package body may be at least partially formed of a flexible plastic or thermoplastic material. In other embodiments, the package may be formed of a rigid material.
Optionally, the package body may be at least partially formed of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET or PLA. For example, the package body may be formed of a composite material comprising one or more of polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET or PLA.
The package may be any size of shape of package that utilises a resealable label flap. For example, the package may be a carton, or a box, or a cylinder, or an envelope.
In some embodiments, the package may be configured to contain a plurality of moistened tissues, cloths or wipes, such as baby wipes, facial wipes (e.g. cleansing or make-up remover wipes) or antibacterial or cleaning wipes (e.g. for use on skin or objects).
Optionally, the package may further comprise a cover portion sized to cover the opening in the package. The cover portion may be separated from the package body by a series of perforations. The cover portion may be designed such that, when the user first opens or removes the resealable flap portion from the package, the cover portion adheres to the first adhesive on the base layer of the flap portion. Thus, the cover portion may prevent the first adhesive from coming into contact with the removable articles contained in the package.
Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a top view of a resealable label flap according to a first embodiment of the invention;
Figure 2 shows a top view of a resealable label flap according to a second embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3a is an illustration of a cross section view of a resealable label flap in an open position according to an embodiment of the invention;
Figure 3b shows the resealable label flap of Figure 3a in a closed position;
Figure 4a shows a perspective view of a resealable package according to a third embodiment of the invention;
Figure 4b shows a top view of Figure 4a;
Figure 4c shows Figure 4a wherein the package is transparent;
Figure 5a shows Figure 4b with the resealable label flap in an open position;
Figure 5b shows a side view of Figure 5a;
Figure 5c shows a perspective view of Figure 5a;
Figure 5d shows an end on view of Figure 5a;
Figure 6 shows a plan view of a resealable label flap in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention; and
Figure 7 shows a plan view of a resealable label flap in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention.

Figure 1 shows a resealable label flap 10 according to a first embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The resealable label flap comprises a flap portion 11 configured to cover an opening in a package, wherein the flap portion 11 is configured to be repeatedly applied and removed from the package by a user.
The flap portion 11 comprises a tab 15 extending from the second end 14 of the flap portion 11. The tab 15 is configured to not be adhered to the package, such that the user can pull tab 15 to more easily remove the flap portion 11 from the package.
To gain access to the package, the user pulls tab 15 and pivots the flap portion 11 away from the package, such that the flap portion bends or pivots at a hinge portion 13. Hinge portion 13 is disposed between the first end 12 and second end 14 of the flap portion 11.
In this embodiment, the flap portion 11 further comprises two hinge flaps 17 disposed at the hinge portion 13. The hinge flaps 17 are separated from the hinge portion 13 by two cut lines 18 defining the outline of the hinge flaps 17. The hinge flaps17 are designed to make it easier for the user to bend or pivot the flap portion 11 at the hinge portion 13.
Figure 2 shows a resealable label flap 20 according to a second embodiment of the first aspect of the invention. The resealable label flap 20 comprises a frame 26 and a flap portion 21 (wherein flap portion 21 is similar or equivalent to flap portion 11 in Figure 1).
The flap portion 21 is separated from the frame 26 by a cut line 29, such that the first end 22 of the flap portion 21 is connected to the frame 26. In some embodiments, the frame 26 may be formed of the shame sheet of material as the base layer of the flap portion (not shown).
The tab 25 extends from the second end 24 of the flap portion 21 and is separate from the frame 26. This allows a user to pull the tab 25 and pivot the flap portion 21 at the hinge portion 23 with respect to the frame 26. The hinge portion 23 further comprises two hinge flaps 27 defined by two cut lines 28. In other embodiments, no hinge flaps may be provided, or more than two hinge flaps may be provided.
Figures 3a and 3b show an illustration of a cross-section through a resealable flap portion according to the present invention (e.g. flap portion 11, or 21).
In Figure 3a, the flap portion is in an open position, i.e. it has been removed or separated from the top surface of a package 30 comprising an opening (not shown). Figure 3b shows the same flap portion as Figure 3a, but in a closed position.
The flap portion comprises a base layer 32 extending from a first end 33 to a second end 35. A first adhesive 31 is disposed on the bottom surface of the base layer 32, such that the first adhesive 31 permits repeated application and separation of the base layer 32 relative to the package 30. The first adhesive may be a removable pressure sensitive adhesive.
A second layer 38 is attached (or adhered) to the base layer 32 by a second adhesive 36. The second adhesive 38 is preferably a non-removable (e.g. permanent) adhesive to prevent the second layer 38 from being detached from the base layer 32 when the flap portion is being applied or separated from the package 30.
The second layer 38 extends across only part of the length of the base layer 32 (e.g. the second layer 38 does not extend from the first end 33 to the second end 35). In the example shown in Figure 3a, the second layer 38 extends from the second end 35 up to but not over the hinge portion 34 of the base layer 32.
To remove or separate the base layer 32 from the package 30, a user peels or pulls the second end 35 of the base layer 32 until the base layer 32 is separated from the package 30 up to the hinge portion 34. The first end 33 of the base layer 32 remains (ideally) adhered to the package 30. The base layer 32 is then pivoted or bent in direction A at the hinge portion 34 such that the flap portion is arranged in an open position (see Figure 3a). The top layer 38 then acts as a counter-weight to keep the flap portion in the open position.
The base layer 32 may have a thickness of around 50 µm. The top layer 38 may have a thickness of between 90µm and 200µm. The base layer 32 and the top layer 38 may at least partially be formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or polypropylene. The layers formed by the first 31 and second 36 adhesives may be of different thicknesses.
Figures 4a to 4c show a resealable package 100 according to a third embodiment of the present invention. The package 100 comprises a package body 101. The package body 101 may be a formed of a flexible plastic or thermoplastic, such as polypropylene.
In the embodiment shown, the package 100 is designed to contain a plurality of wetted towels, or tissues, or wipes or cloths (e.g. baby wipes). However, in other embodiments the package 100 may be a variety of different shapes and sizes, such as a carton, or box, or tube, or envelope etc.
A resealable label flap comprising a flap portion 110 is adhered to the package body 101 by a first adhesive over an opening (not shown) which provides access to the plurality of removable wetted wipes (or other articles). In Figures 4a to 4c the flap portion 110 is shown in a closed position. In this position the flap portion 110 forms a water and/or air tight seal around the opening of the package to prevent the wipes from drying out and to prevent any contamination of the wipes.
The flap portion 110 is the same as the resealable label flap 10 in Figure 1. The flap portion comprises a tab 115, a hinge portion 113 and two hinge flaps 117. The outlines of the hinge flaps 117 are cut lines that partially separate the hinge flaps 117 from the hinge portion 113. In other embodiments, the flap portion 110 may be connected to a frame as in Figure 2.
In Figure 4c, the package 110 (including the label flap 110) is transparent. This shows the cover portion 120, wherein the cover portion 120 is positioned directly over the opening of the package. The cover portion 120 is connected to the package body 101 by a series of perforations.
In the present invention, the package body and/or the flap portion may be partially transparent, translucent, or opaque, or completely transparent.
Figures 5a to 5d show the package 100 of Figures 4a to 4c, wherein the flap portion 110 is in an open position. Thus the opening 102 of the package is uncovered, allowing access to the removable articles (not shown) contained within the package 100.
In the open position, the flap 110 is bent or pivoted away from the package body 101 at the hinge portion 103 of the flap. The hinge flaps 117 remain adhered to the package body, thus gaps 119 are formed in the bent flap by the cuts that comprise the outlines of the hinge flaps 117 (see Figure 5b). The hinge flaps 117 make it easier for the flap portion 110 to be bent at the hinge portion 113. The flap portion 110 remains in the open position due to the counter-weight action of the top layer of the flap portion (see Figure 3a).
When the flap portion 110 is removed or separated from the package body 101 for the first time, the cover portion 120 becomes connected to the bottom surface of the flap portion 110 by the first adhesive.
Fourth and fifth embodiments of the invention are shown in Figures 6 and 7 of the accompanying drawings. These embodiments are similar to the first and second embodiments described above with reference to Figures 1 and 2 of the accompanying drawings respectively.
The differences are that, in each case, there is provided a non-adhesive area 150 (shown with dotted lines) where there is no first adhesive 31 on the bottom surface of the base layer. This layer commences at an initiation point 151 of the hinge portion 34. This creates an easy opening function; as the area 150 is not attached to the package, the remaining label flap can more easily be operated into the stay-open position by the consumer. The weight bias of the label flap has less resistance due to the hinge being engineered to flex rather than stick.

Claims

A resealable label flap comprising a flap portion configured to cover an opening in a package, the flap portion comprising:
a base layer extending between a first end and a second end;

a first adhesive disposed on a bottom surface of the base layer, such that the first adhesive permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package; and

a top layer attached to a portion of a top surface of the base layer, wherein the top layer extends between the second end and up to but not over a hinge portion of the base layer, wherein the hinge portion is disposed between the first and second ends of the base layer;

wherein, the portion of the base layer to which the top layer is attached is configured to pivot away from the package at the hinge portion in an open position, in which open position the top layer acts as a counter balance to allow the flap portion to remain in the open position.
The resealable label flap of claim 1, further comprising at least one tab extending from the second end of the base layer, wherein the at least one tab is not configured to be adhered to the package.
The resealable label flap of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the top layer includes a second adhesive configured to attach the top layer to the portion of the top surface of the base layer.
The resealable label flap of any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the first adhesive is a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive.
The resealable label flap of claim 3 or claim 4 as it depends on claim 3, wherein the second adhesive is a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive.
The resealable label flap of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the hinge portion of the base layer comprises one or more hinge flaps formed in the base layer by one or more cut lines.
The resealable flap of claim 6, wherein the one or more hinge flaps are configured to stay attached to the package when the flap portion is pivoted to uncover the opening in the package.
The resealable label flap of any of claims 1 to 7, further comprising a frame substantially surrounding the flap portion, wherein the frame remains attached to the package as the flap portion is pivoted to uncover the opening in the package.
The resealable label flap of claim 8, wherein the first end of the base layer is attached to the frame.
The resealable label flap of claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the flap portion is separated from the frame by a cut line extending through the base layer and the first adhesive.
The resealable label flap of any of claims 1 to 10, wherein the top layer is formed of a heavier or denser material than the base layer.
The resealable label flap of any of claims 1 to 11, wherein the base layer and/or the top layer are at least partially formed of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) and/or polypropylene.
The resealable label flap of any preceding claim, in which the bottom surface of the base layer is arranged so as not to adhere to the package over a non-adhesive area covering at least part of the hinge portion.
A resealable package comprising:
a package body having an internal cavity sized to contain a plurality of removable articles;

an opening through the package body to permit access to the removable articles; and

a resealable label flap according to any of claims 1 to 13, wherein the label flap is positioned on the package such that the flap portion is configured to removably cover the opening in the package.
The resealable package of claim 14, wherein the package body is at least partially formed of at least one material selected from the group comprising:
• a flexible plastic or thermoplastic material; and

• polyethylene, polypropylene, PVC, PET or PLA.