GB2523532A

GB2523532A - Packaging

Info

Publication number: GB2523532A
Application number: GB1321327.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: David Ibbitson
Original assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Current assignee: Essentra Packaging and Security Ltd
Priority date: 2013-12-03
Filing date: 2013-12-03
Publication date: 2015-09-02
Anticipated expiration: 2033-12-03
Also published as: WO2015082386A1; GB201321327D0; GB2523532B

Abstract

A label 10 has a hinge portion and an adhesive portion. There may be a pouch 1 with a compartment 2 having an opening 3 selectively covered by a flap 4. The label may attach to the inside of the flap. The label is ideally mounted so that pivoting 180 degrees about the hinge moves it from a position where the adhesive is protected by facing the inside of the flap to a position where the adhesive is exposed so that it can seal against to outer face of the pouch to secure the flap closed over the opening. The label can include a base portion 12 permanently attached to the flap and attached to the adhesive portion by the hinge. This base portion can include a release tape style coating to which the adhesive peelably sticks when in the protected position. A portion 38 of the label may be devoid of glue to allow the user to grasp it. The label could be polymeric or paper. There can be printing on the base layer and/or label. The pouch is ideally a tobacco bag made of a flexible film and its opening can be initially heat sealed and/or zipped closed.

Description

PACKAGING

Embodiments of the invention relate to packaging for at least one article or substance comprising a packet having a flap which can be folded closed and a reseal label having a reseal portion which can be releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed.

Products are frequently provided in packaging which can be opened to provide access to the product. If the product is perishable, for example if it is a food stuff or tobacco, it may be desirable to reclose the packaging in order to keep the product fresh. For example, loose tobacco is often provided in a flexible filmic pouch, or bag, having a compartment for containing the tobacco and a flap which can be folded over to keep the pouch closed. In order to maintain the flap folded closed, it is known to provide a basic single-layer reseal label having a uniform adhesive coating. The label is adhered to the outer surface of the flap, and can be adhered to the main pouch to keep the flap folded closed. To open the pouch, the label can be peeled away from the main pouch, and it can be subsequently readhered to the main pouch to keep the flap folded closed again.

Whilst this arrangement may be satisfactory, there are a number of problems with such an arrangement. When the flap is open, tobacco, dust, grease or other general debris may come into contact with the adhesive provided on the label which reduces its adhesive strength. This means that the reseal label deteriorates and starts to adhere less well to the main pouch, making it harder to keep the flap closed. Further, when opening the pouch, the user may inadvertently completely remove the reseal label from the pouch and the label may be lost or damaged.

It is therefore desirable to provide improved packaging which can be opened and resealed multiple times.

According to an aspect there is provided packaging for at least one article or substance, comprising: a packet having a compartment for containing the at least one article or substance an opening for allowing access to the interior of the compartment and a flap which can be folded closed over the opening; and a reseal label comprising a reseal layer having a hinge portion and a reseal portion; wherein the hinge portion is attached to the inner surface of the flap, and wherein the reseal portion can be releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening. Wtien the flap is open, it may be possible to adhere the reseal portion to the inner surface of the flap or to another surface, such as a base layer, to protect an adhesive coating provided on the reseal layer. The packaging may be for a tobacco product such as loose tobacco. The packet may be a pouch and the compartment may be a pocket. In use, it may be possible to releasably adhere the reseal portion to the outer surface of the packet.

The reseal portion may be arranged to be folded back on the hinge portion to allow it to be releasably adhered to a portion, such as the outer surface, of the packet. The reseal portion and/or layer may be resiliently deformable such that after folding back the reseal portion on the hinge portion, the reseal portion automatically returns to its original state and readheres to the base layer. The hinge portion may be directly or indirectly attached to the inner surface of the flap. The hinge portion may be indirectly attached to the inner surface of the flap by an intermediate layer, such as a base layer or the like. The hinge portion may be permanently directly or indirectly attached to the inner surface of the flap by an adhesive, such as a pressure sensitive permanent adhesive. The term "permanent" means that in use it is not intended to detach the hinge portion from the inner surface of the flap, and some additional effort is required to do so. However, with sufficient force it may be possible to do so.

At least a part of the lower side of the reseal portion may be provided with an adhesive, such as a reseal adhesive or a permanent adhesive. If a permanent adhesive is used, the base layer, if present, may be provided with a release coating and the outer surface of the packet may have adhesive release properties, which may be inherent or may be a coating applied to the outer surface. This would prevent the reseal portion from permanently adhering to the base layer or outer surface of the packet.

The hinge portion and reseal portion may be contiguous.

The reseal layer may further comprise a finger lift portion. The lower side of the finger lift portion may be adhesive free or may be provided with an adhesive deadening layer.

This would allow the user to easily grasp the reseal layer. The hinge portion, reseal portion and finger lift portion may be contiguous. Substantially all of the lower side of the reseal portion from between the edge of the hinge portion to the edge of the finger lift portion may be provided with an adhesive.

The length of the label (from the upper edge to the lower edge) may be between 20- 100mm, between 25-80mm, between 30-60mm, or between 40-50mm. The length of the hinge portion (from the edge of the label to the edge of the hinge portion) may be between 1-10mm, between 2-8mm, between 3-6mm, or between 4-5mm. The length of the reseal portion (from the edge of the hinge portion to the edge of the label or the finger lift portion where present) may be between 10-70mm, between 15-65mm, 25- 55mm, or between 35-45mm. The length of the finger lift portion (from the edge of the label to the edge of the reseal portion) may be between 1-10mm, between 2-8mm, between 3-6mm, or between 4-5mm.

The reseal layer may be a polymeric or paper reseal layer. The reseal layer may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), for

example.

The upper side and/or the lower side of the reseal layer may be at least partially printed.

The reseal label may further comprise a base layer adhered to the inner surface of the flap. The base layer may be permanently adhered to the inner surface of the flap. The material properties of the inner surface of the flap may ensure that the base layer is permanently adhered thereto. When the flap is open, it may be possible to adhere the reseal portion to the base layer, to protect an adhesive coating provided to the reseal layer. The term "permanent" means that in use it is not easy to detach the base layer from the inner surface of the flap. The reseal layer may be disposed above the base layer. The hinge portion may be permanently attached to the base layer. The reseal portion may be releasably adhered to the base layer. The reseal portion may be arranged to be peeled away from the base layer and releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening. It may be possible to peel away and readhere the reseal layer, or reseal portion, to the base layer and/or the packet multiple times. The adhesive strength between the hinge portion and the base layer may be greater than that between the reseal portion and the base layer.

At least a portion of the upper side of the base layer may be provided with a release coating. This may allow the reseal portion to be releasably adhered to the base layer.

The majority, or substantially all, of the upper side of the base layer may be provided with a release coating. At least a part of the upper side of the base layer may be provided with a release coating, such as a silicone release coating. At least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or 100% of the upper side of the base layer may be provided with a release coating.

The hinge portion may be permanently directly or indirectly attached to the base layer by an adhesive.

At least a portion of the lower side of the base layer may be provided with an adhesive, such as a permanent adhesive. At least 10%, at least 20%, at least 30%, at least 40%, at least 50%, at least 60%, at least 70%, at least 80%, at least 90% or 100% of the lower side of the base layer may be provided with an adhesive, such as a permanent adhesive. The majority, or substantially all, of the lower side of the base layer may be provided with an adhesive, such as a permanent adhesive.

The base layer and reseal layer may be substantially the same shape and/or size. The base layer may be larger than the reseal layer. The periphery of the base layer may be outside the periphery of the reseal layer.

The base layer may be non-separable. This means that a tear-strip, or the like, cannot be pulled through or torn from the base layer to separate it into two separate parts.

The base layer may be a polymeric base layer. The reseal layer may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polypropylene (PP), or polyethylene (PE), for example.

The upper side and/or the lower side of the base layer may be at least partially printed.

The reseal layer may further comprise a finger lift portion that is not adhered to the base layer.

The lower side of the base layer and reseal layer may be provided with substantially the same adhesive.

The packet may be flexible. The packet may comprise or may be formed from a filmic substrate. The filmic substrate may be a single layer of material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Alternatively, the filmic substrate may be a laminate comprising an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer may be polyethylene (PE). The outer layer may be polypropylene (PP) or polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The outer layer may have adhesive release properties, which may be inherent, or the outer surface may be provided with a release coating such as a silicone coating. This may mean that the adhesive coating providing on the reseal portion can be a permanent adhesive, whilst still allowing the reseal portion to be releasably adhered to the outer surface of the packet.

The packet may further comprise a seal, such as a hermetic seal, which can be broken to allow access to the interior of the compartment. The seal may comprise a heat seal.

The seal may a reclosable seal, such as a plastic zipper, with or without a slider. The compartment may be a pocket. The packet may be a pouch or bag.

The invention also relates to a pouch of loose tobacco comprising: packaging in accordance with any statement herein, wherein the compartment, or pocket, contains loose tobacco.

Embodiments of the invention also relate to a reseal label for use with packaging in

accordance with any statement herein.

Further embodiments of the invention relate to a wound reel of labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of labels, each in accordance with any statement herein, releasably adhered to the backing sheet.

According to another aspect there is provided packaging for at least one article or substance, comprising: a packet having a compartment for containing the at least one article or substance an opening for allowing access to the interior of the compartment and a flap which can be folded closed over the opening; and a reseal label comprising: a base layer adhered to, such as permanently adhered to, the inner surface of the flap; a reseal layer disposed above the base layer and having a hinge portion permanently attached to the base layer and a reseal portion which is releasably adhered to the base layer; wherein the reseal portion can be peeled away from the base layer and releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening.

According to yet another aspect of the invention there is provided a reseal label for a packet comprising a compartment for containing at least one article or substance an opening for allowing access to the interior of the compartment and a flap which can be folded closed over the opening, the label comprising: a base layer arranged to be adhered to the inner surface of the flap; and a reseal layer disposed above the base layer and having a hinge portion permanently attached to the base layer and a reseal portion which is releasably adhered to the base layer; wherein in use, with the base layer adhered to the inner surface of the flap, the reseal portion can be peeled away from the base layer and releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 schematically shows packaging, in the form of a pouch of loose tobacco, in a closed state; Figure 2 schematically shows the packaging of Figure 1 with the flap open and a reseal label adhered to the inner surface, and the seal closed; Figure 3 schematically shows the packaging of Figure 1 with the flap open and the seal broken; Figure 4 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the reseal label applied to the inner surface of the flap of the packaging of Figure 2; Figure 5 schematically shows a plan view of the reseal label of Figure 4; Figure 6 schematically shows a cross-sectional view of the reseal label of Figure 4 with the reseal portion peeled away from the base layer; Figure 7 schematically shows the packaging of Figure 3 with the reseal label peeled away from the base layer; and Figure 8 schematically shows the packaging of Figure 7 with the flap closed and the reseal portion of the reseal layer adhered to the pouch to maintain the flap closed.

Figures 1 and 2 show a flexible packet 1, in the form of a pouch for loose tobacco, made from a filmic substrate. The filmic substrate may be a single layer of material such as polypropylene (PP), polyethylene (PE), or polyethylene terephthalate (PET).

However, in this embodiment the filmic substrate is a laminate comprising an outer layer and an inner layer. The inner layer may be polyethylene (PE) and the outer layer may be polypropylene (PP) polyethylene terephthalate (PET). The outer layer may have adhesive release properties that the inner layer does not have. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments other suitable materials could be used. The pouch 1 comprises a compartment 2, or pocket, having an opening 3 which allows access to the interior of the pocket 2. In this embodiment, the pocket 2 is filled with loose tobacco (otherwise known as rolling tobacco). The pouch 1 also comprises a flap 4 that extends beyond the opening 3 of the pocket 2. The flap 4 can be folded over to cover or close the opening 3 and restrict access to the pocket 2 (Figure 1), or can be opened to expose the opening 3 and permit access to the pocket 2 (Figure 2).

As shown best in Figure 2, the height (or length) of the flap 4 is greater than that of the pocket 2. Therefore, in order to close the opening 3, the flap 4 is folded over the front of the pocket 2, under the bottom of the pocket 2 and onto the rear of the pocket 2 (Figure 1).

Figures 1 and 2 show a pouch of tobacco that has not been fully opened for the first time. In order to preserve the freshness of the tobacco, a seal 5 is provided which hermetically seals the pocket. The seal 5 is a heat seal formed by heat sealing a front panel of the pouch 2 to a rear panel of the pouch 2 along a line that extends across the entire width of the pocket 2 and opening 3. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments there may be no seal, or the seal 4 may be a different type of seal such as a reclosable seal in the form of a plastic zipper either with or without a slider, for

example.

The pouch 1 can be made in any number of ways, but in this embodiment it is manufactured from a single piece of a laminate filmic substrate having the same width as the pouch 1. The substrate is folded to form the pocket 2 and is heat-sealed on left and right sides. The tobacco can then be automatically placed within the pocket 2 and the seal 5 is formed by heat sealing across the top of the pocket 2 to form a hermetically sealed pocket 2. The flap 4 is then folded over the pocket 2. Although not shown in the figures, a transparent filmic overwrap may be provided over the entire pouch 1.

When opening the pouch of tobacco 1 for the first time, the user folds the flap 4 open (Figure 2) and breaks the seal 5 by gently pulling apart front and rear panels of the pouch 1. As shown in Figure 3, this results in access being allowed to the interior of the pocket 2 through the opening 3 so that tobacco can be removed from the pocket 2.

If the user is rolling a cigarette, this is typically done over the inner surface of the flap 4 with the flap 4 folded open so that any excess tobacco can be easily returned to the pocket 2 through the opening 3. Wien the user has finished removing tobacco/rolling a cigarette, the flap 4 is folded back closed over the opening 3. The flap 4 is typically folded closed along a line that is below the opening 3. This has the effect of providing a partial non-hermetic seal which, whilst not preventing the ingress of air into the pocket 1, limits the ingress of air and prevents tobacco from falling out of the pocket 2.

Therefore, the closure of the flap 4 helps to preserve the freshness of the tobacco.

In order to keep the flap 4 closed when it has been folded closed over the opening 3, a reseal label 10 is provided which is attached to the inner surface of the flap 4. The inner surface of the flap 4 is the surface of the flap 4 which faces (or is in contact with) a part of the pouch 1 (such as the front or rear panel of the pocket 2), when the flap 4 is folded closed over the opening 3. In contrast, the outer surface of the flap 4 is the exterior surface of the flap 4 which faces outwardly when the flap 4 is folded closed over the opening 3. As described above, in this embodiment the outer surface is PP or PET and the inner surface is PE. The reseal label 10 will now be described in detail below.

With reference to Figures 4 and 5, the reseal label 10 is of a laminate structure and comprises a base layer 12 and a reseal layer 14 that is disposed above the base layer 12. In this embodiment, the base layer 12 and reseal layer 14 are of substantially the same shape and size. However, in other embodiments, the reseal layer 14 may be smaller than the base layer 12, for example. The label 10 is generally rectangular with a curved semi-circular lower edge. However, it should be appreciated that other suitable shapes could be used. In this particular embodiment the base layer 12 and reseal layer 14 are films of polypropylene (PP). It should be appreciated that other suitable materials could be used. For example, the base layer 12 and/or the reseal layer 14 may be MOPP, polyethylene terephthalate (PET), polyethylene (PE) or paper.

In this particular embodiment the base layer 12 and the reseal layer 14 are transparent, however, in other embodiments one or both of the layers 12, 14 may be pigmented or metallised, for example. In this embodiment the thickness of the base layer 12 is approximately 40 microns and the thickness of the reseal layer 14 is approximately 60 microns. However, any suitable thicknesses may be used.

The base layer 12 is continuous and non-separable, which means that in use it is intended to stay in a single piece. The entire lower surface of the base layer 12 is provided with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive coating 26 so that the label 10 can be adhered to the inner surface of the flap 4 by the application of pressure. The material properties of the inner surface of the flap 4 ensures that the base layer 12 permanently adheres to it. It should be appreciated that in other embodiments only part of the lower surface of the base layer 12 may be provided with an adhesive coating 26, for example, the adhesive coating 26 may be applied in stripes. The nature of the permanent adhesive coating 26 and the inner surface of the flap 4 prevents the label 10 from being easily remove therefrom. However, the term "permanent" should not be understood to mean that it is impossible to remove the label 10, merely that it is not intended to be removed from the flap 4. The adhesive coating 26 may be a rubber or acrylic based adhesive and may either be a hot melt, emulsion, solvent based or UV hot melt adhesive. As will be apparent to one skilled in the art, other suitable adhesives may be used. Further, in other embodiments the base layer 12 of the label may be attached to the inner surface of the flap 4 by any other suitable method.

The upper surface of the base layer 12 is provided with a release layer 30 which may be a silicone release coating. The release layer 30 is provided over the majority of the surface of the base layer 12. However, a strip 32 of the base layer 12 which is at the straight edge of the base layer 12 is not provided with the release layer 30.

The reseal layer 14 comprises a hinge portion 34, a reseal portion 36 and a finger lift portion 38 which are contiguous with one another. The hinge portion 34 is disposed at one end of the reseal layer 14 and is attached to the base layer 12, the reseal portion 36 extends over the majority of the base layer 16, and the finger lift portion 38 is disposed at the opposite end of the reseal layer 14. The length of the hinge portion 34 is measured from the edge of the label to the edge of the reseal portion, the length of the reseal portion 36 is measured from the edge of the hinge portion to the edge of the finger lift portion, and the length of the finger lift portion is measured from the edge of the reseal portion to the edge of the label. In this embodiment, the length of the hinge portion 34 is approximately 5mm, the length of the reseal portion 36 is approximately 35mm, and the length of the finger lift portion 38 is approximately 5mm. It should be appreciated that these dimensions are merely examples and any other suitable lengths may be chosen. In this embodiment, the overall width of the label is approximately 30mm.

The majority of the lower surface of the reseal layer 14 is coated with a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive coating 40. Since the edge strip 32 of the base layer 12 is not coated with the release coating 40, the adhesive 40 on the lower surface of the hinge portion 34 permanently attaches the hinge portion 34 to the base layer 12.

Again, in this context, the term "permanent" merely means that the hinge portion 34 is not intended to be detached from the base layer 12, and some additional effort is required to detach the two. The lower surface 38 of the finger lift portion 38 is provided with an adhesive deadening layer 39 so that a user can easily peel away the reseal layer 14 from the base layer 12.

Although it has been described that the lower surface of the finger lift portion 38 is provided with an adhesive deadening layer 39, the purpose of this is to prevent the finger lift portion 38 from adhering to the base layer 12. Therefore, as opposed to being provided with an adhesive deadening layer 39, the finger lift portion 38 could be adhesive free. This would still prevent the finger lift portion 38 from adhering to the base layer 12.

With reference to Figure 6, the reseal layer 14 can be peeled away from the base layer 12 by a user grasping the finger lift portion 38, the lower surface of which is provided with an adhesive deadening layer 39. The release layer 30 provided on the upper surface of the base layer 12 allows the reseal layer 14 to be peeled away with ease.

The reseal layer 14 can be peeled back so that the reseal portion 36 is folded back on the hinge portion 34. The reseal layer 14 cannot be completely detached from the base layer 12 with ease since the hinge portion 34 is permanently adhered to the edge of the first base portion 16. The hinge portion 34 is not permanently adhered to the base layer 12 in the true sense of the word. However, the adhesive strength between the hinge portion 34 and the base layer 12 is greater than that between the reseal portion 36 and the base layer 12 such that it is harder to separate the hinge portion 34 and base layer 12 compared to the reseal portion 36 and base layer 12. Therefore, as the reseal layer 14 is peeled back, it naturally stops peeling away as the hinge portion 34 is reached. Application of further force, perhaps excessive force, would separate the hinge portion 34 from the base layer 12. The reseal layer 14 can be readhered to the base layer 12 in a releasable fashion such that it can once again be peeled away from the base layer 12 by pulling the finger lift portion 38. The reseal layer 14 can be peeled away and readhered to the base layer 12 multiple times.

With reference back to Figures 2 and 3, the reseal label 10 is adhered to the inner surface of the flap 4 by the permanent pressure sensitive adhesive coating 26 provided on the lower surface of the base layer 12. In this embodiment, the nature of the adhesive coating 26 and the properties of the inner surface of the flap 4 means that the reseal label 10 is permanently adhered to the inner surface of the flap 4. In the context of the specification, this means that the label 10 is not intended to be detached from the inner surface of the flap 4 and therefore it is somewhat difficult to do so. The term "permanent" should not be understood to mean that it is impossible for a user to detach the label 10.

When the pouch of tobacco 1 is opened for the first time (Figure 2) the reseal portion 36 of the reseal label 10 is already releasably adhered to the base layer 12. As described above, the seal 5 must be broken to allow access to the interior of the pocket 2. After the seal 5 has been broken (Figure 3) tobacco can be removed from the pocket 2 and a cigarette, for example, can be rolled over the inner surface of the flap 4.

Since the reseal portion 36 is adhered to the base layer 12, the adhesive coating 40 provided on the lower surface of the reseal portion 36 is protected. Since the adhesive coating 40 is not exposed, loose tobacco, for example, cannot become inadvertently adhered to the adhesive coating 40 which would reduce its adhesive strength.

With reference to Figure 7, when the user wishes to close the pouch 1, the reseal portion 36 is peeled away from the base layer 12 using the finger lift portion 38 and is folded back on the hinge portion 34 to expose the adhesive coating 40. The flap 4 is then folded along a line below the opening 3, which in this embodiment is along the line of the seal 4, and is folded under the bottom of the pocket 2. The user then pulls the flap 4 tight by grasping the finger lift portion 38 of the reseal layer 14 and, as shown in Figure 8, releasably adheres the reseal portion 36 to the outer surface of the package, which in this embodiment is a rear panel of the pouch 1. This keeps the flap 4 closed and helps to preserve the freshness of the tobacco, and also helps to prevent tobacco from falling out of the pouch 1. Although the adhesive coating 40 is a permanent pressure sensitive adhesive, the reseal portion 36 is releasably adhered to the outer surface of the pouch because of the material properties of the outer layer of the filmic substrate.

In order to reopen the pouch 1, a user simply pulls the finger lift portion 38 of the reseal layer 14 and peels the reseal portion 36 away from the outer surface of the pouch 1.

Due to the material properties of the outer surface of the pouch 1, the reseal portion 36 can be peeled away with relative ease and without damaging the pouch 1 itself. The flap 4 can then be folded back to the open configuration shown in Figure 7 in which the opening 3 is exposed. The reseal portion 36 is then adhered to the base layer 12 (Figure 3) either by the user, or the properties of the film and hinge portion 34 may cause it to "spring back" and adhere itself back to the base layer 12. This protects the adhesive coating 40 provided on the lower surface of the reseal portion 36 and prevents tobacco, or general dust, fluff or other debris, from being inadvertently stuck to the lower surface of the reseal portion 36 when the flap 4 is open. Protecting the adhesive coating 40 by adhering it to the base layer 12 when the flap 4 is open ensures that the adhesive strength provided by the adhesive coating 40 does not deteriorate excessively. The reseal portion 36 can be repeatedly adhered to and peeled away from both the base layer 12 and the pouch 1 substrate. Since the reseal portion 36 maintains its good adhesive properties, it can be used repeatedly to hold the flap 4 closed over the opening when the pouch 1 is closed.

In an alternative embodiment not shown in the Figures, the reseal label 10 is of a single layer structure and only has a reseal layer 14 having a hinge portion 34 and a reseal portion 36. The lower surface of the hinge portion 34 is provided with a permanent adhesive coating and the lower surface of the reseal portion 36 is provided with a reseal adhesive. Thus, the hinge portion 34 is permanently attached to the inner surface of the flap 4 and the reseal portion 36 is releasably adhered to the inner surface of the flap 4. In use, the reseal portion 36 of the reseal layer 14 can be peeled away from the inner surface of the flap 4 and the hinge portion 34 remains attached, and the reseal portion 36 can be used to maintain the flap 4 folded close by adhering it to another portion of the pouch, such as the outer surface, when the flap 4 is in a closed configuration. "Mien open, the reseal portion 36 is adhered back to the inner surface of the flap 4 to protect the adhesive coating provided on its lower surface.

Although it has been described that the packet is a pouch for tobacco, the invention extends to other types of packaging for other products where it is desirable to reseal the packaging. For example, the packet could be a bag formed from a filmic substrate having a sealing or closure flap extending from the opening. The bag could be a bag for a food product such as pasta, rice, or confectionary, for example.

Although not described in detail, it should be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the reseal labels can be provided on a reel comprising a wound backing sheet provided with a release coating to which a plurality of labels are adhered.

The adhesive coating provided on the lower surface of the base layer and the reseal layer may be a permanent adhesive coating. However, the adhesive strength between the base layer and the inner surface of the flap may be greater than the adhesive strength between the reseal portion and the outer surface of the packet due to the differences in material properties of the inner and outer layers of the packet. In other embodiments, the adhesives provided on the base layer and reseal layer may be different. For example, the adhesive coating on the base layer may be a permanent adhesive, whereas the adhesive coating on the reseal portion may be a reseal adhesive.

Claims

CLAIMS: 1. Packaging for at least one article or substance, comprising: a packet having a compartment for containing the at least one article or substance an opening for allowing access to the interior of the compartment and a flap which can be folded closed over the opening; and a reseal label comprising a reseal layer having a hinge portion and a reseal portion; wherein the hinge portion is attached to the inner surface of the flap, and wherein the reseal portion can be releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening.
2. Packaging according to claim 1, wherein the reseal portion is arranged to be folded back on the hinge portion to allow it to be releasably adhered to a portion of the packet.
3. Packaging according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the hinge portion is directly or indirectly attached to the inner surface of the flap.
4. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge portion is permanently directly or indirectly attached to the inner surface of the flap by an adhesive.
5. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein at least a part of the lower side of the reseal portion is provided with an adhesive, such as a reseal adhesive.
6. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the majority, or substantially all, of the lower side of the reseal portion is provided with an adhesive, such as a reseal adhesive.
7. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the hinge portion and reseal portion are contiguous.
8. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the reseal layer further comprises a finger lift portion.
9. Packaging according to claim 8, wherein the lower side of the finger lift portion is adhesive free or is provided with an adhesive deadening layer.
10. Packaging according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the hinge portion, reseal portion and finger lift portion are contiguous.
11. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the reseal layer is a polymeric or paper reseal layer.
12. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the upper side and/or the lower side of the reseal layer is at least partially printed.
13. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the reseal label further comprises a base layer adhered to the inner surface of the flap; and wherein the reseal layer is disposed above the base layer, the hinge portion is permanently attached to the base layer, and the reseal portion is releasably adhered to the base layer; wherein the reseal portion can be peeled away from the base layer and releasably adhered to a portion of the packet to maintain the flap folded closed over the opening.
14. Packaging according to claim 13, wherein atleasta portion of the upper side of the base layer is provided with a release coating.
15. Packaging according to claim 13 or 14, wherein the majority, or substantially all, of the upper side of the base layer is provided with a release coating.
16. Packaging according to of claims 13-15, wherein the hinge portion is permanently attached to the base layer by an adhesive.
17. Packaging according to any of claims 13-16, wherein at least a portion of the lower side of the base layer is provided with an adhesive, such as a permanent adhesive.
18. Packaging according to any of claims 13-17, wherein the base layer and reseal layer are substantially the same shape and/or size.
19. Packaging according to any of claims 13-18, wherein the base layer is non-separable.
20. Packaging according to any of claims 13-19, wherein the base layer is a polymeric base layer.
21. Packaging according to any of claims 13-20, wherein the upper side and/or the lower side of the base layer is at least partially printed.
22. Packaging according to any of claims 13-21, wherein the reseal layer further comprises a finger lift portion that is not adhered to the base layer.
23. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packet is flexible.
24. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packet comprises or is formed from a filmic substrate.
25. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packet further comprises a seal which can be broken to allow access to the interior of the compartment.
26. Packaging according to claim 25, wherein the seal comprises a heat seal.
27. Packaging according to claim 25 0126, wherein the seal is a reclosable seal, such as a plastic zipper.
28. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the compartment is a pocket.
29. Packaging according to any preceding claim, wherein the packet is a pouch or bag.
30. A pouch of loose tobacco comprising: packaging in accordance with claim 29, wherein the compartment, or pocket, contains loose tobacco.
31. A reseal label for use with packaging in accordance with any of claims 1-29.
32. A wound reel of labels comprising a wound backing sheet with a plurality of labels, each in accordance with claim 31! releasably adhered to the backing sheet.
33. Packaging, a pouch of loose tobacco, a reseal label or a wound reel of labels substantially as described herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.