GB2528720A

GB2528720A - Opening and reclosing device for packages

Info

Publication number: GB2528720A
Application number: GB1413505.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Andrew Burns
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2014-07-30
Filing date: 2014-07-30
Publication date: 2016-02-03
Anticipated expiration: 2034-07-30
Also published as: GB2528720B; GB201413505D0

Abstract

An opening and reclosing device 10 for a container such as a sack, bag, pouch, carton or box, comprises: means 18 for affixing the device to a container; an integral cutter (30, fig. 4) for creating an opening; and a zip-locking mechanism for re-closing the opening. The cutter is preferably housed within a slider 26 coupled to a pull tab 28 and movable between a first stop 14 and second stop 16 to open and close the re-closing mechanism, and may be movable between a first deployed position and a second stowed position. The cutter may further comprise first and second legs (48, 42), at right angles to each other, and first and second apertures (40, 26) for attaching the cutter to first and second pegs provided by the slider and the pull tab respectively, by virtue of which the cutter is pivotally and downwardly movable for being deployed to cut open the container. Preferably a stop (38) is provided opposite, or as an extension of, the second leg, to limit the extent of movement of the cutter. Also disclosed is a method of opening and reclosing a container using the above device.

Description

OPENING AND RECLOSING DEVICE FOR PACKAGES

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an opening and reclosing device that can be applied to a S wide range of containers and items, such as bags, pouches and cartons containing foodstuffs, pet food and garden and building products such as compost, sand and cement.

Particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to a self-adhesive opening and reclosing device having an integral cutting means and a zip-locking mechanism for re-sealing the created opening. The invention is advantageous in a wide variety of applications, for example, for preserving product freshness or improving the shelf-life of products such as rice, cereal, pet food, frozen food and cement as well as improving the storage of items that may be consumed over a period of time after a bag containing the items has been opened, such as compost.

Aspects of the invention relate to an opening and reclosing device, to a method of opening and re-closing a container and to a container opened and re-closed by the opening and reclosing device.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In the field of packaging of products held in containers, such as rice, cereals, foodstuffs, composts, cement and the like contained in containers such as sacks and bags, it is beneficial if the container can be easily opened by a consumer. In the case of polythene bags used in a wide variety of sizes, the bags can be easily opened in a pre-determined manner using integral opening mechanisms provided on the package, for example, a strip or line of perforations or a tear tape. Alternatively the bags can be opened in an a more arbitrary manner by the consumer tearing or otherwise cutting or breaking open the bag, for example using tools such as scissors. In either case where the container houses multiple items (for example a multi-pack of frozen chicken breasts) or a large quantity of product (for example, soil, sand, cement, pet food, rice, cereal) it is advantageous if the container can be re-closed or re-sealed to keep the remaining products within the bag and to preserve product freshness and thus extend the shelf-life of the remaining products. It is known to provide on containers themselves re-sealing tapes and other auxiliary fasteners such as sticking tape, clamps and the like can also be used to hold the bag closed after use.

The present invention seeks to provide an improvement in the field of packaging of products by providing an opening and reclosing device that can be applied to a wide range of articles and items. The opening and reclosing device can be affixed to a bag or other suitable container and comprises an integral cutting means for creating a defined opening in the bag or container in a prescribed and definite manner such that a zip-locking mechanism of the opening and reclosing device can be used to re-close the opening created to re-secure the S products within the container and to preserve product freshness.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Aspects of the invention provide an opening and reclosing device, a method of opening and re-closing a container and a container opened and re-closed by the opening and reclosing device as claimed in the appended claims.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an opening and reclosing device for a container, the opening and reclosing device comprising: an affixing means for affixing the opening and reclosing device to a container; an integral cutting means for creating an opening in the container in a prescribed manner; and a zip-locking mechanism for re-closing the created opening for securing remaining products within the container and/or for preserving freshness or shelf-life of remaining products.

Optionally, the affixing means comprises at least one self-adhesive strip. In this way the opening and re-closing device can be attached to a wide variety of containers and can be applied in a user selected position. Depending upon the manner in which a user stores a container, they may prefer for the opening created in the container to be made at the top, or bottom of the container or even in the middle of the container if the container is lying flat. As such by providing a self-adhesive affixing means, the user can select where to position the opening and reclosing device according to their individual requirements.

Optionally, the zip-locking mechanism comprises: a slider and a pull-tab coupled thereto.

The slider may be movebale between a first stop and a second stop to open and close the zip-locking mechanism. The integral cutting means may be housed within the slider.

Optionally, the integral cutting means comprises a blade. The integral cutting means may be pivotally connected to the slider and may be moveable between a first deployed position wherein the blade protrudes out of the slider for cutting an opening into a container and a second stowed position. In the stowed position all or substantially all of the cutting means may be disposed within the slider such that the body of the slider prevents a user's hand from contacting the blade if a user puts their hand through the opening and into the container to retrieve product held by the container.

Optionally, the slider comprises two parts and the integral cutting means is held between the two parts. This may facilitate efficient and cost effective manufacture of the device and easy installation of the cutting means within the slider.

Optionally, the cutting means comprises first and second legs, disposed at about 900 relative to one another and comprises first and second apertures respectively for attaching the cutting means to first and second pegs provided by the slider and the pull tab respectively, by virtue of which, the cutting means is pivotally and downwardly moveable for being deployed to cut open a container. In this way, the blade is only exposed for cutting when a user deliberately applies force to the pull tab to push down and to rotate the cutting means.

Optionally, opposite to said second leg or formed as an extension thereof a stop is provided for engagement with a portion of the slider for limiting the extent of movement of the cutting means.

Optionally, the blade is angled at about 45° relative to side edges of the first leg.

Optionally, the cutting means is housed within the slider and is moveable downwardly and/or pivotally from a first stowed position, in which the cutting tool is disposed at least substantially within the slider, into a deployed position, in which at least part of the blade of the cutting means projects beyond a bottom plane of the slider. The cutting means may be moveable upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into a stowed and locked position, wherein the cutting means is locked within the slider and is restricted from being moved again into the deployed position.

Optionally, the cutting means and slider comprise complementary parts of a catching mechanism which is engaged when the cutting means is moved upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into the stowed and locked position.

Optionally, at least the blade of the cutting means is sandwiched between side extensions of the slider when the cutting means is disposed in a stowed position. The side extensions of the slider may be angled in a complementary manner to the angle of the blade such that the blade is contained on at least two sides.

Optionally, the opening and reclosing device is shaped and configured to form an opening that is substantially straight, "["-shaped, "U-shaped or C-shaped.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a method of opening and S reclosing a container, the method comprising: (i) affixing an opening and reclosing device to a container; (ii) deploying a cutting means of the opening and reclosing device to create an opening in the container, the size, configuration and position of which opening is determined by the opening and reclosing device; and (iH) reclosing the opening formed in the container by utilising a zip-locking mechanism of the opening and reclosing device.

Within the scope of this application it is expressly intended that the various aspects, embodiments, examples and alternatives set out in the preceding paragraphs, in the claims and/or in the following description and drawings, and in particular the individual features thereof, may be taken independently or in any combination. That is, all embodiments and/or features of any embodiment can be combined in any way and/or combination, unless such features are incompatible. The applicant reserves the right to change any originally filed claim or file any new claim accordingly, including the right to amend any originally filed claim to depend from and/or incorporate any feature of any other claim although not originally claimed in that manner.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a container having an opening and reclosing device according to an embodiment of the disclosure affixed thereto, wherein the opening and reclosing device has been used to cut an opening in the container and a zip-locking mechanism is being used to re-close that opening; FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of an opening and reclosing device such as that shown in Figure 1, the device is illustrated prior to being affixed to a container; FIGURE 3 is an exploded view of the opening and re-closing device shown in Figure 2 illustrating the component parts of the device; FIGURE 4 is an enlarged view of part of the illustration of Figure 3 showing in close-up view a cutting means of the opening and re-closing device; FIGURE 5 is a side view of the opening and re-closing device shown in Figure 2 wherein a slider and a pull-tab coupled thereto have been moved away from a first stop during a cutting and opening operation; and FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA shown in Figure 2.

To aid the understanding of the accompanying drawings, the following table of reference numerals used in the accompanying drawings is provided, wherein each reference numeral is accompanied by a brief description or name of the feature thereby denoted: Ref Numeral Denoted Feature Ref Numeral Denoted Feature opening and closing 26a first slider part ______________ device _________________ ___________________________ container 26b second slider part 22 surface of container 34 aperture in adhesive strip 24 normal closure of 36 backing paper _______________ container __________________ _____________________________ 1 2a first zip track 38 stop 1 2b second zip track 48 first leg 14 first end stop 42 second leg 16 second end stop 46 first aperture in cutting tool 18 adhesive strip 40 second aperture in cutting ______________ ______________________ _________________ tool 26 slider 50 connecting peg 28 pull-tab 52 second pivot peg cutting tool 54 blade tip 32 blade 56 first pivot peg

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Detailed descriptions of specific embodiments of the opening and reclosing devices, methods and containers of the present invention are disclosed herein. It will be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples of the way in which certain aspects of the invention can be implemented and do not represent an exhaustive list of all of the ways the invention may be embodied. Indeed, it will be understood that the opening and reclosing devices, methods and containers described herein may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimised to show details of particular components. Well-known components, materials or methods are not necessarily described in great detail in order to avoid obscuring the present disclosure. Any specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims S and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the invention.

Examples of containers that may be used with the opening and re-closing device described herein include, without limitation sacks, bags, pouches (self-standing and non-self-standing), cartons and boxes and the like. Such containers may, for example, be formed from or comprise any lamination, other combination or any one of the following materials: plastics material, such as but not limited to RE (polyethylene), PET (Polyethylene terephthalate); PA (polyamide) and BOPP (biaxially oriented polypropylene); paper; kraft board; paperboard; cardboard; fibreboard; lightweight card; metal, such as aluminium; and one or more lining layers, such as a foil, for example, but not limited to aluminium foil and other metallic foil as well as plastics film and the like. Typically such containers may comprise more than one layer of material in order to enhance the barrier properties of the container to minimise the ingress of air and other contaminants in order to preserve product freshness and extend the shelf life of product held by the container. Optionally the outermost surface of the container may comprise a printable surface such that high-quality graphics (product name, branding and logos; product information; and the like) can be printed directly onto the container.

The opening and re-closing device of the present disclosure finds particular beneficial application in bulk-quantity packages where the contents are not used or consumed straight away, but rather are consumed or used over a longer period of time such that maintaining the freshness of the product contained in the package and securing the product within the container become relevant concerns. Such bulk packages may include large (for example 10kg) plastic sacks of pet food, multi-packs of frozen foods such as chicken breasts, and plastic sacks or bags of compost. The opening and re-closing device may nevertheless serve a beneficial purpose on smaller packages, especially for aiding opening of the package to make it more senior and/or user friendly and in dependence on a consumers habits, some smaller packages may benefit from being securely reclosed if the contents are used slowly and kept for a period of time.

Referring to Figure 1 there is shown a container 20 suitable for use with an opening and re-closing device 10 (also referred to herein as device 10"). In the illustrated embodiment, the container 20 is a polyethylene plastic sack comprising dry pet food (not shown). The container has an outer surface 22 that for clarity of illustrating the invention is shown without any printed graphics or indicia thereon. The container 20 is optionally not provided with its own opening aid or reclosing means, however the container 20 does comprise its own integral closure 24, in the form of a fold-over type closure, that securely closes the container S 20 before use. The opening and re-closing device 10 is shown as having been affixed to the container 20 and in use to cut an opening 0' through the container 20. The size and position of the opening 0' is determined by the size and position of the opening and re-closing device 10. In this way, the opening and re-closing device 10 can be used to securely re-close the opening 0' that in the first instance it has been used to form, such that product (not shown) within the container 20 can be easily and repeatedly accessed and such that the container 20 can be easily and repeatedly securely closed and resealed.

In Figure 2 a perspective view of the opening and re-closing device 10 is shown prior to its deployment on a container 20. With reference also to Figures 3 to 6 it can be seen that the the opening and re-closing device 10 comprises an affixing means 18 optionally in the form of a self-adhesive strip 18 for affixing the opening and reclosing device 10 to the container 20. A backing paper 36 is provided to protect the adhesive strip 18 to preserve its adhesive quality prior to being used. The backing paper 36 is preferably sized and shaped similarly to the adhesive strip 18 and may comprise an easy removal feature, such as but not limited to a cut line or tab.

An integral cutting means 30 is provided for creating the opening Din the container 20 in a prescribed manner such that a zip-locking mechanism (also referred to as a plastic fastener) can be used for re-closing the created opening 0' for re-securing products within the container 20 and/or for preserving product freshness. The zip-locking mechanism is preferably a plastics construction. Many plastic fasteners or plastic zip-locks are known, the operating principle of which may be suitable for use in the device 10 of the present disclosure, albeit with modification to enable the integral cutting means 30 to be housed at least in part, within the slider 26.

Optionally, the zip-locking mechanism comprises a first zip track 12a and a second zip-track 12b. The first and second zip tracks 12a, 12b are adjoined at each end and are enclosed at each end substantially by first and second end stops 14, 16 respectively. The first zip track 12a and a second zip-track 12b run substantially parallel to one another and can be interconnected or otherwise mated together to form a seal over the opening 0' and can be separated apart by a slider 26 to provide access to the opening 0'. The slider 26 is shaped such that a bottom runner on each of a first slider part 26a and a second slider part 26b slots or fits about the first and second zip-tracks 12a, 12b (as best seen in FigureS) for operating the zip-locking mechanism.

On top of and affixed to the slider 26 is a pull tab 28. In some embodiments the pull tab 28 S is an integral formation with the slider 26. The pull tab 28 is curved upwardly away from a top surface of the slider 26 to permit easy gripping of the pull tab 28 and to provide a degree of resilient bias.

Referring now to Figures 3 and in particular to Figure 4, the integral cutting means 30 in the form of a cutting tool 30 housed within the slider 26 is shown. The slider 26 is optionally a two-part construct, the two parts 26a, 26b of which are connectable together by means of one or more complementary fixings such as a connecting peg 50 and corresponding bore or aperture into which the connecting peg 50 mates with a secure friction fit. In Figure 4 a first slider part 26a is shown with the pull tab 28 affixed thereto. A second slider part 26b is shown adjacent in position on the first zip track 1 2a. The first and second slider parts 26a, 26b are shaped and constructed to house the cutting tool 30. The cutting tool 30 has a blade 32 with a tip 54 which can be moved between a stowed position in which all or substantially all of the blade 32 of the cutting tool 30 is housed within the confines of the slider 26; and a deployed position in which at least a portion of the blade 32 or blade tip 54 is exposed below a bottom plane of the slider 26 so that the blade 32 and/or blade tip 54 can pass into and through a surface 22 of the container 20 for creating the opening 0'.

Optionally and as shown in Figures 4 and 6, the cutting tool 30 comprises first and second legs 48, 42, that are positioned substantially perpendicular to one another. The first leg 48 comprises a first aperture 46 formed therein. The second leg 42 comprises a second aperture 40. The first and second apertures 26, 40 are circular in shape and can be used to slide the cutting tool 30 onto first and second pivot pegs 56, 52 respectively. The first pivot peg 56 is coupled to the pull tab 28; the second pivot peg 52 is housed within the slider 26.

The cutting tool 30, by virtue of the pivotal connections provided by the first and second pivot pegs and apertures 46/56, 40/52 can move, albeit in a restricted manner. A stop 38 provided as a shoulder, projection or extension of the second leg 42 of the cutting tool 30, catching on the internal shape of the first and/or second slider part 26a, 26b, helps to limit and control the extent of movement of the cutting tool 30. A generally downward and slightly forward force applied to the pull tab 28 lowers the position of the first pivot peg 56 and causes a rotation of the cutting tool 30 (in a counter clock-wise direction when viewed in Figure 6) about first and second pivot pegs 52, 56. This permits part of the blade 32, including the blade tip 54, to move into the deployed position where cutting through the container 20 to create the opening 0' can be commenced. Beneficially, the angle of the blade 32 (about 45°) is formed in a complementary manner to the manner in which the cutting tool 30 rotates so that the blade 32 moves into an effective cutting position for the direction the cutting tool will be moved in during a cutting stroke.

S

As the slider 26 is slid from the second end stop 16 towards the first end stop 14, the blade tip 54 is moved in a line between the first and second zip tracks 12a, 12b and the opening 0' is formed. Without downward force applied to the pull tab 28, the cutting tool 30 is automatically retracted at least substantially if not entirely within the housing provided by the slider 26 such that the blade 32 is no longer projecting below the bottom plane of the slider 26. In this way, the blade 32 is returned to the stowed position and use of the container 20 can continue safely. Optionally, this is due to the resiliently biased pull-tab 28 springing back to its neutral position.

To close the created opening 0', a user may pull slightly upwardly as indicated by the upwardly curved nature of the pull tab 28 and back toward the second end stop 16. This action operates the slider 26 which interlocks or otherwise reconnects the first and second zip tracks 12a, 12b, which then form a sealed closure over the opening 0' The container 20 is then re-closed and re-sealed so that product remaining within the container 20 is held securely without being able to exit through the opening 0' and its shelf life is preserved because the ingress of air and other contaminants through the opening 0' is limited or restricted.

It can be appreciated that various changes may be made within the scope of the present invention, for example, in other embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that a different zip-locking mechanism may be used to that shown herein and in some embodiments, it is envisaged that the zip locking mechanism is not formed from plastics material, though for cost reasons, plastics material is a preferred option.

In some embodiments, the blade and part of the cutting tool is housed or sandwiched between two solid side walls, optionally one formed from the first slider part and the other provided by the second slider part. The side walls may provide an extension of the slider depending below the plane of the bottom of the slider shown in the first embodiment and may be angled at a distal end, optionally at about 45° and in complementary manner to the angle of the blade 32. In this way the cutting tool and blade is protected or shielded on both sides and only a small part of the cutting tool, including the blade and blade tip is exposed below the distal end of the side walls when the cutting tool is deployed and at all other times, the cutting tool is contained and protected for additional safety.

In some embodiments, after a first cutting use, the cutting tool is brought up into a locked S and stowed position to mitigate against any possible injury during subsequent use of the container. This may be achieved by pulling on the pull tab and rotating the cutting tool up into the housing provided by the slider and by a catching mechanism (not shown) thereby being activated to catch, engage or otherwise lock the cutting tool in the locked and stowed position.

In some embodiments, it is envisaged that the second end stop may be provided with a housing and the cutting tool is moved after a first cutting use out of the slider and into the second end stop, wherein the cutting tool is disposed in a stowed and locked position where the blade cannot be accessed again. In such embodiments, the cutting tool may not necessarily be hooked onto pivot pegs provided within the slider.

As such it will be appreciated that the size, shape, configuration, manner of attachment and manner of deployment of the cutting tool may differ from that illustrated herein.

The opening and re-closing device, may take various sizes, shapes and configurations, and is not necessarily limited to being suitable for forming a single straight line opening. For example, in some embodiments, the opening and re-closing device is "["-shaped or "U"-shaped and in some arrangements, the opening and re-closing device is attachable around one or more corners. Where the device is attached around two corners, the opening 0' and zip closure may create a lidded portion of a container.

Claims

CLAIMS1. An opening and reclosing device for a container, the opening and reclosing device comprising: an affixing means for affixing the opening and reclosing device to a container; an integral cutting means for creating an opening in the container in a S prescribed manner; and a zip-locking mechanism for re-closing the created opening for securing remaining products within the container and/or for preserving product freshness.
2. An opening and reclosirig device according to claim 1 wherein the affixing means comprises at least one self-adhesive strip.
3. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the zip-locking mechanism comprises: a slider and a pull-tab coupled thereto, wherein the slider moves between a first stop and a second stop to open and close the zip-locking re-closing mechanism and wherein the integral cutting means is housed within the slider.
4. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 3 wherein the integral cutting means comprises a blade, wherein the integral cutting means is pivotally connected to the slider and is moveable between a first deployed position wherein the blade protrudes out of the slider for cutting an opening in a container and a second stowed position.
5. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 4 wherein the slider comprises two parts and the integral cutting means is held between the two parts.
6. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 5 wherein the cutting means comprises first and second legs, disposed at about 9Q0 relative to one another and comprises first and second apertures respectively for attaching the cutting means to first and second pegs provided by the slider and the pull tab respectively, by virtue of which, the cutting means is pivotally and downwardly moveable for being deployed to cut open a container.
7. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 6 wherein opposite to said second log or formed as an extension thereof a stop is provided for engagement with a portion of the slider for limiting the extent of movement of the cutting means.
8. An opening and reclosing device according to claims 6 or 7 wherein the blade is angled at about 45° relative to side edges of the first leg.
9. An opening and reclosing device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein the cutting means is housed within the slider and is moveable downwardly and/or pivotally from a first stowed position, in which the cutting tool is disposed at least substantially within the slider, into a deployed position, in which at least part of the blade of the cutting means projects beyond a bottom plane of the slider, and wherein the cutting means is moveable upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into a stowed and locked position, wherein the cutting means is locked within the slider and is restricted from being moved again into the deployed position.
10. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 9 wherein the cutting means and slider comprise complementary parts of a catching mechanism which is engaged when the cutting means is moved upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into the stowed and locked position.
11. An opening and reclosing device according to any of claims 1 to 4 wherein at least the blade of the cutting means is sandwiched between side extensions of the slider when the cutting means is disposed in a stowed position, wherein the side extensions of the slider are angled in a complementary manner to the angle of the blade such that the blade is contained on at least two sides.
12. An opening and reclosing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening and reclosing device is shaped and configured to form an opening that is substantially straight, "["-shaped, "U-shaped or "C-shaped.
13. A method of opening and reclosing a container, the method comprising: (i) affixing an opening and reclosing device to a container; (ii) deploying a cutting means to create an opening in the container, the size, configuration and position of which opening is determined by the opening and reclosing device; and (Ui) reclosing the opening formed in the container by utilising a zip-locking mechanism of the opening and reclosing device.
14. A method of opening and reclosing a container according to claim 13 utilising an opening and reclosing device according to any of claims 1 to 13.
15. A container having an opening and reclosing device according to any of claims 1 to 13 affixed thereto.
16. A opening and reclosing device substantially as described herein with reference to S and/or as illustrated by the accompanying Figures.Amendments to the Claims have been filed as followsCLAIMS1. An opening and reclosing device for a container, the opening and reclosing device comprising: an affixing means for affixing the opening and reclosing device to a container; an integral cutting means for creating an opening in the container in a prescribed manner; and a zip-locking mechanism for re-closing the created opening for securing remaining products within the container and/or for preserving product freshness, the zip-locking mechanism comprising: a slider and a pull-tab coupled thereto, wherein the slider moves between a first stop and a second stop to open and close the zip-locking re-closing mechanism, the integral cutting means being housed within the slider and comprising a blade, the integral cutting means being pivotally connected to the slider and being moveable between a first deployed position wherein the blade protrudes out of the slider for cutting an opening in a container and a second stowed position, the slider comprising two parts, the integral cutting means being held between the two parts and the cuthng means comprising first and second legs, disposed at about 90° relative to one another and comprising first and second apertures respectively for attaching the culling means to first and second pegs provided by the slider and the pull tab respectively, by virtue of which, the cutting means is pivotally and downwardly moveable for being deployed to cut open a container.2. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 1 wherein the affixing means comprises at least one self-adhesive strip.3. An opening and reclosing device according to claim I or 2 wherein opposite to said second leg or formed as an extension thereof a stop is provided for engagement with a portion of the slider for limiting the extent of movement of the cutting means.4. An opening and reclosing device according to claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the blade is angled at about 45° relative to side edges of the first leg.5. An opening and reclosing device according to any of claims ito 4 wherein the cutting means is housed within the slider and is moveable downwardly and/or pivotally from a first stowed position, in which the culling tool is disposed at least substantially within the slider, into a deployed position, in which at least part of the blade of the cutting means projects beyond a bottom plane of the slider, and wherein the cutting means is moveable upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into a stowed and locked position, wherein the culling means is locked within the slider and is restricted from being moved again into the deployed position.6. An opening and reclosing device according to claim 5 wherein the culling means and slider comprise complementary parts of a catching mechanism which is engaged when the culling means is moved upwardly and/or pivotally from the first stowed position into the stowed and locked position.7. An opening and reclosing device according to any of claims Ito 6 wherein at least the blade of the culling means is sandwiched between side extensions of the slider when the culling means is disposed in a stowed position, wherein the side extensions of the slider are angled in a complementary manner to the angle of the blade such that the blade is contained on at least two sides.8. An opening and reclosing device according to any preceding claim, wherein the opening and reclosing device is shaped and configured to form an opening that is substantially straight, "U-shaped, "U"-shaped or "C"-shaped.9. A method of opening and reclosing a container, the method comprising: (i) providing an opening and reclosing a container according to any of claims ito 8; I (ii) affixing an opening and recibsing device to a container; (iii) deploying a cutting means to create an opening in the container, the size, configuration and position of which opening is determined by the opening and reclosing device; and (iv) reclosing the opening formed in the container by utilising a zip-locking mechanism of the opening nd reclosing device.10. A container having an opening and reclosing device according to any of claims I to 8 affixed thereto.Ii. A opening and reclosing device substantially as described herein with reference to and/or as illustrated by the accompanying Figures.