JP2012526025A - Resealable package - Google Patents

Abstract

  A cover component; a tray component that is structurally complementary to the cover component and coupled to the cover component; and a sealing sheet disposed between the cover component and the tray component. A resealable package comprising is disclosed. The tray component includes a compartment for receiving the packaged article and a flange surrounding the tray component. The sealing sheet includes a first portion that is resealably connected to the flange of the tray component and a second portion that is attached to the cover component. The cover component and the tray component are movable relative to each other, and this movement results in the unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the tray component flange. Be automated.

Description

(Cross-reference of related applications)
This non-provisional patent application includes US provisional application 61/175533 filed May 5, 2009 and US provisional application 61/226441 filed July 17, 2009, filed within 12 months of this application. Depends on the filing date of the issue. These provisional applications are incorporated herein by reference. We also claim priority under these provisional applications under 35 USC § 119 (e).

  The present invention relates to a resealable package.

  A packaging container typically includes a packaging tray that receives the product to be packaged and a lid film that is sealed to the packaging tray. To gain access to the packaged item, the sealable lid film is cleaved or peeled off. If the lid film is breached by the consumer, it cannot be used again as an effective seal against items remaining in the package. Packaged goods are usually not used up immediately after opening, such as when only a portion of an item is used at a time. It is therefore advantageous that the packaging container can be resealed after opening.

  US Patent Application No. 2007/0023435 discloses a container for food with a film attached to a food tray. This film serves as a lid for the container and has an access opening. A sealing label that is sealed by gluing to the top around the opening can be resealed when the tab of the sealing label is pulled back. The sealing label can be resealed against the top to seal the opening when the label is moved back into contact with the top layer. If the packaged product is an item that is prone to deterioration or requires careful handling, it would be more desirable to obtain a good barrier resistance with a resealable packaging container. Become.

  U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,886 discloses a resealable plastic packaging container composed of a tray and a lid film. The container has a sealed area that is sealed to the tray so that it can be at least partially peeled off. The plastic packaging container comprises at least one Velcro closure that includes two complementary parts positioned opposite each other on each of the tray and lid film, The plastic packaging container can be resealed even after the peel seal is opened. If the sealing lid film of the resealable package is not properly repositioned to completely cover the product, the packaged item may be damaged. Further, the reseal adhesive on the lid film may degrade and become invalid if it comes into contact with dirt, dust, and other contaminants after the container is opened. Finally, the sealing lid film is easily punctured or prematurely cleaved.

US Patent Application No. 2007/0023435 U.S. Patent 6,691,886

  Accordingly, there is a need for a resealable package with enhanced resealability and barrier performance. Furthermore, there is a need for a resealable or resealable package that is more convenient, easier to open, and has improved user usability.

  The present disclosure includes a cover component, a tray component that is structurally complementary to the cover component and coupled to the cover component, and a seal disposed between the cover component and the tray component. The present invention relates to a resealable package including a stop sheet. The tray component includes a compartment for receiving the packaged article and a flange surrounding the tray component. The sealing sheet includes a first portion that is detachably connected to the flange of the tray component, and a second portion that is attached to the cover component. The cover component and the tray component are movable relative to each other, and this movement results in the unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the tray component flange. Be automated.

FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one step in peeling and rearranging a sealing sheet accommodated in the disclosed package of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one step in peeling and rearranging a sealing sheet accommodated in the disclosed package of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one step in peeling and rearranging a sealing sheet accommodated in the disclosed package of FIG. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating one step in peeling and rearranging a sealing sheet accommodated in the disclosed package of FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the disclosed package of FIG. 1 in a closed sealing configuration. FIG. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional side view of the disclosed package of FIG. 1 in an opened seal release configuration. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package. FIG. 7B is a diagram showing the package of FIG. 7A in the open position with the sealing sheet automatically moved to the open position by opening the package. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package. FIG. 8B is a diagram showing the package of FIG. 8A in the open position with the sealing sheet automatically moved to the open position by opening the package. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package. FIG. 9B is a diagram showing the package of FIG. 9A in the open position in which the sealing sheet is automatically moved to the open position by opening the package. FIG. 9B shows a package similar to FIGS. 9A and 9B with flanges extending along the entire inner tray. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package where the tray component comprises two or more compartment portions and operates ratcheting between the compartments. FIG. 10B illustrates a variation of the package illustrated in FIG. 10A without a ratchet. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package with component parts covered by a slidable cover component. 11A, a variation of the package disclosed in FIG. 11A, i.e. a variation of the shape of the package of FIG. 11A, but still comprising a component portion that can be covered by a slidable cover component. FIG. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package where the tray component comprises two compartment portions, each of which can be resealed by a slidable cover component. . FIG. 12B illustrates two inner trays or two-compartment inner trays of the package illustrated in FIG. 12A. FIG. 12B is a variation of the package illustrated in FIG. 12A, showing a two-compartment inner tray, ie, a relatively long outer sleeve that covers two inner trays. 12D shows the package of FIG. 12C in an open configuration. FIG. FIG. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package where the cover component comprises one or more openings to facilitate slidable movement of the tray component within the cover component. is there. FIG. 13B is a diagram of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 13A in an open position. FIG. 13B shows a variation of the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 13A with pediatric safety features. FIG. 13C shows the embodiment disclosed in FIG. 13C in the open position. FIG. 3 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package where unsealing and resealing of the sealing sheet relative to the tray component is automated by a sliding movement of the tray compartment. FIG. 14B shows the package disclosed in FIG. 14A in an open position. FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package having a Z-fold mounting in a closed position. FIG. 15B shows the resealable package of FIG. 15A in an open position. FIG. 15C is a close-up view showing positioning of the Z-fold mounting portion within the package of FIG. 15B in the open position. FIG. 15B is a top view of the inner tray of FIG. 15A having a Z-fold mounting portion. FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the disclosed resealable package having a Z-fold attachment. FIG. 16B is a view showing an open position of the package disclosed in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16B is a close-up view showing positioning of the Z-fold mounting part in the package of FIG. 16B. It is a top view of the Z fold mounting part mounted on the top part of the inner tray. It is a top view of the integral molding version which added the inner tray to the Z folding mounting part. It is a top view of the Z folding piece for mounting on the sealable sheet of the inner tray. It is a figure which shows the Z folding piece folded by the fixed form before mounting | wearing with a sealable sheet | seat.

  In the following, the present disclosure will be described more fully, but not all embodiments of the present disclosure will be shown. Indeed, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements.

The resealable package of the present disclosure is
(A) a cover component;
(B) a tray component that is structurally complementary to the cover component and coupled to the cover component, and is movable relative to the cover component;
(i) a compartment portion for receiving one or more articles; and
(ii) a tray component comprising a flange portion surrounding the compartment portion;
(C) is a sealing sheet,
(a) a first portion releasably connected to the flange portion of the tray component; and
(b) a second sheet connected to the cover component, comprising a sealing sheet,
Relative movement between the cover component and the tray component to automate unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the flange portion of the tray component The sealing sheet is disposed between the cover component and the tray component.

  Any known packaging material can be used for the cover component. Examples include, but are not limited to, paper base materials such as paper and paperboard, plastics, metal materials, and combinations thereof. The cover component may be in various forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, slidable covers, pullable covers, fully closed covers, and tubular sleeve covers having openings at one or both ends.

  Various materials can be used to make the tray components. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, injection molded plastic, thermoformed plastic, plastic coated paperboard, paperboard, and combinations thereof. The material used for the tray component may be the same as or different from the material used for the cover component. It will be appreciated that the tray component may comprise more than one compartment. Further, those skilled in the art can readily modify the structure and shape of the compartments to facilitate the desired end use application of the disclosed package.

  Various materials are suitable as a sealing sheet. Such materials may be selected based on the end use application of the disclosed package. For example, if the item being packaged is a food item that is susceptible to degradation, the encapsulating sheet material minimizes the permeability of air and other gases, water and other liquids, and dust and other solids. May be selected to suppress or reduce. Examples of materials suitable for use as the sealing sheet include, but are not limited to, plastic films such as polyethylene and polyester, foils, other metallic materials, and any combination thereof. If desired, the encapsulating sheet may have barrier resistance characteristics. When appropriate, the sealing sheet may be further subjected to antibacterial treatment. The sealing sheet may be flexible so that it can be peeled away from the flange portion of the tray component and repositioned back on the flange portion.

  The first portion of the sealing sheet can be resealably attached to the flange portion of the tray component by using a resealable adhesive or other means. The adhesion of the sealing sheet to the cover component may be stronger than the adhesion to the flange portion of the tray component.

  The disclosed package may include a stop element to limit relative movement between the cover component and the tray component, preventing complete decoupling of the two components. Such stop mechanisms are well known in the art, and any suitable stop element can be used in the present disclosure. Where appropriate, mechanical stop elements may be used for such mechanisms. Examples of suitable mechanical stop elements include sleeve lips, tail tabs, flap designs, side tab designs, overlapping tabs, aligned tabs and slots, closed ends on cover components, and their Combinations are included, but not limited to them. Optionally, the mechanical stop element is disposed in the tray component near the trailing edge of the tray component and a tab extending inwardly from the main panel near the leading edge portion of the cover component. You may provide a hole. The tray component may comprise an end closure structure for closing the end of the disclosed package.

  In one embodiment of the disclosed package, the cover component and tray component comprise a cooperative ratchet mechanism for effective gradual relative movement between the two components.

  1-5 illustrate one embodiment of the resealable package of the present disclosure. This resealable package comprises a cover component 30 and a tray component 34. The cover component 30 comprises an end closure element 32 and a tubular structure composed of a top panel, a base panel 14, a side panel 16, and an end panel 12. If desired, the top panel may be composed of a first ply 18 that surrounds the cover component 30 and a second ply 20 that overlaps the first layer 18. . If desired, end closure element 32 may take the form of a hinged lid portion that can be folded to close the annular structure.

  The tray component 34 includes a compartment portion 48 surrounded by the side walls 42 and end walls 44 and a flange portion 46 that connects to the compartment portion 48 for receiving items to be packaged.

  The sealing sheet 36 has a first portion 40 attached in a resealable manner to the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34 and a second portion 38 attached to the cover component 30. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the second portion 38 of the sealing sheet 36 may be sandwiched between the first layer 18 and the second layer 20 of the cover component 30.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the tray component 34 is accommodated inside the cover component 30 by being inserted into the open end “O” of the cover component 30 in the direction of the directional arrow “I”. Can be done. The stop element 78 serves to limit the distance that the tray component 34 can be separated from the cover component 30 without being completely decoupled. Stop element 78 joins the rear portion of tray component 34 to the front inner portion of cover component 30 in the vicinity of end panel 12.

  As illustrated in FIG. 5, the end closure element 32 is opened to open the package and remove the packaged item from the compartment portion 48 of the tray component 34. Cover component 30 and tray component 34 are moved relative to one another such that tray component 34 slides out of cover component 30. When this is done, the sealing sheet 36 having the portion 40 attached in a resealable manner to the flange portion 46 is automatically and gradually separated or peeled away from the flange portion 46, thereby The compartment portion 48 of the tray component 34 is exposed, allowing the packaged item to be removed. It may be necessary that the mounting strength between the second attachment portion 38 and the cover component exterior 30 is higher than the mounting strength between the first attachment portion 40 and the tray component 34. Accordingly, the sealing sheet 36 is automatically and gradually pulled or peeled away from the tray component 34 by simply sliding the tray component 34 from the cover component 30 to the consumer side. Does not require any other effort to remove the packaged item by cleaving or opening the compartment portion. The shear force provided when the tray component 34 and the cover component 30 are separated may sufficiently facilitate the release of the bond between the portion 40 of the sealing sheet 36 and the flange 46 of the tray component 34. it can. When the tray component is limited by the stop element 78 and reaches its movement limit with respect to the cover component 30, peeling from the sealing sheet 36 is complete.

  The first attachment portion 40 of the sealing sheet 36 may be attached to the tray 34 with a resealable adhesive. Any known resealable adhesive in the art may be used. For example, a “Peel 'n Re-seal” adhesive available from Spear Inc. may be used. Accordingly, the sealing sheet 36 may be reattached to the tray component 34, resulting in resealing and closing of the compartment portion 48 of the tray component 34 again. Thus, only some of the items packaged in the compartment portion 48 of the tray 34 can be removed, while the remaining items are still kept fresh. Examples of such packaged items include, but are not limited to, unpackaged tobacco or food.

  In addition, reinsertion of the tray component 34 into the cover component 30 automatically reseals the portion 40 of the sealing sheet 36 relative to the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34. The tray component 34 is configured such that when the top panel 18 contacts the sealing sheet 36, a seal is formed between the portion 40 of the sealing sheet 36 and the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34. It may be designed to fit tightly within 30. If desired, the resealable adhesive applied on the first attachment portion 40 can be resealed by the application of pressure between the attachment portion 40 and the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34. Can be affected to do. In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, the first attachment portion 40 is sandwiched between the top panel 18 of the cover component 30 and the flange portion 46 when the tray component 34 is reinserted into the cover component 30. This provides sufficient pressure to reseal the compartment portion 48 so that the consumer does not need to apply pressure. The space between the top panel 18 of the cover component 30 and the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34 may be sized to accept only the thickness of the sealing sheet 36. This is because the rearrangement of the sealing sheet 36 into a flat shape is facilitated, and the wrinkling or raw folding of the sealing sheet 36 can be avoided. Further, the narrow space between the top panel 18 and the flange portion 46 may allow the sealing sheet 36 to be accurately aligned along the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34.

  The package of the present disclosure may allow automatic reseal of the compartment portion 48. This reduces the likelihood that contaminants will be transferred from the user to a resealable adhesive on the first attachment portion 40 of the sealing sheet 36, and thus the resealable adhesive and disclosed The service life of the resealable package is extended.

  6A and 6B illustrate the movement of the tray component 34 within the cover component 30 and the position of the sealing sheet 36 as the tray component 34 is moved outward from the cover component 30. FIG. The sealing sheet 36 is attached as a single layer between the flange portion 46 of the tray component 34 and the lower surface of the first layer 18 of the cover component 30. A second attachment portion 38 of the sealing sheet is positioned between the second layer 20 and the upper surface of the first layer 18 of the cover component 30.

  Complete decoupling of the tray component 34 from the cover component 30 can be prevented by using a stop element, such as any mechanical stop element known in the art. Alternatively, the rear edge of the sealing sheet 36 closest to the end panel 12 of the cover component 30 in the closed position is either firmly attached or permanently attached to the tray component 34 Further, it is possible to prevent complete release of the sealing sheet 36 from the tray component 34, and as a result, prevent the cover component 30 and the tray component 34 from being uncoupled.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B illustrate one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package having a cover component 130 and a tray component 134 slidably received within the cover component 130. The tray component 134 includes a compartment portion 148, a sidewall portion 142, a flange portion 146, and an end closure structure 132 that completely closes the package when the tray component is disposed within the cover component 130. The sealing sheet 136 has a first portion that is attached to the flange portion 146 in a resealable manner and a second portion that is secured to the cover component 130. The second portion of the sealing sheet 136 can be attached to the top panel 120 of the cover component 130. As described above, by moving the tray component from the cover component, the first portion of the sealing sheet 136 is automatically unmounted from the flange portion 146, resulting in the tray component 134 or half A compartment portion 148 of the carton 134 is exposed to allow removal of the packaged item. Upon reinsertion of the tray component into the cover component, the first portion of the sealing film 136 is automatically reattached to the flange portion 146 of the tray component 134 so that the compartment portion 148 is It is sealed again. The cover component 130 and the half carton 134 may be symmetrical and either one is opened by the user to open the package or to automatically unload the sealing sheet 136 from the flange portion 146. It should be understood that it can be pulled.

  In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the package comprises a first component that is a pouch compartment and a second component that is a tubular carton structure and is coupled to the first component. The tubular carton structure includes a lid that is connected to the top panel of the carton structure and is hinged, and when the lid is pulled to the open position, the tubular carton structure is sealed by relative movement between the pouch compartment and the carton structure. The joint between the seat and the flange portion of the compartment is automatically unsealed. 8A and 8B show a disclosed resealable package that can accommodate a primary package. The sealing sheet 236 is attached to the lid flap 220 of the disclosed package. Optionally, the sealing sheet 236 may be prepared as part of the primary package and fragilely connected to the primary package. The pull tab 250 may be used to disconnect the lid flap 220 from the rest of the upper panel 218 of the disclosed package. By this action, the sealing sheet that is fragilely connected to the primary package is disconnected from the primary package, and as a result, an opening is formed in the primary package to access the goods packaged inside. Is possible. A flange portion or first attachment portion 240 disposed around the periphery of the opening can be repositioned to reseal the primary package. This is accomplished by repositioning the lid 220 to align with the top panel 218 and applying pressure to adhere the first attachment portion 240 to the lower edge portion 246 of the primary package. Is done. In this embodiment, the consumer applies pressure to achieve reseal, but using the lid portion 220 that can be pulled up by the pull tab 250 facilitates opening the primary package. The structural strength provided by the presence of a fully structured outer carton with a base wall facilitates resealing with the application of some pressure. This is particularly useful when the primary package is a soft flexible pouch that lacks compressive strength. It is anticipated that the disclosed package may include multiple flanges to improve sealability. A first attachment portion 240 coupled to the lid 220 when resealed and fitted to the flange 246 can assist in holding the disclosed package in the closed or locked position. However, if desired, additional external mechanical locks may be provided to maintain lid 220 in the closed position.

  9A and 9B illustrate one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package having a sealing sheet 336 attached to the flip top portion 320 of the package 334 by strong attachment. A portion 340 of the package 334 can be attached to the flange portion 346 of the package in a resealable manner. If desired, a sleeve 330 may be provided to provide additional protection to the package 334. Further, the sleeve 330 may be designed to capture the inner flap and allow the flip top portion 320 to open. FIG. 9C shows an embodiment similar to FIGS. 9A and 9B, but with a flange portion 346 extending around the interior of the package and surrounding the product receiving area 348. FIG.

  FIGS. 10A and 10B illustrate one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package where the tray component 434 has a plurality of compartments 448a, 448b, and 448c. In the illustrated example, four compartments are shown, but it will be understood that any number of compartments greater than two may be used. The multi-compartment package may incorporate a ratchet system that allows limited and controllable unsealing of the sealing sheet from the tray component. For example, compartment 448a can be exposed by separating the tray component from the cover component, while compartments 448b and 448c can remain sealed. Later, if access to the packaged item contained in compartment 448b or 448c is required, the cover component can be pulled further and the sealing sheet 436 is further peeled from the tray component. be able to. The disclosed package with multiple compartments can be particularly useful in health care applications, personal care applications, and tobacco packing applications. Side “wings” 460a, 460b, and 460c as illustrated in FIG. 10A facilitate a ratchet mechanism along the notch or indentation provided on the inner surface of the side panel 416 of the cover component 430. And may be provided to assist in the stepwise withdrawal of the tray component 434 from the cover component 430.

  In one embodiment, the disclosed package includes a tray component that includes a flange portion and a compartment portion, and a slidable cover component that is coupled to the tray component by a folded portion that engages a lower surface of the flange; A sealing sheet sandwiched between the flange portion of the tray component and the slidable cover component. In FIG. 11B and FIG. 11A, the tray component 534 can be covered by a slidable lid 520 and can be automatically sealed by a sealing sheet 536. The tray component 534 includes a flange portion 546 that extends around the periphery of the tray component. The lid 520 includes a rail that is folded below the flange portion of the tray component. The sealing sheet 536 is attached to the flange portion 546 and the lid 520 to produce an automatic opening / closing “peel” effect or an automatic opening / closing “roll” effect. This reseal feature allows consumers to easily store surplus or unused packaged items in the compartment portion 548 of the tray component for later access to these surpluses or items. It becomes possible.

  FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D show that a tray component 634 is attached to two compartments 648, a slidable cover component 630, and a sealing film attached to the tray and slidable cover component. 6 illustrates one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package comprising 636. Each compartment 648 can be resealed by a sealing sheet 636 (respectively 636a and 636b) by relative movement of a single slidable cover component 630. In FIG. 12A, the compartment 648a is gradually peeled by the sealing sheet 636a sliding the cover component 630 away from the end wall 644a of the tray component and in the direction of the second compartment. As it is opened. In this position, the second compartment remains sealed by the sealing film portion 636b. Depending on the relative sliding movement of the tray component and the cover component, depending on the direction in which the cover component is moved, the sealing sheet portion 636a is resealed relative to the compartment 648a or the portion 636b is sealed from the second compartment. Further peeling of the sealing sheet to bring it into a released state occurs. By permanently attaching one end portion of the sealing sheet to the end wall portion 644b of the tray component, it is possible to prevent complete disconnection of the tray component and the sealing sheet. Further, two separate trays may be located within the slidable cover component 630. Both trays or both compartments of the tray component 634 may be located below the slidable cover component 630. One tray may slide out and the other tray may remain below the manually movable component, or one compartment of the tray component 634 may be slid out Thus, the sealing sheet 636 may be peeled off, and access to the internal product may be possible. The two trays may be attached to the slidable cover by a film. The two trays may be easily broken together at line 680.

  FIGS. 13A, 13B, 13C, and 13D are disclosed where the cover component 730 includes one or more end openings 770 and the tray component 740 is housed inside the cover component 730. 1 illustrates one embodiment of a resealable package. The stop mechanism is the two closed ends of the cover component 730, the closed end 774 functions as a mechanical stop mechanism on the front end of the cover component 730, and the closed end 776 is the cover component It functions as a machine stop mechanism on the rear end of the 730. When the tray component 740 is slid in the direction of the opening 770, the sealing sheet 736 returns to the peeled state to expose the compartment area 734, and thus the consumer has been packaged within the compartment area. The product can be accessed. If desired, the cover component 730 may further include a side opening 772 to assist the consumer in sliding the tray component into the open or closed position within the cover component. It is understood that such one or more openings can also be positioned in other areas of the cover component, including but not limited to the bottom, sides, front, and rear of the cover component. I want. In addition, instead of adding an opening 770, it is possible to slide the tray component 740 out of the outer package with the cover component 730 by removing either the front wall 774 or the rear wall 776 Please understand that you can. There are various methods known in the art that can prevent the tray component 740 from completely exiting the outer package. One such example is one or more flaps on the outer package that interlock with one or more flaps on the inner tray component 740 to prevent the end of the tray from being pulled out of the package. It is an internal holding mechanism, such as disposing in. FIGS. 13C and 13D further add pediatric safety features such as a push button release device 778. Various pediatric safety mechanisms are known in the art and can be added to the package to limit access to the contents. These include a locking mechanism and a release mechanism. It will be determined by manufacturing preference whether it is appropriate to place the pediatric safety lock / release feature on which area of the package.

  In one embodiment of the disclosed package, the sealing sheet can be sealed against the outer edge of the flange portion of the tray component. Further, the re-sealable adhesive and the peeled portion of the sealing sheet may be located inside the outer peripheral portion of the sealing area. In this alternative, the heat sealable film and the resealable film may be pre-combined and then applied to the tray component 834. The heat sealable film may extend to the end of the flange portion 884. 14A and 14B show the disclosed package comprising a sealable sheet that is resealably attached to the side of the tray component at the flange portion 884. FIG. The sealable sheet 836 may extend to the edge of the flange portion 884. The sealable sheet 836 can be heat sealed to the flange portion 884. The end portion 838 of the sealing sheet 836 is attached to the lid element 832 of the cover component 830 at the adhesive area 882 as illustrated in FIG. 14A. When the lid element 832 of the cover component 830 is pulled up, the end portion 838 of the sealing sheet 836 is also lifted so that the resealable portion 840 is peeled off the tray component flange portion 884 and unsealed. Is done. It should be understood that by sliding the tray component 834 out of the outer structure 833, the lid element 832 can be pulled up and the sealable film portion 836 pulled back. The tray component 834 may be pulled out of the outer package 833 or may be pushed out of the outer package 833 through an opening in the rear of the outer package 833. The lid element 832 may assist withdrawing the sealable sheet 836. The resealable portion 840 of the sealing sheet 836 can be further peeled or pulled back as the tray component 834 is pulled out or pushed out of the cover component 830. Resealable portion 840 may be perforated or scored so that it can be separated from the rest of the sealing sheet. The resealable portion 840 of the sealing sheet 836 may be located inside the sealing portion of the flange area 884 so that either the resealable adhesive or the peelable seal 840 is manufactured. It is neither modified nor invalidated during the process. Furthermore, for similar reasons, it may be advantageous to place the end portion 838 of the sealing sheet 836 inside the boundary of the heat sealing flange 884.

  15A, 15B, 15C, 15D, 16A, 16B, 16C, and 16D include a slidable tray 903 with a sealable film 910 attached to a Z-fold 905, 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention. The Z-fold 905 may be a three-piece structure consisting of pieces 906, 907, and 908, with the lower end 908 connected to the sealable film 910 as an integral part or by use of an adhesive. . The adhesive used to hold the Z fold 905 against the sealable film 910 at the attachment point 908 will seal the Z fold 905 when the tray 903 slides out Stronger than the adhesive used to hold the sealable film 910 against the top of the tray 912 so that the sealable film 910 is lifted off the tray 903, but not pulled away from the sealable film 910 It may be. The upper end of the Z fold 906 is folded to capture the flap 904 of the outer sleeve 902. As the inner tray 903 is pulled out or pushed out of the package, the Z-fold flap 906 captures the inner flap 904 and the Z-fold 905 lifts the sealable film 910 away from the top of the tray 912. Thus, the product stored in the inner tray 903 can be accessed at the point 920.

  Figures 17A, 17B, and 17C show a Z-fold of the sample. FIG. 17A shows an integrally formed tray with an added Z fold. The fold line between the final part of the Z fold 908 and the inner tray 903 is separated at the same time as it is folded, or at the same time as the consumer opens the package by pushing the inner tray 903 out of the sleeve 902. As is, it may be fragile. FIGS. 17B and 17C show an isolated Z-folded piece of sample that can be glued or connected to the sealable sheet by other means.

  The Z-folded piece 905 may be paperboard. This plate may be processed. Each section may be scored to obtain a crease between pieces 906, 907, and 908. All may be a unitary molded body in which the paperboard inner tray 903 is molded or folded and the Z-fold is mounted on one end that will be folded into a fixed shape. In such a design, there is a perforation edge between the Z-fold end piece 908 and the end of the inner tray 903 so that the connection can be separated when folded or when the user first opens the package. May be present. Further, as illustrated in FIG. 16C, the end piece 908 of the Z-folding piece 905 can be folded over itself to provide additional strength when the 906 captures the 904. This can prevent the inner carton 903 from completely exiting the outer package 902, both by this extra length and the force to open the end piece 908. Additional adhesive may be placed between the folds for 908 to add additional strength to the component.

  In this alternative, the Z-fold piece may be a plastic material adhered to the sealable film, or it may be a piece that is folded off the film cover. The film cover may be a film, paperboard, or plastic compound that maintains its shape and provides the Z fold with the strength necessary to pull up the sealable film. Further, the Z fold may be formed with the tray and folded in place over the sealable film. In such a design, the Z-folded portion may have a perforated edge so that it can be separated from the inner tray when folded in place. At the time of folding, the lower part of the Z-folding part 908 may be adhered to the sealable film 902. The upper portion of the inner tray 912 may have a flange that surrounds the inner compartment for holding the product.

  It will be appreciated that the present disclosure is applicable to the packaging, storage and supply of various items or products. Accordingly, as used herein, the terms “item”, “content”, “article”, “item”, and “product” include all types of packageable items. Examples of such items may include any kind of perishable items such as pharmaceuticals, food, electrical appliances, tobacco, media products, and other personal or healthcare items such as contact lenses. It is not limited. It is anticipated that the present disclosure may be applied to provide a self-sealing to jar-type containers to protect active ingredients in the form of creams, lotions, or ointments from degradation.

  Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications can be made within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the size and shape of the tray component, cover component, and compartment portion may be adjusted to accommodate articles of various sizes or shapes. Furthermore, the term “sealing” may mean a vacuum / hermetic seal or simply sufficient to protect quality and prevent degradation of the packaged product.

  Further, the application of the automated unsealing / resealing mechanism of the present disclosure can be applied to multiple package configurations, including single hand open cartons that are known in the art and provide easy to use packages. Is expected. Further, the disclosed reseal mechanism may be incorporated into self-opening containers, including those with pediatric safety features.

  Further, the disclosed auto-reseal mechanism can be applied to cartons that contain inhalers or other medical devices where a particular portion of the device or the nose or mouth portion of the inhaler is covered by a sealing sheet. it can. Therefore, the flange edge to which the sealing sheet is attached and reattached may not surround the entire cavity of the carton and may surround one section of the cavity. In any such application, the encapsulating sheet may be subjected to antimicrobial treatment.

  It should be understood that for any of the embodiments disclosed herein, whether a single layer film or two or more multilayer films may be preferred may be determined by manufacturing preferences. . With one or more layers, it may be appropriate to have a perforated portion or notched portion of the film that functions as a sealable portion. The single film layer may be a heat-sealable and resealable material after the initial stripping from the flange area. The multilayer film solution may comprise at least one heat sealable film and at least one resealable film that will later be bonded in combination with the tray structure. Further, it should be understood that one or more films may have barrier properties or may simply close the opening. Any film layer in the industry or later developed may be adapted to work with this application. In general, these films tend to have a base film that can be metallized or polypropylene or another type of plastic that may or may not have a metallized coating. A heat sealing layer or a resealable adhesive layer is extruded onto the film. In this alternative, the film can be combined with paperboard that may or may not be processed. The single layer option may be a film that can be resealed to the flange area without first being heat sealed. The heat sealing requirements are determined according to the needs of the products in the package. Heat sealing can enhance initial barrier protection. Films vary as different products require different barrier needs. In a single layer solution, the film may be completely rolled up from the flange area when the package is opened. In a two-layer solution, the film is in most cases a pre-combined material that can include a heat-sealable film and a resealable film that will later be bonded and combined to the tray structure. It becomes a combination. The resealable film overlaps a section of the heat sealed film that is pulled up as the resealable film is rolled up as the package is opened. When the package is opened, the top layer allows access to the compartment containing the product by the action of pulling up a portion of the bottom layer. The base layer, which may be a heat sealed film, has a lock seal to the tray flange that can improve the barrier, and this lock seal prevents the heat seal layer from being pulled up from the tray. obtain. In some embodiments, the resealable layer may be resealed over the heat sealed layer. It should be understood that the material to which the resealable film is attached will determine the adhesive material suitable for use.

  The adhesive used for the applications herein may be glue, tape, heat seal, adhesive strip, adhesive dots, combinations thereof, and any other suitable adhesive material. It should be understood that suitable adhesives for use in various package applications are determined by manufacturing preferences. For example, to connect a sealable sheet to an outer package, lid, or Z fold, a relatively strong adhesive material should be used, sliding or rotating or rotating the tray away from the lid portion A relatively weak adhesive should be used over the sealable part so that the user can open the package when it is moved without disconnecting it from the lid, outer package, or Z-fold. is there.

  As used herein, “upper”, “lower”, “front”, “rear”, “end”, “side”, “inward”, “outward”, “upper”, and “ It will be understood that a directional reference such as “downward” does not limit each panel to such an orientation, but merely serves to distinguish these panels from each other. Any reference to a hinge connection should not be construed to necessarily refer to only a single crease line. Rather, it is anticipated that the hinge connection may be formed from one or more of short slits, fragile lines, or crease lines without departing from the scope of the present invention.

  The foregoing description is related to embodiments that are merely exemplary and explanatory and do not limit the present disclosure. As will be apparent to those skilled in the art, any changes and modifications may be made herein. Such variations are to be construed as being included within the scope of the present disclosure as defined in the following claims.

12 End panel
14 Base panel
16 Side panel
18 First layer
20 Second layer
30 Cover components
32 End closure elements
34 Tray components
36 Sealing sheet
38 Second part
40 First part
42 Side wall
44 End wall
46 Flange part
48 compartment parts
78 Stop element
O Open end
120 Top panel
130 Cover components
132 End closure structure
134 Tray component, half carton
136 Sealing sheet
142 Side wall
146 Flange part
148 compartment part
218 Top panel
220 lid flap
236 Sealing sheet
240 First attachment
246 Edge part
250 pull tab
320 Flip top part
330 sleeve
334 packages
336 Sealing sheet
340 pieces
346 Flange part
348 Product storage area
416 side panel
430 Cover components
434 Tray components
436 Sealing sheet
448a compartment
448b compartment
448c compartment
460a Side `` Wing ''
460b Side "Wing"
460c Side `` wing ''
520 lid
534 tray components
536 sealing sheet
546 Flange part
548 compartment
630 Cover component
634 tray components
636 Sealing film
636a Sealing sheet, part
636b Sealing sheet, part
644a End wall
644b End wall
648 compartments
648a compartment
680 lines
730 Cover component
734 compartment area
736 Sealing sheet
740 tray components
770 end opening
772 Side opening
774 Closed end, front wall
776 Rear wall
778 push button release device
830 Cover component
832 Lid element
833 Outer structure, outer package
834 Tray components
836 Sealable sheet
838 End part
840 Resealable part
882 Bonding area
884 Flange part
902 Outer sleeve, outer package
903 inner tray, inner carton
904 flap
905 Z Folding part
906 pieces, Z-fold, Z-fold flap
907 pieces
908 pieces, lower end, attachment point, Z-fold
910 Sealable film
912 tray
920 points

Claims (15)

(A) a cover component;
(B) a tray component that is structurally complementary to the cover component and coupled to the cover component, and is movable relative to the cover component;
(iii) a compartment portion for receiving one or more articles; and
(iv) a tray component comprising a flange edge surrounding the compartment portion;
(C) is a sealing sheet,
(c) a first portion re-sealably coupled to the flange portion of the tray component; and
(d) comprising a second sheet connected to the cover component, and a sealing sheet,
Unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component by relative movement between the cover component and the tray component The encapsulating sheet is disposed between the cover component and the tray component so that is automated.   The package according to claim 1, wherein the sealing sheet includes a barrier film.   The connecting portion between the second portion of the sealing sheet and the cover component is more than the connecting portion between the first portion of the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component. The package of claim 1, which is also powerful.   The package of claim 1, further comprising a mechanical stop element to prevent decoupling of the tray component from the cover component.   The mechanical stop element comprises a member selected from the group consisting of a sleeve lip, a tail tab, a flap design, a side tab design, a superimposed tab, an aligned tab and slot, a closed end on the sleeve, and combinations thereof. The package of claim 4 comprising:   The package of claim 1, wherein the tray component is movable relative to the cover component in a sliding motion.   The package of claim 1, wherein the tray component comprises two or more compartments.   The package of claim 1, wherein the tray component further comprises an end closure structure for closing the package.   The package according to claim 1, wherein the cover component comprises an upper panel, a lower panel, and two side walls connecting the upper panel and the lower panel. The upper panel is
(a) a first layer that is a frame panel of the cover component;
(b) a second layer that is a superimposed panel on the first layer,
10. The package of claim 9, wherein the second portion of the sealing sheet is bonded between the first layer and the second layer of the cover component.   The package of claim 1, wherein the cover component is a slidable lid.   The package of claim 1, wherein the cover component and the tray component further comprise a cooperative ratchet mechanism for effective gradual relative movement. (A) Tray component,
(i) a compartment portion for receiving one or more articles; and
(ii) a tray component comprising a flange edge coupled to the compartment portion;
(B) a lid component coupled to the tray component and comprising a flip top opening feature;
(C) is a sealing sheet,
(a) a first surface permanently attached to the lid component; and
(b) a sealing sheet comprising a second surface releasably connected to the flange edge of the tray component;
Flip opening movement of the lid component automates unsealing and resealing the resealable connection between the second surface of the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component Package.   14. The package of claim 13, further comprising a sleeve component that is structurally complementary to the tray component such that the tray configuration is slidable within the sleeve component. (A) a cover component;
(B) A tray component that is structurally complementary to the cover component and coupled to the cover component, is movable with respect to the cover component, and includes one or more articles. A tray component comprising one or more compartment portions for receiving;
(C) is a sealing sheet,
(e) a first portion re-sealably coupled to the flange edge of the tray component; and
(f) a sealing sheet comprising a second portion connected to the cover component,
The relative movement between the cover component and the tray component automates the unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the tray component. The sealing sheet is disposed between the cover component and the tray component.

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