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EP-3722088-B1 - LAMINATE STRUCTURE FOR RESEALABLE PACKAGE

EP3722088B1EP 3722088 B1EP3722088 B1EP 3722088B1EP-3722088-B1

Inventors

  • BRANYON, JACOB DONALD PRUE

Dates

Publication Date
20260513
Application Date
20170816

Claims (10)

  1. A package (10) formed using a laminate structure, the laminate structure comprising: a first film layer (2) defining a first surface (12) configured to be disposed proximate a product stored within a package, the first film layer further defining a second surface (13) opposite the first surface, wherein the first film layer includes an uncut laser-distorted region (34); a second film layer (4) defining a first surface (14) laminated to the second surface of the first film layer and a second surface (15) opposite the first surface of the second film layer, wherein the second film layer includes an inner laser score line (32) extending between the first and second surfaces of the second film layer wherein the inner laser score line (32) is continuous; and a third film layer (6) defining a first surface (16) laminated to the second surface of the second film layer and a second surface (17) opposite the first surface of the third film layer, wherein the third film layer includes an outer score line (36) extending between the first and second surfaces of the third film layer wherein the outer score line (36) is continuous, wherein the inner laser score line is in line with the laser-distorted region, and the outer score line is offset from the inner laser score line and the laser-distorted region, the inner laser score line (32) and outer score line (36) defining a removable portion (18), such that peeling back the third film layer at the outer score line causes the first film layer to break along the laser-distorted region to form a first film layer cut line (38) continuous with the inner laser score line to allow the first film layer and the second film layer to be moved together with the third film layer, wherein a reseal surface (23) is defined between the second film layer (4) and the third film layer (6) at the offset between the outer score line (36) and the inner laser score line (32), such that a corresponding portion (25) of the removable portion (18) is readherable to the reseal surface (23).
  2. The package of Claim 1, wherein the second film layer (4) comprises a barrier layer and the barrier layer comprises one of EVOH copolymer, PVCD, PVOH, aluminum oxide coated PET, nanocoated materials, metalized PET, or metalized OPP.
  3. The package of Claim 1, wherein at least one of: a) the second film layer is laminated to the first film layer via a permanent adhesive (22); and b) the third film layer is laminated to the second film layer via a pressure sensitive adhesive (24).
  4. The package of Claim 3, wherein the second film layer is laminated to the first film layer via a permanent adhesive (22); and the third film layer is laminated to the second film layer via a pressure sensitive adhesive (24), wherein each of the permanent adhesive (22) and the pressure sensitive adhesive (24) are pattern applied.
  5. The package of Claim 1, wherein the inner laser score line (32) extends beyond the second surface (15) of the second film layer (4) into a pressure sensitive adhesive (24).
  6. The package of Claim 1, wherein the outer score line (36) extends beyond the first surface (16) of the third film layer (6) into a pressure sensitive adhesive (24).
  7. The package of Claim 6, wherein the outer score line (36) extends completely through the pressure sensitive adhesive (24) and partially into the second film layer (4).
  8. The package of Claim 1, wherein the first film layer comprises a polyethylene.
  9. The package of Claim 1, wherein the second film layer comprises a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an oriented polypropylene (OPP), or any combination thereof; and optionally, wherein the PET, the OPP, or any combination thereof is metallized.
  10. The package of Claim 1, wherein the third film layer comprises a PET, an OPP, or any combination thereof.

Description

BACKGROUND The present disclosure relates generally to laminate structures for forming packaging for products, and more particularly to laminate structures having a continuous film layer for providing a hermetic seal in an unopened package while also having an easy open/reclose functionality. Flexible film-based materials are commonly employed for constructing packages for products that are perishable, such as pharmaceutical and food products that must be protected against oxygen exposure and kept from either drying out (in the case of moist products such as cheese, or wet wipes) or from picking up moisture from the outside environment (in the case of dry products such as crackers or cookies). If the product is of the type that will be used little by little over time, then it may be desirable to provide a way to reclose the package after it is opened for the first time. Various configurations of film-based laminates and packages that are reclosable have been developed. Further improvements in such laminates and packages are desired. US2003231811 describes film structures that are exposed to focused energy to provide a score line on an internal layer of the film structure, or on both an internal layer of a film structure and an outer layer of the film structure. WO2016184818 describes a process (and packs made by the process) for making reclosable packages that can be opened by hand and can be reclosed by hand without tools at least once after opening for the first time optionally containing a foodstuff. WO2016131742 describes a flexible laminate for forming a reclosable packaging container comprising a built-in opening and reclose feature. US2010247822 describes a multilayer film includes at least an abuse layer that is laser scored, and a sealant layer that has discrete weakened portions, due to the laser scoring. BRIEF SUMMARY The invention is defined by claim 1. Dependent claims 2-10 define further embodiments of the invention. Embodiments of the invention described herein provide packages formed from laminate structures. The laminate structures provide a continuous film layer that forms a hermetic seal in unopened packages while still having the easy open/reclose functionality desired by consumers once opened. Accordingly, embodiments of the invention provide a package formed using a laminate structure, the laminate structure comprising a first film layer, a second film layer, and a third film layer. The first film layer defines a first surface configured to be disposed proximate a product stored within the package and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first film layer also includes an uncut laser-distorted region. The second layer defines a first surface laminated to the second surface of the first film layer and a second surface opposite the first surface of the second film layer. The second film layer also includes an inner laser score line extending between the first and second surfaces of the second film layer. The third film layer defines a first surface laminated to the second surface of the second film layer and a second surface opposite the first surface of the third film layer. The third film layer also includes an outer score line extending between the first and second surfaces of the third film layer. The inner laser score line is in line with the laser-distorted region, and the outer score line is offset from the inner laser score line and the laser-distorted region, such that peeling back the third film layer at the outer score line causes the first film layer to break along the laser-distorted region to form a first film layer cut line continuous with the inner laser score line to allow the first film layer and the second film layer to be moved together with the third film layer. The outer score line may, in some embodiments, comprise an outer laser score line. The inventive package is fully defined by claim 1. In certain embodiments, the second film layer may be laminated to the first film layer via a permanent adhesive. In some embodiments, the third film layer may be laminated to the second film layer via a pressure sensitive adhesive. In some cases, the first film layer may comprise a polyethylene (PE). The second film layer may, in some embodiments, comprise a polyethylene terephthalate (PET), an oriented polypropylene (OPP), or any combination thereof. The PET, the OPP, or any combination thereof may be metallized. In some embodiments, the third film layer may comprise a PET, an OPP, or any combination thereof. In other embodiments, a laminate structure is provided for forming a package. The laminate structure comprises a first film layer, a second film layer, and a third film layer. The first film layer defines a first surface configured to be disposed proximate a product stored within a package and a second surface opposite the first surface. The first film layer also includes an uncut laser-distorted region. The second layer defines a first surface laminated to the