US 11,807,438 B2
Flexible packaging structure with a built-in opening and reclose feature
Robert Charles Hebert, Cockeysville, MD (US); Scott William Huffer, Hartsville, SC (US); Barry Roland Reese, Hartsville, SC (US); and John A. Prizzi, Southbury, CT (US)
Assigned to SONOCO DEVELOPMENT, INC., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed by Sonoco Development, Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed on Oct. 22, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/508,234.
Application 13/031,469 is a division of application No. 12/556,292, filed on Sep. 9, 2009, granted, now 8,262,830, issued on Sep. 12, 2012.
Application 12/556,292 is a division of application No. 11/098,872, filed on Apr. 5, 2005, granted, now 7,717,620, issued on May 18, 2010.
Application 17/508,234 is a continuation of application No. 16/714,004, filed on Dec. 13, 2019, granted, now 11,192,704.
Application 16/714,004 is a continuation of application No. 15/296,584, filed on Oct. 18, 2016, granted, now 10,543,970, issued on Jan. 28, 2020.
Application 15/296,584 is a continuation of application No. 13/542,998, filed on Jul. 6, 2012, abandoned.
Application 13/542,998 is a continuation of application No. 13/031,469, filed on Feb. 21, 2011, granted, now 8,262,832, issued on Sep. 11, 2012.
Prior Publication US 2022/0041358 A1, Feb. 10, 2022
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65D 75/58 (2006.01); B29C 59/00 (2006.01); B31B 70/74 (2017.01); B32B 27/32 (2006.01); B32B 37/12 (2006.01); B32B 38/00 (2006.01); B65D 77/20 (2006.01); B31B 70/81 (2017.01); B31B 160/10 (2017.01); B31B 170/20 (2017.01); B31B 155/00 (2017.01)
CPC B65D 75/5855 (2013.01) [B29C 59/007 (2013.01); B31B 70/74 (2017.08); B32B 27/32 (2013.01); B32B 37/1292 (2013.01); B32B 38/0004 (2013.01); B32B 38/0008 (2013.01); B65D 75/5833 (2013.01); B65D 75/5838 (2013.01); B65D 77/2096 (2013.01); B29C 2791/009 (2013.01); B31B 70/81 (2017.08); B31B 2155/00 (2017.08); B31B 2160/10 (2017.08); B31B 2170/20 (2017.08); B32B 2553/00 (2013.01); B65D 2577/2066 (2013.01); Y10T 156/1057 (2015.01); Y10T 156/1059 (2015.01); Y10T 156/1082 (2015.01); Y10T 156/1084 (2015.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A resealable packaging structure for housing products wherein the entire packaging structure comprises a laminate comprising an outer layer and an inner layer that are coextensive across substantially their entire areas, each of the layers having an upper surface and a lower surface and wherein, other than in an unadhered tab portion of the outer layer, the outer layer lower surface is adhered to the inner layer upper surface over substantially their entire surfaces, the laminate further comprising a repeatedly openable and closeable flexible structure which comprises:
an outer score line formed in the outer layer of the laminate defining an outer layer opening portion that is separable from the outer layer along the outer score line;
an inner score line formed in the inner layer of the laminate defining an inner layer opening portion that is separable from the inner layer along the inner score line, wherein the outer layer opening portion is larger in area than the inner layer opening portion wherein the outer layer opening portion extends beyond a periphery of the inner layer opening portion, and wherein the outer layer opening portion comprises the tab portion;
the inner layer upper surface comprising a first marginal region surrounding the inner score line in the laminate;
a flap comprising the outer layer opening portion and the inner layer opening portion, wherein the inner layer opening portion of the flap is defined by the inner score line and wherein the outer layer opening portion of the flap is defined by the outer score line;
the outer layer lower surface comprising a second marginal region comprising at least a portion of a periphery of the outer layer opening portion lower surface;
an ink layer disposed on the lower surface of the outer layer; and
the first marginal region being releasably and resealably adhered to the second marginal region so that the flap may be repeatedly opened and resealed, wherein an initial release of the first and second marginal region disrupts the ink layer thereby preventing the reseal of the first marginal region and the second marginal region in registration along the outer score line.