US 12,319,485 B2
Die cut opening for multi-layer flexible package
Jacob Donald Prue Branyon, Hartsville, SC (US); Donovan Young, Hartsville, SC (US); and Eugene Smith, Charlotte, NC (US)
Assigned to TOPPAN Packaging Americas Holdings, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Sonoco Development Inc., Hartsville, SC (US)
Filed on Sep. 16, 2020, as Appl. No. 17/022,450.
Application 16/292,410 is a division of application No. 14/581,091, filed on Dec. 23, 2014, granted, now 10,273,068, issued on Apr. 30, 2019.
Application 17/022,450 is a continuation of application No. 16/292,410, filed on Mar. 5, 2019, granted, now 10,807,779.
Prior Publication US 2020/0407140 A1, Dec. 31, 2020
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. B65D 75/58 (2006.01)
CPC B65D 75/5827 (2013.01) [B65D 75/5833 (2013.01); B65D 75/5855 (2013.01); B65D 2575/586 (2013.01); Y10T 156/1064 (2015.01); Y10T 156/1082 (2015.01)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A package comprising:
a laminate defining an outer film layer and an inner film layer, wherein the outer film layer and the inner film layer are coextensive;
the outer film layer comprising an outer die cut, wherein the outer die cut extends within the outer film layer, wherein the outer die cut defines a peripheral edge of a peelable flap portion of the package, and wherein the outer die cut comprises:
an outer layer first cross-directional cut line; and
outer layer first and second longitudinal cut lines extending continuously lengthwise from opposite ends of the outer layer first cross-directional cut line, respectively;
the inner film layer comprising an inner die cut, wherein the inner die cut extends within the inner film layer, wherein the inner die cut defines a location of an opening of the package and is formed inwardly of the outer die cut, wherein the inner die cut has only one axis of symmetry and comprises:
an inner film first cross-directional cut line;
inner film first and second longitudinal cut lines extending uninterrupted lengthwise from opposite ends of the inner film first cross-directional cut line, respectively; and
an uninterrupted inner film second cross-directional cut line, opposite the first cross-directional cut line, connecting the inner film first and second longitudinal cut lines and extending away from the inner film first cross-directional cut line, wherein the inner film second cross-directional cut line has multiple non-zero radii of curvature between its juncture with the inner film first and second longitudinal cut lines, and
wherein the inner film second cross-directional cut line has a first non-zero radius of curvature at the juncture of the inner film first longitudinal cut line with the second cross-directional cut line a second non-zero radius of curvature at the juncture of the second longitudinal cut line with the second cross-directional cut line, and a third non-zero radius of curvature along the inner film second cross-directional cut line between the first juncture and the second juncture, wherein the first second and third non-zero radii of curvature are part of the multiple non-zero radii of curvature,
wherein the inner film first and second longitudinal cut lines are generally parallel to a longitudinal axis, and the outer layer first and second longitudinal cut lines are generally parallel to the longitudinal axis, when the peelable flap portion of the package is in a closed configuration,
wherein the inner die cut has a depth less than a thickness of the inner film, with a consistent tolerance of about +/−6 microns, and
wherein the inner film first cross-directional cut line comprises at least one package integrity feature which extend toward the inner film second cross-directional cut line and terminate in hooked ends.