MXPA96003529A - Hermetically sealed package, with thermosellable stripping strips and product method - Google Patents

Abstract

An easy opening package adapted to hermetically seal its contents. The package includes a flexible packaging film that forms a first package wall and a tear strip sealed to an interior surface of the first package wall. The tear strip includes a core layer formed of oriented polypropylene to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package. The core layer includes first and second surfaces. An outer sealing layer adheres to the first surface of the oriented core layer and is sealed to the inner surface in the first package wall. An inner sealing layer adheres to the second surface of the oriented core layer. A second package wall is connected to the first package wall around its periphery, to define a product receiving chamber between the first and second package walls. The second package wall is adapted to be sealed to the inner sealing layer of the tear strip in a thermal sealing zone, to seal the tear strip between the first and second package walls. A side edge of the tear strip extends beyond the heat seal zone within the chamber to provide uniform and reliable opening of the package when removing the tear strip. An opening extends through the package walls and the tear strip, such that the tear strip reinforces the package walls, to avoid tearing the package walls, which can otherwise be caused by supporting means inserted through the abertu

Description

HERMETICALLY SEALED PACKAGE, WITH STRIPPING STRIPS T ---- RMOSKT.TABT.KS AND PRODUCTION METHOD Antecedent-;; of the invention The present invention is directed to hermetically sealed packages and tear strips, which are particularly adapted to open the package and methods for producing the package. Numerous forms of tear strips have been provided to facilitate the opening of sealed packages. Examples that are probably familiar to many consumers include the tear strip used to open a pack of cigarettes or a pack of chewing gum. Most tear strips of this type are simply placed within a portion of a package wall with an end that extends outwardly to be held by the consumer. The tear strip, once held and pulled, opens one edge or end of the package either by breaking the seal or by physically tearing through the package wall. The present invention constitutes a specially constructed tear strip or strip and a package in which the tear strip extends over a portion to facilitate opening of the package, to provide access to the contents. The tear strips used in the prior art constructions do not provide hermetic seals with conventional materials. This is because they are usually provided with a silicone-based release coating on a surface. The tear strip of the present invention is adapted to be sealed on both opposite sides and at each end of the tear strip, with the package film to thereby provide a hermetically sealed package for containing food products and other items. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of an osellable tear strip. Figure 2 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the tear tape, which is taken on the lines 2-2 of Figure 1. The Sheet 3 is a top plan view of a portion of the packaging film with the tearing strip heat-sealed. Figure 4 is an enlarged partial cross-sectional view of the packaging film and the tear tape, which is taken on lines 4-4 of Figure 3. Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a first embodiment of a package that includes a tear tape. Figure 6 is a rear view of the first packet mode taken on lines 6-6 of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an end view of the first packet mode taken on lines 7-7 of Figure 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of the first packet mode taken over lines 8. -8 of Figure 6. Figure 9 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the tear tape. Figure 10 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the tear tape. Figure 11 is a partial front elevation view of a second embodiment of a package including a tear tape. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A hermetically sealed package 10 is illustrated comprising a sheet of packaging film 12, and a tear tape 14 heat sealed to the packaging film 12. As best illustrated in Figures 1 and 3, the tape Tear 14 is formed as a thin, flat elongated strip extending between a first end or edge 16 and a second end or edge 18. As best illustrated in Figure 2, one embodiment of the tear tape 14 includes a first sealant layer 20, adhesively laminated to a first surface 21 of a core layer 22 by a layer of adhesive 24. A second layer of sealant 26 is adhesively laminated to a second opposing surface 27 of the core layer 22 by a layer of adhesive 28 The first and second sealant layers 20 and 26, each formed of a polyethylene copolymer containing 5% ethylene vinyl acetate (EDA). Each sealed layer 20 and 26 preferably has an approximate thickness of .0381 mm (1.5 mils). The core layer 22 is formed of a polypropylene oriented with a tensile strength machine (MOPP) which is preferably approximately .0508 mm (2 mils) thick. Various types of adhesives can be used for the adhesive layers 24 and 28, however a preferred adhesive is the "TYCEL" adhesive as sold by Liofol Company. The sealing layers 20 and 26 of the tearing tape 14 can be manufactured as blown films in extruders. The first sealant layer 20 can be adhesively laminated to the core layer 22 in an adhesive laminator. The combination of the sealant layer 20 and the core layer 22 can then be adhesively laminated to the second sealant layer 26. This tear tape base sealant structure initially is approximately 104.14 cm (41") wide and can be cut into strips with width 2 millimeters, which form the individual tearing tapes 14. Alternatively, the tearing tapes 14 can be cut into strips having larger widths as desired.The tearing tapes 14 are wound as a continuous stretch on reels for supply future.

The tearing tape 14 can alternatively be formed by extrusion lamination of the first sealing layer 20 to the first surface 21 of the core layer 22 by a polymer lamination layer in the same position as the layer 24 and extrusion laminate the second layer sealant 26 to the second surface 27 of the core layer 22, using as an example polyethylene laminate layers and primers that are well known in the art as necessary to bond the layers. The tearing tape 14 can also be formed by extrusion coating the first sealing layer 20 to the first surface 21 of the core layer 22 and extrusion coating the second sealing layer 26 to the second surface 27 of the core layer 22, with any primers that can be referred to as is well known in the art. The tear tape 14 can also be formed as a co-extrusion of all three layers 20, 22 and 26 in a casting or blowing extruder. A combination of the above techniques can also be employed to form the tear tape 14, such as a combination of coextrusion of the first sealing layer 20 to the first surface 21 of the core layer 22 and adhesive lamination of the second sealing layer 26 to the second surface 27 of the core layer 22, the tearing tape 14 as is illustrated in Figure 2, includes first and second sealing layers 20 and 26 that are formed from the same materials. Sealing layers 20 and 26 may nevertheless be formed from different materials if desired, to build a tape 14 which provides different seal characteristics with each sealing layer 20 and 26. Each of the sealing layers 20 and 26 and the layer core 22 are formed with at least one layer of material, but can be formed with two or more layers of materials if desired. Each of the sealing layers 20 and 26 can be formed as thin as .00254 mm (.1 mil) to be used in a co-extrusion with the core layer 22 or as thin as .0127 mm (.5 mils) when they are intended for lamination to the core layer 22. The maximum thickness of each of the layers 20 and 26 is approximately .1016 mm (4 mils). The materials forming the sealing layers 20 and 26 should be sealed to the film 12 preferably by heat sealing, but sealing techniques with pressure sensitive adhesive can also be employed. The material forming the core layer 22 is preferably uniaxial or biaxially oriented polypropylene for tensile strength. The core layer 22 preferably has a thickness of about 0.0254 to 0.127 mm (1 to about 5 mils) depending on the strength of the packaging film 12. The core layer 22 can be formed from polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate ( PET) (polyester), high density polyethylene (HDPE) and other polymers that can be oriented and have sufficient tensile strength to tear the packaging film 12. As best illustrated in Figure 4, the packaging film 12 includes an inner layer 40 of about .0381 mm (1.5 mils) thick of ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) film. The packaging film 12 also includes a layer 42 of biaxially co-extruded 50 gauge oriented polypropylene, a layer 44 of polyvinyl chloride (PVCD) and a layer 46 of polyethylene laminate with a thickness of .127 mm (0.5 mils) ) (PEL). A tape layer 48 or other printing signal may be applied to the layer 46. An outer layer 50 of 35 gauge PET is applied to the layer 48. A preferred packaging film 12 is a protective wrapping film sold as CURPOLENE packaging film "* 600XLT in grades 7008 and 7008-1 by Curwood, Ine, the present applicant." CURPOLENEMR packaging film is described in U.S. Patent No. 4,221,823 which is incorporated herein by reference. in Figure 3, the packaging film 12 includes a left line edge 54 and a right linear edge 56 that is spaced apart and parallel to the left edge 54. The packaging film 12 also includes an upper edge 58 and a bottom edge 60. The packaging film 12 preferably should have at least one oriented film layer. Materials with thickness of .254 or .3048 mm (10 or 12 mils) are probably not candidates for use as packing film 12, since they can not easily tear. However, a weak material, such as polyethylene can work in those thicknesses. Heat-sealable coated paper can also be used with the packaging material 12. The two most important features of the packaging film 12 are that the film is tear-off and sealable. The packaging film 12 as illustrated in Figure 3, with the sealed tear tape, is formed by placing a reel of the tear tape 14 on an un-winding shelf to supply the tape 14 to a guide roll. the tearing tape 14 is compressed between the packaging film 12 and a heating roller or heat seal bar, for heat sealing the belt 14 to the packaging film 12 in a selected position before the packaging film 12 is formed in the package 10. Other convenient methods known in the art can be used to connect the tear tape 14 to the film 12. The tear tape 14 can be heat-sealed over its entire length to the packaging film 12, it can be thermally sealed only in the first or second ends or edges 16 and 18 to the packaging film 12, or it can be heat sealed to the packaging film 12 at both ends or edges 16 and 18 at one or more sites therebetween. The tear tape 14 can be applied to the packaging film 12 just prior to package formation 10, or the packaging film 12 and the tear tape 14 can be wound onto a roller for later use to form the packages 10. A roll of the combination of the packaging film and the tearing tape 14 presents a bulging problem, due to the additional thickness of the tearing tape 14 through only a small portion of the width of the packaging film 12. The hermetically sealed package 10 as illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, they are formed by feeding the packaging film 12 with the tear tape 14 sealed through various types of packaging machinery that are well known in the art. Convenient packaging machinery includes sealing equipment for horizontal form filling (HFFS) as manufactured by Hayssen Manufacturing Company. This packaging machinery is known as "RT's" in the packaging industry. Vertical seal filling equipment (VFFS) can also be used, as well as types with vacuum and gas flooding of the packaging machinery. As best illustrated in Figures 5 to 8, the package 10 extends longitudinally between a first end 64 and a second end 66. The package 10 includes a fin seal 68 that is formed in a manner well known to those of ordinary skill in the art. the technique by overlapping the inner surface portion of the packaging film 12 at the left edge 54, with an inner surface portion of the packaging film 12 at the right edge 56, with the edges 54 and 56 positioned adjacent to each other and heat the overlapping portions together with the heat seal 70 extending between an edge 71 and an edge 73 that is spaced from the edges 54 and 56 of the packaging film 12. The heat seal 70 and the fin seal 68 extend through the length of the package 10 between the first end 64 and the second end 66 and between the upper edge 58 and the bottom edge 60 of the packaging film 12. The packaging film 12 at each end of the seal or fin 68 is thermally sealed from the edge 71 to the edges 54 and 56 of the packaging film 12. In an embodiment of the package 10 the tearing tape 14 extends between the first end 64 and the second 66 of the pack 10 with the first end 16 of the tear tape 14 located at the first end 64 of the pack 10 and the second end 18 of the tape of tear 14 located at the second end 66 of the package 10. The upper edge 58 of the packaging film 12 is heat sealed with itself at the first end 64 of the package by a heat seal 72 extending transversely across the width of the first end 64 between a left edge 74 and a right edge 76 of the first end 64. The thermal seal 72 includes an outer side edge 77 and a spaced and generally parallel inner side edge 78. The heat seal 72 extends longitudinally between its side edges 77. and 78. The sealant layers 20 and 26 at the first end 16 of the tear tape 14 are sealed to and between the superposed layers of the packaging film 12 at the upper edge 58 by the seal t ferrous 72. The first end 16 of the tear tape 14 in this manner is hermetically sealed between the superposed layers of the packaging film 12 at the first end, 64 of the package 10. The bottom edge 60 of the packaging film 12 is thermally sealed to itself by a thermal seal 80, which extends between a left edge 82 and a right edge 84 of the second end 66. The thermal seal 80 it includes an outer side edge 85 and a spaced and generally parallel inner side edge 87. The heat seal 80 extends longitudinally between side edges 85 and 87. The sealing layers 20 and 22 at the second end 18 of the tear tape 14 are The outer layer of the packaging film 12 is placed on the bottom edge 60 by the thermal seal 80. The second end 18 of the tear tape 14 is thus sealed between the superposed layers of the film of packed 12 at the second end 66 of the package 10. The thermal seals 70, 72 and 80 form a hermetically sealed chamber 86 within the package 10, which is adapted to contain various products such as prod food or similar products. The package described herein is particularly suitable for containing and displaying blocks or pieces of cheese and is achieved by easy opening when incorporating the tear tape 14.

A notch or groove 90 best illustrated in Figure 6 is formed at the first end 64 of the package 10 adjacent the first end 16 of the tear tape 14. A notch or groove 92 is formed in the second end 66 of the adjacent pack 10 to the second end 18 of the tear tape 14. The slots 90 and 92 facilitate tear initiation of the tear tape 14 away from the package 10. In order to preserve the integrity of the hermetically sealed package, it is important that the notches are not extend inside the product receiving chamber, beyond the inner end of the seal area. The package 10 is opened selectively by grasping either the first end 16 or the second end 18 of the tear tape 14 and by pulling the tear tape 14 away from the rest of the package 10. The grooves 90 and 92 initiate a tearing of the packaging film 12, which is continued by the tearing tape 14. As the first end 16 or the second end 18 of the tearing tape 14 is detached from the package 10, the packaging film 12 is torn over the length of the tape of tearing 14 to the opposite end of the package 10. In this way an opening is provided in the package 10 by the separation of the tearing tape 10, which extends the length of the package 10 between the first end 64 and the second end 66 for facilitate the separation of the product contained therein.

An alternate embodiment of the package of the present invention includes a tear tape 14 'having a first end 16' and a second end 18 'as illustrated in Figures 5 and 6. The tear tape 14' is constructed therein. shape and with the same materials as the tear tape 14. The first end 16 'of the tear tape 14' is located at the first end 64 of the pack 10 and is sealed with the thermal seal 72 as well as the first end 16 of the tearing tape 14. The outer sealing layer of the tearing tape 14 'adheres to a first wall portion of the packaging film 12 and the inner sealing layer adheres to a second wall portion of the packaging film 12 by the thermal seal 72 at the first end 64 of the package 10. The second end 18 'of the tear tape 14' is located between the first end 64 and the second end 66 of the package 10. The second end 18 'of the tear tape 14 'is located at a distance men or that half the length of the package 10, from the first end 64 of the package 10 and preferably less than one third of the length of the package 10 from the first end 64. The outer sealing layer of the tearing tape 14 ' it adheres to the packaging film 12 at the second end 18 'of the tearing tape 14'. The inner sealing layer of the tearing tape 14 'at the second end 18' of the tearing tape 14 'is disconnected or detached with the packaging film 12. The tearing tape 14' is preferably heat sealed to the packaging film 12 over its entire length, but can be heat sealed only at the first and second ends 16 'and 18' to the packaging film 12, or it can be heat sealed at the ends 16 'and 18' at one or more inter-site locations. When the tear strip 14 'is removed from the package 10 by pulling the first end 16' of the remainder of the package 10, the packaging film 12 tears on the length of the tear strip 14 'to the second end 18'. An opening in the upper portion of the package 10 is thus provided while the packaging film 12 in the remaining lower portion of the package 10 remains intact. The opening will be located in the upper left corner of the package 10, as the package 10 is illustrated in Figure 6. The opening created by the separation of the tear tape 14 ', provides a drain spout for supplying the product contained in the package. It is possible to replace a pressure sensitive adhesive for a heat sealer in many situations. If the adhesive is coated on the surface 27 of the core layer 22 of the tear strip 14, it can replace the other layers 26 and 28 and form an airtight seal between the packaging film 12 and the tear tape 14. It is easier to apply the tear tape 14 to the packaging film 12 by most machines if performed in the direction in which the machine moves the film (the machine's direction). However, it is possible for a person skilled in the art to conceive that it may be necessary and safely possible to apply the tape through the film flow, in order to achieve a desired package configuration. Since most packaging machines move in an intermittent or indexed way, there is opportunity when the film does not move to apply the tape with a properly designed mechanism, using thermal sealing or adhesive technique. A second embodiment of the tear tape of the present invention is illustrated in the cross section in Figure 9, and is identified by the reference numeral 100. Tear tape 100 includes a first core layer 102 having an inner surface 104 and outer surface 106. Tear tape 100 also includes a second core layer 108 having an inner surface 110 and an outer surface 112. The inner surface 104 of the first core layer 102 is adhesively laminated to the inner surface 110 of the second core layer 108 by a layer of adhesive 114. A first sealing layer 116 adheres to the outer surface 106 of the first core layer 102. A second sealing layer 118 adheres to the outer surface 112 of the second core layer 108. The layers Sealers 116 and 118 can respectively be connected to the core layers 102 and 108 by co-extrusion, extrusion coating, adhesive lamination or a combination of these techniques. The core layers 102 and 108 each are oriented polypropylene with a tensile strength machine (MOPP) or biaxially oriented polypropylene (BOPP). Each core layer 102 and 108 preferably has approximately a thickness of .0216 mm (.85 mils) the first and second sealing layers 116 and 118, each formed of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Each sealing layer 116 and 118 preferably has a thickness of approximately .0254 mm (.10 mils). Adhesive layer 114 has an approximate thickness of .00254 mm (.10 mils) such that tear tape 100 has a total thickness of approximately .0508 mm (2 mils). The tear tape 100 in this manner is substantially thinner than the tear tape 14 having approximately a thickness of .127 mm (5 mils). The first and second sealing layers 116 and 118 may respectively be formed from different materials if desired to provide different seal characteristics with each of the sealing layers 116 and 118. The seal tape 100 may be employed in connection with the package 10. in the same way as the tear tape 14. Another embodiment of the tear tape of the present invention is illustrated in cross section in Figure 10 and designated with the reference number 120. Tear tape 120 includes a core layer 122 having a first surface 124 and a second surface 126. A first sealing layer 128 adheres to the first surface 124 of the core layer 122. A second sealing layer 130 adheres to the second surface 126 of the core layer 122. sealing layers 128 and 130 may be adhered to the core layer 122 by coextrusion, extrusion laminated extrusion coating, adhesive lamination, or a combination d e these techniques. Core layer 122 is formed of tensilled polypropylene. The core layer 122 preferably has a thickness of about .0457 mm (1.80 mils). The first and second sealing layers 128 and 130 each are formed of linear low density polyethylene (LLDPE). Each sealing layer 128 and 130 preferably has an approximate thickness of .00254 mm (.10 mils). The total thickness of the tearing tape 120 is approximately .0508 mm (2 mils). Sealing layers 128 and 130 can be formed respectively from different materials if desired, to provide different seal characteristics with each sealing layer 128 and 130. The tearing tape 120 can be employed with the package 10 in the same manner as the tearing tape 14. The tearing tapes 100 and 120 provide several advantages over the tear tape 14. Tear tapes 100 and 120 are less expensive to produce than tear tape 14 since less material is used to manufacture tear tapes 100 and 120 and as the manufacturing process to produce the tear tapes is reduced. tearing 100 and 120 is simpler and involves fewer operations than the process for producing the tearing tape 14. Tearing tapes 100 and 120 are thinner than tearing tapes 14, such that tearing tapes 100 and 120 they allow a better seal to be formed with the packing walls. Thinner tearing tapes 100 and 120 also allow more linear footage of the tear tape material to be wound on a reel and also allow more linear footage of the packaging material containing the tear tape to be coiled on a reel. A preferred embodiment of the package of the present invention is a fin-type or back-seal type package that is commonly seen in blocks of natural cheese such as package 10. There is another large group of packages made from two wefts that are They seal on all four sides. Typically, these packages have a vacuum formed pan, which is covered with an unformed film and heat around the edges of the pan. These packages are seen in sausage and meat packages for lunch as well as in connection with many other products. These can be referred to as seal-type packages on all four sides. The tear tape 14, 100 or 120 can also be applied from one edge to the other through one of the sides of this package. This can be done close to either side, depending primarily on the machine used to pack and the desired opening. Another family of packaging types is referred to as laterally sealed bags, which are seen in packages of striped cheese, liquid and other similar products. These packages are formed in a characteristic manner by folding a packaging film on itself and thermoeellaring the edges. The bottom is sometimes sealed and sometimes left unsealed. A reinforcement can be inserted in the bottom, if desired. No matter how the package is produced, it is possible to run the heat seal tearing tape, 14, 100 or 120 across the top of the package in the general area of the top seal to provide an opening feature if combined with notches or fractures on the side seals. Figure 11 shows a top portion of a package 140 having a first package wall 142 superposed to a second packing wall 144. Each of the package walls 142 and 144 is formed from a flexible packaging film such as CURPOLENEMR packaging material sold by Cur ood. , Inc., the present applicant as previously described. The package 140 includes an upper side edge 146, a first longitudinal side edge 148 and a second longitudinal side edge 150 spaced apart from and extending generally parallel to the first longitudinal edge 148. The first and second packing walls 142 and 144 are sealed between yes on the side edges 148 and 150 and on a bottom edge (not shown). The pack walls 142 and 144 form a product receiving chamber 152 therebetween. A tear strip 152 having a first side edge 156 and a second, generally parallel spaced side edge 158, is located between the first and second packing walls 142 and 144 adjacent the upper edge 146 of the package 140. The tear strip 154 extends from the first side edge 148 to the second side edge 150 of the package 140. The tear strip 154 are constructed in the same shape and with the same materials as any of the tear strips 14, 100 or 120. A first layer of The sealant of the tear strip 154 is initially sealed to the inner surface of the first wall of the package 142, such that the upper part of the package 140 is open to allow the insertion of food or other products into the product receiving chamber. 152. Subsequently, a second layer of sealant of the tear strip 144 is heat sealed to the inner surface of the second packing wall 144- within a heat sealing zone 160, of m This is so that the tear strip 154 is hermetically sealed to the first and second packing walls 142 and 144. The heat sealing zone 160 extends between the longitudinal side edges 148 and 150 of the package 140 and between a first side edge 162 of the heat seal zone 160 illustrated co-extensive with the first side edge 156 of the tear strip 154 in Figure 11, and a second side edge 164 of the heat seal zone 160 that is spaced apart and generally parallel to the first side edge 162. As illustrated in Figure 11, the first side edge 156 of the tear strip 154 is coextensive with the first side edge 162 of the heat seal region 160. The second side edge 158 of the tear strip tear 154 extends beyond the second side edge 164 of the heat sealing zone 160, such that the second side edge 158 of the tear strip 154 is placed inside the product receiving chamber 152. The tear strip 154 includes a projecting portion 159 that extends between the side edge 164 of the heat sealant zone 160 and the side edge 158 of the tear strip 154 that is located in the product receiving chamber 152. As illustrated in the Figure 11, the tear strip 154 has a width between the side edges 156 and 158 that is greater than the width of the heat sealing zone 160 between the side edges 162 and 164. Alternately, the first side edge 156 of the strip Ripping 154 may be positioned beyond the side edge 162 of the heat sealing zone 160 or may be placed within the heat sealing zone 160 between the first and second side edges 162 and 164 of the heat seal 2on 160.

When the tear strip 150 is torn from the package, the extension or projection of the projecting portion 159 and the second side edge 158 of the tear strip 154 beyond the second side edge 164 of the heat sealing zone 160 to the chamber 152 , allows the tear strip 150 to easily and consistently remove all of the heat sealing zone 160 from the remainder of the package 140 to completely open the package 140 between the side edges 148 and 150 and expose the contents of the product receiving chamber 152. This effectively eliminates the possibility of detaching the tear strip while allowing the product receiving chamber to remain sealed and inaccessible as it sometimes happens in prior art packs. The package 140 may include a pay-as-you-go zipper 168 comprising fastening strips connected to the interior surface of each package wall 142 and 144, which is selectively opened and closed again. The slide fastener 168 is located within the channel 152 of the package 140 and is separated below the second side edge 158 of the tear strip 154. The slide fastener 168 allows the chamber 152 to selectively close after the tear strip 154 has been torn from package 140 to open a passage to chamber 152.

The package 140 may also include an opening 172 extending through the first pack wall 142, the retract strip 154 and the second pack wall 144 within the heat sealing zone 160. The tear strip 154 reinforces the opening around the opening 172, to prevent tearing of the opening 172 by hooks, rods or other support members that are inserted through the opening 172 to hold the package 140 for display. Various characteristics of the invention have been illustrated and described particularly in connection with the illustrated embodiments of the invention, however it should be understood that these particular assemblies simply illustrate, and the invention will be granted its broadest interpretation within the terms of the appended claims. What is claimed.

Claims (36)

1. E-INDICATIONS 1. A tear strip adapted to be used in forming a hermetically sealed package having first and second packing walls, the tear strip being formed from at least one three-layer laminate, characterized in that it includes: a core layer formed of oriented polymeric film, to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package, the core layer includes first and second surfaces; an outer sealant layer adhered to the first surface of the oriented core layer, the outer sealant layer being adapted to adhere to the first package wall; and an inner seal layer adhered to the second surface of the core layer, the inner seal layer being adapted to adhere to the second wall of the package; wherein the tear strip is constructed in such a way that the core layer provides tensile strength for tearing and the seaming layers provide sealing capability so that when the tear strip is sandwiched between and seals with the first and second walls of the tear strip, package, a hermetically sealed package is formed with an integral eel tear strip.
2. 2. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the core layer includes a first layer of oriented polymeric film and a second layer of oriented polymeric film adhered to the first layer of oriented polymeric film.
3. 3. - The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the oriented polymeric film of the core layer is formed of polypropylene.
4. 4. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the oriented polymeric film of the core layer is a polyol selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate, and high density polyethylene.
5. 5. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sealing layer is formed of polyethylene.
6. 6. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sealing layer is formed of low density polyethylene.
7. 7. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner sealing layer is formed of a polyethylene copolymer containing ethylene vinyl acetate.
8. 8. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that it includes a polymer laminating layer placed between the core layer and the inner seal layer.
9. 9. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the core layer comprises one or more layers of polypropylene having a total thickness of approximately 0.0457 mm (1.8 miliseam of an inch).
10. 10. The tear strip according to claim 1, characterized in that the inner and outer sealing layers each respectively comprise one or more layers of low density polyethylene, each sealing layer has a respective total thickness of approximately .00254 mm ( 0.10 thousandth of an inch).
11. 11. An easy-open package adapted to hermetically seal its contents, characterized in that it includes: a flexible packaging film forming a first packing wall; a tear strip sealed to the first package wall on an interior surface, the tear strip includes: a core layer formed of polymeric film oriented to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package, the core layer includes first and second surfaces ? an outer sealing layer adhered to the first surface of the oriented core layer, the outer sealing layer being sealed to the first package wall; and an inner seal layer adhered to the second surface of the oriented core layer; a second package wall connected to the first package wall around its periphery to define a product receiving chamber between the first and second package walls, the second pack wall is adapted to be sealed with the inner seal layer of the tear strip to hermetically seal the tear strip between the first and second package walls.
12. 12. An easy opening package according to claim 11, characterized in that the product receiving chamber is hermetically sealed around its entire periphery.
13. 13. An easy-opening package according to claim 12, characterized in that the tear strip on removal exposes the contents of the product receiving chamber for separation.
14. 14. An easy-open package according to claim 11, characterized in that it includes a seal zone formed on a portion of the first and second package walls, the seal area seals the first package wall, the second wall of the package, package and strip tearing each other.
15. 15. An easy-open package according to claim 14, characterized in that the tear strip has a width dimension that exceeds the width dimension of the seal zone.
16. 16. An easy-opening package according to claim 14, characterized in that it includes an opening formed in the seal area extending through the tear strip and the first and second walls of the package, the opening is adapted to To facilitate suspension of the display package, the tear strip provides additional support to resist tearing of the package around the opening.
17. 17. - An easy-opening package according to claim 14, characterized in that the tear strip is positioned with respect to the seal area, such that the tear strip includes a side edge extending beyond a lateral edge of the seal. the seal area inside the product receiving chamber.
18. 18. An easy-open package, adapted to seal hermetic contents, characterized in that it includes: a flexible packaging film forming a package wall, the packaging film having a first longitudinal edge and a second longitudinal edge, the first and second longitudinal edges are sealed together thereby forming a product receiving chamber between a first wall portion and an opposite wall portion of the package wall, the package wall includes a first side edge and a second side edge spaced apart , the first and second wall portions are sealed together on the first side edge and adapted to seal between the second side edge, and a tear strip having a first end and a second end, the recess strip extends longitudinally from the seal at the first lateral edge of the pack wall to the seal at the second lateral edge of the pack wall, the first end of the The tear strip is hermetically sealed between the first and second wall portions at the first side edge of the package wall and the second end of the tear strip adapted to be hermetically sealed between the first and second wall portions at the second side edge of the package wall, the tear strip is characterized in that it includes: a core layer formed of polymer oriented to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package, the core layer includes first and second surfaces; an outer sealing layer adhered to the first surface of the oriented core layer, the outer sealing layer being sealed with the first wall of the package; and an inner seal layer adhered to the second surface of the oriented core layer; the inner seal layer is adapted to adhere to the second wall portion of the outer seal layer of the package wall.
19. 19. An easy-open package according to claim 18, characterized in that the tear strip is sealed to the package wall over the entire length of the tear strip.
20. 20. A method for forming a tear strip adapted for use in forming a hermetically sealed package, having first and second package walls, the method is characterized in that it includes the steps of: providing a core layer formed of oriented polymeric film, adapted to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package, the core layer has first and second surfaces; adhering a first sealing layer to the first surface of the core layer, the first sealing layer is adapted to adhere to the first package wall; and adhering a second sealing layer to the second surface of the core layer, the second sealing layer is adapted to adhere to the second package wall; wherein the stripping strip is constructed in such a way that the core layer provides tensile strength for tearing and the sealing layers provide seal capability, whereby when the tear strip is sandwiched between and seals with the first and second walls of package, a hermetically sealed package is formed with an integrally sealed tear strip.
21. 21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that it includes the step of forming the core layer by adhering a first oriented polymeric film layer with the second oriented polymeric film layer.
22. 22. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the oriented polymeric film of the core layer is formed of polypropylene.
23. 23. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the oriented polymeric film of the core layer is a polymer selected from the group consisting of polypropylene, polyethylene terephthalate and high density polyethylene.
24. 24. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first sealing layer is formed of polyethylene.
25. 25. - The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first sealing layer is formed of low density polyethylene.
26. 26. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that the first sealing layer is formed of a polyethylene copolymer containing ethylene vinyl acetate.
27. 27. A method for forming an easy opening package, adapted to hermetically seal its contents, characterized the method because it includes the steps of: providing a tear strip having a first end and a second end and a first side edge and a second side edge, the tear strip includes a core layer formed of polymer oriented to provide sufficient tensile strength to tear the package, the core layer has first and second surfaces, a first layer of sealant adhered to the first surface of the core layer and a second layer of sealant adhered to the second surface of the core layer; providing a first package wall and a second package wall superimposed; adhering a portion of a first sealing layer to the first end of the tear strip with the first package wall; adhering a portion of the first sealing layer to the second end of the tear strip with the first package wall; adhering a portion of the second sealing layer at the first end of the tear strip to the second package wall, such that the first end of the tear strip is hermetically sealed between the first and second package walls; and adhering a portion of the second sealing layer at the second end of the tear strip to the second package wall, such that the second end of the tear strip is hermetically sealed between the first and second package walls.
28. 28. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that it includes the step of adhering the first layer eelladora tear strip with the first package wall between the first and second ends of the tear strip over the entire length of the tear strip.
29. 29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that it includes the step of adhering the second sealing layer of the tear strip with the second package wall between the first and second ends of the tear strip over the entire length of the tear strip.
30. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes the step of adhering the first sealing layer with the first package wall across the width of the tear strip from the first side edge of the tear strip with the second side edge of the tear strip, and adhering the second layer of tear strip with the second package wall across the width of the tear strip from the first side edge of the tear strip to the second side edge of the tear strip. the tear strip.
31. 31. - The method according to claim 27, characterized in that it includes the step of adhering the first sealing layer of the tear strip with the first package wall and adhering the second sealing layer of the tear strip with the second package wall in a heat sealing zone having a lateral edge spaced from the second side edge of the tear strip.
32. 32.- An easy opening package adapted for hermetic sealing of its contents, characterized in that it includes: a flexible packaging film having a first end and a second spaced end, the packaging film forms a first portion of wall and a second portion of wall, the first and second wall portions define a receiving chamber of products between them; a tear strip having a first end and a second end, a oriented polymer core layer having a first surface and a second surface, a first sealant layer adhered to the first surface of the core layer and a second sealant layer adhered to the second layer. second surface layer of the core layer, the first sealing layer adheres to the first wall portion at the first end of the packaging film and the second sealing layer is adapted to adhere to the second wall portion at the first end of the packaging film, such that the first end of the tear strip is adapted to be hermetically sealed between the first and second wall portions at the first end of the flexible package, the second end of the tear strip adheres to the flexible package at a location placed between the first end and the second end of the packaging film.
33. 33. The easy-open packaging according to claim 32, characterized in that the first sealing layer of the tear strip continuously adheres to the flexible packaging film over the length of the tear strip between the first and second ends of the tear strip. the tear strip.
34. 34. The easy-open package according to claim 33, characterized in that the second sealing layer at the second end of the tear strip is not connected to the flexible packaging film. 35.- The easy-opening package according to claim 32, characterized in that the second end of the tear strip is located at a distance from the first end of the flexible packaging film that is less than half the length of the easy opening packaging between the first end and the second end of the flexible packaging film. 36.- The easy-opening package according to claim 32, characterized in that the second end of the tear strip ends at a point located between the first end of the flexible packaging film and half the length of the film of flexible packaging, between the first and second ends of the flexible packaging film such that when the tear strip is removed from the flexible packaging film, a pour opening is formed in the flexible packaging film.