Reclosable container

Abstract

A container for retaining one or more inner packets can have a first front panel having an irregular pattern on at least one edge; a shrink band disposed along an axis of the container to engage the irregular pattern on at least one edge; a second front panel having at least a back and a flap, the flap including a first layer and a second layer which are joined along side edges thereof to create a pocket in the flap that is open along only one side, wherein the flap is divided from the back by a fold line; at least one inner packet slot configured to receive the inner packet, the inner packet slot being defined between the first and second layers of the flap; whereby an opened inner packet can be partially inserted behind the inner packet slot and into the pocket between the first and second layers of the flap of the outer package, so that when the outer package is folded along the fold line, the inner packet is folded against itself and is pinched shut to retain its contents; and whereby the irregular patterns inhibits lateral movement of the shrink band.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A container for retaining one or more inner packets, the container comprising:
 a first front panel having an irregular pattern on at least one edge;   a shrink band disposed along an axis of the container to engage the irregular pattern on at least one edge;   a second front panel having at least a back and a flap, the flap including a first layer and a second layer which are joined along side edges thereof to create a pocket in the flap that is open along only one side, wherein the flap is divided from the back by a fold line;   at least one inner packet slot configured to receive the inner packet, the inner packet slot being defined between the first and second layers of the flap;   whereby an opened inner packet can be partially inserted behind the inner packet slot and into the pocket between the first and second layers of the flap of the outer package, so that when the outer package is folded along the fold line, the inner packet is folded against itself and is pinched shut to retain its contents; and   whereby the irregular patterns inhibits lateral movement of the shrink band.   
     
     
         2 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink band is composed of a material selected from the list costing of oriented polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene terephthalate, and glycol-modified polyethylene terephthalate (PETG). 
     
     
         3 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein a gauge of shrink band is between about 45 and 55 microns. 
     
     
         4 . The container of  claim 1 , wherein the shrink band further comprises two substantially parallel perforations spanning a width of the shrink band. 
     
     
         5 . The container of  claim 1 , further comprising relief score lines on a back panel of the container.