Resealable packages

Abstract

A resealable package is disclosed comprising a cover component, a tray component complemented in structure and coupled to the cover component, and sealing sheet disposed between the cover and tray components. The tray component includes a compartment to receive packaged goods and a flange framing the tray component. The sealing sheet includes a first portion being resealably attached to the flange of the tray component and a second portion being affixed to the cover component. The cover and tray components are movable relative to one another such that the movement automates unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the flange of the tray component.

1 . A package comprising:
 (A) a cover component;   (B) a tray component complemented in structure and coupled to the cover component, the tray component being moveable relative to the cover component and including:
 one or more compartment portion to receive one or more articles, 
 a flange edge framing the compartment portion; and 
   (C) a sealing sheet including:
 a first portion resealably connecting to the flange edge of the tray component, and 
 a second portion connecting to the cover component, 
   wherein the sealing sheet being disposed between the cover and tray components such that a relative movement between the cover and tray components automates unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component.   
     
     
         2 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the sealing sheet includes a barrier film. 
     
     
         3 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the connection between the second portion of the sealing sheet and the cover component is stronger than the connection between the first portion of the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component. 
     
     
         4 . The package of  claim 1 , further comprising a mechanical stopping element to prevent a decoupling of the tray component from the cover component. 
     
     
         5 . The package of  claim 4 , wherein the mechanical stopping element includes a member selected from a group consisting of sleeve lip, tail tab, flap design, side tab design, overlapping tab, aligned tab and slot, closed end on the sleeve, and combinations thereof. 
     
     
         6 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the tray component is moveable relative to the cover component in a sliding motion. 
     
     
         7 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the tray component includes more than one compartment. 
     
     
         8 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the tray component further comprises an end closure structure for closing the package. 
     
     
         9 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component includes a top panel, a bottom panel, and two side walls connecting the top and the bottom panels. 
     
     
         10 . The package of  claim 9 , wherein the top panel includes:
 (a) a first ply being a frame panel of the cover component, and   (b) a second ply being an overlapping panel for the first ply,   wherein the second portion of the sealing sheet is bonded between the first and the second plies of the cover component.   
     
     
         11 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component is a slidable lid. 
     
     
         12 . The package of  claim 1 , wherein the cover component and the tray component further comprise a co-operable ratchet mechanism for effective step-wise relative movement. 
     
     
         13 . A package comprising:
 (A) a tray component including:
 (i) a compartment portion to receive one or more articles, and 
 (ii) a flange edge connecting to the compartment portion; 
   (B) a lid component coupling to the tray component and including a flip-top opening feature; and   (C) a sealing sheet including:
 (a) a first surface being permanently affixed to the lid component, and 
 (b) a second surface being resealably connected to the flange edge of the tray component, 
   wherein a flip-opening movement of the lid component automates unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the second surface of the sealing sheet and the flange edge of the tray component.   
     
     
         14 . The package of  claim 13 , further comprising a sleeve component being complemented in structure to the tray component such that the tray component being slidable within the sleeve compartment. 
     
     
         15 . A package comprising:
 (A) a cover component;   (B) a tray component complemented in structure and coupled to the cover component, the tray component being moveable relative to the cover component and including one or more compartment portion to receive one or more articles; and   (C) a sealing sheet including:
 a first portion resealably connecting to the flange edge of the tray component, and 
 a second portion connecting to the cover component, 
   wherein the sealing sheet being disposed between the cover and tray components such that a relative movement between the cover and tray components automates unsealing and resealing of the resealable connection between the sealing sheet and the tray component.