Reclosable packages with tunable seal geometry

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to reclosable packages comprising a front wall, a rear wall, and a closure region proximate to an outer edge of the container opposite a bottom of the container. The closure region includes a plurality of seal regions forming a continuous seal between the front wall and the rear wall across a width of the package and at least one of the seal regions is nonlinear. The closure region further includes at least one unsealed region defined between the seal regions. In some reclosable packages, the application of an opening force proximate to the closure region is operable to break the continuous seal between the front wall and the rear wall across a width of the package. The seal geometry may be tuned to adjust the magnitude of opening force required.

1 . A reclosable package comprising:
 a front wall, a rear wall, and a bottom of the package; and   a closure region proximate to an outer edge of the package opposite the bottom, the closure region comprising a plurality of seal regions forming a continuous seal between the front wall and the rear wall across a width of the package, wherein at least one of the seal regions is nonlinear and the closure region comprises at least one unsealed region defined between the seal regions.   
     
     
         2 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the closure region further comprises two or more seal lines, wherein a seal line is a linear continuous seal between the front wall and the rear wall, across the width of the container. 
     
     
         3 . The reclosable package of  claim 2 , wherein the two or more seal lines comprise an upper seal line, the seal line farthest from the bottom, and a lower seal line, the seal line closest to the bottom and the at least one nonlinear seal region is disposed between the upper seal line and the lower seal line. 
     
     
         4 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the application of an opening force proximate to the closure region is operable to separate at least part of the front wall from the rear wall, breaking the continuous seal between the front wall and the rear wall across a width of the package. 
     
     
         5 . The reclosable package of  claim 4 , wherein, after separating at least part of the front wall from the rear wall, contacting the front wall to the rear wall proximate to the closure region and applying a closing pressure proximate to the closure region is operable to reform the seal between the front wall to the rear wall across a width. 
     
     
         6 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the closure region comprises a repeating geometric pattern of seal regions. 
     
     
         7 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the closure region comprises a reclose film. 
     
     
         8 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one seal region comprises a reclose film. 
     
     
         9 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein the front wall, the rear wall, or both, comprise a flexible film. 
     
     
         10 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one seal region comprises at least three layers and the at least three layers include:
 a sealant layer comprising a top facial surface and a bottom facial surface;   a reclose layer, comprising a top facial surface, a bottom facial surface, and an adhesive;   at least one outer layer comprising a top facial surface;   wherein:
 the reclose layer is disposed between the sealing layer and the at least one outer layer; 
 the top facial surface of the reclose layer is in adhering contact with the bottom facial surface of the sealant layer; and 
 the bottom facial surface of the reclose layer is in adhering contact with the top facial surface of the at least one outer layer. 
   
     
     
         11 . The reclosable package of  claim 1 , wherein at least one seal region comprises an adhesive comprising:
 an ethylene/α-olefin random copolymer; and   a styrenic block copolymer comprising from greater than 1 wt. % to less than 50 wt. % units of polymerized styrene;   a tackifier; and   an oil.   
     
     
         12 . The reclosable package of  claim 11 , wherein the adhesive comprises:
 from 30 wt. % to 65 wt. % of the ethylene/α-olefin random copolymer;   from 10 wt. % to 35 wt. % of the styrenic block copolymer;   from 20 wt. % to 40 wt. % of a tackifier; and   from greater than 0 wt. % to 8 wt. % of an oil.