Foil Free Tabbed Seal

Abstract

Various forms of tabbed sealing members are described along with the laminates from which the sealing members are formed. In some forms, the tabbed sealing members may generally be formed from materials that may be processed using a single recycling stream. In one form, the tabbed seals do not include any metal foils, such as would traditionally be included in induction heated seals. Instead, the seals may be applied in other manners, such as using ultrasonic sealing, conduction heating, high frequency sealing/welding, pressure sensitive adhesives, and the like.

1 . A tabbed sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the sealing member comprising:
 a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion partially bonded to a lower laminate portion forming a gripping tab, the gripping tab configured for removing the sealing member from the container opening,   the lower laminate portion positioned below the gripping tab and including at least a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim,   the upper laminate portion including a support layer, and   the tabbed sealing member being free of a metal foil layer.   
     
     
         2 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer and the sealant layer each comprise a polyolefin. 
     
     
         3 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer and the sealant layer each comprise a polyester. 
     
     
         4 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the upper laminate portion includes a print layer. 
     
     
         5 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 4 , wherein the print layer is a tab layer. 
     
     
         6 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the lower laminate portion includes a polymer layer. 
     
     
         7 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 6 , wherein polymer layer comprises an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         8 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 6 , wherein the polymer layer comprises a chemically treated polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         9 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the support layer and the sealant layer each comprise polypropylene, polyethylene, or a combination thereof. 
     
     
         10 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 1 , wherein the sealant layer is positioned at an outer periphery of the sealing member such that it is in registration with the rim of the container when installed. 
     
     
         11 . A tabbed sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the sealing member comprising:
 a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion partially bonded to a lower laminate portion forming a gripping tab, the gripping tab configured for removing the sealing member from the container opening,   the lower laminate portion positioned below the gripping tab and including at least a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim and at least one polymer layer, the polymer layer comprising polyester,   the upper laminate including a support layer comprising polyester, and   the tabbed sealing member being free of a metal foil layer.   
     
     
         12 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the sealant layer comprises polyester. 
     
     
         13 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the sealant layer comprises polyolefin. 
     
     
         14 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the upper laminate portion includes a print layer. 
     
     
         15 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 14 , wherein the print layer is a tab layer. 
     
     
         16 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein polymer layer comprises an amorphous polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         17 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the lower laminate portion further includes a second polymer layer, the second polymer layer comprising a chemically treated polyethylene terephthalate. 
     
     
         18 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the support layer in the upper laminate portion is a transparent polyester terephthalate film. 
     
     
         19 . The tabbed sealing member of  claim 11 , wherein the sealant layer is positioned at an outer periphery of the sealing member such that it is in registration with the rim of the container when installed. 
     
     
         20 . A laminate for forming a tabbed sealing member, the laminate comprising:
 an upper laminate portion including a support layer comprising polyester; and   a lower laminate portion including a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim and at least one polymer layer, the polymer layer comprising polyester,   the upper laminate portion partially bonded to a lower laminate portion and configured to form a gripping tab when the laminate is formed into the sealing member, the laminate being free of a metal foil layer.