Patent Publication Number: US-2012043323-A1

Title: Resealable packages

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This non-provisional application relies on the filing date of provisional U.S. Application Ser. Nos. 61/175,533 filed on May 5, 2009 and 61/226,441 filed on Jul. 17, 2009, having been filed within twelve (12) months thereof, which are incorporated herein by reference, and priority thereto is claimed under 35 USC §1.19(e). 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Packaging container typically includes a packaging tray to receive the packaged product and a lid film sealed to the packaging tray. To gain access to the packaged goods, the sealable lid film is torn or ripped. If the lid film is broken by consumers, it cannot be used again as a useful seal to any goods remaining in the package. The packaged product is commonly not immediately consumed after opening, such as when only a portion of the goods would be used at a time. Thus, it is beneficial for the packaging container to be resealable after opening. 
     U.S. Patent Application No. 2007/0023435 discloses a container for food product including a film affixed to a food tray. The film functions as a lid of the container and has an access opening. The sealing label, adhesively sealed to the top around the opening, is resealable when a tab of the sealing label is pulled back. The sealing label is resealable against the top layer to seal the opening when the label is moved back against the top. When the packaged product is perishable or delicate goods, it is further desirable that the resealable packaging container provides good barrier resistance. 
     U.S. Pat. No. 6,691,886 discloses a resealable plastic packaging container consisting of a tray and a lid film, wherein the container has a sealing area sealed to the tray such that it can be at least partly peeled back. The plastic packaging container comprises at least one hook and loop closure whose two complementary parts are arranged opposite each other on the tray and the lid film, respectively, and by means of which the plastic packaging container can be resealed after the peel-back seal has been opened. If the sealing lid film of the resealable package is not replaced properly to fully cover the product, the packaged goods may be damaged. Furthermore, the resealing adhesive on the lid film may become deteriorated and ineffective when contacting dirt, dust and other contaminants after the container has been opened. Finally, the sealing lid film is easily punctured or torn prematurely. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for resealable packages with enhanced resealing and barrier performances. In addition, there is a need for resealable or re-closable packages with enhanced convenience, easier opening and improved user experience. 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a resealable package 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 portion being resealably attached to the flange of the tray component and a 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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package; 
         FIGS. 2-5  illustrate steps in the removal and replacement of a sealing sheet contained within the disclosed package of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIGS. 6A and 6B  show schematically, cross-sectional side views of the disclosed package of  FIG. 1  in a closed sealed configuration and in an opened unsealed configuration, respectively; 
         FIG. 7A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package; 
         FIG. 7B  shows the package of  FIG. 7A  in an opened position, wherein a sealing sheet automatically has been moved into an open position by means of opening the package; 
         FIG. 8A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package; 
         FIG. 8B  shows the package of  FIG. 8A  in an opened position, wherein a sealing sheet automatically has been moved into an open position by means of opening the package; 
         FIG. 9A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package; 
         FIG. 9B  shows the package of  FIG. 9A  in an opened position, wherein a sealing sheet automatically has been moved into an open position by means of opening the package; 
         FIG. 9C  shows a package similar to  FIGS. 9A and 9B  but with a flange that extends along the entire inner tray; 
         FIG. 10A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein the tray component includes more than one compartment portion and ratchets between compartments; 
         FIG. 10B  shows a variation of the package depicted in  FIG. 10A  without the ratchets; 
         FIG. 11A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein the compartment portion is coverable by means of a slidable cover component; 
         FIG. 11B  shows a variation of the package disclosed in  FIG. 11A  namely a different shape to the package but still including a compartment portion that is coverable by means of a slidable cover component; 
         FIG. 12A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein the tray component includes two compartment portions, each resealable by means of a slidable cover component; 
         FIG. 12B  shows the two inner trays or a two compartment inner tray of the package depicted in  FIG. 12A ; 
         FIG. 12C  is a variation of the package depicted in  FIG. 12A  and shows a longer outer sleeve covering the two compartment inner tray or two inner trays 
         FIG. 12D  shows the package in  FIG. 12C  in an open configuration; 
         FIG. 13A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein the cover component includes one or more openings to facilitate a slidable movement of the tray component within the cover component; and 
         FIG. 13B  shows a view of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 13A  in an open position; 
         FIG. 13C  shows a variation of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 13A  with a child resistant feature; 
         FIG. 13D  shows a view of the embodiment disclosed in  FIG. 13C  in an open position; 
         FIG. 14A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein the unsealing and resealing of the sealing sheet to the tray component is automated by the sliding motion of the tray compartment; 
         FIG. 14B  shows the package disclosed in  FIG. 14A  in the open position; 
         FIG. 15A  shows one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package with a Z fold attachment in a closed position; 
         FIG. 15B  shows the resealable package of  FIG. 15A  in an open position; 
         FIG. 15C  shows a close-up view of the positioning of the Z fold attachment within the package of  FIG. 15B  in an open view; 
         FIG. 15D  shows a top view of the inner tray of  FIG. 15A  with the Z fold attachment; 
         FIG. 16A  shows another embodiment of the disclosed resealable package with a Z fold attachment; 
         FIG. 16B  shows an open view of the package disclosed in  FIG. 16A ; 
         FIG. 16C  shows a close-up of the positioning of the Z fold attachment within the package of  16 B; 
         FIG. 16D  shows a top view of the Z fold attachment as it rests atop the inner tray; 
         FIG. 17A  shows a top view of a one piece version of the Z fold attachment plus inner tray; 
         FIG. 17B  shows a top view of a Z fold piece to attach to the sealable sheet of an inner tray; 
         FIG. 17C  shows the Z fold piece folded into shape before attaching to the sealable sheet. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosures now will be described more fully hereinafter, but not all embodiments of the disclosure are shown. Indeed, these disclosures may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. 
     The resealable package of the present disclosure comprises:
         (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:
           (i) a compartment portion to receive one or more articles,   (ii) a flange portion framing the compartment portion; and   
           (C) a sealing sheet including:
           (a) a first portion resealably connecting to the flange portion of the tray component and   (b) 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 portion of the tray component.   
               

     Any known packaging materials may be used for the cover component. Examples include, but are not limited to, paper-based material such as paper and paperboard; plastic; metallic material; and combinations thereof. The cover component may be in a variety of forms. Examples include, but are not limited to, a slidable cover, a liftable cover, a fully enclosed cover, and a tubular sleeve cover with opening at one or both ends. 
     Various materials may be used to produce the tray component. Examples of such materials include, but are not limited to, injected-mold plastic, thermoform plastic, plastic-coated paperboard, paperboard, and combinations thereof. The material used for the tray component may be the same or different from that used for the cover component. It will be understood that the tray component may comprise more than one compartment. Additionally, one skilled in the art may simply modify the compartment structure and shape to facilitate the desired end use applications of the disclosed packages. 
     A variety of materials are suitable as the sealing sheet. Such material may be selected based on the end use applications of the disclosed package. For example, if the packaged goods are perishable food items, the sealing sheet material may be selected to minimize or reduce the permeability of air and other gases, water and other liquids, as well as dust and other solids. Examples of materials suitable for use as the sealing sheet include, but are not limited to, plastic film such as polyethylene, polyester, foil and other metallic material; and any combination thereof. When desired, the sealing sheet may have barrier resistant properties. When appropriate, the sealing sheet may be further provided with an antimicrobial treatment. The sealing sheet may be flexible such that it may be peeled away from and replaced back on the flange portion of the tray component. 
     The first portion of the sealing sheet may be resealably attached to the flange portion of the tray component by the use of resealable adhesive or other means. The adhesion of the sealing sheet to the cover component may be stronger than the adhesion to the flange portion of the tray component. 
     The disclosed package may include a stopping element to limit the relative movement between the cover component and the tray component and prevent the completely decoupling of the two components. Such stopping mechanisms are well known in the art, and any suitable stopping element may be used in the present disclosure. When appropriate, the mechanical stopping element may be used for such mechanism. Examples of suitable mechanical stopping elements include, but are not limited to, a sleeve lip, tail tab, flap design, side tab design, overlapping tabs, aligned tabs and slots, closed ends on the cover component, and combinations thereof. Optionally, the mechanical stopping element may comprise a tab extending inwardly from the main panel proximate to a leading portion of the cover component and an aperture disposed in the tray component proximate to a trailing edge of the tray component. The tray component may comprise an end closure structure for closing an end of the disclosed package. 
     In one embodiment of the disclosed package, the cover component and the tray component comprise a co-operable ratchet mechanism for effective step-wise relative movement between the two components. 
       FIGS. 1-5  show one embodiment of the resealable package of the present disclosure. The resealable package comprises a cover component  30  and a tray component  34 . The cover component  30  comprises an end closure element  32  and a tubular structure consisted of a top panel, a base panel  14 , side panels  16 , and an end panel  12 . When desired, the top panel may be consisting of a first ply  18  that frames the cover component  30  and a second ply  20  that overlaps the first ply  18 . When desired, the end closure element  32  may take the form of hinged lid portion that may be folded to close the tubular structure. 
     The tray component  34  includes a compartment portion  48  framed by a side  42  wall and an end wall  44  to receive packaged goods and a flange portion  46  connecting the compartment portion  48 . 
     The sealing sheet  36  has a first portion  40  that is resealably affixed to the flange portion  46  of the tray component  34 , and a second portion  38  affixing to the cover component  30 . As shown in  FIG. 4 , the second portion  38  of the sealing sheet  36  may be sandwiched between the first ply  18  and the second ply  20  of the cover component  30 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 2 , the tray component  34  may be housed inside the cover component  30  by inserting in a directional arrow ‘I’ into an open end ‘O’ of the cover component  30 . The stopping element  78  acts to limit the distance wherein the tray component  34  may be separated from the cover component  30  without being completely decoupled. The stopping element  78  couples a rear portion of the tray component  34  to a front inner portion of the cover component  30  toward the end panel  12 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , the end closure element  32  is opened to open the package and retrieve the packaged goods from the compartment portion  48  of the tray component  34 . The cover component  30  and the tray  34  component are moved relative to one another so that the tray component  34  is slided out of the cover component  30 . As this happens, the sealing sheet  36  with its portion  40  resealably affixed to the flange portion  46  is automatically and progressively detached or peeled away from the flange portion  46 , thus exposing the compartment portion  48  of the tray component  34  and allowing the packaged goods to be retrieved. It may be required that the strength of the attachment between the second affixing portion  38  and the cover component outer  30  is greater than the strength of the attachment between the first affixing portion  40  and the tray component  34 . Accordingly, the sealing sheet  36  is automatically and progressively pulled or peeled away from the tray component  34  by simply sliding the tray component  34  from the cover component  30  and no other effort is required upon the part of the consumers to tear or open the compartment portion to retrieve the packaged goods. A shearing force imparted as the tray component  34  and the cover component  30  are separated may sufficiently facilitate the release of the bond between the portion  40  of the sealing sheet  36  and the flange  46  of the tray component  34 . When the tray component reaches its travel limit in relative to the cover component  30  as being controlled by the stopping element  78 , the peeling away of the sealing sheet  36  is completed. 
     The first affixing portion  40  of the sealing sheet  36  may be attached to the tray  34  by means of a resealable adhesive. Any known resealable adhesives in the art may be used. For example, “Peel &#39;n Re-seal” adhesive available from Spear Inc. may be used. Therefore, the sealing sheet  36  may be readhered to the tray component  34 , resulting in a resealing and closing of the compartment portion  48  of the tray component  34  once again. As such, only some the packaged goods in the compartment portion  48  of the tray  34  may be removed, while the remaining goods are still being kept fresh. Examples of such packaged goods include, but are not limited to, loose tobacco or food. 
     Additionally, the reinsertion of the tray component  34  within the cover component  30  automatically causes the portion  40  of the sealing sheet  36  to be resealed to the flange portion  46  of the tray component  34 . The tray component  34  may be designed to tightly fit within the cover component  30 , such that the seal between the portion  40  of the sealing sheet  36  and the flange portion  46  of the tray component  34  is formed once the top panel  18  contacts with the sealing sheet  36 . When desired, the resealable adhesive provided on the first affixing portion  40  may be activated to reseal by an application of pressure between the affixing portion  40  and the flanged portion  46  of the tray component  34 . In certain embodiment of the present disclosure, it is not necessary for the consumers to apply pressure because the sandwiching of the first affixing portion  40  between the top panel  18  of the cover component  30  and the flange portion  40  as the tray component  34  is reinserted into the cover component  30  provides sufficient pressure to reseal the compartment portion  48 . The space between the top panel  18  of the cover component  30  and the flanged portion  46  of the tray component  34  may be sized to receive only the thickness of the sealing sheet  36 , since this promotes replacement of the sealing sheet  36  in flat form and wrinkling or creasing of the sealing sheet  36  may be prevented. The tightness of the space between the top panel  18  and the flanged portion  46  may also ensure that the sealing sheet  36  is aligned correctly along the flange portion  40  of the tray component  34 . 
     The package of the present disclosure may allow for an automatic resealing of the compartment portion  48 . This reduces the possibility of contaminants being transferred from the users to the resealable adhesive on the first affixing portion  40  of the sealing sheet  36 , thus increasing the lifetime of the resealing adhesive and the disclosed resealable package. 
       FIGS. 6A and 6B  illustrate the movement of the tray component  34  within the cover component  30 , as well as the position of the sealing sheet  36  when the tray component  34  is moved outwardly of the cover component  30 . The sealing sheet  36  fits as a single layer between the flange portion  46  of the tray component  34  and a lower surface of the first ply  18  of the cover component  30 . The second affixing portion  38  of the sealing sheet is positioned between the second ply  20  and an upper surface of the first ply  18  of the cover component  30 . 
     A completely decoupling of the tray component  34  from the cover component  30  may be prevented through the use of stopping elements such as any mechanical stopping element known in the art. Alternatively, the trailing edge of the sealing sheet  36  that is closest to the end panel  12  of the cover component  30  in the closed position, may be strongly attached or permanently affixed to the tray component  34 , so that a complete detachment of the sealing sheet  36  from the tray component  34  is avoided and consequently a decoupling of the cover component  30  and the tray  34  component is prevented. 
       FIGS. 7A and 7B  show one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package with a cover component  130  and the tray component  134  slidably housing within the cover component  130 . The tray component  134  includes a compartment portion  148 , a side wall  142 , a flange portion  146 , and an end closure structure  132  that completely closes the package once the tray component is placed within the cover component  130 . A sealing sheet  136  has a first portion resealably affixed to the flange portion  146  and a second portion secured to the cover component  130 . The second portion of the sealing sheet  136  may be affixed to the top panel  120  of the cover component  130 . As before, moving the tray component from the cover component causes the first portion of the sealing sheet  136  to be automatically detached from the flange portion  146 , and consequently the compartment portion  148  of the tray component  134  or half carton  134  is exposed to allow for a retrieval of packaged goods. The reinserting of the tray component into the cover component automatically causes the first portion of the sealing film  136  to be reattached to the flange portion  146  of the tray component  134 , and consequently the compartment portion  148  is sealed once again. It is to be understood that cover compartment  130  and half carton  134  may be symmetrical and either may be pulled by the user to open the package or to automatically detach the sealing sheet  136  from the flange portion  146 . 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, the package includes a first component being a pouch compartment and a second component being a tubular carton structure and coupled to the first component. The tubular carton structure includes a lid connected and hinged to a top panel of the carton structure such that when the lid is pulled to an open position, the relative movement between the pouch compartment and carton structure automates an unsealing of the bond between the sealing sheet and the flange portion of the compartment.  FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the disclosed resealable package capable of housing a primary package. The sealing sheet  236  is attached to a lid flap  220  of the disclosed package. Optionally, the sealing sheet  236  may be provided as a part of the primary package and frangibly connected thereto. The pull tab  250  may be used to disconnect the lid flap  220  from the remainder of the top panel  218  of the disclosed package. This action causes the sealing sheet that is frangibly connected to the primary package to be disconnected from the primary package, and consequently an opening into the primary package is created such that the packaged goods inside may be accessed. A flange portion or first affixing portion  240  disposed around the perimeter of the opening is repositionable to reseal the primary package. This is achieved by replacing the lid  220  into planar alignment with the top panel  218  and applying pressure to adhere the first affixing portion  240  to an underlying edge portion  246  of the primary package. Whereas in this embodiment, the consumer applies the pressure to effect the reseal, the use of the liftable lid portion  220  with the pull tab  250  facilitates the opening of the primary package. The presence of a full structure outer carton with base wall provides structural strength to facilitate the resealing by application of some pressure. This is particularly useful where the primary package is a soft flexible pouch which lacks compression strength. It is envisaged that the disclosed package may include multiple flanges to improve sealability. The first affixing portion  240 , which is coupled to the lid  220  once resealed and attached to flange  246 , may assist in holding the disclosed package in a closed or locked position. Nonetheless, when desired, an additional external mechanical lock may be provided to maintain the lid  220  in the closed position. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package having a sealing sheet  336  affixed by a strong attachment to a flip-top portion  320  of the package  334 . A portion  340  of the package  334  is resealably affixable to a flange portion  346  of the package. When desired, a sleeve  330  may be included to further provide protection to the package  334 . In addition sleeve  330  may be designed to catch on an inner flap and allow the flip-top portion  320  to open.  FIG. 9C  shows a similar embodiment as  FIGS. 9A and 9B , but including a flange portion  346  that extends around the interior of the package to surround product containment area  348 . 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package wherein a tray component  434  has multiple compartments:  448   a ,  448   b , and  448   c . In the illustrated example four compartments are shown, but it will be understood that any number of compartments greater than one may be used. The multiple-compartment package may incorporate a ratcheting system that enables a limited and controllably unsealing of the sealing sheet from the tray component. For example, the compartment  448   a  may be exposed by slidably separating the tray component from the cover component, while the compartments  448   b  and  448   c  may remain sealed. Later, when it is required to access the packaged goods contained in the compartments  448   b  or  448   c , and the cover component may be withdrawn further and the sealing sheet  436  peeled further from the tray component. The disclosed package with multiple compartments may be particularly useful in healthcare, personal care, and tobacco packaging applications. The side “wings”  460   a ,  460   b  and  460   c  as shown in  FIG. 10A  may be included to facilitate a ratchet mechanism along cutouts or indentions provided on the inside of the side panel  416  of the cover component  430  to assist in the step-wise withdrawal of the tray component  434  from the cover component  430 . 
     In one embodiment, the disclosed package comprises a tray component that includes a flange portion and a compartment portion, a slidable cover component being coupled to the tray component by means of a folded portion engaging an underside of the flange, and a sealing sheet being sandwiched between the flange portion of the tray component and the slidable cover component. In  FIGS. 11B and 11A , the tray component  534  is coverable by means of a slidable lid  520  and automatically sealable by means of the sealing sheet  536 . The tray component  534  comprises a flanged portion  546  extending about the perimeter of the tray component. The lid  520  includes rails that are folded under the flange portion of the tray component. The sealing sheet  536  is attached to the flange portion  546  and the lid  520  to create an automatic opening and closing “peeling” or “roll” effect. The reseal feature enables consumers to easily store and later access leftovers or unused packaged goods within the compartment portion  548  of the tray component. 
       FIGS. 12A ,  12 B,  12 C and  12 D show one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package, wherein a tray component  634  comprises two compartments  648 , slidable cover component  630 , and a sealing film  636  affixed to the tray and the slidable cover components. Each compartment  648  is resealable by the sealing sheet  636  ( 636   a  and  636   b , respectively) by a relative movement of a single slidable cover component  630 . In  FIG. 12A , the compartment  648   a  has been opened as the sealing sheet  636   a  is progressively peeled away by sliding the cover component  630  away from an end wall  644   a  of the tray component and towards the second compartment. In this position, the second compartment remains sealed by a portion  636   b  of the sealing film. The relative sliding movement of the tray and the cover components, depending upon the direction which cover component is moved, causes either the resealing of the sealing sheet  636   a  portion to the compartment  648   a  or the further peeling of the sealing sheet such that the  636   b  portion becomes unsealed from the second compartment. One end of the sealing sheet may be permanently affixed to an end wall  644   b  of the tray component to prevent a complete decoupling of the tray component and the sealing sheet. In addition, two separate trays may be within slidable cover component  630 . Both trays or both compartments of the tray component  634  may rest under the slidable cover component  630 . Either tray may slide out leaving the other tray under slidable component or one compartment of tray component  634  may be slid out to peel away the sealing sheet  636  and allow access to the product inside. The two trays may be attached by the films to the slidable cover. The two trays may have a frangible connection at line  680 . 
       FIGS. 13A ,  13 B,  13 C and  13 D show one embodiment of the disclosed resealable package, wherein the cover component  730  includes one or more end openings  770 , and the tray component  740  is housed inside the cover component  730 . The stopping mechanism are the two closed ends of the cover component  730 : a closed end  774  functions as the mechanical stopping mechanism on the front end of the cover component  730 , and a closed end  776  as the mechanical stopping mechanism on the rear end of the cover component  730 . When the tray component  734  is slide toward the opening  770 , the sealing sheet  736  is peeled back to expose the compartment area  734 , thus allowing the consumers an access to the packaged products in the compartment area. When desired, the cover component  730  may further include side openings  772  to assist the consumers in sliding the tray component within the cover component to the open or closed positions. It is to be understood that such one or more openings could also be positioned in other areas of the cover component, including but not limited to the bottom, the sides, the front, or the rear of the cover component. It is further understood that either the front  774  or rear wall  776  may be removed to allow the tray component  740  to slide out of the outer package comprising cover component  730  rather than adding opening  770 . There are a variety of ways that the tray component  740  can be prevented from fully exiting the outer package that are known in the art. One such example is an internal retaining mechanism such as placing one or more flaps on the outer package that interlock with one or more flaps on the interior tray component  740  to prevent the end of the tray from being pulled out of the package.  FIGS. 13C and 13D  add a child resistant feature such as a push button release  778 . A variety of child resistant mechanisms are known in the art and may be added to the package to limit access to the contents. These include locking mechanisms and release mechanisms. Manufacturing preferences will indicate on which areas of the package it is appropriate to place child resistant locking and releasing features. 
     In one embodiment of the disclosed package, the sealing sheet may be sealed to the outer edge of the flange portion of the tray component. Further, the resealable adhesive and removable portion of the sealing sheet may be located inside the perimeter of the sealed area. In the alternative a heat sealable film and a resealable film may be precombined and then applied to tray component  834 . The heat sealable film may extend to the end of the flange portion  884 .  FIGS. 14A and 14B  show the disclosed package with a sealable sheet resealably affixed to the sides of the tray component at a flange portion  884 . The sealable sheet  836  may extend to the edge of the flange portion  884 . The sealable sheet  836  may be heat sealed to the flange portion  884 . The end portion  838  of the sealing sheet  836  is affixed to lid element  832  of the cover component  830  at adhesive areas  882  as illustrated in  FIG. 14A . Upon lifting the lid element  832  of the cover component  830 , the end portion  838  of the sealing sheet  836  is also lifted such that resealable portion  840  is peeled away and unsealed from the flange portion  884  of the tray component. It is to be understood that sliding the tray component  834  out of the outer structure  833  may lift the lid element  832  and pull back the sealable film portion  836 . The tray component  834  may be pulled out of the outer package  833  or may be pushed out of the outer package  833  through an opening at the back of the outer package  833 . Lid element  832  may assist the pulling back of sealable sheet  836 . The resealable portion  840  of the sealing sheet  836  may be further removed or pulled back as the tray component  834  is pulled or pushed out of the cover component  830 . The resealable portion  840  may be perforated or pre-cut such that it can be separated from the rest of the sealing sheet. The resealable portion  840  of the sealing sheet  836  may be inside the sealed portion of the flange area  884 , so that neither the resealing adhesive nor the removable sealing  840  would be denatured or destroyed during the production process. Furthermore, for similar reasons it may be beneficial for the end portion  838  of the sealing sheet  836  to be set inside the parameters of the heat sealed flange  884 . 
       FIGS. 15A ,  15 B,  15 C,  15 D,  16 A,  16 B,  16 C, and  16 D show an embodiment of the present invention including a slidable tray  903  with a sealable film  910  attached to a Z fold  905 . The Z fold  905  may be a three piece structure comprising of pieces  906 ,  907  and  908  where the lower end  908  is connected to the sealable film  910  as a single piece or through the use of adhesives. The adhesive used to hold the Z fold  905  at attachment point  908  to the sealable film  910  may be stronger than that used to hold the sealable film  910  to the top of the tray  912  such that when the tray  903  is slid out the z fold  905  is not pulled off of the sealable film  910 , but rather the sealable film  910  is lifted off of the tray  903 . The upper end of the Z fold  906  is folded such that it catches on flap  904  of the outer sleeve  902 . As the inner tray  903  is pulled or pushed out of the package Z fold flap  906  catches on inner flap  904  and the z fold  905  lifts the sealable film  910  off the top of the tray  912  such that the product contained inside inner tray  903  may be accessed at point  920 . 
       FIGS. 17A ,  17 B and  17 C show a sample Z fold.  FIG. 17  A shows a single piece tray plus Z fold. The fold line between the last portion of the Z fold  908  and the inner tray  903  may be frangible such that it breaks upon folding or breaks upon the consumer opening the package by pushing the inner tray  903  out of the sleeve  902 .  FIGS. 17B and 17C  show sample separate Z fold pieces that may be adhered or connected by other means to the sealable sheet. 
     The Z fold piece  905  may be paperboard. The board may be treated. To get the folds between pieces  906 ,  907  and  908  the sections may be scored. The may be all one piece with a paperboard inner tray  903  molded or folded and the Z fold attached on one end to be folded into shape. In such a design, there may be a perforated edge between the Z fold end piece  908  and the end of the inner tray  903  such that the connection may break upon folding or upon the user first opening the package. In addition as shown in  FIG. 16C  the end piece  908  of the Z fold piece  905  may be folded up on itself to provide additional strength when  906  catches on  904 . This may prevent the inner carton  903  from fully exiting the outer package  902  both because of the extra length and the force to unfold it. Extra adhesive may be located between this fold on  908  to add additional strength to this component. 
     In the alternative, the Z fold piece may be a plastic material adhered to the sealable film or may be a piece folded off of the film cover. The film cover may be a film, paperboard or plastic combination to give the Z fold the strength needed to maintain its shape and lift the sealable film. In addition the Z fold may be formed with the tray and folded into place over the sealable film. In such a design, the Z fold may have a perforated edge allowing it to break off from the inner tray when folded into position. Upon folding, the lower part of the Z fold  908  may be adhered to the sealable film  902 . The top of the inner tray  912  may have a flange surrounding the inner compartment for holding the product. 
     It will be understood that the present disclosure is applicable to the packaging, storing and dispensing of various items or products. Accordingly, the terms “goods”, “contents”, “articles”, “item” and “product” as used herein includes all kinds of packagable objects. Examples of such objects may include, but are not limited to, medicaments; food; electrical items; perishable goods of any sort such as tobacco; media products; and other personal or healthcare items such as contact lenses. It is envisaged that the present disclosure may be applied to provide an automatic seal for a jar-type container to preserve active ingredients in cream, lotion or ointment from deteriorating. 
     One skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes may be made within the scope of the present disclosure. For example, the size and shape of the tray component, the cover component and the compartment portion may be adjusted to accommodate articles of differing size or shape. Additionally, the word “seal” may mean a vacuum/hermetic seal or a mere sufficient seal to preserve the quality and limit the degradation of the packaged products. 
     Furthermore, it is envisaged that the application of the automated unsealing and resealing mechanism of the present disclosure may be applied to a number of package configurations, including the one-hand opening cartons that are known in the art and provide a simple-to-use package. The disclosed resealing mechanism may also be incorporated into the automated opening containers including those with child resistant features. 
     Moreover, the disclosed automatic resealing mechanism may be applied to a carton housing an inhaler or other medical device where a specific portion of the device or a nose or a mouth portion of an inhaler is covered by the sealing sheet. As such the flange edge to which the sealing sheet is attached and reattached may not surround the entire cavity of a carton, but rather may surround a section of the cavity. In any such application, the sealing sheet may also comprise an antimicrobial treatment. 
     It is to be understood that on any embodiment disclosed herein, manufacturing preferences may indicate whether a single layer of film or multiple layers of film, two or more, may be preferred. With one or more layers it may be appropriate to have a perforated or cut out portion of the film that acts as the sealable portion. The one film layer may be a material that is both heat sealable and resealable after the initial peel back from the flange area. The multi layer film solution may include at least one heat sealable film and at least one resealable film that would then be adhered in combination to the tray structure. It is also to be understood, that the one or more films may have barrier properties or may simply close the opening. Any film layers in the industry or later developed may be adapted to work with this application. In general the films tend to have a base film that may be metalized or may be polypropylene or another type of plastic that may or may not have a metalized coating with heat seal and resealable adhesive layers extruded onto the film. In the alternative, the film could be combined with paperboard that may or may not be treated. The one layer option may be a film that is resealable to the flange area without being initially heat sealed. The heat seal requirement is dependent upon the needs of the product in the package. The heat sealing may provide increased initial barrier protection. The films will vary as different products will require different barriers needs. In a one layer solution the film may be fully rolled away from the flange area when the package has been opened. In the two layer solution the film would most likely be a combination of precombined materials which may include a heat sealable film and a resealable film that would then be adhered to the tray structure in combination. The resealable film would overlap a section of the heat sealed film that would be lifted when the resealable film is rolled away as the package is opened. The action of the top layer lifting a portion of the bottom layer allows access to the compartment containing the product when the package has been opened. The base layer which may be the heat sealed film will have a lock seal to the tray flange, which may improve barrier and the lock seal may prevent the heat seal layer from being lifted from the tray. In some embodiments, the resealable layer may reseal on the heat sealed layer. It is to be understood, that the material that the resealable film attaches to will determine the appropriate adhesive material to use. 
     The adhesive used for the applications herein may be glue, tape, heat sealing, adhesive strips, adhesive dots, combinations thereof and any other suitable adhesive materials. It is to be understood that manufacturing preferences will indicate the appropriate adhesive to use for various applications of the package. For example stronger adhesive materials should be used to connect the sealable sheet to the outer package, lid or the Z fold and weaker adhesive should be used on the sealable portion such that a user is able to open the package when the tray is slid or rotated or moved away from the lid portion without disconnecting the attachment to the lid, outer package or Z fold. 
     It will be recognized that as used herein, directional references such as “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “back”, “end”, “side”, “inner”, “outer”, “upper” and “lower” do not limit the respective panels to such orientation, but merely serve to distinguish these panels from one another. Any reference to hinged connection should not be construed as necessarily referring to a single fold line only. Rather, it is envisaged that hinged connection can be formed from one or more of the following, a short slit, a frangible line or a fold line without departing from the scope of the invention. 
     The foregoing description relates to embodiments are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the disclosure. Any changes and modifications may be made therein as will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such variations are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure as defined in the following claims.