Patent Publication Number: US-2022227549-A1

Title: Container structure with a built-in opening and reclosing feature

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 17/092,749, filed Nov. 9, 2020, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/160,524, filed Oct. 15, 2018, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/871,398, filed Sep. 30, 2015, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 62/058,217 entitled “Container Structure with a Built-In Opening and Reclosing Feature,” filed Oct. 1, 2014, all of which are incorporated herein in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     This invention relates to containers for holding products, and particularly relates to providing mechanisms for reclosing the containers to continue storing the products after the container has been initially opened. 
     Containers can be used to store various types of products. In some cases, for example, a flexible film-based lidding is sealed to a thermoformed tray to hold the product within the container. To open the container, the consumer must typically pierce the lidding with a sharp object, such as a knife, to create an opening that provides access to the product, or must otherwise remove the lidding from the tray to gain access. In other cases, product may be stored within a paperboard box or carton. To dispense the product from the carton, the consumer typically must open the side flaps of the box structure. 
     Many times, the contents of the container are not consumed in one sitting, and leftover product may need to be stored for future use. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     Embodiments of the invention described herein provide improved containers for storing products and associated methods that allow the consumer to see the product held therein before opening the container (e.g., when deciding whether to purchase the products) and also allow the consumer to reclose the container after it has been opened so as to keep any remaining portion of the contents securely stored therein for future consumption. In some embodiments, a container for storing products is provided that includes a base member and a flexible laminate. The base member may include a base, four sidewalls, and a lid that define a storage cavity, wherein the storage cavity is configured to hold products therein, and wherein the lid defines a window. The flexible laminate may be configured to be attached to the lid of the base member so as to cover the window and, in cooperation with the base, four sidewalls, and lid, enclose and maintain the products within the container. 
     The flexible laminate may include a first film layer and a second film layer laminated to the first film layer. The first film layer may comprise a first cut line defining a peelable flap portion, and the second film layer may comprise a second cut line offset from the first cut line and defining an opening providing access into the storage cavity. The first film layer may form a first reclose surface between the first and second cut lines, and the second film layer may form a second reclose surface between the first and second cut lines. At least one of the first or second reclose surfaces may include pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the peelable flap portion to be re-sealed to a remainder of the flexible laminate so as to reclose the opening when the first reclose surface is brought into engagement with the second reclose surface via movement of the peelable flap portion. 
     In some cases, the base member may comprise a folded carton made of paperboard. Additionally or alternatively, the first film layer of the flexible laminate may comprise polyethylene terapthalate (PET) and the second film layer of the flexible laminate may comprise oriented polypropylene (OPP). 
     The flexible laminate may be attached to an outer surface of the lid of the base member, or the flexible laminate may be attached to an inner surface of the lid of the base member. The lid of the base member, in some cases, may define an extension overlying a pull tab of the peelable flap portion, where the extension serves as a tamper evident feature. The extension may comprise at least one line of weakness, and each line of weakness may be configured to be cut by a user to gain access to the pull tab. 
     In some embodiments, one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the lid of the base member may be coated with low density polyethylene (LDPE), and the flexible laminate may be heat sealed to a respective one of the outer surface or the inner surface. In other embodiments, the flexible laminate may be glued to one of an outer surface or an inner surface of the lid of the base member. 
     In some cases, the flexible laminate may be transparent, such that the products stored within the container are viewable by the consumer. The lid of the base member may have a width and a length corresponding to a width and a length of the container, and the window defined by the lid may have a width and a length that are smaller than the width and the length of the lid, respectively. The container may be configured for holding pet products, such as pet food and/or pet toys. 
     The first and second film layers may be laminated to each other via pattern-applied permanent adhesive and pressure-sensitive adhesive. In some embodiments, the first cut line may comprise a first side portion, a second side portion, and an intermediate portion extending therebetween, and the first and second side portions may include free ends that are spaced apart. Additionally or alternatively, the second cut line may form a closed shape. The first cut line may define a pull tab portion. 
     In other embodiments, a method of making a container for storing products is provided. A base member may be formed, where the base member comprises a base, four sidewalls, and a lid that define a storage cavity. The storage cavity may be configured to hold products therein. A window may be defined in the lid of the base member. A flexible laminate may be formed by creating a first cut line in a first film layer, wherein the first cut line defines a peelable flap portion; creating a second cut line in a second film layer, wherein the second cut line defines an opening providing access into the storage cavity; and laminating the first film layer to the second film layer. The flexible laminate may be attached to the lid of the base member so as to cover the window and, in cooperation with the base, four sidewalls, and lid, enclose and maintain the products within the container. 
     The first film layer may form a first reclose surface between the first and second cut lines, and the second film layer may form a second reclose surface between the first and second cut lines. At least one of the first or second reclose surfaces may include pressure-sensitive adhesive to allow the peelable flap portion to be re-sealed to a remainder of the flexible laminate so as to reclose the opening when the first reclose surface is brought into engagement with the second reclose surface via movement of the peelable flap portion. 
     In some cases, the first cut line may define a pull tab portion and the flexible laminate may be attached to an inner surface of the lid of the base member. An extension of the lid of the base member may be defined that overlies the pull tab of the peelable flap portion, and the extension may serve as a tamper evident feature. In some embodiments, at least one line of weakness may be defined in the extension, where each line of weakness may be configured to be cut by a user to gain access to the pull tab. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
       Having thus described the disclosure in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a container in a closed configuration according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 1  in an open configuration according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a container in a closed configuration according to another example embodiment; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the container of  FIG. 3  in an open configuration according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 5  is a partial cross-sectional view of the container of  FIGS. 3 and 5  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a container in a closed configuration according to another example embodiment; 
         FIG. 7  is a partial cross-sectional view of the flexible laminate of  FIG. 6  according to an example embodiment; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a container having a tamper evident feature in a closed configuration according to another example embodiment; and 
         FIG. 9  is a partial close-up view of the tamper evident feature of  FIG. 8  with the underlying pull tab of peelable flap portion accessible to the user according to another example embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings in which some but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, the invention 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. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout. 
     As noted above, some containers for holding products (e.g., cookies, snacks, pet food products, and non-food products, such as pet toys), are sometimes designed to be rigid for aesthetic and/or marketing reasons, to allow for easier stacking on shelves or for transport, and/or to provide better support and resistance to damage to the products held therein in the event the container is hit or otherwise subjected to a force or impact. In some cases, for example, a thermoformed tray may be provided to hold the products within the container, and a flexible film-based lidding may be sealed to the base member to keep the contents inside. To open such containers, the consumer may need to pierce the lidding with a sharp object, such as a knife, to create an opening that provides access to the product. Using a knife or other sharp object to cut through the flexible film according to conventional solutions may put the consumer at risk of injuring himself or inadvertently damaging the products held inside the container. Alternatively, the consumer may be required to remove the lidding from the tray by peeling off the film. In conventional scenarios, however, in which the film is typically heat-sealed to the thermoformed tray, the force required to separate the film from the edge of the tray may be large, and the consumer may risk spilling the contents of the container when the film is finally separated from the tray due to the large amount of force used to gain access. Moreover, once opened, there is no easy way to reclose the container, such that any products that are unused can remain stored within the container in a secure fashion. 
     In other conventional cases, products may be stored within a paperboard box or carton. The carton may, in some cases, have a clear flexible film forming part of the container to allow a consumer to see the products held within the opaque carton. To dispense the products from the carton, the consumer typically must open the side flaps of the box structure. Again, a knife or other sharp object may be needed to separate the side flaps and gain access to the products held inside. When less than the entire contents of the container are consumed, the unused products may be returned to the carton, and the flaps may be reengaged in an effort to keep the contents inside. Although the side flaps in some conventional cartons may theoretically be designed to reengage each other to close the carton, the engagement may be loose or less than secure, and a conscientious consumer may need to apply additional adhesive tape to the side flaps to keep them together, making the reclosed package less aesthetically pleasing and complicating future openings of the container. 
     Embodiments of the container described herein therefore provide a way to hold products in a secure, aesthetically pleasing fashion, while allowing a consumer to both see inside the container to inspect the products held therein and to access the products in an easy-to-open, reclosable manner. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, depict a container  5  according to one embodiment, in which a base member  10  is provided that includes a base  15  and four sidewalls  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23  that together define a storage cavity  25 . The base member  10  may be, for example, a thermoformed tray and may define a flange  30  extending outwardly from the sidewalls  20 ,  21 ,  22 ,  23 . The container  5  may further include a flexible laminate  40  that is configured to be attached to the base member  10 . For example, the flexible laminate  40  may be heat sealed or otherwise permanently adhered to a corresponding surface of the flange  30 , as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     Although the flexible laminate  40  may be permanently attached to the base member  10  of the container  5  via the flange  30 , the flexible laminate may be structured such that portions of the film layers forming the laminate are selectively separable from each other when a peelable flap portion  70  is moved away from the base member  10 , as shown in  FIG. 2 . Thus, peeling of the peelable flap portion  70  away from the base member  10 , in the direction of the arrow depicted in  FIG. 2 , serves to create an opening into the container that is reclosable. The flexible laminate  40  shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  is structured according to embodiments of the invention, as described in greater detail with respect to  FIGS. 3-7 , below. 
     Turning to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, another embodiment of the container is provided in which the container  100  is in the form of a box. The container  100  according to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3 and 4  may comprise a base member  110  that includes a base  115 , four sidewalls  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 , and a lid  125  that define a storage cavity  105 . The storage cavity  105  may be configured to hold products  135 , such as snacks, baked goods, or other food items for human consumption, or pet products, such as pet food and pet toys, therein. 
     The lid  125  may define a window  130 , which may, in some embodiments, be an opening cut into the lid material. A flexible laminate  140  may be attached to the lid  125  of the base member  110  so as to cover the window  130 . The flexible laminate  140  may, in cooperation with the base  115 , four sidewalls  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 , and lid  125 , enclose and maintain the products  135  held within the container  100 . At the same time, in embodiments in which the base member  110  comprises a folded carton made of paperboard and is opaque, a flexible laminate  140  made of transparent materials (e.g., clear films) may be used to allow the consumer to see into the container without necessitating that the container be opened, as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     The window  130  defined in the lid  125  of the base member  110  may have various configurations (e.g., sizes and/or shapes), depending on the particular application, such as based on market considerations (e.g., depending on the type of products stored in the container and what the relevant consumer may find to be a preferable configuration for the window). In  FIGS. 3, 4, and 6 , for example, the window  130  is rectangular; however, in other embodiments, the window may be circular, oval, or trapezoidal, and in still other embodiments the window may have an irregular shape, such as a shape representing a shape of the products held therein (e.g., a dog bone shape). Because the window  130  is defined in the lid  125  of the base member  110 , the window is generally smaller than a nominal size of the lid. For example, with reference to  FIG. 3 , the lid  125  of the base member  110  may have a width Wi and a length Li that generally correspond to a width and a length of the container  100 , and the window  130  defined by the lid may have a width Ww and a length L that are smaller than the width and the length of the lid, respectively. 
     The flexible laminate  140  may be structured to include a first film layer  150  (e.g., on an outer surface of the flexible laminate) and a second film layer  155  (e.g., on an inner surface of the flexible laminate, visible in  FIG. 4 ). The second film layer  155  may be laminated to the first film layer  150  as described in greater detail below. The first film layer  150  may include a first cut line  160  that defines a peelable flap portion  170 , and the second film layer  155  may include a second cut line  165  that defines an opening providing access into the storage cavity  105 . Thus, in the depicted embodiment, the peelable flap portion  170  may be moved away from the remainder of the flexible laminate  140  that remains attached to the lid  125  of the base member  110  (e.g., in the direction of the arrow in  FIG. 4 ). As the peelable flap portion  170  is lifted away, such as via a pull tab  175  that is grippable by the user, a portion  157  of the second film layer  155  that is permanently adhered (e.g., via permanent adhesive  185 , shown in  FIG. 5 ) to the portion of the first film layer  150  defining the peelable flap portion  170  is also lifted away from the container so as reveal the opening defined by the second cut line  165 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the first and second cut lines  160 ,  165  may thus be offset from each other, rather than aligned, with respect to a thickness of the flexible laminate  140 . A cross-section of the flexible laminate  140  is illustrated in  FIG. 5 , showing the first and second cut lines  160 ,  165  being offset from each other with respect to the thickness t of the film. The offset configuration of the first and second cut lines  160 ,  165  is such that the first film layer  150  forms a first reclose surface  154  between the first and second cut lines, and the second film layer  155  forms a second reclose surface  159  between the first and second cut lines. In some embodiments, at least one of the first or second reclose surfaces  154 ,  159  may include pressure-sensitive adhesive  180  (illustrated in  FIG. 5 ) to allow the peelable flap portion to be re-sealed to a remainder of the flexible laminate so as to reclose the opening when the first reclose surface  154  is brought into engagement with the second reclose surface  159  via movement of the peelable flap portion  170  (e.g., in a direction opposite that shown by the arrow in  FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, for example, the first and second film layers  150 ,  155  may be laminated to each other via pattern-applied permanent adhesive  185  and pressure-sensitive adhesive  180 , as illustrated in  FIG. 5  in cross-section. 
     The first and second cut lines  160 ,  165  may be configured (e.g., sized and shaped) in various ways, such as based on functional, performance, aesthetic, and manufacturing considerations. In some embodiments, such as those shown in  FIGS. 3-7 , the first cut line  160  may comprise a first side portion  161 , a second side portion  162 , and an intermediate portion  163  extending between the first and second side portions, as depicted in  FIG. 3 . As illustrated, the first and second side portions  161 ,  162  may include free ends that are spaced apart, such that the first cut line  160  generally has a U-shape, with the uncut portion extending between the two free ends (e.g., opposite the intermediate portion  163 ) forming a fold or hinge line about which the peelable flap portion  170  can be moved. In some embodiments, the second cut line  165  may, in turn, form a closed shape, such as a rounded rectangle, as shown. Accordingly, when the peelable flap  170  is fully opened, the shape of the resulting opening into the container  100  may have a corresponding rounded rectangle shape (shown in  FIG. 4 ). In other embodiments, however, the second cut line  165  may have a non-closed shape, such as a shape corresponding to the shape of the first cut line  160  (e.g., a U-shape). In such cases, the opening defined into the container  100  may be bounded along one edge by the hinge line defined by the first cut line  160 . 
     Moreover, as noted above, in some cases the first cut line  160  may define a pull tab  175 , such as a protrusion or rounded outward extension from the general shape of the first cut line  160  that provides an area that the consumer can grip and use to pull the peelable flap portion  170  away from the container  100 . The area between the first and second film layers  150 ,  155  corresponding to the location of the pull tab  175  may, in some cases, be devoid of permanent or pressure-sensitive adhesive, such that a consumer can easily separate the first film layer  150  from the second film layer  155  in the region of the pull tab  175  for peeling the peelable flap portion  170  away from the container  100 . 
     The flexible laminate  140  may be attached to the base member  110  in various ways. According to the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , for example, the flexible laminate  140  may be attached to an outer surface  126  of the lid  125  of the base member  110 . Thus, in the embodiment depicted in  FIGS. 3 and 4  and shown in cross-section in  FIG. 5 , an inner surface  156  of the second film layer  155  of the flexible laminate  140  is attached to the outer surface  126  of the lid  125  of the base member  110 . A peripheral region  141  of the flexible laminate  140  may, for example, overlap a corresponding area of the outer surface  126  of the lid  125  and may be attached thereto. In such embodiments, the entirety of the flexible laminate  140  may be disposed outside the container  100 . 
     In other embodiments, such as the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6 , the flexible laminate  140  may be attached to an inner surface  127  of the lid  125  of the base member  110 . Thus, in the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 6  and in cross-section in  FIG. 7 , an outer surface  151  of the first film layer  150  of the flexible laminate  140  is attached to the inner surface  127  of the lid  125  of the base member  110 . The peripheral region  141  of the flexible laminate  140 , in this case, may overlap a corresponding area of the inner surface  127  of the lid  125 , inside the container, and may be attached thereto. Accordingly, in such embodiments, the peripheral region  141  of the flexible laminate  140  would not be visible to the consumer, and the only portion of the flexible laminate  140  visible to the consumer would be the portion disposed within (e.g., bounded by) the window  130  of the lid  125 . Although in the depicted embodiments the flexible laminate  140  is shown as being smaller that the width Wi and the length Li of the lid  125  of the base member  110 , in other embodiments, not shown, the flexible laminate may be cut to have the same or approximately the same dimensions as the lid. 
     In some embodiments, shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9 , the container  100  may include a tamper evident feature  200  configured to allow a user to detect whether the container has been previously opened, such as whether the peelable flap portion  170  has been moved away from the container  100  via the pull tab  175  to provide access to the products stored therein and subsequently reattached via the pressure-sensitive adhesive (e.g., the pressure-sensitive adhesive  180  shown in  FIG. 4 ). For example, as described in connection with  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the flexible laminate  140  may be attached to an inner surface  127  of the lid  125  of the base member  110 . The tamper evident feature  200  may be formed by an extension  205  of the lid  125  over the pull tab  175  of the peelable flap portion  170 . The extension  205  may thus be configured to be separated from the lid  125  to provide access to the pull tab  175 , where such separation of the extension  205  is visually detectable by the user. 
     For example, the extension  205  may define one or more lines of weakness  210  that are configured to be torn by the user to provide access to the pull tab  175 . As shown in  FIG. 9 , for example, a user may pull back on the extension  205  in the direction A, which may in turn cause a tear in the material of the lid  125  along the lines of weakness  210 . In the embodiment of  FIGS. 8 and 9 , for example, two lines of weakness  210  are provided that are substantially parallel to each other. The material of the lid  125  and/or the extension  205  may be paperboard, and the lines of weakness  210  may comprise perforations in some cases. The pull tab  175  may be disposed beneath the extension  205 , between the two lines of weakness  210 , such that when the extension is pulled back by the user in the direction A, the lines of weakness are torn through and create a fold line  215  extending between the two lines of weakness. With the extension  205  pulled back in this way, the pull tab  175  may be exposed, and the user may be able to grip the pull tab and open the peelable flap portion  170  as described above with respect to other embodiments. Because separation of the extension  205  tears the material of the lid  125  along the lines of weakness  210  and creates a fold line  215 , however, the fact that the container  100  has been opened is readily apparent to the user, even if the peelable flap portion  170  is resealed in the closed configuration via the pressure-sensitive adhesive. 
     The materials of the first and second film layers  150 ,  155  may vary, and in some cases a coating or skin layer may need to be applied to the corresponding surface of the lid  125  of the base member  110  to facilitate attachment of the flexible laminate  140  thereto. For example, in some embodiments, the first film layer  150  of the flexible laminate  140  may comprise polyethylene terephthalate (PET), and the second film layer  155  of the flexible laminate  140  may comprise oriented polypropylene (OPP). In embodiments in which the flexible laminate  140  is heat sealed to the lid  125 , a corresponding one of the outer surface  126  or the inner surface  127  of the lid  125  of the base member  110  (e.g., depending on whether the flexible laminate is to be attached to the outer surface, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , or to the inner surface, as shown in  FIG. 6 ) may be poly-coated, such as by coating it with a low density polyethylene (LDPE). Moreover, a corresponding surface of a respective one of the first or second film layers  150 ,  155  may also include a heat seal coating, such as a polyethylene (PE) emulsion. Other heat seal coatings may include polypropylene, ionomer resins, acrylic, or other coatings. In other embodiments, however, the flexible laminate  140  may be glued to a respective one of the outer surface  126  or the inner surface  127  of the lid  125  of the base member  110  (e.g., via hot melt glue). 
     Embodiments of a method of making a container for storing products is also provided, in which a flexible laminate structured as described above to have a built-in opening and reclose function is attached to a base member, such as the base member  10  of  FIGS. 1 and 2  or the base member  110  of  FIGS. 3-7 . For example, with respect to the embodiments of  FIGS. 3-7 , a base member comprising a base, four sidewalls, and a lid that define a storage cavity may be formed, and the storage cavity may be configured to hold products therein, as described above. A window may be defined in the lid of the base member, such as by cutting a hole or opening into the material of the lid. In other embodiments, such as embodiments depicted in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the base member may be formed by thermoforming a tray. 
     The flexible laminate may be constructed as a multi-layer structure by adhesively laminating a first film layer to a second film layer. In some embodiments, the flexible laminate may be constructed as described in U.S. Pat. No. 7,717,620, which is incorporated by reference. 
     Permanent and pressure-sensitive adhesives may be applied to one of the film layers in predetermined patterns. Once the laminate is formed in this manner, scoring operations may be performed on both sides of the laminate in registration with the adhesive patterns, but each scoring operation may penetrate only through a part of the thickness of the laminate. In particular, a scoring operation performed on the side of the laminate adjacent the first film layer may result in penetration through the first film layer, but without complete penetration through the second film layer, and preferably without any substantial penetration, and more preferably without any penetration, into the second film layer. Likewise, the scoring operation performed on the side of the laminate adjacent the second film layer may result in penetration through the second film layer, but without complete penetration through the first film layer, and preferably without any substantial penetration, and more preferably without any penetration, into the first film layer. 
     In some cases, one of the first or second film layers may be printed (or reverse-printed) before being laminated to the other film layer, for example to include information regarding the products stored within the container. Prior to printing, the surface of the respective film layer may be treated (e.g., by a corona discharge or flame treatment) to render the surface more-receptive to the inks and/or may be treated to render the surface more-readily bondable to the pressure-sensitive adhesive that is subsequently pattern-applied to the surface, as described below. 
     In this regard, a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be applied to the first layer in a predetermined pattern that recurs at regular intervals along the lengthwise direction of the first film layer (e.g., to make a length of laminate that will be cut to fit a number of containers). The predetermined pattern may be generally in the form of a strip of various forms or shapes. For example, in embodiments in which the first cut line of the first film layer (e.g., first cut line  160  of  FIG. 3 ) has a U-shape, the strip pattern of the pressure-sensitive adhesive may be generally U-shaped; however, other shapes for the pattern can be used as appropriate for the particular application. The pattern can, in some cases, include a region that is free of adhesive and will ultimately form a pull tab, such as the pull tab  175  of  FIG. 3 . 
     The pressure-sensitive adhesive can comprise various compositions. Pressure-sensitive adhesives form viscoelastic bonds that are aggressively and permanently tacky, adhere without the need of more than a finger or hand pressure, and require no activation by water, solvent, or heat. Pressure-sensitive adhesives are often based on non-crosslinked rubber adhesives in a latex emulsion or solvent-borne form, or can comprise acrylic and methacrylate adhesives, styrene copolymers (SIS/SBS), and silicones. Acrylic adhesives are known for excellent environmental resistance and fast-setting time when compared with other resin systems. Acrylic pressure-sensitive adhesives often use an acrylate system. Natural rubber, synthetic rubber or elastomer sealants and adhesives can be based on a variety of systems such as silicone, polyurethane, chloroprene, butyl, polybutadiene, isoprene, or neoprene. When the packaging laminate of the invention is to be used for food packaging, the pressure-sensitive adhesive generally must be a food-grade composition. Additives (e.g., particulates or the like) can be added to the pressure-sensitive adhesive to reduce the tenacity of the bond to the underlying second film layer, if necessary, so that the pressure-sensitive adhesive will readily detach from the second film layer on opening (particularly on the very first opening). 
     A permanent laminating adhesive may then be applied to the first film layer in such a manner that a sufficiently large proportion of the surface is covered by the permanent adhesive to permit the first film layer to be adhesively attached to a second film layer at a downstream laminating station. The permanent adhesive may be applied to areas of the first film layer surface that are not covered by the pressure-sensitive adhesive. Furthermore, when the pattern of pressure-sensitive adhesive includes an adhesive-free region to form a pull tab, as previously noted, the pattern of the permanent adhesive would also exclude the adhesive-free region. 
     Following lamination as described above, the laminate may be advanced to a first scoring station at which the first cut line is formed through the thickness of the first film layer. The first cut line may be made such that it is in registration with (e.g., coincides with) the outer perimeter of the strip-shaped pattern of pressure-sensitive adhesive to define the shape of the peelable flap portion described above. Next, the laminate may be advanced to a second scoring station at which a second cut line is formed through the thickness of the second film layer. The second cut line may be made such that is in registration with (e.g., coincides with) the inner perimeter of the strip-shaped pattern of pressure-sensitive adhesive, thereby defining the shape of the opening into the container as described above. The relative locations of the cut lines  160 ,  165  with respect to the pressure-sensitive adhesive  180  are illustrated in cross-sections in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . 
     The first and/or second cut lines may be made in various ways, such as via a laser that is synchronized with the advancement of the laminate in a manner as described above. A sensor may be provided that can detect a feature, such as an eye mark, on the laminate whose location in relation to the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip is known, and the sensor output can be used for regulating the laser operation so that the second cut line is in registration with the inner perimeter of the pressure-sensitive adhesive strip. 
     As an alternative to the use of lasers for scoring the laminate, the cut lines can be formed in the laminate by mechanical scoring or cutting. For instance, a kiss roll and a backing roll may be used to form a nip through which the laminate is passed. The kiss roll may comprise a rotary cutting die defining a cutting edge. 
     The flexible laminate may then be attached to the lid of the base member (e.g., the base member  10 ,  110  shown in  FIGS. 1-7 ) to form the completed container. The flexible laminate  140  may, for example, be attached to the lid  125  of the base member  110  ( FIGS. 3-7 ) so as to cover the window  130 , such as via heat seals, hot melt glue, or other suitable methods. In this way, the flexible laminate  140  may cooperate with the base  115 , four sidewalls  120 ,  121 ,  122 ,  123 , and lid to enclose and maintain the products within the container. As described above, the first film layer  150  may thus form a first reclose surface  154  between the first and second cut lines  160 ,  165 , and the second film layer  155  may form a second reclose surface  159  between the first and second cut lines. 
     In some embodiments, the first reclose surface  154  of the first film layer  150  has a greater affinity for bonding with the pressure-sensitive adhesive  180  than does the second reclose surface  159  of the second film layer  155 , and hence the pressure-sensitive adhesive can be detached from the second surface  159  of the second film layer and remains attached to the first reclose surface  154  shown in  FIGS. 3-7 . The container is reclosable by moving the peelable flap portion towards the container to bring the first reclose surface into engagement with the second reclose surface to re-attach the pressure-sensitive adhesive (and first film layer  15 ) to the second reclose structure  159  of the inner film layer. 
     The greater bonding affinity of the first film layer can be achieved in various ways. For example, when the first film layer comprises of PET and the second film layer comprises a polyolefin such as polypropylene, OPP, or metallized OPP, the PET will naturally have a greater affinity for bonding to the adhesive than will the polyolefin layer. Additionally or alternatively, the surface of the first film layer can be treated, as previously noted, by corona discharge or flame treatment, to increase the surface energy and enhance the bonding affinity. It is also possible, as already noted, to control the bond strength of the pressure-sensitive adhesive to the first film layer by including an additive in the adhesive to reduce the bond strength, if desired. 
     Although in some embodiments the pressure-sensitive adhesive may be applied to the first film layer and may remain on the first film layer upon opening, as described above and depicted in the figures, in other embodiments the pressure-sensitive adhesive may be applied to the second film layer and may remain on the second film layer upon opening. 
     Many other modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.