Patent ID: 8545099

Claim:
A flexible packaging structure having built-in opening/reclose and tamper-evidence features, comprising: an outer structure adhesively joined in face-to-face relation to an inner structure, the outer structure comprising a first flexible material and the inner structure comprising a second flexible material; an outer line of weakness formed in the outer structure, the outer line of weakness defining an outer opening portion that is separable from the outer structure along the outer line of weakness; an inner line of weakness formed in the inner structure, the inner line of weakness defining an inner opening portion that is separable from the inner structure along the inner line of weakness; wherein the inner opening portion is joined to the outer opening portion such that lifting the outer opening portion out of the plane of the flexible packaging structure causes the inner opening portion to be lifted along with the outer opening portion so as to create an opening through the flexible packaging structure; wherein a marginal region of the outer opening portion is defined between the inner and outer lines of weakness, the marginal region overlying an underlying surface of the inner structure; wherein a pressure-sensitive adhesive is disposed on one of an overlying surface of the outer opening portion and the underlying surface of the inner structure for re-adhering the overlying surface to the underlying surface after opening; and a tamper-evidence feature that is initially in an untorn condition prior to initial creation of the opening, and whose untorn condition is apparent from a visual inspection of the outer structure, wherein the tamper-evidence feature comprises a first tab having one end integrally joined to an outer edge of the marginal region and an opposite end anchored to a portion of the outer structure spaced from the outer edge, the first tab being torn through upon initial creation of the opening through the flexible packaging structure.