RESEALABLE PACKAGE, METHOD FOR PRODUCING THE RESEALABLE PACKAGE AND APPARATUS FOR PRODUCING THE RESEALABLE PACKAGE

Abstract

The invention relates to a resealable package (1, 1, 1), comprising a package body (2) having a first side wall (4), a second side wall (6) opposite the first side wall (4), an openable top end (8) and a closed bottom end (10), wherein a portion (12) of the first side wall (4) protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) at the top end (8) in a direction from the bottom end (10) to the top end (8), and a closure element (18) which is releasably adhered to an inner surface (14) of the portion (12) of the first side wall (4) which protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) and the second side wall (6) so as to close the top end (8). Upon removal of the closure element (18) from the package body (2), a resealable adhesive arrangement (20, 22; 23; 25) is exposed so as to allow the inner surface (14) of the portion (12) of the first side wall (4) which protrudes beyond the second side wall (6) and an outer surface (16) of the second side wall (6) to be resealably adhered to one another in a position to close the top end (8). Further, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus (100) for producing the resealable package (1, 1, 1).

Claims

1. resealable package comprising a package body having a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an openable top end and a closed bottom end, wherein a portion of the first side wall protrudes beyond the second side wall at the top end in a direction from the bottom end to the top end, and a closure element for closing a top end of the package body; wherein the closure element is releasably adhered to an inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall and an outer surface of the second side wall to close the top end, and wherein, upon removal of the closure element from the package body, a resealable adhesive arrangement is exposed so as to allow the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall to be resealably adhered to one another in a position to close the top end.

2. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein the resealable adhesive arrangement comprises a resealable adhesive adhered to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall and/or the outer surface of the second side wall.

3. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is integrally formed with the package body.

4. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein the closure element is independently formed from the package body.

5. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein: a first cold seal adhesive layer is provided between the closure element and the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall, and a second cold seal adhesive layer is provided between the closure element and the outer surface of the second side wall, wherein a bonding strength of the first cold seal adhesive layer to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall is higher than a bonding strength of the first cold seal adhesive layer to the closure element, so that, after removal of the closure element from the package body, the first cold seal adhesive layer remains on the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall, and a bonding strength of the second cold seal adhesive layer to the outer surface of the second side wall is higher than a bonding strength of the second cold seal adhesive layer to the closure element, so that, after removal of the closure element from the package body, the second cold seal adhesive layer remains on the outer surface of the second side wall.

6. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein a coating layer is provided on the closure element, wherein the coating layer is a sealant layer forming a seal between the closure element and the top end of the package body.

7. The resealable package according to claim 6, wherein a bonding strength of the coating layer to the closure element is higher than a bonding strength of the coating layer to the top end of the package body, so that, after removal of the closure element from the package body, the coating layer remains on the closure element.

8. The resealable package according to claim 1, wherein a first coating layer and a second coating layer provided on the closure element, the first coating layer and the second coating layer forming a seal between the closure element and the top end of the package body.

9. The resealable package according to claim 8, wherein the first coating layer is provided between the closure element and the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall and the second coating layer is provided between the closure element and the outer surface of the second side wall.

10. The resealable package according to claim 9, wherein a bonding strength of the first coating layer to the closure element is higher than a bonding strength of the first coating layer to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall that protrudes beyond the second side wall, so that, after removal of the closure element from the package body, the first coating layer remains on the closure element, and wherein a bonding strength of the second coating layer to the closure element is higher than a bonding strength of the second coating layer to the outer surface of the second side wall, so that, after removal of the closure element from the package body, the second coating layer remains on the closure element.

11. A method for producing a resealable package, the package comprising a package body having a first side wall, a second side wall opposite the first side wall, an openable top end and a closed bottom end, wherein a portion of the first side wall protrudes beyond the second side wall at the top end in a direction from the bottom end to the top end, and a closure element for closing the top end of the package body, wherein the method comprises the steps of integrally forming or applying the closure element to the package body such that the closure element is releasably adhered to an inner surface of the portion of the first side wall which protrudes beyond the second side wall and the second side wall so as to close the top end, and providing a resealable adhesive arrangement which is arranged so that, upon removal of the closure element from the package body, the resealable adhesive arrangement is exposed so as to allow the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall which protrudes beyond the second side wall and an outer surface of the second side wall to be resealably adhered to one another in a position to close the top end.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein, in the step of providing the resealable adhesive arrangement, the resealable adhesive arrangement is provided on the closure element and the closure element with the resealable adhesive arrangement provided thereon is releasably adhered to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall which protrudes beyond the second side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall so as to close the top end.

13. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of providing one or more coating layers on the closure element.

14. The method according to claim 11, further comprising the step of cutting the closure element into a predetermined shape prior to the step of releasably adhering the closure element to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall which protrudes beyond the second side wall and the outer surface of the second side wall so as to close the top end.

15. The method according to claim 11, wherein the resealable adhesive arrangement comprises a resealable adhesive adhered to the inner surface of the portion of the first side wall which protrudes beyond the second side wall and/or the outer surface of the second side wall.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0059] Hereinafter, non-limiting examples are explained with reference to the drawings, in which:

[0060] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a package body and a closure element of a resealable package according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of the resealable package obtained by attaching the closure element shown in FIG. 1 to the top end of the package body shown in FIG. 1;

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a schematic view illustrating the process of removing the closure element from the package body of the resealable package shown in FIG. 2;

[0063] FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the package body of the resealable package shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 after the complete removal of the closure element;

[0064] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view illustrating the process of resealing the resealable package shown in FIGS. 2 to 4;

[0065] FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of the resealable package shown in FIGS. 2 to 5 in a resealed state;

[0066] FIGS. 7A to 7D show schematic views illustrating different embodiments of the closure element of the resealable package according to the present invention;

[0067] FIGS. 8A to 8D show schematic views illustrating different embodiments of the closure element of the resealable package according to the present invention;

[0068] FIGS. 9A to 9D show schematic views illustrating a resealable package according to another embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 9A is a front view of the package, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the package along the line X-X shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9C is a rear view of the package and FIG. 9D is a front view of the package with the closure element being removed from the package;

[0069] FIG. 10 shows a schematic view of a film material used for manufacturing the resealable package shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D;

[0070] FIGS. 11A to 11D show schematic views illustrating a resealable package according to yet another embodiment of the present invention, wherein FIG. 11A is a front view of the package, FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the package along the line X-X shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a rear view of the package and FIG. 11D is a front view of the package with the closure element being removed from the package;

[0071] FIGS. 12A to 12H show schematic views of different embodiments of the resealable package according to the present invention; and

[0072] FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of part of an apparatus for producing the resealable package according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CURRENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0073] FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a package body 2 and a closure element 18 of a resealable package 1 (see FIG. 2) according to an embodiment of the invention in a state before the initial attachment of the closure element 18 to the package body 2.

[0074] The package body 2 has a first side wall 4 and a second side wall 6 opposite the first side wall 4, which are joined together at their lateral and bottom edges, e.g., by heat welding or the like, so as to form an openable or open top end 8 and a closed bottom end 10 of the package body 2. The first side wall 4 is longer than the second side wall 6 in a direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8 of the package body 2, so that a portion 12 of the first side wall 4 protrudes beyond the second side wall 6 at the top end 8 in this direction. Hence, an inner surface 14 of this protruding portion 12 is exposed.

[0075] As can be seen from FIG. 1, the closure element 18 is cut into a curved shape and has a punched hole 28 which serves as a hanger element for hanging the finished resealable package 1 (see FIG. 2) onto a support element, such as a hook. The closure element 18 has provided thereon a first cold seal adhesive layer 20 and a second cold seal adhesive layer 22 as well as a first coating layer 24 and a second coating layer 26, wherein the first and second coating layers 24, 26 are provided between the first and second cold seal adhesive layers 20, 22. The adhesive layers 20, 22 and the coating layers 24, 26 are provided as longitudinal strips extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8 of the package body 2. The first and second coating layers 24, 26 are sealant layers for forming a seal between the closure element 18 and the top end 8 of the package body 2 so as to reliably seal the package 1.

[0076] The closure element 18 and the first and second side walls 4, 6 of the package body 2 are made of a plastic film material, such as polyethylene, having a thickness in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 mm. The width of the closure element 18 in the lateral direction of the package body 2, i.e., in the direction perpendicular to the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8 of the package body 2, is substantially identical to the width of the package body 2. However, alternatively, the width of the closure element 18 may be chosen so as to be different from, e.g., smaller than, the width of the package body 2.

[0077] The resealable package 1 according to the embodiment of the invention is obtained by releasably adhering the closure element 18 to the top end 8 of the package body 2, so that the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 and the first coating layer 24 are arranged between the closure element 18 and the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6 and the second cold seal adhesive layer 22 and the second coating layer 26 are arranged between the closure element 18 and an outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. Depending on the type of sealant used for the first and second coating layers 24, 26, e.g., a heat activated sealant or a pressure activated sealant, the package 1 is sealed by applying an appropriate amount of pressure and/or heat to the closure element 18 and/or the package body 2.

[0078] The package 1 in its assembled state, i.e., with the closure element 18 attached to the top end 8 of the package body 2, is schematically shown in FIG. 2. In this state, the package 1 is reliably sealed by the seal between the closure element 18 and the top end 8 of the package body 2 effected by the first and second coating layers 24, 26.

[0079] The process of the initial opening and subsequent resealing of the package 1 is illustrated in FIGS. 3 to 6. As can be seen from FIG. 3, if the closure element 18 is removed from the package body 2, the first and second cold seal adhesive layers 20, 22, which were initially provided on the closure element 18 (see FIG. 1), remain on the inner surface 14 of the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6, respectively, since their bonding strengths to the package body 2 are chosen to be higher than their bonding strengths to the closure element 18.

[0080] However, the bonding strengths of the first and second coating layers 24, 26 to the closure element 18 are chosen to be higher than their bonding strengths to the inner surface 14 of the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6, respectively, so that the coating layers 24, 26 remain on the closure element 18 and are removed from the package body 2 together with the closure element 18.

[0081] When the closure element 18 is removed from the package body 2, the seal effected by the first and second coating layers 24, 26 is broken and the openable top end 8 of the package body 2 is exposed, so that an interior of the package body 2, storing therein a liquid or solid product or products, such as food products (sweets, chocolate, cookies, nuts, savoury snacks, coffee beans, coffee powder, beverages etc.), becomes accessible to a consumer. The fully opened state of the package 1 is schematically shown in FIG. 4. Since a cold seal adhesive material is used for the first and second adhesive layers 20, 22, these adhesive layers 20, 22 do not interfere with the consumer access to the interior of the package body 2, e.g., by sticking to the consumer's hand.

[0082] In order to reseal the package 1, the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 is folded over towards the bottom end 10 of the package body 2 so as to bring the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 into contact with the second cold seal adhesive layer 22. The first and second cold seal adhesive layers 20, 22 are made to resealably adhere to one another by applying a slight pressure to the top end 8 of the package body 2.

[0083] The package 1 in its fully resealed state is shown in FIG. 6. In this state, the openable top end 8 of the package body 2 is reliably sealed by the adhesion of the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 to the second cold seal adhesive layer 22. Subsequently, the package 1 may be reopened by pulling the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 of the package body 2 away from the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6 of the package body 2, so as to bring the package body 2 into the opened state shown in FIG. 4. Since the first and second adhesive layers 20, 22 are made from a cold seal adhesive material, such opening and resealing operations can be repeatedly performed without affecting the bonding strength of the first and second adhesive layers 20, 22 to one another. Hence, a reliable seal of the package 1 can be ensured over an extended period of time.

[0084] As has been detailed above, since the closure element 18 can be produced separately from the package body 2, there are substantially no restrictions with regard to different patterns for the first and second adhesive layers 20, 22 and the first and second coating layers 24, 26 to be applied to the closure element 18. Examples for such different patterns are shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D and 8A to 8D, wherein the same reference signs as in FIGS. 1 to 6 are used, for reasons of simplicity.

[0085] The closure element 18 shown in FIG. 7A differs from the closure element 18 shown in FIG. 1 in that the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 has a smaller width than the second cold seal adhesive layer 22. Alternatively, as can be seen from FIG. 7B, an adhesive layer with a smaller width may be used for the second cold seal adhesive layer 22. Further, both the first and second adhesive layers 20, 22 may have a width which is smaller than the width of the closure element 18.

[0086] The closure element 18 shown in FIG. 7C differs from the closure element 18 shown in FIG. 1 in that the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 has an inclined edge section 21, leaving a triangular area below the punched hole 28 of the closure element 18 devoid of any adhesive material. This configuration of the first cold seal adhesive layer 20 assists in removing the closure element 18 from the package body 2 by holding the closure element 18 in the area of the punched hole 28 and peeling the closure element 18 off the package body 2 in the manner schematically shown in FIG. 3.

[0087] Another means for assisting a consumer in initially opening the package 1 is shown in FIG. 7D. Specifically, the closure element 18 shown in this figure differs from the closure element 18 shown in FIG. 1 in that it has a line of weakness 30, such as a perforation or a cut, which extends from the bottom end of the closure element 18 to the upper end of the first cold seal adhesive layer 20. When removing the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the closure element 18 may be held at the area of the punched hole 28 and peeled off the package body 2 in the manner schematically shown in FIG. 3, thereby rupturing the line of weakness 30. In this case, a portion of the closure element 18, namely the triangular area below the line of weakness 30 (i.e., the area of the lower left corner in FIG. 7D), remains on the package body 2 after removal of the closure element 18.

[0088] Instead of first and second coating layers 24, 26, a single coating layer 24 may be provided on the closure element 18, as can be seen from FIGS. 8A to 8D. Specifically, the closure elements 18 shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D differ from the closure elements 18 shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D in that the first and second coating layers 24, 26 are replaced by a single coating layer 24. In this case, the single coating layer 24 may be arranged so that an upper portion of the coating layer 24 is provided between the closure element 18 and the inner surface 14 of the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 and a lower portion of the coating layer 24 is provided between the closure element 18 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. If the single coating layer 24 is a sealant layer, a seal is thus formed between the closure element 18 and the top end 8 of the package body 2 by the coating layer 24.

[0089] FIGS. 9A to 9D show schematic views illustrating a resealable package 1 according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9A is a front view of the package 1, FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view of the package 1 along the line X-X shown in FIG. 9A, FIG. 9C is a rear view of the package 1 and FIG. 9D is a front view of the package 1 with the closure element 18 being removed from the package 1. For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in FIGS. 1 to 6 are used to denote similar or identical elements.

[0090] The package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D differs from the package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 mainly in that the closure element 18 is integrally formed with the package body 2. A layer of a resealable adhesive 23, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, is provided between the closure element 18 and the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6. A bonding strength of the resealable adhesive layer 23 to the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6 is higher than a bonding strength of the resealable adhesive layer 23 to the closure element 18, so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the resealable adhesive layer 23 remains on the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6, as is schematically shown in FIG. 9D.

[0091] A first line of weakness 32, such as a perforation, a score line or the like, is provided in the second side wall 6 so as to extend in a widthwise direction of the package 1, i.e., in a direction substantially perpendicular to the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8 (see FIG. 9A). Preferably, the first line of weakness 32 extends across the entire width of the package 1. Further, a second line of weakness 34, such as a perforation, a score line or the like, is provided in the first side wall 4 so as to extend in a widthwise direction of the package 1 (see FIG. 9C). Preferably, the second line of weakness 34 extends across the entire width of the package 1. As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 9B, the first line of weakness 32 is arranged below the resealable adhesive layer 23 and the second line of weakness 34 is arranged above the resealable adhesive layer 23 in the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8.

[0092] The first and second lines of weakness 32, 34 facilitate removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2 and thus assist a consumer in opening the package 1, as will be detailed in the following. In order to remove the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the closure element 18, for example, may be held at the area of the punched hole 28 and peeled off the package body 2 in the same manner as schematically shown in FIG. 3, thereby rupturing the first and second lines of weakness 32, 34. In this way, the closure element 18 is fully removed from the package body 2, while the resealable adhesive layer 23 remains on the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6 (see FIG. 9D).

[0093] In order to reseal the package 1, the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 is folded over towards the bottom end 10 of the package body 2 in the direction indicated by arrow A in FIG. 9D, so as to bring the resealable adhesive layer 23 into contact with the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. The resealable adhesive layer 23 and the outer surface 16 are made to resealably adhere to one another by applying a slight pressure to the top end 8 of the package body 2.

[0094] A method of manufacturing the resealable package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A to 9D will be described in the following with reference to FIG. 10. FIG. 10 shows a plan view of a layer or a web of a plastic film material, such as polyethylene, having a thickness in the range from 0.1 to 1.0 mm. In the manufacturing process of the package 1, the film material is provided with the resealable adhesive layer 23 and the first and second lines of weakness 32, 34. As can be seen from FIG. 10, the resealable adhesive layer 23 is arranged between the first and second lines of weakness 32, 34.

[0095] The film material is folded along a fold line 11 which extends between the first and second lines of weakness 32, 34 in a direction parallel thereto, so as to bring the lower edge of the film material towards the upper edge of the film material, as is indicated by arrow B in FIG. 10. Further, the film material is cut along cut lines 13 extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the fold line 11. Finally, a top edge 19 of the package 1 (see FIG. 9B), which is formed by the upper and lower edges of the film material shown in FIG. 10, and lateral edges of the package 1, which extend along the cut lines 13, are sealed by using an adhesive material, heat welding or the like, thus forming the package 1 as shown in FIG. 9A to 9D.

[0096] FIGS. 11A to 11D show schematic views illustrating a resealable package 1 according to yet another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11A is a front view of the package 1, FIG. 11B is a cross-sectional view of the package 1 along the line X-X shown in FIG. 11A, FIG. 11C is a rear view of the package 1 and FIG. 11D is a front view of the package 1 with the closure element 18 being removed from the package 1. For reasons of simplicity, the same reference signs as in FIGS. 1 to 6 and 9A to 9D are used to denote similar or identical elements.

[0097] The package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D differs from the package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D mainly in that a resealable adhesive layer 25, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive, is provided between the closure element 18 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. A bonding strength of the resealable adhesive layer 25 to the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6 is higher than a bonding strength of the resealable adhesive layer 25 to the closure element 18, so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the resealable adhesive layer 25 remains on the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6, as is schematically shown in FIG. 11D.

[0098] Moreover, the package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 11A to 11D comprises a single line of weakness 36, such as a perforation, a score line or the like, which is provided in the top edge of the package 1 (see FIG. 11B) so as to extend in a widthwise direction of the package 1, i.e., in a direction perpendicular to the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8. Preferably, the line of weakness 36 extends across the entire width of the package 1.

[0099] Further, a first layer of a peelable adhesive 40 is provided between the closure element 18 and the inner surface 14 of the portion 12 of the first side wall 4 which protrudes beyond the second side wall 6. A second layer of a peelable adhesive 42 is provided between the closure element 18 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. As can be seen, for example, from FIG. 11B, the first peelable adhesive layer 40 is arranged above the resealable adhesive layer 25 and the second peelable adhesive layer 42 is arranged below the resealable adhesive layer 25 in the direction from the bottom end 10 to the top end 8.

[0100] The bonding strengths of the first and second peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 to the closure element 18 and the first and second side walls 4, 6, respectively, may be chosen so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, both peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 remain on the closure element 18, both peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 remain on the package body 2, or one of the peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 remains on the closure element 18 and the other of the peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 remains on the package body 2.

[0101] The line of weakness 36 and the first and second peelable adhesive layers 40, 42 facilitate removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2 and thus assist a consumer in opening the package 1, as will be detailed in the following. In order to remove the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the closure element 18, for example, may be held at the area of the punched hole 28 and peeled off the package body 2 in the same manner as schematically shown in FIG. 3, thereby rupturing the line of weakness 36 and breaking the seal provided by the first and second peelable adhesive layers 40, 42. In this way, the closure element 18 is fully removed from the package body 2, while the resealable adhesive layer 25 remains on the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6 (see FIG. 11D).

[0102] In order to reseal the package 1, the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 is folded over towards the bottom end 10 of the package body 2 so as to bring the protruding portion 12 into contact with the resealable adhesive layer 25 provided on the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. The resealable adhesive layer 25 and the inner surface 14 are made to resealably adhere to one another by applying a slight pressure to the top end 8 of the package body 2.

[0103] Furthermore, instead of a package configuration as shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D and 11A to 11D, in which a single resealable adhesive layer 23, 25 is used, a package configuration with two or more resealable adhesive layers, such as pressure sensitive adhesive layers, may be employed. For example, the package may have a first resealable adhesive layer and a second resealable adhesive layer. In this case, bonding strengths of the first and second resealable adhesive layers to the closure element 18 and the first and/or second side walls 4, 6 may be chosen so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, both resealable adhesive layers remain on the closure element 18, both resealable adhesive layers remain on the package body 2, or one of the resealable adhesive layers remains on the closure element 18 and the other of the resealable adhesive layers remains on the package body 2.

[0104] In particular, the package 1 of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 9A to 9D may be modified by providing a second resealable adhesive layer, such as a pressure sensitive adhesive layer, e.g., between the closure element 18 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6. A bonding strength of the second resealable adhesive layer to the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6 may be chosen to be lower than a bonding strength of the second resealable adhesive layer to the closure element 18, so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the second resealable adhesive layer remains on the closure element 18, while the first resealable adhesive layer 23 remains on the package body 2. Alternatively, the bonding strengths of the first resealable adhesive layer 23 and the second resealable adhesive layer may be chosen so that, after removal of the closure element 18 from the package body 2, the first resealable adhesive layer 23 remains on the closure element 18, while the second resealable adhesive layer remains on the package body 2.

[0105] As has been detailed above, there are substantially no restrictions with regard to the shaping of the closure element 18. Specifically, the closure element 18 can be cut, punched, stamped, notched, perforated or otherwise formed into any desired shape, as is schematically shown in FIGS. 12A to 12H. The shaping of the closure element 18 can be performed in a particularly simple and efficient manner, if the closure element 18 is produced separately from the package body 2 and subsequently attached thereto.

[0106] For example, the upper edge of the closure element 18 may be cut so as to have a straight shape (FIG. 12F), a convex curved shape (FIGS. 12A, 12C, 12D, and 12E), a concave curved shape (FIG. 12B) or an irregular shape (FIGS. 12G and 12H). Further, the closure element 18 may be provided with one or more punched holes 28 of varying shapes and sizes, which may serve as a hanger structure for hanging the package 1 onto a support element, such as a hook.

[0107] The package body 2 of the packages 1, 1, 1 of the embodiments of the invention discussed above may, for example, be formed from a film web using conventional package forming equipment. The closure element 18 may be produced separately from the package body 2 and subsequently attached thereto. FIG. 13 shows a schematic view of part of an apparatus 100 for producing a resealable package 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0108] As can be seen from FIG. 13, the apparatus 100 comprises a material supply 102, such as a roll, for supplying a material (e.g., a film made of a plastic material, such as polyethylene) for the closure element 18, a plurality of printing stations P1 to P9 for printing decorative elements and/or information, such as a brand or company name, onto the closure element 18 material, an adhesive applying device 104 configured to provide the resealable adhesive arrangement (e.g., the first and second cold seal adhesive layers 20, 22) onto the printed closure element 18 material and a cutting device 106 configured to cut the printed closure element 18 material with the adhesive arrangement 20, 22 provided thereon into a predetermined shape so as to form the closure element 18. For example, the cutting device 106 may be configured to provide one or more punched holes 28 and/or one or more lines of weakness 30, such as cuts, perforations or the like, to the closure element 18.

[0109] The closure element 18 thus formed is subsequently guided through a pair of guiding rolls 110 and transported to an attachment device (not shown) via a transport roll 112. The attachment device forms part of the apparatus 100 and is configured to releasably adhere the closure element 18 to the inner surface 14 of the protruding portion 12 of the first side wall 4 and the outer surface 16 of the second side wall 6 of the package body 2 so as to close the top end 8 thereof, thus forming the resealable package 1 of the embodiment of the invention.

[0110] The attachment device may be, for example, formed of a pair of rollers having a nip with a predetermined width formed therebetween. In this case, the package body 2 and the closure element 18 are guided through the nip between the rollers and the pressure applied onto the closure element 18 and the package body 2 by the rollers effects a releasable adhesion of the closure element 18 to the top end 8 of the package body 2. Alternatively, a press unit or the like, which is capable of applying the pressure required for releasably adhering the closure element 18 to the package body 2, may be used as the attachment device.

[0111] The apparatus 100 of the embodiment shown in FIG. 13 further comprises a scrap removing device 108, which is configured to remove any scrap material produced during the process of cutting the closure element 18 material in the cutting device 106. Moreover, the apparatus 100 optionally may comprise a support material supply 114 which is configured to supply a support material, such as a backer paper or the like, to the closure element 18 material prior to or after the cutting in the cutting device 106. The support material serves to provide support to the closure element 18 material during the subsequent transport process and may be supplied from the support material supply 114 to the cutting device 106 via a guide roll 116.

[0112] Moreover, the apparatus 100 may further comprise a coating device (not shown) configured to provide one or more coating layers 24, 26 as described above, i.e., coating layers for reducing pressure banding in the rolls of the apparatus 100 and/or sealant layers, on the closure element 18. The coating device may be provided in the apparatus 100, for example, before the adhesive applying device 104, between the adhesive applying device 104 and the cutting device 106 or after the cutting device 106. Further, a plurality of coating devices may be arranged in the apparatus 100. Alternatively, the adhesive applying device 104 may be configured so that it not only provides the resealable adhesive arrangement 20, 22 but also one or more coating layers 24, 26.

[0113] Before the closure element 18 is releasably adhered to the top end 8 of the package body 2 by the attachment device, thereby closing the top end 8 of the package body 2, the package body 2 is filled with a desired product at a filling unit (not shown). Due to the resealing functionality of the package 1 provided by the resealable adhesive arrangement 20, 22, the package 1 can be particularly advantageously used for containing therein food products, such as sweets, chocolate, cookies, nuts, savoury snacks, coffee beans, coffee powder, beverages or the like. After the filling with the product or products has been performed, the closure element 18 is adhered to the top end 8 of the package body 2, thereby completing the resealable package 1 of the embodiment of the invention.

[0114] While the packages 1, 1, 1 of the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1 to 6, 9A to 9D, 11A to 11D and 12 have substantially rectangular shapes, the invention is not limited to this type of shape but may be applied to packages with any kind of shapes or sizes.