WO2025042646A1

WO2025042646A1 - Tape bag closure

Info

Publication number: WO2025042646A1
Application number: PCT/US2024/042222
Authority: WO
Inventors: Jay A. Milbrandt; Colin M. O'donnell; David SCHILLER
Original assignee: Bedford Industries, Inc.
Priority date: 2023-08-18
Filing date: 2024-08-14
Publication date: 2025-02-27

Abstract

An article (50) is configured for application to an item (54). The article (50) includes a substrate strip (58) and an adhesive layer (66). The substrate strip (58) has opposed first (60) and second (62) major surfaces, opposed first and second ends along a length of the substrate strip (58), and a first width orthogonal to the length. The adhesive layer (66) is disposed on the second major surface (62) and has a second width. A first portion of the adhesive layer (66) is configured for attachment to the item (54), a second portion of the adhesive layer (66) is configured for attachment to a seal portion (68) of the substrate strip (58), and a terminal flap (70) at each of the first and second ends has a non-adhesive inner surface and a non-adhesive outer surface (60).

Description

TAPE BAG CLOSURE

BACKGROUND

[0001] Plastic closure articles commonly known as “clip tags” are well known, as described in U.S. Patent 4,026,413 to Britt and U.S. Patent 4,911,293 to Holmes, for example. Such a clip tag is commonly used to close a flexible container such as a plastic bag. An open end of the bag is typically gathered and then inserted through a slit on the tag, so that the gathered bag is frictionally held in a hole of the tag. A flexible bag can also be closed by fastening a twist tie or rubber band around a gathered end.

SUMMARY

[0002] In one aspect, an article is configured for application to an item. The article comprises a substrate strip and an adhesive layer. The substrate strip has opposed first and second major surfaces, opposed first and second ends along a length of the substrate strip, and a first width orthogonal to the length. The adhesive layer is disposed on the second major surface and has a second width. A first portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the item, a second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to a seal portion of the substrate strip, and a terminal flap at each of the first and second ends has a non-adhesive inner surface and a non-adhesive outer surface.

[0003] This disclosure, in its various combinations, may also be characterized by the following listing of items:

1. An article configured for application to an item, the article comprising: a substrate strip having opposed first and second major surfaces, opposed first and second ends along a length of the substrate strip, and a first width orthogonal to the length; and an adhesive layer disposed on the second major surface and having a second width; wherein: a first portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the item; a second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to a seal portion of the substrate strip; and a terminal flap at each of the first and second ends has a non-adhesive inner surface and a non- adhesive outer surface. 2. The article of item 1, wherein the second width is less than the first width.

3. The article of item 1 or 2 comprising a tamper-evident layer disposed on the adhesive layer at each terminal flap.

4. The article of item 3, wherein the tamper-evident layer comprises a plurality of slits, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits is aligned substantially parallel to the first width.

5. The article of any one of items 1 to 4, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a third portion of the adhesive layer.

6. The article of any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a ruptureably cut shape.

7. The article of any one of items 1 to 5, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a release layer.

8. The article of item 7, wherein the release layer is discontinuous so that a pail of the seal portion of the substrate strip is not covered by the release layer.

9. The article of item 8, wherein the discontinuous release layer is configured as indicia.

10. The article of item 8 or 9 comprising a flood layer disposed over at least the part of the seal portion of the substrate strip that is not covered by the release layer.

11. The article of item 10 wherein the flood layer has a greater thickness than the release layer.

12. The article of item 11, wherein a third portion of the adhesive layer is disposed over the flood layer, and wherein the flood layer has a greater affinity for the third portion of the adhesive layer than for the release layer.

13. The article of item 12, wherein the second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the third portion of the adhesive layer.

14. The article of any one of items 10 to 13, wherein a third portion of the adhesive layer is disposed over the flood layer, and wherein the flood layer has a greater affinity for the part of the seal portion of the substrate strip that is not covered by the release layer than for the third portion of the adhesive layer.

15. The article of item 14, wherein the second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the third portion of the adhesive layer. [0004] This summary and the Abstract are provided to introduce concepts in simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the disclosed or claimed subject matter and is not intended to describe each disclosed embodiment or every implementation of the disclosed or claimed subject matter. Specifically, features disclosed herein with respect to one embodiment may be equally applicable to another. Further, this summary is not intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. Many other novel advantages, features, and relationships will become apparent as this description proceeds. The figures and the description that follow more particularly exemplify illustrative embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The disclosed subject matter will be further explained with reference to the attached figures, wherein like structure or system elements are referred to by like reference numerals throughout the several views. All descriptions are applicable to like and analogous structures throughout the several embodiments, unless otherwise specified.

[0006] For example, three specific embodiments of a tape bag closure article 50 are described, and in some cases they will be differentiated by referring to the first embodiment with reference number 50a, the second embodiment with reference to number 50b, and the third embodiment with reference to number 50c. However, in many aspects, the articles are similar; descriptions of article 50, 50a, 50b or 50c apply to all embodiments unless otherwise specified. This convention also applies to other similarly numbered elements.

[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first exemplary embodiment of a tape closure article on a top of a gathered flexible container (shown partially).

[0008] FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of the article of FIG. 1.

[0009] FIG. 3A is a plan view of a first exemplary tamper evident layer.

[0010] FIG. 3B is a plan view of a second exemplary tamper evident layer.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the closure article, taken through line 4 — 4 of

FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure article, taken through line 5—5 of FIG. 4. [0013] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure article, taken through line 6 — 6 of FIG. 4.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a second exemplary embodiment of a tape closure article on a top of a gathered flexible container (shown partially).

[0015] FIG. 8 is a partial plan view of a strip of the articles of FIG. 7.

[0016] FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the closure article, taken through line 9 — 9 of

FIG. 7.

[0017] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure article, taken through line 10— 10 of FIG. 9.

[0018] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a third exemplary embodiment of a tape closure article on a top of a gathered flexible container (shown partially).

[0019] FIG. 12 is a partial plan view of the article of FIG. 11.

[0020] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the third exemplary embodiment after the tape closure article has been opened.

[0021] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure article, taken through line 14— 14 of FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the closure article, taken through line 15—15 of FIG. 14.

[0023] FIG. 16A is a plan view of another embodiment of a tamper evident section in a first step of manufacture.

[0024] FIG. 16B is a side view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 16 A.

[0025] FIG. 17A is a plan view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 16A in a second step.

[0026] FIG. 17B is a side view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 17A.

[0027] FIG. 18A is a plan view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 16A in a third step.

[0028] FIG. 18B is a side view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 18 A.

[0029] FIG. 19 is a side view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 18A adhered to another portion of adhesive tape in a seal portion.

[0030] FIG. 20 is a side view of the seal portion of FIG. 19 after being pulled apart at connected flaps (not shown). [0031] FIG. 21A is a plan view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 20 after the article has been opened.

[0032] FIG. 21B is a side view of the tamper evident section of FIG. 21 A.

[0033] While the above-identified figures set forth one or more embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, other embodiments are also contemplated, as noted in the disclosure. In all cases, this disclosure presents the disclosed subject matter by way of representation and not limitation. It should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that fall within the scope of the principles of this disclosure.

[0034] The figures may not be drawn to scale. In particular, some features may be enlarged relative to other features for clarity. Moreover, where terms such as above, below, over, under, top, bottom, side, right, left, vertical, horizontal, etc., are used, it is to be understood that they are used only for ease of understanding the description. It is contemplated that structures may be oriented otherwise.

[0035] The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing embodiments, and the terminology is not intended to be limiting. Unless indicated otherwise, ordinal numbers (e.g., first, second, third, etc.) are used to distinguish or identify different elements or steps in a group of elements or steps and do not supply a serial or numerical limitation on the elements or steps of the embodiments thereof. For example, "first," "second," and "third" elements or steps need not necessarily appear in that order, and the embodiments thereof need not necessarily be limited to three elements or steps. Unless indicated otherwise, any labels such as "left," "right," "front," "back," "top," "bottom," "forward," "reverse," "clockwise," "counter clockwise," "up," "down," or other similar terms such as "upper," "lower," "aft," "fore," "vertical," "horizontal," "proximal," "distal," "intermediate" and the like are used for convenience and are not intended to imply, for example, any particular fixed location, orientation, or direction. Instead, such labels are used to reflect, for example, relative location, orientation, or directions. The singular forms of "a," "an," and "the" include plural references unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0036] Flexible containers such as bread bags can be recycled by plastic film recyclers if the bag and all attached components are formed of recycling compatible materials (and if the percentage of non-compatible materials is held below a certain mass threshold such as, for example, less than 10%). Thus, the described tape bag closure articles 50 are generally made of polyethylene. While articles 50 are generally illustrated as discrete lengths of tape, it is to be understood that they can be provided in a continuous, indefinite length strip and wound onto a spool or otherwise provided in roll form.

[0037] Three specific embodiments of such an article 50 are described, and in some cases they will be differentiated by referring to the first embodiment with reference number 50a, the second embodiment with reference to number 50b, and the third embodiment with reference to number 50c. However, in many aspects, the articles are similar; descriptions of article 50, 50a, 50b or 50c apply to all embodiments unless otherwise specified. This convention also applies to other similarly numbered elements. An embodiment of a seal portion is shown in FIGS. 16A-21, and that seal portion can be used on any of the articles 50.

[0038] FIGS. 1-6 show a first embodiment of a tape bag closure article 50a configured to close the open end 52 of a flexible container such as bag 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the bag is gathered at neck 56; article 50a is wrapped around neck 56 and adhered to bag 54 and to itself at sealed portion 68 to close the container and protect its contents (the product contained within bag 54 is not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, tape article 50 comprises an elongated, flat substrate 58 having an outside surface 60, an inside surface 62 and two opposed longitudinal side edges 64. The substrate 58 and layers thereon can be formed with an indefinite length and cut to appropriate lengths for each individual closure article 50.

[0039] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4-6, in an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive layer 66 is longitudinally disposed on inside surface 62 of substrate 58. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 66 is positioned on the substrate 58 so it does not extend all the way to either edge 64 (so the adhesive layer 66 has a smaller transverse dimension than the substrate 58). The adhesive layer 66 is not applied across the entire substrate width but rather is applied in a “lane” that may be centered in the width dimension of the substrate 58. This laned adhesive feature would be an advantage in a large, wound tape spool because the adhesive is not exposed on the edges 64 of the spool. Exposed adhesive can pick up dirt and can degrade if exposed to light. The laned adhesive layer 66 also makes it easier to open the tape in the portion 68 that is sealed against itself, as the user can insert a fingernail or tool under the film substrate 58 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). [0040] After the neck 56 of the bag 54 is gathered and the article 50a is adhered to itself about the neck 56 at portion 68, two flaps 70 are formed, which can be pulled apart to open the article 50a and thus the bag 54. In an exemplary embodiment, a tamper-evident layer 72 is provided on the adhesive layer 66 of the flaps 70. As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, two different embodiments of tamper-evident layer 72 can have different patterns of cuts or perforations 74, which will be broken when the flaps 70 are pulled apart to break the seal at self-adhered portion 68. While two such embodiments of tamper-evident layer 72a, 72b are illustrated, it is contemplated that other arrangements of cuts 74 can also be used. A visually perceptible break in the cuts/perforations 74 serves as an indication that the closure article 50a has been opened. Accordingly, a closure article 50 with a tamper-evident feature can be employed to prevent theft or adulteration of the contents of bag 54.

[0041] In exemplary embodiments of tape closure articles 50 configured to be used with recyclable plastic film bags 54 formed of polyethylene, the substrate 58 and tamper-evident layer 72 are also formed of polyethylene (PE). In exemplary embodiments, adhesive layer 66 is also recycling compatible. Suitable materials for adhesive layer 66 include an ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) hot melt adhesive, a synthetic rubber hot melt Pressure Sensitive Adhesive (PSA), and a styrenic copolymer formulation hot melt PSA, for example. A synthetic rubber PSA hot melt is especially suitable, as it provides product options with direct food contact and has beneficial low temperature performance (refrigerator and freezer), which the bagged product could experience. The material for adhesive layer 66 preferably possesses these technical properties for recycling and reprocessing: viscosity range from about 8,000 to about 16,000 centipoise (cps) at extrusion temperatures (about 350 degree F or 177 Celsius); softening point greater than 200 degree F or 93 Celsius (using ASTM E28 (American Society for Testing and Materials)); and 180 degree peel strength greater than 50 ounces of force per square inch (220 gram-force per square cm). Tape bag closure article 50 is fully certifiably recyclable, passing requirements set by the Association for Plastic Recyclers (APR) for PE film test methods. With some processes, bag 54 with tape closure article 50 attached thereto is also compostable. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive is also resealable at portion 68 to allow for repeated reclosure and reopening for the useful life of the bagged product.

[0042] FIGS. 7-10 show a second embodiment of a tape bag closure article 50b configured to close the open end 52 of a flexible container such as bag 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the bag is gathered at neck 56; article 50b is wrapped around neck 56 and adhered to bag 54 and to itself at portion 68 to close the container and protect its contents (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, tape 50 comprises an elongated, flat substrate 58 having an outside surface 60, an inside surface 62 and two opposed longitudinal side edges 64.

[0043] As shown in FIGS. 8 and 10, in an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive layer 66 is disposed on inside surface 62 of substrate 58. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 66 is positioned on the substrate 58 so it does not extend all the way to either edge 64 such as noted above in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-6. Additionally, longitudinally disposed gaps 76 in the adhesive layer 66 are provided so that the flaps 70 do not adhere to each other and are easily grasped for opening the article 50b. The two flaps 70 can be pulled apart to open the article 50b and thus the bag 54. In forming article 50b, the substrate 58 and adhesive layers 66 thereon can be formed with an indefinite length and cut to appropriate lengths for each individual closure article 50b. Because the position of gap 76 coincides with the position of flaps 70 on the applied article 50b, the substrate 58 can be provided with registration marks, perforations, or score lines at separation demarcation 78 between adjacent closure articles 50b.

[0044] FIGS. 11-15 show a third embodiment of a tape bag closure article 50c configured to close the open end 52 of a flexible container such as bag 54. In an exemplary embodiment, the bag is gathered at neck 56; article 50c is wrapped around neck 56 and adhered to bag 54 and to itself at portion 68 to close the container and protect its contents (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, tape 50 comprises an elongated, flat substrate 58 having an outside surface 60, an inside surface 62 and two opposed longitudinal side edges 64.

[0045] As shown in FIGS. 12, 13 and 15, in an exemplary embodiment, an adhesive layer 66 is longitudinally disposed on inside surface 62 of substrate 58. In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 66 is positioned on the substrate 58 so it does not extend all the way to either edge 64 such as noted above in the embodiments shown in FIGS. 1-10. Additionally, longitudinally disposed gaps 76 in the adhesive layer 66 are provided so that the flaps 70 do not adhere to each other and are easily grasped for opening the article 50c. The two flaps 70 can be pulled apart to open the article 50c and thus the bag 54. In forming article 50c, the substrate 58 and adhesive layers 66 thereon can be formed with an indefinite length and cut to appropriate lengths for each individual closure article 50c. The positions of gaps 76 between lengths of adhesive layer 66 coincide with the positions of flaps 70 and of a one side of the tape that will be sealed against itself. Though not particularly illustrated, multiple articles 50c can be provided in a continuous strip of indefinite length, and the substrate 58 can be provided with registration marks, perforations, or score lines at a separation demarcation between adjacent closure articles 50c.

[0046] In an exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 12, a tamper evident portion is provided with one or more ruptureably cut shapes 80 on a gap section 76 of substrate 58 without adhesive. After the neck 56 of the bag 54 is gathered, the article 50c is adhered to itself about the neck 56 at portion 68, wherein a section of adhesive layer 66 sticks to the section of ruptureably cut shapes 80, as shown in FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 13, after a user pulls apart the two flaps 70 to open the article 50c and thus the bag 54, the shapes 80 are retained on the opposed adhesive layer 66 and thereby broken from their original location; holes 82 remain where the shapes 80 are tom from the substrate 58. Thus, these removed shapes 80 and holes 82 serve as visual indicators that the closure article 50c has been opened. Accordingly, a closure article 50c with a tamper-evident feature can be employed to prevent theft or adulteration of the contents of bag 54. While ruptureably cut shapes 80 are depicted as a plurality of circles, other numbers and configurations of ruptureably cut shapes 80 can be used. The shapes 80 can be provided with score lines, perforations, or other destructible connections to substrate 58. While the portion of substrate 58 surrounding the shapes 80 is shown as not having adhesive layer 66 thereon, the adhesive layer 66 may be extended over the shapes 80 in another example.

[0047] FIGS. 16A-21B show steps in the formation and use of a seal portion 68 in another tamper-evident embodiment. This tamper-evident feature may be used in any of the tape bag closure articles 50 disclosed herein. As shown in FIGS. 16A and 16B, substrate 58 is printed or otherwise disposed with a discontinuous layer of silicone or other release material 84. The illustrated embodiment shows the discontinuous layer of release material 84 configured as text, though other forms are possible.

[0048] FIGS. 17A and 17B show a second step in which the substrate portion receives a contrasting color flood print layer 86 over the silicone release print 84. In an exemplary embodiment, the flood layer 86 is thicker than the release layer 84 so that from the view of FIG. 17A (from the top side of seal portion 68, the side view of which is shown in FIG. 17B), the form of release layer 84 is not visible. However, the flood layer 86 in another embodiment can have the same thickness as release layer 84 because in use, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 19 for example, the two opposing layers of substrate 58 will also prevent a user from seeing the visual representations of release layer 84 in many cases.

[0049] FIGS. 18A and 18B show a third step in which a laned adhesive layer 66 is applied over the flood print layer 86. In one embodiment of use as shown in FIGS 7 and 19, the tape bag closure article 50 is wrapped around a gathered neck 56 of a bag 54 and adhered to itself at sealed portion 68, wherein half of the sealed portion 68 has the layered structure shown in FIGS. 18A and 18B, and the other half of the sealed portion 68 has a laned adhesive layer as shown in FIG. 2. In an exemplary embodiment, the flood layer 86 has a greater affinity for the part of the substrate 58 not covered by release layer 84 than it does for the adhesive layer 66. Moreover, in an exemplary embodiment, the flood layer has a greater affinity for the adhesive layer 66 than for the release layer 84.

[0050] Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 20-21B, when the flaps 70 are pulled apart, the two adhesive layers stick to each other. The flood print material 86 preferentially sticks to the adhesive layer 66 in the locations above the silicone release material 84 compared to the locations above the substrate 58, thereby revealing the silicone release material 84. In cases where the silicone release material 84 is transparent, the color of the substrate 58 is revealed through the silicone release material 84 in areas where the flood print layer 86 has been lifted off by the adhesive layers 66. The areas of contrasting color between where the silicone release material 84 has been provided and where it has not been provided serve as visual indicators that a closure article 50 has been opened (and thus serves as a product tamper evident feature on such a closure article 50). The illustrated embodiment shows that areas where the silicone release material 84 has been provided are configured as text, but other shapes or indicia can also be used.

[0051] Non-limiting, exemplary embodiments of an article are described. In an exemplary embodiment, an article 50 is configured for application to an item 56. While the item is illustrated as the gathered neck of a flexible container, the article 50 can be used on other items, such as to bundle together the stalks of green onions, for example. In an exemplary embodiment, the article 50 comprises a substrate strip 58 and an adhesive layer 66. In an exemplary embodiment, the substrate strip 58 has opposed first and second major surfaces 60, 62, opposed first and second ends along a length of the strip (the length being a vertical dimension as shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 12, for example), and a first width orthogonal to the length (the width being a horizontal dimension as shown in FIG. 2, 8 and 12, for example). In an exemplary embodiment, the adhesive layer 66 is disposed on the second major surface 62 and has a second width. In exemplary embodiments as shown in FIGS. 4, 9 and 14 for example, a first portion of the adhesive layer 66 is configured for attachment to the item 56; a second portion of the adhesive layer 66 is configured for attachment to a seal portion 68 of the substrate strip 58; and a terminal flap 70 at each of the first and second ends has a non-adhesive inner surface and a non-adhesive outer surface.

[0052] In an exemplary embodiment, the second width of the adhesive layer 66 is less than the first width of the substrate strip 58. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 1-6, a tamper-evident layer 72 is disposed on the adhesive layer 66 at each terminal flap 70. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 3 A and 3B, the tamper-evident layer 72 comprises a plurality of slits 74, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits 74 is aligned substantially parallel to the first width.

[0053] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 4 and 9, the seal portion 68 of the substrate strip 58 comprises a third portion of the adhesive layer 66. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 11-14, the seal portion 68 of the substrate strip 58 comprises a ruptureably cut shape 80.

[0054] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 16A - 21B, the seal portion 68 of the substrate strip 58 comprises a release layer 84. In an exemplary embodiment, the release layer 84 is discontinuous so that a part of the seal portion 68 of the substrate 58 is not covered by the release layer 84. In an exemplary embodiment, the discontinuous release layer 84 is configured in the form of indicia. In an exemplary embodiment, a flood layer 86 is disposed over at least the part of the seal portion 68 of the substrate 58 that is not covered by the release layer 84. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS. 17A and 17B, the flood layer 86 has a greater thickness than the release layer 84.

[0055] In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIGS 18A-20, a third portion of the adhesive layer 66 is disposed over the flood layer 86, and wherein the flood layer 86 has a greater affinity for the third portion of the adhesive layer 66 than for the release layer 84. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 19, the second portion of the adhesive layer 66 is configured for attachment to the third portion of the adhesive layer 66. In an exemplary embodiment as shown in FIG. 20, the flood layer 86 has a greater affinity for the part of the seal portion 68 of the substrate 58 that is not covered by the release layer 84 than for the third portion of the adhesive layer 66.

[0056] It is contemplated that many other changes in form and configuration are possible that fall within the scope of the present descriptions. Those skilled in the art will recognize that any suitable process for the manufacture of closure articles of the disclosure can be employed. For example, printing for labeling or branding purposes can be provided on the outside surface 60 of article 50. Batch processing is useful for limited production runs. Conveyor processing with indexing from station to station for specific operations can be useful, especially for uniquely designed or printed articles. Web-based processing is especially suitable from the standpoint of economy.

[0057] Although the subject of this disclosure has been described with reference to several embodiments, workers skilled in the ail will recognize that changes may be made in form and detail without departing from the scope of the disclosure. In addition, any feature disclosed with respect to one embodiment may be incorporated in another embodiment, and vice-versa.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. An article configured for application to an item, the article comprising: a substrate strip having opposed first and second major surfaces, opposed first and second ends along a length of the substrate strip, and a first width orthogonal to the length; and an adhesive layer disposed on the second major surface and having a second width; wherein: a first portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the item; a second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to a seal portion of the substrate strip; and a terminal flap at each of the first and second ends has a non-adhesive inner surface and a nonadhesive outer surface.

2. The article of claim 1, wherein the second width is less than the first width.

3. The article of claim 1 or 2 comprising a tamper-evident layer disposed on the adhesive layer at each terminal flap.

4. The article of claim 3, wherein the tamper-evident layer comprises a plurality of slits, wherein at least one of the plurality of slits is aligned substantially parallel to the first width.

5. The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a third portion of the adhesive layer.

6. The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a ruptureably cut shape.

7. The article of claim 1 or 2, wherein the seal portion of the substrate strip comprises a release layer.

8. The article of claim 7, wherein the release layer is discontinuous so that a pail of the seal portion of the substrate strip is not covered by the release layer.

9. The article of claim 8, wherein the discontinuous release layer is configured as indicia.

10. The article of claim 8 comprising a flood layer disposed over at least the part of the seal portion of the substrate strip that is not covered by the release layer.

11. The article of claim 10 wherein the flood layer has a greater thickness than the release layer.

12. The article of claim 11, wherein a third portion of the adhesive layer is disposed over the flood layer, and wherein the flood layer has a greater affinity for the third portion of the adhesive layer than for the release layer.

13. The article of claim 12, wherein the second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the third portion of the adhesive layer.

14. The article of claim 10, wherein a third portion of the adhesive layer is disposed over the flood layer, and wherein the flood layer has a greater affinity for the part of the seal portion of the substrate strip that is not covered by the release layer than for the third portion of the adhesive layer.

15. The article of claim 14, wherein the second portion of the adhesive layer is configured for attachment to the third portion of the adhesive layer.