# US 10,369,764 B2 · Laminate structure with access openings > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,369,764 B2 - Document ID: US10369764B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 16/034,960 - Filed: 2018-07-13 - Published: 2018-11-08 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2015-07-21 - Assignees: Sonoco Development, Inc. - Applicants: Sonoco Development, Inc. - Inventors: Scott William Huffer; Jacob Donald Prue Branyon - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10369764B2 ## CPC - B32B 3/266: {characterised by an apertured layer, the apertures going through the whole thickness of the layer, e.g. expanded metal, perforated layer, slit layer regular cells B32B3/12} - B32B 7/06: permitting easy separation - B32B 7/12: using interposed adhesives or interposed materials with bonding properties - B32B 15/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 15/088: comprising polyamides - B32B 27/06: as the main or only constituent of a layer, {which is} next to another layer of {the same or of} a {different material (next to a layer of a particular substance B32B9/045; next to a bituminous or tarry layer B32B11/046; next to a water setting substance layer B32B13/12; next to a metal layer B32B15/08; next to a glass layer B32B17/10; next to a layer formed of natural mineral fibres or particles B32B19/045; next to a wood layer B32B21/08; next to a cellulosic plastic layer B32B23/08; next to a natural or synthetic rubber layer B32B25/08)} - B32B 27/08: of synthetic resin - B32B 27/32: comprising polyolefins {(comprising vinyl (co)polymers or acrylic (co)polymers B32B27/30)} - B32B 27/36: comprising polyesters - B32B 37/12: characterised by using adhesives - B32B 38/04: Punching, slitting or perforating - B65D 65/40: Applications of laminates for particular packaging purposes {(B65D1/0215, B65D1/28, B65D3/22, B65D5/0281, B65D5/563, B65D9/30, B65D29/02, B65D31/02, B65D75/26, B65D77/2024, B65D81/1275, B65D81/3811, B65D81/3823, B65D81/3834, B65D81/3846, B65D81/3858, B65D81/3874, B65D81/3886, B65D81/3897 take precedence; laminates per se or laminated packages characterised by the composition or)} - B65D 75/5894: {Preformed openings provided in a wall portion and covered by a separate removable flexible element} - B65D 77/206: {so as to uncover one or more preformed openings made through some layers of the cover} - B65D 81/3484: {Packages having self-contained heating means, e.g. heating generated by the reaction of two chemicals (warming devices A47J36/24)} - B32B 2307/724: Permeability to gases, adsorption - B32B 2307/7242: Non-permeable - B32B 2367/00: Polyesters, e.g. PET, i.e. polyethylene terephthalate - B32B 2439/00: Containers; Receptacles - B32B 2439/46: Bags - B32B 2439/70: Food packaging - B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM - B65D: CONTAINERS FOR STORAGE OR TRANSPORT OF ARTICLES OR MATERIALS, e.g. BAGS, BARRELS, BOTTLES, BOXES, CANS, CARTONS, CRATES, DRUMS, JARS, TANKS, HOPPERS, FORWARDING CONTAINERS; ACCESSORIES, CLOSURES, OR FITTINGS THEREFOR; PACKAGING ELEMENTS; PACKAGES ## Abstract A laminate structure is provided for forming a package, where the laminate structure allows for access openings to be provided upon peeling of the layers. The access openings may allow air to be introduced to the contents, such as to cause an exothermic reaction for heating items, or may allow product to be dispensed from the package. The laminate structure includes a first layer laminated to a second layer via an adhesive, and score lines are formed in the second layer to define plug areas and non-plug areas. The plug areas are configured to result in a peel interface line that occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of a peel area of the laminate structure. Thus, when the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, the peel force needed remains relatively uniform across the predefined distance. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A laminate structure comprising: a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is adhered via an adhesive to the second layer; and a plurality of score lines formed in the second layer and defining plug areas; wherein at least a portion of the first layer is configured to be peeled away from the second layer, defining a peel area, wherein the plug areas are configured to be separated and displaced from the second layer upon peeling away of the corresponding portion of the first layer to create openings in the second layer, wherein a peel interface line is formed between the first layer and the second layer and progressively moves as the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, wherein the plug areas have a tapered shape comprising a narrow end and a wider end, and wherein the tapered plug areas are disposed such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line first intersects the plug areas on their narrow end. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the plug areas are configured in a pattern such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line will intersect some plug areas on their narrow end simultaneously as it intersects other plug areas on their wider ends. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the first and second layers comprise a first web, wherein the laminate structure further comprises a second web disposed adjacent the second layer of the first web and sealed to the first web so as to form a compartment therebetween, and wherein peeling of the first layer away from the second layer allows air to enter the compartment via the openings. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The laminate structure of claim 3, additionally comprising a third web sealed to the second web and forming a separate holding space adjacent to the compartment and separated from the compartment by the second web. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The laminate structure of claim 4, wherein the compartment holds a self-contained heating material. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The laminate structure of claim 5, wherein air entering the compartment via the openings activates the heating material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the first layer comprises at least one score line defining at least one peelable portion of the first layer that is configured to be peeled away from the second layer, and wherein the at least one peelable portion defines the peel area. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the first layer is configured to be re-adhered to the second layer via the adhesive so as to re-close the openings in the second layer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the plug areas are arranged in rows. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the plug areas are disposed in a staggered pattern. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the score lines define non-plug areas and wherein the peel interface line occurs across a constant ratio of plug areas to non-plug areas along a predefined distance of the peel area. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The laminate structure of claim 1, wherein the tapered plug area comprises a relatively sharper initiation point and has a gradual flow outward into a larger shape. ### Claim 13 A laminate structure comprising: a first layer and a second layer, wherein the first layer is adhered via an adhesive to the second layer; and a plurality of score lines formed in the second layer and defining openings; wherein at least a portion of the first layer is configured to be peeled away from the second layer, defining a peel area, wherein the openings in the second layer are revealed upon peeling away of the corresponding portion of the first layer, wherein a peel interface line is formed between the first layer and the second layer and progressively moves as the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, wherein the openings have a tapered shape comprising a narrow end and a wider end, and wherein the tapered openings are disposed such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line first intersects the openings on their narrow end. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The laminate structure of claim 13, wherein the plug areas are configured in a pattern such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line will intersect some plug areas on their narrow end simultaneously as it intersects other plug areas on their wider ends. ### Claim 15 (depends on 13) The laminate structure of claim 13, wherein the first and second layers comprise a first web, wherein the laminate structure further comprises a second web disposed adjacent the second layer of the first web and sealed to the first web so as to form a compartment therebetween, and wherein peeling of the first layer away from the second layer allows air to enter the compartment via the openings. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The laminate structure of claim 15, additionally comprising a third web sealed to the second web and forming a separate holding space adjacent to the compartment and separated from the compartment by the second web. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The laminate structure of claim 16, wherein the compartment holds a self-contained heating material. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The laminate structure of claim 17, wherein air entering the compartment via the openings activates the heating material. ### Claim 19 A method of making a laminate structure comprising: laminating a first layer to a second layer, wherein the first layer is removably adhered to the second layer in at least a peelable region; and forming a plurality of score lines in the second layer to define plug areas having a tapered shape comprising a narrow end and a wider end; wherein the plug areas are configured to be separated and displaced from the second layer upon peeling away of the peelable region of the first layer to create openings in the second layer, wherein a peel interface line is formed between the first layer and the second layer in the peelable region and progressively moves as the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, and wherein the tapered plug areas are disposed such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peelable region to the other, the peel interface line first intersects the plug areas on their narrow end. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19, wherein laminating the first and second layers comprises laminating the first and second layers to form a first web, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a second web adjacent the second layer of the first web and sealing the first web to the second web so as to form a compartment therebetween and wherein peeling of the first layer away from the second layer allows air to enter the compartment via the openings. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The method of claim 20, additionally comprising sealing a third web to the second web to form a separate holding space adjacent to the compartment and separated from the compartment by the second web. ### Claim 22 (depends on 21) The method of claim 21, wherein the compartment holds a self-contained heating material and wherein air entering the compartment via the openings activates the heating material. ### Claim 23 (depends on 19) The method of claim 19 further comprising scoring the plug areas in a pattern such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line will intersect some plug areas on their narrow end simultaneously as it intersects other plug areas on their wider ends. ### Claim 24 A method of making a laminate structure comprising: laminating a first layer to a second layer, wherein the first layer is removably adhered to the second layer in at least a peelable region; and forming a plurality of score lines in the second layer to define openings having a tapered shape comprising a narrow end and a wider end; wherein the openings are configured to be separated and displaced from the second layer upon peeling away of the peelable region of the first layer to create openings in the second layer, wherein a peel interface line is formed between the first layer and the second layer in the peelable region and progressively moves as the first layer is peeled away from the second layer, and wherein the tapered openings are disposed such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peelable region to the other, the peel interface line first intersects the openings on their narrow end. ### Claim 25 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24, wherein laminating the first and second layers comprises laminating the first and second layers to form a first web, and wherein the method further comprises disposing a second web adjacent the second layer of the first web and sealing the first web to the second web so as to form a compartment therebetween and wherein peeling of the first layer away from the second layer allows air to enter the compartment via the openings. ### Claim 26 (depends on 25) The method of claim 25, additionally comprising sealing a third web to the second web to form a separate holding space adjacent to the compartment and separated from the compartment by the second web. ### Claim 27 (depends on 26) The method of claim 26, wherein the compartment holds a self-contained heating material and wherein air entering the compartment via the openings activates the heating material. ### Claim 28 (depends on 24) The method of claim 24 further comprising scoring the plug areas in a pattern such that as the location of the peel interface line moves from one side of the peel area to the other, the peel interface line will intersect some plug areas on their narrow end simultaneously as it intersects other plug areas on their wider ends.