Compostable sealing member
Various forms of sealing members are described along with the laminates from which the sealing members are formed. In some forms, the sealing members may generally be formed from materials that may be compostable. In some forms, the sealing members are substantially free of plastic materials. In one form, the sealing members do not include any metal foil layers such as would traditionally be included in induction heated seals. Instead, the seals may be applied in other manners, such as using ultrasonic sealing, conduction heating, pressure sensitive adhesives, and the like.
1 . A compostable sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the compostable sealing member comprising:
a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion bonded to a lower laminate portion,
the lower laminate portion positioned below the upper laminate portion and including at least one film layer and a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim, the upper laminate portion being bonded to the lower laminate portion through a partial layer of compostable adhesive to form a gripping tab for removing the sealing member from the container opening,
the upper laminate portion including a support layer, and
the compostable sealing member being substantially free of plastic materials.
2 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the sealing member contains less than 5 wt. % non-compostable plastic materials.
3 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the sealing member contains less than 3 wt. % non-compostable materials.
4 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the sealing member contains less than 1 wt. % of a single non-compostable material.
5 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the sealing member is free of metal foil.
6 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the at least one film layer comprises at least one of cellulose, compostable adhesive, and combinations thereof.
7 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein, the compostable adhesive comprises one or more compostable polyurethanes.
8 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the lower laminate portion further includes a sacrificial layer between the at least one film layer and the sealant layer.
9 . The compostable sealing member of claim 8 wherein at least one of the sealant layer and the sacrificial layer is primarily positioned over the rim area when installed on the container.
10 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the gripping tab is defined wholly within a perimeter of the sealing member without extending substantially beyond the rim of the container.
11 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the gripping tab extends external to the rim when installed on the container.
12 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the sealant layer is a pressure sensitive adhesive.
13 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 wherein the upper laminate portion includes a print layer.
14 . The compostable sealing member of claim 1 further comprising a sacrificial layer between the at least one film layer and the sealant layer, wherein the sacrificial layer ruptures and/or releases from at least one of the sealant layer and the at least one film layer to leave a remnant portion on the rim when the compostable sealing member is removed from the rim.
15 . A laminate for forming a compostable sealing member, the laminate comprising:
an upper laminate portion including a support layer; and
a lower laminate portion including at least one film layer and a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim,
the upper laminate portion bonded to a lower laminate portion, the upper laminate portion being bonded to the lower laminate portion through a partial layer of compostable adhesive to form a gripping tab for removing the sealing member from the container opening, the laminate being substantially free of plastic materials.
16 . A compostable sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the compostable sealing member comprising:
a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion bonded to a lower laminate portion,
the lower laminate portion positioned below the upper laminate portion and including at least one film layer and a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim,
the sealant layer being a partial layer that is positioned above the rim when installed on the container opening,
the upper laminate portion being bonded to the lower laminate portion through a partial layer of compostable adhesive to form a gripping tab for removing the sealing member from the container opening,
the upper laminate portion including a support layer, and
the compostable sealing member being substantially free of plastic materials.
17 . A compostable sealing member for sealing to a rim surrounding a container opening, the compostable sealing member comprising:
a multi-layer laminate including an upper laminate portion bonded to a lower laminate portion,
the lower laminate portion positioned below the upper laminate portion and including at least one film layer, a sealant layer for bonding to the container rim,
the upper laminate portion including a support layer,
the upper laminate portion being bonded to the lower laminate portion through a partial layer of compostable adhesive to form a gripping tab for removing the sealing member from the container opening,
a partial print layer that is positioned such that the compostable adhesive and partial print layer do not overlap, and
the compostable sealing member being substantially free of plastic materials.