Rigid resealable label flap having a hinge

1. A resealable label flap positionable to cover an opening in a package, the label flap comprising:

a base layer extending between a first end and a second end, the base layer including a first adhesive on a bottom face surface that permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package, the base layer having a starting tab formed near the second end to permit removal of the base layer from the package;

a top layer attached to a top face surface of the base layer;

a flap portion formed as a repeatably removable portion of the label flap from the combined base layer and top layer, the flap portion extending between an attachment end and a removable end including the starting tab; and

a slit formed in only the base layer and the first adhesive at the attachment end of the flap portion opposite the starting tab, wherein the top layer extends over the slit to define a hinge, wherein the hinge allows the portion of the base layer that forms the flap portion to completely separate from the package in an open position, thus eliminating the flexing of the base layer and allowing the flap portion to remain in the open position.

2. The resealable label flap of claim 1 , wherein the base layer and top layer further defines a frame extending substantially around the flap portion, wherein the flap portion is positioned to resealably cover the opening in the package and wherein the frame remains adhered to the package as the flap portion is removed to uncover the opening.

3. The resealable label flap of claim 1 , wherein the top layer includes a second adhesive to adhere the top layer to the base layer.

4. The resealable label flap of claim 3 , wherein the first adhesive is a removable pressure-sensitive adhesive and the second adhesive is a permanent pressure-sensitive adhesive.

5. The resealable label flap of claim 1 , wherein the top layer is coextensive with the base layer.

6. A resealable label flap positionable to cover an opening in a package containing removable articles, the label flap comprising:

a base layer extending between a first and a second end, the base layer including a first adhesive on a bottom face surface that permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package; and

a top layer attached to a top face surface of the base layer;

a flap portion formed as a repeatably removable portion of the label flap from the combined base layer and top layer, the flap portion extending between an attachment end and a removable end;

a starting tab formed near the removable end of the flap portion;

a frame surrounding at least a portion of the flap portion; and

a slit formed in only the base layer and the first adhesive at the attachment end of the flap portion opposite the starting tab, where the top layer extends over the slit to define a hinge, wherein the hinge allows the portion of the base layer that forms the flap portion to completely separate from the package in an open position, thus eliminating the flexing of the base layer and allowing the flap portion to remain in the open position.

7. The resealable label flap of claim 6 , wherein the starting tab extends to at least a periphery of the frame.

8. The resealable label flap of claim 6 , wherein the slit extends completely through the base layer and the first adhesive.

9. The resealable label flap of claim 6 , wherein the top layer includes a second adhesive to adhere the top layer to the base layer.

10. The resealable label flap of claim 6 , wherein the slit underlies the attachment end.

11. The resealable label flap of claim 6 wherein the flap portion is formed in the base layer by a cut line extending through the base layer, the first adhesive and the top layer, wherein the slit extends across the cut line at the attachment end of the flap portion through only the base layer and the first adhesive.

12. The resealable label flap of claim 11 wherein the flap portion is separated from the frame by the cut line.

13. A resealable package comprising:

a package body having an internal space sized to contain a plurality of removable articles;

an opening through the package body to the internal space for accessing the removable articles; and

a resealable label flap positioned on the package and having a flap portion to cover the opening in the package, the label flap including:

a base layer extending between a first end and a second end, the base layer having a bottom face surface positionable in contact with the package and an opposed top face surface, the bottom face surface including a first adhesive applied thereto that permits repeated application and separation of the base layer relative to the package, the flap portion having a starting tab located at the second end; and

a top layer having a bottom face surface attached to the top face surface of the base layer;

wherein the base layer and the first adhesive are formed with a slit at the attachment end of the flap portion such that the top layer extends over the slit to define a hinge, wherein the hinge allows the portion of the base layer that forms the flap portion to completely separate from the package in an open position, thus eliminating the flexing of the base layer and allowing the flap portion to remain in the open position.

14. The resealable package of claim 13 wherein the base layer and top layer further define a frame extending substantially around the flap portion, wherein the frame remains adhered to the package as the flap portion is removed to uncover the opening.

15. The resealable package of claim 14 wherein the flap portion is formed in the resealable label flap by a cut line extending through the base layer, the first adhesive and the top layer, wherein the slit extends across the cut line through only the base layer and the first adhesive.

16. The resealable package of claim 15 wherein the flap portion is separated from the frame by the cut line.