COATING DISPENSER

Abstract

This document provides several systems for sealing and distributing the contents of containers. The systems may include openings that can move between sealed and dispensing positions.

Description

COATING DISPENSER DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION This application relates to container seals and, more specifically, to container seals in which the contents of the container can be dispensed through a portion of the seal. It is often desirable to seal the opening of a container using a liner, seal, sealing member, or internal seal that can be removed or peeled off. Often, a cap or other closure screws onto or is placed over the container opening, capturing the sealing member inside. In use, a consumer typically removes the cap or other closure to access the sealing member and then removes or peels off the container seal to dispense or access its contents. In some forms, containers hold liquids, powders, and similar substances, allowing for measured dispensing of the contents. For example, liquid medication can be dispensed by inserting a syringe into the container. In other forms, the contents can be poured from the container into a measuring device. Therefore, it is often desirable to contain the contents while also having a small or otherwise controllable opening for more precise dispensing. Similarly, it is sometimes desirable to have a dispenser or sieve to dispense smaller particles in a controlled manner. For example, spices are often dispensed from a sieve-like structure with many openings to disperse and distribute the contents of the container. In previous systems, a seal was placed beneath a rigid sieving structure. The seal was designed to seal the container's contents and had to be removed to access them. However, to remove the seal, a user would first need to remove the rigid sieving structure, remove the seal, and then replace the rigid sieving structure in the container. This multi-step process could be complicated for some users and also increased the likelihood that the user would be unable to reinstall the rigid sieving structure for use. Typically, other dispensers or strainers had to be configured so that they were registered with the other components in the seal. For example, a seal or dispenser with one or more openings would have to be configured so that the openings were not located near the contact area between the seal and the container. If the openings were located near the contact area, the seal would likely be compromised and would not fully adhere to the container. Furthermore, the openings would also typically have to be positioned with respect to one or more tabs or other structures to maintain the integrity of the seal. Because the various components of the seal required registration, its construction and overall assembly were more difficult, time-consuming, and expensive. Registration required the various seal layers to be placed in precise locations and / or cut with great precision. Besides being time-consuming and costly, this could also be particularly difficult and generate waste. This document provides several improvements to dispensing seals. The following features, shown and described in the various configurations, can be used individually or in combination. For example, one or more features from one configuration can be used in another, making the features interchangeable. In one form, a liner dispenser is provided for a container. The liner may include an upper portion having a backing layer and a compensating sealing layer, and a lower portion. The lower portion defines at least one opening through which the container's contents can be dispensed. The lower portion includes a sealing layer to seal the container. The upper portion is separably attached to the lower portion and the compensating sealing layer extends through at least one opening when installed in the container to help seal the liner dispenser to the container. A method for forming a liner dispenser for use in a container is also provided. The method includes the steps of providing an upper portion having a support layer and a compensating sealing layer; providing a lower portion defining at least one opening through which the container's contents can be dispensed, the lower portion including a sealing layer to seal the container; and removably securing the upper and lower portions to each other, the upper portion being removable from the lower portion by a user, the compensating sealing layer extending through at least one opening when installed in the container to help seal the liner dispenser to the container. According to one form, the system further includes a plurality of openings in the lower portion provided in a random pattern so that the openings are not in register with the edges of the lower portion. According to one form, the compensating sealing layer comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene acrylic acid, polyethylene copolymers and > tu NCNNC Σ c* « > s N c NNC Σ c* « ethylene vinyl acetate, various wax mixtures, sticky extrusion coatings and combinations thereof. In one form, the compensating sealing layer has a thickness of around 1.0 to around 3.0 mil. According to one design, the lower portion also includes a release layer. According to one form, the lower portion includes a microcavitated polyethylene or a microcavitated polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to help provide release between the upper and lower portions. In one form, the sealing layer has a thickness of around 0.5 to around 2.5 mil. According to one design, the lower portion includes a polymer foam layer. According to one definition, polymer foam is a polyolefin foam backed with polyethylene terephthalate, which includes about 0.5 PET laminated to about 2.5 to about 4.0 mil of foam. In one way, the coating system also includes a sheet induction layer. According to one design, the cladding system includes a plurality of openings, each with a diameter of approximately 1 mm to approximately 5 mm. However, the sizes can be varied as desired. According to one form, the relationship between the area > tu NCNNC Σ c* « of the plurality of openings and the total surface area of ​​the cladding system can vary depending on the materials chosen, the strengths and the like. In one form, the upper portion is partially joined to the lower portion to define a tongue. According to one form, the lining system also includes at least one externally extending side tab. According to one form, the lower portion has a thickness of around 1 mil to around 8 mil. In one way, the density of the lower portion can also vary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGURE 1 is an exploded view of a coating dispensing system shape; FIGURE 2 is an exploded view of another form of a coating dispensing system; FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of a lower portion of a coating dispensing system; FIGURE 4 is a bottom view of a lining system installed on a lid; FIGURE 5 is a top view of an upper portion of a lining system that has an external tab when extraction is initiated; FIGURE 6 is a perspective top view of the cladding system in FIGURE 5 as the upper portion is removed from the lower portion; FIGURE 7 is a top view of the system in FIGURE 5 when the top portion is removed; FIGURE 8 is a top view of the lower portion of a cladding system in which the openings are located on an external portion, above a contact area of ​​a container; and FIGURE 9 is a partial cross-sectional view of a cladding system in which the openings are located above the contact area of ​​a container. In order to facilitate the understanding of the object to be protected, the attached drawings illustrate modalities thereof, from an inspection of which, when considered in relation to the following description, the object to be protected, its construction and operation, and many of its advantages should be easily understood and appreciated. It should be noted that a variety of terms can be used for sealing members, such as linings, lining systems, seals, and the like. Generally, such structures include multi-layered components that are configured to temporarily and / or permanently bond at least a portion of the structure to a container. > s N c NNC Σ c* « For simplicity, this description can generally refer to a container or bottle, but the sealing members herein can be applied to any type of container, bottle, package, or other apparatus that has a rim or mouth surrounding an access opening to an internal cavity. In this description, the reference to the upper and lower surfaces and layers of the sealing member components refers to an orientation of the components as generally shown in the FIGURES and when the sealing member is in use with a container in an upright position and having an opening in the upper portion of the container. First, different approaches to the sealing member will be described in general, and then further details of the various constructions and materials will be explained.It will be noted that the sealing members described herein, in some cases, function in either a one-piece or two-piece sealing member configuration. A one-piece sealing member generally includes only the sealing member attached to a container rim. A lid or closure may also be used with it. A two-piece sealing member includes the sealing member temporarily attached to a liner. In this construction, the sealing member is attached to a container rim, and the liner is configured to separate from the sealing member during heating and be retained in a lid or other closure used on the container. In a two-piece construction, a wax coating, for example, may be used to temporarily attach the sealing member to a liner.Other types of release layers can also be used to provide a temporary bond between the seal and the coating, but release layers are generally activated by heat. With reference to FIGURE 1, a first form of system 20 is shown. System 20 generally includes an upper portion 22 and a lower portion 24. The upper portion 22 includes a support layer 26 and a compensating layer 28. In one form, the upper portion 22 may also include a membrane layer 30. The membrane layer 30 may be an induction heating layer, such as a metal foil, and may also provide moisture barrier properties, oxygen barrier properties, and the like. Although shown in the upper portion 22, the membrane layer 28 may be included in the lower portion 24 or not included in any layer. The lower portion 24 includes a sealing layer 32 for sealing to a container. The lower portion 24 may also include a release layer 34 that allows a user to remove the upper portion 22 from the lower portion 24. In one form, the lower portion 24 may also include a polymer layer 36. The polymer layer 36 can take a variety of different forms, such as foams, films, and the like. Furthermore, the polymer layer 36 can provide a variety of different functions, such as providing structural support, insulation properties, and the like. It should be understood that the lower portion 24 may also include multiple forms of the layers described above, as well as additional layers. The lower portion 24 also includes at least one opening 38. As shown in FIGURE 1, the lower portion 24 includes a plurality of openings 38. In one form, the openings 38 are configured to extend throughout the entirety of the lower portion 24 and through each layer thereof. In general, the compensating layer 28 is configured so that it will flow through at least some of the openings to help seal system 20 to a container. More specifically, the compensating layer 28 can flow through at least openings located above the container contact area during the sealing process of system 20 onto the container. For example, the system can adhere to the container during an induction sealing process. The membrane layer 30 provides heat during the induction heating process so that the heat can cause the sealing layer 32 to seal to the container and also cause at least a portion of the compensating layer 28 to flow through the openings and also seal to the container. It should be noted that the system 20 shown in FIGURE 1 does not include a top tab or an outwardly extending tab. Therefore, a user would use their fingernail or another small tool to begin peeling the upper portion 22 away from the lower portion 24. In other forms, the system may include a tab that extends from the overall circumference of the system 20 to form a gripping tab for removing the upper portion 22. In another embodiment, as shown in FIGURE 2, the upper portion 22 includes an upper tab 40 to assist the user in removing the upper portion from the lower portion 24. The upper tab 40 includes any number of layers in the upper portion 22. In one embodiment, as shown in FIGURE 2, the upper tab includes a support layer 26, which is partially bonded to other layers of the upper portion. However, other layers may also be used to help form the upper tab 40. Additionally, a release layer 42 may be included to assist in releasing the upper tab 40 and ensure that the user can easily grasp it. Figure 3 shows an uncut laminate 44 of the lower portion 24. As shown, the openings 38 extend completely through the thickness of the lower portion 24. Although shown in a regular pattern, the openings can be regular or irregular. Furthermore, the size of the openings can be varied as desired, and irregularly shaped openings can also be included. Openings of various sizes can also be included in a single seal or system. The openings can range in size from approximately 1 mm upwards, depending on the container opening size and the container contents. In one form, the openings can be positioned relative to the total surface area of ​​the lower portion. The location and size of the openings can also be modified relative to the contact area or edge.For example, when there is a larger contact area, the sizes of the openings can be increased. Additionally, it can be seen that the lower portion 24 may include printing, to help provide an indication of tampering, as well as information about the source of the seal and / or the contents of the container to prevent counterfeiting. Some of the details of the layers mentioned above will be discussed below. Since the lower portion 24 includes openings 38 that may or may not be located in areas required for sealing, the upper portion 22 includes the compensating sealing layer 28. The compensating sealing layer is configured to flow into the openings 38, especially those located toward the peripheral edge of the system 20. In this respect, the compensating layer 28 functions as a secondary sealing layer to assist the sealing layer 32. Because there are openings 38 that may be positioned toward the peripheral edge, where the system would normally seal to a contact area of ​​a container, the compensating layer 28 is configured to extend through the lower portion 24 to seal against the container. As a result of the compensating layer 28 and the sealant 32, the sealing system can provide the desired seal to the container.Furthermore, since the compensating layer is configured in this way, it is not necessary to place the openings in specific areas and it is not necessary to manufacture or install the overall seal so that any of the components need to be aligned. The 28th compensating sealant layer can include a variety of materials and can be configured based on the adjacent layers, as well as the conditions used to install the system. For example, the 28th compensating layer can include one or more of a variety of different polymer compositions. The compensating layer can include one or more polyethylene-ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, ethylene acrylic acid, various wax blends, sticky extrusion coatings, and combinations thereof. In one form, the compensating layer can have a melting point of approximately 75 to 102°C. Furthermore, the compensating layer can be provided in a variety of thicknesses, depending on the size of the openings. For example, in one form, the compensating layer can be approximately 1 to 8 mils thick to provide sufficient material to flow into the openings. In one form, the compensating layer is fluid at a desired temperature. In one form, the material can have a softening point of approximately 70 to 115°C. As previously mentioned, the compensating layer can be configured to provide sealing functionality to the container, at least in areas where there are openings adjacent to the contact area. In this regard, the compensating layer can be configured to provide a bond strength of approximately 393 g / cm² (1000 g / in²) to approximately 984 g / cm² (2500 g / in²). For example, when the container is made of PET, the compensating layer can consist of a PET laminate or film with a heat-sealable coating such as DuPont Mylar OL or Mylar CL, or EVA hot-melt wax. The bond strength should not be so strong as to cause portions of the seal to fail to release from the container.In another way, the compensating layer can form more of a weld seal so that if the openings are small and / or spaced out, the compensating layer that extends to the edge of the container can remain and then other portions of the compensating layer can break off to release the seal from the container. The membrane layer 30 can be configured to provide heat, such as during an induction heating process, as well as to provide various barrier properties. As shown in the FIGURES, in one configuration, the membrane layer 30 can be provided in the upper portion 22. In other configurations, the membrane layer 30 can be provided in the lower portion 24. In still other configurations, multiple membrane layers can be provided in one or more of the upper and lower portions 22, 24, and 24. The materials and properties of the membrane layer can be modified as needed to provide the desired properties. For example, the membrane layer can be modified based on the thicknesses and types of materials of the other layers in the system. For example, in one form, the membrane layer could be an aluminum sheet that can have a thickness of approximately 0.00889 mm (0.00035 in) to 0.0508 mm (0.002 in). More specifically, the membrane layer can be one or more layers configured to provide barrier and / or induction heating characteristics to the seal. A layer configured to provide induction heating is any layer capable of generating heat when exposed to an induction current, where eddy currents within the layer generate heat. In one approach, the membrane layer can be a metallic layer, such as aluminum foil, tin, and similar materials. In other approaches, the membrane layer can be a polymer layer combined with an induction heating layer. The membrane layer can also be, or include, an atmospheric barrier layer capable of retarding the migration of gases and moisture, at least from the outside to the inside of a sealed container, and in some cases, also providing induction heating simultaneously.Therefore, the membrane layer can be one or more layers configured to provide such functionalities. The support layer 26 can perform a variety of functions, such as providing support to the top portion, tear resistance, insulation, and the like. The support layer can also be considered a reinforcing layer for one or more of the layers of the top portion. The support layer 26 can be formed from a variety of materials, such as polymers, paper, cardboard, and similar materials. In one form, the 26-layer support layer can be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or another structural polymer layer and, in some approaches, can be approximately 0.5 to 1 mil thick. Other materials, such as paper and PET, can be used. Additionally, layered laminates, such as a PET / adhesive / foam laminate, can be used for insulation, as this layer is in contact with the inside of the closure. This can help prevent it from melting and sticking to the closure. Other materials, such as nylon and similar materials, can also be used. The release layer 34 is generally located on the lower portion. However, in other configurations, the release layer 34 may be located on the underside of the upper portion to allow release from either the upper or lower portion. Generally, the release layer is configured so that the upper and lower portions separate when a user pulls on the upper portion. The release layer must be suitable for maintaining the upper and lower portions coupled together during manufacturing, installation on a lid, and final sealing in a container. After the user removes the lid, the release layer will fracture, releasing or allowing the upper and lower portions to separate. The release layer can be formed from a variety of different materials. Such materials include, but are not limited to, PTFE, PET, and similar materials. The release layer can be provided in a variety of thicknesses, depending on whether it is intended to provide support to the lower or upper portion. The surface of the release layer can also be prepared to have enhanced release properties. For example, the surface may include micro-perforations or textures to decrease surface contact on at least one side. The release layer can also be coated with materials such as silicone, nitrocellulose release coating, lacquers containing release-promoting components such as talc or silica, or slip additives such as erucamide or anti-blocking additives such as chromamide.Other materials can also be used, such as a polymer matrix formulated to contain release-promoting agents similar to those described above. In some forms, the lower portion may consist of only a release layer that functions as both a release layer and a support layer, and possibly as a sealing layer, as could be provided by the polymer layer 36. For example, microcavitated polyester may enhance the release properties of the upper portion due to the film's differential surface properties. Such a material may be particularly suitable for sealing PET containers. Sealing with other polymer containers could be achieved by modifying the sealing layer. For example, polyethylene containers can be welded with suitable polyethylene sealing layers or peeled with modified EVA copolymers. > your NCNNC Σ c* « A specific type of material might include 0.5 mil microcavitated PET, such as Melinex 891, for the bottom portion. This material could also be run as a thicker gauge of 92 GA or 142 GA. If a thicker gauge is used, it may be feasible to laminate standard 0.5 mil packaging grade PET, such as Dupont 800C, to the 0.5 mil thickness. The polymer layer 36 can be a polymer film and / or a polymer foam. In some forms, additional polymer layers can be incorporated into the structure to support structural integrity. In one form, a layer of polymeric polyolefin foam was laminated between the release layer and the sealing layer. While this can negatively impact heat transfer to the sealing component, this can be mitigated by applying controlled induction parameters. In one form, the bottom laminate may include a PET-backed polyolefin foam, such as approximately 0.5 mil PET laminated to approximately 2.5 to 4.0 mil polyethylene foam. This can provide a variety of functions, such as structural support, insulation, and, in some cases, release properties. The sealing layer 32 can be made of any material suitable for sealing the container. The sealant composition may be modified depending on the container type, the types of materials used in the lower portion, and the installation conditions. In one form, the sealing layer may typically include a thickness of 0.5 mil to 2.5 mil in contact with the container, laminated, or incorporated into a laminated or extruded-coated film. The bottom sealing or heat-sealing layer can be composed of any material suitable for adhering to the rim of a container, such as, but not limited to, induction, conduction, or direct bonding methods. Suitable adhesives, hot-melt adhesives, or sealants for the heat-sealing layer include, but are not limited to, polyesters, polyolefins, ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene acrylic copolymers, Surlyn, and other suitable materials. By one approach, the heat-sealing layer can be a single layer or a multi-layer structure of such materials, approximately 0.2 to approximately 3 mils thick. By some approaches, the heat-sealing layer is selected to have a similar composition and / or include the same type of polymer as the container composition. For example, if the container includes polyethylene, then the heat-sealing layer would also contain polyethylene.If the container includes polypropylene, then the heat-sealed layer would also contain polypropylene. Other combinations of similar materials are also possible. In one way, the upper portion provides compression to the lower portion. This can be helpful in maintaining a proper seal between the sealing layer and the container. Additionally, by providing compression, the compensating layer can be better directed toward the openings. The thicknesses and densities of the layers used in the seal can be varied as needed. Furthermore, the relative thicknesses and densities of the upper and lower portions can be varied. In some cases, heat transfer can be important and requires maintaining structural integrity in the presence of elevated temperatures. For example, sufficient heat must be transferred to the sealing layer and also to the compensating layer so that it can flow through the openings. However, the heat cannot be so intense that it negatively affects other layers of the system. In this respect, the thickness and density of the lower portion can be significant, as it must withstand the induction heat without degrading or distorting the coating. In some forms, it may also be desirable for it to remain peelable and punctureable. In some forms, the lower portion may be composed to seal particular polymers or a range of such polymers, as defined by many of the sealants available and understood in the packaging industry. As noted above, various types of materials can be used in the structure described herein. > your NCNNC Σ c* « For example, multi-layer coextruded blown polyethylene / EVA films. Extrusion-coated PET and PE containers can be used. Additionally, single-layer blown PE films could be used to further enhance the weld seal. As noted previously, a wide range of polymers with varying thicknesses and structural compositions can be used in combination. The membrane, such as a metal sheet, the polymer density, and the duration of the induction application can be adjusted to provide the desired sealing performance. Heat is transferred from the membrane (main induction component) to the sieve component (lower portion) to impact the sieve's structural stability under heat stress. The construction and polymer selection will control the structural integrity and performance benefits of the application. The compensating layer can be configured to flow properly under induction heating conditions. Generally, the compensating layer is necessary to maintain seal integrity. The compensating layer material must be able to flow and seal upon contact with the container or other contact surface or vessel requiring sealability. Figure 4 illustrates one form of a system installed on a plurality of lids 50. Since the openings are not positioned in register with the edges of the seal 52, any number of openings can be placed near a contact area when the lid is installed on a container. For example, opening 54 is positioned so that it would come into contact with the contact area. Figure 5 illustrates a shape of an upper portion 22 as it initially separates from the lower portion 24 when installed in a container 60. Figure 6 illustrates the upper portion 22 as it continues to separate from the lower portion 24. The lower portion 24 remains in the container 60. Figure 7 shows the upper portion 22 completely removed from the lower portion 24. Additionally, it can be seen that the compensating layer 28 of the internal openings 38 is removed with the upper layer 22. The compensating layer 28 is not completely removed from the openings 38 that are located above the container contact areas, so at least a portion of the compensating layer remains with the lower portion 24. FIGURE 8 illustrates a form of the lower portion 24 having a variety of openings 38. Included in the openings are openings 68 that are positioned toward the peripheral edge of the lower portion and, when installed, would be placed next to the contact area of ​​the container Figure 9 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line AA of Figure 8 after the lower portion 24 is combined with the upper portion 22 and installed in a container 60. As seen in Figure 9, a portion of the compensating layer 28 has flowed into the opening 68 of the lower laminate to make contact with the container 60. This can help maintain a proper seal in the container even if the openings are positioned adjacent to the contact area. In addition to the features described above, the lower and upper portions can include a variety of different materials and layers. For example, the lower seal portion might include a metal foil, and the upper surface of the lower seal portion might also be the metal foil. Alternatively, the lower seal portion might include a foamed polymer, or the upper surface of the lower seal portion might be a polymer film selected from polyolefin and polyester materials. Additional layers may be included in the top and / or bottom portions, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or another structural polymer layer, and in some approaches, these may be approximately 0.5 to 1 mil thick. It should be noted that the bottom seal portion may include any number of other layers, such as polymer layers, adhesives, polymer films, polymer foams, and the like. The polymer layers used in the top and / or bottom portions can take a variety of forms, such as coatings, films, foams, and the like. Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, blends thereof, as well as copolymers or blends with higher alphaolefins. In one approach, one or more of the polymer layers can be a blend of polyolefin materials, such as a blend of one or more high-density polyolefin components combined with one or more low-density polyolefin components. In one configuration, one polymer layer can be a polyethylene film, while another polymer layer can be a PET film. Depending on the configuration, the polyethylene film can be approximately 5 to 20 microns thick, while the PET film can also be approximately 5 to 20 microns thick. A support layer may be optional on the top and / or bottom portions. If included, it may be polyethylene terephthalate (PET), nylon, or another structural polymer layer and may, in some approaches, have a thickness of approximately 0.5 to 1 mil. In some ways, the systems may include a > you NCNN insulation layer or heat redistribution layer. In one form, the insulation layer can be a foamed polymer layer. Suitable foamed polymers include foamed polyolefin, foamed polypropylene, foamed polyethylene, and polyester foams. In some forms, these foams generally have an internal burst strength of around 787 g / cm² (2000 g / in²) to around 1377 g / cm² (3500 g / in²). In some approaches, the foamed polymer layer can also have a density of less than 0.6 g / cc, and in some cases, from around 0.4 to less than around 0.6 g / cc. In other approaches, the density can be from around 0.4 g / cc to around 0.9 g / cc. The foamed polymer layer can have a thickness of around 1 to around 5 mils. In other approaches, a non-foam heat distribution or heat redistribution layer may be included. In such an approach, the non-foam heat-distributing film layer is a blend of polyolefin materials, such as a blend of one or more high-density polyolefin components combined with one or more low-density polyolefin components. Suitable polymers include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, ethylene-propylene copolymers, blends thereof, as well as copolymers or blends with higher alpha-olefins. According to one approach, the non-foam heat-distributing polyolefin film layer is a blend of approximately 50 to 70 percent of one or more high-density polyolefin materials, with the remainder being one or more lower-density polyolefin materials.The mixture is selected to achieve effective densities to provide both heat sealing to the container and separation of the liner from the seal in one piece. A heat-activated bonding layer can include any polymeric material that is activated or heated to achieve its bonding or sealing characteristics. Typically, a heat-activated bonding layer can have a density of approximately 0.9 to 1.0 g / cc and a maximum melting point of approximately 62°C (145°F) to 68°C (155°F). A bonding layer melt index of 120 can be approximately 20 to 30 g / 10 min. (ASTM D1238). Suitable examples include ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefin, two-component polyurethane, ethylene acrylic copolymers, two-part curable urethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, ethylene methacrylate copolymers, and similar bonding materials. Suitable adhesives for any of the bonding or adhesive layers described herein include, for example, ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA), polyolefins, two-component polyurethane, ethylene acrylic copolymers, curable two-part urethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, ethylene methacrylate copolymers, and similar bonding materials. Other suitable materials may include low-density polyethylene, ethylene-acrylic acid copolymers, and ethylene methacrylate copolymers. By one approach, any optional bonding layer can be a coated polyolefin bonding layer. If required, such bonding layers can be a coating of approximately 0.2 to approximately 0.5 mil (or less) of adhesive, such as coated vinyl ethylene acetate (EVA), polyolefins, two-component polyurethane, ethylene acrylic acid copolymers, curable two-part urethane adhesives, epoxy adhesives, ethylene methacrylate copolymers, and similar bonding materials. In one respect, a tongue can be formed from a full or partial layer of material combined with a partial-width composite adhesive structure that includes a polyester core with top and bottom adhesives on opposite sides. This partial composite adhesive structure bonds portions of layers together to form the gripping tongue. The various layers of the sealing member are assembled using coating adhesives, film application, and / or a thermal lamination process that forms a sheet from the described layers. Extrusion lamination may also be used. The resulting laminated sheet of sealing members can be cut into appropriately sized discs or other shapes as needed to form a container closure assembly or sealing member. The cut sealing member is inserted into a cap or other closure, which is then applied to the neck of a container to be sealed. The threaded cap can be screwed onto the open neck of the container, thus sandwiching the sealing member between the open neck of the container and the upper portion of the cap. The sealing layer may be a pressure-sensitive adhesive; the force of attaching the closure to the container can activate the adhesive.The sealing layer can also be a heat-activated adhesive, such as that activated by induction heating, conduction heating, and the like. The seals and systems described herein can be formed in a variety of different ways. In one way, the upper and lower portions can each be formed separately and then joined together. In another way, a portion of one or more of the upper and lower portions can be used to join the upper and lower portions together. It shall be understood that those skilled in the art may make various changes to the details, materials, and arrangements of the parts and components described and illustrated herein to explain the nature of the methods and compositions, the principle and scope expressed in the appended claims.

Claims

1. A liner dispensing system for a container, the system characterized in that it comprises: an upper portion having a support layer and a compensating sealing layer; and a lower portion defining at least one opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, the lower portion including a sealing layer for sealing the container, the upper portion being removably attached to the lower portion, the compensating sealing layer extending through at least one opening when installed in the container to help seal the liner dispenser to the container.

2. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a plurality of openings in the lower portion provided in a random pattern, such that the openings do not coincide with the edges of the lower portion.

3. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the compensating sealing layer comprises at least one of ethylene vinyl acetate, ethylene acrylic acid, polyethylene and ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers, wax mixtures, sticky extrusion coatings and combinations thereof.

4. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the compensating sealing layer has a thickness of about 1.0 to about 3.0 mil.

5. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion further includes a release layer.

6. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion includes a microcavitated polyethylene to help provide release between the upper and lower portions.

7. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealing layer has a thickness of about 0.5 to about 2.5 mil.

8. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion includes a polymer foam layer.

9. The coating dispensing system according to claim 8, characterized in that the polymer foam is a polyethylene terephthalate-backed polyolefin foam, comprising about 0.5 PET laminated to about 2.5 to about 4.0 mil of foam.

10. The coating dispensing system of > your NCNNC Σ c* « in accordance with claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises a sheet induction layer.

11. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of openings and each opening has a diameter of about 1 to about 5 mm.

12. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower portion has a thickness of about 1 to about 8 mil.

13. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that the upper portion is partially joined to the lower portion to define a tab.

14. The coating dispensing system according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises at least one externally extending side tab.

15. A laminate for forming a liner dispensing system for use in a container, the laminate being characterized in that it comprises: an upper portion having a backing layer and a compensating sealing layer; and a lower portion defining at least one opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, the lower portion including a sealing layer for sealing the container, the upper portion being removably attached to the lower portion, the compensating sealing layer extending through the lower portion at least one opening when formed as a liner dispensing system and installed in the container to assist in sealing the dispensing liner to the container.

16. A method for forming a liner dispensing system for use in a container, the method being characterized in that it comprises: providing an upper portion having a support layer and a compensating sealing layer; providing a lower portion defining at least one opening through which the contents of the container can be dispensed, the lower portion including a sealing layer for sealing the container; and removably securing the upper and lower portions to each other, the upper portion being removable from the lower portion by a user, the compensating sealing layer extending through at least one opening when installed in the container to assist in sealing the liner dispenser to the container.

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