Easy open and reclosable gusseted package with die-cut web and reclosure mechanism

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9586724-B2
Application number	US-201414300292-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Jun 10, 2014
Priority date	Jun 10, 2014
Publication date	Mar 7, 2017
Grant date	Mar 7, 2017

Abstract

An easy-open/reclosable gusseted package includes a reclosure mechanism including a first and second interlocking strip; a die cut in a first panel and in a first and optionally a second gusset. The die cut defines a die cut segment spaced from the first and second ends of the package that can be displaced to open the package and access a contained product between the interlocking strips, the interlocking surfaces being at least partially exposed. The package can be reclosed, after removing the die cut segment, by engaging the interlocking surface of a second portion of the first interlocking strip with itself in the first gusset, and optionally a third portion of the first interlocking strip with itself in the second gusset, folding the package, and engaging the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip with the interlocking surface of the first portion of the first interlocking strip.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An easy-open and reclosable gusseted package, enclosing a product, comprising a pouch comprising:
a) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end;
b) a first pouch end and a second pouch end;
c) a first and second gusset each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first gusset connecting the first and second side panels at a first side of the pouch, and the second gusset connecting the first and second side panels at a second side of the pouch;
d) a reclosure mechanism comprising
(i) a first interlocking strip comprising
(a) a first and second side edge,
(b) a first and second end, and
(c) an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface,

wherein a first portion of the first interlocking strip is anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel such that part of the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the first side panel, and a second portion of the first interlocking strip is anchored to the inner surface of the first gusset, and
(ii) a second interlocking strip comprising a first and second side edge, a first and second end, and an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface, the second interlocking strip anchored to the inner surface of at least one of the first and second side panels, such that the interlocking surface faces the inner surface of the first side panel; and

e) a die cut disposed in the first side panel and the first gusset, the die cut defining a die cut segment that is spaced from the first and second ends of the package.

2. The package of claim 1 wherein the package is configured such that
(a) before the package is initially opened, the interlocking surfaces of the first and second interlocking strips are not exposed;
(b) the interlocking surfaces of the second interlocking strip, and the first portion of the first interlocking strip, are not engaged until the package is initially opened and then reclosed;
(c) the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip is farther from the first end of the package than the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip; and
(d) the first interlocking strip is longer than the second interlocking strip.

3. The package of claim 1 wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking strips comprises a skirt segment having a first and second surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end.

4. The package of claim 3 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces of the skirt segment comprises an easy-open sealant.

5. The package of claim 1 wherein the closed loop die cut segment includes a first component wherein the die cut extends entirely through the first side panel, and a second component wherein the die cut extends partially through the first side panel and the first gusset.

6. The package of claim 1 wherein the closed loop die cut is disposed in the second gusset, and the first interlocking strip comprises a third portion anchored to the inner surface of the second gusset.

7. The package of claim 6 wherein when the package is opened, the package can thereafter be reclosed by engaging the interlocking surface of the third portion of the first interlocking strip with itself.

8. A method of making an easy-open and reclosable gusseted package in a vertical form/fill/seal process comprising:
a) providing a lay-flat web, the lay-flat web comprising a first and second surface, and a die cut;
b) providing a reclosure mechanism comprising a first and second interlocking strip each comprising a first and second side edge, a first and second end, and an interlocking segment having a base surface and an interlocking surface;
c) advancing the lay-flat web with the reclosure mechanism over a forming device to convert the lay-flat web to a folded web having an interior surface;
d) longitudinally sealing the folded web to make a longitudinal seal;
e) forming a first and second gusset in the folded web;
f) transversely sealing the folded web to produce a first transverse seal to define a first pouch, wherein the first transverse seal is a bottom transverse seal of the first pouch;
g) putting a product in the first pouch;
h) advancing the folded web, with the first pouch, downward a predetermined di stance;
i) transversely sealing the first pouch to produce a top transverse seal in the first pouch, and a bottom transverse seal in a second pouch, the second pouch disposed above the first pouch; and
j) transversely cutting the folded web to separate the first pouch from the second pouch to make a package, the package comprising
(i) a first and second side panel each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end,
(ii) a first pouch end and a second pouch end,
(iii) the first and second gusset each comprising an outer and inner surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end, the first gusset connecting the first and second side panels at a first side of the pouch, and the second gusset connecting the first and second side panels at a second side of the pouch, and
(iv) a first portion of the first interlocking strip anchored to the inner surface of the first side panel such that a part of the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip faces the inner surface of the first side panel, and a second portion of the first interlocking strip anchored to the inner surface of the first gusset and the second interlocking strip anchored to the inner surface of at least one of the first and second side panels such that the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip faces the inner surface of the first side panel;

wherein each of the first and second interlocking strips is either pre-anchored to the lay-flat web, or is anchored to the lay-flat web or the folded web at any time before or during the step of making the longitudinal seal in the folded web; and
wherein the die cut is disposed in the first side panel and the first gusset, the die cut defining a die cut segment that is spaced from the first and second ends of the package.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the package is configured such that
(a) the interlocking surfaces of the first and second interlocking strips are not exposed until the package is initially opened;
(b) the interlocking surfaces of the second interlocking strip, and the first portion of the first interlocking strip, are not engaged until the package is initially opened and then reclosed;
(c) the interlocking surface of the first interlocking strip is farther from the first end of the package than the interlocking surface of the second interlocking strip; and
(d) the first interlocking strip is longer than the second interlocking strip.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein at least one of the first and second interlocking strips comprises a skirt segment having a first and second surface, a first and second side edge, and a first and second end.

11. The method of claim 10 wherein at least a portion of at least one of the first and second surfaces of the skirt segment comprises an easy-open sealant.

12. The method of claim 8 wherein the die cut is disposed in the second gusset, and the first interlocking strip comprises a third portion anchored to the inner surface of the second gusset.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein when the package is opened, the package can thereafter be reclosed by engaging the interlocking surface of the third portion of the first interlocki

Assignees

• Cryovac Inc

Inventors

• Moehlenbrock Andrew W
• Cook Hubert J

Classifications

• B65D2313/02

  of hook-and-loop type · CPC title

• B65D33/2583

  the slide fastener being attached to one wall only · CPC title

• B65D33/2575

  the slide fastener providing access to the bag through a bag wall, e.g. intended to be cut open by the consumer · CPC title

• B65D33/25

  Riveting; Dovetailing; Screwing; using press buttons or slide fasteners · CPC title

• B65D31/10 Primary

  with gusseted sides · CPC title