Flexible package having slider closure

Abstract

A reclosable, flexible package is mad from a sheet of film material folded to form overlying panels. A slider fastener assembly is secured to one of the panels and has a predetermined length to avoid conflict with side seals joining the panels together. A line of weakness is formed in the panels so as to be positioned below the fastener tracks. The fastener tracks are secured to the package panels using fastener track flanges of minimal height.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A reclosable flexible package comprising: 
 a sheet of film material defining a fold line between first and second sheet portions, with said first and said second sheet portions folded in overlying relationship;    opposed front and rear panels having top edges, bottom edges and a pair of opposed sides joined together to form an interior and a package opening communicating with said interior;    said front and said rear panels comprising said first and said second sheet portions;    first and second interlockable fastener tracks configurable in an interlocked, closed position and an unlocked open position;    a slider movable along said fastener tracks to configure said tracks in said interlocked position so as to close said opening and to configure said fastener tracks in said unlocked position so as to allow access through said opening to said package interior;    said fastener tracks located between said top and said bottom of said front and said rear panels and having opposed ends located adjacent said opposed sides of said front and said rear panels and having sealing flanges secured to said front and said rear panels, respectively;    stops adjacent said ends of said fastener tracks to interfere with and prevent travel of said slider beyond said fastener tracks;    side seals joining together opposed sides of said front and said rear panels;    a top seal joining tops of said front and said rear panels, extending between said side seals;    a shroud comprising portions of said front and said rear panels covering said slider and at least the major portion of said fastener tracks;    weakening portions extending adjacent said fastener tracks for severing of said shroud in preparation for removal of said shroud from the remainder of said reclosable flexible package; and    a bottom seal joining bottoms of said front and said rear panels adjacent said fold line, between said side seals.    
     
     
         2 . The reclosable flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said weakening portion includes a line of weakness extending along at least the portion of said fastener tracks.  
     
     
         3 . The reclosable flexible package of  claim 2  wherein said line of weakness extends along the substantial entirety of said fastener tracks.  
     
     
         4 . The reclosable flexible package of  claim 2  wherein said line of weakness extends across substantially the entire extent of said reclosable flexible package.  
     
     
         5 . The reclosable flexible package of  claim 1  wherein said weakening portion includes a tear-start feature formed in one side of said reclosable flexible package to initiate tearing of said reclosable flexible package.  
     
     
         6 . The reclosable flexible package of  claim 5  further comprising a line of weakness extending along said fastener tracks, cooperating with said tear-start feature to tear said reclosable flexible package, allowing said shroud to be removed from the remainder of said reclosable flexible package.  
     
     
         7 . A method of making a reclosable, flexible package for a non-flowable product, comprising: 
 providing a sheet of film material including front and rear panels;    providing first and second interlocking fastener tracks configurable between closed and open positions;    providing a slider;    attaching the slider to said first and said second interlocking fastener tracks for sliding along said tracks to move said interlocking fastener tracks between said open and said closed positions;    said slider and said first and said second interlocking fastener tracks together comprising a fastener assembly;    attaching said fastener assembly to one of said front and said rear panels;    placing the non-flowable product on one of said front and said rear panels;    folding said sheet to place said front and said rear panels in overlying relationship;    securing said fastener tracks to said front and said rear panels; and    forming peripheral seals joining the top and bottom edges and said sides of said front and said rear panels.    
     
     
         8 . The method according to  claim 7  wherein the step of providing a sheet comprises the step of providing a roll of sheet material and severing a sheet portion from said roll.  
     
     
         9 . The method according to  claim 8  further comprising the step of forming weakening portions extending between the side seals of said front and said rear panels.  
     
     
         10 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein said step of forming the weakening portions is carried out before said sheet portion is cut from said roll.  
     
     
         11 . The method according to  claim 9  wherein folding said sheet places the weakening portions in said front and said rear panels in overlying relationship.